The Clare Echo 19/12/19

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Car sharing comes to Clare

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

news@clareecho.ie

three month pilot scheme described as a ‘voluntary rural uber’ is being trialled in Carrigaholt.

Clare Local Lift was launched on Friday morning at The Long Dock by

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19 Dec 2019

2019

DOING IT FOR LAURA Bernie Brennan taking part in a HPV spinathon at Bank of Ireland Ennis last Friday.

More on page 23

Photo by John Mangan

Minister of State Pat Breen. Through the app, drivers and passengers are able to connect with each other and arrange lifts when both parties are travelling in the same direction.

It is the first scheme of its kind in Ireland and forms part of the Clare Rural Development Strategy.

Minister of State, Pat Breen (FG) referred to CSO statistics that car ownership in Loop Head was at 18.5 percent. “Look at how things have changed in urban areas, look at MyTaxi, Uber, when I started off as a TD in Dublin I had to go out on the road and hail a taxi, now you have an app on your phone which tells you where exactly the taxi is, what time it’s coming and you can plot its journey along the way. This is what technology is doing to society in urban areas, let the same technology do the very same in rural areas”.

As part of the pilot scheme, the app is only available on Android phones. However, Clare County Council have a limited supply of mobiles that can be used by personnel wishing to use the Local Lift.

For further details on the scheme, contact clarelocallift@clarecoco.ie.

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2 NEWS

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

Index

BUDDING TALENTS

2-19

NEWS

ENTERTAINMENT

20-21

COMMUNITY

24-25

THE JESSIES

26

YEAR IN REVIEW

27-33

BUSINESS

34-35

PROPERTY

36-39

CLASSIFIEDS

44-45

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

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

SALES

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l PLUCKING A TUNE: Emily Frawley of Barefield National School plays

along with her bandmates to welcome the Japanese Ambassador of Ireland to her school last Friday. Mitsuru Kitano was invited to launch an art exhibition completed by Barefield’s sixth class pupils under the tuition of Carmel Madigan Photo by John Mangan

Clare Bus awarded one-year contract

A

BRIGHTER future looks to be on the cards for Clare Accessible Transport after some difficult months, writes Páraic McMahon, with the transport provider offered the contract to maintain the 12 routes it operates.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) had put the routes up for tender and on January 13, the new one-year contract commences with the potential of this rolling on for a second year. It followed the NTA’s decision in April to award the transport co-ordination unit (TCU) of Clare Bus, previously held by Clare Accessible Transport, to Limerick Local Link. The Newcastle West centre now named Local Link Limerick Clare, will remain responsible for dealing with bookings for Clare Bus. Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) was one of the most vocal councillors to criticise the decision by the NTA to take the TCU unit from Clare Accessible Transport. “There is a sense of relief that we have certainty about the routes.

They were in no man’s land for the last few months when they didn’t get the direct award,” he told The Clare Echo.

Hayes expressed his surprise that the contract is only for one year and was hopeful the General Election would lead to a change in Minister for Transport.

Clare TD, Dr Michael Harty (IND) facilitated a meeting between Transport Minister Shane Ross and the Board of Clare Accessible Transport on October 31. He felt the awarding of the 12 routes to Clare Bus was “a great relief to those who benefit from the exceptional service”. He flagged almost €200,000 in funding has been withheld from Clare Bus since the summer.

“Clare Bus have absolutely exhausted all their resources and would have been unable to operate beyond this Monday. Last week I made further representations to the Minister. A part payment of €61,000 was lodged with Clare Bus on Friday which means that the service can continue until mid-January. I now call on the NTA to pay the balance as quickly as possible.”

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4 NEWS

Fitzgerald speaks out on Garda investigation PÁRAIC McMAHON

A

news@clareecho.ie

N “UNPRECEDENTED level of social media bashing” was endured by some Clare GAA officers in 2019, county secretary Pat Fitzgerald has lamented.

In his report to Thursday’s Convention, the Sixmilebridge clubman described the level of online abuse as “a particularly disturbing development”. “I suppose there comes a time when one has to cry ‘enough is enough’. For years I have been pilloried on social media and other online platforms, subjected to cheap shots by a majority of people who haven’t the decency or courage to put their names to the posts. And for most of the time I have chosen to ignore the diatribe.

“I have always prided myself as being a person with solid principles and values, of decency, integrity and honesty. But this year’s vitriol descended to unacceptable levels. When online posts question those personal characteristics and enter the realms of a smear and belittle-

ment campaign as I see it, I just could not sit idly by any longer and bite my tongue. It was time to take forceful action”.

Fitzgerald revealed that the online comments have hurt his family. “Such an unwarranted character assassination impinges on my family as well. One can cocoon one self for so long but they too have been hurt by the unacceptable comments posted by people sitting at a keyboard, hiding behind the shields of anonymity”.

“It hasn’t just been this year alone, it just came to the point where I had to go down a road I had thought long and hard about previously. A cohort of people have consistently been of the one mind, hitting the keyboard trying to tarnish my good name and that of other officers of the county board,” the long serving officer stated.

A dossier of social media postings has been compiled by Clare GAA and handed over to An Garda Síochána as part of this investigation with a formal complaint made.

He concluded, “It wasn’t something I did lightly but I think you will all agree it is time to put a stop to the vilified attacks. Other officers of Clare GAA have been maligned on social media and these posts are also included in the dossier of complaints. We will wait to see what develops from the investigation”.

l UPSETTING: Clare GAA County Secretary Pat Fitzgerald has revealed that online comments have hurt his family

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

214 families get childcare supports JUST three weeks after applications to the National Childcare Scheme opened online, 214 awards have already been issued to families in Clare, Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has said.

And he is encouraging all parents in Clare to apply for subsidies to meet the cost of early learning and care and school age childcare at http:// www.ncs.gov.ie The scheme means financial supports can be used with any participating and Tusla registered early learning and care and school age childcare service, including Tusla registered childminders.

The scheme’s purpose-built IT system aims to process a universal application in a matter of minutes, and an income assessed application in a matter of days.

As of December 10, a total of 323 applications have been received from Clare parents, with 214 awards issued. More than 8,000 awards have been issued nationwide in three weeks with applications processing smoothly and quickly.

“Under the National Childcare Scheme, families will be supported to meet the cost of quality early learning and care and school age childcare through a system of universal and income-related subsides.

Using a verified MyGovID account, I encourage families to apply directly for subsidies at www.ncs.gov.ie” Deputy Carey added.

6 NEWS

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

‘Voluntary rural Uber’ trialled in Carrigaholt PÁRAIC McMAHON

A

news@clareecho.ie

THREE month pilot scheme described as a ‘voluntary rural uber’ is being trialled in Carrigaholt.

Clare Local Lift was launched on Friday morning at The Long Dock

by Minister of State Pat Breen.

Through a special app created by Kerry company Arvoia, drivers and passengers are able to connect with each other and arrange lifts when both parties are travelling in the same direction.

Communication is done via the app’s built-in messaging service when a travel arrangement is agreed, users do not obtain contact details of others but are able to look at the profile of the individual that has either offered them a lift and drivers can do likewise when they see a request from a person wishing

to travel to a certain location, here they will see the history detailing the journeys already undertaken by personnel as part of the scheme.

Once the journey concludes, all messages are deleted.

Financial support for the initiative was provided by Clare County Council and Enterprise Ireland.

It is the first scheme of its kind in Ireland and forms part of the Clare Rural Development Strategy.

Director of Service Leonard Cleary highlighted the importance of sustainability for new projects.

“We’re also looking at challenging more traditional approaches to rural development to see how we can embrace new ways and new initiatives, today’s project is in the technology piece in bringing that in as an enabler of rural development. We’re also very conscious about a sustainable approach to rural development and that is why a community such as Carrigaholt in the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way was selected, looking at a sustain-

able approach to tourism which is being led locally by the Loop Head tourism group but also the development associations in the parishes throughout the area.

“It is important that any development that happens on the economic side is sustainable but also on the tourism piece is sustainable and

also the host environments and communities that are here. ”.

Carrigaholt’s strengths as a location for the local lift were emphasised by VP of Customer Success with Arvoia, Donal O’Leary. “Carrigaholt was identified early in the process as an ideal choice, it is a well-structured, tight-knit, close

l GROUNDBREAKING: Councillor Cillian Murphy and Deputy Mayor Clare Colleran Molloy at the launch of Local Lift Photo by Eamon Ward

group. There will be a lot of eyes on this, I would just ask we help by spreading the word”.

Minister of State, Pat Breen (FG) echoed this and referred to CSO statistics that car ownership in Loop Head was at 18.5 percent.

“Look at how things have changed in urban areas, look at MyTaxi, Uber, when I started off as a TD in Dublin I had to go out on the road and hail a taxi, now you have an app on your phone which tells you where exactly the taxi is, what time it’s coming and you can plot its journey along the way. This is what technology is doing to society in urban areas, let the same technology do the very same in rural areas”.

As part of the pilot scheme, the app is only available on Android phones. However, Clare County Council have a limited supply of mobiles that can be used by personnel wishing to use the Local Lift.

For further details on the scheme, contact clarelocallift@clarecoco.ie.

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Opening of new LIT campus ‘a huge boost’ PÁRAIC McMAHON

E

paraic@clareecho.ie

NNIS officially has a third level presence in the town following Monday's opening of LIT's new campus on Bindon St. A once vacant building is now the home of LIT in Ennis following an approximate €1m investment. Since September, courses have been offered in social care and early childhood education with further additions to come including general business and creative media. In total, eight degree programmes are available through the CAO at the campus.

Clare County Council were responsible for purchasing and refurbishing the building with construction work carried out by Jada Construction.

"We've deep affection for Clare, a lot of history in dealing with Clare. It is a great day for Ennis, for Clare and for this region," LIT President, Vincent Cunnane said

as he welcomed the opening of LIT's fifth campus adding to their facilities at Moylish, Thurles, Clonmel and Clare St. Short of 100 students are currently based at the Bindon St campus with confidence expressed that this figure "will grow greatly, we have part-time programmes and we want to grow that and what we offer here, the number of students and we want this to be not just a day-time activity but a night-time activity bringing a lot to the local community. Where people go to college, they tend to put down roots, they stay, the people exiting out of Clare and Ennis may not come back, having a facility that can anchor them here means their professional development can continue here with their jobs and their life," Cunnane added.

An alumnus of LIT, Minister of State, Pat Breen (FG) was on hand to open the building.

During his address he quoted Benjamin Franklin 'an investment in knowledge pays the best interest' and B.B. King 'the

beautiful thing about education is that nobody can take it away from you'. The Clare TD felt the new campus was "a huge boost to Ennis. It has brought a new lease of life to Bindon St and to Ennis".

Breen flagged that three quarters of LIT graduates remain in the Mid-West region.

Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Clare Col-

l KEEP HER LIT: Pictured at the official opening were from left Professor Vincent Cunnane, LIT President, Minister Pat Breen TD, Acting Mayor of Clare Claire Colleran Molloy, Tony Brazil , Chairman Governing Body LIT and Liam Conneally , Director of Services Clare Photo by Eamon Ward County Council

Ennis 2040 will bring more third level plans ENNIS' third level presence is going to become "bigger and greater", Clare County Council's Director of Economic Development has outlined.

Speaking at the official opening of LIT's Ennis campus, Liam Conneally detailed how the Ennis 2040 plan is going to lead to more third level opportunities and research centres making its way to the county town.

"From an Ennis 2040 perspective, it is in gestation a little bit longer than we anticipated, it is going to be our twenty year economic and spatial plan for Ennis, it is going to lead to opportunity sites being developed, a third level presence such as this and this is going to be the first of many, there will be other commercial opportunities that we will bring to the town led by public private partnerships and joint venture partnerships.

"This third level presence is the start of something much bigger and greater. We can only grow from here, 100 will become 200 quickly, it is up to us to find a space and more opportunities for third level education and research. As has been said, the value of education is not just education itself but how it seeps into the business community and the life of the place that it exists".

He paid tribute to the various parties involved in making the development of a previously vacant building into LIT's home in Clare. These included his own staff within the Economic Development Directorate, Jada Construction, Clare County Council management, Ennis Chamber of Commerce, elected members of the Council, Pat Breen

leran Molloy (FF) noted the difference in the building now and when elected representatives and officials from the Council conducted a walk through last year.

"It will have a significant positive economic impact for Ennis contributing to greater footfall in the town centre as we've already seen and bringing new life to this building".

plus LIT's own President and Chairman.

"I look around and see a room full of friends. These are people I've worked with over the years in many different guises and places, there is a trust built up in delivering projects like this. When the conversation took place for this to happen, there was only a need for one conversation and it was done," Conneally stated.

l OPPORTUNITY: Liam Conneally pictured speaking at the opening of LIT’s Ennis campus Photo by Eamon Ward

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

Lifebuoy theft a ‘form of manslaughter’ DISPOSING of a lifebuoy is "an attempted form of manslaughter", the Mayor of Clare has claimed.

Approximately €50,000 is spent every year by local authorities "replacing an estimated 1,500 lifebuoys that are stolen or vandalised," Cllr Mary Howard calculated at a recent sitting of Clare County Council.

She asked that a letter be sent to both Minister for Communication, Climate Action and Environment, Mr. Richard Bruton and Minister for Justice and Equality, Mr. Charlie Flanagan "to consider whether we can add low-tec trackers to the floats as a deterrent as well as assisting with the location of these life saving devices."

"Almost all of our county is surrounded by water whether it's rivers, the sea or estuary. This is a very simple motion that could save a life if not more than one. Keeping track of it would be a good idea," the Ennis representative added.

Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) flagged, "The trackers won't deter the wrong doers but it will help to find them. You will always have people who destroy equipment that is there to save lives".

"Living alongside a river I realise how serious it is if you don't have a lifebuoy.

We are very fortunate in Sixmilebridge that not too many have gone missing," Cllr John Crowe (FG) stated.

In adding his support to the motion, Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) gave his view that "It is a form of attempted manslaughter to dispose of a lifebuoy".

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

More publicity RUN FOR IT needed on rates reduction scheme

PÁRAIC McMAHON

E

news@clareecho.ie

FFORTS to increase the publicity of a rates reduction scheme in West Clare have been condemned.

Director of Rural Development within Clare County Council, Leonard Cleary was called upon by Cllr Ian Lynch (insert) to “detail the efforts that have been made for the county and in the West Clare MD to publicise the rate reduction scheme for vacant properties”.

However the response to his motion was provided by the Finance Department with Cllr Lynch making the observation “I directed this in your direction Leonard but I’d say you used

the bat to give it to finance” at the most recent sitting of the West Clare MD. Three schemes are operated by the local authority “to aid commercial rate payers”.

These include the early payment incentive scheme, vacant properties and long term vacant property scheme.

All three were advertised “when rates bills were issued having first been approved at Council level,” Trina Rynne noted in her reply.

“Staff from the rates section engage with customers on an ongoing basis and endeavour to raise awareness of incentives available to commercial rate payers,” the financial accountant added.

Cllr Lynch was nonplussed with the detail provided in the response.

“None of the stuff says what has been done. Meeting with business people won’t attract someone in there. Are we

really serious about the scheme? We should be trying to encourage young people to set up shop to revitalise centre of towns and villages”.

“They’re advertising when they are sending the rates bill,” Cllr Shane Talty (FF) quipped. He praised Cllr Lynch for bringing forward “a very valid point”.

Cleary told the meeting that the Finance Department were willing to hold a briefing session with councillors to discuss the schemes.

“There is a piece of work to be done. It could help breathe life into hollow centres of towns and villages.

We’ll take the points on board”.

l WINNER: Finn Duignan from St. Cronan’s Athletic Club took gold in the Boys under 13 individual race at the National Cross Country championships held in Dunboyne at the weekend

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12 NEWS

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

Council house gutting ‘sinful’ PÁRAIC McMAHON

C

news@clareecho.ie

RITICISM has been voiced with the manner in which West Clare’s social housing stock has been managed.

Speaking at the November meeting of the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) highlighted his displeasure with the procedures being followed when it comes to the MD’s housing stock. “There are only 36 houses vacant in the whole of West Clare, I thought there was more in Kilrush alone.

“This is a serious problem. I can’t believe we’re allowing houses go into our stock when they’re not ready, I can’t understand how we’re letting substandard houses receive state funding”.

At the meeting, Lynch had sought details on the West Clare MD’s social housing stock including the occupancy rate, completed inspections, amount of HAP approved properties and housing applications.

Senior executive officer within the Council’s Housing Department, Siobhán McNulty outlined the local authority has 862 houses within its stock for the Municipal District.

Of this, 119 are one bedroom, 217 are two bedroom, 493 are three bedroom, 31 are four bedroom with 2 five bedroom houses.

McNulty confirmed there are 36 vacant properties in the West Clare MD, 23 casual vacancies, 3 recent acquisitions and 10 long term voids. “The average vacancy period for

the casual vacancies is 70 days. There are a number of long term voids in Kilrush which have been vacant for a period”. She advised that both St Senan’s Terrace and Nagles Terrace in Kilrush are due to be going to tender.

2,968 applicants are qualified for social housing support within the MD, 1,365 of which are HAP accommodated and 185 approved for inclusion on a transfer list. “We have no measurement or capability of measuring the number happy to remain in their current rented accommodation,” Siobhán stated.

A frustrated Cllr Lynch noted that some residents had informed him about how cold properties were. “The Council spent an extreme amount of money on houses to be gutted, it is sinful and shameful this has been allowed to happen”.

“I asked a similar question directly with regard to Kilkee,” Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) stated. There were 114 people looking for housing in Kilkee with only seven available vacant houses, “This is an indicative example of the pressure the Housing Department are under,” he said in seconding the motion.

“Would I be right in saying Kilrush looked after their own housing needs at one stage,” Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) asked.

Director of Service, Leonard Cleary said this was done by Kilrush Town Council.

“Would it be a help if you had a centre in West Clare and the applications were going there. I know in Kilkee there was 7 in one estate vacant,” Keating suggested.

Cleary advised Siobhan McNulty to hold a briefing session with councillors and encouraged elected representatives to advise Council officials of their local knowledge.

McInerney calls for urgent action on ambulance turnaround times AMBULANCE turnaround times need to speed up at University Hospital Limerick, one Clare General Election candidate has stated.

Rita McInerney (FF) called for urgent action to address the speed of ambulance turnaround at UHL. Turnaround times measure the time interval from ambulance arrival at a hospital, to when the crew is ready to accept another call. The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) recommends an ambulance turnaround target of 20 minutes while the HSE sets it at 30 minutes.

In 2012 HIQA said that all hospitals in Ireland should monitor the implementation of the National

Ambulance Patient Handover Time in line with the National Emergency Medicine Programme which requires 95% of patients being handed over from an ambulance crew to the emergency department staff in less than 20 minutes, and where this is not met, corrective action should be taken.

New information shows that the HIQA 20-minute target was only met in 18.3% of cases in Limerick and the HSE 30-minute target was only met in 49% of cas-

es in 2019.

"These figures are absolutely shocking, but what makes it worse is the fact that those figures have fallen further in the last two years, when they stood at 21.5% and 58.1% respectively. We are seeing a drop of almost 10% in the HSE target in a two year period, despite the fact that the HSE budget has never been as big," McInerney told The Clare Echo.

Rita added, "It's another vicious cycle; and is a direct result of overcrowding at the hospital. Yesterday, Limerick saw another record broken – there were 85 people on trolleys; that's the most ever in any one day in a single hospital. The situation is completely out of control and the Minister has failed to bring forward any solutions. If ambulance response times continue to worsen, people in emergencies and in urgent need of an ambulance are going to find themselves in a very dangerous situation".

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Mid-West well positioned for investment STUART HOLLY

D

editor@clareecho.ie

ESCRIBING the news that Modular Automation is to create 100 new jobs as part of its expansion over the next three years as a great boost for Shannon and the wider region, Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes said that this announcement by an indigenous company is the perfect example of what can be achieved through investment in innovation and continuous improvement.

"It strengthens a company's sustainability

and enables it to carve out a niche and gain global recognition as a leader in its sector; in Modular Automation's case, that is in automation solutions for the MedTec sector.

"We send congratulations to CEO Vivienne Farrell and her team for their commitment to Shannon.

“Modular is a 32-year-old Shannon-based company, which has grown from strength to strength, expanding both its employment level and its footprint in Shannon. Growth of this nature by an indigenous company clearly demonstrates that the Mid-West region is well positioned to attract investment and skills from both the indigenous and multinational sectors.

"It's a great news day for Shannon," added Ms Downes.

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lCHRISTMAS CHEER: Siobhan Ryan, Garda staff, Santa Claus and Sgt Tracey Stanley, Shannon Garda at a party for senior citizens in the Goalpost Bar

Photo by Joe Buckley

YOUNG PEOPLE OF SHANNON, I LOVE YOU lFOR THE PARISH: Pupils of St. Patrick’s Comprehensive School, Lee and Allia-Jai were honoured at the John Paul II Awards recently.

They both received gold medals for outstanding contribution to the community and for their parish work. At least 46 hours of work, plus a personal reflection of 1500 words is needed to qualify for a gold award.

lA TIME FOR GIVING: LCA students headed up the SVP annual food appeal at at St Patrick’s Comprehensive school this year

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16 NEWS

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

THE BEST DOG-TOR

BY CIAN O’BROIN

Huge goodwill towards Ennis Tidy Towns group

T

HE Ennis Tidy Towns group operates within the longest running environmental competition in the country. Ennis has a very strong track record in terms of voluntary support, which ultimately shows during the final judging of the competition, of which the Clare capital was one point off the national title this year (pictured below at the ceremony). Although pertinent, Chairman Cormac McCarthy feels that the national achievements only reveal a small fraction of the ardent and altruistic work put in by the community throughout the entire year. Contingent on a network of supports and partnerships, Mr McCarthy feels that the Ennis Tidy Towns is the perfect mechanism to get everyone in the community involved in environmental protection, regardless of ability or interest.

Mr McCarthy alludes to the importance of strong partnerships and connections within the local community as being the centrepiece of the Ennis Tidy Towns ideology, “We do a lot of work with the Ennis Municipal District. It's of paramount importance, we sit down at the beginning of each year and see their grass cutting plan. It’s complementary not only to the town but to biodiversity measures also. We have some very successful partnerships with volunteers of other agencies such as local GAA clubs and beekeepers. Ennis has a number of excellent voluntary groups, for example, the Ennis sub-aqua club. Twice a year, they go in and pick up the litter in the River Fergus because it’s something that we are unable to do.”

On the voluntary support that Ennis Tidy Towns thrives on, Mr McCarthy admits that each individual brings a unique area of interest or skillset, whether that lies in sustainability or biodiversity. “We worked with the LCETB whereby we had a community artist. There were new nationalities in town, so we wanted to foster that sense of place and they developed a beautiful tiled mosaic on Francis Street. Having more visual projects out there gets more and more people involved. We have just seen our volunteer base explode in the last couple of years. The level of goodwill and compliments within the community is tremendous, people always ask us if we need help or want to know when we meet. Volunteer work and litter picking is our interface with the public.”

Planning and preparations for the national competition begins in October of each year. Many projects run throughout the year and oftentimes are not completed in time for the annual submission date. Mr McCarthy chalks this down to the care and consideration put into each project for example, last year, Ennis Tidy Towns initiated their digital media feature on the River Fergus from Ballyalla to Clare Abbey, which ran past the 2019 submission date due to the investment and time put into the overall project, which will now be entered for 2020.

Mr McCarthy stresses the unceasing efforts put in by the Ennis Tidy Towns, whereby, “there are emails sent out to project partners the day after the awards are hosted.”

Innovation and implementation have enabled Ennis Tidy Towns to fine tune their work into unparalleled success, with a one hundred per cent implementation rate on their recent three-year plan, something which Mr McCarthy admits, exceeded their own expectations. This implementation came in the form of biodiversity, planting orchards, forestry events and much more. The specifics of this implementation will be publicly outlined in their new three to five-year plan, a feature of the national competition which allows them to gauge the adaptation of a strategic approach to protecting the environment. Innovative forms of engagement such as the random acts of kindness which involves cleaning up a particular area in one’s own time and informing the community or the annual five minute clean up recommended for the entire county whereby you step outside your door for five minutes to pick up litter all contributes towards an accumulative impact, in the words of Mr McCarthy.

On a reason for getting involved Mr. McCarthy feels that, “For Irish people volunteerism and contributing to their local community has been with us for generations.

There is something very rewarding about going out and doing something in a very altruistic way for other people in the community. There is a very good feel good factor with it as well. To be able to go out on a Monday evening and know that you collected a bag of litter or removed so many weeds, there’s a very good feeling of satisfaction and it gets people out in the fresh air and you are with some very like minded people. Proving that it is very good for people’s physical and mental health. What I would always stress is, you volunteer when and how you can.”

lPAWSITIVITY: Eight year old labrador Bonnie the therapy dog during a recent visit to the Children's Ark at University Hospital Limerick with (from left): Senior Play Specialist Kris Buckley; Bonnie's owner Emma Hogan; and young patients Isaac O'Meara, Adare, Co Limerick; Kimberly Burke, Kilbaha; and Sinead Hennessey, Clarecastle. "The children are here as inpatients, or they might be coming in for day treatments, either of which can involve a lot of waiting and sitting around, which can be difficult for a child. But when they see Bonnie, their eyes just light up. Many of them will hug and kiss Bonnie, and really connect with her," Emma explains.

18 NEWS

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

'We know the value of nothing' - Fr Bohan PĂ RAIC McMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

LEADING Clare sociologist has warned that the lack of regional development in Ireland is fracturing “the concept of society� within the country.

Fr. Harry Bohan addressed Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council where he called for the committed leadership, vision and co-operation that was evident in the establishment of Shannon Airport to be reignited. He felt Sixmilebridge’s very own Brendan O’Regan epitomised the sense of “strong local leadership� that is needed. “Brendan O’Regan never stopped going around, if there was someone outside digging a hole at the Airport he would go out and get their views, that was the leadership shown�.

Recently announced hubs by the Government aimed at creating jobs are “not even related to regional development.� the Feakle native declared. “Job creation is not possible without services such as hospital, medical services, housing, broadband but even more basic, water and sewerage schemes. And it won’t happen without a return to a concept called Sense of Place, understanding and valuing concepts such as family and community. “There are no more local and vital units in society than these two and the challenges to parents, parenting and neighbourliness was never greater. In other words, economic development on its own cannot work. In fact a country then becomes an economy only and we lose the concept of society�.

In his memoir, Swimming Upstream, the former Clare senior hurling manager warned Foreign Direct Investment is enabling

l PASSIONATE: Gerry Fr Harry Bohan Photo by Eamon Ward

multinationals “to export our young people from the towns and villages into these cities�. When such companies “get fed up, they move on� hurting the population of rural communities.

On Monday, the Sixmilebridge and Kilmurry Parish Priest encouraged a new slogan “community with unity� for future West of Ireland initiatives. He warned that present urbanisation “could be renamed Dublinisation. The

10,000 visit Ennis Xmas Village

growth of Dublin has gone completely out of control. It’s now described as a tale of two cities�. “It seems to me that the day is not far off when we will come to realise we have been creating an economy but not developing a society. And in so doing that the economic problem will take a back seat where it belongs and the heart and head will be occupied or preoccupied by our real problems. The problems of life and living�.

He concluded by urging councillors to apply leadership, practical vision and networks to return to the “people need people society, that was at the very heart of what Shannon was about. The human need will always come to the surface again. We now know the price of everything and the value of nothing�.

Further details on Fr Bohan’s address can be viewed on www. clareecho.ie over the coming days.

ORGANISERS of the Ennis Christmas Village say in the region of 10,000 visitors flocked to Abbey St carpark for the three day event.

Planning for an extensive Christmas in Ennis programme began back in March with the public coming out in force for both the turning on of the festive lights in November and again for the Christmas Village. Festivities conclude with the Christmas Express Train which will be powering the streets of the county town all weekend. Music in the Market and Retro Drive in Movies were also part of the schedule of events. “We are looking forward to engaging with the business community early next year with a view to extending the funding base to build on the Christmas offering in the county town in future years,� a spokesperson for the Ennis Municipal District told The Clare Echo.

Stuart Montgomery, Event Organiser of the Christmas Village expressed his delight with the response in the first year of the village. “We have run similar events in locations such as Mullingar, Trim, Carlow and Drogheda to name but a few and the footfall exceeded all our expectations given the inclement weather.�

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20 Arts & Entertainment

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

‘I had the best time’ PÁRAIC McMAHON

S

news@clareecho.ie

HANNON'S Adam Moloney (pictured right) narrowly missed out on a place in Simon Cowell's newest band.

Adam was one of the stars of X

Factor: The Band, a revamped version of the long-running television music competition.

Thousands auditioned for a place in the band with Moloney just one step away from making the final six boys. On Friday's show it was announced he was not included in Unwritten Rule, the boyband that would go on to lose Sunday's finale to Real Like You, the girl group that is set to sign a record deal with Syco, the label owned by Simon Cowell.

Viewers described the Clare singer song-

writer as one of the best in the competition with judge Nicole Scherzinger noting a similarity between him and James Arthur who has topped the UK charts on two occasions.

Adam was praised for singing an original song, Landslide at the Resorts World Arena in front of a packed Birmingham audience.

"I want to thank everyone for the support.

I had the best time of my life on X Factor: The Band," the St Caimins Community School student wrote on Instagram.

Ennis native pens fictional short stories to help children deal with mental health issues

CIAN O’BROIN cianobroin@clareecho.ie

ENNIS native Michael Casey has produced a collection of fictional short stories which looks at helping children to identify certain feelings and traits which may be linked to the presence of a mental illness.

‘Breaking Free’ looks at sixteen unique illnesses such as bipolar disorder, p s yc h o sis, pers onality disorders and depression, allthrough the lens of a child.

E a c h s t o r y follows a linear p r o gression

from uncertainty to identification and eventually to acceptance of this unique illness which is not to be treated as the end of the world. Simple, relatable and easy to follow makes for a gripping and heartfelt read, providing some certainty and a voice for children that feel ashamed or alone.

On his reason for crafting a novel that addresses the stigma of mental health and children, Mr. Casey admits, “there was nothing there on the market for kids. I think mental health and kids is a massive area for concern. It’s something that goes on which we don’t acknowledge. The stigma starts with adults, whereby they try to shield kids from these mental illnesses and pretend that they don’t exist. Kids are confused and afraid to ask for help. If a boy cries, he’s told don’t be such a girl. If a girl cries, she’s considered a drama queen.

Kids associate emotion in a negative way, which creates the stigma.”

Michael’s research in writing ‘Breaking Free’ allowed him to forge connections with many different individuals online, each suffering from a different mental illness. Each individual story began to take shape, with each chapter addressing a different mental illness. Targeted at children on the cusp of adolescence, Michael’s intention was to create a self-help book which deviates from the norm, “I wrote from the point of view of a child as I thought it would be more relatable. A lot of people get bored when reading self-help books and tend to get lost in scientific names, but I wanted something that kids and parents could relate to.”

The final story touches on a very personal note for Mr. Casey, called ‘Michael’s Story’, the tale of a young boy battling with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and the confusion and frustration he feels in dealing with his own uncomfortable thoughts and habits. Recalling his venture of purchasing his own mugs which only he can drink out of or his obsession with washing his hands, Michael relives the destructive thought processes and mental illness which he struggled with in his youth and still battles to this very day,

admitting that he is much better equipped now. Michael feels that it was quite a natural process to include his own personal struggle with a mental illness, confessing that, “If I’m telling people to talk about their problems, I may as well share a little bit about mine.”

‘Breaking Free’ is the perfect novel for schools, in Michael’s opinion, and the inclusion of the novel in the school curriculum for children aged ten to twelve remains one of his long-term goals. “I wrote it from a very young perspective which makes it the perfect book for schools in that teachers can read it with their students.”

Michael hopes to further his writing career and acknowledges the importance in speaking out about mental health issues, outlining that if mental health awareness doesn’t become form the biggest part of his life, then it will certainly play a very big part.

The take home message Michael hopes readers will get from the novel is that, “these illnesses do in fact exist and people shouldn’t be ashamed. There are ways to get better.

It’s important to acknowledge, talk about these problems and ask for help. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

‘Breaking Free’, a collection of short stories of mental illnesses is available for purchase on Amazon Uk in paperback edition.

Arts & Entertainment

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

Charities benefit from Xmas train

FIVE charities are to benefit from the Christmas Express Train that will be travelling through the town of Ennis this weekend.

Following a hugely succesful weekend of the Ennis Christmas Village at Abbey Street Car Park, the festive programme which has been coordinated by the Ennis Municipal District of Clare County Council in conjunction with Ennis Chamber, continues this weekend in the town centre. All proceeds from the Express Train will be going towards local charities. The €2 fare is being applied for what is the second successive year that the train will be travelling through the county town.

Slots have been allocated for each of the chosen charities. Funds raised on Friday evening (December 20th) will go towards St Vincent de Paul. Passengers on board Saturday (December 21st) will be supporting Clare Haven Services (10am – 2pm) and the Cystic Fibrosis Clare (2pm – 6pm).

On Sunday (December 22nd) which is the final day of journeys, Clare Crusaders (10am – 2pm) and Clarecastle Daycare Centre (2pm – 6pm) are the benefactors.

“It was very successful last year, it added greatly to the experience in Ennis,” Mayor of Ennis Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) commented. Meanwhile, the Ennis Municipal District have confirmed they will consider a request from Cllr Mark Nestor (FF) to send “a token of goodwill” to the charity that did not get pulled out of the draw. lFESTIVE FAYRE: Seeing what’s on offer at Ennis Christmas Village last weekend

The two faced artist

A

N EXHIBITION at the Clare Museum, Ennis by Brian O’Shaughnessy will take place from December 5th 2019 to January 31st, 2020 The Gallery at Clare Museum will host an exhibition by Brian O’Shaughnessy , a native of Tuamgraney now residing in O’Briensbridge. Having studied Art in

Limerick College of Further Education, Brian has taken part in both solo and group exhibitions.

Brian O’Shaughnessy born in 1965 attended Tuamgraney National School where he first became interested in drawing. Brian went on to attend Scarriff Community College and continued with his drawing.

In 2009, he applied to and was accepted on the Art and Design course at Limerick College of Further Education where he successfully completed FETAC levels 5 and 6 in 2010 and 2011.

Over the years Brian has exhibited in galleries in Scariff, Kilkee and Ennis and he took part in a group exhibition in Limerick.

Indeed, this latest exhibition, Modern Portraits II, follows on from successful exhibitions in Ennis and Scariff earlier this year.

For the past two years Brian has concentrated on original works of art and portratirure in particular which form this exhibition.

Brian O’ShaughlFACE OFF: Modern Portraits II will exhibit until the end of nessy is a member of January Visual Artists Ireland.

21

January 2020 at glór Visual Arts Exhibition Small Town Decline: Rural Patterns of Decay Runs until Sat 11 Jan 2020 ________________________________

Events Hermitage Green: Standup concert Fri 3 Jan 9pm €25 Over 18s only Kilfenora Ceili Band Sat 4 Jan, Sun 5 Jan 8pm €27.50 George Murphy and The Rising Sons Fri 10 Jan 8pm €20/€18 conc.

Neil Delamare Sat 11 Jan 8pm €23 Age 16+ Flights by John O’ Donovan Wed 15 – Fri 17 Jan 8pm €18/€16 conc. Preview Wed 15th €15 Tommy Fleming in Concert 2020 Sat 18 Jan 8pm €32 Caith Amach É Mon 20 Jan 10.30am Students €10 Techers Free Music Network presents Anxo Lorenzo, Donal O’ Connor, Jack Talty, Jim Murray Tues 21 Jan 8pm €16/€14 conc.

Danny O’ Brien Thurs 23 Jan 8.30pm €14 STUDIO Reeling in The Showband Years Fri 24 Jan 8pm €30/€27 conc.

Stocktons Wing Sat 25 Jan 8pm €25 Mike Denver with special guest Brendan Shine Thurs 30 Jan 8pm €30 Keith Barry: Insanity Fri 31 Jan 8pm €32

GLÓR CAFÉ Open 10am daily Serving seasonal treats and delicious homemade mince pies!

22 THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

Ronan Scully

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Author spreading the word of positivity

I A time of joy

T'S final- l y that wonderful time of 2019. It's Christmas time. But what is the real meaning of Christmas?

Is it the presents under the Christmas tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, the Christmas emails, long distance phone calls from family and friends, turkey and ham dinners, maybe if we're lucky snow, stockings hanging in the living room and bedrooms, and shouts of "Happy Christmas" to those who pass us in the streets?

Is this really what Christmas means to me or you?

I know from certain people that Christmas is and can be a time of sorrow.

They don't have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends.

For me Christmas is...

A gift of love wrapped in human flesh and tied securely with the strong promises of God. Christmas is angelic music in the form of a carol and oratorio with a celestial descant.

Christmas is "glory to God," "good will to people," and "joy to the world."

Christmas is "peace on earth" for those who accept it and live in unity with

God's will. Christmas is a person on duty keeping all of us safe and in good health and a person tending animals, or land, or the sick, or homeless or machine, who senses the upward call and stops to worship.

Christmas is a tall green tree which serves as a festive altar for any household which discovers the true meaning behind it all.

Christmas is a ringing bell calling a distraught humanity to gladness and hope.

Christmas is a glowing hearth gently placed in the winter of people's loneliness.

Christmas is an altar to which a person can bring their heartache for comfort, their lostness for guidance, and their sin for forgiveness.

Christmas is the sparkle of anticipation and the steady light of faith in the eyes of a little child as he hears the old, old story.

Christmas is the shining star of hope in the sky of all humankind.

Christmas is more than words can tell, for it is a matter for the heart to receive, believe and understand.

Christmas is more than a time of music, merriment and mirth; it is a season of

meditation, prayers, mangers and miracles.

Christmas is more than a time of gaiety, greenery and gifts; it is a season of wonder, worship and wisemen.

Christmas is more than a time of tinsel, trees and toys; it is a season of preparation, prayers and peace.

Christmas is more than a time of festivities, family and friends; it is a season of generosity, gladness and gratitude.

Christmas is more than a time of carols, cards and sweets; it is a season of dedication, direction and decision. Christmas is more than Santa, stockings and surprises; it is about Christ's real care, love and concern for each and everyone of us of all religions and none!

You see what people don't know is that our God's love is totally unconditional and even more and infinity more than that!!

Thought for the week As your thought for the week, especially during this Christmas season, look at ways you can help create a world in which human dignity, kindness, mercy, genuineness, love and care is respected and where everyone can reach their full potential. This would be true progress and would be worth more than any eco-

nomic growth.

Let me leave you this week with a Christmas version of that great verse from 1 Corinthians 13 – "If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing. If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point. Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband or wife.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost,

golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

The things that have hurt you, broken your heart, made you cry with pain, grief and even rage are the very same things that have made you more human, more compassionate, and more able to help lift others into the light of God's unconditional love for each and everyone of us.

And that's the one thing we all desperately need and the most significant, life changing gift we can offer.

We can not fully cure the world of sorrow, but we can choose to live in joy. I choose joy every day. It has lifted my heart to the heavens. I can go on in life because of my faith.

Faith is the hope of eternity which gives us strength. May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace, as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope and joy by the power of the Holy Spirit. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

Merry Christmas and lots of love and joy to you and yours always and thanks for reading my Thought for the Week during the year and I hope it brought some love and joy to you at times!

NEWS 23

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

HPV SPINATHON IN MEMORY OF LAURA

S

OME 48 volunteers took part in a day-long spinathon at Bank of Ireland Ennis branch last Friday to raise awareness for the HPV campaign.

The campaign, which was spearheaded locally by cervical cancer victim Laura Brennan prior to her tragic passing, has been continued by her family members and friends. Last Friday, members of Laura's family including her mother Bernie and brother Fergal took part in the spinathon organised by

Bank of Ireland Mobile Mortgage Manager Paddy Guilfoyle and Senior Mortgage Specialist Fiona Mulhern. As well as raising awareness for the HPV campaign, the spinathon also raised thousands of euro for Clare cancer support charity Slainte An Chlair. "It was a significant number and we still have money coming in."

Paddy told The Clare Echo, "It was fantastic.Forty-eight cyclists took part, made up of local business people, customers, students,

etc. People who came in on the day saw what was going on and actually asked if they could join in, it was unbelievable. There was no bike empty at any point. For us it was all about the message [of the HPV campaign].

Fiona adds, "Our idea was, when we saw the [Laura Brennan] documentary, myself and Paddy felt very strongly about keeping the message going and we were determined that Bank of Ireland would facilitate the day."

The organisers are hoping to challenge more Bank of Ireland branches to run similar events for HPV in the new year to keep momentum for the campaign going.

They also paid tribute to Laura's family for their contribution to the day and their continued dedication to the campaign.

Fiona said, "It was huge even to have them here on the day and talk to them about their experience with Laura and keeping the message out there. They're an inspi-

rational family to be quite honest, and they were hugely supportive.

Kevin her brother along with her parents were there. They'd inspire you, when you see what they've been through and what they're going to continue to do which is get Laura's message out there."

For more information on the HPV vaccine, visit HSE.ie.

l WHEELY GOOD CAUSE: Deirdre Hogan; Claire O'Dwyer, Organiser Fiona Mulhern, Anne-Marie Butler, Clare hurler Podge Collins (all Bank of Ireland staff); Rory Hickey, Larry Brennan, Mary Nolan, Bank Of Ireland; Aaron Gillane, Limerick hurler and Bank of Ireland; Eamon Corcoran, Bank of Ireland; Kevin Brennan; Niall O'Connor, Clare Echo Sales Executive; Philippa O'Shea, Paddy Giulfoyle, Bank of Ireland; Bernie Brennan and Ollie Mullooley All photos by John Mangan

l ON YER BIKE: Larry, Kevin and Bernie Brennan taking part in the Bank of Ireland spinathon for the HPV campaign, which the family continues to promote; (below) and Caoimhe Hickey with her big sister Ciara Hickey doing their part for the event

Community 24 COMMUNITY

NORTH CLARE

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

ENNIS

ALZHEIMER SOCIETY WALK The 18th annual Sponsored Walk organised by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland will take place on Sunday the 16th of February, with Registration from 10:30a.m. The 10 K Walk will start / finish at O’ Donoghue’s Pub, Fanore. Refreshments and Entertainment provided at O’ Donoghue’s after the Walk. Looking forward to meeting all our loyal walkers as well as new walkers who will indeed be made most welcome to our annual trek up the mountain. The Alzheimer Society would also like to thank the staff and friends of Mac Ganns pub in Doolin who organised a Shave-a-thon in aid of new Dementia Social Club in Lisdoonvarna and raised €3,220.

l THANK YOU: Pat O Connell, Treasa Mc Gann, Martin Davis, Fiona Staunton and Brendan Cusack.

EAST CLARE SPECSAVERS IRISH BOOK AWARDS Amy McDermott, aged 12, from Whitegate is the senior winner of the Specsavers Irish Book Awards competition. The Ennis native beat off stiff rivalry to win a hamper of the shortlisted books featured in the recent Irish Books Awards children's category and was also awarded €1,000 for her school library. Amy was extremely grateful for the hamper of books that was presented to her at Specsavers Ennis, saying: “I really enjoyed writing 'Whoosh, Bang, Flash!!' and using my imagination. I can't wait to read all of these amazing books!”

Store director at Specsavers Ennis, John O'Farrell commented: “We were delighted to invite Amy McDermott into the store to collect this fabulous prize for her efforts whilst supporting a local school in our community. Reading is an incredible hobby that can greatly enrich our lives. Regular eye tests play a huge part in making sure your eyes stay healthy and allow us to continue reading and we encourage everyone to receive regular eye tests at least once every two years.”

For more information on Specsavers Ennis and the range of stylish and designer frames available, or to make an appointment, call 0656821212 or visit www.specsavers.ie/stores/ennis

l READING GLASSES: Lakyle National School Principal Mary Flannagan, Specsavers Irish Book Awards competition winner Amy McDermott and Specsavers Ennis store director John O’Farrell

l BLOOMING LOVELY: Robert Moorhead wins the Ennis Tidy Towns best medium sized garden for the seventh year in a row. Robert is pictured with Ennis Tidy Towns volunteer Brid Dilleen and Councillor Mary Howard; and (insert) Robert’s prize winning garden.

EAST CLARE EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB East Clare Golf Club was set up in 1993 to provide a much needed amenity for the East Clare region. It’s aim was to provide a leisure facility for a rural area, to provide employment and to attract tourists to the region. It is a member owned facility. As we head into 2020 East Clare Golf Club is alive and well and looking forward to the challenges ahead. After a very successful year on the golf front in 2019 a lot of work is ongoing on the course over the winter months. Work is progressing on both the greens and fairways and a huge voluntary effort is being put in to make the course more forgiving for both young and old. East Clare Golf Club offer a variety of membership options for golfers of all ages. There are also special deals for husband/wife/partner membership. Contact East Clare Golf Club on 061-921322 for further information.

Community THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

WEST CLARE

COMMUNITY 25 CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

EAST CLARE

l HO HO HO: Pupils from St. John’s NS Cratloe will perform some festive Christmas songs

on The Afternoon Show on RTE One this Friday, December 20th. They will be conducted by Gabrielle -Lee-Casey, accompanied on piano by Bernadette Kennedy and on violin by Liz Kiely

MID-CLARE

l SUITED AND BOOTED: Newly appointed volunteer lifeboat crew for Kilrush RNLI, John Vaughan and James Harding get on their lifeboat kit for an exercise at the Clare lifeboat station.

RNLI CHRISTMAS APPEAL To ensure the RNLI can continue its lifesaving work this Christmas and into the future, the charity is running a major fundraising appeal called The Perfect Storm.

Two new recruits at Kilrush RNLI are facing their very first Christmas on call as volunteer lifeboat crew. John Vaughan is a Kilrush native but spent some years working away from home. Now that he is back and settled down and working for the HSE, he wanted to give something back to his community. A keen water sports enthusiast, John had taken part in the Christmas Day swim at Cappa for many years and had always thought of joining the crew. John said, “I have always admired the work of the Kilrush RNLI, and I thought that I might have missed my chance to join. Thankfully it wasn’t the case and I’m facing my first Christmas wearing a lifeboat pager. I exercise regularly with the crew and have been on a shout already to help four people who got into difficulty on their boat. I do this to give something back to my community.”

James Harding works as a radiographer in the Bons Secours Hospital in Galway and is from Dublin. Love brought him to Kilrush, and he is engaged to local woman, Suzie Glynn, whose brother Charlie is a Helm on the lifeboat. James has now relocated to permanently to Kilrush and commutes to Galway for work. When he is at home, he is ‘on-call’ for the lifeboat. James said, “When I was in Dublin, I had no relationship with the sea. I didn’t do any water sports and my passion was rugby. I wanted to be part of a team and when I arrived in Kilrush I saw that team in the lifeboating community. I don’t have a maritime background so I’m starting from zero and learning the ropes week by week. However, coming from a medical background I really appreciate all the casualty care. My colleagues in the hospital in Galway know about the RNLI and are seriously impressed at my volunteering. There is a definite respect for the sea and appreciation of those who go out to help those in trouble.”

The RNLI couldn’t do what it does without the support of the public. The charity has experienced a shortfall in funds but is rescuing more people than ever before. Its volunteers are facing the Perfect Storm and are calling on people to make a donation this Christmas to ensure they can continue saving lives at sea.

To support the RNLI’s Perfect Storm, appeal this Christmas, helping to ensure the charity’s brave volunteers can continue saving lives at sea, please visit RNLI. org/ThePerfectStorm

l KON’NICHIWA: Japanese Ambassador to Ireland Mitsuru Kitano was specially invited to Barefield National School to launch an Art Exhibition on Great Masters of the Ocean completed by sixth class pupils under the tuition of renowned local artist Carmel Madigan.

The walls of the halla were adorned with unique and beautiful works of art based on the paintings of the Japanese Masters Hiroshige and Hokusai. Barefield National School were also delighted to welcome Minister Pat Breen TD, Siobhán Mulcahy Arts Officer Clare Co. Council, local Councillors and members of the Board of Management and Parents’ Association. The pupils entertained the guests by singing traditional Irish and Japanese tunes, traditional music played by our Céili Band and a Riverdance display by Irish step dancers. It was a most memorable day made possible by the excellent hard work of all our staff. “Míle buíochas to Carmel Madigan for all her hard work and for the wonderful artistic experiences she has imparted to our pupils,” commented Assistant Principal Gillian Moore Photo by John Mangan

26 COMMUNITY NEWS

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

Clare’s student entrepreneurs prepare for The Jessies 2020

M

ORE than 600 pupils from each corner of County Clare have signed up for the Jessies 2020 event, an entrepreneur programme for primary school senior classes.

Now in its sixth year, this year’s Jessies programme has already 15 schools signed up, more than 25 classrooms involved and 600+ pupils, with many teachers continuing their involvement since Day 1 of the initiative, a sign of its value and popularity among teachers and pupils alike.

One of the participating schools, Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg, Inis, said their involvement in the Jessies is one of the highlights of the students’ academic year. Priomhoide Dónal Ó hAinifein said, “This is a brillian concept and a great opportunity and experience for our pupils. All of our 4th, 5th and 6th class teachers are participating with their classes in the project, and the pupils are delighted to be involved again this year.”

The aim of the project is to give pupils an overall picture of what an entrepreneur is and how they take so many forms. A classroom will bring a business idea to fruition and then sell their wares at school before a

showcase day, where students will present their ideas to the event sponsor.

This year, The Clare Echo is delighted to come on board as official media partners of the event sponsored by Avalon CEO and Ennis native, Domhnal Slattery. Mr Slattery says of the event, “I am honoured that The Jessies are named after my late father Jack Slattery. My dad opened a vegetable shop in the Market in Ennis back in the 1950s and this is where I first saw entrepreneurship in action... Jack Slattery is the reason we can give The Jessies to Clare. He would be both very proud and a little embarrassed that this project carries his name.

Clare Echo editor Stuart Holly said, “The Clare Echo is delighted to play its part in the promotion of young entrepreneurs in the county. As somebody who set up The Clare Echo in this entrepreneurial spirit, I’m delighted to witness the next batch of young business people put their business skills into action through this wonderful programme.

This event continues to be expertly coordinated by former Ennis National primary school teacher Tom Glynn, a former teacher of mine, and I look forward to seeing the projects on offer in the coming weeks and months as we head into 2020.

lHELPING HAND: Gaelcoláiste Mhíchíl Cíosóg students Ava Ní Chonchain, Siun de Burca and Niamh Ní Chaollaí with their Jessies Project Leabhar Oideas Photo by Natasha Barton

THE JACK SLATTERY SCHOOL ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAMME

THE JESSIES 2020: PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS GAELSCOIL MHICHÍL CIOSÓG, ENNIS

Classes: Miss Ciara Ní Chuilinn; Ms Erinn Hennessy; Ms Caolfhionn Ní Fhrighil; Mr Donncha Ó Luasa

HOLY FAMILY, ENNIS

Classes: Mr Brian Cooney; Ms Niamh Neylon; Siobhán Archer

ENNIS NATIONAL SCHOOL

KILMURRY NATIONAL SCHOOL

Classes: Mr Kevin Clohessy; Mr Ian Flanagan

GAELSCOIL UÍ CHOIMIN, KILRUSH Class: Ms Bríd Ní Comhraí

SCOIL RÉALT NA MARA, KILKEE Class: Ms Eleanor Corry

DOONBEG NATIONAL SCHOOL

Classes: Mr Gary Walsh; Mr Eamon Corry; Ms Lourda Roseingrove

Class: Mr Neil Crowley

Classes: Mr Colm Davoren; Mr Damien O’Reilly

DOORA NATIONAL SCHOOL

Classes: Ms Caoimhe De Barra; Ms Elaine Kenny

KILKISHEN NATIONAL SCHOOL

Classes: Ms Karen Hogan; Ms Aoife Clancy

FEAKLE NATIONAL SCHOOL

BALLYEA NATIONAL SCHOOL

ENNIS CBS

Class: Mr David Eyres

Scoil Chríost Rí, Cloughleigh, Ennis

Class: Mr Ross Darmody

ST SENAN’S KILRUSH

KNOCKANEAN NATIONAL SCHOOL

Classes: Ms Caoimhe De Barra; Ms Elaine Kenny

Class: Mr Conor Harrison Class: Ms Marion Mahon

YEAR IN REVIEW 27

year in review 2019 Clare Echo editor STUART HOLLY delves into the archives to bring you the biggest local stories from each month of this memorable year

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

fashion with two homeless men dividing public opinion. Peter and Tomasz, Polish natives, told The Clare Echo of their disappointment over being banned from the grounds of Ennis Cathedral. Fr Tom Ryan had adopted a zero tolerance policy due to the conduct of homeless individuals frequenting the church.

Meanwhile, with local elections in the offing, politics came to the fore with many councillors entering into an agreement not to use election posters during their campaign.

A COLÁISTE Mhuire student by the name Eleanor Dagnell Wise (pictured) skipped school to protest for climate change, starting a movement locally which has since gained momentum. Meanwhile, LIT confirmed plans to open a new campus in Ennis on foot of a proposed capital investment of €0.75 million by Clare County Council.

Located on Bindon Street,the LIT campus was officially launched in December.

In other news, a meeting of the Clare Joint Policing committee heard Clare motorists were afraid to go to Mass. East Clare’s Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) said, “I hear of cases of people being bagged coming from Mass in the morning. The people who go to Mass, their next stop is the gates of heaven. I hope the priest doesn’t have an extra drop of wine or he could be pulled next.”

passing of two Clare natives. A person who has become the symbol of Ireland’s cervical cancer HPV campaign, Laura Brennan died aged 26. Ms Brennan first contacted the HSE in 2017 when she was diagnosed at 24, and publicly campaigned to support HPV vaccination and preventing cervical cancer from then on. Since then, her family has continued to promote her work.

Meanwhile, Lahinch man Michael Ryan was a victim in the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash that claimed the lives of passengers from 33 countries travelling from Addis Ababa to Nairobi on the eve of the UN Environment Programme in Kenya. Married with two children, Michael was a qualified engineer and worked with the United Nations World Food Programme.

CHURCH BAN THE year began in controversial

PUPIL POWER

TRAGIC MONTH IN CLARE A DIFFICULT month for two families, March saw the tragic

28 YEAR IN REVIEW

APRIL

MAY

TAOISEACH IN TOWN TROLLEY IN A month that was tail-ended by the arrival of Storm Hannah, things began on a brighter note as Scoil Chríost HORROR Rí’s €6.5 million school building was officially opened A NORTH Clare woman

by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in April, where he was greeted by a guard of honour from sixth class students.

Varadkar spoke for eight minutes and concluded with a message for some of the 250 students in attendance.

“Study hard, learn from each other, learn new skills and become lifelong learners. You are lucky to be citizens of Ireland and citizens of the world, we want you to achieve your dreams. You have here an incredible campus with buildings that will stand the test of time and I think it’s a testament to all involved parents, staff, management”.

Meanwhile, a decision from the National Transport Authority (NTA) to take the contract for the county’s rural transport co-ordination unit (TCU) from Clare Accessible Transport (CAT) was met with widespread hostility.

spoke publicly for the first time about the horrifying last days endured by her deceased husband on a trolley at University Hospital Limerick. Thomas ‘Tommy’ Wynne spent 36 hours on a trolley “in the same position” before his death, leaving behind a wife, a daughter, son-in-law, two brothers, and one sister behind.

Meanwhile, one of our more unusual news items saw a Doonbeg priest, Fr Joe Haugh, tell The Clare Echo that US President Donald Trump was going to Heaven. Fr Joe is an honourary member of Doonbeg Golf Club.

JUNE

THE TRUMP SHOW

THERE was only one show in town in June, that being the arrival of the 45th president of the United States, who decided to base himself in his West Clare hotel for his three day visit in early June. During his stay, Donald Trump told local media at Shannon Airport that “I hear [Brexit] is going to work out well for you.

“You are certainly one of the leading countries in terms of people moving and living in the United States.

We have millions of Irish and I think I know most of them because they’re my friends.”

In what transpired to be the largest garda operation in Clare’s history, Trump was met by many supporters in Doonbeg along with a small number of detractors.

One man from Cork named John Lennon, told The Clare Echo and passers-by that “the people of Doonbeg are a despicable bunch of arse-licking Shoneens.”

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

national headlines when the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open rolled into town, with many of the world’s top golfers competing in Lahinch. It’s understood the local economy gained to the tune of €5m, while the lasting memory of a successful event will reap benefits for years to come. Much credit went to tournament host Paul McGinley, however Clare County Council proved to be a star of the show, attracting thousands of visitors to the streets of Lahinch with a brilliant programme of events that included live music and fireworks.

protest was taking place at the grounds of Kepak near Ennis, where an estimated 800 people in the county had partaken in peaceful protests Organised by the Beef Plan Movement, its Chairperson Joseph Woulfe also told The Clare Echo he was fearful of a rural recession. “I’m going to put it out there that it could cause a recession in the rural areas, you’ve got your post offices and your pubs, now you half the farmers income so what are you going to get, you’re going to get a problem and I see a problem on the horizon. That’s going to be the farmers recession tied into rural Ireland”.

health and safety in Ennis in September, as demands were made for a controversial new cycle lane near St Flannan’s to be reviewed on the basis that its width and design potentially had “pitted the driver against the cyclist”. Meanwhile in Ennis Town Centre, Tidy Town volunteers were horrified to discover human faeces behind O’Connell Monument.

September also marked 10 years since Muhammad Ali’s memorable visit to his ancestral home in Ennis.

IRISH OPEN MUCH like in June, Clare grabbed

FARMERS PROTEST CYCLE LANES AND

BY EARLY August, meat farmers were making headlines with a number of protests taking part around DIRTY DISCOVERIES the country over a drop in beef prices. One such MATTERS focussed heavily on public

YEAR IN REVIEW 31

OCTOBER

DARK DAYS FOR EMPLOYMENT ONE year after submitting their planning application, approval was granted to the Trump Organisation firm, TIGL Ireland Enterprises for a €38m development at Donald Trump’s Doonbeg resort which will see the development of a ballroom, leisure facilities and 53 holiday homes.

However in late October, on what was described as a catastrophic day for employment in Clare, Molex announced it would be closing its Shannon facility, resulting in the loss of 500 jobs by next year.

Meanwhile, the Ennis Tidy Towns group basked in yet another successful year as the county town was named tidiest large urban centre, thanks to the dedicated and hard-working team, while Kilrush also received recognition with a gold medal at the ceremony.

And finally, in a wide-ranging article with The Clare Echo, former Clare hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald sat down with Páraic McMahon and said he felt sorry for Ger Loughnane after comments made by the double All-Ireland winning manager which suggested a decline in Clare hurling was led by the Fitzgeralds, Pat and Davy.

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

ONLINE ABUSE OF COUNTY BOARD IN A story that highlights the difficulties of

PASSING OF CLLR MIKE MCKEE HUNDREDS attended the funeral

of today’s online world, An Garda Síochána long-serving political representative, were asked by Clare GAA to investigate Mike McKee (pictured below). A guard continuous of honour was provided by abuse of staff and elected representaBoard tives of Clare County CounOfficers. cil and HT Promotions as the Chaircortège escorted by members person of the Sinn Féin party made its of Clare way from the McKee houseGAA, Joe hold to SS John and Paul Cooney Church. Fr. Arnold Rosney was confirmed chief celebrant at the mass and they had noted of the large turnout, “It is gone to a testament to the respect and Clare GAA’s message to online cowards the Gardaí popularity of Mike McKee that over social such numbers have turned up media for his funeral”. He described abuse McKee as a man of virtue. directed An elected representative in at County Shannon from 1985 to 2009 and Board again from 2014 until late 2019, officials the Sinn Féin councillor’s conby anontribution to the town and counymous ty was recognised. Among the accounts. final speakers at the mass was “We’ve Mike’s proud daughter Jeanette. handed it “My dad was known to many by over to An Garda Síochána now and we d i f f e r - ent names, Michael, Mickey, want a thorough examination to be carried Mike, Cllr McKee, DJ Mike out to find out who’s behind it and put an McKee, Captain Jack, end to it”. grandad but my favourite The move arose as club delegates one to call him was Dad. backed the decision to bring the case Dad was an exceptional further following a discussion on the one to us all, he looked matter at their October meeting. Severafter myself, my brothal representatives voiced their disgust er David and my Mom with comments online stemming from to the very best we one account on both Twitter and Facecould, he made sure book. The meeting heard that some we had everything of the comments made about board we ever needed.” members were “scurrilous, ridiculous COUNIHAN

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SHUT UP!

PÁRAIC McMAHON

Former Board Chairman, Michael ‘Malty’ McDonagh believed the abuse “overstepped the mark”.

He stated, “It would put a man to the edge of a rope if it was continuous or sustained.” He voiced LARE GAA have asked the Gardai to his and St Joseph investigate alleged continuous abuse of Miltown’s full for Board Officers, which one delegate said support the County l UPSET: “would put a man to the edge of a rope”.

McDonagh The Clare Echo understands it is Board and its said the primarily in relation to one anonymous person officers. “They abuse was have started it or group which operate social media channels over the on and it has to be Facebook and Twitter. top The move arises as club delegates backed the de- given a finish, it cision to bring the case further following a discus- has to be investigated. We are sion on the matter at their October meeting.

Newmarket-on-Fergus delegate, Pat Corry ad- not Clare mitted he had some respect for people who stood m e n up and criticised but put their name to their views, if we those that don’t he described as “cowards”. He con- don’t.” tinued, “If you can’t put your name to a statement, shut up”. paraic@clareecho.ie

C

l CLARE’S BEST WRAPPERS: Clare Rose Victoria O’Connell and Cllr Mary Howard

are joining with the Team box Appeal and ask you to give a festive Hope Christmas Shoevictim of war or lives in enduring poverty.surprise to a child who is a dropped into locations all over the county Filled shoeboxes can be enclose €5 to help cover costs). Check out until November 15 (please Appeal Facebook page for more details. Clare Christmas Shoebox

Wishing all my Constituents and friends a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year

32 YEAR IN REVIEW

2019’s winners & losers Eoin Neylon

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

A

S 2019 draws to a close, it’s a natural time to reflect on what’s been and gone. To say it has been an eventful year would be the understatement of the decade - and what a political decade it has been too! It all started off with a Fianna Fáil/Green government limping from crisis to crisis as the IMF came to town and the global financial crisis hit these shores like a tsunami. Those events would see the behemoth that once was Fianna Fáil critically injured, with some predicting its imminent demise. Who would have thought in the aftermath of the 2011 election that the party would end the decade the favourites to return to government at the next election? Yet that is where they are, according to most political correspondents throughout the country.

The past year though has simultaneously been eventful and utterly forgettable in terms of domestic politics. With local and European elections, by-elections, motions of no confidence, Brexit, a UK General Election, and the various scandals, political columns haven’t been short of inches.

However, at the end of the day we seem to be back right where we started in terms of the general political landscape, save with a few exceptions. The 32nd Dáil looked precarious this time last year and I was surprised to see it last into 2020. Nevertheless, it’s only a matter of time before it comes crashing down now, especially in light of the UK General Election result. If I were a betting man, I’d favour late March/early April, save yet another scandal to hit the Government. Since the 2016 General Election Fine Gael has seen its six-seat cushion over arch-rivals Fianna Fáil reduced to just one seat (47 versus 46 respectively) this month following the resignation of embattled FG TD Dara Murphy. With some seven or eight FG TDs set to not contest the next election, it looks like an uphill battle for Leo Varadkar to hold onto power.

The huge Tory win in Britain means that Brexit will be done and dusted now in a matter of weeks which will free the way for an Irish election. How the voters will react to a post Brexit landscape is anyone’s guess. And given Northern and Scottish nationalist wins this week, will there even be a United Kingdom as we know it in years to come? It’s hard to see a short to medium term future that doesn’t involve some sort of breakup of the UK now. But in a year as busy as this, there are undoubtedly winners and losers.

Among the big winners of 2019 are the Green party. The party won seats on local authorities all over the country, including here in Clare when Róisín Garvey took a seat on the Council and her colleague Grace O’Sulivan

became an MEP for the region. Garvey will be hoping that the Green wave continues building into 2020 to give her a chance to become the first Clare Green Party TD. Although current trends wouldn’t predict that, I for one was left with egg on my face when I said she would come close yet not prevail last May. Don’t underestimate the Inagh native going into the new year for another strong showing.

Another winner in 2019 was Senator Martin Conway (pictured right). In a year that saw his party take a bruising, the North Clare Senator managed to evade much of the Government criticism that his county Oireachtas

YEAR IN REVIEW 33 colleagues, Minister Pat Breen and Joe Carey TD, had to endure. Not only that but it was widely reported that Conway was a strong supporter of successful local election candidate Joe Garrihy. Conway will hope that apparent goodwill will stay with him going into the General Election and that he can hold onto a Fine Gael seat. Albeit, likely at the expense of one of his colleagues. Nevertheless, this may prove to be a tall order given Breen’s popularity and Carey’s mid-Clare base.

It was a great year for the Fianna Fáil local election candidates where 13 of the 14 that went before the people emerged victorious. There was some consternation in local FF ranks that with the number of retirements the party were faced with so soon before the poll, that seat losses may follow. However, much-needed new blood came to the fore and secured the party’s position as the largest in local government in Clare. The result of this is that Cllr Cathal Crowe was able to secure the mayoral chains, thereby boosting his profile ahead of General Election polling.

By way of a dramatic shift it wasn’t such a good year for FF’s Clare TD Timmy Dooley. A year that started with so much promise ended in frustration and embarrassment for the Tulla man. His opposition to the broadband plan, as opposition spokesperson in the area, didn’t stop the Government signing the estimated €3 billion contract, from which the public will not own one cent of the infrastructure that’s built. The only FF local election candidate who was unsuccessful last May was his close confidant and employee Martin O’Loghlen. Then there was ‘votegate’ which saw both he and Limerick TD Niall Collins removed from the FF Frontbench. 2019 is a year to forget for Dooley but 2020 promises more for the East Clare man.

It was also a bad year for gender balance in politics in Clare. Although the three outgoing Ennis female Councillors all retained their seats, only Garvey joined them in Áras an Chontae, taking the number of female public reps in Clare from three to four out of a total of 33. This is still

an embarrassingly low number and one that doesn’t look to get much better with the General Election where only Garvey and FF’s Rita McInerney (pictured right) are confirmed as candidates going into that campaign. All other party and Independent candidates are male thus far. With Sinn Féin, Labour and the Social Democrats yet to announce their tickets, this may yet change.

Finally, Labour and Social Democrats in Clare certainly had a bad year. Neither made any real inroads in terms of the local elections last May in Clare. The SD’s will point to the fact that it was their first outing in the Banner county but with just 849 collective votes across the county from the three candidates they did run, it doesn’t bode well for their future in Clare. They would need a serious injection of active members on the ground, as well as candidates with an existing profile, were they to make any serious inroads in the future here. Clare Labour were hoping that 2019 would spell a reversal in recent fortunes in the Banner county but their local election campaign was even worse than the SDs, securing only 495 first

preference votes in Clare, from the one candidate the party managed to run. The party suffered a further blow when former TD Michael McNamara announced he was resigning from Labour last Summer and that he may contest the election as an Independent. In a County like Clare, there just isn’t room for so many centre-left parties.

As I wrote in this column early in the year, they and the Greens would be far better running under shared banner.

That would give their consensus candidate roughly 3,500 votes of start heading into an election based on local election results. Christmas miracles are all the range during the festive season. The centre left in Clare will certainly be hoping for one heading into the new year.

Merry Christmas one and all. Here’s to another bumped political year in 2020.

34 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

BUSINESS

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

UNESCO extend Geopark status T HE Burren and Cliffs of Moher U N E S CO Global Geopark have been revalidated by UNESCO for another four years.

UNESCO Global Geoparks are geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.

Led by Clare County Council, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark achieved Global Geopark status in 2011.

This designation was fully incorporated by UNESCO in 2015 to become a UNESCO Global Geopark. There are currently 147 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 41 countries.

Following an extensive four day on site audit by UNESCO in July 2019, UNESCO have revalidated the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark from 2019 to

2023.

It is estimated that 1,500 jobs in the Geopark region are directly dependent on tourism and the sustainability of employment in other sectors is directly related to tourism. Just over 5,000 people live in the Geopark.

The need to protect and also to ensure a prosperous local economy is a balancing act that requires the commitment and participation of many actors and the interplay of many agendas; both

local and national.

With tourism numbers growing rapidly, it is becoming increasingly necessary to integrate tourism and conservation management to enable the long-term use of our our landscape and heritage assets.

Successful integration requires the active involvement of local communities, landowners and tourism businesses as well as conservation management agencies.

The Burren & Cliffs of Moher UNESCO

Global Geopark has achieved significant milestones since 2015: Most significantly, a collaborative partnership approach was the founding principle of the GeoparkLIFE Programme from 2012 to 2017 and this approach has significantly strengthened the ability of the region's stakeholders to work together.

The programme resulted in valuable tools and frameworks that allows the partnerships to continue to work on balancing tourism and

l CELEBRATIONS: UNESCO have revalidated the Cliffs of Moher and Burren Geopark until at least 2023 Photo by Eamon Ward

conservation in the Geopark.

The Geopark Code of Practice for Sustainable Tourism provides a model for businesses within the region to come together to build a sustainable tourism offering.

The Geopark has built a strong partnership with the Burren Ecotourism Network, a network of tourism businesses in the region who are committed to developing and promoting the region as a premier internationally recognised sustainable tourism destination.

Achieving Prestigious Awards such as The European Destination of Excellence for Tourism & Local Gastronomy in 2015, The National Geographic World Legacy Award in 2016 and the Chambers Ireland Local Authority of the Year Award.

This was presented to Clare County Council in 2018 for the Geopark's contribution towards "Sustainable Tourism" are notable highlights.

Hear sleigh bells with Specsavers WITH the Christmas festive season upon us, it is more important than ever to be aware of your hearing health and those around you. Those who suffer from hearing loss can feel isolated and avoid social situations around this time of year. A leading audiologist from Specsavers has shared some advice to be proactive about your hearing health and put those with hearing loss at ease so everyone can be merry and cared for during the festivities.

Audiologist at Specsavers, Orla Walsh, comments: “Hearing loss can be gradual, and many people may not notice that they are struggling. It's important to keep on top of your hearing health and it is also important to be mindful of others. We need to combat the stigma around hearing loss and the reluctance to wear hearing aids.”

With Christmas just around the corner, Orla Walsh has shared some of her expert advice below; Make sure to visit your local Specsavers in the run up to Christmas. Our stores offer three-minute hearing screenings, available to anyone over 18 years old.

Specsavers' Audiopad technology is also available instore.

This is a 20-minute test that lets customers know whether they would benefit from a free in-depth hearing assessment, which would take an hour.

At Christmas gatherings, be sure to have the person's attention before you start speaking. If you are hosting a Christmas get together and are aware of a guest with hearing loss, make sure to seat them in a position away from where the music is playing, with a wall behind them, so there is not noise coming from every direction.

If you are a hearing aid user make sure to always wear them! Keep your hearing aids out of reach of children and animals and avoid leaving them in a cold car as the hearing aid could start malfunctioning.

Be pro-active about your hearing health and ask a member of Specsavers staff about the extensive range of hearing aids available. Prices of hearing aids start from €300 with PRSI.

ALDI ENNIS DONATE TO MID WEST SIMON COMMUNITY THE Mid-West Simon Community has become the latest charity to benefit from Aldi's Community

Grants programme, receiving a €500 grant from Aldi's Ennis store team.

The €500 grant was presented to Ciaran Ryan from the Mid-West Simon Community by Beverly Todd, Aldi's Ennis store "Charity Champion" (pictured left).

Aldi's Community Grants programme helps fund local charities and organisations that contribute vital work and services in their local communities. Each local charity supported is

chosen by Aldi employees, enabling them to help the local good causes they are passionate about.

Commenting Barry Lee, Aldi Ennis Store Manager said: "The Ennis store team are proud to have chosen the Mid-West Simon Community to support. It's a great cause and the work they do to alleviate homelessness and support those experiencing housing difficulties makes a huge difference to Clare."

BUSINESS 35

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

BUSINESS

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

Shannon cinema box office hit PÁRAIC McMAHON

O

news@clareecho.ie

MNIPLEX Cinemas say they are “overwhelmed” with the reaction to their newest facility which officially opened in Shannon just after midnight.

Originally due to open in early 2019 as a four screen cinema, the decision was made to expand this to six screens which delayed the opening until December. “A soft opening” has been in place since Thursday last with film buffs, families and even St John’s NS among those taking a trip to the cinema on the first floor of the SkyCourt Shopping Centre.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Marketing and Loyalty Manager with Omniplex Cinemas, Shauna Crowley revealed, “We had a really nice welcome. We did our first show officially on Thursday the 12th and we’ve been open for the weekend, we’ve had peo-

l POPCORN AT THE READY: The new Omniplex Cinema at Skycourt

Photo by Joe Buckley

ple come in to see Frozen, Jumanji, we had a two week early preview of Little Women on Monday night, we’ve had a really nice opening and a lot of really positive feedback which is important”.

“Technologically it is a very advanced cinema, we’ve installed laser projection in every single one of our screens, this is the next level in cinema projectors, essentially it’s

Christmas Open Weekends at the

CLIFFS OF MOHER VISITOR CENTRE First, second & third weekends of December

7th & 8th, 14th & 15th and 21st & 22nd December

Join us for festive fun

Merry Christmas to all our friends & visitors FREE ADMISSION FOR CLARE RESIDENTS

Great discounts in our shop & seasonal treats in our cafés Finish Christmas shopping, savour a café delight and enjoy a healthy walk around the Cliffs.

Open daily 9am – 5pm | Closed 24th, 25th & 26th December Co. Clare, Ireland T +353 65 7086141 E info@cliffsofmoher.ie www.cliffsofmoher.ie

all about light, it creates a really crisp clear image, you will notice the crystal clear picture when you go into the cinema. We also have digital and surround sound which is amazing, a few of our screens have overhead speakers so we put you in the centre of the action. We have the Omniplex Classic rocking chairs so when you sit down all of the seats have a little bit of a bounce so you have

the most comfortable viewing experience”.

Permanent opening and closing hours have yet to be finalised. Weekend opening hours will be at 12pm with sensory screenings the first shows on Saturday and Sunday, over the festive period Shannon Omniplex will open at 2pm. Typically the last films will conclude at 12am. “After Christmas depending on demand we’ll decide on opening hours,” Crowley said.

Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker marked the official opening but Shauna outlined they have been blown away with the initial reaction from the people of Shannon.

“We think SkyCourt is an amazing facility within Shannon and they have been great working with us. I’m overwhelmed with the feedback we are getting from locals, people just really want a cinema that they can walk to, have a good night out in with the family”.

“We’re really encouraged by the response so far, we look forward to welcoming everyone down to the cinema. We’ve some Christmas classics coming up like Home Alone, Home Alone 2, Love Actually so come on and enjoy a nice experience with us”.

Beautiful homes all over the County

Property

Home is where the heart is W

Jason Pyne

HEN you are selling homes on a daily basis it is a fantastic opportunity to be doing it where your heart is. Jason Pyne is relishing the opportunity to get back home and start his new position with Sherry FitzGerald McMahon in Ennis in January 2020 as their Residential Sales Manager.

Jason is a Kilmaley native and has been working in Sherry FitzGerald's Galway office since moving home from London in January 2019. Jason has accumulated a wealth of experience in his career to date and is looking forward to helping sellers

and buyers alike find their next home in his native Co. Clare.

Jason graduated from St. Flannan's College in 2006 and studied his trade in GMIT until 2011. The economy in Ireland had yet to find it's recovery and Jason took the opportunity to move to Canary Wharf to work in the fast paced property market in London. Jason worked in Johns & Co in London where he gained fantastic second hand and particularly new homes experience selling for Ballymore properties.

Jason is also looking forward to being closer to another one of his passions which is Clare hurling and Kilmaley GAA club in

particular. Being closer to home will also make it easier to make it into Thomond Park to support Munster Rugby on his days off.

"Sherry FitzGerald McMahon are delighted to be welcoming Jason to the company while also celebrating our 120th year providing property services to the people of Clare in 2020. Our success over the years has been down to the quality of people that have always worked in the firm. We are excited to have Jason join us and know that his local knowledge and excellent experience will be of huge benefit to the team and our customers." Diarmuid McMahon Managing Director, Sherry FitzGerald McMahon.

Wishing all my customers & friends a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Thank you for your continued support

Wishing all our clients & friends a

and a Prosperous New Year from the team at

O’Connell Square House, Ennis, Co. Clare T: 065 686 7866 E: ennis@sherryfitzmcmahon.ie PSRA 001212

It’s not just about property. It’s about people.

5

3

   

  

3

3

2

4

2

40 Willsgroves, Cahercalla Road,

Caherea, Lissycasey,

2 Clareabbey, Clarecastle,

30 Waterside, Cappahard, Tulla Road,

Co. Clare

Co. Clare

Co. Clare

Ennis, Co. Clare

Eircode: V95DD2V

Eircode: V95 CHO1

Eircode: V95 HKR4

Eircode: V95Y0X7.

AMV: €345,000

AMV: €335,000

AMV: €175,000

AMV: €175,000

Property Features 

5

Excellent location off Cahercalla Road Positioned on an elevated site 5 x Double bedrooms (2 x ensuite) Solid wood flooring/ Ceiling Covin Superb value for a detached home in this much sought after location Oil Fired Central Heating Floored attic 3 Reception rooms

Property Features            

065 672 9999

Detached Garage Patio Area Natural Laurel Hedging Boundary Sandstone Gated Entrance & Piers Exterior & Sensor Lighting Solid Oak Doors throughout Double glazing Bio-cycle unit Oil Fired Central Heating Open Fire Carbon Monoxide Alarms Bespoke Natural Slate Roof Black Seamless Guttering

Property Features            

Oil fired central heating Double glazed windows South/west facing rear garden Mature site Block built construction 3 x Double bedrooms Upvc fascia soffit window and doors Block built boundary walls Tarmac driveway Overlooking GAA pitch Easy assess to the motorway Walking distance to all village amenities

Property Features          

Presented in Turn Key Condition Quiet Cul-De-Sac Location Property Not Overlooked (Front or rear) Newly decorated for sale Ample Car Parking Tarmacadam Driveway Gas Fired Central Heating Pvc windows, fascia and soffit Red Deal doors, skirting and stairs Private Side Access to Rear Garden

MOTORING

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

VOLKSWAGEN SHOWS OFF ELECTRIC ESTATE CONCEPT

O

ID SPACE VIZZION CONCEPT WILL BECOME THE ID.5 IN 2021

N the eve of the Los Angeles Auto Show, Volkswagen presented the seventh concept car of the ID. family. The new ID Space Vizzion will be fully electric. Its design and form embody a fresh approach. One particularly striking feature is the front section with airflow openings, enabling a drag coefficient of 0.24. The ID Space Vizzion combines the aerodynamic qualities of a Gran Turismo with the generous interior space of an SUV – thereby defining an entirely new segment.

“The new ID Space Vizzion brings unrivalled flexibility, uncompromising quality and German Design to a new era of mobility,” says Klaus Bischoff, Head of Volkswagen Design. The concept car is based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB).

The 82 kWh gross battery capacity allows distances of up to 590 kilometres (WLTP).

With a system output of up to 340hp (4MOTION), the ID Space Vizzion accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds.

Since electric vehicles don’t need a radiator or a large space for the motor, this creates new design freedom. In the case of the ID Space Vizzion the designers and

engineers have taken advantage of this this freedom to optimise aerodynamics and thus increase range. Airflow apertures have been integrated into the eye-catching front end: the air flows through a horizontal panel between the headlights and is directed to the rear over the extremely low-slung bonnet.

There is also airflow into the outer areas of the front bumper, from where it is directed to the rear, too. The airflow apertures on the bumper and the bonnet of the ID Space Vizzion have been designed as functional features, and are also unmistakable styling elements of the concept car’s exterior.

The ID Space Vizzion fully exploits the benefits offered by the MEB. Thanks to the compact dimensions of the electric drive and a battery integrated in the floor, the interior space provided is more reminiscent of a long wheelbase premium sedan than a mid-range model. It is not only the electric drive that makes the ID Space Vizzion a sustainable vehicle, but also the materials used in the interior. These are consistently made of sustainable materials such as the new AppleSkin™ – an artificial leather containing an amount of residual material from apple juice production. In addition, no chrome is

used in the interior of the ID Space Vizzion – it is replaced by a chrome-like paint finish.

With its fully digitalised cockpit, the ID Space Vizzion defines a new status quo in terms of intuitive control. For the first time, all relevant driving information is shown in an AR head-up-display (AR: augmented reality). Instead of the classic cockpit, there is a mini display containing only basic driving information. All entertainment, comfort and online functions, as well as vehicle set-

tings are grouped together on a 15.6-inch touchscreen which appears to hover in midair. The driver also receives key information intuitively from the ID. Light – an interactive light strip between the A-pillars.

The ID Space Vizzion provides a concrete outlook to the series production version which will be presented at the end of 2021, and launched in different variations in Europe, North America and China.

SOMETHING FOR THE ROAD SOMETHING FOR THE PLANET The new Volvo S60 T8 delivers dynamic performance, and cutting-edge sustainable technology that makes it unlike any other sedan in its class.

Its 400-horsepower, plug-in hybrid, twin-engine is both powerful, and environmentally conscious, so you can enjoy driving an exceptional performance vehicle without compromising your values.

The S60 T8 from €46,495* CONTACT LYONS OF LIMERICK TO ARRANGE A TEST DRIVE.

*Terms and conditions apply. Excludes delivery and related charges. Model is shown for illustrative purposes only. Official WLTP Fuel consumption for the Volvo Range in l/100km: Combined 2.4 –10.5 CO 2 emissions 51 – 238g/km. All new Volvo cars come with a 3 year warranty and 3 years’ roadside assistance.

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17/12/2019 12:04

MOTORING

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

SKODA (AND FRANCIS BRENNAN) LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN TO GET RETIREES BACK TO WORK

A

SCHEME WANTS TO RECRUIT RETIRED MOTOR INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS TO HELP OUT IN BUSY DEALERSHIPS

PPROPRIATELY for a brand whose history dates back to the 1920s and beyond, Skoda has worked out that there’s plenty of life left in the aged. Skoda Ireland has just launched a new campaign, called ‘Simply Old, Still Clever’ (a riff on the brand’s ‘Simply Clever’ ad slogan) that aims to get those who’ve retired from the motor trade back into harness.

Now, we’re not talking full-time employment here. Skoda’s idea is to recruit these elder experts to be extra pairs of hands and eyes in dealerships during the busy months of January and February, when some 43 per cent of the entire year’s supply of new cars is sold. At that time, and in spite of the recent drop-off in new car sales, many dealerships find themselves short of staff just when sales are running at their hottest.

Speaking at the launch, Skoda Ireland head of marketing and product, Raymond Leddy said: “Many vehicle brands are

over-focused on the youth market, technology and digitalisation. Very few brands are stepping into the territory of considering older employees and even fewer will publicise or endorse associations with the older generation. At Skoda, we see ourselves as paving the way for others in not just the motor industry but in Irish businesses in general to follow suit.”

The Czech brand has teamed up with quasi-legendary hotelier and TV personality Francis Brennan for the launch of the campaign. “I just turned 66 and I have no plans to retire anytime soon” said Mr. Brennan.

“Many of us are fitter and more physically active in our fifties and sixties than our parents were. Life expectancy is at record levels and we can expect a much longer period of healthy, active retirement. The more I experience, the more I know that keeping mentally active has significant benefits for health and wellbeing. Opportunities like this will bring huge benefits to both the employees

and the Skoda business in general.”

With this scheme, Skoda is to an extent playing to its own gallery, as it knows that older people are more likely to be car buyers than those still in the first flush of youth. Over-65’s represent more than 15 per cent of the Irish population, and that’s expected to reach 23 per cent by 2040. This group is already valued by Skoda as this generation has been essential to the success of the brand in Ireland with 18 per cent of their current customers over the age of 60. This growing cohort is also proven to be more loyal with 90 per cent of this group likely to repurchase (versus 85 per cent of 31-40 year olds).

SPORT

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

43

Double All-Ireland success for Clare Schools volleyball teams CLARE volleyball is celebrating a national double success with Coláiste Muire Ennis and St Flannan’s College Ennis claiming National Senior A titles.

Coláiste Muire successfully retained the girls title which they had won for the first time last year. The girls defeated Dublin’s Rockford Manor in the final which was held in the UCD sports Centre on Thursday December 12. It was a testament to the Coláiste girls mental strength as they came from two sets to nil down to clinch the title in the final fifth set 15-13.

Having lost the first two sets 16-25, 21-25 the girls kept their nerve to win

back the third and fourth sets 25-22, 25-19 The MVP award went to Una Nì Choileàin who consistently served and covered. Una also got some superb attacking hits on the wing when provided with excellent sets from Serodie Luyinduladio. On the opposite wing Irish u16 International, Coláiste Muire student Maria Jones, was also in superb hitting form and had an excellent match on service, attack and defence.

Credit must go to centre hitter Emma Ikiebey who kept her nerve in the final minutes to serve out the match. Both Emma and Eimear Kilroy worked hard blocking the Rockford hits. Team

captain Edith Kearney showed fantastic leadership with some exceptional serves, hits and cover. Roisin Moore was faultless on service and Libero, Rhona Kearney was outstanding in the back court.

The team are coached by Teresa Nì Riordàin, Jack Neylon and Pauline Della Chiesa The Boys A final was a similar nail biting affair which also went to 5 sets.

Despite Drumshambo having match point in the 4th set , the Flannans boys held their nerve to secure the title in the 5th set. This is the first Senior A title for St Flannans with the team having won Cadette A and Senior Cup last season.

Coláiste Muire team photo (right): Back l-r: Úna Ní Choileáin, Róisín Moore, Lily Hughes Keane, Edith Kearney, Maria Jones. Front l-r: Serodie Luyinduladio, Eimear Kilroy, Rhona Kearney, Emma Ikiebey St Flannan’s (above) back row: Cillian O’Riardain, Jack Browne, Ben Higgins, Alan Lima, Adan Lima; Front row Jesus Qaya Saya, Cathal Dwyer (Captain), Cian Humphreys, Patrick Kennedy, Ciaran Jones

The Scorecard in association with

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB Friday Christmas Scramble 1st Ben Rittwiger, Noreen Skehan, Joan McNamara 2nd Willie Hayes,Danny Minogue, Mgt. McNamara 3rd Pat McNamara ,Mary Farrell, Evelyn Skehan Men’s Christmas Hampers Cat 1 Ben Rittweger Cat 2 John G Doyle Cat 3 Michael Larkin Captains ( Enda Donnellan and Ann Harte ) Drive in Scramble Front Nine Ben Rittweger, Brid Hayes, Breda O Loughlin BackNine T.J.McNamara, Paul Madden, NoreenDoyle ENNIS GOLF CLUB SATURDAY SCRAMBLE 14TH DEC. 2019 1st Una O’ Reilly, Pat Rutherford, Tom Heath 71pts 2nd Carmel Verling, Johnny Kearse, Fergus O’ Brien 66pts Martin Ward Golf Ltd. Friday Open Singles.

Final Day 1st William Donnellan(27) 42pts 2nd Mark Geraghy(10) 39pts Gross Sean Myatt (1) 31pts Team of Two 14th & 15th Dec. 2019 1st J K Considine(12) & Eamonn Kelly(21) 53pts 2nd Alfie Jones(8) & Fergal Croke(15) 49pts 3rd Sean Daly(13) & Richard O’ Connell(15) 48pts 4th Davy Rushe(14) & Steve Keane(14) 48pts Ladies results Turkey Competition Week 1 1st Suzanne Deane 29pts 2nd Joan Murphy 27pts 3rd Monica Finnerty 26pts

9 Hole Competition 1st Ann McMahon 21pts 2nd Frances Bergin 19pts KILRUSH GOLF CLUB Dec 09 / Dec 15 KGC Weekly Turkey Men’s Singles 1 Sean Lyons (15) 29 pts 2 John McGrath (13) 27 pts 3 J Murtagh (16) 25 pts Dec 11 Senior Men Scramble 1 Michael Ryan, Sean Moran Pat Shannon Cny 36.17 2 John Saunders, Finbar McMahon, John Robinson 37.75 3 Bernard Coleman, Denis Nagle, Tom O’Dea 39.67 SPANISH POINT GOLF CLUB 15th December - Christmas 18-Hole Mixed Modified Scramble 1st Bernard Clarke, Ollie McNamara, Maurice Murphy 105 nett 2nd Christy Cusack, Laurence Murray, Mick O’Reilly, Fergal Hehir 100 nett 3rd Karen White, Michael O’Brien, Redmond Condron, Enda McDonnell 100 nett 7th Dec Singles Winner: Seamus Conway 12th December - Actively Aging Group Mixed Scramble 1st Maurice Murphy, Pat Cooke, Karen White 2nd David Eastham, Bernie O’Connor, Michael A Hennessy 5th December - Actively Aging Group 9-Hole Mixed Scramble, Winners Ann White, Martin Davis, Maurice Murphy, Michael O’Connor 27.8 nett 2nd Bernie O’Connor, Pat Cooke, David Eastham, Tommy Power 28.6 nett 3rd December - Seniors’ Open Singles 18Hole S/F 1st Michael Waters 40 pts 2nd Brian O’Loughlin 34 pts 3rd Billy Clarke 33 pts

Classifieds 44 CLASSIFIEDS

ACCOUNTANCY

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THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

CONTACT SALES

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PLANNING 45

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

PLANNING date of receipt by the auCLARE COUNTY thority of the application.

COUNCIL KILRUSH HOUSE, CLARE COUNTY FRANCES STREET, COUNCIL KILRUSH, CO. CLARE LISCANNOR BAY Take note that Padraig & Julie Neylon are applying to HOTEL APARTMENTS 3&6 Clare County Council for LISCANNOR, CO. planning permission to inCLARE stall 2 number gable windows, to carry out alterations to the existing roof of the dwelling, install 2 number dormer windows on the front elevation & to reopen stone arches previously built up, install entrance gates along with all associated works at the above address. Kilrush House is a Protected Structure (RPS No. 859). 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

Take notice that Dolores Bolton intends to apply to the planning authority for planning permission to carry out alterations and extensions to the above-mentioned apartments and to connect to ancillary services at above address.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL STATION ROAD, ENNISTYMON.

authority in making a decision on the application.

The planning authority may grant permission subject to I Aiden Fitzgerald B.Eng. or without conditions or MIEI of AF Engineering, may refuse to grant permisDoolin, Co. Clare, 087- sion.

9955689, intend to apply to CLARE COUNTY Clare County Council on COUNCIL behalf of Ray O’Brien for STATION ROAD, planning permission at the ENNISTYMON. above address, the development will consist of the I Aiden Fitzgerald B.Eng. demolition of the existing MIEI of AF Engineering, retail unit and storage areas Doolin, Co. Clare, 087together with ancillary site 9955689, intend to apply to works. The planning ap- Clare County Council on plication may be inspected behalf of Ray O’Brien for or purchased at a fee not planning permission at the exceeding the reasonable above address, the develcost of making a copy, at opment will consist of the the offices of the planning construction of a dwelling authority during its pub- house with connections to lic opening hours. A sub- existing services together mission or observation in with ancillary site works. relation to the application The planning application may be made in writing to may be inspected or purthe planning authority on chased at a fee not exceedpayment of the prescribed ing the reasonable cost of fee, €20, within a period of making a copy, at the offices 5 weeks beginning on the of the planning authority date of receipt by the au- during its public opening thority of the application hours. A submission or oband such submissions or servation in relation to the observations will be con- application may be made in sidered by the planning writing to the planning au-

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thority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within a 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.

CONTACT SALES

ing 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 a 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 planCLARE COUNTY ning authority in making a COUNCIL decision on the application.

STATION ROAD, The planning authority may ENNISTYMON. grant permission subject to I Aiden Fitzgerald B.Eng. or without conditions or MIEI of AF Engineering, may refuse to grant permisDoolin, Co. Clare, 087- sion.

9955689, intend to apply to Clare County Council on CLARE COUNTY behalf of Annmarie O’Brien COUNCIL for planning permission at SHANNON AIRPORT the above address, the de- Shannon Airport Authorvelopment will consist of ity DAC intends to apply the construction of a dwell- for permission for refuring house with connections bishment works to existing to existing services together coastal defence embankwith ancillary site works. ments at Shannon Airport, The planning application Shannon, Rineanna South, may be inspected or pur- Co. Clare. The proposed chased at a fee not exceed- works include different

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

combinations of armouring, topsoiling and grassing along the embankments. A Natura Impact Statement has been prepared and is included in the application.

An Environmental Impact Assessment screening report has been prepared and is included in the application. It concluded that an Environmental Impact Assessment is not required.

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

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46 PUZZLEPAGE

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THIS WEEKS PUZZLES DEC 19 Best Daily Word Search: 12 December 2019

WORD SEARCH

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QUIZ 47

THURSDAY, DEC 19 2019

The Clare Echo Quiz COUNTY CLARE

Ali Visited Clare for 1Muhammad which reason?

6The Clare colours are…

a.

Mrs. Brown’s Boys b.

Father Ted c. Love/Hate

Which internationally renowned 3 TV show was partly filmed in the Burren? a.

Game of thrones b. Vikings c.

Peaky Blinders

is known as ‘The Banner 4Clare County’ for which reason?

a.

Support banners at GAA games b.

The banning of Irish culture during the English reign c.

Support banners at political rallies

airport is infamous for 5Shannon its invention of… a.

Serving alcohol to passengers during flights b.

Duty Free Shopping c.

Tax-free flights to Europe

a.

Yellow and Blue Amber and Blue Saffron and Blue

Which of the following was a Clare 7 paper published between 1885 to 1936? a. b. c.

The Saturday Record The Clare Compendium The Clare Record

Donald Trump owns a hotel and 8 golf course in which West Clare village? a.

Miltown Malbay b. Doonbeg c. Kilbaha

l QUESTION 1: Muhammad Ali Visited Clare for which reason?

Clare was named after 9County which of the following?

a.

The infamous De Clare family b.

A plank placed across the river Fergus c.

An abbreviation of Clarecastle Town

first Rose of Clare was an10The nounced in which year? a. 1968 b. 1973 c. 1994

by Cian O’ Broin

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

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

Ger Naughton and Niall O’Connor of the Clare Echo

Photo by John Mangan

6. Saffron and Blue 7. The Saturday Record 8. Doonbeg 9. A plank placed across the river Fergus 10. 1968

of the following TV shows 2Which was mostly filmed in North Clare?

b. c.

ANSWERS

1. His great-grandfather was from Ennis 2. Father Ted 3. Vikings 4. Support banners at political rallies 5. Duty Free Shopping

a.

His great-grandfather was from Ennis b.

To unveil a statue dedicated to his life’s work c.

His grandfather was from Ennis

Last weeks Answers . Button missing on Nialls Jacket . Aerial missing on top of pic . Gers Earring missing . Woman on frontpage has different colour top

. Traffic cone in different colour . E missing on building . 0 missing on front page