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JUN 23 2022

A RELAY GOOD CAUSE

Pat Fitz calls it quits PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

C Brid and Tom Casey with Sandra and April Flood taking part in Relay for Life Ennis last weekend Photo by Ronan McMahon

LARE GAA SECRETARY, Pat Fitzgerald has announced he is to step down next month. The Sixmilebridge clubman confirmed that after thirty two years in the position, he will step down on July 18th, the day after the All-Ireland hurling final. “It has been a busy and demanding role and one I have enjoyed immensely. I wish the county and all our teams only the very best with all future endeavours and plans, both on and off the field of

play. I am very proud of what we have achieved together over many long years and I wish you every success into the future. I look for ward to supporting our county as a fan and assisting in any way I can in the years to c o m e ,” Fitzgerald stated. H e was appointed county secretar y on the 15th of July 1990.

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THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

MUSIC FANS DELIGHTED AT WINGS FEST

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

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

lFMAILY FUN: Ciara Fitzgerald with her daughter Emma and son Lee at the Wings Festival in Shannon

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Pyrite scheme needs scrutiny by PÁRAIC McMAHON

RE-LEGISLATIVE scrutiny is essential before further progress is made on the Defective Concrete Block Scheme, a Clare TD has stressed. On Tuesday last, Clare and Limerick were included in an expanded Defective Concrete Block Scheme valued at €2.7bn. Members of the Clare Pyrite Action Group demonstrated outside Leinster House on Wednesday as they led the call for pre-legislative scrutiny. Presently, 90 people are registered with the Action Group, many of which are living in housing estates. The Action Group have calculated that 17 private housing estates and 1,125 houses are affected by pyrite. “There is something very wrong that the biggest grant in the history of the State appears to be going through without pre-legislative scrutiny,” founder of the Action Group, Dr Martina Cleary told The Clare Echo. Clare TD, Joe Carey (FG) has backed the pleas for pre-legislative scrutiny to take place on legislation around the new scheme. He acknowledged the Action Group, Clare County Council and engineer Simon Beale, “their work illustrated without any doubt that pyrite is present in the concrete blocks

of homes throughout the county”. He stated, "It’s important that the legislation is fit for purpose and therefore properly scrutinised so that people can finally move on from the nightmare of watching their houses crumbling because of defective concrete blocks. "Having worked with so many householders around the county, I fully appreciate how difficult a time this has been for them". Under the new legislation, grants of up to 100 per cent of rebuilding costs subject to an overall maximum of €420,000 per dwelling are provided. The Clare Echo understands that the sliding scale proposed last November has been shelved. The grants will be based on the construction cost report prepared by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland. The Alternative accommodation and storage costs and immediate repair works are now to be facilitated to a maximum value of €25,000 within the overall grant cap. “While exempt development status under planning legislation for remediation works will be afforded to works carried out under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme on a like for like basis. These are all welcome measures but the devil will be in the detail of the scheme,” Deputy Carey added.

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THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

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NEWS

O'Brien to become county's first citizen by PÁRAIC McMAHON KILLALOE representative, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) is set to be elected as the county’s first citizen this Friday. First elected to Clare County Council in 2004, Tony was one of four Fianna Fáil representatives to lose out in 2009 alongside Bernard Hanrahan, Peter Considine and Tom Prendeville. He has been successful in his attempts to win a seat on the local authority in 2014 and 2019. A retired bus inspector with Bus Éireann, Tony in recent seasons stepped down as the secretary of Smith O’Briens GAA club in Killaloe, a role he had held for many years. On Friday, O’Brien will succeed Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) in the post of Cathaoirleach (Mayor) at the Annual General Meeting of Clare County Council with Cllr Ann Norton (IND) anticipated to be elected as Leas Cathaoirleach (Deputy Mayor) re-

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placing Cllr Joe Killeen (FF). Annual General Meetings are also being held in each Municipal District. Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) is the new Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District with Cllr Michael Begley (IND)

to become Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District for the first time, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) will take on the equivalent role in the Killaloe Municipal District with Cllr Shane Talty (FF) sitting into the post of Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District.

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

lMAYOR: Cllr Tony O'Brien Photo by Martin Connolly

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Púca to land in Carron this weekend

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FTER much controversy, An Púca will be officially unveiled in North Clare this weekend. At midday on Saturday which is also International Fairy Day, the Púca will be finally let loose on the people of Clare. The Michael Cusack Centre in Carron which is the home of the founder of the GAA will now house the ‘Scare of Clare’. ‘Púca, Púca, Is Mise an Púca’ will be the inscription on the limestone plinth, a simple approach given the roller-coaster ride that has brought the mythical creature to the Burren. Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) is tipped to have the honour of unveiling the statue. Saturday’s event comes over a year on from the initial furore which saw the people of Ennistymon tear down the two metre tall bronze art piece, designed by Aidan Harte, before it was even put up. Ennistymon priest, Fr Willie Cummins from the altar described the Púca as “sinister”, a petition presented to Clare County Council contained 263 signatures from Ennistymon against the €30,000 statue. Members of the Council’s Arts Office had selected the Púca as the winning entry of 19 submissions where the adjudication panel comprised of a community representative, an independent artist and a project manager for a €500,000 scheme aimed at revitalising Ennistymon. Consultancy firm, Connect the Dots were hired by the Council to conduct an online survey on what should be done with the sculpture. Of the 674 responses to the survey, 370 (55 per cent) expressed dislike for the statue, which was variously described as “scary, dark, evil, unappealing, unpleasant, frightening, grotesque and vulgar.”

lBOO: Ray D'arcy with the Púca

After the locals said no, a new expression of interest process commenced with the Michael Cusack Centre announced in May. RTÉ Radio One broadcaster, Ray D’Arcy recently visited the Dublin foundry where Aidan was completing the final preparations. The broadcaster along with actor Chris O’Dowd, comedian Dara Ó Briain and MEP Mick Wallace (IND) are among the high-profile supporters of the artwork. “When the row erupted, I did a double-take. The story has just taken on a life of its own,” Harte reflected. The Kilkenny native voiced his appreciation to the people of Carron for welcoming the Púca. He quipped, “There might be an angry mob with pitchforks coming down the road, but hopefully the people of Carron will back me up. We’ll leave the engine of the car running just in case.”. To mark the new arrival, a Samhain/Púca Storytelling Festival is planned for November 1st to celebrate new beginnings and possibilities with a programme of events ranging from the academic to children’s art.

THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

NEWS

Holohan praises pupils for the 'best book on COVID'

THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

N ONE of his final public appearances as Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan was in Newmarket-on-Fergus. Dr Holohan was the special guest for the launch of COVID Voices, a book of poetry by third class pupils at Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire, sharing their reflections on life during the pandemic. The class of 32 were guided by teacher Eamon Curley and special education teacher Fidelma HealyEames. Students read their poems to an eager audience in the school hall on Tuesday afternoon. Shane Considine recalled how “people were clueless” at the beginning, Eimear Clancy remembered it was “so boring at home”, a hope that “places will open and fun will return” had been predicted by Zara Smith. School principal, Moira McMahon labelled the book as “fabulous”. “We’re bursting with excitement that we’re all here today, we are thrilled to welcome you to our little school in Co Clare for a monumental occa-

Senator then proceeded to have a brief Q&A with Dr Holohan on stage. Poems read aloud were praised as “wonderful” by Dr Holohan who admitted, “I was asked to get involved in one or two launches of books, more serious boring books about the pandemic and I said no to each of those but when I heard about this I was delighted to have the opportunity to be involved with the best book I’ve heard about COVID”. On life for children during the pandemic, he commented, “I can’t imagine what it must have been like”. He added, “It was a long period of time. Two years when you get to my age isn’t a big period in your life”. According The Poet's Corner Bar to Dr Holohan, it is unlikely that the mandatory of face masks will return is a traditional pub that but heIrish stressed one opens of the key learnings from its doors onto the main townofstreet of the earlier stages the pandemic was not to make knew Ennis. Perfect for a promises. pint, a bite“We to eat or that it wasn’t go quickly traditionalgoing Irish to music session.and it would last a long period of time, we knew we needed developments like the vaccine to help us”. lAUTOGRAPH: 'He signed my top'Restaurant – students queue up to meet Queues of children got Dr Holohan to The Brendan O'Regan Dr Tony Holohan in Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire Photo by Joe Buckley sign their book of poetry with others getting is ideal for special occasions. The menu him to sign jerseys and clothing. The CMO features traditional cuisine with a modern sion”. Books allowed students to “escape to Having the man that “carried us through” was presented with a Clare jersey “to dress day and creative twist. worlds of fantasy fiction, ” she recount- the pandemic to launch the book was fitting, up as another important Tony” when suped. Healy Eames stated. The former Galway porting the county hurlers.

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THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

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THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

Damning HIQA report finds UHL 'grossly overcrowded' PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

AJOR concerns surrounding patient safety at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) have been flagged in a new report by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). On Friday, HIQA published a report from its unannounced inspection at UHL which took place across seven hours on March 15 of this year, ahead of the double bank holiday weekend at St Patrick’s Day. UHL was found to be partially compliant when it came to leadership, governance and management. However conditions at UHL are insufficient to meet the needs of patients, the inspection found, which compromise the delivery of safe care. The hospital is failing to comply with national standards governing patient dignity, patient care and staffing levels. Inspectors were not assured that UHL had adequate measures in place to address overcrowding,

prolonged ED waiting times, ineffective patient flow and insufficient nurse staffing with a 17 per cent shortfall in the agreed number of nurses rostered on duty. Measures to try tackle these issues have been ineffective, the report concluded. Lengthy delays were experienced in the “grossly overcrowded” ED while the inspection took place. One patient had been waiting on a trolley for a total of 116 hours, another 85 hours and one individual spent 71 hours in UHL without treatment. 50 people were lying on trolleys around the overcrowded department posing “severe difficulties” and leaving patients with “little to no privacy or dignity”. More than 20 percent of the patients at UHL were there for over 24 hours while 28 people in the ED were aged over 75, none of them were admitted or discharged within nine hours of registration, which was not in line with the national target of 99 per cent of patients aged 75 years and over being admitted to a hospital bed or discharged within nine hours of registration. On the day in question, a total of 290 people attended the facility. The report said hospital manage-

lHSE: Trolleys line the corridors in UHL

ment have cited overall bed capacity in UHL, and across the wider Mid-West, as a major contributory factor to the ED overcrowding. But it said the recent addition of 98 new inpatient beds has had no

major impact on easing pressure in the ED. Prof Brian Lenehan, Chief Clinical Director, UL Hospitals Group apologised to its patients in a statement while CEO of the Group,

Colette Cowan has commissioned Deloitte to conduct an external review of patient flow at University Hospital Limerick. For an in-depth report visit www.clareecho.ie.

Vidication for grieving families Confidence lost in management lHEARD: Marie McMahon

Photo by Martin Molloy

by PÁRAIC McMAHON AN ENNISTYMON woman has said she feels “vindicated” by the scathing assessment issued by HIQA into overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick. Tommy Wynne was 65 when he was found unresponsive at UHL in

April 28 after spending 36 hours on a trolley in a corridor, he was later pronounced dead. Tommy’s wife, Marie has been one of the most vocal health campaigners in the county in the subsequent four years, seeking investment and improvement for facilities in the Mid-West region. Patients have been waiting for a bed

in the emergency department for as long as 116 hours and two days for urgent scans, the HIQA report found. It called for a new hospital to be built to take fewer acute patients and for immediate changes to bed numbers. “It’s backing up everything we have been saying. It has vindicated everything we have been saying,” Marie said of the findings. She added, “I didn’t do this just for Tommy, but I know he wouldn’t have wanted us to have stayed quiet. This report acknowledges the fact that people are waiting for hours in there. It acknowledges the fact that this is wrong. Everything they have been doing is wrong”. A member of the Mid-West Hospital Campaign, Marie said the group will continue to demand improvements. “I can’t give up, we have to try and make it better. Now we can see light at the end of the tunnel, we are being listened to and we have been heard”. She continued, “The fact this was allowed to go on for so long is wrong, people were being patronised and told nothing was wrong”. Marie remains angry with politicians in the Mid-West. “But for those politicians who still continue to bang the other drum, shame on them for not listening to us. I spoke to politicians after Tommy died and some of them never came back to me.”

MANAGEMENT’S position at Unversity Hospital Limerick (UHL) is no longer tenable, TDs in the Mid-West have said, writes Páraic McMahon. A report from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has raised serious red flags surrounding overcrowding at UHL. Clare TD Michael McNamara (IND) remarked of the report, “It’s not something that gives me pleasure to say but it is a damning indictment of management, it is difficult to see how their position is tenable at the moment”. Junior Minister, Patrick O’Donovan (FG) acknowledged that the report from HIQA was “shocking but not surprising”. He believed UHL has been playing catch-up since it was reconfigured with a rise in staff from 2,800 to just under 3,600, “We have been running to stand still and now in some cases we are running and going backwards”. No quick fix will tackle the problems, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) said. “There is no quick fix solution to any of this, they talk about the nursing rota, that needs to be addressed, the bed management needs to be addressed, what’s going through the emergency department, people needn’t be going through there, bigger isn’t always better, we’ve a great hospital in Ennis, St John’s and Nenagh also do injury units, we need to extend that remit that they’ve got to get bums off seats inside in the emergency department and let real emergencies go in there and not people waiting on scans, x rays or angiograms, it is appalling but we can only hope this will be a catalytic moment, this HIQA report”. Changing management may not bring about a quick resolution, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) observed. “What will a new set of management do and how long will they take to get up to speed and is the situation so bad feeding into it that it doesn’t matter if we’ve the best managers in the world it will take them two to three years to get on top of it”.

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THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

Heroin fears leads to residents' petition by PÁRAIC McMAHON

“I

lDrugs

NJECTING has been observed in broad daylight in addition to public urination and worse,” at a laneway adjacent to the rear of the Turnpike Rd in Ennis, a county councillor has claimed. Calls to extinguish the public right of way on the laneway were issued by Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) at this week’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District. She cited the “numerous petitions” submitted by residents of Dalcassian Park and Upper Turnpike Rd plus the “ongoing intimidation” they have experienced”. Senior executive engineer in the Ennis MD, Eamon O’Dea said they were aware of “intermittent anti-social behaviour”. Local Garda patrols are monitoring the area, he said. O’Dea explained that the MD were unaware of any specific petition or plebiscite requesting the closure of the pedestrian lane onto the public road at the rear of the properties. “It should be noted that the extinguishment of the public right of way would not be in line with Government Policies on “10 minute towns” and pedestrian connectivity, he added. A petition with 62 signatures of residents from the 67 houses closest to

the laneway was then presented by Cllr Colleran Molloy to the meeting’s administrator. Problems of anti-social behaviour have intensified since November, she said. An incident on May 8 where eight to nine men were “drunken, disorderly and abusive” required four Gardaí and “the wagon” to be called while on May 31 at 11pm, four men were “roaring and shouting,” the Quin native outlined. She continued, “What some of you may not realise, this is a very settled community with a lot of older people living here, they feel very intimated, they afraid to use the lane. The feedback is that behaviour is the worst they have ever seen there”. According to the Ballybeg based representative, “injecting has been observed in broad daylight in addition to public urination and worse”. She made reference to Laurel Lodge, the facility established on the Clare Road in 2009 as a homeless shelter. “The Spar shop has barred some users from alcohol purchases but they are still being served at other locations in the town. The duty of care to Laurel Lodge residents needs to be looked at, is there a failure causing anti-social behaviour?” Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) seconded the proposal with Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) describing the evolving situation as “very dangerous”. Laurel Lodge had

been intended to be a low dependency hostel primarily for single men, he said but felt recently its residents were “behaving in a chaotic way”. Flynn added, “there is an onus on the County Council to review the contract that is there. I don’t think there is planning permission or structure to deal with type of client that is there”. Laurel Lodge had been “extremely well run” by St Vincent de Paul, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) acknowledged. “There can be some of the clients or residents with an element of violence towards staff, it is not ideal location for a wet hostel. It is very unfair to expect that they put up with this behaviour.”. According to Cllr Pat Daly (FF), the hostel “was built in the wrong place”. He claimed that the Gardaí knew of the ongoing “drink and drug parties”. Numerous agencies need to be brought in, Cllr Mark Nestor (FF) stressed, “the residents of Dalcassian Park live in a lovely quiet area and they most certainly do not need to deal with this”. Director of Service, Carmel Kirby told the meeting that she did not want to target Laurel Lodge but acknowledged the complaints from local residents. She said she would be slow to extinguish the right of way but would speak with Anne Haugh, Director of Social Development to see if a conversation would be had with Laurel Lodge.

NEWS

THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

RELAY FOR LIFE ENNIS SHOWS CANCER WHO'S BOSS

l SURVIVORS: Relay for Life Ennis stood up to cancer with a unique and beautiful 24 hour event held at

Tim Smythe Park over the weekend. Cancer survivors attended a special reception before kicking off the relay with a Survivors' Lap of Honour. While teams and people from the community walk the track over a 24 hour period, a festival of fun and entertainment takes place. Funds raised at Relay enables the Irish Cancer Society to continue its life saving work. As media partner for the event, Clare Echo Editor Stuart Holly commented: “The Clare Echo is delighted to partner with this local fundraiser which raises funds for such vital services. Almost every family in Clare has been touched by cancer and the Relay for Life is a wonderful way to fight back.” Pictured at Relay for Life Ennis (clockwise from top); A Ukrainian choir entertain the crowds; Larry and Bernie Brennan, John Wall and Cllr Mary Howard (FG); Anne Maloney and Chloe Heaney

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THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

l POWERFUL: Pictured at Relay for Life Ennis (clockwise from top); Tara Madigan and Liz Cheung standing together in the fight against cancer; Team "There's no 'I' in Team" taking a well earned break; Deirdre and Fiadh Coll; the Dinan School of Ballet

NEWS 11

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THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

Colleran Molloy elected Mayor of Ennis MD

lBEST WISHES: Cllr Ann Norton (IND) with her successor as the Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) Photo by Eamon Ward

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

UIN native, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) has been elected as the Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District for the second time. At Friday’s Annual General Meeting of the Ennis MD, Cllr Colleran Molloy was proposed and seconded into the role by her party colleagues, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) and Cllr Mark Nestor (FF). Elected to Clare County Council in 2014, she has served as Cathaoirleach (Mayor) of Clare County Council (2020) and Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District (2018). She is also a board member at Limerick Clare Education Training (LCETB), Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) and the Ennis 2040 DAC. Addressing the AGM, Clare said, “It is my great honour to serve a second term as Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District. This is especially so in a post COVID pandemic environment where my duties won’t mean being housebound which is the anthesis of what a Mayor is”. When planning her speech, the Latin phrase ‘Tempus fugit’ meaning time flies kept entering her mind as she reflected on her eight years as a councillor. She acknowl-

edged the unwavering support from her family as she nodded to her husband Tony in the gallery along with her siblings Enda and Loretto. Much has changed in the four years since she last wore the Ennis mayoral chains. “We’ve experienced great loss in our communities and in our families, I would like to take this moment to pay respect to my mum Dolly, my father in law Raymond, my dear sister in law, my brother in law John and my dear friend Margaret McMahon, they’ve all passed during this difficult and challenging period for us all”. “It is a coveted role. As I did the last time serving as Mayor of the MD, I will exert every ounce of energy to serve people that put me in my seat,” Colleran Molloy stated. Now based in Ballybeg, she admitted to being excited by the “extraordinary visionary plans for Ennis” and referred to Ennis 2040 as “a proactive policy” and “a plan that isn’t for stagnation but sets out a vibrancy for our county town. It is a document referred to by Ministers and when Ministers refer to documents, the funds will follow”. Ennis’ reputation as a friendly, welcoming and clean town will “continue to excel,” she predicted. “Huge improvements” will be visible at The Height, Barrack St, O’Connell St and Bank Place, “it will be superb,” she outlined while praising the professionalism of staff in the MD.

NEWS

THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

Burren & Holy Island could be named World Heritage sites soon

lInis Cealtra

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

DECISION on the inclusion of the Cultural Landscape of the Burren Uplands and Holy Island (Inis Cealtra) on a new Tentative List of potential World Heritage Properties for Ireland will be made next month. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien (FF) in response to a parliamentary question from Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) said the assessment process is concluding and that he intends to make an announcement on the composition of a new Tentative List during July. Both Clare sites are included in the application alongside the Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo, the Transatlantic Cable Ensemble (Valentia & Newfoundland), Glendalough Valley (Wicklow) and the Royal Sites of Ireland (Dún Ailinne, Hill of Uisneach, Cashel, Rathcroghan Complex, Tara Complex, and Navan Fort). According to O’Brien, sites must clearly demonstrated outstanding universal value and have addressed longterm issues of management and conservation.

Ireland has just two designated UNESCO World Heritage sites (Brú na Bóinne and Sceilg Mhichíl) compared to Spain (48), Germany (47), France (45), Mexico (35), UK (32) and the USA (24) and 896 other sites in 160 countries. Deputy McNamara commented, “Given the increase in tourism typically generated by World Heritage site designation, and the challenges that face the domestic tourism sector since it reopened, every effort must be made to advance built and natural heritage sites across Ireland to the World Heritage list. It is reassuring therefore, to hear from the Minister that his department has engaged intensively with all applicants over recent months and are grateful to all relevant local authorities for their contributions.” “Studies show that most locations get a 30% increase in tourism numbers in the year following their designation as UNESCO world heritage sites, and I am sure this growth could be sustainably managed at Clare’s two sites. I look forward to outcome of the Department’s review next month,” he added.

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THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

SHANNON NEWS in association with

Prices of flights 'outside our control' say Shannon Airport management PÁRAIC MCMAHON

lPhoto by Joe Buckley

paraic@clareecho.ie

ANAGEMENT of Shannon Airport have said that prices of flights are “outside of our control”. Although the experience at Shannon Airport has long been praised as one of its main attractions, consumers have admitted to choosing other airports due to more competitive prices and this is seen as one reason why Shannon loses out on passengers. Addressing the June meeting of Clare County Council, CEO of Shannon Group,

Mary Considine explained that the load factors on flights presently was very high, “this is driving up the price”. She added, “if you

have a flight with 95 per cent loan factor with only five per cent of seat capacity, the airline will manage its own yield and the air-

line will manage that in terms of price”. This she admitted can result in “fares from Shannon on some of those flights being very high. That is outside of our control”. Shannon Airport remains very competitive, Ms Considine maintained. “We are very competitive as an airport, we have strong incentive schemes in place and marketing supports offered to airlines”. Cllr Michael Begley (IND) was in Nantes at the end of May, he remarked that it took longer to get from the car park to the plane departing than it did to fly from Dublin to France. He spoke with one individual from Tipperary who tried to get alternatives from Shannon but came across €500 in the price difference which was labelled as “extraordinary” by the Clonlara representative.

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THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

World renowned guitarist Dennis Cahill dies in Clare by PÁRAIC McMAHON

ENOWNED guitarist and Irish traditional musician Dennis Cahill has died in Co Clare. Born in Chicago on June 16th 1954 to parents from Co Kerry, Dennis started learning guitar at nine years of age, eventually studying at the Chicago Music College. He died on Monday evening in Co Clare with his beloved Mary by his side. Cahill was regarded as one of the most respected and innovative guitar players in the world of traditional Irish music, developing his own unique style of playing and performing his music around the world. He was best known for his musical partnership with fiddler Martin Hayes, a native of Maghera in East Clare. The two played as a duo and also as part of the Irish traditional supergroup The Gloaming. Dennis and Martin collaborated or played with artists including Sting, jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, Grammy-winning bluegrass and country star Ricky Skaggs, newgrass artists Darol Anger and Mike Marshall, and the Irish Chamber Orchestra. Together they played in venues in Austra-

lMartin Hayes and the late Dennis Cahill perform together

lia, Japan, Italy, Germany, France, Holland, Scandinavia, Canada, the U.K., and Ireland as well as stops in Hong Kong, the People's Republic of China, Poland, and Mexico. In 2011 they were the featured performers at the White House for President and Mrs.

Obama, the Vice-President, and the President of Ireland. With The Gloaming, they performed in Brussels in 2013 to celebrate Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union, and in 2014 at London's Royal Albert Hall for the histor-

The EU wants to hear young voices Get involved with the EU’s European YEAR of YOUTH Find local events near you or why not set up your own?

Billy Kelleher

MEP

REPRESENTING IRELAND SOUTH IN EUROPE

+353 87 336 6421

constituency@billykelleher.ie

www.billykelleher.ie

@billykelleherEU

ic first state visit by the Irish President. Jimmy Keane, a friend of Dennis’ stated, “Our dearest Dennis passed away peacefully on Monday evening, with his beloved Mary by his side as she has throughout his journey. Just moments before — we were comforting Dennis while The Lament for Limerick from Dennis’ album with Martin was on in the background — and as the track advanced to My Love is in America, Mary turned off the player, leaned over to hug and kiss Dennis one last time and then he was gone”. President, Michael D. Higgins paid tribute to Dennis in a statement, "It is with great sadness that those with a love of traditional Irish music across Ireland, his native Chicago and around the world will have heard of the death of Dennis Cahill. “Dennis brought a unique and innovative style to his guitar playing, while being deeply respectful of the essence of traditional Irish music. He will, of course, be best remembered for his collaborations with Martin Hayes both as a duo and within the group The Gloaming. Together they explored new musical territory and helped create a phenomenal interest in traditional music among a whole new generation of people both within Ireland and across the world”.

Arts & Entertainment

THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

Rineen Ambush recalled in new play lRineen Ambush memorial

DOOLIN will host the world premiere of the play ‘2 Days in September’ this week, writes Páraic McMahon. On Thursday (June 30th), the latest work of Lisdoonvarna filmmaker, Dermott Petty will be shown to the public for the first time. ‘2 Days in September’ will have its World Premiere on Thursday, June 30th at the Attic Theatre in Hotel Doolin, Doolin, at 8pm This original play tells a story of the Rineen Ambush, one of the most memorable encounters from the War of Independence. On September 22nd 1920, a British Army

convoy was ambushed by the Mid Clare Brigade of the IRA, the purpose of this act was to get revenge for the murder of Martin Devitt, an Irish soldier who was shot dead in an ambush in February of that year in the locality. A secondary function was to get arms for the poorly equipped volunteers in the area. The aftermath of the ambush saw the revenge sacking, looting and burning of the villages of Ennistymon, Lahinch and Miltown Malbay. Dermott was commissioned by Clare County Council to write the play. He explained, “Due to the ongoing Covid

pandemic it is not possible to stage the play as it was intended, so instead we are doing a hybrid of theatre and film”. The play received a Decade of Centenaries Arts Project Awards 2021 as part of the Clare County Council Arts office 2021 Decade of Centenaries in association with the Community Strand of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’s Commemorative Programs. Joan O’Hanrahan will direct the play, Barry Dillon composed the music and soundscape with the BallyCartoon Players contributing the actors and technicians.

POETRY SERIES RETURNS

lREASON TO RHYME: Poetry in the Park summer series returns to Gorts Canon Quinn Park on Sunday 26th June from 1pm - 2pm. All local poets and budding poets are welcome to come and do a reading. The public are welcome to come and enjoy the poetry and the wonderful surrounds of the park. Pictured at the launch of 'Poetry in the Park' in Canon Quinn Park in Gort are (L to R) Justin McDermott local poet and organiser, Anna O'Donnell of Iontach Poetry Collective and Tony Coppinger Local Poet

Regatta to draw 3000 fans

lROW: Clarecastle Regatta

by PÁRAIC McMAHON ROWDS of between 2,000 TO 3,000 people are expected in Clarecastle this weekend for the return of the Regatta. Clarecastle is almost in party mode, the Regatta will be held for the first time since 2019 when it celebrated its tenth birthday. The Scanlan family have erected the flags to signal that the return is edging closer, the decorations have also been noted in the Tidy Towns report for the village. When it comes to important events and organisations in the village, the Clarecastle Regatta is similar to the GAA, Donal Carey noted. “When we started in 2010, we were trying to revive an event which hadn’t taken place for a long time, it hadn’t been held since 1980s,” he recalled. A wide range of events are planned for Saturday June 25th including live music, market stalls, a dog show, vintage cars, a hanging tough challenge, children’s races, kayaking, amusements, fancy dress parade, challenges in hurling and football plus competitions for best dressed lady and bonny baby. Donal has been Chairperson of the committee for the past thirteen years, earning the gig after proposing at a GAA meeting that efforts be made to revive the Regatta, it had been a firm fixture in the local calendar three decades ago prior to its revival. Speaking to The Clare Echo, Donal singled out the contributions of his colleagues on the committee including Paddy Quinn, Pascal Russell, Paul Murphy and Vice Chair Fergal Griffin who he said the events couldn’t proceed without. He explained that the Regatta is viewed as a day to reconnect with families, this occurring after they linked with The Gathering in 2013. “The Regatta is a day to call families home from abroad, it has become synonymous with family days out”.

With this being the first Regatta in over two years, it has heightened the desire of families to meet up. “We have first cousins coming from Westport and Dublin, we haven’t seen these people because of COVID so it has allowed us as family to pick a date and have a few more Careys around the place. Loads of families are doing something similar. The Regatta is synonymous with the area we live in, we have the fishing village which Dalo talks vehemently about it”. Between 2,000 to 3,000 people are estimated to attend the festivities. Donal said, “We’ve been very lucky with the weather, the weather has really smiled on us, record breaking heat in other days. They come from all over, you’d see people from various county coming to it, we have currach races that people from Ennis or Clarecastle wouldn’t traditionally see, Clarecastle Fergus Currach Club is part of our community, people can try out these boats this weekend, it is a massive opportunity for this club to bring people in and invite to join”. Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) forms part of the committee behind the event, this Saturday he’ll be tasked with the barbeque where all proceeds from the food go to Clare Crusaders Clinic. There is no entry fee but all donations will go towards local charities, the former Mayor of Ennis explained. On the importance of the event, Paul said, “This is huge, this is a real local family day, we get others from around the county to come, it’s a day that is very affordable for families, anything that is charged for is done at cost, it’s not a profit making exercise”. Both Murphy and Carey voiced praise of the group of retired man Quay known locally as ‘Popeye and the Troops’ that maintain Quay. “The whole community is working towards enhancement of making the place visually better. The Quay and Clarecastle really benefit from the work of Tidy Towns,” Donal flagged.

THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

Summer vibes

RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

S I write this thought for the week, I am just after returning from a beautiful walk along a beautiful bog road where finally the season of summer has shown itself in full bloom and it gave me a sweet taste of the hopefully warm summer days before us. Hopefully it will make us in some ways feel younger and more alive! The longest day in the year traditionally marks the beginning of summertime for me and brings with it not only a change in the weather, but also a change in the way we experience the world around us. The summer season gives us opportunities to discover our world and our life in new and revitalizing ways. A thought that came to me during my walk is that I love and adore the season of Summer.

A Beautiful Summer's Day

The following is a beautiful summer poem by one of my favourite poets Anthony Rego that goes as follows, "The sun arose, as it always did, The birds began their song. The flowers bloomed, as they felt the light, Another day has been born. Slowly and naturally the world awakes, It's time to start a day. A day for some, like any other, While for some, a day to remember. The hustle and bustle begins as usual, The kids getting ready for school. Moms or Dads are off to work. Everyone is doing the usual. The birds and beasts go hunting their food. The bees have sensed the flowers. The winds are moving as nature planned, Bringing clouds and cool summer showers. Here and there, new babies are born, Bringing joy and laughter along. While somewhere else, a loved one is gone, Bringing sadness and tears to mourn. Long lost friends are meeting again. Two lovers are lost in a kiss. Someone is upset; something went wrong. A friendship has been broken for long. Time is moving; the sun is high, Two friends are sharing their food. Some are hungry,

with nothing to eat, Waiting for someone to feed them. Some have settled for an afternoon nap, Some are too busy for that. The birds are resting their tired wings. But the day is not over as yet. Tragedy strikes, the innocents are lost, It's what the news did say. Evil and corruption are on the move, It's the same old story every day. Somewhere else, a discovery is made. A new Hope, for the world, A disease so rare, has been cured for good, A miracle has just taken place. Back to home from work or school, Time to relax at last. A hectic day it has been for some, For some, a day like the past. The summer sun has finally set at last, Darkness begins to fall. Both big and small find their way back home, Birds, beasts, bugs and all. Families are now together at last, With stories about their day, While some are alone, lonely and sad, With no one to listen or care. Twinkling high in the velvet sky, The stars can now be seen. It's time to leave the past behind, It's time to relax the mind. So I say goodnight, now close your eyes, And dream the night away. Sleep well my friend, till morning dawns, For another beautiful summer's day."

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, I pray that as the signs of summer begin to show themselves all around us, you will remember that each new day is like a cleared field ready for planting. Your thoughts, attitudes, and actions are the seeds you plant. This summer choose only the seeds that will produce a bountiful harvest of love, joy, health, kindness, care, prosperity, and peace. Here is a nice prayer for each of you for a blessed and beautiful summer "Creator of all, thank You for summer! Thank You for the warmth of the sun and the increased daylight. Thank You for the beauty I see all around me and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation.

Thank You for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family, and for the more casual pace of the summer season. Draw me closer to You this summer. Teach me how I can pray no matter where I am or what I am doing. Warm my soul with the awareness of Your presence, and light my path with Your Word and Counsel. For more light in the day, we thank you, For gentle mornings, we thank you, For nighttime conversations, we thank you, For friends and family, we thank you, For gardens and all manner of creatures, we thank you. Help us, Creator and lover of our souls. Help us love this earth. Help us dwell wholeheartedly in our lives this day. Help us pray as we walk, work, play, rest, and create. As I enjoy Your creation, create in me a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for You. May we make our homes this summer places of relaxation, joy, hope, love, peace and safety. May we be generous and considerate, not thinking only about ourselves, but helping others enjoy the blessings of the summertime. Lord God, Creator of all things, guide our steps and strengthen our hearts during these months of summer and holidays. Grant us refreshment of mind and body. May we constantly strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our loved ones and in the world around us as we hopefully enjoy the warmer days of summertime. And always remember that, One song can spark a moment; One flower can wake the dream. One tree can start a forest, One bird can herald spring. One smile begins a friendship, One handclasp lifts a soul. One star can guide a ship at sea, One word can frame the goal. One vote can change a nation, One sunbeam lights a room. One candle wipes out darkness, One laugh will conquer gloom. One step must start each journey; One word must start each prayer. One hope will raise our spirits; One touch can show you care. One voice can speak with wisdom. One heart can know what's true. One life can make the difference; you see it's up to You! Amen." Enjoy a beautiful summer of many summer blessings!!!

Eoin Neylon

COLUMNIST 17

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

What took so long?

HEN is €500 million too little, too late? That’s what Government TD’s in the mid-west must be asking themselves in the past week or so. Ever since the Government finally announced that Clare and Limerick were to be added to the Mica/Pyrite redress scheme, there has been considerable disquiet about the manner of the delay. I wrote in this column back in early February that it appeared only a matter of days or a couple of weeks at most that Clare victims of defective blocks would get the news they had already been waiting a considerable time for. Yet here we are in late June before their fears are to be put to rest. Almost five further months of unnecessary stress and worry as people’s houses continue to degradation from pyrite infestation in their blockwork. For those who don’t know, pyrite is a particular nuisance in concrete blocks as it’s a hydrophilic compound; meaning it absorbs water, both from rainwater (of which there is plenty in Clare year-round) as well as in the form of water vapour in the air. This in turn expands in the porous matrix of the concrete block, weakening it until the degradation gets so bad that the blocks quite literally turn to dust over time. Yes, the process does take years to happen, but one factor of the manner of the erosion of the blocks is that it speeds up over time as they get weaker and more exposed. Hence, once it is noticed and confirmed by tests, the sooner action is taken, the

less the cost, potentially, will be. The dog on the street, let alone engineers like me, knew that there were hundreds of homes across the mid-west that badly needed to be added to the scheme, yet Government fell into the same old pitfalls that have befuddled it since they came to office a little over two years ago, an overabundance of caution. The commissioning of needless reports, at cost to the taxpayer, causing months of delay, to tell us what we all already knew. Having asked around, no one can give me a straight answer as to why Clare wasn’t added immediately once the scheme was first announced all the way back in November. This has led to must frustration amongst local Government backbench TDs and Councillors who have been dealing directly with those affected. The families in question have been through hell watching the homes they’ve spent a life building and paying for crumble in front of their eyes. Even the Minister himself paid a visit to Clare to see examples of the pyrite damage in action, yet still months went by without word. This is one of the Government’s huge flaws and is indicative of their inability to shake up the status quo of the permanent Government; high ranking civil service officials. Their modus operandi is “slowly, slowly, let’s not overspend by opening things up too far”. Yet these delays and reports inevitably lead to more cost, not less, when all is said and done. The taxpayer loses, the homeowners lose with more stress and lost sleep, and the Government

loses in terms of popularity caused by the obvious heel dragging in making a decision everyone, including themselves, knows they will eventually have to make. Why then the delay? Again, no one I have asked in any circle can give me a sane, straight answer. Due diligence is often trotted out, however, being a structural engineer myself, it didn’t take me long looking at just photographs of the houses in question that the issue was indeed defective blocks. The signs were blindingly obvious. If there is to be a change of Government after the next election, something that all opinions lately do not guarantee, then this is a malaise any new administration needs to overcome; the inability to act decisively and quickly. We are seeing this again now where Government, on the back of making some early moves in the face of the rising cost of living, has since delayed doing anything more. Instead, the wisdom in Government circles is to wait to the end of the Summer to see how things will develop in the hope it might get better. All the while inflation continues unabated, although this is more a global issue than a purely national one. All the while badly needed housing projects are being put on the long finger by building firms that simply cannot afford the materials, opting instead to wait until the cost of doing business drops. If the wait goes on too much, the danger is for a collapse, rather than a softening. The Government needs to be careful as they’re dealing with fine margins.

18 FEATURES

THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

GREEN CLARE

Fine tuning needed for policy around No Mow May PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

MORE finely tuned policy is required when it comes to the ‘No Mow May’ policy in Clare according to county councillors. Both a review of the initiative and the development of “a suitable policy” was sought by Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) so that public spaces and recreation areas are maintained to match “the needs of residents and users”. Part of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, the ‘No Mow May’ initiative’s main aim “is to ensure that pollinators have safety from pesticide chemicals and have food and shelter.

The Plan is not a prescriptive series of must do actions but instead provides guidelines which requires us to manage amenity areas and the countryside in a slightly different way,” senior engineer in the environment department of Clare County Council, Cyril Feeney explained. He continued, “It is not about abandoning the landscape totally but instead we must manage it in a way that protects pollinators. With regard to open spaces, we do not need to routinely cut the entire area but instead perhaps focus our attention on areas which are widely used for amenity purposes while minimising our interventions in the surrounding areas. This is a new approach and will be kept under review.”. Where elected representatives have particular areas of concern, they should con-

tact their Municipal District officer “who are best placed to understand the particular local needs of the community,” Feeney advised. Acknowledgement of the “climate emergency” was made by Cllr Lynch who noted this year was the first in which the initiative was undertaken. He referenced a document produced by Kilrush Tidy Towns on how to apply grass management and cutting within the town and suggested it be circulated to each MD. Discrepancies exist whereby some contractors have a no collect grass contract, “they mulch the grass but don’t take it away,” Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) flagged. Chief Executive of the Council, Pat Dowling labelled the initiative as “very important”. He admitted, “I’m surprised we’re even

debating it, makes no sense to cut grass after six weeks and to leave it on the ground”. He outlined, “Where that is the case, we will make sure we’re not getting six weeks grass and leave it, all we’re doing is generating silage on public areas”. This declaration of “common sense” was welcomed by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND). Comments from Dowling must work their way down the system, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) said, “we have an award winning estate in Feakle but we will be able to cut silage there soon enough, there is a no mow anything out there”. The public are beginning to understand why roundabouts are not cut, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) remarked while referring to the discovery of rare orchids at the Claureen Roundabout.

THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

STEVE'S SUPER SECRET SAUCE

COLUMNIST 19

Ann Norton's Mayoral term concludes by PÁRAIC McMAHON

Kearney Cooks

LOVE a bit of spice. In fact the spicier the better. However, not everyone in my house feels the same way about spicy food (bunch of heretics). As a result I have to cook my food in such a way that everyone will eat it, and then I go and cover mine in Hot Sauce. Now I have been through all the hot sauces on the supermarket shelves, but I find a lot of them watery and not as spicy as I would like them. So, I started experimenting at home and now I make my own. The recipe below is a straight up quick and easy hot sauce but once you get the hang of it you can start adding other ingredients and make some mind blowing stuff. Fruits such as pineapple are a serious addition to hot sauce. Then you can go another step further and start

making lactofermented hot sauces. Anyways enough guff out of me, the instructional video will be up on my Instagram this weekend @kearneycooks, and the written recipe is down below.

want to brown them. When the onions are soft add in the peppers and the chillis. Cook on a low heat for five minutes and then add your liquids. Simmer in the pot on a medium heat for 15 minutes or until the veg is soft.

YOU WILL NEED • 2 bell peppers (red and yellow are best for colour) • 3 chilli peppers (smaller means more heat) • 1 onion • 6 cloves of garlic • 100ml of apple cider vinegar • 250 ml water • Salt and pepper to season • Juice of half a lemon

Step Two When everything is soft horse it all into a nutribullit or something along those lines and blend the bejaysus out of it. Decant into jars or bottles and store in a dark cupboard until you open them and in a fridge once they are open.

Step One Roughly chop all your veg. Put your onions and garlic into a pan and soften over a low heat. We don't

Step Three Use your delicious homemade hot sauce to pimp up your chicken, beef or tofu. Or if you're like me, just neck it straight from the bottle.

Enjoy

Steve K

NNIS’ outgoing Mayor has praised the people of the town and entire county for how they welcomed Ukrainian refugees with “open arms”. Cllr Ann Norton’s (IND) second term as Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District concluded on Friday afternoon with Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) handed the mayoral chains. Norton’s reign began last June with one of the first in-person meetings to take place in the local authority during the pandemic. “I know we were coming out of a very difficult time when I took over as Mayor in June of last year. Thankfully, things have some bit reduced, our numbers have reduced and we’re back to some bit of normality,” she reflected. Barefield based Ann said her year was “very good and positive” and welcomed the ability to organise “wonderful events”. “One of the things I said at the beginning of last year was I wanted to focus on the carers and acknowledge work they do behind the scenes. Unfortunately a lot of them don’t get the acknowledgement for work they do. I was honoured to organise an afternoon tea at Hotel Woodstock, it was a huge success, we entertained 150 carers across the county”. Among the more difficult tasks was speaking in Irish to welcome Junior Minister, Jack Chambers (FF) to glór, she admitted. “I haven’t a word of Irish as you know, all I can say is I stood in glór and murdered the Irish language. It was not something

I was comfortable doing but as Mayor you have to put yourself out there”. Glór was also the setting in recent weeks for an event aimed at increasing the involvement of women and young people in politics. “It was a great opportunity to sit down with my own colleagues, we are trying to encourage young people to register to vote and make their voices heard”. Manager of the Clare Crusaders Clinic, Ann paid tribute to her husband and three children for their unwavering backing. “We had a lot of ups and downs medically but took each day as it came, it was a very unusual year”. Another highlight referenced by Cllr Norton was the Mayor’s ball which raised €18,000 for charities. As Chairperson of the Board of Management at Ennis Educate Together, she has witnessed the difference 44 new Ukrainian students have made to the school, “war is still going on in Ukraine, we have many Ukrainian people now living in Clare with a huge amount in Ennis”. She added, “As an Irish community, we’re open to take on so much and welcome people with open arms”. Concluding her 13 minute final address as Mayor, she voiced her appreciation to Deputy Mayor, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG), “there was many a day I had to phone him, was stuck in the hospital and he did so much”. lEND OF TERM: Outgoing Mayor Cllr Ann Norton (IND)

Photo by Eamon Ward

17 19 NEWS THURSDAY,NEWS JUN 23 2022

THURSDAY, 9 2022 20 NEWSJUNE THURSDAY, JUN 16 2022

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Lifeguards on Duty

and the wonderful West Coast Aqua Park. Clare’s coastal beaches with Green Coast Awards include Seafield Quilty, Bishops Quarter Ballyvaughan, and Carrigaholt beach.

Become a regular at the Cliffs of Moher Experience by buying a local pass, priced from €20, andA visit as many comprehensive, daily lifeguard service from times as you wish; local pass holders can also avail of great 11:00am to 7:00pm operates from 4th June to discounts in our shops and cafe. For further information 31st August at Lahinch, Spanish Point, Kilkee email info@cliffsofmoher.ie.

and Fanore. The lifeguard service at White Strand

Miltown Malbay, White Strand Doonbeg, Cappa, Gourmet food Enjoy locally-sourced gourmet food from Mountshannon, one of our onKillaloe (Ballycuggeran) and site cafes or order a scrumptious picnic to enjoy whilst Ballyalla, Ennis will operate for weekends drinking in the views. Picnic tables are dotted around the site and picnic blankets are available from in ourJune, customer with full time cover starting on service agents.

27th June. Lifeguard cover at Bishops Quarter and Seaﬁeld Retail Therapy will operate Should you wish to avail of some retail therapy, we have full time from 27th June. Take to a Lake a number of craft shops along the promenade outside Full-time cover will cease on centre, as well as the craft and gift store within, offering a Lough Derg has the two of Ireland’s few August 31st, but lifeguards on the wide range of goods that are produced locally. inland blue-flag beaches at Ballycuggeran Blue Flag locations will continue (Killaloe) and Mountshannon. Both the service during the ﬁrst two are excellent for water and The activities, Lifts Of Moher weekends each has water-sideIf members picnic of facilities. the party have mobility issues, we have anof September.

Mountshannon, Lough Derg

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Please Stay Safe: For water safety advice, visit www.watersafety.ie

I L L U M I N AT I N G O ’ B R I E N ’ S TO W E R , CLIFFS OF MOHER

VisitClare.ie

COMMUNITY 21

THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

Community

CONTACT

NEWSDESK 065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

CLOUNA - SCOIL CHOLMCILLE OLYMPICKER GAMES PICKER PALS SCOIL Cholmcille recently took on the challenge of keeping their local area litter free, by taking part in the Picker Pals Programme. The programme, run by environmental NGO VOICE (Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment) motivates and equips primary school children with “Picker Packs” containing everything children need to go litter-picking. Children take it in turns to bring the pack home and lead a litterpicking adventure in their local area. Patrick Jackson (Picker Pals creator) visited Clouna National School as part of the 2022 Picker Pals Roadshow, co-sponsored by BMW Ireland, to hear about the children’s experiences and to host the first ever Olympicker games in County Clare. The Olympicker Games test the

children’s dexterity and speed in all things litter picking related. “Clouna National School have been amazing supporters of Picker Pals this year. They’ve been amongst the most enthusiastic participants in the whole country and we’ve loved watching the kids lead their families on litter-picking adventures week after week” said Patrick. “It is such a fantastic and engaging programme that teaches the children to be more aware of their environment and what they can do to protect it in a fun, inclusive and interactive way. Our school has thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in The Picker Pals Programme. The children were very enthusiastic and got their whole families helping out, going on adventures and helping to clean up," Principal Éadaoin Ryan commented.

lCLEAN UP: (clockwise from left) Students from Scoil Cholmcille in Clouna recently took part in the Olympicker Games, as part of the Picker Pals Programme; youngsters found all sorts of litter at the lake; a sign encouraging members of the public to take their litter home; a student keeping his local area clean; the picker pals take to the beach

COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

MOYASTA - MATTHEW BERMINGHAM TRACTOR RUN

lREMEMBERING MATTHEW: (clockwise from top) The winner of the 2022 Matthew Bermingham tractor run was Joe Grogan with his vintage Dietz tractor; enjoying the tractor run held at Keogh's pub in Moyasta on Sunday was Charlie Gylnn with his daughters Ida and Fara Glynn; the family of the late Matthew Bermingham including Michael Bermingham, Caroline Bradley, John Bermingham and Pauline Dunleavy present the perpetual cup to Joe Grogan Photos submitted by Pauline Dunleavy

QUIN TIDY TOWNS THE great work by the volunteers continues with great enthusiasm and the proof is there for all to be seen. The recent facelift given to some of the derelict buildings has made a massive difference and the extra flower displays are blooming beautifully. The display of handprints on the fence near the Bottle Bank is really gorgeous. Thanks to Irene for painting the sunflowers and to all who have made the changes possible. if you see a bed that needs attention near your house or premises,

please water it or weed it. The Monday Night Clean Up continues at 7.30pm and all are welcome. We'd especially like to invite primary school children to come out next Monday. We would ask as many parents as possible to come along to lead the groups. A plan will be followed from outside the Community Centre. Some Secondary school children have been seen helping and anyone who wants to continue this is more than welcome.If anyone has any ideas on improving the look of our village, contact us on 0876895489 / 0877708216.

RECRUITMENT

THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

BUSINESS AND RECRUITMENT

Mid West Local Enterprise Offices helping businesses to Go Global STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

OCAL Enterprise Offices of Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, supported by Enterprise Europe Network, held a very successful export event ‘From Local to Global’ on Thursday June 16th at the Inn at Dromoland. Over 80 businesses were in attendance to discover all they needed to know to start their export journey from local to global. The evening was hosted by well-known RTÉ Journalist, Technology and Digital Entre-

preneur Áine Kerr and provided all the information, connections and resources needed to execute a successful export strategy. Two panel discussions took place on the night as well as 1-21 mentoring with export mentors. Anne-Marie Neville (export mentor with LEO Clare), Sam Marchetti (Consortiaco) and John Roche (Manager of Enterprise Ireland Italian Office, Milan) participated on the expert panel providing key advice for anyone considering export markets. Willie Wixted (ABC Nutritionals), David McCarthy (Unison), Patrick Shelley (Origin Spirits Ireland) and Tim Crowe

(WRXFLO from NEXUS) participated on the business panel where they shared their experiences, pit-falls and successes from trading internationally. The event offered businesses key networking opportunities with export support organisations like Irish Exporters Association, InterTrade Ireland and Enterprise Ireland’s Agile/Innovation Department. If your business is considering, planning or looking to break into international markets, join them at their free information session by scanning the QR Code or contacting the Local Enterprise Office Clare at www. localenterprise.ie/clare or phone 087-4648402.

lEXPORT: Pictured L-R: Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise LEO Clare; Sinéad Dixon-Slattery, Business Advisor LEO Clare; Aine Gleeson, WowWee.ie; Chantelle Keane, Wix Wax; Michelle Guthrie, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, LEO Clare; Danielle Kenneally, Wix Wax; Niamh Hogan CEO at Agile Digital Strategy Ltd and Willie Wixsted, ABC Nutritionals Ltd

Photo by Arthur Ellis

Stay Curious | Campaign Toolkit

Our Hashtag #PostGradAtUL should be used (in our UL Modern Green only) when there is no option to mention PostGrad in the messaging. When the messaging is clearly Post Grad at UL then the #StayCurious hashtag should be used in one of the campaign blues. Our Hashtag icons should never overpower or equally never be too insignificant in a graphic. So powerful without being ‘overpowering’ is key. It should NEVER be shoved into a corner of a graphic. The top angle of the icon width can be used as a minimum space around it to allow it to breathe.

#PostGradAtUL in UL Modern Green

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Professionals advance your career in manufacturing, AI, software, leadership, law climate change and HR with part-time, online programmes. Stay Curious at Work with UL@Work and register your interest at ul.ie/gps/ulwork-digital-future or email sharon.barrett@ul.ie

RECRUITMENT

THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

Shannon is one of first age friendly airports

Would you like to work at Ireland’s most visited natural attraction? We’re hiring for the following position:

Sales & Marketing Assistant The Sales and Marketing Assistant will oversee all aspects of day-to-day promotion of services, brand and bookings of the Cliffs of Moher Experience and provide support to the Sales and Marketing Manager. The successful candidate will work as an integral member of the sales and marketing and bookings team, which is responsible for marketing, sales, events, communications, branding, cliffsofmoher.ie website, newsletters, social media, and other digital assets. A full job description can be obtained by e-mailing careers@cliffsofmoher.ie

Key Responsibilities of the role: Sales & Marketing Planning G

Assisting sales and marketing manager in the development and implementation of overall sales and marketing strategy and plan. Ensure that the marketing plan and strategy is linked and complements the overall Cliffs of Moher yearly objectives and strategy.

Requirements/ essential skills and attributes required for this role: J

Excellent project, sales and marketing skills, decision making, communication and organisational skills in a sales and marketing environment.

Flexibility and a strong problem-solving approach to issues.

Experience in marketing, digital marketing and copy writing in a medium size enterprise.

Proven organisational skills & experience in multi-tasking.

PC literate with good keyboard skills and Microsoft Office proficient and experience in financial management systems.

Online Activities G

Assist in developing a social and digital media marketing strategy focusing on online marketing by defining goals, identifying target audiences, solidifying messaging, setting key targets, and outlining effective marketing initiatives. Manage & track marketing campaigns and web statistics including Google analytics, social media insights, analyse visitor and marketing trends that develops best practice to build successful marketing strategies.

Trade/Tour Operators/Events G

Organising and attending events such as trade shows, consumer shows, events, conferences nationally or internationally in conjunction with the sales and marketing manager and bookings team. In conjunction with the bookings department support and manage all day tour contracts and renewals and all licencing criteria ensuring that all tour operations are compliant with their licence. Manage wedding inquiries and tracking, follow up and contracting.

Qualification to degree level in a business or marketing discipline.

If you wish to apply for this role, please forward your curriculum vitae accompanied by a cover letter stating what you can bring to this role to:

careers@cliffsofmoher.ie before 5pm on Friday 8th July 2022.

lShannon Airport

by PÁRAIC McMAHON HANNON Airport and Ireland West Airport have become the first airports in the world to be recognised as Age Friendly airports by the World Health Organisation (WHO). To become recognised as Age Friendly Airports,

Shannon and Ireland West Airport consulted extensively with their older customers via the Older People’s Councils hosted by local government. This included carrying out ‘walkability audits’ of the buildings and their environs. In their report, the walkability audit teams

PANEL FOR BEACH LIFEGUARDS – SUPPLEMENTARY PANEL SUMMER SEASON 2022 Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for inclusion on a Supplementary Panel for employment as Beach Lifeguards for the 2022 Bathing season. Age Limit: Not less than 18 years of age before the end of July 2022. Qualifications: Current Water Safety Ireland, National Beach Lifeguard Award or equivalent as recognised by the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS). All candidates will be required to undergo a practical test in Basic Life Support (BLS), swimming ability, lifesaving techniques and a theory test conducted by an Examiner(s) nominated by Water Safety Ireland. The Garda Vetting process will be carried out in respect of all applicants. All relevant information must be included on application form to ensure appropriate marks are awarded. Certificates in respect of qualifications/training other than those listed on the Application Form should not be submitted as no additional marks will be awarded. Application forms and further particulars may be obtained by requesting same from the Human Resources Department, Clare County Council at 065-6846251, via e-mail: recruitment@clarecoco.ie or can be downloaded from the following website: www.clarecoco.ie Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Friday 1st July 2022.

www.cliffsofmoher.ie

found Shannon “a very easy international airport to navigate” with an “excellent PRM (Persons with Reduced Mobility) service being offered free of charge.” The team also commended the airport staff for their friendly and helpful approach as well as facilities such as the airport’s dedicated mobility desk, sensory room, even and non-slip flooring, ample seating to rest and seating for wheelchair users. New features installed in Shannon Airport as part of the process included designated age-friendly parking, better signage, and covered walkways from aircraft and car parking into the terminal. Shannon is home to Europe’s first airport sensory room for passengers of all ages with sensory and neurodevelopmental needs. It has also recently introduced a new high-tech scanning system which removes the 100ml only rule for liquids carried in cabin bags. As a result of this the time passengers spend in the airport’s security screening area has been halved. Congratulating the airports, Junior Minister Hildegarde Naughton (FG) stated, “Ireland has taken an international lead in making the airport environment age friendly and we now look forward to sharing this learning with other airports around the world. "Making sure that airport facilities are Age Friendly is an effective way to enhance their accessibility and usability for everyone. It ensures that domestic passengers feel confident in organising a trip abroad."

23-06-22

Clare Echo THE

pg 25

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

FACTFILE CLARE: Frees for: 13 (8/5) Wides: 14 (9/5) Scores from play: 1-20 Spread of scorers: 11 Top scorer: Peter Duggan (0-05 5f) / Aron Shanagher (1-02) Bookings: David Fitzgerald (26), Diarmuid Ryan (42), Conor Cleary (52), Cian Nolan (70) Own puckouts won: 20 from 28 (71%)

WEXFORD: Frees for: 9 (4/5) Wides: 11 (6/5) Scores from play: 1-08 Spread of scorers: 8 Top scorer: Lee Chin (1-08 6f) Bookings: N/A Own puckouts won: 21 from 39 (55%)

REFEREE: Colm Lyons (Cork)

ALL IRELAND SENIOR HURLING CHAMP’SHIP QTR FINAL: CLARE 1-24 WEXFORD 3-14 AT FBD SEMPLE STADIUM, THURLES

‘ TREMENDOUS LEADERS ALL OVER THE FIELD ’

COMMENT: BRIAN LOHAN, CLARE SENIOR HURLING MANAGER: “We have a great bunch there, there are tremendous leaders all over the field and I’m really happy for them, to have got some reward for the effort they have put in, we have put in a huge amount of work”, he said shortly after the team’s latest victory in the 2022 championship. “This competition it tough, there are no easy teams, any of the teams demand so much respect, they’re all working hard”. We were disappointed at half time, disappointed with how we approached the half, we probably could have been in a worse position. We started the second half well but things went against us a bit after that”. “You could see from the first half that we weren’t as tuned in as we should have been, credit to Wexford, they got their tactics right and probably could have gone in at half time in a stronger position. We were happy enough to go in level. We thought we would be able to respond which we did but in the second half they got back on top of us and we had to come again, great credit to our lads. They are really hard workers”. “It’s a real tough position for guys. They are all doing the same amount of work and they are all making the same commitments. We can only pick a panel of 26 and when it comes down to it we can only pick 15 to play. They responded well, their attitude is brilliant, every single one of them their attitude is brilliant, credit to the whole panel”, he said. “We have really good young lads and then lads like Shan (Aron Shanagher) who wants to be on the first 15 and he gets frustrated when he is not on the starting fifteen. In your inter county career there are only so many times that you can play, only so many times that you can show how good you are, playing to a packed house in Thurles is when we needed to see guys and they did respond”.

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Ian Galvin finds a gap in the Wexford defence Photo by Gerard O’Neill

ALL IRELAND MINOR HURLING CHAMP’SHIP SEMI FINAL: OFFALY 2-16 CLARE 0-18 AT FBD SEMPLE STADIUM, THURLES FACTFILE OFFALY Frees For: 18 (10/8) Wides: 13 (8/5) Scores from play: 2-8 Spread of scorers: 8 Top scorer: Adam Screeney (1-05) Own puckouts won: 19 out of 24 (79%) Bookings: Shane Rigney (39)

CLARE Frees For: 15 (5/10) Wides: 6 (5/1) Scores from play: 0-11 Spread of scorers: 7 Top scorer: Oisin Whelan (0-08 7f) Own puckouts won: 18 outs of 31 (58%) Bookings: James Organ (25), Cian Neylon (30), Jack O’Neill (43)

REFEREE: Kevin Jordan (Tipperary)

COMMENT:

Sam Scanlan does all he can to hold onto possession Photo by Gerard O’Neill

BRIAN O’CONNEL, CLARE MINOR HURLING MANAGER: “I am so proud of the journey that all of those lads have been on and even us as the management team, proud of the lads and proud of what we have done”. “Offaly probably were the better team, there was a period there when we wanted to get back to three points and maybe steal a goal at the end. In fairness to Offaly, they were good all over the field. They were particularly good at being able to pick off long range scores”. “That’s the sign of a very good team, a young team, a very mature team, to be able to keep the distance. We got back to maybe three or four but the goals were killers. There is no good time to give away a goal. It was a cagey enough start but credit to both sides, it was a good game played in a good manner. Goals will win games and they got them”. “For this group and for Clare GAA as a whole this group is a model of what can be done. They are the first team that has come through without playing Forristal (under 14) and concentrated on the development squad side of things. There is evidence there that good structures have a big part to play. In fairness Club Clare, the county board and good structures massively helped these lads. There is interest there from coaches who want to get involved instead of going around begging people to be involved”.

Compiled by Seamus Hayes

O F W S S T S O o B R

Kelly never doubted Clare's ability to grind out victory

by SEAMUS HAYES T NO stage during Saturday’s All-Ireland senior hurling championship quarter final did Clare think that their season was over, according to team captain Tony Kelly. “The lads have instilled in us all year to keep going. Did we think it was over, we didn’t, it was just keep going and keep going. “We kept plugging away, Any time we went on a run they seemed to get a goal which lifted them. We really upped it in the last ten to fourteen minutes”, the Ballyea clubman said. Commenting on their overall display he said “overall, the work rate you couldn’t fault, the execution rate of the things we’re very good at, we were poor at for a lot of the game, easy chances missed, taking the wrong option up front but the workrate, even in the first half, was excellent, we kept plugging away and dug it out in the end which was huge”. He agreed that there was “a massive contribution off the bench, Rodgers, Shan,

and Meehan when they came on and Cian Nolan was very good as well. It was a huge contribution which gave us energy at the right time when we probably didn’t have it. That extra energy was huge to us”. The team captain felt that their exertions in the Munster final two weeks earlier “had no real bearing out there. “It was the easy things that we are normally good at, the execution was poor, poor shooting, poor options, sloppy passing, the workrate was there and thankfully it was. “If the truth be known we were probably lucky to go in level at half time. Coming down the home straight we really upped it and our hurling really improved and our bench was great”. Continuing, he said “we knew ourselves that there was more in us, we were miles off in the first half especially around the middle third in terms of getting on the ball and using it. “There were a number of us well below par in that first half, we were below par today but, thankfully, we came out with the result which was huge. “They are the best wins.

AIDAN McCarthy’s return to action comes as a major boost to Clare as they switch their focus to the All-Ireland SHC semi-final with Kilkenny. McCarthy sustained a broken bone in his leg in December in a workplace accident and has remained out of action for the subsequent seven months. There was much to talk about for Clare hurling fans at the end of a weekend in which the county senior team qualified for the All-Ireland semi-final. A weekend that started on a disappointing note as the minors failed narrowly to reach the All-Ireland final when going down to Offaly ended on a huge high as Aidan McCarthy saw action for the first time this season when returning to the playing field with his club Inagh/Kilnamona in the concluding round of

pg 26

Wexford display ‘not good enough to challenge Kilkenny’ by SEAMUS HAYES

Tony Kelly helps Clare to claw their way back from a six point deficit Photo by Gerard O’Neill

We said at half time these are the ones that you have to grind out. “It’s grand playing well and winning, it’s when you are not at your best, not at your peak that you must grind it out and chip away. “I know we got a goal at the end which was massive but a lot of it were points which kept the scoreboard ticking”. Returning to Croke Park

brings immense satisfaction, the St Flannan’s school teacher noted. “It’s massive, we haven’t played there too often. Some lads have only played there once and a few of us maybe three or four times. “That was a massive reward to get to Croker and get to the last four. That’s where you want to be, we are delighted to be there”.

McCarthy returns to action after lengthy lay off SEAMUS HAYES

23-06-22

the Clare Cup. McCarthy was introduced for the second half for Eugene Cullinan’s charges playing his part in their 2-19 1-10 relegation decider against Cratloe. His addition will be warmly welcomed by Brian Lohan as they prepare for a last four clash with Brian Cody’s Kilkenny on July 2nd in Croke Park. Recent weeks have also seen David Reidy and Mark Rodgers return to action following knee injuries with Patrick O'Connor also back among the forty one man panel having recovered from an ACL injury. Injuries to Shane Meehan, Tony Kelly and Paul Flanagan from the Munster SHC final were also not as bad as initially feared. Aron Shanagher, one of the stars of Saturday’s win over Wexford continued his impressive form when scoring three goals for his club Wolfe Tones. Both McCarthy and Shanagher helped their clubs to avoid relegation which they were facing going into this round of games.

AN ALL-IRELAND semi-final with Kilkenny is now occupying the thoughts of Clare’s senior hurlers and a big improvement is needed, one of their key forwards has said. Securing their place in the last four was made possible due to the impact from the bench on Saturday in their 1-24 3-14 win over Wexford. That’s the view of midfielder David Fitzgerald, scorer of Clare’s opening point. Speaking to The Clare Echo, Inagh/Kilnamona clubman said “the bench really got us over the line and SOD’s (Shane O’Donnell) last fifteen minutes was one of the best individual championship displays that I’ve seen”. Fitzgerald continued, “lads toughed it out. Shan (Aron Shanagher) had some impact off the bench. The way Wexford set up it is man to man for sixty minutes, it’s high intensity the way they play. To an extent they ran out of gas and our fresh legs from the bench kicked in”. Fitzgerald agreed that “it was always going to be hard to repeat the intensity of the Munster final against Limerick. There were lots of tired bodies after that game. We were slow to get going today but the bench made the difference”. Asked if it had been difficult to focus on Saturday’s game given the publicity with regard to the proposed suspensions for Rory Hayes and Peter Duggan he said “not really, everyone stuck to their task. We expected to be without the two lads and thats what we planned for. Having them was a massive bonus”. Facing Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final will be “a new challenge, they are a great team, they are Leinster champions and today’s display won’t get us anywhere near what will be required. We will have to knuckle down again for two weeks time”.

Aidan McCarthy Photo by Burren Eye Photography

pg 27

23-06-22

Derry native Rafferty guaranteed another day out regardless of quarter-final result SEAMUS HAYES TWO CONFIDENT teams will face each other in the first of this season’s All-Ireland senior football quarter finals. “Derry will be confident but Clare will be equally confident”, according to Derry native and Clare based Mark Rafferty. “Any time Derry have come to Ennis, Clare have always been able to handle them. When they met earlier this year Derry deserved their win but I wouldn’t read anything into that game. You can forget about league form at this time of the season. Clare won’t fear Derry” according to Rafferty. The St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield clubman will travel to Croke Park on Saturday sporting his beloved Derry colours but he will be the only member of the family doing so as the others will all be sporting the saffron and blue of Clare. Earlier this year his son Joe who is a member of the St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield senior football team’s forward line, lined out for the Clare U20s in their Munster championship games against Tipperary and Kerry. “There are six in the house and I am the only Derry person, so I am out voted this

time. It will be the first time that I will be looking for a Clare football team to be beaten,” Mark admitted to The Clare Echo. Glenullin native Mark won a championship with the Glen in 1985 with brothers Colm, Padraig and Seamus, before emigrating to Australia.He has lived in Clare for the last 20 years where he was a county minor selector. Rafferty played at midfield for St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield in the 2011 SFC Final defeat to Kilmurry Ibrickane before managing the club to the final 12 months later when they lost to the same opposition. Last year, he was in charge of the Doonbeg senior footballers. No members of his former club are currently on the Derry panel. “Winning the Ulster title was a long time coming for Derry. When Kieran McKeever captained the team to the title in 1998 we didn’t think it would be as long before we won the title again. For a long time the club scene dominated but Rory Gallagher has changed that and he deserves credit”. While Derry have brought a very defensive approach all year, Mark expects a variation this week as they wear the favourites tag. “Nowadays supporters aren’t worried whether a game is a spectacle or not and

Brennan on the brink of return to Clare team

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

CILLIAN BRENNAN IS SET to return to the heart of the Clare defence for Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final with Derry. Brennan has been out of action with a hamstring injury which forced him off in extra time during Clare’s Munster SFC quarter-final loss to Limerick. Banner boss, Colm Collins had been hoping that the Clondegad defender would return to the fold following on from their dramatic qualifier win over Roscommon. Now, it appears that this has materialised with the Rice College past pupil partaking returning to full fitness in training this week. A hamstring injury had kept Cillian sidelined for over seven weeks. He is expected to return to the side at full-back giving Collins and his management the freedom to push Cian O’Dea back into the half-back line where he will also double up as a key launchpad for attacks. Management are likely to stick with a similar fifteen for the last eight clash. The impact of both David Tubridy and Gavin

Cooney from the bench was very influential to Clare clawing their way back against Roscommon. Collins and his selectors of Enda Coughlan, Declan Downes, Gerry McGowan and Declan O’Keeffe will hope for a repeat impact off the bench from such players in Croke Park this weekend. Clare’s team is due to be named following their final training session before the Derry game which takes place in Cusack Park on Thursday evening.

Cillian Brennan Photo by Burren Eye Photography

this year’s Ulster final wasn’t. Derry changed their style a bit and they had to to get over Donegal. At the end of the day supporters want the team to win and it doesn’t matter to the winners how victory is achieved. Supporters aren’t worried whether it’s a spectacle or not. In their games against Tyrone and Monaghan there was more emphasis on attacking whereas against Donegal they nearly had fifteen men behind the ball. Teams have to adopt tactics to beat the team they are playing and I believe that Derry will be a lot more attack minded this week”. “There won’t be a whole lot in it at the end. Getting to the All-Ireland quarter final is good for the game in both counties. Whoever gets through on Saturday will face Galway or Armagh and both teams on Saturday will be saying that it’s there for them and they will be be asking how much do we want this. It would be some achievement for Clare to get to the next round,” he added. Recalling Clare’s win over Roscommon in the last round, the Derry man said “it was a fantastic finish, the substitutes made a difference. Gavin Cooney and David Tubridy came on at the right time. Tubridy showed his experience and did the right thing with the possessions he won. It was great for Gavin as he hasn’t being going well this year.

No matter what happens on Saturday I will have another day out”, he remarked.

Derry native and Clare based Mark Rafferty Photo by Gerard O’Neill

23-06-22

pg 28

Frost hit with two month ban for interference in Galvin disciplinary case by PÁRAIC McMAHON

A FORMER CHAIRMAN OF Clare GAA has been hit with an eight-week suspension over claims of interference with the appeal of county hurler Ian Galvin, which he has already appeared to have broken. Robert Frost, who served as Chairman of both Clare GAA during the All-Ireland winning campaigns of 1995 and 1997 and the Munster Council from 2013 to 2016 is understood to have received the suspension in the past fortnight. It follows reports that members of the Central Hearings Committee who were handling Ian Galvin’s appeal, were contacted prior to the hearing. Frost declined to comment when contacted by The Clare Echo on Tuesday evening. He had been present at Tuesday’s meeting of the Clare County Board, his presence here and proposal of a tournament to be held in O’Callaghans Mills is believed to be in breach of the suspension. Personnel involved in the appeal

had been very confident they had sufficient evidence to clear Galvin from a one-match ban which he received after getting a red card in Clare’s two point win over Cork in Semple Stadium at the beginning of May. However, an emergency meeting was called by the GAA’s management committee when CHC chairman Brian Rennick deemed Galvin’s initial hearing null and void after members of the body informed the meeting that they had been approached. As flagged by The Irish Examiner, this breached Rule 7.3 (w) of the GAA’s Official Guide which carries with it a maximum penalty of two months. A new committee was quickly formed to rehear Galvin’s case and they upheld his suspension later that week. The temporary members were George Cartwright (Cavan), Jack Devaney (Down), Declan Bohan (Leitrim) and Seán McKenna (Monaghan). Pat Teehan (Leinster chairman), Ciarán MacLaughlin (Ulster chairman) and Paul Duggan (Armagh’s Central Council delegate) were put on

a sub-committee by Coiste Bainisti to investigate the approach. In a report, they said, “It was agreed to initiate disciplinary action against a named individual and a proposed penalty was agreed. Full details to be disclosed when the disciplinary process has been concluded”. Currently, the club delegate for the Mills, Frost lost out against former Munster Council colleague Simon Moroney to become Clare’s Central Council delegate in 2019. He attempted to become GAA President in 2017 but only collected 20 votes. He was in the running to contest the position of Clare GAA in 2020 when Joe Cooney’s term concluded but withdrew, the subsequent post was won by Jack Chaplin. Frost has also put his name forward in political circles. Now residing in Sixmilebridge, he was one of four Fianna Fáil candidates in the running to be co-opted to Clare County Council following Cathal Crowe’s (FF) election to Dáil Éireann, party members gave their backing to Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) at this convention.

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Robert Frost Photo by John Mangan

Terrific performance by Coolavanny Palm

by MICHAEL MAHER

THE semi-finals of the Martin Ryan Transport Treaty Cup Open 350 featured on a twelve race card at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night last. The night ended with a terrific performance from Coolavanny Palm as she turned her A2 575 contest into a procession for David Hogan of Quilty. A lady with awesome pace when she gets it right, Coolavanny Palm was a 3/1 chance at the off and she quickly made her intentions clear with a swift exit from trap three. Setting a relentless gallop down the back, there was never any danger to the daughter of Ballymac Best and Coolavanny Dame as she romped to a six length success over nearest rival, Grouchos Cain, in second. The time was a sparkling 31.27. Friday night’s Galway card featured the opening round heats of the W.G.O.B.A. A5 Try-Distance Stake with the opening round taking place over the 525 yards trip In the concluding heat of the WGOBA A5 TRI-Distance Stake both Malbay Darla and Menmal Princess were away best in the centre of the track and racing towards the opening bend Menmal Princess held a narrow advantage over her rival. Despite moving slightly wide off the opening bend Menmal Princess extended her advantage to over two lengths entering the back straight as Nephin Tommie moved into third place. Approaching the penultimate corner, the Sarah Burke of Miltown Malbay owned Malbay Darla(Kinloch Brae-Malbay Ally) moved through on the leaders inner and once in front she edged away to defeat the staying on Danmar Corona by two and a half lengths in 29.53. The S6 graded sprint contest went to the Mary Grace of Quin owned Inishodriscol trained by Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge who made it two wins from two career starts as he proved half a length too good for Caislean Ciara in 19.58. Caislean Ciara was just about best away on the wide outside with the eventual winner the only one to go with the leader on the run towards the opening bend. Rounding the bend Inishodriscol tracked well and took a length advantage rounding the home bend. On the run home the son of Magical Bale & Donation was always holding the renewed challenge of Caislean Ciara. The A0 graded fifth contest over 550 yards was the feature event on Saturday night’s Galway card which also featured the Semi Finals of both the WGOBA A3 Tri-Distance Stake(550yds) and the Colin Barry Memorial Novice Sprint Stake. From as early as halfway towards the opening bend, the outcome of the first Semi Final of the Colin Barry Memorial Stake was in little doubt as the Notions-Fifteen Syndicate owned Brioscai Gloire showed tremendous early pace to lead from Crafty Toto who had been first to emerge from traps. At the opening bend Brioscai Gloire led by over six lengths and railing well the John Browne of Ballyea trained son of Droopys Jet and Paper Doll scored by nine lengths from Crafty Toto in 19.10. The concluding contend was an S5 graded contest in which Croaghill Blake was away well out wide as Bogroad Star came away well in the centre of the track and racing towards the opening bend the pair matched strides. At the bend the Cathal Meaney owned Bograod Star took a definite advantage along the rail. Rounding the home bend Bogroad Star led by over a length and although Croaghill Blake rallied on the run in Bogroad Star (Ballymac Best-Prawn Star) prevailed by three parts of a length in 19.31.

pg 29

23-06-22

Shannon Captain’s prize win for Aherne by SEAMUS HAYES

OVER 420 members played for Derek Sweeney’s Captains Prize last Friday and Saturday at Shannon Golf Club when the winner was Anthony Aherne (24) with 64. He won by a shot from Larry Egan (13) with third spot filled by Eddie Clohessy (25) with 66. They were followed by Tom Fox (18) with 67 while Ed Hickey (1) won the gross with 72. Murty O’Donoghue (8) won category A with 70 from Dermot O’Donoghue (5) with 71 with third spot filled by Damien Casey (3) with 71 Category B was was won by Michael Corry (10) with 69 from Robbie Kelly (13), also with 69, Ian Richardson (11) was in third spot and he also scored 69. The category C winner was Tom Kelleher (22) with 69 from Pat Brennan (18) with 69 and Raymond Hehir (24) and he also scored 69. Christy Moylan (15) won the past captain’s prize with 70, Donnacda Halpin (9) was the junior winner with 75 and Karina McDonnell (23) won the guests section with 74. In the ladies section Margaret Ryan (17) was the winner with 25 points from Laura O’Brien (7) with 20 points and Eleanor O’Brien (13) with 20 points ENNIS GOLF CLUB: The senior scratch cup, sponsored by Fitzgibbon Construction, at Ennis last weekend was won by Sean Myatt (1) with 72 from Alan Butler (3) with 75. Enda Craddock (4) from Gort won the junior scratch cup with 73 gross from Darragh Murphy (6) with 77 gross with third spot filled by Alfred Jones (9) with 78. In the intermediate scratch cup T. J. Scanlan (10) was the winner with 73 from Diarmuid Meere (12) with 77 with third spot filled by Walter O’Brien (13)

with 81. Padraig Sutton (14) won the nett prize with 67 nett. In the minor scratch cup, John Gavin (20) was the winner with 86 from Michael Byrt (19) with 89 with the nett prize won by John McInerney (25) with 68 nett. The winner of the Friday open singles was Aaron Greene (14) with 39 points from Jason Gallagher (18) with 38 points followed by Geoffrey O’Toole (25) with 38 points whle the gross was won by Sean Myatt (1) with 32 points The winners of the Tuesday fourball were Michael Sullivan and Seamus Bowe with 38 points followed by Neil Cremin and Joe O’Connor with 36 with third spot filled by Rodger McMahon and J.J. Counihan with 33 while Eamonn Corry and Tom Wulfe were fourth with 32 points. In the senior ladies competition, the winners were Kate O’Ceallaigh, Mary Woulfe and Eileen Daly with 37 points from Brid Cunningham, Loretto Torpey and Eileen Holly with 35 points with third spot filled by Claire and Kathleen Pyne and Mary Glynn with 34 points. EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB: In the Australian Spoons competition the winners were Marie Donnellan and Catherine Murphy with 44 points from Ann C. Harte and Breda McCarthy with 38 points. In the area final of the Australian Spoons East Clare will be represented by Marie Donnellan and Catherine Murphy along with Eileen Donnellan and Siobhan Shanahan. The Wednesday ladies competition was won by Pauline Nugent, Hannah Guinnane and Maureen Clune from Mary Brennan, Mary Stritch and Joan Kinsella with third spot filled by Mary Bugler, Jenny Ryan and Marie A. Kelly.

In the senior men’s competition the winners were Danny Minogue, John Torpey and Kevin Grimes from Nick Obolewicz, Sean Ahern and Michael Drew with third spot filled by Martin Mc Keogh, Kevin Burke, Brian Torpey and Nick Ryan. The men’s four club challenge competition was won by Enda Donnellan with 42 points from Ray McInerney with 4 points. KILRUSH GOLF CLUB: Open week is up and running in Kilrush and there have been big entries for competitions to date. In the Nia Natural Beauty ladies competition the winner was Honor Kyne (Spanish Point) (26) with 40 points from Mary Bolton (18) with 39 points while third spot was filled by Kathleen Haugh (Spanish Point) (36), also with 39 points. The 12 hole winner was Ann McMahon with 27 points. The winners of the Munster Group mixed foursomes were Loretta Maher and John Stapleton (33) with 46 points from Michael Studdert and Marie Bartlett (19) who had a similar score. The men’s open singles on Saturday was won by Kenneth Griffin (22) with 40 points from Stuart Lipper 16) with 38 points with third spot filled by Jason Hanrahan (22), with 36 points. Sunday’s men’s singles sponsored by Jason Hanrahan Plumbing and Heating was won by Gary Moen (26) with 42 points. He had one to spare over Terry O’Hare (41 with third spot filled by Shaun Haugh (23) from Doonbeg Links, also with 42 points. Feargal S. Crowley (Elm Green) 16 was fourth with 40 points while the category winners were Padraic Cotter (12) with 37 points Andrew Egan (18) with 38 points and John Robinson (26) with 38 points. The nines were won by Pat Shannon (20) with 22 points and Henry Cahill (21) with 24 points. LAHINCH GOLF CLUB: On the Inter-club scene, the Lahinch men’s Barton shield team, managed by David Conway, play Castletroy in the West Munster semi-final this Thursday, June 23, commencing at 5.00pm while the ladies Intermediate team, managed by Nollie McCarthy also have home advantage when they face East Clare on this Friday, June 24 commencing at 4.12pm. Last weekend, Aine Donegan, Olivia Lucas and Aideen Walsh qualified for the matchplay stage of the Irish Women’s amateur Close championship at Grange golf club. Aideen won the Leitrim cup as the leading qualifier from the 36-hole strokeplay qualifier but lost on the 19th hole to bow out of the Championship at the quarter-final stage. This week, Aideen and Aine are at Hunstanton golf club in Norfolk, England to compete in the R&A Women’s Amateur championship. DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB: Danny Mungovan won the men’s v par competition at Dromoland at the weekeend with 6 up. He had one to spare over Philip O’Sullivan with Robert Healy, also with 5 up, in third spot. John Greer won the gross with 5 up while the hover 22 handicap section was won by John Collins with 4 up.

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Anthony Aherne with Shannon Golf Club captain, Derek Sweeney Photo by Joe Buckley

The winner of the ladies 18 hole medal 5 stroke competition was Dolores Fox with 70 from Corina Doyle with 71 with third spot filled by Dorothy Brennan with 75. Mairead Bergin won the gross with 87. Katrina O’Neill won the 9 hole stableford competition with 21 points while the winners of the 18 hole Australian Spoons competition were Colette Colleran and Ann Nix with 38 points. WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB: Brian O’Connell (41) won the open singles competition at Woodstock at the weekend with 63 nett. He had a stroke to spare over Paudie O’Connell (29) while third spot was filled by Eoin Hanrahan (19) with 66 nett. The gross was won by Brian Gilligan (2) with 71. In the Holmpatrick qualifier the winners were Frank McEnery (17) and Eddie Casey (12) with 52 points. They will go on to represent Woodstock in the Munster Regional final in Adare Manor Golf Club at the end of August. GORT GOLF CLUB: Conor Fogarty (25) was the winner of the men’s 18 hole stableford competition, sponsored by John McGrath Carpets at Gort at the weekend with 43 points. The category winners were Conor Shields (10) with 42 points, Colin Whelan (16) with 39 points and Martin O’Reilly (21) with 41 points. Eanna Melville (3) won the gross with 33 points. The Friday open singles winner was Pat Corcoran (17) with 46 points. FANNY O’DEAS SOCIETY: Kilkee was the venue for an outing for members of the Fanny O’Deas society last weekend when Kevin Clohessy emerged as the winner of the Talty’s Stores sponsored outing with 39 points. He won on a count back from Tim Shanahan who returned a similar score while third spot was filled by Declan Kelly with 38 points followed by Gerry Lernihan with 38 and Paddy Corcoran with 36. Alan Jackson was nearest the pin while Liam Griffin won the longest drive. The society’s next outing will be the captain’s (Pat deLap) prize weekend which will take place in Westport on July 15 and 16.

23-06-22

Chaplin & Chambers elected with provisional dates set for club campaigns by SEAMUS HAYES

NEW ADDITIONS were made to the Executive of Clare GAA, committees for isolated players and public relations were rubber stamped while detail on dates for the club championships and criticism of tickets distribution were voiced at the June meeting of the County Board. TWO NEW MEMBERS ON CLARE GAA EXECUTIVE: Cratloe’s Deirdere Chaplin and Sean Chambers from Cooraclare were unanimously elected to the positions of assistant secretary and assistant treasurer respectively at the June meeting of Clare GAA on Tuesday night. Chambers was the only nominee for the assistant treasurer’s post, vacant since the resignation of Éire Óg’s Tony Brohan back in April. Stating that he was honoured to be appointed, Chambers said he hoped his experience from having served in a number of committees at county, Provincial and national levels will bring “a positive betterment to CLG an Chlair”. Deirdre Chaplin succeeds Anne Hayes who resigned last month when elected to the vacant position of PRO. Deirdre, the current secretary of Cratloe GAA, is the daughter of Jack Chaplin who was the county board chairman last year. Corofin’s Ambrose Heagney was also nominated for the position but board chairman Kieran Keating told Tuesday’s meeting that “Ambrose has decided not to contest the position” CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS: The race for the various Clare club championships will begin two weeks after the championship campaign for the senior inter county footballers and hurlers ends this week’s board meeting was told. Should either or both Clare senior teams reach the respective All-Ireland finals, the club championship will commence on August weekend (July 30/31 and August 1). Should neither reach the All-Ireland finals, the club competition will begin on the weekend of July 23/24. Whenever the competitions start, hurling will be first because there are groups of 5 in both the senior and intermediate championships. The original Masters plan provided for two consecutive rounds of hurling and the committee has suggested that “this should be retained to provide an even finish to both championships”. Meanwhile the format agreed remains in place despite confirmation of the withdrawal of the Western Gaels amalgamation. Three teams will qualify from this group which included two seeded teams from last year’s semi-finals for the play offs. WHY NOT A DOUBLE HEADER? Feakle delegate Mike Daly asked why the All-Ireland minor hurling semi-final and All-Ireland senior quarter finals weren’t played as a double bill last week. Was it necessary to have the games on separate days, he asked. Chairman Kieran Keating replied that Croke Park policy is not to have under 17 games as curtain raisers to adult games. Central council delegate PR COMMITTEE: Public relations officer Anne Hayes will head up the Clare GAA PR committee for 2022. The members of the committee, ratified at the June meeting of the board on Tuesday night are Sean O’Halloran, John O’Sullivan, Flan O’Reilly, Michael O’Regan, Sean Chambers and Seamus O’Reilly. Chairman Kieran Keating said Alphie Rodgers (Scariff) and strategic review commit-

tee member Roisin Glynn from Killimer were interested in being part of the committee and he went on to say he would talk to the PRO about this CLUB COMMITTEE: The composition of the clubs committee sparked off a lively discussion at the meeting. Chairman Kieran Keating proposed Tom Crotty (Scariff), Michael O’Halloran (Sixmilebridge), Kieran O’Halloran (Parteen), Fiona Whelan (Ballyea), David O’Connell (Shannon Gaels) and Conal McNulty (Banner) to sit on this committee and amongst the tasks they will have to deal with is the drawing up of regulations to deal with isolated players. Correspondence had been received from both Ballyea and Clondegad clubs asking to have a representative on the committee. Ballyea proposed their secretary Fiona Whelan for this role. The chairman said he had no problem with adding Clondegad’s Seamus O’Reilly to the committee but the Clondegad delegate said that their nominee was their chairman Keith McNamara and he was duly added to the list. Clooney/Quin delegate John Skehan said, “this is a very important committee and it’s absolutely essential that it will be totally objective. Some clubs benefit greatly from isolated players and we need to be very responsible and give careful consideration to this”. Cooraclare’s P.J. McGuane, said “there is a huge tranche of West and North Clare not represented on this committee and there is no sign of objectivity in that. If you need objectivity you must spread your wings. The isolated player problem is there from underage”, he said Tubber’s Andrew Monahan said “this is a huge issue for us and there is nobody from North Clare on this committee”. According to chairman Keating “this committee is not just going to deal with isolated players, that is just one of the issues. If you have a nomination for the committee let me know”, he said before adding Andrew Monahan’s name to the list Michael Curtin (O’Currys) asked “what are the terms of reference of this committee. We don’t know exactly what they are supposed to do. Kieran Keating; “I don’t have a defined terms of reference but I will ask them to come back to the July meeting with terms of reference”. When Scariff delegate Johnnie Colleran asked to have the re-grading procedure in Clare reviewed, chairman Keating suggested that this is something the new committee could look at. TICKET DISTRIBUTION: There was strong criticism at the June meeting of Clare GAA of the manner in which tickets for recent Clare games were distributed. Opening the debate Smith O’Briens delegate Tony O’Brien said tickets allocated to his club were “behind the goalpost while non members of the association were able to purchase tickets on the halfway line”. A number of club delegates told the meeting that they had the same experience. Board chairman Kieran Keating said “we thought there would be a bigger demand while Croke Park had predicted an attendance of 35,000 and they were right”. He agreed that the issue “needs to be addressed” Tubber’s Andrew Monahan supported Tony O’Brien’s comments and told the meeting, “we got stung and we are running at a loss” Stating that “there has to be a better system”, Central Council delegate Simon Mo-

roney told the meeting “I said it at Central Council last year and I will do so again”. MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS: Tulla delegate Brian Torpey told the June board meeting that he “cannot understand the hesitancy” in relation to re-appointing the under 20 hurling management. “They performed admirably and I was sure it would be a case of reappointing them immediately. It’s two months since their campaign ended”, he said when asking the chairman “have you approached them to ascertain if they are interested. We have missed two months”. “I will be talking to them in the coming weeks”, the chairman replied WIN A HOUSE DRAW: Sales of tickets in the recently concluded win a house draw promoted by Clare GAA realised €1.16m chairman Kieran Keating told the June board meeting In his report on the project he told the delegates that the figures he was presenting were approximate. The board will benefit by €450,000 which will go to works at Caherlohan. Costs included €170,000 for advertising, and digital support, €320,000 for the house, €175,000 to clubs and €120,000 to Facebook. “There will be another draw next year and clubs will have to do hard copy sales first. Some clubs did nothing this year. Next year the clubs must show that they want to be involved” SUPPORT FOR FOOTBALLERS: O’Currys delegate Michael Curtin asked this week’s board meeting “if anything can be done to increase the support for our footballers. They are phenomenal as shown by

pg 30

the fact that they are in Croke Park twice in the one year. It’s awful disappointing to see the lack of support. I know it’s costly for supporters to attend games It’s some achievement to be in the last eight out of 34 competing teams”. Supporting Curtin’s comments, Cooraclare’s P.J. McGuane said “we can’t blame the board for everything. Was it right to ask people to drive to Thurles twice in twenty four hours last weekend. Parents of players brought all their siblings, aunts and uncles on Friday. Some of those were unable to go the next day for financial reasons. That fixture schedule makes no sense. Football will always be the poor relation here”. PLANNING AND TRAINING: Clare GAA’s planning and training officer Paddy Smyth said to his committee held their first meeting on March 5th when 240 actions points in the strategic review plan were identified by the committee which comprises Joan Crotty (Scariff), Vincent Delaney (Sixmilebridge), Sean McMahon (St. Josephs, Doora-Barefield) and chairman Kieran Keating. Later the Éire Óg clubman expressed surprise that there were no questions from the delegates on his report. Killanena’s Kieran McNamara then asked how many of the tasks will be completed in 2022 to which Smith replied that he hoped to have 50% completed. Irish officer Flan O’Reilly told the meeting that “this is a GAA plan, not a business plan. This plan was presented by business people and we need to emphasise the GAA aspect”.

OBITUARIES 31

THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

PLANNING CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CAHERINA, BAREFIELD, CO. CLARE Take notice that Woijciech and Renata Stanieczek Intend to apply to the planning authority for permission for development at the above site. The development will consist of the restoration of the existing farmhouse, the repurposing and restoration of the existing farm building, the construction of a link corridor between the two, the installation of a wastewater treatment system as well as all ancillary site works. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CROSSES OF ANNAGH, QUILTY, CO CLARE FURTHER INFORMATION/REVISED PLANS PLANNING REFERENCE: 22/110 PERMISSION TO BUILD A DWELLING HOUSE, INSTALL A WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM & ALL OTHER ASSOCIATED SITE & ANCILLARY WORKS CROSSES OF ANNAGH, QUILTY, CO CLARE. Take notice that NORALYNNE & FERGAL HEHIR have lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P22/110. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Aras an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS, within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL LISHEEN, BALLYNACALLY, ENNIS, CO. CLARE Take notice that Cormac Ryan intends to apply to the

planning authority for permission to construct a new dwelling house, complete with a sewage treatment system and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DOUGH, KILKEE, CO. CLARE We, Gold Star Homes 3 Limited, intend to apply for outline permission for development at a 1.33 hectare site at Dough, Kilkee, Co. Clare, located north of Moonin estate. The development will consist of a Caravan Park together with all associated and ancillary works including site access from an unnamed road to the south, site services, boundary treatment, landscaping, and visitor amenities in a single storey block on the site. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CARTRON TD., NEW QUAY, CO. CLARE H91 D8YP Take notice that Clare Fader & Brad Cokendolpher intend to apply for Planning Permission to a) convert and renovate the attic space of the existing dwelling house to create a habitable space, b) to construct a single storey extension to the side of the existing dwelling house and c) to construct a detached shed/store including all site services and ancillary site works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or ob-

LICENSE APPLICATION servation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority, in writing, on payment of a fee of €20.00 within five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the Planning Application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL 76 WESTFIELDS, ENNIS, CO. CLARE Take notice that Frances & Eamon Hughes intend to apply for Planning Permission to a) construct a single storey extension to the rear of the existing dwelling house and b) to increase the width of the existing vehicular entrance including the width of the dropped kerb to provide additional off-street parking including all site services and ancillary site works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority, in writing, on payment of a fee of €20.00 within five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the Planning Application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL MILLTOWN, TULLA, CO. CLARE Take notice that E. & J. Lenihan intend to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to replace an existing sub-standard dwelling with a new dwelling house and proprietary treatment system along with associated site works at the above address. That the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CRAGGAUN, QUILTY, CO. CLARE Take notice that C. & J. Davidson intend to apply to the Planning Authority for permission for the following works a) to refurbish, alter and extend an existing derelict dwelling b) to install a proprietary wastewater treatment along with ancillary site works at the above address. That the

planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KILKERIN, LABASHEEDA, CO. CLARE Take Notice that We Declan & Breda Morris intend to apply to Clare County Council for Permission for the Construction of a Single Storey Detached Studio Building to rear of dwelling site to include Lobby, Office, Toilet & Open Plan Studio area including connection to services, Also for Permission for Retention of Garden Room Building with raised deck & also Extension and alteration to existing outbuildings to create Storage Shed including ancillary site works at above address. The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or Observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BURRENFADDA, CRANNY, CO. CLARE Take notice that Eoin O’Connor & Charlotte Hayward intend to apply to the planning authority for (a) permission to construct an extension to the west side of the existing dwelling house and (b) permission to carry out alterations to the existing dwelling and (c) upgrade the existing sewage treatment system, along with ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within

the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KILLERK EAST, DARRAGH, ENNIS, CO. CLARE Take notice that Matthew Griffin & Orla Kelly intend to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct a new dwelling house and garage complete with a new entrance, sewage treatment system and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL LACKANNASHINNAGH, KILDYSART, CO. CLARE Take notice that Damien Murtagh & Roisín Walsh intend to apply to the planning authority for permission to (a) demolish an existing extension to the Northwest side of an existing dwelling house, (b) permission to construct an extension to the Southeast side of the existing house, (c) permission to carry out alterations to the existing dwelling and (d) upgrade the existing sewage treatment system, along with ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KNOCKBEG, KILMIHIL, CO. CLARE Take notice that Alan & Elizabeth Duggan are applying to Clare County Council for planning permission to construct a new dwelling house, access road, entrance, private garage, connection to existing public sewerage & water

services along with all associated works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CARROWNISKA NORTH, KILMURRY MCMAHON, CO. CLARE Take notice that Anna Marie Keane is applying to Clare County Council for planning permission to construct a new dwelling house, access road, entrance, and install a new wastewater treatment system along with all associated works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DOUGH, LAHINCH, CO. CLARE Permission is sought as follows to: (a) Alter and refurbish existing dwelling house. (b) Change of Use of existing outbuilding to ancillary granny flat accommodation. (c) Adjust existing vehicular entrance (d) Install wastewater effluent treatment system (e) Including all ancillary site works and services at above address. Applicants: Daniel and Sian McInerney The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

THE DISTRICT COURT (AN CHÚIRT DUICHE) District Court Area of Ennis District No. 12 Spirit Grocers & Beer Retailer Licenses (Ir) Act 1900 as applied by Courts of Justice Act 1924 – Section 77 (c) and by Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961 – Section 48 Intoxicating Liquor Act 1960 – Section 15 Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000 – Section 18 Notice of Application for a Certificate for a New Spirit Retailer & Beer Retailer OffLicence [of Hogan’s Filling Station at Ballymaley, Gort Road, Ennis in the County of Clare]. Ballycoree Limited – Applicant TAKE NOTICE that Ballycoree Limited having its registered offices at Cragleigh House, Cragleigh, Ennis in the County of Clare intends to apply to the District Court sitting in Ennis on the 20th July 2022 at 10.30 a.m. in accordance with the provisions of Section 18, Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000 for a Certificate of Entitlement to Hold a Spirit Retailer’s and Beer Retailer’s Off-Licence for Hogan’s Filling Station at Ballymaley, Gort Road, Ennis in the County of Clare in the court area and district aforesaid. Dated this 14th day of June 2022 Signed: ___________________ Paul Lynch Solicitors Solicitors for the Applicant 5 Carmody Street Ennis Co. Clare To: Superintendent An Garda Síochána Ennis Co. Clare And: The District Court Clerk The Courthouse Ennis Co. Clare

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The Clare Echo Quiz

Daniel O’Connell was elected In 2016, only one Clare candidate 1by-election, to Parliament in the 1828 Clare 6 got more than 10,000 1st preferthe first openly Roman ence votes. Who was it?

Ennis man Moosajee Bhamjee 2 (Labour) was Ireland’s first Muslim Teachta Dála (TD). What is his profession? Postman Barista Psychiatrist

Sinn Féin candidate Éamon 3 de Valera won The East Clare by-election of 1917. Which Irish Clare politician did he defeat? Patrick Lynch Arthur Lynch Willie Redmond

President Michael D Higgins grew 4 up in Newmarket on Fergus. But which school did he attend? Shannon Comprehensive St Flannan’s Rice College

many county councillors 5How currently serve in Clare? 18 24 28

Thirty-five TDs have been elected 7 from Clare since 1922. But how have been female? 1 2 3

Patrick Hillary was 8President from where? Ennis Spanish Point Ennistymon

Which politician got the lowest 9 number of first preference votes in Clare history with 21 votes?

l HISTORY: Sinn Féin candidate Éamon de Valera won The East Clare by-election of 1917. Which Irish Clare politician did he defeat?

Hugh O’Brien (Ind, 1981) Dermot Mulqueen (Ind, 2016) Noel Moran (PD, 1989)

Up until 1898 until it was trans10 ferred, which Clare village was in the Galway constituency? Tubber Mountshannon Ballyvaughan

Spot the Difference Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences. The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

6. Timmy Dooley 7. 3 8. Spanish Point 9. Hugh O’Brien (Ind, 1981) 10. Mountshannon

Tory Labour Radical

Pat Breen Michael Harty Timmy Dooley

. Number 6 missing on jersey . Football missing . logo missing on player (left) . line on sock missing on player (left)

ANSWERS 1. Radical 2. Psychiatrist 3. Patrick Lynch 4. St Flannan’s 5. 28

Catholic to do so. But what party did he represent?

. Crest on shorts missing on player (left) . Red boot different colour on player . logo missing on player background

Ennis Educate Together students paying close attention

PUZZLE

THURSDAY, JUN 23 2022

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES JUNE 23rd

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU

4/4/22, 9:52 AM

Proper Right Seemly True Unbiased

5 6

9 1/1

ANSWERS

(5) pital (6)

9 4

8 6 7

5 6

3 2

5 1 6

9 4

5 8

3 9

4 5 2 1 3 8 7 9

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

HOW TO PLAY

(5)

How to play

1/1

1 3

4 5

6 4

2 3

4/4/22, 9:51 AM

Appropriate Apropos Correct Decorous Deserved Equitable Even Handed Fair Fitting Good Honest Impartial Justified Lawful Legal Legitimate Licit Meet Merited

(7) g (7)

The Clare Echo Crossword

titude (5)

C A R V E

(7)

n fur (5)

s (7)

figure (7) 8

iting material (7) 1

D D L I

E E S

E A R N

G H T L

I 3

U 9 4

A D V E R B

S A B L

O C T A G O N P

P A P Y R U S 2

A E R O S O L A 5

R U L 6

E E D 7

Daily Quick Crossword: 4 April 2022 ,4/4/2022 Michael Curl Creator Notes: A free daily online crossword that's not too difficult - just right for solving in your coffee break. http://bestforpuzzles.com

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