The Clare Echo

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Aoibhín Garrihy’s

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22 Nov 2018

BLACK FRIDAY MAYHEM C

LARE businesses are reacting to the news that a third of Irish shoppers will increase their spend this Black Friday.

A new survey by PwC indicates that 32 per cent of Irish shoppers will increase their spending during this year’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales and 26 per cent will increase their spending in the run-up to Christmas.

PwC said that the increase in spending reflects a more positive outlook among consumers (25 per cent) about the economy

in the year ahead. In recent years, Black Friday (November 23) has become an established feature in the Irish shopping calendar. It has rapidly gone from being a novelty import to being a significant generator of sales for retailers and brands going into the Christmas period.

In this week’s edition of The Clare Echo, we have a number of pages dedicated to finding the best deals in Clare this Black Friday, with dozens of local businesses putting on sales for the day.

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

Index NEWS

2-13

AOIBHÍN GARRIHY

14-15

ENTERTAINMENT

16-17

BLACK FRIDAY

21-28

BUSINESS

29-31

191 MOTORING

32-38

PROPERTY

40-41

CLASSIFIEDS

42-45

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

NEWSDESK

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

SALES

Email: ciara.farrell@clareecho.ie or ger.naughton@clareecho.ie

l SENDING A MESSAGE: On Tuesday, ten students from Class 6 of St Anne’s Special School celebrated Universal Children’s day by posting a series of newly designed postcards to various people including President Higgins asking him for help towards a new classroom, as theirs is too small and has no windows. Several cards went to family members, telling them how much they loved them. Two special ones went to Nanas who had recently passed, addressed to Heaven. One went to a well known relation, Sharon Shannon, and one is going to New Zealand to a sister. All the postcards depict images of their own mixed media paintings, created during visits from local artist Shona MacGillivray. This project was supported by the Clare Arts Office, through their Artist in School and Embrace programmes.

€117m Council budget passed PÁRAIC McMAHON

news@clareecho.ie

A

DRAFT budget of €117.6m has been passed by elected officials of Clare County Council.

Over €30m is being assigned to road transport and safety in the county as part of the Budget. Housing and building requires €18,657,083 while a further breakdown of the costs sees €17m for Development Management, €14m for Environmental Services, €12m for Water Services, elsewhere a total of €10,481,626 is earmarked for Recreation and Amenity while €787,967 is towards Agriculture, Education, Health and Welfare. A further €12m is set aside for Miscellaneous Services, this includes administration of rates, coroner expenses, operation of markets, casual trading, motor tax and civic leadership. An extra €6m is available in the 2019 budget.

An income of €33m is forecast by the local authority next year from goods and services. This will arise from their Irish Water Income (€10m), rents from houses (€8m) and recreation/amenity/culture (€7m). For grants and subsidies, they will take in almost €34,975,416.

At the outset of the meeting, Council CEO, Pat Dowling said, “Our budget represents another step in our journey of reinvigoration. Our annual budgetary process has always been and continues to be about

finding a balance. We want to be innovative and bold in our approach. New approaches are going to be needed to promote development of economy in towns, villages. Our financial standing though limited puts us in a unique position. We must remain close to our communities, we must work in new ways and retain welfare for our citizens”.

“I want to assure you, the executive and all staff are up to the task, they are committed to the county and are exemplary in their dedication to their duties, current balances in G.M.A. will be expended to the best of our ability”, he added. “While we must be ambitious, expansionary, reformist in our approach we must exercise financial prudence. For 25 years, the Council carried a deficit, at height this was €9m. In 2016 we returned slight surplus and are on target to return balance”.

There is a reduction of €300,000 from the General Municipal Allocation; each Municipal District has €75,000 less to spend in this regard. Cllr PJ Kelly hit out at the proposal, “I’m here many moons and it is the first time I’ve saw such a daring attack on rural Clare... If it’s only pittens why do it?

Surprised with the CEO, he flew the flag of rural development but he’s offside on this”.

Eighteen councillors voted in favour of the budget with Cllr PJ Kelly, Cllr Lynch, Cllr Curtin and Cllr Johnny Flynn voting against the proposal. Both Cllr James Breen and Cllr Mary Howard abstained from voting while Cllr Tony O’Brien, Cllr Michael Hillery, Cllr Bill Slattery and Cllr Paul Murphy were not present.

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NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

'Explosion' of cyclists in Clare PÁRAIC McMAHON

news@clareecho.ie

I

LLEGAL parking must be tackled to deal with “an explosion of cyclists” across the county.

At Clare County Council’s November meeting, Sinn Féin’s Mike McKee tabled a motion seeking a greater enforcement “to ensure cycle lanes are kept free from vehicle parking”. The local authority has subsequently committed to discussing the matter with An Garda Síochána and traffic wardens “who can both issue fines for such illegal parking”.

In response to Cllr McKee, Senior Engineer John Leahy outlined, “At present traffic wardens are responsible for enforcing illegal parking in specified locations, however consideration can be given to widening these areas to include cycle lanes should there be a requirement to do so”. Leahy referred to a publicity campaign undertaken by the

Council to inform the public on what signs and lines meant when cycle lanes were introduced, he is open to complete a similar push if there is a need to do so.

Stating his satisfaction with the reply, Cllr McKee highlighted other areas that need to be taken into account. “We don’t have any traffic wardens in Shannon”, the use of cycle lanes by disabled individuals on scooters “is very dangerous” he said.

Newmarket-on-Fergus councillor, Pat McMahon announced “There has been an explosion of cyclists”. He added, “for major events people tend to abandon their cars and local clubs have had to tackle the issue themselves by deploying stewards”.

According to Cllr Ann Norton, “It is important that if Clare County Council are putting cycle lanes around the county that people are educated. Cycling has become a very popular sport and it is something that we as a Council are trying to make safe. It is important that people driving vehicles understand cycle lanes

are for cycling and not parking.

Traffic wardens and Gardaí must give fines, there is a possibility that an accident can happen”.

She continued, “We are trying to encourage as many people to get exercise and our youth to cycle to school so it must be done in a safe environment”.

An active cyclist in his spare time, Cllr Paul Murphy maintained alternative parking must be in place where cycling lanes are in front of people’s homes.

“In my own village it is a big problem from the church to Powers Pub, we’ve a lot of apartments on that road with cars parked outside but if they were removed we’ll have a big problem with parking in Clarecastle, we need to have a solution in place. We have to maintain the cycle lanes”. On the maintenance of lanes, Cllr James Breen asked that the route from Clarecastle to Newmarket-on-Fergus “be swept on a once off basis”.

Poor planning has led to problems for cyclists in Shannon in the view of Cllr Gerry Flynn.

PRIDE OF SHANNON...

COUNTY Clare continued its impressive track record of success in the IPB Pride of Place Competition at the 16th annual awards ceremony held at Cork City Hall on Saturday night.

Shannon was named overall winner of Category 5 for population centres of over 5,000 people with Buncrana (Donegal) and Youghal (Cork) named Runners Up. Shannon was among four communities nominated by Clare County Council to participate in this year's competition. Clare was also represented by Spanish Point (Islands & Coastal Communities), Quin Village Tidy Towns (Population Category 3 - population from 1,000 to 2,000) and the Castle Bog Walk project in Kilkishen (Community Wellbeing Initiative). There was further success for Clare on the night with Quin and Spanish Point being named Runners Up in their respective categories.

Mayor of Clare Cllr. Michael Begley joined more than 800 members of communities from all over Ireland at the annual awards ceremony. He has congratulated Shannon on following in the footsteps of Doonbeg and Miltown Malbay who have also been named category winners in recent years.

“This award win is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when people come together for the benefit of their local community,” he added.

Mr. Begley said the Pride of Place judges remarked on the excellent welcome and presentation they received during their visit to Shannon Town which demonstrated “the huge range of voluntary activities in this town and in particular highlighted the many amenities of the town and the exceptional level of volunteerism.”

Clare has enjoyed considerable success in recent years with Cooraclare and Cree winning a ‘Special Award’ through CLG Cuan an Chláir’s Health & Wellbeing Team last year. Previous successes include a first place award to Doonbeg Community Development in 2015, Killaloe and Tuamgraney's Runner-Up finishes in 2014 and Miltown Malbay’s first place award in 2013.

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NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

'Make Ennis a great place to grow older' STUART HOLLY

A

editor@clareecho.ie

CCORDING to the 2016 census figures, nearly 30% of the population in Ennis is 50 years old and over, and these numbers are growing. The needs of this population were highlighted at the recent Clare County Council meeting when Cllr Johnny Flynn called for a report on the action plan from the recently adopted 2nd Clare Age Friendly Strategy 2018-2022.

Cllr Flynn said, “I requested a report because as an Ennis Councillor, I want to support and assist in any action plans from the Clare Age Friendly Strategy 2018-2022. With the population continuing to grow, I welcome this initiative for Ennis to become an age-friendly town in providing appropriate transport, community support, health services, social outlet and housing for the elderly.”

The response to Cllr Fynn’s request came from Karen Fennessy, Age-Friendly Development Officer for Clare County Council “The Clare Age Friendly Alliance Board has over the last 12 months, developed the 2nd Age Friendly Strategy for the county. The Clare Age Friendly Alliance Board whose membership comprises senior decision makers of key agencies is due to discuss the implementation of the strategy’s action plan and in particular the formation of working groups to deliver the actions, at their next meeting scheduled for 27th November 2018.”

Age-Friendly Ireland has published many age-friendly initiatives such as developing a next of kin register for older people living alone, improving traffic light timings to give older people sufficient time to cross the roads safely and a Garda led training module on ‘Age Friendliness’ targeted at students in Primary and Secondary Schools. Infra-

lBRIGHT FUTURE: The MIC Awards Ceremony, held in the

Lime Tree Theatre, saw almost 150 students from MIC being recognised for their academic achievements with almost €250,000 presented on the night.Pictured are Entrance Scholarship recipients Carol Buckley, Ennis, Matthew Brophy, Clonmel and Caoimhe Carmody, Kilmaley Photo by Arthur Ellis

structure and awareness are not the only areas of need in creating a town that is an excellent place to grow old, and they also suggest social outlets like giving training to older people so that they can become tour guides in their local libraries and museums or sports

programme designed for older people by the Local Sports Partnerships.

“It’s urgent that our town address the opportunities and challenges faced by the older people of today and the future, ” comments Cllr Flynn.

€500k for Lough Derg Blueway THE provision of almost €500,000 to upgrade the Lough Derg Blueway will give a significant boost to tourism in East Clare.

That’s according to Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey who said that the funding from the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme will enable local enterprises take advantage of a significant increase in recreational tourism. “€498,000 has been allocated to provide a five kilometre pathway along the verge of the R465 from Bealkelly outside Ogonnelloe to Tuamgraney. The overall cost of the project, which forms part of the Lough Derg Blueway amenity trail and looped walks, is €622,500,” Deputy Carey confirmed.

The Lough Derg Blueway is one of 18 strategic projects throughout the country that have been approved for a share of the €8.14 million scheme.

“As Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development, I firmly believe that the continued development of our recreational infrastructure will not only support Ireland’s rural tourism potential, but will also provide a diverse range of recreation options for local communities,” he explained.

“Figures from Fáilte Ireland show that in 2014, close to 1.2 million visitors to Ireland took part in hiking or cross country walking."

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NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

Pressure to use derelict sites for homeless

PÁRAIC McMAHON

news@clareecho.ie

RESSURE has been put on Clare County Council to avail of derelict sites to tackle the housing crisis.

At Monday’s meeting of the local authority, Fianna Fáil’s Pat McMahon asked that they “examine the potential of the Derelict Sites Act to acquire properties in towns and villages suitable for housing developments to help address the shocking shortage of accommodation for families and individuals.”

According to Director of Service, Anne Haugh, following on from the CSO publication on vacant property statistics in Clare, the local authority prepared a report on vacant homes within the county. This outlined that “when holiday homes were removed from the consideration, vacancy in Clare was broadly in line with vacancy rates throughout the country”.

She added, “Derelict properties are not usually in areas of significant housing demand and tend to be large detached properties in the countryside which are not suited to the needs of a housing authority”. The Council’s vacant homes office is currently working on a list of 155 properties identified as vacant in towns and villages with demand for social housing. “The reasons for vacancy are many, therefore the compulsory purchase of vacant property is not straightforward and where possible we will seek to acquire the properties by agreement. It should be noted that costs for property acquisition incurred above the limits of the unit ceiling costs set by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government are payable by the Coun-

P

cil from own resources”.

Properties acquired through the CPO process tend to be more expensive due to legal and procedural costs.

Of the Council’s 155 vacant properties, they are situated in areas with the most demand for housing, Ennis in particular. “It’s too slow a process and for that to be regularised and put within the Council remit would and has taken too long”, lamented Cllr McMahon.

“Not everyone wants to live in a town or village, there needs to be a new vision”, stated Cllr Pat Hayes.

Chair of the Housing SPC, Cllr Gerry Flynn, said, “I can assure Cllr Hayes that our SPC is doing everything in our power to deal with the housing issues”.

Sinn Féin’s Mike McKee flagged that a number of derelict sites in Shannon have been vandalised.

“Some have been set on fire at parties held there by teenagers”. Independent Cllr PJ Ryan felt the process should be made easier for Councils to deal with. “I didn’t realise that it was so complicated. Maybe it’s time it was made easier for local authorities, if you’ve to spend an awful lot of money on the legal side of it then it’s hard to justify”. Ennis councillor, Pat Daly pointed out “there is an opportunity to live over head businesses”.

Further information was requested

by Cllr James Breen on what the Council define as a vacant house.

“It is very insensitive if a person is in hospital that they get a notice from the Council”.

He was told by Anne Haugh that after a period of thirty days if a person is in hospital and the house is vacant they follow procedure and notify the insurer.

JOURNO AWARD FOR ROSITA

Clare woman Rosita Boland has been named Journalist of the Year. A senior features writer with The Irish Times, Rosita was announced as the Journalist of the Year at the NewsBrands Ireland Journalism Awards which took place in Dublin last Thursday. On top of this, the Ennis native was awarded the 2018 Scoop of the Year for her interview with Ricky McDonald, former boyfriend of Ann Lovett who died in 1984 after giving birth at a grotto in Longford

Photo Chris Bellew /Fennell Photography

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THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

Ennis wants to follow Kilkee's lead

West Clare initiative sparks similar efforts to cut out single use plastics in Ennis PÁRAIC McMAHON

K

news@clareecho.ie

ILKEE have set the way and now Ennis wants to follow according to councillors in the town who want to discourage the use of plastics.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy at the November meeting of the Ennis Municipal District expressed her desire for the town “to emulate the efforts of Kilkee & Westport in their respective efforts to discourage

use of single use plastics as has been in progress in Kilkee since early 2018 to great effect with the ‘Make Kilkee Plastic Free’ campaign”.

Administrative Officer, Etain McCooey informed the Mayor that the Kilkee example was “a locally led initiative” which was assisted with funding support under the EPA Waste Prevention Grant. “Approaches from voluntary and community groups within the Ennis Municipal District Area would be particularly welcome in relation to proposals and initiatives to discourage

use of single use plastics”.

Fine Gael’s Mary Howard seconded the motion. An active member of the Ennis Tidy Towns group, Cllr Howard told the meeting that school children are requesting not to be given plastic forks or straws with their lunches as they are forming rubbish on the streets of the town. Her party colleagues, Cllr Johnny Flynn and Cllr Paul Murphy also voiced their support.

Director of Service, Carmel Kirby confirmed that Cillian Murphy who helped spearhead the campaign in Kilkee will

'Replicate Willie Clancy festival' PÁRAIC McMAHON

news@clareecho.ie

A

WEEKLY school of music in honour of acclaimed fiddle player Tommy Peoples could be held in Clare in the near future.

Ennis councillor, Pat Daly has proposed that the town’s municipal district “investigate the possibility of arranging a Spring or Autumn School to be held in Ennis similar to the Willie Clancy Summer School in honouring the late and great Irish musician Tommy Peoples with the co operation of the local Comhaltas Ceolteori branch, family and musician friends”.

Cllr Daly said, “This motion has huge potential for the town of Ennis. Tommy Peoples was a great musician, he is buried in Drumcliffe, I have spoken to his daughter. This could be a Willie Clancy week in Ennis... it could be one of the greatest promotions the town of Ennis ever had. It definitely will happen in 2020. Thousands of people go to Miltown every year, I would like to see the same happen for Ennis”.

He received backing from his Fianna Fáil colleague, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy who added, “I commend you for such an excellent motion. Let’s get people to sit down and make this happen”.

Fine Gael’s Mary Howard stated, “This is an excellent motion. It is very appropriate. I give my full support to this proposal”.

In the 1970s, The Bothy Band was one of Ireland’s most exciting folk groups and held a strong influence on traditional music in the country. The band had several exceptional musicians but Donegal native, Tommy Peoples stood out from the rest.

In the same decade, he moved to Clare where he married Maria Linnane, daughter of Kitty Linnane, the leader of the Kilfenora Céilí Band. He lived in Toonagh for 30 years and returned to Donegal where he became traditional musician in residence at the Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey. Peoples was the first recipient of the TG4 traditional musician of the year award and in 2013, was composer of the year.

l INSPIRATION: The school would be held in honour of the late Tommy Peoples

be addressing the Physical Development SPC in December, both Cllr Colleran Molloy and Cllr Howard sought an open invitation to attend which Kirby agreed to.

Next Monday, on November 26, there will be another information evening in conjunction with Clare Co Co, from 6.458pm at Waterpark House in Ennis, where a speaker from Clare Co Council's environment division will be giving advice on aid available to set up groups to tackle these issues.

NEWS 11

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

Green party shows hand Garvey and O'Donovan for LE PÁRAIC McMAHON news@clareecho.ie

WO Clare candidates have been announced by the Green Party to contest next year’s local elections. Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan declared Roisin Garvey and Barry O’Donovan will contest the 2019 local elections at the Rowan Tree in Ennis on Thursday.

Inagh native Garvey will run in the Ennistymon electoral area which covers North Clare. Her father Flan was a member of Clare County Council from 1985 to 2009 as a Fianna Fáil councillor. She was “really humbled by the turnout” and admitted, “I have a lot of energy and I’m looking forward to bringing that energy into this campaign”. Garvey claimed the health of young people would be dramatically different if the Greens were in power, “25 percent of children are obese, if the Green Party were in charge that would be zero”.

Originally a candidate for the party in the 2016 General Election, Garvey withdrew from the race citing family commitments as she helped her son, Corrán prepare for his Leaving Certificate. Two years later, she’s back in politics while he has headed off to college.

The single mother spoke of her pride at how he has fared.

“I’ve been a single mother for quite some time. Since I got pregnant with him I said I was going to run for him, it’s their legacy we’re talking about here. He just did a really good Leaving Cert and moved to college so now is my time. I’m very proud of him, he’s gone off studying Energy & Engineering at GMIT ironically, he loves the course and he made the college basket-

T

ball team so I really feel now is a good time for me that he’s set up”.

A past-pupil of Inagh N.S. and Colaiste Muire, Roisin for the past ten years has worked with schools as part of the Green Schools programme ran

by An Taisce. She mentions that several students she has dealt with in the past decade have since gone on to study environmental at third level.

Barry O’Donovan who resides in Tuamgraney is to seek a seat in the Killaloe Municipal District where one elected official will lose their seat as a result of the report published by the Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee.

Limerick born, O’Donovan said “I’m putting myself forward because I want to be a voice for the people of East Clare who want a better quality of life without it costing the Earth”.

Eamon Ryan also confirmed at the meeting that Senator Grace O’Sullivan is to contest the upcoming European elections in the south of Ireland.

Opening his address, Ryan remarked “I’m watching the River Fergus outside and it is the most stunning sight.

“The Green Party has always been important in Clare, we may have been seen as the posh boys from Dublin but our roots are in Clare, I’m thinking of Donal Ó Bearra and Brian Meaney and the work they did."

Of the two selected candidates, the party leader said. “Barry O’Donovan has protested for fifty years, today he said to me we need to move on from protest and be productive”. He stated that Roisin Garvey came from “one of the most enterprising families”.

Party member Gerben Uunk suggested they lend their support to an Independent representative in Ennis if they have no contender, however The Clare Echo understands the party hope to have an official candidate in each of the Municipal Districts.

l GREEN TEAM: Party leader Eamon Ryan with Clare's Green candidates Róisín Garvey, Barry O'Donovan, along with Senator Grace O'Sullivan at the Rowan Tree In Ennis Photo by John Mangan

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THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

Shannon could be left with no EU connectivity Calls for Govt support as Brexit to isolate the West STUART HOLLY

S

editor@clareecho.ie

HANNON Group is calling on Government to support it in safeguarding EU connectivity for the Mid-West and Western regions in a post Brexit environment.

Shannon Airport currently has UK hub connectivity through London Heathrow but in a Brexit situation, as the UK exits the European Union, the airport will then be without connectivity into an EU hub.

Commenting on the issue, Matthew Thomas, CEO, Shannon Group said: “European hub connectivity is vital for our tourism and business customers

in the Mid-West, and Western regions.

"It provides the air access needed to grow tourism numbers, to conduct business and attract FDI investment from Europe and is now more important than ever in the context of Brexit.

“While European connectivity is currently serviced through the London Heathrow hub, the reality is that in a post Brexit situation, the West of Ireland will be without this critical EU connectivity."

He continued, “We are engaging with Government on specific asks for a connectivity funding programme to secure strategic routes. In addition, we believe that targets should be set for the national tourism agen-

lPRESSURE: CEO Matthew

Thomas is engaging with Govt

cies to grow visitor numbers into the regions. Government’s Ireland 2040 plan rightly highlights the importance of ‘high quality international connectivity’. We are looking for the mechanism to be put in place to ensure connectivity to a key European hub is in place for the West of Ireland."

Meanwhile, Shannon this week welcomed the announcement by

Ryanair that it is to deliver a new twice weekly East Midlands service for next year’s summer season as another major boost in a very positive year for the airport.

Ryanair will operate the service from April 5 to the October 25, 2019, on (Monday’s and Friday’s days) strengthening its regional connectivity by another 22,000 seats.

Welcoming the announcement, Matthew Thomas, CEO, Shannon Group said: “This latest announcement caps a very positive 12 months for Shannon. It’s very much a case of the hard work paying off."

He added, “We’ve invested hugely to develop Shannon into the fastest, easiest and friendliest airport for our passengers.

The outcome has been passenger numbers increasing year on year since 2012. 2018 has been our best year in over a decade and that is down to our determined commitment to provide the best possible service and experience for our passengers.”

Santa kicks off Xmas at Crescent WITH the Christmas lights now on at The Crescent Shopping Centre it’s the perfect place to get into the festive mood while getting your Christmas shopping.

Black Friday takes place on Nov 23, and with over 90 retailers, and the new additions of Milano, VILA and Golden Discs, you’re sure to find great value on everything you need for Christmas.

It’s been 45 years since Liam MacCarthy came to Limerick and also since the Crescent Shopping Centre opened, and to celebrate the Limerick Hurling Champions will visit the centre on Saturday November 24 at 12:30pm, signing autographs and taking photos.

And that’s not all…a very important man, Santa, will arrive at the Crescent on Sunday November 25 at 1pm in style, arriving in a horse-drawn sleigh to meet families at the Garryowen Mall entrance (next to River Island) before making his way through the Malls to Santa’s new Station located on the City Mall. Keep an eye out for Santa’s footprints in the Malls to locate him.

Munster's leading Shopping Centre will start its Christmas late opening hours from Thursday December 6.

For more information on Opening Hours and on all our events, see www. crescentshoppingcentre.ie or like the Crescent Shopping Centre page on Facebook or Instagram for regular updates.

The CENTREof CHRISTMAS IN LIMERICK

The CENTREof CHRISTMAS IN LIMERICK

SANTA

ARRIVES!

THIS SUNDAY 25TH NOV.

1.00 PM SHARP • GARRYOWEN MALL

VISIT SANTA IN CITY MALL...

AT HIS MAGICAL POLAR RAILWAY STATION See more on www.crescentshoppingcentre.ie

THE

STATION CRESCENT SHOPPING CENTRE

14 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

Aoibhín Garrihy

LOVE

CLARE

Mór G lór Awards THE NOTEBOOK

O

H what a night! We’re still buzzing after last weekend’s Mór glór Award at glór theatre, where my soon to be 94 year old grandad, Chris Droney, was the man of the moment and quite frankly the star of the show!

This year’s award ceremony featured of course Chris himself, his friends, family, musicians from all over the country along with the Kilfenora Céilí band and more. For me, it was

one of those moments I’ll always remember. It’s not every day you attend a sold out gig for your 93 year old rock star Grandad (although he may not approve of being called a rock star but he so is in my eyes!) Congrats Grandad. We’re all so proud of you.

On Monday night we attended the Image Business Women of the Year Awards and it was wonderful to be surrounded by so many truly inspirational people doing such amazing things in the world of business. I was delighted to meet a real powerhouse and nominee on the night, Mary Doherty, president of Down Syndrome Ireland and her gorgeous guests at the table next to ours.

On that note, I want to say a massive congrats to three Clare based businesses and recent award winners in the Top Five at the Retail Excellence Awards last week, with one coming away with the overall award on the night. Bambinos and Shannon Duty free flew the flag for the Banner while Willow knocked it out of the park! I’m a huge fan of all three of

HAPPENINGS SWITCHING ON ENNIS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Join Santa and the Lord Mayor of Ennis as they launch the Remembrance Tree Initiative in aid of Cahercalla Hospice and officially switch on Christmas in Ennis with carols and more this Friday 23rd November from 4pm.

CHRISTMAS MARKET AT THE CASCADES

Visit Santa and soak up the magic of Christmas in the stunning surrounds of the Cascades in Lisseycasey Sunday 9th December from 12-6pm. See Christmas Market at the Cascades on Facebook for more.

CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM

With a new Christmas programme and a real focus on family and memories for 2018, a visit to the Farmyard is a must this Christmas. See thefamyard. ie for all the details.

l IMAGE BUSINESS WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS: Mary Doherty, president of Down Syndrome Ireland and her gorgeous guests

these wonderful Clare businesses, know how hard they work and how much they deserve these prestigious accolades. Enjoy the celebrations all!

l STAR OF THE SHOW: Chris Droney steals the show at Mór Glór in Ennis

COVET IN

CLARE PARTY PEOPLE This statement jacket featuring shiny sequins and light chiffon gives instant glam to your Christmas party look.

Team it with an lbd, jumpsuit or jeans and shine on!

Available at Willow.ie €110

ALL THAT GLITTER It’s the season for I do’s and this beauty would surely seal the deal! This Double Halo diamondval is a real show stopper and is available now at Collins Jewellers O’Connell Street Ennis.

SCENT OF A WOMAN/MAN This unisex, 100% deodorant acts as antiperspirant and a luxurious scent. Brought to the award winning Shannon Dutyfree by Irish owned company Modern Botany with a full range of skincare and essential oils available at Shannon airport.

IT’S ALL FOR THEM Christmas time is a special time for the little ones and whether it’s a visit to Santa, Nana and Grandad or Christmas Day mass, Mods and Minis, Ennis, will have them suited and booted for the festive season. This little frock caught my eye but take a trip in store and prepare to swoon!

MELLOW YELLOW Fancy a fresh feel in your living space? Look no further than Madden furniture’s new über zen Scandi boho collection.

With neutral tones it’s just the right balance of modern and homely. See Madden Furniture in Ennis for more.

COLUMNIST 15

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

Top

Ways To Stay 5 Sane during Silly Season 2

CONSIDER SHOPPING ONLINE

While I truly believe it’s important to buy local and support Irish business this Christmas, most have websites and online stores now (even for your grocery shopping) and for the ones that don’t they generally post stock on social media and you can purchase over the phone. No heavy loads, no hot flushes in store and no stressful parking and traffic situations.

ADOPT A POLICY AROUND PRESENTS

If you find yourself aimlessly shopping and spending crazy money on unwanted gifts each year why not break bad habits an adopt a new policy. A Kris Kindle is always a good idea for larger families or why not make a decision to just buy for the children. Perhaps offer your time or experience this year as opposed to buying presents for example offer to paint the house, babysit once a week, offer financial advice etc.

Gifts don’t always have to cost money.

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KEEP MOVING

We all have high hopes for the new year, those resolutions and getting back up on the wagon…what if you don’t fall off it to begin with? We usually use December as as excuse to go wild, binge, over indulge and stop moving! What once was a couple of days over the Christmas period has now become a full season of parties and excess…so why not join that gym or start that healthy eating plan NOW! Of course enjoy yourself over the holidays but staying healthy and active now and in the weeks to come will keep your mind healthy too and make January and those inevitable January blues seem less bluey!

1

DO AS THE AMERICANS DO

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Celebrate thanksgiving and practice gratitude… at a time when we seem to be bombarded with brands, campaigns and temptation to spend, our pockets feel the pressure and the true meaning of this time of year can very easily get lost. Spend time with those you love, help those in need and recognise the things that are important rather than all the frenzy of the festivities. Practicing gratitude will help you see the “haves” in your life as opposed to the “have nots”.

SOUL TIME

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Whether you decide to do the Christmas Day swim, volunteer with a local charity, reconnect with the spiritual side of Christmas in your local parish, do some stress reducing acupuncture or spend time on a yoga mat…take time from the mad merry go-round of silly season and ground yourself with some “soul time” as I like to call it!

Entertainment

THE ART OF DECEPTION

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ANTHONY HART

HESE days, the art of deception may often be thought of as a craft honed and best utilized by reality TV stars and politicians, who, bafflingly, have become one in the same in some parts of the world. Hypnotist, Mentalist and Magician Keith Barry has his own ideas on the many different threads and sinews which make up the tapestry of true deception. He brings a brand new show to Glor theatre in Ennis on the 4th of January.

During the course of his enigmatic career, Keith has performed wondrous feats of escapology, mind boggling hypnosis, stopped his own heartbeat on live TV and driven cars, at speed, blindfolded and jumped out without a scratch. He has hacked the brains of the worlds biggest stars from Matthew McConaughey to Morgan Freeman and was drafted in as an advisor to Woody Harrelson as he undertook the role of a mentalist in the

highly successful “Now You See Me” movie franchise.

For all the memories, thoughts and brains the Waterford man has tapped into, it is one of a Clare woman that he fondly remembers as we begin to speak about his previous encounters with a banner audience in Glor.

“What sticks out to me one year is, when I was doing a trick which involved the whole audience thinking about secrets which they had never told anyone else. I just looked up into the balcony and a woman caught my attention, and I just looked at her and asked “Who is Patrick?…Patrick…who is that?”. That was the name that kept coming to me. Her husband got up and walked out. It turns out Patrick was the name of the woman’s boss, whom her husband had been suspicious that there may have been some extra marital affairs going on. She did e-mail me a few days later to say that all was well though, but thats definitely one of the crazier things thats happened.”

It’s safe to say, any one who may be hiding a skeleton in their closet may want to slide a little lower in their seats before locking eyes with the master of mentalism. On the other hand, there is €10,000 on offer to anyone

HART AT

HOME

This week The Clare Echo’s rambling reporter Anthony Hart speaks to Cliff Yip, a former Rice College student studying medicine in Slovakia AH: Hi Cliff, so tell us where you are and how long has it been since you left Ireland?

CY: Currently, I am living in Kosice, which is about 5 hours east of Bratislava. I’ve been here for just over 4 years now and am going into my 5th year of studying medicine.

WAS IT PURSUING AN EDUCATION IN MEDICINE THAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO LEAVE? Yeah, I guess the decision was two-fold. Financially, it is a lot more attainable to gain qualifications here as the cost of living is lower. The fee’s per year are nearly half what they would be in Ireland. As well as that, I repeated the Leaving Cert but unfortunately, was still short of the points required to enter medicine at home so this was an alternative to keep pursuing a career I was passionate about.

AND DO YOU SEE YOURSELF COMING HOME IN THE FUTURE? Definitely, Ireland is home. Once I’ve

finished my education here in just over 2 more years, I want to go back and contribute to the country I was raised in. That’s really important to me.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LIFE IN KOSICE? To be honest, with the workload involved in studying medicine, I don’t do an awful lot except school, gym and meet up with friends for coffee. Drinking coffee here is like going for a pint at home. There are so many amazing coffee shops and they’re a real social hub here. You meet with a group of friends and will sit for a couple of hours and just chat and socialize. It’s much more chilled out.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT LIVING IN SLOVAKIA? You’re right in central europe here, so the possibility to travel around the neighbouring countries is a real plus.

There’s so many vastly different countries and cultures within close proximity that you get a real flavor of all different

that thinks they can deceive Keith on stage.

“I have lost in the past. Not the €10,000, but some one in the west of Ireland took home €1,000 last year, I lost again in the Olympia theatre a few years ago, so money can be won. This is the largest amount I’ve offered at a live show before.”

Deceit seemingly being a magicians bread and butter, it may not be as easy as one might think but definitely not a bad return on the ticket price just a few days after Christmas. With a brand new show comes brand new ideas, new challenges and new tricks, most of which are being kept up the sleeve for now. With this man at the helm however, wonder, shock and surprise are sure to be in vast supply.

“This show is very topical, it’s all about the way we are being deceived by social media, the idea of fake news, and also how we deceive ourselves.”

This then asks the question that, when constructing a new entertainment experience, is it more difficult to create material which will draw the glassy eyed awe and amazement desired from an audience. In the days of instant answers in the palm of your hand, the all knowing power of artificial commodities like Siri and Alexa, are we

harder to be hoodwinked than a generation previous?

“Not really, because I find that people Think they have all the answers but they won’t come across any of my methods online. My challenge is to come up with new techniques all the time, thats what makes it entertaining for me, because when you

google it, you can’t find the answer. We’re almost easier to fool in some ways, because we have a false belief that we know an awful lot more than we actually do.”

Keith Barry performs “Deception” at Glor Theatre, Ennis on the 4th Jan. Tickets €30 can be purchased from the Glor Box Office by phone: 065 6843103 or online: glor.ie/book

aspects of European life.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU DISLIKE? Meat. (laughs) Honestly, I know that might sound like an odd complaint, but quite a lot of the Slovak meat is exported to Poland and other countries around the continent. So getting decent quality meat is quite tough.

LASTLY CLIFF, WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT IRELAND, OR WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST WHEN YOU COME HOME? Walking into the food emporium in Ennis and asking for the usual. (laughs again) Chicken goujons on brown bread, every time. I really do miss the Craic at home. I spent quite a few years working in Cruises bar and I really miss the ease at which you can strike up a conversation, either with locals or tourists just passing through. It’s slightly different here. The language barrier for a start makes it slightly awkward, but the Slovak people appreciate when you make an effort to speak the language, so once thats out of the way, the ice is broken and they are a truly warm and hospitable people.

But yeah, I mostly miss the banter and I am really looking forward to moving home after my studies here.

Saturday 24 November, 8pm, €28 Pat Shortt: Hey! Pat Shortt returns with his brand new show, Hey! Following his recent sell-out successes, and fresh from starring roles in the hit play A Skull In Connemara and the film The Belly of The Whale, Ireland's best loved comedian takes to the road with his latest quirky look at Irish life.

Featuring brand new material and sketches, this new show is a rogue's gallery of odd ball characters, bizarre situations and even a song or two!

Hey! delivers a peculiar take on modern life that only the unique imagination of Pat Shortt could conjure up.

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

ENTERTAINMENT

CHRISTMAS IN ENNIS LAUNCHES ON FRIDAY S

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ANTA CLAUS is coming to town and will join Mayor of Ennis Municipal District, Clare Colleran Molloy, for the official switching on of the Christmas Lights and the launch of the ‘Christmas in Ennis’ programme in O’Connell Square from 4.00pm to 5.30pm this Friday 23 November 2018.

Santa will arrive by Fire Engine for the event, which will also feature a new 40ft Christmas tree, children’s entertainment, carol singing, hot chocolate, face-painting and much more. A post-box, crafted by Ennis Men’s Shed, will be situated in the Square giving children the opportunity to post their Santa letters. In conjunction with the switch-on of the Christmas Lights, Ennis Lions Club will launch their Remembrance Tree Project in aid of Cahercalla Hospice at 5.00pm Minor traffic diversions will be in place in the Square from 3.00pm.

The Christmas in Ennis programme, which is hosted by Clare County Council and supported by the Ennis Chamber, will feature the “Christmas Express” train operating through the town from Wednesday 19th December to Saturday 22 December inclusive. Train fares will cost €2 with all proceeds raised going to local charities.

Ennis Christmas Market will bring the sights, sounds and smells of the festive season to the Market Building on Friday 21 December (3.00pm to 7.00pm) and Saturday 22 December (10.00am to 4.00pm).

Traders will be showcasing a variety of locally produced gifts and produce, which would make an ideal Christmas gift, or last minute stocking filler.

On Sunday 16 December a Santa Run will take place with all proceeds raised going to Clare Crusaders.

The streets of Ennis will come alive to the sound of Christmas music from 14 December, when Christmas Street Radio returns until Christmas Eve. Well-known local radio presenter Ger Sweeney will be broadcasting daily from Ennis Market with the broadcast being relayed on street speakers throughout the town.

While Christmas parking details will be announced in the coming fortnight, Clare County Council has confirmed that Salt House Lane and High Street, and O’Connell Square and O’Connell Street from O’Connell Square to its junction with Station Road will be pedestrianised from midday to 6.00pm on Saturday 15 December, Sunday 16 December, Friday 21 December, Saturday 22 December, Sunday 23 December and on Monday 24th December.

Mayor of Ennis MD, Clare Colleran Molloy has complimented the partnership approach adopted by Clare County Council and the local business community to making Ennis an ‘attractive shopping destination’ in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

The Mayor added, “The magic of Christmas comes alive for me when I see the twinkle of the festive lights in Ennis, which in their own small way, further enhances the town as a place to visit, shop and do business during the Christmas period. Follow ‘Christmas In Ennis’ on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more.

18 COMMUNITY

Community

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

WEST CLARE

ENNIS AREA TENNIS CLUB (ABOVE) 11th November saw the Junior Club Championships take place in the Ennis Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club. In spite of the occasional spot of drizzle the mood of players or spectators watching wasn’t dampened as some very competitive matches were served up. The standard of tennis left many sitting on the edges of their seats as smashes, volleys and serves would have rivalled many of the adult players!!

Organised over the Summer by Danny Comerford Round Robin competitions between the different ages resulted in the top two competitors from each category playing in Sunday’s Finals.

Under 14’s Aoife O Connell vs Sarah Breheny 2-0 Under 12’s Caoimhe Collins vs Aislinn Carey 2-0 Under 14’s Peter Farrell vs Hugh Mc Donnell 2-1 Under 12A’ s Mathew Conway vs Conan Kochhar 2-0 Under 12B’s Callum Daniels vs Cillian Conway 2-0.

The day culminated with fun doubles matches involving teenagers, children and spectators . The Club Captains, Sarah and Noel also participated with their junior partners. Being set against the clock winning as many games as possible definitely brought out the competitive streak in all! With more than 30 competitors taking part there was plenty of action & fun on all five courts. Definitely not just a summer sport as last Sunday proved tennis can be played in all months.. providing plenty of fun and exercise for all ages!

The Junior Club Championships were kindly sponsored this year by the Computer Store, Barrack Street, Ennis.

DEVALERA COMMEMORATION The Eamon deValera Commemoration tales place this Sunday the 25th at 1pm at the deValera

Monument at Ennis Courthouse.

Micheal Martin will lay a wreath and make an address. This will be followed by lunch at 2pm at Hotel Woodstock. I would appreciate it you could mention it in your News Brief.

TOASTMASTERS QUIZ Fancy yourself a bit of a Table Quiz Wiz? Ennis Toastmasters Club dares you to put your skills to the test at a table quiz on Friday 23rd Nov in The Grove, Roslevan at 9pm. Everyone is welcome, get there early to pick your table. €20 per table, raffle prizes to be won!

TIDY TOWNS The annual Ennis Tidy Towns celebration awards night 2018 takes place on Thursday, November 29 at 7.30pm at Waterpark House, Drumbiggle Rd Ennis.

Along with awards, there will be lots of other fun, info and complimentary refreshments.

MACRA PUBLIC SPEAKING The Clare Macra Impromptu Public Speaking county final took place in Gurteen recently following a workshop by Emily Sexton from Limerick Macra. Congratulations to Ennis club Chairman

l FAST MOVERS: (main) Fergus AC U/14

cross country relay team who won Munster silver medals in Clarecastle on Sunday. (right) Fergus AC U/16 relay team who won Bronze at the Munster cross country relay finals in Clarecastle

Kieran Harvey who won on the night. Kieran’s topics were bullying, trick or treating and the presidential election. Second place was Cillian Griffey whose topics were childcare, employment and GAA. Topics were drawn from a hat with contestants given 2 minutes to speak on each topic. Marks were awarded for content, delivery, innovation and approach. Clare Macra would like to thank Monica Tiernan from Ennis Toastmasters and Emily Sexton for judging and also wish Kieran Harvey the very best of luck in the national semi finals next weekend.

l MOVING ON UP: B.Sc. (Hons) in Strength and Conditioning graduates from LIT, Maggie O’Grady, Thurles and Shauna Ni Chruadhlaoich, Miltown Malbay Photo by Alan Place

NEWS BRIEFS / OPINION 19

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

Eoin Neylon

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

Redressing shameful lack of female cllrs is long overdue Ei founder honoured

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R MIKE Byrne, one of the founding Directors of Ei Electronics in Shannon was recently honoured

by University College Dublin at its 2018 Alumni Awards. Mike received the 2018 Award for Science from UCD in recognition of his lifelong contribution to the development of smoke and gas sensing products. The award also recognised his achievements in building Ei Electronics into the global success it is today.

In 1973 Mike completed his PHD in Atmospheric and Aerosol Physics at UCD and today he holds over 25 patents in alarm design and related technologies. On receiving the award, Mike commented “It honours not only me, but all the members of Ei and my family who have been a tremendous support to me over the years.”

Mike was part of the Management Buyout of General Electric’s Irish manufacturing operation in Shannon in 1988 which led to the creation of Ei Electronics. Today the Company is the largest employer in Shannon, and a leading European manufactur-

er of Fire and Carbon Monoxide detection products for the residential sector. With over 700 employees, a turnover of €200 million, and exports to 30 countries worldwide it is an exemplar of a successful indigenous Irish company.

Commenting at the awards ceremony, Dr. Joe McCarthy, Dean of Science UCD said, “UCD is delighted to honour Dr. Mike Byrne, a fantastic ambassador for science, and an outstanding role model for our students”.

The Class of 2018 UCD Alumni Awards took place on Friday 9th November 2018, at a black-tie ceremony in the O’Reilly Hall, UCD in front of an audience of over 400 distinguished graduates, friends and staff of UCD. Other notable recipients of awards this year were Irish Rugby International Rob Kearney, award winning Irish Times journalist Fintan O’ Toole and the first female Master of the National Maternity Hospital Dr. Rhona Mahony.

Pictured: Prof. Andrew J. Deeks, President, UCD, Dr. Mike Byrne, Dr. Joe McCarthy, Dean of Science UCD.

Toilets upgrade in Lahinch

CLARE County Council has signed a contract with O’Brien Builders & Civil Engineering Contractors Ltd. for the delivery of an upgrade and extension to the existing public toilets in the seaside town of Lahinch.

The project includes for the delivery of female, male and disabled access toilets, baby/ parent room, storage room and a disability access ramp.

The toilet facilities are scheduled open in May 2019.

Mayor of Clare, Councillor Michael Begley has welcomed the commencement of work on the toilet facilities, adding, “The existing public amenity facilities provided at Lahinch Seaworld are no longer fit for purpose and need to be upgraded in order to provide modern sustainable and accessible facilities that can cater for additional capacity using an improved layout at this busy seaside resort along the Wild Atlantic Way.”

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ITH the news that the Green party have announced two candidates for next year’s local elections in Clare, it brings to three the number of women now confirmed to be on the ballot in May. The Social Democrats’ Beckha Doyle and Betty Walsh will be joined by the Róisín Garvey. With Fianna Fáil selection conventions coming up they look set to be joined by Mayor of Ennis, Cllr. Clare Colleran-Molloy. Fianna Fáil headquarters have confirmed that the party members in the county town will select four candidates.

Presently, the nominees are Colleran-Molloy, Cllr.

Tom McNamara, Cllr. Pat Daly former Cllr. Bernard Hanrahan and secondary school teacher and Irish language and culture activist Mark Nestor.

However, it now appears that Tom McNamara will contest the convention in the Kilrush area, meaning the other four will be automatically selected. The first selection convention for the party though will take place this Friday in the Killaloe area. There, the three sitting councillors, Alan O’Callaghan, Tony O’Brien and Pat Hayes along with Liam Wiley, who contested the election in 2014, will go before the members with three to be selected on the night. With five nominated, including McNamara, in the Kilrush area, this is for now, is the area where there will be the most competition for the Fianna Fáil ticket.

The Ennistymon area sees just sitting Cllrs.

Michael Hillery and Richard Nagel nominated as 2016 Fianna Fáil General Election candidate Michael

McDonagh will not be running for the party. It remains to be seen if he will now run as an independent.

Fine Gael on the other hand are several weeks behind the Soldiers of Destiny. Their Ennistymon selection convention is set for a few weeks’ time, however it’ll be January before the same takes place in Kilrush. Nominations are still open, so it remains to be seen as to who will emanate as possible candidates for the Government party. It is expected that all their sitting Councillors will again run next year.

Sinn Féin are also preparing to announce their candidates in the Banner county. Cllr. Mike McKee will be running again in the Shannon area and it’s expected Noleen Moran will run in the Ennistymon area. Violet-Anne Wynne has been the party’s area representative in West Clare as Tommy Guilfoyle has been their chairman and spokesman in the Ennis area. It remains to be seen if they will get the nod to represent the party next in next May’s poll.

With two Soc Dem, one FG, one Green, one FF and two SF women already confirmed candidates for nominees for selection convention, it looks like we’re well away from the 12 female candidates that ran in Clare in 2014. 100 years on from the passing of legislation that gave women the vote and the right to run for election in the seminal 1918 General Election, Clare is still has a poor record of female political representation. Fianna Fáil is looking to be the worst offender this time around with only Colleran-Molloy confirm as a nominee for this series of elections, one less than last time out. The

party headquarters may still add candidates in any electoral area they want but it’s certainly a case that the lack of female members putting themselves forward is a concern for the party.

There is still time after convention for them to contact FF HQ and petition the National Constituencies Committee for inclusion on the Fianna Fáil ticket in any of the LEA’s.

That said, in 2014, half of all female candidates in Clare were either Independent or from marginal party Fís Nua. A single Solidarity candidate, SF’s Moran and two from each of FG and FF made up the remainder. One would hope that in this centenary year that we can get more than 12 female candidates and increase the number of women on the Council from its current level of three, all of which represent the Ennis LEA. I hope that more women would put their name forward for local government. Redressing the shameful lack of representation of women on Clare Co Co is something that is long overdue.

If that’s something any reader thinks they can do, I would hope that they’d put themselves forward for any party they feel they share values with. If that party isn’t there, there is always the option of running Independent too as many women have successfully done in the past including current Cllr. Ann Norton.

Let’s hope there’ll be more women to join Norton, Colleran-Molloy and Cllr.

Mary Howard after May’s election.

20 THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

Ronan Scully

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Author spreading the word of positivity

PRAY FOR HOPE FOR THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE

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E’VE all had days, weeks, months even years when life doesn’t go our way!

We feel despair about what might happen to us. At times turning to addiction or falling into different spiraling levels or symptoms of depression, and fear being found out or fear seeking help and support from family, friends and caring organisations.

I’ve had painful days of deparation where everything seemed to end in disaster. I have started saying a prayer recently that you can use on your ten fingers which was given to me by David, a good friend of mine. It goes as follow’s, “God please keep me well with acceptance of your will.” But it made me think that it is one thing to pray for God’s will to be done, but it is quite another to accept His will.

Many of us talk a good game, as they say in the sporting world, about wanting His will for our lives, but once it is revealed, we get scared and we run away from it. We let fear take over. Or we refuse to accept it because God’s will actually isn’t what we wanted at all. I’ve long prayed and hoped for God’s will and purpose to be revealed in my life, but I never really took into consideration how I would respond to the revelation. I realize that not only should my prayer be, “Thy will be done” but also,

“Let me accept thy will”.

Praying for Strength

I lit a few candles for hope this week and offered up my prayers for the people who asked me to pray for them or their loved ones. I will continue to do so over the next few days for anyone that asked for a prayer for hope or lighted candle and if anyone needs a prayer please let me know for I too am in need of that hope in my life. I have been at a few very sad funerals over the last few days and weeks and months which puts things into perspective.

Do not force your belief on others. Share your good fortune with others. Participate in charity. Let us all say my friends David’s prayer - “God keep me well with acceptance of your will” especially for those of us in those longer seasons of joblessness, sickness, financial stress, addiction, homelessness, relationship strain and other ongoing life events, where the stress and frustration can seem overwhelming and where hope has started to lose its flicker.

I pray for strength and light a candle of hope for us all!! As usual a nice story from my Nana Scully’s prayer book might help us to understand better what i mean about how important it is to have real hope in our lives.

The Story of the Four Candles

“The Four Candles burned slowly. Their ambiance was so soft you could hear them speak! The first candle said, “I Am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit.” Then Peace’s flame slowly diminished and went out completely. The second candle said, “I Am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable.” Then Faith’s flame slowly diminished and went out completely. Sadly the third candle spoke, “I Am Love and I haven’t the strength to stay lit any longer.” “People put me aside and don’t understand my importance.

They even forget to love those who are nearest to them.” And waiting no longer, Love went out completely. Suddenly... A child entered the room and saw the three

candles no longer burning. The child began to cry, “Why are you not burning?

You are supposed to stay lit until the end.”

Then the Fourth Candle spoke gently to the little boy, “Don’t be afraid, for I Am Hope, and while I still burn, we can relight the other candles.” With shining eyes, the child took the Candle of Hope and lit the other three candles. Never let the Flame of Hope go out. With Hope in your life, no matter how bad things may be, Peace, Faith and Love may shine brightly once again.”

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, pray for hope for the people in your life and know that hope never abandons us. We abandon hope. Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do. Hope is the basis of existence and we should never give up hope. Hope should be our true companion of all times.

I am sure if you allow it, your hope will light many candles in your life. For when you light up the candle of others, in the days of adversity you will receive strength and capacity to overcome all of your fears.

I pray that your candle of hope may start to shine brightly again!! A prayer of Hope I like to say to keep me going - Dear Lord, I try so hard to be your humble servant, I come before you today in need of hope.

There are times when I feel helpless and lost.There are times when I feel weak and addicted. I pray for hope. I need hope for a better future. I need hope for a better life. I need hope for love, care, shelter and kindness.

Some say that the sky is at it’s darkest just before the light. I pray that this is true, for all seems very dark in my life at times.

I need your light, Lord, in every way. I pray to be filled with your light from head to toe. To bask in your glory. To know that all is right in the world, as you have

planned, and as you want it to be. Help me Lord to walk in your light, and live my life in faith and support to those most in need.

In your name I pray.

May you feel the loving presence of those who hold you in their thoughts and prayers! May your spirit find what it needs to sustain you on this journey of life! May you discover your inner strength and face all difficulties with dignity and grace. May you be filled with comfort, love, strength, grace and a lasting sense of peace! May the light of your soul guide you. May the light of your soul bless the work that you do with the secret love and warmth of your heart. May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul. May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those who work with you and to those who see and receive your work.

May your work never weary you.

May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams, possibilities and promises. May evening find you gracious and fulfilled. May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected.

May your soul calm, console and renew you. May there always be work for your hands to do. May your purse always hold a coin or two; May the sun always shine on your windowpane; May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain; May the hand of a friend always be near you; May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. May the blessing of God’s soft rain be on you, Falling gently on your head, refreshing your soul. With the sweetness of little flowers newly blooming.

May the strength of the winds of Heaven May joy and peace surround you, contentment latch your door, and happiness be with you now and bless you evermore!

May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow. May the soft winds freshen your spirit. May the sunshine brighten your heart. May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you, and may God enfold you in the mantle of His love now and always.

Amen

22 BLACK FRIDAY 2018

7 reasons to shop locally PADDY RYNNE EXPLORES THE BENEFITS OF SEARCHING FOR LOCAL DEALS THIS BLACK FRIDAY

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hy should you shop locally? There are a lot of reasons why you should pay a visit to your local shops in towns and villages across Clare instead of shopping online. Here The Clare Echo explores what’s to be gained by turning on the car for a short spin instead of booting up the computer.

you can also get 2 for 1 deals locally but very rarely online.

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4 5

2

6

Think about the bigger picture. By shopping locally, you are supporting local businesses. Local businesses especially ones in more rural towns are the lifeblood of the community and by supporting them, you are supporting the vibrancy of your locality, increasing the possibility of local jobs and in turn, services.

It makes sense. If you are buying clothes you can try them on to see if they are the right size and if they look good on you. If you are buying online you can’t try it on and if it doesn’t fit you, you have to send it back and it could take weeks depending where it is going to and coming from. There is also the element of reliability when you buy from a trusted local source.

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Black Friday deals. Black Friday is a big day for both local shops and online shops. Both often have equal deals, but you get the product you buy instantly if you buy locally. In some cases, you can get way better deals locally and

Customer service. Customer service is always better locally as you are talking to a person face to face instead of typing to someone half way across the world - you might even be talking to an automated answer machine.

A huge part of your community is local businesses. They donate to local projects such as building a new part of the local primary school or funding a playground to be built. They also sponsor local sports teams and school teams and clubs.

When you purchase locally you support the Irish economy by keeping the money in the country rather than giving it to an international business.

Also, if it is a community owned business and not a nationally owned business like a franchise you are keeping the money in the community which is even better.

7

Local shops, especially health food shops and craft shops, often stock items that are made locally and you cannot buy anywhere else especially online. You might also get a better deal in a local shop and the owner or the person might give you advice on the product you are buying, or you are going to buy.

l LOCAL BUSINESS: Tina Grogan of Bambinos with Oliver Moylan, owner of Ennis Cash Company, are among the local business community who can offer a personal service and competitive value over the Christmas shopping period. Here they are pictured at last week’s Clare Business Excellence Awards 2018 Photo by Mike Mulcaire

24 BLACK FRIDAY 2018

10 BLACK FRIDAY GIFT IDEAS FOR TEENAGERS

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ANY teenagers these days know exactly what they want with Christmas just around the corner - but there’s always the burning question of ‘what do you get for the child who has everything?’ Well as it turns out, there are plenty of ideas out there - and that’s before you look at the stocking fillers.

That’s why we asked St Flannan’s transition year student PADDY RYNNE - who is currently on work experience at The Clare Echo - for his list of 10 ideas for Black Friday gifts for teenagers. Here’s what he came up with.

1. PHONES

Phones are a massive part of teenagers’ lives. You could buy a new phone for them or get services for their phone on sale, like getting their phone screen fixed. You could also get phone accessories like a phone case or popsocket.

2. VIDEO GAMES

Video games are very popular with teenagers especially boys. You could get them accessories like a new controller, charger, tv/monitor or a chair. You could get them a gaming console. A good idea that isn’t as expensive as the rest is getting them games. A lot of new games that are usually €70 are down by 50% or even more on some games.

3. MAKE-UP

For girls you could buy make-up for them as it is often

on sale in local pharmacies. Black Friday deals are out there for the shrewd local shopper while most pharmacies also make up unique hampers if you want to go the extra mile.

4.ELECTRONICS

Electronics like hair straighteners or blow dryers are always a welcome addition for girls also.

5. CLOTHES

As teenagers get older they start to care about their looks more and more. This means that they will start looking for clothes and clothes these days are very expensive. You could pick up brands like Super Dry or Eleven Degrees.

6. SHOES

Shoes especially the ones teenagers like are very expensive. They will be looking for some for Christmas. Some brands you could buy are Nike and Converse.

7. COMPUTERS

Buying a laptop or desktop for a teenager would be very good as they can use it for social media and school work.

I would suggest a laptop so they can carry it around with them, but if they would use it for gaming as well, I would definitely suggest a desktop.

8. SPORTS GEAR

Gear like new boots or a new hurley or helmet would be a good idea if they need a new one. If they’re into cycling, you could buy them a new bike or a helmet.

9. NOVELTY ITEMS There are a

lot of novelty items that you can buy for fun and as an extra gift for Christmas that are great for filling up the Christmas stocking. Think outside the box, something as simple as a novelty pen or funny pencil case (pictured) will be appreciated.

Yhey’re quite funny and will bring a laugh in the class room.

10. SCHOOL ITEMS

I’m not talking about a Christmas present as such here - but you could buy things like new bags or books if they’re starting college next year as those items are very expensive. While these are not that good Christmas presents it is a good idea to buy them on Black Friday for next year as you’re more likely to bag a deal.

BLACK FRIDAY 2018 25

What a Clare man wants...

W

HAT is it about Irish men; when they’re asked what they want for Christmas, the most common answer seems to be ‘nothing’ or ‘I don’t mind’?

There is so much out there that at times it can be daunting - but thankfully when it comes to selection for men Clare is up there with the best of

them.

But what do you buy for the man who’s got everything, whether it be a partner, dad, brother or friend? It’s a question many have failed to answer but often the simplest solution is right under your nose. In our experience, Clare men are no fussier than the rest - so a quick update of their wardrobe is often a welcome job saved at Christmas.

However some people want to go the extra mile or surprise somebody, and if that’s the case we have some interesting options listed below. Whatever you do, remember to shop local!

1

Perfect timing

This one’s not just for the guys - the FitBit. Many fitness lovers would LOVE one of these but they’re a luxury item coming in at over €100 so what better time to pick one up as a gift from one of Clare’s electrical shops?

2

Man Stuff: Get him a chain...

Well, a chainSAW! There’s a special breed of man who loves nothing more than getting into the outdoors and building and breaking all sorts of stuff with his outdoor toys. If that’s the man in your life, why not pop into any good garden machinery shop in Clare.

3

All Eye want for Christmas

Has your man been wearing his specs for that bit too long? A thoughtful gift and also practical, a pair of designer glasses could see you right this Christmas. Great offers this season at Specsavers, Ennis, along with Wild Atlantic Opticians in Kilrush, and Eye Candy and Ennis Eyecare Centre both on Abbey St, Ennis.

4

For the very dapper man

When shopping for a man, you’ll rarely go wrong with clothes and there really is no better place than Clare for service, selection and satisfaction. There are a wide range of brands available for men, such as a Penguin Shirt (left) available in Manix or a pair of G-Star Raw jeans (right) which can be picked up at Patrick Bourke’s. Club Dangan and CD2 in Ennis, along with Rico’s in Kilrush cater for all ages!

Pat Smyth is your only man in Gort.

26 BLACK FRIDAY 2018

32pc to increase their spend this Black Friday

A

NEW survey by PwC indicates that 32 per cent of Irish shoppers will increase their spending during this year’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales and 26pc will increase their spending in the run-up to Christmas.

PwC said that the increase in spending reflects a more positive outlook among consumers (25pc) about the economy in the year ahead. In recent years, Black Friday (November 23) has become an established feature in the Irish shopping calendar. It has rapidly gone from being a novelty import to being a significant generator of sales for retailers and brands going into the Christmas period.

According to the PwC survey, Irish consumers have embraced Black Friday.

98% are aware of the occasion. One fifth are definitely going to shop and 56% are considering it. This is indicative of the positive sentiment among consumers about the future of the economy with one quarter believing the economy will perform better in the next 12 months.

Of the shoppers intending to purchase, a third are planning to spend more than last year, significantly higher for the younger age groups and those aged 55+ being most economical with their spending.

When looking at both Black Friday and Cyber Monday as shopping days, it is clear that Black Friday is the most favoured with 15% of shoppers stating they will do the majority of their Christmas shopping on this day compared to 5% for Cyber Monday. Interestingly, men are most likely to delay their shopping until

the week before Christmas (18% vs 11% for women) whilst 11% of females claim to have already completed their christmas shopping (vs 6% for men).

These Black Friday trends have been growing over recent years and it is worthwhile examining last year’s retail footfall patterns to understand the effect of Black Friday on store traffic. Store traffic data from 2017 (powered by: Retail Services Ireland) identified that there was a 30% increase in retail footfall across Ireland as a whole on Black Friday 2017 compared to the previous Friday.

Big ticket items receive most attention in the minds of shoppers this Black Friday. Providers of electronics and technology goods need to harness consumer enthusiasm for high-tech shopping in advance of Christmas by providing attractive solutions online and in-store.

Electronics accounts for 60% of all planned purchase intentions, with 74% of male shoppers likely to make technology purchases on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Toys account for one-third of intended category purchases on Black Friday with 48% of 35 to 44-year-olds intending to purchase toys over the Black Friday weekend.

50% of shoppers expressed their intention to spend between €100 and €500, with the 45 to 55 age group most likely to spend more than €200. One quarter will spend between €100 and €200 and one quarter of 18 to 24-year-olds will spend under €100.

Although not classed as big ticket items, there will be considerable spending by men on the likes of books, movies and games, DIY and home improvement and sports gear and equipment. While Female shoppers bring their spending power to the Black Friday experience with clothing and footwear accounting for 74%, while beauty and personal care for 50% of their planned purchases.

According the PwC, 60% of all shoppers feel it is important to buy local or Irish products during Christmas. The 55+ age group expressed the highest preference (70%) due to quality, traceability and positive effect on the local economy.

The mobile-first generation also have an awareness for the role of local with 51% recognising its importance for a positive effect on the economy.

HGXmasFPG-2017-61118-ENNIS.qxp_Layout 1 20/11/2018 17:35 Page 1

BLACK FRIDAY • BLACK FRIDAY • BLACK FRIDAY

interiors

20%to % % 20 OFF

30

OFF

CHRISTMAS ALL FLOOR STOCK THIS WEEKENDTHIS STOCK

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‘It’s not Christmas unitil You’ve Been to Home Gallery’

Open Monday to sat, 9.30 to 6, sun 1 to 5 | Kilrush Road, Ennis Ph: 065 6797040

BUSINESS 29

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

BUSINESS Time to get streetwise CONTACT US WE’RE ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM #CE

Pedestrianistion is not a festive feast, Oliver Moylan tells Stuart Holly

“I

’M FIGHTING to save the town and I’m fighting to save my business.”

A passionate response from businessman Oliver Moylan to a question about his love for the town he was born and bred in.

The Moylan name is instantly identifiable with the Ennis Cash Company Ltd. It is one of 20 family businesses in Ireland operating for more than 120 years, according to Oliver, whose son Peter now runs the O’Connell Street establishment while his grandson will someday continue the family trade. The still passionate, all-action 83-yearold (who this year went skiing in Austrian resort of St Anton for the 50th year in a row) says it’s important to him that the Cash Company continues to thrive in the county’s main thoroughfare. Hence his in-

terest in the wellbeing of the place.

“I was born and reared in it. I have a grandson who will be sixth generation in the town. I’m fighting to save the town and I’m fighting to save my business. My grandfather started the Cash Company in 1880 and his father had a bar and grocers beside [where Brandon’s pub was] before that.”

The town of Ennis appears to be doing well - certainly not the poor relation when it comes to business conditions in Clare. And while admitting it is a town of potential, Mr Moylan takes issue with how Ennis has been managed since the mid60s when he took over the family trade. Essentially he believes the town is trying to be something it’s not, a shopping destination such as Limerick or Galway.

“The way Ennis works – it’s the sort of place people come in very quickly, park near the shop, get the few things and head off again.

Ennis is not the sort of place they come for the day.”

It’s a drum he’s been beating since he took on a Fulbright scholarship to study town development at Michigan State University in 1964. On the back of the scholarship, on July 29, 1966, Mr

Moylan wrote an in-depth article looking at how the advent of the automobile greatly affected consumer patterns in the US. It essentially said that the American mall model should be replicated by main streets in Irish towns whereby a variety of shops would be attracted.

Another issue he tackled, access to shops, is one which Oliver believes is still very relevant today.

Oliver argued, appropriate parking facilities would have to be provided near store entrances for local businesses to thrive. As Oliver wrote in 1966 as the Vietnam War was at its height, it “would give towns a chance to compete against the cities”.

Fast forward to 2014, Mr Moylan wrote a letter to the then-editor of The Clare Champion expressing his frustration at the pedestrianisation of O’Connell Street during the Christmas period. “The officialdom that runs the town, ably assisted by Ennis Town Council, decided in their wisdom to pedestrianise the centre of Ennis on the four best trading days of the year in the height of one of the worst storms to hit in a long time.. and

what were the results? Devastation to business.”

Today, the narrative is the same for Moylan. Pedestrianisation must be avoided and ample parking must be created and protected.

However for six days of the festive period this year, O’Connell Street will close to traffic, allowing shoppers the freedom of the street (a move welcomed by many). But Oliver believes – done without his consultation as a local business owner – is to the detriment of local trade.

“Any time you close O’Connell street you lose business,” he says.

His frustration lies in his belief in Ennis’s potential. “Ennis is a great town first of all in terms of schools.

If you’ve kids growing up in town, it’s a great town for sport. The only two sports we don’t have is hockey and cricket. Clubs like Éire Óg, the work they put into the kids, getting them to play, is wonderful. Swimming, golf, everything.”

He insists, “It’s still a great town for business if they’d only get the traffic and parking right. In other words, let the traffic in and provide as much parking as you can and cut out this business of flower pot for a parking space.”

30 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

BUSINESS CONTACT US WE’RE ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM #CE lTOP TRUMPS: Keith Guinane, Territory Manager, Pallas Foods presents the award to Greg Budzyn, Head Chef, Ashley Wiley, Restaurant Manager, at ‘Ocean View Restaurant’ and Joe Russell, MD of Trump International Photo by Mike Mulcaire

RECRUITMENT

Ocean View comes up Trumps in 2018 OVER 250 people representing businesses across the county gathered at Treacy’s West County, Ennis, on Thursday November 15 for the ninth consecutive Clare Business Excellence Awards organised by Ennis Chamber, with Clare County Council as the Award’s main sponsor.

With entries up 20 percent on last year, this year’s Clare Business Excellence Awards were more competitive than ever.

The premier accolade ‘Overall Winner’ sponsored by Clare County Council was awarded to ‘Ocean View Restaurant’ at Trump International, Doonbeg. Earlier in proceedings ‘Ocean View Restaurant’ won Best Place to Eat– Best Restaurant category.

The independent adjudicators said, “The menu at Ocean View Restaurant is packed full of fresh local produce, staff were attentive, knowledgeable and enthusiastic and the food which was beautifully presented was out of this world” Diarmuid McMahon, President, Ennis Chamber, organisers of the annual Clare Business Excellence Awards said, “The judges at Spotcheck Northern Ireland who adjudicate at similar awards throughout the island of Ireland were very impressed by the quality and standard of entries to Clare Business Excellence Awards 2018, and that makes us feel very proud of the innovation, professionalism and quality of product and service in evidence from the businesses who entered these awards.”

Mr McMahon also thanked the category sponsors; Essilor, HLB McKeogh Gallagher Ryan, Pallas Foods, AIB, Microsemi, Shannon Group, Ennis Gold, Local Enterprise Office Clare, LIT and St. Francis Credit Union. He also thanked additional sponsors: Bank of Ireland, BWG Food Service, Value Centre and Flynn Hotel Group.

Winners of Clare Business Excellence Awards 2018: Leadership in Corporate & Social Responsibility, Sponsored by Essilor Winner: Intel (Shannon) Customer Service Excellence Award, Sponsored by HLB McKeogh Gallagher Ryan Winner: Madden Furniture Best Place to Eat in Clare – ‘Best Restaurant’, Sponsored by Pallas Foods Winner: ‘Ocean View Restaurant’, Trump International, Doonbeg Best Place to Eat – Best Bistro/ Café, Sponsored by Pallas Foods Winner: Food Heaven Best Licensed Premises, Sponsored by Ennis Chamber. Winner: Lucas Bar Best Hospitality Provider in Clare, Sponsored by Shannon Group Winner: Hotel Woodstock Most Innovative Use of Technology in Business, Sponsored by Microsemi Winner: Cahir Solicitors Best Micro Business, Sponsored by Local Enterprise Office, Clare Winner: Meere’s Pork Products Clare Retailer of the Year, Sponsored by Ennis Gold Gift Vouchers Winner: Bambinos (Ennis) Clare Professional Services , Sponsored by AIB. Winner: Carrigoran House Best Tourism Experience in Clare, Sponsored by LIT. Winner: The Burren Perfumery Best Voluntary/Community Group in Clare, Sponsored by St. Francis Credit Union Winner: 12 O’Clock Hills Project Clare Business Excellence Awards 2018 (overall winner), Sponsored by Clare Co Co ‘Ocean View Restaurant’, Trump International, Doonbeg

lBOTTOMS UP: Diarmuid McMahon presents award for ‘Best Licensed Premises’ to Colm Malone, Darragh McAllister and Cyril White of Lucas Bar

Photo by Mike Mulcaire

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

BUSINESS

BUSINESS 31

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

Hamptons comes to town

H

AMPTONS Jewellers and Antiques has opened its doors in Ennis, the latest arrival to Parnell Street.

Hamptons Jewellers and Antiques offer a unique service to customers; they buy, sell or exchange your jewellery and antiques while offering a buy back service.

Managing Director Daren Parish told The Clare Echo he’s delighted to be expanding their already thriving Limerick business to the Co Clare market, having opened their door at Parnell Street on Friday last.

Having traded in Limerick since 1998, Mr Parish believes their unique offering is coming to Clare at the right time.

“I like Ennis, and I always have done. Not only that but it’s a good catchment town in Clare. We are thrilled with our shop next door to Helen Gallery Auctioneers.”

Hamptons offer high-end pieces at incredible value, such as a Rolex watch currently on their shelf at a price of €3,900. The pristine watch is still under the manufacturers warrenty and usually retails at €5,500.

“We sell alot of pre-owned, antique jewellery. We buy

gold, silver, and the old Irish Punt. So if someone has £20 sitting in their drawer we’ll buy it off them. We also specialize in high-end watches such as Rolex. Customers will save up to 50 per cent when it comes to buying items in here.”

Mr Parish told The Clare Echo that anybody might have some pieces sitting at home going to waste.

“It’s a unique, good service. A lot of people have scrap gold and silver at home. What do they do with it?

“Now, they can bring it into us and make a profit.”

He also added that anybody wishing to do some Christmas shopping might be surprised by what they find in Hamptons, with prices from €50 up to €30,000 available.

“We also like to showcase local artists. I’ve got three pieces by Tomas O Maoldomhnaigh (tomasartist.com), two of Alexander Knox’s Pub; we’re selling them for €350, which is great value for original works of art.”

For information visit www.hamptons.ie or find them on Facebook.

Motoring MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

TOYOTA’S NEW HYBRID ARMY HAS A GREAT GENERAL Camry returns to Ireland for the first time in more than a decade

I

T WAS one of those sublime motoring moments, one of those times when you just realise that something cool is happening. There I was, with an unnaturally clear road in front of me.

The outside lane of the M7, heading south west-ward, was entirely clear.

All of the rest of the traffic was neatly arrayed in the inside lane, leaving the overtaking lane clear for me. Had someone spotted something I hadn’t? A roving Garda car perhaps? One that was about to pull me over for hanging in the outside lane for too long? And then the penny dropped. I was driving a Toyota Camry.

A Toyota Camry that was, to all the other drivers, indistinguishable from the Camrys used by the Garda traffic corps and detective branches. No wonder everyone was obeying the speed limit…

Sadly, and I say sadly not least because I’ve always enjoyed a good cop car, the Camry didn’t hang around in Ireland for very much longer after that lane-clearing exercise. With its big petrol engine and no diesel option, its popularity plummeted, more’s the pity, and it was withdrawn from the Irish market. Not from global markets, though. The Camry would go on to become the best-selling car in the US (a trophy it’s only recently handed over to its RAV4 brother) and, according to Toyota, the best-selling four-door saloon care in the world.

ROAD TEST: TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID And it’s coming back to Ireland. Prices will start from €39,750 and only one engine option will be offered — the same 2.5-litre petrol hybrid that’s also serving in Lexus’ equally new ES executive saloon.

Toyota hasn’t announced full performance figures yet, but expect 218hp and circa-100g/km Co2 emissions.

The first Euro-spec Camrys won’t arrive in Ireland until early next year, but we couldn’t resist a trip stateside, to San Francisco, to try out a US-spec model, grabbing an early taste of what to expect when the big saloon makes its Irish return.

It’s actually a surprisingly striking car to look at. Maybe that’s because it’s a fourdoor saloon amid a sea of taller SUVs and 4x4s, but that big grille — which makes it look almost as if the Camry is trying to swallow a massive coil of copper wire — gives it some distinction.

The rest of the styling is cleaner and simpler, and when you slip inside and you’ll plenty of bits and pieces that are familiar from other Toyotas, and the odd Lexus. The touchscreen is integrated into the dash, rather than standing proud as it does in the C-HR and new Corolla, but the graphics and controls are the same.

The mixed analogue and digital dials looks bright and smart, and the seats (covered in a diamond-pattern leather on our test car) were superbly comfortable.

Space is generally very good. There’s

lounging room in the back seats, even for taller passengers, and an abundance of headroom and legroom all round. The only black mark in that regard is the boot, which at 475-litres, is on the small side for a car this big.

That’s in part because, of course, the batteries for the hybrid system have to live under the boot. So, it’s a trade-off. Do you go for the Camry’s low tax rating and future-proofed powertrain, and accept a little less luggage space? Or the Skoda’s (and the Superb is arguably the Camry’s most serious and direct rival) conventional diesel power and huge boot.

Actually, the Camry’s hybrid power makes a pretty strong case for itself, especially in refinement terms. The big four-door just swishes along, switching with surprising frequency to pure-electric running, even when you’re cruising on the highway. In the snarled, tangled downtown San Francisco traffic, struggling through to the bottleneck that is the Golden Gate bridge, the Camry was in its element, spending long periods with the engine powered down, while all around were burning needless hyrdrocarbons.

It’s not at a loss when the road opens out, either. As with all hybrids, the engine holds on to high rpm for a while when you accelerate, but there’s enough torque in the system that it never takes too long to build up to your desired speed, so

lRETURN OF THE CAMRY: Returning for the the first time in over a decade

FACTS & FIGURES: Model tested: Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE Pricing: From €39,750 Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol, plus 88kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Transmission: electronically controlled CVT Body style: four-door saloon CO2 emissions: 106g/km (estimated) (Band A3 - €190 per annum) Combined economy: 55mpg (5.1 litres/100km) (estimated) Top speed: 200km/h (estimated) 0-100km/h: 9.0 seconds (estimated) Power: 218hp Torque: 221Nm (engine) + 202Nm (electric motor) Boot space: 475-litres Safety: Not yet tested

the effect is less intrusive than once it was.

The Camry handles quite tidily too. It’s no sports car, that’s for sure, but sharing a basic chassis with the likes of the C-HR and the new Corolla means that its steering is more responsive and accurate than you might expect, and there’s a solid, dependable feeling to the way it corners.

Exciting? Not especially, but certainly satisfying.

OK, so Irish roads are different. They’re narrower and lumpier, and the Camry’s a physically big car, so could feel a touch unwieldy over here. But, on the basis of this taster, it’s got some seriously high points already. Comfort, efficiency, space, and quality. Will it still clear the outside lane, though? We’ll find out shortly…

34 MOTORING

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

PEUGEOT ANNOUNCES NEW 508 PRICES

G

SLINKY NEW SALOON STARTS FROM €32,400

OWAN Distributors Limited, Peugeot Importer in Ireland, has released prices and specification for the radical new 508 fastback.

Boasting the latest-generation Peugeot i-Cockpit and a sharper, sleeker design than its predecessor, the much-anticipated new Peugeot 508 promises to deliver exemplary road-handling, high performance petrol and diesel powertrains, countless technology features and a quantum leap in quality. With Dealer demonstrator models arriving in late 2018, ahead of a late spring launch for the Irish market, the new 508 will retail from €32,400, plus delivery related charges, for the Active 1.5 BlueHDi 130bhp model. A five year extended warranty will come as standard.

Colin Sheridan, Sales and Marketing Director at Gowan Distributors said: “A simply stunning car that promises to shake up the D Segment, the new 508 meets stringent Euro 6.2 engine emissions controls and is packed with standard comfort and safety equipment. Highly favourable press reviews from the international press launch in late June have already signalled the new Peugeot 508 is very special indeed and we are recording strong enquiries from Irish customers, particularly since it was

previewed in September at the National Ploughing Championships.”

He continued: “Whilst every Peugeot Dealer will have a demonstrator in early 2019, due to unprecedented demand in countries where it has already been launched, we currently anticipate a late spring customer launch in Ireland, potentially March 2019.”

Built on the efficient EMP2 platform, the new Peugeot 508 will be available with a choice of four trims: Active, Allure, GT Line and GT. Two petrol engines and four diesel engines will be available, depending on trim chosen: a 1.6 THP petrol 180bhp automatic 8-speed S&S; a 1.6 THP petrol 225bhp automatic 8-speed S&S (GT only); a 1.5 BlueHDi diesel 130bhp 6-speed manual S&S, 1.5 BlueHDi diesel 130bhp automatic 8-Speed S&S; a 2.0 BlueHDi diesel 160bhp automatic 8-Speed S&S; a top of the range 2.0 BlueHDi diesel 180bhp automatic 8-Speed S&S.

Standard equipment on the entry level Active model, priced from €32,400 plus delivery, includes the revolutionary i-Cockpit with eight-inch touchscreen, compact steering wheel and customisable heads up digital instrument panel, Mirrorscreen connectivity, 16-inch Alloys, spare wheel, speed limit recognition, lane keeping assist, cruise control and speed limiter, active safety brake, AGR (ergonomic) seats, visibility pack (automatic wipers and lights), visiopark 180 (front and rear parking aid with camera), electric folding mirrors and electrochrome rear view mirror.

The Allure level three model costs from €34,930 plus delivery and gains a 10” touchscreen with satellite navigation, blind spot monitoring, high beam assist, road sign recognition and recommendation, advanced driver attention alert, 17” alloys, USB x 2 in the rear, keyless access and start, lumbar support and dark tinted rear glass.

The level four GT Line, from €38,170

plus delivery, benefits from 18-inch alloys, wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, full LED headlights and 3D LED rear lights, 2nd row armrest with ski flap, electric lumbar support and tilt, GT Line exterior and interior styling (GT Line badging, chequered chrome radiator grille, stainless steel scuff plates, perforated leather steering wheel with GT Line emblem) and iCockpit Amplify (choice of two interior ambiences: Boost or Relax) with Driver Sports Pack.

The range-topping GT version is priced from €49,120 plus delivery for the 2.0 BlueHDi 180bhp automatic version and comes equipped with 18-inch alloys, Focal sound system, Nappa leather seats with full electric driver’s massage seat, active suspension control, an electric tailgate and GT exterior and interior styling (GT badging).

The new Peugeot 508 will be produced in the Mulhouse plant in France, while the French sites of Trémery and Douvrin will provide the powertrains. An SW estate version will arrive in Ireland some months after the launch of the fastback, whilst a plug-in hybrid petrol drivetrain will be sold on the new model from autumn 2019.

FORD GETS OFFICIAL KUDOS FOR SAFETY KIT

S

NEW FOCUS HAILED BY EURONCAP AS SUPER-SAFE

OPHISTICATED technologies designed to make the all-new Ford Focus driving experience more comfortable, less demanding and safer have been commended by the Euro NCAP independent crash test authority following its first ever automated driving assessment event, hosted by the ADAC mobility organisation in Penzing, Germany.

The Ford Focus, which earlier this year was awarded a five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP, received recognition from the organisation as part of a new initiative designed to deliver a greater understanding among consumers of the benefits of advanced driver assistance technologies.

Focus was selected for testing after introducing a wider range of advanced driver assistance features than any Ford vehicle before, enabled by three radars, two cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors. Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies enhance protection, driving and parking.

Euro NCAP evaluated the Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition and Lane-Centring technologies available for Focus, which helps the vehicle maintain a comfortable driving distance from vehicles ahead; helps reduce stress during long road trips by helping keep the vehicle centred in its lane; and can adjust the vehicle speed to within legal limits by

monitoring the roadside and overhead gantries for speed signs in addition to using information from the on-board navigation system.

“The key challenge is developing systems that keep the driver informed of all situations and allow the driver to feel completely in control. The all-new Focus features a ‘co-pilot’ that has got your back, but never encourages you take your attention away from the task at hand,” said Thomas Lukaszewicz, manager, Automated Driving, Ford of Europe, who also participated in a panel discussion at the event.

Tests conducted for the automated driving assessment event included evaluating vehicle responses when approaching slower-moving, stationary and braking vehicles, as well as responses to vehicles that cut in or out of traffic; steering support and lane re-centring when avoiding an obstacle in the road ahead; and steering support and lane-centring when driving through an S-bend.

The all-new Ford Focus was found to deliver a good balance between supporting the driver and enabling the driver to feel in full control of the vehicle, while also presenting little risk of the driver becoming over-reliant on the technologies.

36

MOTORING

SIX REALLY IS

THE BEST Updated Mazda 6 now sits at the top of the family saloon tree ROAD TEST: MAZDA 6 2.2D PLATINUM EDITION

T

HIS is the updated version of the Mazda 6 saloon (and estate) which we feel like calling ‘venerable’ even though it’s actually only a five-year old design. Then again, a lot has happened in that five years, not least that Mazda has already given the 6 two updates already, so it feels like a car we’ve seen a lot of.

Not that this is a bad thing — the 6 has always been a good-looking machine, and the latest round of updates accentuates that, even if the effect is rather subtle. The front end has been changed, with a new, more 3D-ish grille (essentially pinched from the CX-5 SUV), new lights, which incorporate the foglights (whose space lower down on the bumper has been taken by air channels which direct aero flow over and around the front wheels), and new chrome trim. It doesn’t look spectacularly different, but it sure looks nice and that goes ditto for the rear, where you’ll find a slimmer rear bumper, slightly tweaked lights, and wider-spaced exhaust pipes.

The cabin has seen some slightly bigger changes, and the effect is both greater and much needed. The 6’s cabin has always been nice, but these latest updates means that it can now bear comparison with the likes of Audi and BMW. The dash has been stretched out wider, eating into the door panels, the vents are slimmer, and there are new materials including some seriously soft Nappa leather and Japanese Sen wood inserts for this top-spec model, which look and feel properly gorgeous.

There’s also a new partially-digital dashboard, and a revised heads-up display which now projects onto the windscreen and which is now standard across the

l6 AHEAD OF THE FAMILY: Mazda’s constantly updating

range.

Also standard is an improved safety package as Mazda has been given a tremendous result int he EuroNCAP crash tests, scoring over 90 per cent for both adult and child protection. Adaptive cruise control is now standard across the range, as is autonomous emergency braking.

The central infotainment screen is also new, swelling to eight inches across, but sadly Mazda hasn’t updated the control software, so you’re still left with a rather clunky, old-school menu layout that’s a long way short of what’s on offer from rivals such as Volkswagen, Skoda, and Ford, not to mention the premium saloon rivals.

THERE ARE ALSO SOME SIGNIFICANT MECHANICAL CHANGES… The biggest mechanical change is the addition of a new (for the 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine, but sadly that’s not coming to Ireland. I say sadly, as it’s actually quite a lovely engine, with smooth performance and surprisingly good fuel economy.

The existing 2.0-litre petrol engine, with 141hp or 165hp, carries over unchanged, as does the 150hp 2.2 diesel. Ther topspec diesel, though, the one we’ve tested here, jumps from 175hp to 184hp, and is hugely impressive. It’s very smooth, very quiet (except on a cold start, but it silences nicely once it’s warmed up a bit) and has lots of lovely, creamy, smooth power through the mid-range. It’s also decently economical, which is not always something we’re able to say about Mazda’s 2.2 diesel. In the past, it has often proved too thirsty for its own good, but here in

the updated 6, it easily topped 50mpg, so that’s impressive. It could potentially be more frugal still if Mazda joined the 21st century and started fitting an eightspeed automatic gearbox rather than this six-speed unit. Actually, having said that, you’re probably better off, all-round, to go for the 150hp 2.2 with the sweet-shifting six-speed manual gearbox. That’s the best model of the whole 6 range, right now.

When it comes to the chassis, though, the 6 is almost entirely brilliant to drive.

The 6 has always been good to drive, so you could have forgiven Mazda for leaving well enough alone but actually there are some chassis tweaks too. The steering setup has been lowered a little and stiffened up, the bodyshell is a little stiffer, there’s extra vibration and noise-dampening panels, and the dampers are a little bigger and broader across their bores.

Plus it retains the torque-sensing system at the front which tries to replicate, a little, the sensation of having a limited slip differential. The upshot is… well, it feels more or less the same, but maybe a little better. The steering still lacks for feel, but it has lovely weight and a slick, liquid sensation as you turn. The 6 has ample front-end grip, responds keenly, and if the suspension is stiff enough that you definitely feel all the bumps, then it’s well damped enough that they don’t jar or grate on your nerves. The trick is to keep your own inputs smooth. Try to grab the 6 by the scruff and hustle it too hard and it responds with understeer and steering that weights up suddenly. Relax your grip and slow down your inputs a bit and it just flows from apex to apex with a lovely delicacy that’s alien to almost all other mainstream saloons.

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

FACTS & FIGURES: Model tested: Mazda6 2.2d 184hp Platinum Plus Auto Pricing: €45,145 as tested; Mazda6 starts at €31,945 Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel Transmission: six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive Body style: four-door family saloon CO2 emissions: 133g/km (Band B2 €280 per annum) Combined economy: 60.1mpg (4.7 litres/100km) Top speed: 220km/h 0-100km/h: 9.0 seconds Power: 184hp at 4,500rpm Torque: 445Nm at 2,000rpm Boot space: 480 litres Safety: Euro NCAP rating for Mazda6: Five stars: 95 per cent adult; 91 per cent child; 66 per cent pedestrian; 73 per cent safety assist

SPORT 39

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

Comeback kills off Feakle JAMES MULVIHILL

MUNSTER INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

CHARLEVILLE: 2-20 FEAKLE: 1-20

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HARLEVILLE were crowned Munster Intermediate Champions following a remarkable comeback against Feakle in the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday. The Cork Champions trailed by 10 points at halftime but were outstanding throughout the second half with county star Darragh Fitzgibbon playing a pivotal role. Charleville will contest the All-Ireland Semi-Final in early 2019.

Feakle will be absolutely devasted after giving it everything for the entire game. While achieving their main objective - which was no doubt set at the start of the year to win the County Championship - they’ll wonder how this one got away.

Charleville scored the opening two points of this contest through Mark Kavanagh (free) and Kevin O’Connor before Feakle hit back through Shane McGrath (free) and Steven Conway. The Clare champions took the lead for the first time in this game thanks to Oisin Donnellan.

Charleville responded with a point of their own through Jack Doyle before Feakle scored the first goal of this contest when a long delivery from Eoin Tuohy landed on the edge of the square and Raymond Bane was on hand to whip the ball past Cian Collins. Feakle then went on a scoring spree with seven points in a row through Shane McGrath (three), Gary Guilfoyle (two) and Oisin Donnellan (two) to lead by 1-10 to 0-03 after 19 minutes. Mark Kavanagh stopped the rot with a well-taken point. Oisin Donnellan and Darren Casey shared the next two points before Feakle sharp shooter Shane McGrath scored two more points from placed balls to give the Clare champions a commanding 1-13 to 0-06 lead at the interval.

Charleville started the second half with more intent scoring two points through Kevin O’Connor and Darragh Fitzgibbon with Feakle hitting back thanks to the impressive Oisin Donnellan.

The Cork Champions started to flex their muscles and scored four points in a row through Darragh Fitzgibbon, Daniel O’Flynn and Andrew Cagney (two) to close the gap to five points.

Shane McGrath and Darragh Fitzgibbon traded scores from placed balls before Feakle extended their lead to six points through Martin Daly.

Darragh Fitzgibbon scored two of the next three points to leave the score at 1-17 to 0-15 heading into the final quarter.

The Clare champions extended the lead to six points once again through Gary Guilfoyle and Shane McGrath before Charleville closed the gap then to four points thanks to two placed balls from the impressive Darragh Fitzgibbon. The Cork outfit got even closer to Feakle thanks to a well taken point by Andrew Cagney and then levelled the game with a goal; Cagney rattled the cross-bar, however Jack Doyle was on hand to pounce and made no mistake in firing past Eibhear Quilligan. Darragh Fitzgibbon scored an inspirational point to give the Corkman the lead going into added time.

Feakle looked to have forced this epic battle into extra-time when Oisin Donnellan won clean possession from a Shane McGrath free and slotted to level the sides once again. However, Charleville scored a dramatic late goal thanks to a long delivery by Jack Buckley which landed at the heart of the Feakle defence and Darren Casey was in the right place at the right time to fire past Eibhear Quilligan.

When referee Kevin Jordan blew the final whistle the Charleville supporters went into a frenzy after witnessing their team complete a stunning comeback. It was heartbreak for Feakle.

Charleville: Cian Collins; Darren Butler, Jack Meade, Finbar Cagney; Alan Dennehy, Jack Buckley, Cathal Carroll; Jack O’Callaghan, Kevin O’Connor (0-2); Darragh Fitzgibbon (0-9,3fs,1 ‘65’), Jack Doyle (1-1), Mark Kavanagh (0-2,1f); Andrew Cagney (0-3), Conor Buckley (0-1), Tim Hawe. Subs: Darren Casey (1-1) for Kavanagh (26 mins), Daniel O’Flynn (0-1) for Hawe (26 mins).

Feakle: Eibhear Quilligan; Justin Nelson, Evan McMahon, James Noonan; Killian Bane, Eoin Tuohy, Eric Conway; Shane McGrath (0-9,7fs), Conn Smyth; Steven Conway (0-1), Enda Noonan, Oisin Donnellan (0-6); Raymond Bane (1-0), Martin Daly (0-1), Gary Guilfoyle (0-3). Subs: Ger Hanrahan for S. Conway (50 mins), Austin McMahon for E. Noonan (55 mins), Colm Naughton for R. Bane (60 mins).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Tipp).

l IN THE HEAT OF BATTLE: (above) Feakle’s Gary Guilfoyle challenges Finbar Cagney for the sliotar during Feakle’s Munster final bout with Charleville Photo by Martin Connolly

The Scorecard in association with

WOODSTOCK Club Singles Stableford 18/11/18 1. Tommy Flynn(18) 38pts 2. Tom mcKaigney(21) 37 pts 3. Tom Dormer(16) 35 pts (BOT) CSS N/A Upcoming Fixtures 24 & 25/11/18 Club Singles Stableford (G) ENNIS GOLF CLUB Gent’s 4 Ball B/B(9/10hdc) 18 Holes Sat.17th /Sun.18th Nov. 2018 1st Brian O’Gorman(8) & David Rushe(14) 45pts 2nd Eddie Glenny(17) & Flan Lyons(12) 45pts 3rd Jim O’Connor(15) & Liam Pyne(5) 44pts 4th Ml Hally(11) & Sean Rynne(12) 43pts 5th Martin O’Neill(6) & Niall Hannon(11) 43pts 6th Jn Mc Namara(12) & Ml Irwin(23) 43pts ENNIS GOLF CLUB SENIOR MENS RESULTS ( HAMPERS COMP ) 15TH NOV. 2018

lDEJECTED: (above) anxious moments for the Feakle management team and (right) Enda Noonan ponders on Feakles second half collapse which led to Charleville’s victory Photos by Martin Connolly

3 BALL MOD, SCRAMBLE WITH 63 PLAYERS 1ST SEAN O GORMAN , PASCHAL RUSSELL , FRANK SHEEDY 76 POINTS 2ND BRENDAN PYNE , JOHN O FLYNN , GER O BRIEN 75 3RD MICHAEL KERIN , TONY LAWLER , WILLIE DONNELLAN 73 4TH PAT MURPHY , JOHN CULLINANE , NOEL PILKINGTON 71 5TH PAUL HIGGINS , BERNARD HANRAHAN , KEN O FARRELL 70 6TH JOHN GUILFOYLE , JIM SCULLY , PAUL MOCKLER 69 7TH TOM WOULFE , RICHARD O CONNELL , KEVIN O CONNOR 69 8TH JOHN MCNAMARA , PIERCE CAHILL , KEVIN MURRAY 68 9TH TIM KELLY , MICHAEL CUMMINS , JOE MCMAHON 66 10TH EAMON MURPHY , ALPH DUGGAN , DENIS O CEALLAIGH 66

THANKS TO COMP. STARTERS GER AND BRENDAN AND NOEL FOR CHECKING SCORE CARDS

40 PROPERTY

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THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

Galvin Construction to launch Cluain Fia on December 1st

LUAIN Fia is an outstanding new housing scheme by Galvin Construction blending traditional style with contemporary modern living accommodation. All homes in the development have been uniquely designed with well proportioned rooms, excellent specification, thoughtful design and the highest standards of construction and workmanship. The development is mainly traditional 3, 4 & 5 bedroom semi-detached and detached homes with a selection of detached bungalows, each

Developer Enda Galvin & Catherine Murphy of DNG O’Sullivan Hurley on site

house type claiming its own identity with a range of façade finishes including traditional cut-stone, smooth rendering, corner windows and porches to mention a few.

With ample off-street parking, spacious rear gardens, gated side access and open green areas, the Cluain Fia Development will be a stunning destination for the firsttime, family home and retirement buyers.

All home buyers have the opportunity to choose all the finishing touches in their homes such as tiling, flooring, kitchens etc.

There is a great sense of community in the village of Crusheen which boasts excellent G.A.A. and sporting facilities, village playground, community centre, National School, village centre, public house and fantastic countryside walks and just 4 kms from Dromore National Park.

Crusheen Village is one of Ennis Towns most accessible suburb villages with the M18 within 500m of the village centre giving outstanding access links to Ennis, Shannon, Limerick and Galway with urban the centres of Ennis and Gort both within 15 minutes convenience to top retailers, restaurants, cafes and supermarkets making Crusheen a destination choice for the County Clare and County Galway

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST NOW AT WWW.CLUAINFIA.IE home buyer.

Not many villages can boast outstanding accessibility and fantastic countryside living in the one sentence. However, Crusheen is one of those rare gems.

Dromore Woods National Park is just a 7-minute drive, Coole Park 15 minutes, Lees Road Sports Complex just 12 minutes and with many countryside roads/lanes to

enjoy daytime and evening walks, it offers a real escape from the hustle and bustle.

Cluain Fia will be launching at the offices of DNG O’Sullivan Hurley on Saturday 1st December 2018 from 10am to 12pm ; Pop in and meet the team who will be on hand to go through the various house options, site plan and outstanding standard finishes on offer by Galvin Construction.

LAUNCHING DECEMBER 1ST

A development of 3, 4 & 5 bedroom detached & semi detached homes by

Galvin Construction.

Register Your Interest Today www.cluainfia.ie

Call 065 6840200 GALVIN CONSTRUCTION

PSL No. 002295

42 CLASSIFIEDS

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

Classifieds ACCOUNTANCY

BOOKKEEPING

CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

CHILDMINDER REQUIRED Doora area. To mind 3 children Mon-Fri. Start Feb 2019, age 4,3 and 8 months either in their own home OR in minders home.

Preschool drop/collect. Sept 2019, local school run TEL: 087- 2263101

The Clare Echo Classifieds Contact 065 671 9021

CAR REPAIRS

mbs-clare-echo.indd 1

17/09/2018 20:10:50

CLEANING & POWER WASHING

CAR REPAIRS CONSTRUCTION

CLASSIFIEDS 43

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

Classifieds FIREWOOD

The Clare Echo Classifieds

CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

PAINTING

Contact 065 671 9021

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

FOR SALE PAINTING & DECORATING

‘Stanley Tara’ solid fuel stove, non- boiler, black enamel. Ennis area.

CONTACT 087 9707771

GERMAN GRINDS TEACHER REQUIRED

PROPERTY FOR SALE

German Grinds Teacher required Private additional lessons in German.

German student (17 years old) is looking for a learning partnership near Ennis.

TEL: 089-419-6050

GRINDS AVAILABLE - ENGLISH English lessons available for leaving cert and junior cycle students. Home Tuition. TEL: 0877793132

RELIGION

DRIVING LESSONS

PAINTING

44 CLASSIFIEDS

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

Classifieds The Clare Echo

RELIGION

CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

TYRES

Contact 065 671 9021 ROOFING

TARMACADAM STORAGE

STONEMASON

TREE SURGEON

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

Classifieds The Clare Echo Classifieds

WINDOW SHUTTERS

Contact 065 671 9021 WINDOW AND DOORS

CLASSIFIEDS 45 CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

46 CROSSWORD/HOROSCOPES

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

Your Horoscopes Nov 22 If it feels as though the time to tackle a tough task has finally come, today is the day to gear up for it. It looks bigger than it really is, probably because you’ve been putting it off for so long. Use the courage you’ve been mustering up to make a plan and get more people on board. If you need any type of assistance, the folks you need to be there will be there -- with bells on.

Taurus

Gemini

Your conservative side has been in power for a long time -- so today it’s time to let your wild child out! For inspiration, let your nuttiest friends lead the way toward a wackier life for a while. You need a vacation from organization, a break from the staid stuff of life and an overall mood renovation.

It’s time to revisit your childhood and stop taking things so seriously.

You are in a very suggestible phase of life right now, and you could be influenced to do things you might never normally do. This could be a very good thing -- trying new things and stepping outside of your comfort zone can be a positive experience. But this could also be a very bad thing -- people with negative agendas could convince you to get involved in something that isn’t financially or emotionally healthy.

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

The role that money plays in your life is going through a transition, and it’s beginning to seem as though there are a few more important things in the world than account balances and shiny new things. Material goods are losing their luster, and your eye will be drawn to humble beautiful things. Other people in your life might be confused by your new focus. This change in your attitude could cause a wrinkle in your social life for a little while.

Today, steer clear of the big egos around you. These people are not being treated the way they expect to be treated (basically, they’re being treated like everyone else), and they are going to be grabbing at the spotlight. If they make a move for your time or fame, feel free to push back -- but don’t get into a down and dirty fight. It’s just wiser to let them have what they so desperately need. Don’t get involved in ego clashes -- you don’t need to prove anything.

If your carefully laid plans go awry today, don’t struggle against all odds to get your routine back on track. Take this as a message from the universe, and be open-minded about where it’s telling you to go next. The answers you are searching for are all out there -- you just need to get a clearer vision to see them. Get rid of the distractions in your life, and stop taking on extra obligations. There will no gold stars awarded for this type of shortsighted selflessness.

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

Romance isn’t always fun and games -- there’s a lot of work involved. If you are currently in a relationship, you will understand this concept thoroughly by the end of the day.

Compromise and effort are not exactly a laugh riot, but all the work you put in will bring the two of you closer. If you’re not in a relationship, it’s time to work a bit harder at making that connection with a certain cutie you’ve been dreaming.

When was the last time you refreshed your wardrobe or tried a new haircut? Your appearance is important, and you should put some energy into it today. Even if you like your look, a periodic experimentation with a new style can’t do any harm -- and it may get you out of a rut. Sticking with what is comfortable is a good idea, but there may be something new out there that makes you look good while still keeping you comfortable.

1/1

Aries

Disharmony in the home could affect your life today. It could be related to problems in your home life or in the home life of someone you deal with on a daily basis -- there is no certainty about this right now. But one thing is certain: There will be a lot of distracted people to deal with, and it could be hard to separate yourself from the conflict. Be honest and up-front about your comfort level.

There is more than one way to achieve your goals -- so if you feel as though you’re hitting a big wall today, give yourself some time to think up a new approach. You are in an increasingly creative phase right now, so you should have no trouble thinking up a clever little detour that will lead you right to where you need to be. Starting today, socializing will be on the upswing; be sure to clear your calendar so you can accept the invitations that are about to flood in.

The Clare Echo Crossword

ACROSS 1 Petite iron designed for one with a suit (10) 7 Old song concerning an idler (8) 8 Opening or partly closing a temple (4) 9 Herb in perfect condition (4) 10 Satisfied with what is inside (7) 12 Buchan’s novel translation of Ten Large Men (11) 14 Childhood in the imagination? (7) 16 Settled partnership? (4) 19 Secured when not eating (4) 20 Let oboes become out of date (8) 21 Professional farm vehicle that’s used by geometry students (10)

Your gift of gab is greater than ever today, so do the world a favor and talk to as many people as you can. Conversations about anything -- from the weather to your deepest hopes and dreams -- are going to keep you interested, intrigued and popular. This is a great day to talk to strangers, too, so don’t limit yourself to the folks who are already listed in your address book.

The insight you’ve been taking from your dreams lately will serve you well today. Follow your gut and do what you think you need to. Certain images are recurring in your life, and the same issues are popping up again and again. Your subconscious is keying you in on what you need to deal with first. It’s now time for you to deal with things once and for all. Getting to the heart of the matter as quickly as you can will save you a lot of headaches later in the week.

DOWN 1 The prime minister entertains little Sarah with a song (5) 2 Aintree fixture for apprentice? (7) 3 Attempt to besiege old city of Paris (4) 4 Crude oil on tap?

It’s not necessary (8) 5 Crew figuratively executed by skater (5) 6 One act play without delay (2,4) 11 Stunning sort of tournament? (8) 12 Pleasant Ealing production? (6) 13 One of three allowed on journey (7) 15 A flower can make you stare wildly (5) 17 Measuring device encountered by the queen (5) 18 The continent of China, Siam, etc. (4)

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

QUIZ 47

THURSDAY, NOV 22 2018

The Clare Echo Quiz CLARE GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

in Clare would you find the of the following actresses 6 Where Spa wells, which are said to have does not have Co Clare lineage?

1 Which curative properties?

Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Kylie Minogue

Quilty, Kilfenora, Lisdoonvarna

The legendary Paddy Con’s McMillian, who skied for 2 Dance Hall is now the location of 7 Patrick Ireland in this year’s Winter Olymwhich Ennis business? pics, is from which Clare town?

Knox’s Pub, Ennis Cinema, Madden’s Furniture

Killaloe, Clarecastle, Shannon

What location were Bono and 3 Graham Norton both spotted in recent years?

8

Kilrush, Quilty, Creegh

Clare sportsperson ran for that at one time the 4 Which the Dáil in 2016?

9 Itareais thought of Ennistymon on which The

5

Which Clare village is the main setting for the 2007 PlayStation 3 game Folklore?

Kilkee, Doolin, Killaloe

ANSWERS

Falls Hotel is now built was what?

A volcano, A brothel, An Island

Holland from Liscannor 10John is credited with inventing the submarine. But which navy did he develop his design for?

British Navy, US Navy, Japanese Navy

6. Lisdoonvarna 7. Killaloe 8. Kilrush 9.An Island 10.US Navy

Surfer Fergal Smith, Hurler Niall Gilligan, Footballer Seamus Clancy

l QUESTION 6: Where in Clare would you find the Spa wells?

1.Margot Robbie 2. Madden’s Furniture 3. Quin 4. Surfer Fergal Snith 5. Doolin

Kilkee, Quin, Tubber

Which of the following is furthest West?

OLD IMAGES OF COUNTY CLARE

Aberdeen Arms Hotel, Lahinch, Co. Clare

Image NLI.ie / Collection: Lawrence Photograph Collection