The Clare Echo 24/08/23

AISLING A WINNER IN OUR EYES

No CT scanner for Ennis Hospital until November

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

Ennis hospital will be without a CT scanner for the next three months.

It means GPs across Co Clare will be unable to refer patients who require a head assessment to Ennis and instead will result in a higher volume of referrals to University Hospital Limerick or St John’s in Limerick.

From Monday (August 28th) until November, Ennis Hospital will be without a CT scanner.

This development has caused concern among General Practitioners across Co Clare. “They are replacing the CT scanner and without it the service is

practically useless for local GPs to refer patients to,” one Clare GP told The Clare Echo. Concerns have also been voiced of a potential downgrading of services at the Medical Assessment Unit in Ennis Hospital. Professor Tom Perice retired from his role as a consultant in the Ennis Medical Assessment Unit last Thursday.

No designated consultant will be

in place for the MAU following this retirement according to hospital insiders while a spokesperson for UL Hospitals Group said, “A permanent Consultant Physician has been appointed and has taken up post in Ennis Hospital to replace Dr Peirce”.

l Clare Rose Aisling O’Connor pictured on stage at the Kerry Sports Academy, MTU with Kathryn Thomas during the Rose of Tralee International Festival TV Rose Selection night on Tuesday night

Photo by Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus

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

SALES

Email: kieran@clareecho.ie

Email: ross@clareecho.ie

19th Hole fun festival to tee off with Open

NEWMARKET-ON-

FERGUS will host the 19th Hole Community and Family Fun Festival when the Women’s Irish Open rolls into town at the end of August, writes

Páraic McMahon

Clare County Council will host the festival in conjunction with the Women’s Irish Open which runs from August 31st to September 2nd in Dromoland Castle.

To add to the atmosphere of the European Tour event, a two-day festival will take place in the village of Newmarket-on-Fergus on September 2nd and 3rd.

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Beal na Bláth anniversary

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney (FG) with Cllr Pat Burke (FG) from Whitegate at Sunday’s commemoration to mark the 101st anniversary of the death of Michael Collins

Packed with loads of activities and entertainment, this two-day family festival promises to captivate families and all members of the community alike. The festival offers a diverse range of events, from the popular Shaskeen traditional music band and the Papa Zitas Motown band experience on

Saturday evening to Clodagh Lawlor and Abba Sensations Tribute Band on Sunday evening. The programme of events ensures there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy, including children’s entertainment at O’Regan Park in Newmarket on Fergus.

Cathaoirleach of Shannon Municipal District, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) expressed her excitement about the upcoming festival, stating, “We encourage everyone to join us for this exciting weekend of free events. The festival is sure to foster a vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere and is well worth a family visit”.

Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, said, “I am delighted that Clare is hosting the Women’s Irish Open and pleased that the nearby town of Newmarket-on-Fergus will enjoy this community festival”.

Lahinch Golf Club sits on record €4.7m funds

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

LAHINCH Golf Club was sitting on a record €4.7 million cash fund at the end of June due to bumper green fee receipts this Summer.

In a half year report by Chairperson of the golf club, John Gleeson reports that green fee income for 2023 is expected to beat the €2.7 million estimate.

Mr Gleeson has told members in a six page report, “Our green fee tee times are virtually ‘Sold Out’ for the season. The revenue generated provides much needed funds for our capital projects, provides employment for our staff and contractors and is vital in supporting the local business community”.

US golfers usually make up a sizeable chunk of the green fee income where it costs non-member golfers €275 for a round at Lahinch’s ‘Old Course’ during high season from mid April to the end of September this year.

Mr Gleeson said, “Our finances are in a very healthy state with a record €4.7m cash held by the club”.

Mr Gleeson said that the

€4.7m cash included €1.4m in pre-payments. He added, “However, with our contingency fund of €2m, irrigation project costing €2m, clubhouse improvements essential and the upgrading plans for the Castle Course also requiring consideration, the Club will need these funds and more to complete its ambitious plans”.

Mr Gleeson has told members that the Club Council will continue to manage the club’s finances “in a very careful and prudent manner, and we most certainly do not have a philosophy of ‘we have it so let’s spend it’”.

He said, “These capital projects are necessary to keep Lahinch at the forefront of not just Irish golf, but world golf and we will invest our resources wisely and prudently”.

Underlining the buoyant summer season at Lahinch Golf Club, Mr Gleeson said that sales at the golf shop at the end of June were €625,000 (ex VAT) which, he said, is ahead of projections.

He said that annual subs received to date total €1.13m which is in line with budget.

Mr Gleeson said that expenditures for the first six months of this year of €1.6 million is also in line with budget.

Club membership at the club which staged the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in 2019, won by 2023 Masters' winner Jon Rahm, is much sought after and earlier this year, Lahinch GC concluded its first membership election in six years which was limited to spouses/partners of members and permanent local residents.

In his report, Mr Gleeson stated that the Club Council “acknowledges that some excellent candidates were unsuccessful in a very competitive but open and fair election process”.

Mr Gleeson reports that the Club Council will look to hold a further election at the end of 2024, subject to a full analysis of tee time availability on the Old Course.

Mr Gleeson also pays tribute to club member, Áine Donegan who featured as an amateur in the recent US Women’s Open.

Mr Gleeson said, "What a star Áine has proved to be”.

‘Efforts ongoing to downgrade services at Ennis Hospital’ fear Clare medics

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

MEDICAL practitioners in Co Clare have expressed concern that tactics are evident to downgrade services at Ennis Hospital.

For the past nine years, Professor Tom Peirce has been a consultant physician at Ennis Hospital, prior to this he had been based at University Hospital Limerick for 40 years.

Professor Peirce retired from his role as a consultant in the Ennis Medical Assessment Unit on Thursday last. He was awarded a lifetime achievement award by the UL Hospitals Group in February 2018. Up to this point, the MAU was operated by a consultant physician and two registrars but this number is set to reduce. A spokesperson for UL Hospitals Group told The Clare Echo, “A permanent Consultant Physician has been appointed and has taken up post in Ennis Hospital to replace Dr Peirce”.

According to hospital insiders, following on from Dr Peirce’s retirement there will be no designated consultant for the MAU despite the hire by UL Hospitals Group and instead of two registrars the MAU will now only have one. In a further setback to Ennis Hospital, The Clare Echo has learned that it will be without a CT scanner for a period of three months from the end of August until November. This means that GPs in the county will not be able to refer patients to Ennis Hospital when they are in need of a head assessment.

Confirming that services would be impacted in Ennis, a spokesperson for UL Hospitals Group said, “The CT scanner in Ennis was manufactured in 2009 and is now approaching end of the supplier’s support period. We are pleased that under our equipment replacement programme, Ennis Hospital will soon take delivery of a more modern CT scanner, allowing for higher resolution and faster imaging.

“Enabling works to accommodate the installation of the new CT equipment are scheduled to commence on August 28th. Installation, commissioning, licensing and staff training will follow, with patient imaging scheduled to recommence in the first week in

November. UHL and St John’s Hospital will support the CT service requirements in Ennis Hospital during the project. Where a CT is indicated in the context of an MAU referral, patients may instead be accommodated with an MAU appointment in St John’s, Nenagh or UHL. We apologise to patients who may be inconvenienced by having to travel for the duration of these works”.

Staff in Ennis Hospital are said to be very annoyed with the lack of a contingency plan from UL Hospitals Group management. Patients with signs of stroke or those with headaches and those that have fainted or passed

out will be unable to get CT scans in Ennis as a result for the next three months.

A Clare based GP told The Clare Echo, “they are replacing the CT scanner and without it the service is practically useless for local GPs to refer patients to. Most cases that would have been dealt with there will now have to be referred to Limerick”.

Actions from management have “done a disservice to Ennis,” the GP claimed. “When people put pressure on to re-establish the A&E Department at Ennis, it appears that the HSE kick back by downgrading services to make it more unattractive”. Young doctors looking to

progress their careers will not be looking to work in a level two hospital, the GP flagged on the difficulty of trying to entice staff to Ennis.

Such setbacks for Ennis Hospital come off the back of a visit by Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly (FF) in July where he committed to continued investment in the hospital. “This Government has been investing in this hospital and will continue to, there is 45 more staff here than when COVID arrived, we have sanctioned an extra 20 more staff to run the diagnostics”. He said the Government was determined to grow the workforce and services in Ennis.

Capacity to deal with winter surge remains a concern

On Monday, 109 patients were on trolleys in the emergency department of University Hospital Limerick (UHL), according to the

Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. The figure is double the number that there was in the emergency department on the same day in 2021 or 2022.

UL Hospitals Group disputed the figure. They said the HSE’s alternative Trolley GAR database recorded a total of 75 patients on Monday. This is comprised of 25 patients in the Emergency Department, 18 in the Acute Medical Unit and 32 on trolleys in inpatient wards, a spokesperson said while acknowledging that the level of overcrowding is far in excess of where they want it to be and that an escalation plan is in place to maximise patient flow and create additional capacity.

Noeleen Moran of the Mid-West Hospital Campaign stated “at this moment, the campaign is deeply concerned about the situation that may arise at UHL ED during the forthcoming Winter, Christmas and New Year period. We call on the HSE and the UL Hospitals Group to immediately outline the measures being taken to avoid what may well be an inevitable and uncontrollable meltdown of emergency healthcare in the Mid-West during that period”.

She claimed that of the 109 figure that the patients had been triaged and deemed necessary to receive further treatment. “This can be overlooked particularly when attempts are

made to downplay the figures. Yet again the people of the Mid-West are bearing the brunt of the lack of support from Government for additional Emergency Department services in our region.

“We have been failed by our elected or appointed political representatives, most of whom have not stated that they support additional emergency services for us, the people of the region”.

Ballyvaughan native Noeleen added, “We have heard it all: the money that has already been invested, that money is no problem: that the clinical experts do not recommend the expansion or reinstatement of emergency provision, that Ennis, Nenagh and St. John’s are unsafe, that a further ninety-six beds will be ready in 2024 with a further ninety-six two years later, that the region needs more private hospitals, more elective hospitals.

“Yet we have a situation when in our small region at least one person a day is dying as a direct result of the failures of an inadequate and failed Emergency Department.

“A very, very small number of our politicians across the region have stated that they do support the reinstatement of services in the region. The silence or spin of the rest saying a lot but in effect saying nothing will no longer work”.

l Doctor

Celebrating 10 Years in Business – Home Trends

CREATING a perfect home involves a number of aspects, furniture is one of them.

Our furniture takes up the majority of space and helps make our homes feel welcome and complete so it is important that we select pieces that fit our budget, space and needs. Home Trends, located on Parnell Street, a great shopping destination in the heart of Ennis town is the perfect one stop shop.

The spacious shop stocks everything from your 3-piece suites, dining room furniture, rugs, beds, mattresses, consoles to smaller items like lockers. There is also a range of quirky accessories, pictures, lamps and mirrors etc. The store has developed a reputation for providing quality pieces at affordable prices and making a purchase in store means that the new addition will not only complement but, in many cases, transform your home for the better, it will also stand the test of time.

Co-owners Finbar & Eileen both originally from Roscommon are celebrating 10 years in their family-owned business. Their success to date has been synonymous with quality furniture and the ongoing repeat business is a testament to the professional and friendly approach by staff and excellent quality and value available in store.

The Home Trends team have worked tirelessly to ensure their customers’ requirements are catered for which has led to a loyal customer base over the past decade.

At Home Trends a number of the product ranges on display are provided directly by Irish Suppliers bringing a better-quality product to their customers at very affordable prices. Finbar says “The ethos of the business has always been about offering Irish products to the public. Unlike many other competitors, we buy directly from the manufacturer which means bypassing the wholesaler guaranteeing massive savings to our customer. The main Irish suppliers we deal with are Natural Sleep, Faith & Ethan, Aurora and Gannon Furniture who provide an excellent service”.

Home Trends have their very own online store www.hometrendsfurntiure.ie and Eileen says

“our customers love browsing the extensive range of furniture, beds, mattresses online from the comfort of their home. We also do nationwide delivery and our delivery team travel the length and breadth of the country which is great for business. We also provide a removal and an assembly service when delivering your piece of furniture, customers love to avail of this as it’s an all-in-one service”

Finbar and Eileen would like to take this opportunity to thank all their loyal customers for their incredible, support, loyalty and kindness over the last 10 years.

Home Trends, 29 Parnell Street Ennis (V95ED79) 065-6797853

For more information find us on Facebook / Instagram – Home Trends Ennis or visit the website @ www.hometrendsfurntiure.ie

CLOSINGDOWN SALE

100 SUITS FOR €199 OR LESS

ALL SPORTSCOATS/BLAZERS €80

FORMAL SHOES €70 OR LESS

FORMAL TROUSERS €50 OR LESS

Pianist prodigy Sean Shannon dies

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ONE of Clare’s brightest musical talents, Sean Shannon died in a tragic swimming accident in Slovenia.

Late on Friday night and into the early hours of Saturday morning, reports emerged that the Ennis student had been missing in the tourist spot of Lake Bled in Slovenia. Concerned parties flagged that he was travelling alone with a search operation mounted after his phone, wallet, passport and clothes were discovered. He had been due in Germany on Friday and his loved ones became worried when they had not heard from him.

Firefighters from PGD Bled and divers from PRS rescue station Bled were inspecting the shore and bottom of the lake. “He was found dead underwater, about 20 meters from the shore. PRS Bled divers brought him to the shore and handed him over to the competent services,” the Administration for Protection and Rescue reported.

A self-taught pianist, Sean became the youngest associate artist with glór in August of last year, first playing the grand piano in the foyer of the Ennis theatre at the age of 13. A bright future in the

music industry had been predicted for the warm, kind and friendly youngster.

As a young child, he watched ‘Little Einsteins’ which he credited for developing his appreciation of classical music and composers. In 2018, Sean performed for President Michael D. Higgins at ClareCare charity’s 50th anniversary celebration, and at the age of 14 he gave his debut solo recital at glór in 2019. In 2021 he featured on RTÉ’s Nationwide in a re-

port compiled by Ennis native Colm Flynn.

President Michael D. Higgins is among those to pay tribute to Sean. “While still only 18, Seán had already exhibited a fantastic musical ability, having commenced his learning of the piano as a self-taught pianist. Indeed, I remember meeting Seán in September 2018 when he performed at an event which I attended at glór Theatre to mark the 50th anniversary of ClareCare. At the time, Seán

was a second year student in Ennis Community College and was already distinguishing himself with his abilities, which he was sharing with a public that recognised the unique and extraordinary talent that he possessed. I extend my deepest sympathies to Seán’s parents, Cecilia and Frank, to his siblings, and to all his friends and fellow performers”.

Derek McMahon of glór was among the first to hear Sean play the piano in the En-

nis theatre. He said the staff and board were “deeply saddened” at Sean’s tragic loss.

“Sean was glór’s Young Associate Artist since 2022, having initially come to our attention at the age of 14 when he started using the Baby Grand onsite to practice. This inspiring young man was not only a graceful and finely talented pianist, but a kind and beautiful soul who touched the lives of everyone he met. Sean was following his musical dream and glór is proud to have played a small part in helping him fulfil this. He will be forever missed. Our thoughts are with Cecilia, Frank and family, his many friends and all who knew and loved him”.

Local pianist Nigel Bridge was left gobsmacked when he heard Sean play for the first time.

“The first time we heard him here (glór), I walked in that door and I was convinced it was Pipe’s Music, the jaw dropped and I thought good lord. When I hear him play, I hear direct creative spirit exploding because you can be born with it but you don’t quite know how to use it, he seems to have an instantaneous command of what he is doing”.

Family, he had just completed first year of his studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Sean and his rare talents were featured on Face The Music, a three-part RTÉ One documentary series that followed students and teachers at the Royal Irish Academy.

In a statement, the Royal Irish Academy of Music said that Sean was a “kind, talented and dedicated student who quickly became a much-loved and integral part of RIAM student life”.

Over €15,000 was raised in under 24 hours to assist the Shannon family of Ennis with a repatriation fund in bringing their beloved Sean home from Slovenia. The figure has since surpassed €20,000.

The Poet's Corner Bar is a traditional Irish pub that opens its doors onto the main town street of Ennis. Perfect for a pint, a bite to eat or traditional Irish music session.

Former Mayor of Clare, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) set up a fundraiser on Monday afternoon to assist the Shannon family. In under four hours, the target was reached, any unspent funds will now be donated to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust in “due course”, she confirmed.

Cllr Howard commented that she was “blown away” by the public’s generosity to date.

The Town Hall Bistro

Providing a welcoming environment with great value food championing local ingredients.

The Poets Corner Bar

A traditional Irish pub that opens its doors onto the main town street of Ennis. Perfect for a pint, a bite to eat or traditional Irish music session..

A past pupil of Ennis Community College and the Holy

He is survived by his parents, Cecilia and Frank, siblings and wide circle of friends.

The Brendan O’Regan Restaurant

Ideal for special occasions. The menu features traditional cuisine with a modern day creative twist.

l The late Sean Shannon

The Brendan O'Regan Restaurant is ideal for special occasions. The menu features traditional cuisine with a modern day creative twist.

Aisling blossoms at Rose of Tralee

FEAKLE’S Aisling O’Connor was one of the stars of the Rose of Tralee after winning over the nation, writes Páraic McMahon

While New York Rose Róisín Wiley was crowned the 2023 International Rose of Tralee, Clare Rose Aisling O’Connor was certainly a

winner even though she did not get awarded the silverware to back it up.

Clare’s Rose was sixth on stage

on Tuesday night at the Rose of Tralee and Aisling certainly left a lasting impression on the public following her appearance which included a dance to Dermot Kennedy’s ‘Better Days’ and trying to showcase some of the talents of her brothers to potential female admirers.

Co-presenter Kathryn Thomas was moved to tears as Aisling spoke succinctly on the community support she and her five brothers have received since the deaths of their parents Pat (2018) and Denise (2021). While Kathryn was on stage, many viewers at home were left teary-eyed after Aisling opened up.

Speaking on stage at the Kerry Sports Academy on the Munster Technological University campus, Aisling admitted, "We've had a very tough couple of years... Our story started back in 2004.

"I'm the eldest of six and mam was pregnant with number six, Oisín, and she got her first breast cancer diagnosis and at that time, the diagnosis was really bad and she wasn't given much chance. With so much determination and defiance, she completely beat the odds and was with us all through our childhood and saw us grow up. We lived a really normal happy lovely life right up until 2018 when our world just completely stopped and we lost our dad in a tragic, tragic accident and obviously we were reeling.

l LASTING IMPRESSION: Clare Rose Aisling O’Connor dances to Dermot Kennedy’s ‘Better Days’

"Then, in 2020, our world stopped again and mam got her second di-

agnosis of metastatic breast cancer this time and fought the most incredible fight up until 2021 when she passed away with us all around her,” she added.

How the community of Feakle has rallied around the family since was acknowledged by Aisling who said that they have “never been alone”. She stated, "I think when you think of the Rose of Tralee and what that means, it's about celebrating Irishness and what it means to be Irish and they epitomise and personify that every single day”.

She added, "From 2021, and I say this from the bottom of my heart, there's been a dinner outside the gate every single day. There have been vouchers left. There's been bags of shopping, electricity bills paid and always somebody on the end of a phone. We're very much supported. We're never alone and I know they love us as much as we love all of them”.

Aisling continued, "I think that's what being Irish is. It's no man left behind. It's a community spirit. It's truly remarkable and incredible. For myself and my five brothers, this experience really has given me a chance to acknowledge and thank them so deeply”.

Twenty five year old Aisling who had taught in Crumlin since graduating from Mary Immaculate College has returned home to East Clare in recent months. She is sure to be busy with offers from schools across Co Clare to act as a substitute teacher for the current academic year.

Killaloe & Scariff added to Tipperary Garda Division

by Paraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

KILLALOE and Scariff are to move from the Clare Garda Division as part of new nationwide changes to be rolled out to the operating model of An Garda Síochána.

Plans to amalgamate the Garda Divisions of Clare and Tipperary were first announced as far back as August 2019 but come into effect from Sunday (August 27th).

The divisional office will be based at Ennis Garda Station for the merged divisions and will be ran by Chief Superintendent Colm O’Sullivan.

Districts are also to merge into Community Engagement Functional Areas while there will also be the establishment of a Crime Functional Area.

Each Division will comprise of four Functional Areas: Community Engagement, Crime, Performance Assurance and Business Services.

The Clare/Tipperary Division has already commenced implementation of the Business Services and Performance Assurance Functional Areas, which has reduced the amount of administrative activities

held by operational members. Each Functional Area is led by a Superintendent, with the exception of the Business Services Functional Area which is led by an Assistant Principal.

Scariff and Killaloe will now fall under the East Clare-Tipp North Community Engagement Functional Area alongside Nenagh,

Roscrea, Newport, Borrisokane, Toomevara, Cloughjordan, Dolla, Lorrha, Moneygall and Portroe. The Superintendent for this area is two-time All-Ireland winning former Clare hurler, Ollie Baker. Ennis, Shannon, Tulla, Crusheen, Sixmilebridge, Newmarke-on-Fergus, Kilrush, Kilkee, Kilmihil, Kildysart, Ennistymon, Miltown

Malbay, Corofin, Lisdoonvarna and Ballyvaughan all form part of the Community Engagement Clare functional area which will be headed up Superintendent John Ryan. It means that the old Tulla sub-district is moved into Ennis while the remainder of the old Killaloe District is now in the East Clare/North Tipperary area.

Windows smashed at station

CARS PARKED overnight at Ennis Train Station were targeted by thieves over the weekend, writes Páraic McMahon

Criminal damage to a number of cars parked overnight at the car park of Ennis Train Station occurred on August 18th.

The windows of the cars were smashed with the glove boxes ransacked.

On Saturday, Gardaí arrested a 50 year old male in relation to this incident.

He was detailed at Ennis Garda Section under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act but was later released without charge.

Gardaí are now preparing a file for submission to the office of the DPP in relation to this incident.

Trevor White of AAA Taxis came across the damage this weekend. “I was there this morning to park my own car and counted at least six piles of broken glass in six different spaces from where windows were smashed.

“Cars were either broken into or stolen. Luckily for me I had enough time to call a nearby friend who came and collected my car to park it at his house. What an awful ordeal for the poor owners of those cars to be greeted with when they arrived back in Ennis,” he said.

The painted ladies of Scariff

Fresh from the launch of her exhibition in Ennis Museum, Clare artist Marie Connole’s works are about to go on display in Scariff Library Gallery. ‘Vial’ is an exhibition exploring Ireland’s Revolutionary Years. Since 2021 Marie has been commissioned under the Decade of Centenaries Programme to create artworks highlighting events in Ireland, and particularly Clare, from 1913 to 1923.’Vial’ by Marie Connole runs until September 15 at Scariff Library Gallery. On 14th September at 6.30pm, there will be a free public talk with Marie Connole and Dr. Tomás Mac Conmara. Pictured is Pádraig Myles admiring one of Marie’s paintings.

l Killaloe

Warm tributes paid to Michael following tragedy

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

WARM tributes have been paid to Kilmurry McMahon native Michael Lorrigan who died in a traffic collision in West Clare last Wednesday.

Seventy year old Michael Lorrigan was cycling on the N67 Kilkee to Moyasta Rd when he was hit by a vehicle, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Born in Benvoran in Kilmurry McMahon, Michael had been

living in Kilkishen with his wife Dympna neé Maguire. He is survived by his wife and sisters Patsy Neylon, Noreen Browne and Jean Lorrigan.

He had been cycling to Kilkee to meet Dypmna to celebrate their wedding anniversary, she was also a retired teacher and had taught at St John’s NS in Cratloe.

Fresh from graduation, Michael took on a job as a primary school teacher in the Model School in Limerick City where he proved to be an inspiration with his new teaching methods, he also passed on a love of gaelic games to his many students. He taught here from the mid 1970s until his retirement. He is a past pupil of Kilrush CBS.

Among those to pay their respects to Michael was his former colleague, Treasa Ní Dhochartaigh who said she was heartbroken by the news. “Fear uasal agus múinteoir den scoth ba ea é, go raibh cion aige ar na leanaí. Bhíodh sé geal gáireach i gcónaí agus comhghleacaí iontach a bhí ann,” she said.

His late father, Tommy was a hugely influential figure in the Shannon Gaels GAA club for whom Michael lined out at underage and adult level including the 1972 minor final which they

Artist trio to open new exhibition

lost to Ennistymon.

After finishing his club career, Michael devoted his energies to cycling. On many occasions, he partook in the Clare 250 Mile Cycle and regularly undertook long-distance cycles.

Michael’s reposal took place at his home in Kilkishen on Saturday, August 19th, from 5pm to 8pm. The funeral mass was held on Sunday, August 20th, at 11am at St. Mary’s Church, Kilmurry McMahon (V15 W653) followed by burial in the local cemetery.

Following the collision, the N67 at Baunmore was closed for a number of hours to allow forensic collision investigators to carry out an examination. Gardaí at Kilrush Garda Station are continuing to investigate the fatal road traffic collision. “We are asking for any witnesses who may have been travelling on this section of roadway between 12 noon and 12.30 p.m. who may have witnessed the collision or may have dash cam or camera footage from the area between these times to contact Kilrush Garda Station on 065-9080550 or any Garda Station. We also want to offer our condolences to the family of the deceased man,” crime prevention officer Triona Brooks stated.

CLARE Arts Office in conjunction with Cultúrlann Sweeney Gallery, Kilkee have welcomed a brand new art exhibition entitled Trio: Flow, Texture, Light by Ronan McMahon, Marijke Jordens and Ingrid Lotter.

Marijke Jordens is a Belgian artist and singer-songwriter currently living in Ennis. In her creative process Marijke enjoys a feeling of flow. On display will be some of her latest paintings as well as intuitive drawings. Ingrid Lotter is a mixed media artist from South Africa who's been living in Ennis since 2018. For her first exhibition she's combining her love for embroidery with painting.

Ronan McMahon is a self-taught Irish artist living in Ennis who draws on nature, music and light in his work. This will be his fourth exhibition having also held a solo show earlier this year.

Trio: Flow, Texture, Light opens on August 29 at Culturlann Sweeney, Kilkee and runs until September 29.

l Michael Lorrigan

lNATURE: Morning swimmers at the Breakwater by Ronan McMahon

Backlash steadily building against

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

PROPOSED parking charges for Lahinch are meeting a backlash from local residents and business owners. As first reported by The Clare Echo in July, new parking byelaws are to propose a larger area of Lahinch be covered.

Under the bye-laws which are still in draft format, three hour parking will now cost €2 and all day parking will need a ticket worth €5 in the beach car park of Fanore, the East End car park in Kilkee, the West End car park in Kilkee, promenade car park, Liscannor Rd car park and Miltown Malbay Rd car park.

A maximum two hour parking restriction for €2 is also proposed for Lahinch’s Main Street, Church Street and Rue D’Arzon.

Presently parking is free on the Miltown Malbay Rd which can accommodate 101 cars including two for disability access and two which serve as charging points for electric vehicles.

Bill Slattery of the Lahinch Development Association was adamant the proposals cannot proceed. “It will have a serious impact on the businesses and residents in my opinion, the business people are already paying rates, it will be detrimental to the main street in Lahinch if parking was to be enforced on the right-hand side and the left side outside of Daybreak.

Business owners criticise Council for proposed hikes

BUSINESSES in Lahinch will struggle if proposed parking fees are enforced in the coastal town but one long-standing retailer has vowed that the local authority will not shut down his enterprise, writes Páraic McMahon

Proposals are currently on public display that would see changes to how parking is enforced in Fanore, Spanish Point, White Strand, Kilkee, Doolin and Lahinch.

Under the draft bye-laws, the Miltown Malbay Rd car park in Lahinch would now be subject to ticketing along with the Main Street, Church Street and Rue D’Arzon in Lahinch. An increase in fees at the Liscannor Rd car park and the promenade car park in Lahinch.

Donogh O’Loughlin who has a long-established drapery business on the main street of Lahinch was aghast at the proposals. “We’re here since 1890 which is a long time, there was an agreement with Clare County Council 20 years ago that we would have free parking on one side of the street for staff and people living on the street down in the Liscannor Rd car park, seemingly that has changed and now they want to bring in charges which will have a detrimental effect on all businesses plus people living in this town.

“If I had a good few people employed I would have to up their wages so much to cover their car parking, I won’t go into the commercial rates, where is all the money going that Clare County Council are earn-

ing from Lahinch, it is supposed to be spent in Lahinch but it hasn’t been, people are pretty cheesed off with car parking charges everywhere, the Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, Spanish Point and Lahinch, it is not fair and this country needs to wake up. I heard one councillor say tourists will pay for it but our tourists are mainly Irish, everybody has to earn a living, our so-called tourists are coming from Limerick, Ennis and Dublin, they are Irish and are now being asked to pay while they are parking here to go to mass or for a swim, it is not fair. It will put some business people under extreme pressure to either pack it up or move on”.

Whatever proposals are implemented, Donogh was adamant that it would force the end of his business. “Clare County Council on the rates alone are making enough money out of Lahinch, they don’t need to be screwing everybody.

What’s more, a lot of people coming from Dublin like to come to a country area where they don’t have to be looking for a car-parking charge, it’s going to have a huge affect on our community, not to talk about business people. I’ll ride this out, we’ve been here for 130 years so Clare County Council certainly won’t close me down”.

At its peak there were ten employees in O’Loughlin’s but his current staff are worried on what impact the fees would have on them.

“I’ve one staff member with me for 40 years, she’s worried about her

parking charges, I can’t walk that far anymore, I’m asked to pay huge rates and on top of that €200 to park my car, I just hope councillors listen to what has been said. Bill Slattery is out there acting for our own good in Lahinch, I don’t hear of anyone else, there’s pollution happening everywhere around us, this country needs to wake up and sooner rather than later because tourists are being fleeced. I’ve seen car rentals in Shannon and it goes on and on, here another thing on top of it is car parking charges”.

He added, “Luckily enough there isn’t too many people living on the

main street, some people come down to mass every morning. We don’t see police except for breakfast in the morning, we’ve traffic wardens who have a big job to do. It will definitely have an effect on local business people and people living in the area, there is no doubt about it. I paid €6 to park my car in Shannon Airport for 25minutes today, that is just a sample”.

David Cody has for the past eight and a half years been co-owner of Daybreak on Lahinch’s main street. Though he felt the charges could potentially aid his business, he believed the introduction of fees in

areas that they were not before was not justified.

“Paid parking would probably improve business because it would mean people aren’t leaving their cars but I’m more concerned about the locals, I think it is very unfair. We’re after a quite summer because the weather was so bad, it’s going to be a long quite winter and there is no other coastal place around that charges in the winter never mind on the main street for the locals, I think it is massively greedy from the Council, I don’t think it is right.

“If anyone wants to come down and get lunch or dinner in some place on the main street you will have to pay for parking, it is overkill, there has to be free parking in Lahinch all-year round and not just in the winter, it is not fair”.

Nenagh native David added, “Most of the visitors pay for parking down on the front anyway, a lot of them are cute and they know you have two hours free here on the main street so they will pull up here and so do the surfers which is great. It is a small village, the population of Lahinch in the winter time is only a couple of hundred, you’re not going to in any other small villlage putting paid parking in the winter because you can’t people won’t pay it and they don’t have traffic wardens, it is a small village in the winter which becomes a town in the summer for the couple of months but the population is too small. It is overkill, it is greedy and I don’t think it should go ahead”.

lBYE-LAWS: Lahinch Promenade Photo by John Mangan

lUNFAIR: Bill Slattery and Donogh O’Loughlin Photo by John Mangan

proposed parking fees for Lahinch

If the charges are enforced, it will have a detrimental effect on businesses and residents”.

Slattery who was a Fine Gael councillor from 2011 to 2019 told The Clare Echo, “The amount of people that have come to me because I was a former councillor is unreal, the reaction is all negative, there is nobody I have met that is in favour of this, I don’t even know where this came from because it came out of the blue. Every space in Lahinch is going to be utilised as a paid parking area, everybody is up in arms over it, it’s an extra charge on the people coming here for years plus the cost of living, accommodation and everything else, it is unreal that we will have this in the small village of Lahinch”.

Parking charges on the promenade car park were introduced in the 1990s.

Slattery recalled, “Our local councillor Frank Henchy was under severe pressure from the executive of Clare County Council at the time, he was looking for money for the promenade in Lahinch to be upgraded, he had to succumb to the request for parking charges to be enforced in Lahinch. I was involved in the Community Council at the time, we protested on the promenade but unfortunately they went against us because the Council and councillors felt money was needed for the upkeep and maintenance

of the promenade. Since that, new bye-laws came in in 2012, beach bye-laws came in that year too and parking charges for €2, I felt that was okay provided all the money was going back to the promenade and the Lahinch area”.

A Director on the Board of Lahinch Leisure Centre, Bill warned that year-round parking fees would be “detrimental to the sustainability of the Leisure Centre, it just won’t last, 90 percent of that car park will be idle in the winter time except for the people using the swimming people because the prevailing winds from the sea mean it’s not the best place to be on a winter’s day. They are picking at the low fruit and we have to try stop this”. He did not believe parking fees would result in increased revenue and the likelihood of more projects being undertaken in Lahinch. “This is a totally reserved function of the elected members of the West Clare Municipal District under the 2014 Local Government Act, I would hope they would do the right thing and vote for the common good of the village of Lahinch by not letting this go forward”.

One of the elected members, Cllr Shane Talty (FF) has said he will not be voting in favour of the bye-laws if they are put before a meeting of the West Clare MD. “I will be voting against what is on the table but the difficulty is there are

important pieces within each town and village on what is needed to be controlled where the previous bye-laws introduced in 2012 were not offering them protection. We still want a situation where updated guidelines can be brought in but not this over-reach”.

Reaction locally has not been favourable to the plans, Cllr Talty admitted. “There is a groundswell of absolute opposition to the proposals presented and particularly to encroach into new areas that weren’t included”.

Monies received from the parking fees will not necessarily be earmarked to be kept in Lahinch, he said. “Across the county they won’t ring-fence the money whether it is the Cliffs of Moher or Ennis, it all goes into the Council Budget which is then passed each November”.

Although Cllr Talty has been one of the elected representatives to seek a review of the current parking bye-laws, he didn’t agree with what was put on the table. “I’ve called for parking bye-laws in some areas to control and regularise it to manage parking and overnight camping but the review has turned into far broader push to broaden Clare County Council’s financial net and bring in extra revenue streams, I’m not sure it was properly thought out”.

“I understand from the Council’s point of view that it is a never-end-

ing loaves and fishes, the lists of demands is always increasing, we are campaigning to get an increase in the amount of roads improved, we are always short of litter pickers and lifeguards, I understand that the demand on the Council are endless. This is an attempt to widen the financial base, we are relying on the local property tax, the Cliffs of Moher, rate payers and parking charges, this is an attempt to broaden the income base, there doesn’t seem to be an appetite to foist the issue on ratepayers, I un-

derstand where they are coming from but the totality of what is proposed went beyond what anybody thought was acceptable,” the Lahinch postmaster added.

Following on from the deadline of public submissions at the end of August, a report will be compiled based on the feedback. “The feedback will be collated and proposed to us at a workshop, I don’t foresee the charges being put before a Municipal District meeting in the format they went out in previously because they won’t get the support”.

lBACKLASH: Bill Slattery pointing out areas where parking fees will be enforced in Lahinch

Photo by John Mangan

Future of GAA & camogie in safe hands

lYOUNG-STARS: The children and coaches enjoyed a week of skills training and fun leagues

OVER 100 boys and girls partook in the Ruan GAA and Camogie club summer camp held from August 14th to 17th,

writes Páraic McMahon

Children were divided into groups from U6 to U14 with the camp running from 10am to 2pm

daily. The children were taught skills and took part in many hurling drills each morning while in the afternoons the boys and girls were involved in fun leagues. The camp concluded with each child being presented with a certificate of participation from Head Coach Alan McDonnell.

There were a host of treats on the

Ballybeg in the frame for works

SMALL roads and lanes in Ballybeg “can be brought up to standard” following extensive improvements on the area’s main access road, elected representatives have confidently affirmed, writes Páraic McMahon

An appeal was made by Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) for Clare County Council to take in charge the road located on the second right down from the water tower in Ballybeg “so that the lighting and footpath upgrade needs can be finally addressed”.

Administrative officer with the Council, Kieran O’Donnell explained, “the taking in charges department will review the history of this

development including the roadway.

“This will determine what options are open to the Council, what works are required to be carried out and whether the Council can progress the taking in charge of the development under Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act. An update will be provided to members when this review is completed”.

Speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Colleran Molloy commented, “This is a well-established neighbourhood in Ballybeg but it doesn’t have a name, I walk there quite a lot and the footpaths are in bad repair”.

ENNIS PLAYERS AUDITIONS

Ennis Players are ready to hit the One-Act Festival circuit this year. Auditions will be held on Wednesday, August 30th and Thursday, August 31st in the Ennis Players Rehearsal Unit, Doora Industrial Estate, Quin Road, Ennis at 8pm each night. This production will also form part of the Supper Theatre performance in November. Visit www. ennisplayers.ie for more information.

final day of camp. A visit from an ice-cream van received a very warm reception as did the arrival of the All-Ireland Premier Junior Camogie trophy accompanied by Ruan defender Rebecca Crowe and midfielder Aoife Anderson along with captain Sinead O’Keeffe plus Sixmilebridge duo Sarah Loughnane and Olivia Phelan.

Tara Moroney and Ciara Punch were on hand to bring the All-Ireland U16A shield, the Ruan duo were part of the winning squad.

Clare captain Tony Kelly was a special guest at the camp, the former Hurler of the Year arrived in a protective boot and crutches after sustaining an ankle injury.

Alan McDonnell served as Head

Coach for the week, he was ably assisted by a strong coaching team of Rebecca O’Donoghue, Louise McDonnell, Lorna Crowe, Aoife Anderson, Sinéad Hastings, Síofra Ní Leactain, Kate Forde, Paul Howard, Shane O’Loughlin, Jonathan Barry, Gerry Fox and Piaras O’Sé.

Drivers speeding from Kilrush to county town claims Mayor

INTERVENTION from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has been sought to improve road visibility conditions and assist a business located on the outskirts of Ennis, writes Páraic McMahon

Following a request from Cllr Pat Daly (FF), a white line is to be put down across the junction for an approximate 20 feet outside the premises of VS Wholesales at Edenvale on the Kilrush Rd in Ennis.

Acting senior executive engineer in the Ennis Municipal District, Paddy Tiernan confirmed in response to the motion that they had assessed the junction and will install both line marking and a stop sign at the junction.

An appeal from Daly to demolish the wall beside the stop sign was not successful.

“The wall at this location is not in the ownership of Clare County Council and

as such we have no remit to demolish it.

“However, we will investigate if this junction warrants an application to the Department of Transport as part of a low cost safety scheme,” Tiernan advised.

Commitment to carry out works is “very positive,” Cllr Daly acknowledged. “The speed of cars coming from Kilrush is very fast, imagine coming up to a junction with no stop sign, it is very serious,” the Mayor of the Ennis MD flagged.

Difficulties manoeuvring the ownership of the wall were conceded by Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) who commented, “It is a dangerous junction at the best of times”.

Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) told the meeting she visited a gentleman living down the road alongside the senior engineer.

She questioned if the wall could be removed.

“The wall is in private

property, at the minute it is serving the purpose of keeping an animal in the field,” Mr Tiernan replied.

He suggested applying for a low cost safety scheme similar to what was done on the Tulla Rd in Ennis as one potential avenue, “we need permission from the landowner to do that and we haven’t made an approach yet”.

Works to allow for the operation of a one way system for the Spancilhill Fair were praised by Cllr Murphy and this was echoed by Cllr Colle ran Molloy.

Consideration must be given to the type of vehicle travelling the road, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) believed.

“The nature of the business is that people are going in with trailers to pick up

ride on mowers, it is a junction that can be dangerous and that particular stretch of road is straight and wide”.

Addition of a stop sign was lauded by Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF).

Efforts to tackle the wall should be upped, Cllr Daly felt, “the wall belongs to the previous owner Ms O’Neill, we might make the approach because it is causing a visual affect on this road.

TII need to look at the situation, it is very dangerous”.

Cllr Pat Daly

Photo by Eamon Ward

SHANNON NEWS

in association with

Promises issued to improve Tullyglass

ATTEMPTS are to be made to secure funding to improve accessibility for the forest area at Tullyglass Hill in Shannon, writes

Páraic McMahon.

Calling for outdoor recreation funding to be utilised for Tullyglass Hill, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) stated, “the residents in that area are doing a good job keeping it clean and doing their best to keep it more open, funding for this area will help open up established footpaths that are overgrown, making it a more accessible friendly

area”.

Acting senior executive officer with the Shannon Municipal District, Anne Griffin said they were “committed to improving the forest area at Tullyglass Hill. Various funding options to carry out improvement works will be explored including the recently announced Outdoor Recreation Scheme (ORIS)”.

Development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and the necessary repair, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreation infrastructure in countryside areas across Ireland is supported

under ORIS which is funded from ‘Our Rural Future’ within the Department of Community and Rural Development.

This according to Griffin “prioritises the growing outdoor activity tourism sector as part of a long-term vision for a vibrant and sustainable rural Ireland”.

Speaking at a meeting of the Shannon MD, Cllr McGettigan commented, “the residents are doing great work on the footpaths”. She noted that the beauty of the forest was “rediscovered during COVID”.

Her request was seconded by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND).

Specialised King Air fixed-wing aircraft to be based at Shannon

AN EXPANSION of the current service of the Irish Coast Guard is to see three aircraft based at Shannon Airport as part of a new contract, writes

Páraic McMahon

A contract has been signed by the Department of Transport with Bristow Ireland Limited to provide the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) Search and Rescue Aviation Service, including three aircraft at Shannon Airport.

Under the terms of the 10 year contract, the company will operate six specialised SAR-configured AW189 helicopters and two fixed-wing planes 24/7 from four bases across Ireland namely Shannon, Sligo, Waterford and Dublin Weston Airport.

In an expansion to the current service for the Irish Coast Guard, two specialised King Air fixed-wing aircraft will provide operational support from Shannon Airport for search and rescue and environmental monitoring.

The fixed-wing element of

the service will also provide highly sophisticated aircraft mission management and communications systems in coordination with the helicopter fleet. The fixed-wing aircraft will also be available to provide ‘Top Cover’ support to helicopters engaged in long range medical evacuations.

For the past decade, CHC Ireland has operated the SAR contract but following a competitive tender process, Bristow Ireland Limited was selected, earlier this year, as the preferred bidder for the contract, which is worth around €700 million.

Bristow will begin transitioning to the new contract in the fourth quarter of 2024. Nationwide all-weather 24 hour coverage is to be provided under the contract, 365 days a year.

Bristow will create or sustain more than 150 jobs ranging from specialist ground support, engineering, flight operations, and in-country

maintenance and support capabilities, ensuring its teams and aircraft stand at full readiness to respond to tasking from the Irish Coast Guard.

There is an option to extend the 10 year contract for an additional three years allowing for a total of 13 years for these new aviation services. The contract also makes provision for the Air Corps to provide the fixedwing element of the service after five years.

Commenting following the signing of the contracts, Alan Corbett, Bristow’s Chief Operating Officer, Government Services said: “The entire team at Bristow Ireland Limited is honoured to be chosen to deliver this critical and life-saving public service for the people of Ireland. We will provide a safe, dependable, and innovative service that will deliver world-class search and rescue across the country”.

CHOPPER: The Irish Coast Guard Photo by John Mangan

Photography Course in Scariff could earn Graduates €100,000 and could be a stepping stone to university

SCARIFF based photographer

James Treacy has launched a new Photography course in his native town of Scariff. He claims this course has the potential any student who finishes the course to earn more than €100,000 per annum. This is the third course he is running and is based in Moynoe, Scariff at 8 pm until 9.15pm over

is planning a career change

He intends to cover all the basics of photography and how to take good pictures with a Canon camera as well as editing photos using software such as Photoshop. He says he can help students build a portfolio of work in order for them to gain entry to third level colleges and this would give them an idea of what photography is about.

The Bride has arrived

He says he started out a number of years ago photographing pilgrimages in the Holy Land and Fatima before turning his attention to Holy Communions, Weddings and Graduations and later cattle mart photography in which he does a lot of work for the Irish Examiner and the Irish Independent.

tention guaranteed

The price of the course is €295 and is the only one of its kind in mid-west at the moment

He will show students that it is possible to take good photos with a basic DSLR Camera

He also intends giving work to some of his students in wedding or sports photography after the course but he doesn’t know at the moment how many he will hire

James will have a set of notes put together how to operate cameras and how to adjust the settings on the cameras and how to edit photographs in photoshop.

He can be contacted on 061921470 / 0860572216 or email jamestreacyphotography@gmail. com web www.jamestreacyphotography.ie

Hello Mr President

three weeks on the first Tuesday in October and he intends running a number of courses from October until April 2024.

He says this course is really geared for someone who has just finished their leaving certificate or

James has travelled all over the world with his camera and has been to every cattle mart in Ireland worth talking about from Tullamore to Bandon and from Dungarvan to Maam Cross and there are very few newspapers his work has not been published. His proposed classes will be small in number with personal at-

James is a Graduate of Law and Accounting from the University of Limerick and he also holds two Master of Laws from University College Dublin and Liverpool John Moore’s University. He is also a Graduate of GMIT from which he holds a Diploma in Property Management and is a past student of Limerick College of Further Education in Movie Production and Photography and he also holds qualifications in Creative Photography in Limerick Institute of Technology.

A tourism delegation from County Clare attended the world’s largest Irish cultural festival at the weekend to encourage the US market to travel directly into the West of Ireland via Shannon Airport. Pictured left to right at the Clare destination showcase located within the grounds of the Milwaukee Irish Fest; Tom Hannon (Killaloe Tourism), Cllr Tony O’Brien, Joan Tarmey (Tourism Officer, Clare County Council), Sean Lally (Chair of the Clare Tourism Advisory Forum), Cllr. Joe Cooney (Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council), Cllr. Paul Murphy, Melanie Lennon (Cliffs of Moher Experience), Leonard Cleary (Director of Tourism Development, Clare County

James Browne, Minister of State at the Department of Justice pictured (right) in Milwaukee with Leonard Cleary, Director of Tourism Development and West Clare MD; Cllr. Joe Cooney, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council; Colleen Kennedy, Executive Director, Milwaukee Irish Fest; and Joan Tarmey, Tourism Officer, Clare County Council

Killaloe Cllr. Tony O’Brien presents a painting of his native town to Mark Herter, Mayor of New London, Wisconsin. A twinning link between the two locations was first established in 2007

Cree native Marian Alexander, who has been living in Chicago for 18 years, pictured with Cathaoirleach Cllr. Joe Cooney

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Joe Cooney and Sheila Joyce who is from Scariff but is now living in Chicago

Tom and Carole Barnum of Milwaukee, who were the first people to sign the visitor book at the newly opened Cliffs of Moher visitor centre in 2007, pictured with Cllr. Tony O’Brien, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Joe Cooney, and Joan Tarmey and Leonard Cleary of Clare County Council

Pictured at Milwaukee City Hall l-r Leonard Cleary, Director of Tourism Development and West Clare MD; Kevin Byrne, Consul General in Chicago; by Cllr. Joe Cooney, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council; Milwaukee Alderman Michael J. Murphy; Joan Tarmey, Tourism Officer, Clare County Council; and Padraig Manning, Consulate of Ireland in Chicago

Gerry and Mary McGuire of Chicago pictured with Melanie Lennon of the Cliffs of Moher Experience at the Clare destination showcase in Milwaukee where the Banner County was promoted to more than 140,000 festival goers at the weekend. Mary and Gerry are originally from Kilrush and Clarefield (Moyarta) and have been living in Chicago for 45 years

Cllr. Joe Cooney, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, presenting a Visit Clare giftbag to City of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. Also pictured are Leonard Cleary (Director of Tourism Development) and Joan Tarmey (Tourism Officer) of Clare County Council

Thought for the week: Hope builds up

Spreading the word of positivity

RONAN SCULLY

THE best sermon you preach yourself this week may be only three words long: Hope in God!

That’s the message I want all of us to have in mind.

Every week I write my thoughts for the week as the psalmist says in Psalm 42, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.” Hope is one leg of a three-legged stool, together with faith and charity. These three stabilize our lives regardless of the rough or uneven surfaces we might encounter at the time. The scriptures are clear and certain about the importance of hope. St. Paul taught that the scriptures were written to the end that we “might have hope.” Hope has the power to fill our lives with happiness. Its absence when this desire of our heart is delayed can make “the heart sick.”

HOPE CHALLENGES US

When “life happens,” people are tempted to give up hope. It must feel like that today for the people of the Ukraine, Sudan, Ethiopia, Niger and so many other places in our world where conflict and war are happening and where I have spent many weeks over the last two years of war especially in Ethiopia and Ukraine where so many lives have been ripped apart by the cruel bombings and gunfire.

“Life happened” over the last year and months in

Ukraine and Ethiopia and the war and conflicts in these countries and other places around our world blew away a lifetime of work, life and memories. Homes, possessions, towns, cities, livestock, and livelihoods – all destroyed in weeks of evil carnage. I wonder what emotions they must be feeling. How would I feel? Would I still have hope?

Have you ever had the sense that the virtue of “hope” gets short-changed in our Christian experience? We focus on faith in Jesus. We focus on loving God and our neighbor. But do we really value and nurture “hope”? Hope is what sustains us as we persevere, remaining steadfast in times of trial and discouragement. For instance, when our lives are turned upside down by a war or climate change or another of life’s disruptions that are bound to come and, when they do, feel like a hurricane.

The virtue of hope challenges us and empowers us to be determined, resolute, intentional, purposive, and steadfast. Hope is not wishful thinking or passive waiting. It means intentional, purposeful living; and it is something we experience before the “bad stuff” happens. We live hopeful lives.

Thomas Merton was one of the more influential spiritual writers of the last century. He wrote a now-famous prayer that seems appropriate for those times when we experience the hurricanes of life and don’t know which way to turn.

“My Lord, God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am

following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does, in fact, please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do that you will lead me by the right road, although I may know nothing about it.

Therefore, will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me and will never leave me to face my perils alone.” Hope means to keep living amid desperation and to keep humming in the darkness. Hoping is knowing that there is love; it is trust in tomorrow; it is falling asleep and waking again when the sun

rises. In the midst of a gale at sea, it is to discover land. In the eyes of another, it is to see that you are understood... As long as there is still hope there will also be prayer... And you will be held in God’s hands.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

As your thought for the week, pray for hope for the people in your life and know that hope never abandons us. We abandon hope. Consult not your fears especially during these worrying times but consult your hopes and your dreams.

Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do. Hope is the basis

Trasna na dTonnta

Macalla an Chláir

LE MACDARA Ó CONAOLA

IS GEARr go mbeidh go leor de ghasúir na tíre ag duil ar ais chun na scoile, ach tá deireadh seachtaine amháin fágtha sula dtarlaíonn sé sin, mar sin cén fáth nach dtéann sibh go hInis Oírr, m’oileán dúchais fhéin, ar feadh oíche nó dhó?

Tá fhios againn ar fad go bhfuil an t-oileán gleoite i rith an lae, ach is tar éis don

bhád deireanach dhuil ar ais go dtí an taobh amuigh a thosaíonns an fíor-dhraíocht. Is féidir d’am a thógáil a’ guairdeall thart ar feadh an tráthnóna agus breathnú ar an ngrian ag duil faoi taobh thiar d’Inis Meáin. Á, nach deas a bheadh sé?! Agus níl an turas báid ach seacht nóiméad déag as Dúlainn! Níos giorra ná eagrán de ‘’Ros na Rún’’!

hope for a better life. I need hope for love, care, shelter and kindness. Some say that the sky is at its darkest just before the light. I pray that this is true, for all seems very dark in my life at times. I need your light, Lord, in every way. I pray to be filled with your light from head to toe. To bask in your glory. To know that all is right in the world, as you have planned, and as you want it to be. Help me Lord to walk in your light, and live my life in faith and support to those most in need.

of existence and we should never give up hope. Hope should be our true companion of all times. I want to encourage you to stay focused on the hope that is Jesus. Pray for endurance. Know the Lord has a plan. And finally, be a reflection of hope to the world.

Let them know where your hope, faith, and trust lies, sharing the light and hope of Jesus with them. A prayer of Hope I like to say to keep me going each day goes as follows - Dear Lord, I try so hard to be your humble servant, I come before you today in need of hope, courage and strength. There are times when I feel helpless and lost.

There are times when I feel weak and addicted. I pray for hope. I need hope for a better future. I need

Imeachtaí/Events:

Help me to shine my light to help others shine their light. Let us also pray for all who are recovering from illnesses of all types in hospital, nursing homes , hospices and in the family home and for families who are unable to visit loved ones especially those in ICU and High Dependency Care wards and for our nurses, doctors, carers and all on the frontline who serve us daily despite the extreme stress and anxiety they endure.

Dear Lord, Our Lady and St. Joseph, we ask you to hear our prayers during these worrying times and especially for all our people who are sick or unwell with any type of illness at home or in hospital. Comfort those who are vulnerable, anxious or fearful. Protect our healthcare workers and all our frontline workers who put their lives at risk. Inspire our leaders to make good decisions and may we all act responsibly and lok and pray for peace in our world.

“When my arms can’t reach people close to my heart, I hug them with my prayers”. There is always a window of hope. Look for it. Hold on to it. Open it and Breathe it this week and always. Amen

• INIS – CAINT AGUS COMHRÁ, chuile Dé Luain ag 11am sa gCopper Jug, Dé Céadaoin ag 11am in O’Brien’s, oíche Déardaoin sa Temple Gate (8pm), agus Dé Sathairn i nGlór, 11am-12pm. Déan teagmháil leo ag: caintaguscomhra@outlook.com

• RAIDIÓ CLARE FM - ‘’Cúl-chaint’’ le Domhnall Ó Loingsigh chuile mhaidin Dé Sathairn, 9am. Seol nuacht chuig: Donal@clare.fm

• INIS - Rith le Ruairí, chuile Dé Máirt ag 7.30pm, ag Local Motion, Sráid Uí Chonaill

• CILL INÍNE BAOITH - Ciorcal Comhrá san XPO, chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 7.30pm

Gluais/Glossary

Irish/Gaeilge English/Béarla

• Is gearr go mbeidh – it is soon that ...

• sula (dtarlaíonn sé sin) – before (that happens)

• m’oileán dúchais fhéin – my own native island

• ar feadh oíche nó dhó – for a night or two

• gleoite – beautiful/gorgeous

• an taobh amuigh – the mainland (the outside)

• an fíor-dhraíocht – the real magic

• a’ guairdeall thart – strolling around

• eagrán – episode/edition

l Hope and pray

Rural development officers empowering local community groups

by Elaine Tubridy elaine@clareecho.ie

HAS your local community group got a great idea for a community asset but doesn’t know where to begin? Maybe you want to develop a Men’s Shed, preserve your local heritage or look after local wildlife?

Clare County Council’s Community and Rural Development Officers (RCDOs) can help.

In 2018, four RCDOs were appointed to the four Municipal Districts to animate and build the capacity of the rural and urban communities of Clare. There is a RCDO in each Municipal District: Niamh Wiley in Ennis, Darren Carroll in Killaloe, Grainne McCormack in Shannon and Seamus Murrihy in West Clare.

Clare LCDC (Local Community Development Committy) has a long-term commitment in engaging with the people of Clare as it promotes collaboration and shared approaches to tackling the challenges confronting our rural and disadvantaged communities.

Brendan Boyce is an Administrative Officer in Clare County Council’s Rural and Community Development Department, as well as providing senior support to the statutory Community and Development Committee.

Brendan is keen to share the great work that the coun-

ty’s Community and Rural Development Officers (RCDOs) have helped local communities to achieve.

“An example of that would be empowering local communities or community groups in gaining access to community funding and developing public realm activities or assets within communities. So the Rural Development Officers help to harness that community spirit and bring a certain knowledge and nuance to what is really voluntary expertise. They bring that professional element to assist them in gaining funding and delivering on projects for communities,” he said.

In addition, the RCDOs have a clear understanding of complementary funding opportunities and support groups to avail of these funding streams such as: CLÁR 2023: Measure 1, The Community Centres Investment Fund 2023, Community Services Programme 2023 (CSP), Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2023 and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme 2023 (ORIS). The philosophy underpinning the community-centred work of the RCDOs is hands-on, holistic, bottom-up, supportive and practical. The RCDOs provide a transparent and on the ground, value for money supportive service.

This hands-on role is unique in Ireland, allow-

ing for continuous two-way grassroots sharing of information, insight, and ideas within the rural communities of the County. They also adopt informal but deeply important approaches such as face-to-face encounters, opinion gathering, and participation in local community events of various types.

The holistic, in-person, non-judgemental, professional, and reliable advocacy role that the RCDOs apply, allows the LCDC to address, through them, a multitude of issue based, sector based and locational based interests.

A good example of Relationship and Capacity Building is the development of the Ennis Men’s Shed. Through collaboration and support from the Clare County Council and the LCDC, has resulted in the developed a state-of-the-art Men’s Shed community facility in Ennis, Co. Clare. A facility which has allowed them to take a proactive approach in tackling mental health head on.

The Ennis Men’s Shed have become an invaluable resource for socially connecting men in the Ennis area. This initiative has shown real innovation by repurposing a landfill site into a vibrant and thriving community recreational facility to include a dedicated social and recreation area, a large state-ofthe-art workshop, along with a community garden and a woodland walkway. The facility is also a haven for wildlife and the promotion of biodiversity.

Community and Rural Development Officers also assist community groups to join together in achieving a common goal.

According to Brendan, the department has developed an initiative called Partnering Parishes, which helps groups to create a better use

of local resources.

“For example, if one group has a premises, but they need the funding to develop it, they have a better chance of getting funding if there are two or three groups using it and it’s being used every day, rather than having a fantastic premises and just one group using it one or two days a week and it’s left idle the rest of the time,” Brendan said. Brendan concluded by en-

couraging local community organisations to get in touch with their Community and Rural Development Officer if they need assistance in getting a project off the ground, or help applying for funding.

“Rural Development Officers are available to communities to assist them with a number of queries and to try and leverage funding and promote community spirit and good governance

throughout the county,” he added.

Should you wish to contact us or raise a query in relation to a matter in your Community or to arrange a meeting please email us RCDO@clarecoco.ie or call us on 065 6846296

Safefood is inviting organisations to apply for funding to deliver an online project, in their own local area, that meets the criteria of the CFI at Home Programme. The purpose of the CFI at Home Programme is to support families in their own homes to develop their cooking skills and healthy eating habits. Projects could include all or some of the following elements:

• Learning how to prepare & cook a recipe

• Attending an online cookery session

• Online support groups for sharing ideas and tips

• Online interactive talks delivered by a dietitian or registered nutritionist

Interested organisations can apply for funding up to a maximum of €2,000 to deliver a project in their local area. Visit www.healthycommunities.ie/applying-for-cfi-at-homefunding/ for more information and to apply.

GREEN CLARE

Shannon Chamber to host first Mid-West sustainability week

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SHANNON Chamber is to host its first sustainability week for the Mid-West region in September.

Its members led Mid-West Sustainability Network will deliver the week from September 18th to 22nd.

A mix of daily in-person and online events are planned with the first four days from Monday to Thursday dedicated to a specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) theme, waste, water, energy and biodiversity. A one-day conference (The S4 Conference) will the week to a close on Friday, 22 September.

Julie Sinnamon, Council Member, The Climate Change Advisory Council will give the keynote address at the S4 Conference. It will also feature presentations by senior management from Analog Devices, Fine Grain Property, and Ei Electronics and a panel discussion involving ESB, Tipperary Energy Agency, Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce, and Skillnet Ireland.

Chief Executive of Shannon Chamber, Helen Downes described the week and S4 conference as “a very innovative deliverable for us as a Chamber. The concept of hosting a week of this nature emanated

from the establishment of the MidWest Sustainability Network which was set up to support members in their sustainability journeys and in the attainment of their net zero goals. The buy-in to the concept from members has been tremendous so much so that we now have four working groups, each focused on one of the four SDG areas that will be covered during the week –Waste, Water, Energy and Biodiversity”.

In tandem with the organised events, member companies of Shannon Chamber have been encouraged to host in-company events across the week such as energy efficiency, EV cars, cycling or smarter travel to work options.

Helen explained, “A key element of this conference is to showcase the types of projects companies are undertaking to reduce their carbon footprint. A ‘Street Event’ included in the day will include displays from several companies focusing in on specific projects, their objectives, methodologies, and outcomes. We would encourage companies to engage with us if they wish to be part of this street event. An ‘Exhibitor Section’ will enable attendees to meet first-hand companies and organisations whose services can be

deployed to commence or enhance sustainability undertakings or to assess the types of skills needed to embed a sustainability ethos in enterprise”.

Jim Dollard, executive director, ESB Generation & Trading added, “Our purpose at ESB is founded in the consistent belief that electricity is an enabler of economic growth and social regeneration. Our ambitious Driven to Make A Difference Strategy to be Net Zero by 2040 demonstrates our commitment to building a resilient electricity system of the future, where carbon-free energy will displace carbon emissions in how we power our lives, businesses and the economy.

“Given that and our multi-bil-

lion-euro investment in the Green Atlantic programme converting our existing facilities in Moneypoint, Co. Clare into a renewable energy hub, we welcomed the opportunity to sponsor the Chamber’s inaugural Sustainability Week and Conference. This will see the sharing of best practice, knowledge and experience as the Chamber’s members ensure their businesses embrace sustainability practices not only because it the right thing to do but because it’s good for business,” he added.

Full details of Shannon Chamber’s Sustainability Week and Conference can be found at www.shannonchamber.ie/events-training/. Advance booking is essential.

The Mid-West Sustainability

Network was formed for CEOs and senior executives in Shannon Chamber member companies who are tasked with leading their organisations’ sustainability strategies. The inaugural Sustainability Week and Conference is a key initiative in the endeavour to position Shannon and the region as an exemplar contributor to sustainable development.

ESB are main sponsors with support from other member companies including Analog Devices, Eli Lilly, Ei Electronics, Climeaction, Element Six, Shannon Chamber Skillnet, GreenTech Skillnet, Heraeus Metal Processing Limited, Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Clare and Enva.

Applications open for hedge cutting grant

APPLICATIONS have opened for the 2023 Community Hedge Cutting Grant Scheme, writes Elaine Tubridy

Clare County Council is seeking to complement its hedge-cutting programme this autumn by facilitating landowners and community groups in maintaining hedgerows throughout the county.

The Community Hedge Cutting Grant Scheme, which was the first of its kind to be developed in Ireland when it was piloted in 2013, will see €15,000 being provided to deal with the local road network over the coming autumn and winter seasons.

Communities and groups can make applications before September 29th 2023. Each application will be assessed and a grant of €50 per km of hedgerow will be paid, subject to certain conditions and available resources.

Clare County Council says

the scheme will provide some financial assistance to communities and groups that undertake hedge-cutting and the cutting of overhanging trees, and will assist landowners in complying with their responsibilities under Section 70 of the Roads Act, 1993.

Liam O’Connor, Administrative Officer, Transportation, Clare County Council commented, “We are confident that this scheme, complemented by the Council’s ongoing hedge-cutting programme, will be of benefit in dealing effectively with this issue. Our objective is that by the start of the nesting season in March 2024, much of the worst affected local roads in the county will be significantly enhanced in their capacity to accommodate the traffic that uses them, while sustainably managing hedgerows for biodiversity and wildlife through best practice”.

He explained, “The Roads Act, 1993 stipulates that all

growth emanating from any part of the roadside boundary structure or from within the land protected by same is the responsibility of the landowner”.

O’Connor continued, “From a road safety point of view, it is important that this responsibility is acknowledged and embraced by roadside landowners and the Community Hedge Cutting Grant Scheme is intended to provide support in this context to offset some of the costs associated with hedge-cutting. The works will also take cognisance of the requirements of the Irish Wildlife Act 1976 (as amended) having a particular regard to hedgerow management and nesting birds”.

Application forms are available from the offices of Clare County Council, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, and online at: https://www.clarecoco.ie/services/roads-and-transport/schemes-and-projects/ hedge-cutting/.

lThe grant will assist landowners with their hedge cutting responsibilities

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR DEVELOPERS AND BUILDING CONTRACTORS FOR THE PROVISION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING – EXTENSION OF DEADLINE

Clare County Council is extending the deadline for the receipt of expressions of interest for the provision of turnkey housing developments by Housing Developers and Building Contractors for delivery of affordable housing in the following locations:

• Ennis

• Shannon

Further details of this scheme and a guide to making a submission are available on the Clare County Council’s website under www.clarecoco.ie or by emailing affordablehousing@clarecoco.ie

The revised latest date and time for receipt of submissions is 4.00pm on Friday 29 September 2023.

Please note that Clare County Council is not obliged to purchase any turnkey housing development submitted as part of this process.

Dated 22nd August 2023

Signed: Adrian Headd A/Senior Engineer, Housing Department.

County Clare Beach Operatives

Members of Clare County Council’s Beach and Street cleaning team in Kilrush, Joe Linnane, Paul Frawley, Conor Deloughrey, John Garvey and Ross Garvey. Kilkee is one of eight locations along the Clare coastline that hosts Beach Operatives

Kieran Burke, Traffic Warden (Kilkee & Kilrush), pictured in Kilkee

Beach Operative Tomás Crawford and his mother Susan litter picking on the Green Coast Award beach at Seafield, Quilty. Keeping the beach and public amenities clear of litter is a key duty for Clare County Council’s Beach Operatives

Eamon Gray on duty at Spanish Point Beach. Engaging with the public and management of litter bins and public toilet facilities are among Eamon’s day-to-day duties as a Clare County Council Beach Operative

Clare County Council Beach Operative Pat Hogan providing information on the North Clare area to visiting French tourists at Fanore Beach

Clare County Council Beach Operative Meabh O’Malley pictured on the slipway to the beach at Whitestrand Miltown Malbay

Clare County Council’s Niamh Barrett (Beach Operative) pictured with Martin O’Neill (Traffic Warden) and Darragh McNulty (Beach Operative) outside the public toilet facilities on the promenade in Lahinch

Clare County Council’s Sean Ryan (left) and Gerry Ryan (right) at Cappa, Kilrush, with Scattery Island in the Shannon Estuary pictured in the background

Photo by Eamon Ward

Clare County Council Beach Operative Raymond Twomey litter picking along the International Blue Flag beach at Fanore

Photo by Robert Ledwith

Nothing overlooked...except the sea

THE Bellbridge House Hotel, prides themselves in the ability to tailor and adjust their wedding packages to suit the individual needs of every wedding couple. Overlooking the ocean at Spanish Point the hotel offers an enviable location for those seeking to find the perfect wedding venue. As their saying goes “nothing is overlooked except the sea”.

Family owned and operated the team at the Bellbridge House Hotel are dedicated to extending a warm welcome and high standard of service to all their guests. Civil Ceremonies and Civil Partnerships can also be held; onsite at the Bellbridge House Hotel. Following the ceremony their elegant Crystal Suite can cater for up to 200 wedding guests, whilst their more intimate suites can host wedding parties for those wishing to have a smaller number of guests in attendance on the day.

To find out what they can do to make your wedding day a special and memorable occasion; why not contact the team today.

Simply ask for David McManus or John O’Sullivan and let them guide you through their wedding offerings and devote time to providing you with a wedding show-around at a time and date suited to you. Their next Wedding Showcase will take place on Saturday 30th September & Sunday 01st October, from 12 noon to 6pm. Why not log on www. bellbridgehotelclare.com and download their new wedding brochure.

www.bellbridgehotelclare.com

Telephone: 065 7084038

Groom to grow

YOUR Mrs to be is more than likely doing most of the wedding planning (and most of them prefer it that way), but there’s no harm in getting yourself prepared for the big day. We’ve got you, grooms. Check off every item on this list and you will be the best husband ever, in their eyes at least.

1 Buy her a gift

There are the classic gift options such as a nice piece of jewellery, her favourite perfume or lingerie. But we think you need to dig a little deeper here and put some major thought into this. Is there a place/ time of year/restaurant etc. that’s special to both of you? Incorporate it into the gift and she will be mighty impressed.

2 Flowers for the mothers

For the love of all that is holy, do not forget the mothers on your wedding day. Make sure you have a bouquet of flowers to present to your own mother and the mother in law to be. It’s a lovely gesture and to be fair, we would be lost without them.

3 The suit

This is one area where you have (almost) complete control, so make the most of it. Take a trip to Ennis and check out Manix, Club Dangan and Patrick Bourke’s, who will have you kitted out in no time. Two months before the wedding should be plenty of time to get the suit sorted, but the sooner you check it off the list the better.

4 Grooming for the groom

Fellas generally have it easy when it comes to looking good, as they don’t have to put a huge amount of effort into their appearance. Your wedding day is one occasion where you want to look (and feel) your best, so it won’t hurt to put in a little prep work. Start taking care of your skin regularly before the wedding,

step away from the burgers and hit the gym. You will thank us. Also, make sure to get a haircut a couple of days before the big day.

5 Look after your groomsmen

It may seem obvious, but it’s your job to make sure your best man and

groomsmen are sorted for the wedding. Help your best man with his speech, give them a game plan for their various responsibilities (making sure the band is paid etc) and show your appreciation with a gift. Have their back and they will have yours on the wedding day and beyond.

Tips for planning your dream day

Engaged but overwhelmed with all that is involved? Don’t be, Clare wedding planner Kate Deegan is on hand to give her expert opinion

can only be done last thing and it makes no sense to see a bride setting the room with her bridesmaids the night before when she should be enjoying their company and relaxing before the big day. Include everything into the budget so there are no big surprises – even stamps for invites!

3Take It One Step at a Time

Put together a wedding planning schedule and do things one by one, in a logical order, so you don’t take on too much too fast and end up with everything snowballing. Do not hire any suppliers before you’ve confirmed your date, don’t put the deposit down on the venue until you see that you celebrant and venue are available – once you get your dress, a lot of the design can flow from this from invites to cakes, flower and decor.

4

How many guests to invite This is a huge factor to the type of venue you have because if you want a Manor/ country house then a lot of these venues do not cater for large weddings. How are you going to decide on your plus ones? If letting everyone have a plus one then your guest list in soaring so think about this wisely.

5

Ceremony – again lots of options on this now because there are so many possibilities open to you from Church, civil, humanist, spiritual, non religious, semi religious, pagan blessing.

6

Style of wedding – Hotel weddings remain popular and many hotels now offer various add-ons as they know that couples are looking for a unique wedding. But lots are opting for converting areas such as barns, bespoke country houses, or pubs that have a restaurant and then a night club area for dancing later.

1

2Budget – the dreaded word but it is real and you have to work at this because you do not want to be going in over your head. Work out what are the important parts

to you and then cost out what you can spend on each. If things are tight, ways to work around it is to postpone the wedding so you can save more – or have a shorter engagement and see what suppliers are available that would give you a better rate as with the short lead in time they will not fill their date. I often hear advice like ‘get a friend to do the photos’ or ‘do the flowers/ cake/decor yourself’ and this advice is not good. Photos are for life and there is a huge difference between a professional photographer and a friend doing a snaps. Flowers, cake and décor

Keep your cards close to your chest This is always something I tell brides whether I am coordinating or styling the wedding. The only time I see a bride upset on the run-up to the wedding is when ‘aunty Mary said I shouldn’t be going with those flowers or that I should have my hair up not down’ or she thinks ‘we should pick a different band to suit everyone’. It has nothing to do with Aunty Mary and she doesn’t mean any harm but once you start talking about the different elements of your wedding to everyone, they will all give their opinion and put doubt on your own decisions.

Saying hail to the veil

SO YOU’VE said yes to the dress and shared a glass of bubbly with your gal pals, but don’t hang up the shopping bag just yet. If the wedding gown is the main event, then the veil is the support act. Do not underestimate the power of a veil when it comes to completing your bridal look. There are so many options out there, from a tiny bird’s nest to a stunning cathedral veil. But which one should you choose?

Budget

It can be very tempting to blow all of your budget on your dream wedding dress, but make sure you hold enough back for the head piece. Depending on the veil you choose, it can end up costing more than the dress. It will be worth it though, we promise.

Hairstyle

The type of veil you choose will vary wildly depending on the hairstyle you see yourself rocking on your wedding day. A classic updo might result in you wearing your veil pinned at the nape of your neck, while long flowing curls may require you to place the veil higher up.

Shop around

Don’t be afraid to try different types of veils, even if you have your heart set on one particular

style. You might surprise yourself by choosing something completely different than what you had intended.

Seek advice

If you are not sure where to start, the best thing to do is discuss it with your bridal shop consultant. They deal with these decisions day in, day out and they will be more than happy to help you find the right style.

Consider your dress

The type of dress you choose will have a huge influence on the style of veil you go for. A simple silhouette could look stunning with an embellished cathedral length veil, but a shorter vintage tea dress might look better with a stylish birdcage.

Get me to the church on time...

IHAVE always been a stickler about timing at weddings and the last few years have brought time restrictions even more to the forefront of people’s minds.

Why is this so important? Because if you are behind on time, a big part of your day (that you are paying a huge amount of money for) is over and you did not get the full benefit.

I work on a timetable, starting from the day before with the rehearsal

run through and any jobs that need to be done –envelopes and payment should all be taken care of in the lead-in days. I have seen couples on the day of their wedding counting out money for envelopes for suppliers…why? This is eating into your day and the time you should be enjoying.

Hair and make up – start early and enjoy the whole morning. A relaxed morning will follow through the day and this comes across to your

guests and in your photos.

Aim to be at the church just a few minutes early – yes it is tradition for the bride to be late but remember, it will take time to get into the car, get photos, time to get there and then getting out of the car, bridal party photos outside of the church, and lining up to walk down the aisle –it is a very exciting but nervy part of the day so to keep a calm party, leave on time.

Greeting guests after

the Mass – make sure you stay on schedule as you want to get back for the drinks reception and to not be searching out family member for photos. Again this should all be built into the timetable so the family know when they are needed for photos. I often find family hanging around in the morning when they are not needed and then when it comes to the photos they are off checking into the room or feeding a child.

After the meal –speeches are wonderful but a lot of times people go on and go with waffle and again it eats into the night. Best men especially should know that short and sincere is the best type of speech and not trying to entertain everyone with stories only a few can relate to. Long drawn out speeches eat into the dancing time.

Speaking of dancing time – where possible see if the band can set up before the meal - it saves a huge chunk of time. Yes you still need the break after the meal where guests have a breather and freshen up but when this can go on for 40-60 mins it is too long. I’ve often seen bands only being able to play for 60-90 min-

utes and it can be easily prevented if you are organised.

I often have suppliers or members of the family and bridal party ask why I am not at every wedding to keep the day seamlessly ticking away. They tell me different situations of how stressed they were and wished they had been more organised and relaxed to enjoy it.

This is not a sales pitch for me and my services but it is definitely something for every couple to think about people like me and what we do. It is one (very special) day and you are putting a huge amount into ityou certainly want the very most from it. If you are building a house you would get someone to help you with this who knows what they are doing and this is the same thing. And if you don’t want to invest in a wedding planner then you should definitely put thought into the timing and planning of the day before it arrives and have an organised family member help with the flow of the day. The bride should not be concerned about time but in the same regard it should be flowing along nicely for them as you can’t make back that time.

Cleary departure part of major transition phase for Colm Collins' successor as Clare boss

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

COLM COLLINS’ successor as Clare senior football manager is going to oversee a period of transition with the exits mounting from the county panel.

Captain Eoin Cleary has confirmed he will be taking a year out from inter-county action.

The St Joseph’s Miltown clubman who has been sidelined with osteitis pubis for the past thirteen weeks, is set to tie the knot in December to his longterm partner, Colette Keniry, herself a footballer with West Clare Gaels.

Cleary has confirmed to his teammates in the past week that he will be bowing out from the county squad for the 2024 season but he has not shut the door on a future return, something

which comes as a sigh of relief to Clare supporters.

Both Eoin and Colette are to spend next summer travelling.

In an interview with The Mail on Sunday, Cleary admitted that the departure of Colm Collins cemented his decision to take a year out.

“As you get older you get to see the bigger picture of life and while football is very important there are also different aspects of life that you want to explore. You are not young forever and it is just something that I want to do a bit of travelling when I can, see the likes of America and maybe Australia where I have not seen before and see how that goes,” the Roxboro based Garda said.

Since making his inter-county debut for the Clare seniors in 2014, Collins’ first year as man-

ager, Eoin has played 85 games between league and championship, racking up a personal tally of 4-334.

Kilfenora’s Cian O’Dea who exited the panel earlier this year will not be involved in 2024. The wing-back has taken up a three-year coaching post with New York GAA.

Pearse Lillis who made his championship debut in 2016, the same campaign as O’Dea will also be absent for next season. The Cooraclare man is currently travelling in the United States.

Another leading light in Clare’s attack, Keelan Sexton is also expected to be in the United States by the time preparations begin for Collins’ successor while a travelling stint is also on the cards for Jamie Malone.

It deprives the next Clare manager of five guaranteed starters from the first fifteen but will underline the importance of utilising a first year back in Division 3 of the Allianz National Football League for beginning this period of transition.

Reports are also circulating that wing-back Ciaran Russell and midfielder Cathal O’Connor are considering their inter-county futures, for now the duo are focusing on their respective club campaigns with Éire Óg and Coolmeen.

A four-person committee comprised of Clare GAA Head of Operations, Deirdre Murphy, Chairman Kieran Keating plus former county forwards Ger Keane and David Tubridy is in place to find the next Clare senior football manager.

WOLFE TONES, NAOMH EOIN & KILRUSH SHAMROCKS THROUGH TO CLARE IFC KNOCKOUT STAGES

FERGUS ROVERS, BANNER & KILMIHIL KICK OFF LADIES FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH A WIN

Eoin Cleary in action for Clare

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

SCAN FOR ROUND-UP

l Eimear Considine is fouled in possession for Kilmihil

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

SCAN FOR ROUND-UP

l Darragh Bohannon is fouled by Joe McGauley as Daithi Lohan closes in

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Éire Óg march past Miltown

TUS CLARE SFC GROUP 2 ROUND 2:

Éire Óg 1-13 St Joseph’s Miltown 0-08

Venue: Cooraclare

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

STORY OF THE GAME

ÉIRE ÓG

Frees for: 11 (5/6)

Wides: 7 (5/2)

Scores from play: 1-12

Spread of scorers: 6

Top scorer: Philip Talty (0-06)

Bookings: Ikem Ugwueru (54)

Own kickouts won: 14 from 16 (88%)

REFEREE: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)

ST JOSEPH’S MILTOWN

Frees for: 17 (10/7)

Wides: 8 (2/6)

Scores from play: 0-07

Spread of scorers: 7

Top scorer: Cormac Murray (0-02)

Bookings: None

Own kickouts won: 18 from 21 (86%)

MANAGER COMMENT “

Paul Madden, Éire Óg manager:

“Coming back to Cooraclare a win is all we wanted, beyond that you want to get improved performance on day one, a lot of what we did today was better than day one, we had a lot of execution issues in the second half with mistakes but the ideas were right, we’ll work on it over the next two weeks”.

“We’ve two injuries picked up today, Mark’s (McInerney) is a

niggly one that maybe in hindsight we shouldn’t have put him in today but he felt good during the week, we’ll have to monitor that one but Éinne O’Connor’s looks a bit more serious”.

“We don’t take any game for granted, we’ve Clarecastle in the hurling next Saturday evening in Cusack Park, a big game for the club".

“We’re disappointed, we just didn’t show up, we were very poor and we didn’t lay a hand on them, we allowed them to dictate the pace of the game and we gave them six points from turnovers, when that happens it is very hard to catch them”.

“We didn’t put enough tackles in, we didn’t hit them hard enough, if you give them

'Tough battle' for Doonbeg & Clondegad

TUS CLARE SFC GROUP 2 ROUND 2:

Doonbeg 1-12 Clondegad 2-09

Venue: Cooraclare

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

STORY OF THE GAME

DOONBEG

Frees for: 28 (11/17)

Wides: 4 (3/1)

Scores from play: 1-07

Spread of scorers: 6

Top scorer: David Tubridy (0-06 5f)

Bookings: Eoin Killeen (4), Mikey Tubridy (31), Gavin O’Shea (33), Kevin Pender (45), Own kickouts won: 15 from 20 (75)

a headstart like that it is very hard to catch them, they are very good at keeping ball”.

“We had a few young lads that got game time and that started, it was a good experience for them but we just have to knuckle down now and it is all down to the last game, if we win that we’re through”.

Kilmurry Ibrickane lead the chasing pack

TUS CLARE SFC GROUP 1 ROUND 3:

Kilmurry Ibrickane 3-11 Corofin 0-07

Venue: Lissycasey

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

STORY OF THE GAME

KILMURRY IBRICKANE

Frees for: 16 (4/12)

Wides: 7 (4/3)

Scores from play: 2-05

Spread of scorers: 6

Top scorer: Dermot Couglan (0-07 4f)

Bookings: Michael Comber (56), Dermot Coughlan (61 & 62), Black Card: Daragh Sexton

(44)

Red Card: Dermot Coughlan

(62)

Own kickouts won: 11 from 14 (79%)

COROFIN Frees for: 16 (9/7)

Wides: 7 (3/4)

Scores from play: 0-06

Spread of scorers: 4

Top scorer: Sean O’Brien (0-03)

Bookings: None

Own kickouts won: 10 from 21 (48%)

REFEREE: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones)

MANAGER COMMENT “

James Murrihy, Kilmurry Ibrickane manager:

“I’m delighted, that’s what we set out to do but for us it is game by game and seeking improvement, nobody knew what level they were at before the first round but we’ve started improving”.

“You’ve to put things into perspective, Corofin lost Jamie Malone and he is one of the top three or four footballers in Clare to a hamstring injury, not to throw water on them but Diarmuid Cahill is also missing and he is a serious forward, that stunted their attacking threat and they only had Robin Mounsey back in the door after Ruan playing Corofin so they will relish the challenge of having a go off St Breckan’s in two

weeks time. We can only beat what is in front of us but we have to put it into perspective”. you’re taking on the county champions in two weeks' time, that’s a serious prospect.

"We’re in a good position but we certainly won’t be getting carried away”

“It’s my second year in the job, people will recognise a few of the lads from the Spanish Point team that won the All-Ireland, there is a good few of them there and other lads that are a good bit older, as a Kilmurry man part of the work I have to do is transition those into adult senior footballers, for some of them it is Cusack Cup football and for more of them

it’s senior championship football. After the first two rounds, Michael Comber, Jason Cushen made their debuts on top of Diarmuid Comber and Cathal Talty, Josh Moloney is only in the door so it is really good and part of that transition”.

“There’s not much to say after that particularly after such a poor second half but for the first fifteen minutes against a strong breeze we were in it and even had a goal chance when we were a point down that would have put us up but then when they got their goal we seemed to fall apart, eight

points down at half-time we were facing an uphill battle, we lost our shape completely in the second half”.

“If we had got the goal at the other side it would maybe have been different but in the second half I think it showed the gulf in class that was between us today, we lost our shape completely so we’ll just have to look at it and see what went wrong”.

“As I said the last day to you we weren’t going to get any stronger, they were missing a lot of guys today so it’s not an excuse from us. With twenty minutes gone in that game, we were still in it but we just fell to pieces”.

CLONDEGAD

Frees for: 21 (8/13)

Wides: 9 (2/7)

Scores from play: 2-06

Spread of scorers: 7

Top scorer: Fiachra Kirby (1-01)

Bookings: Evan Flynn (35), Cillian Gavin (33), James Murphy (60), Own kickouts won: 14 from 17 (82%)

MANAGER COMMENT “

John Keane, Doonbeg manager:

“It was a tough battle, we knew it was going to be a tough battle and we spoke about it during the week, we spoke about the importance of bringing the battle to Clondegad and we felt we didn’t do it enough in the first half. I think half time came at the right time for us, we regrouped and spoke about a few things, we really went after the game in the second half, it was a savage battle, we’re delighted to get the point out of it, we would have loved to get the two points out of it but we’re happy enough to get a point”.

“The two goals were key, definitely the second one. Goals are huge scores in games like that were the game is a real battle, a goal is a huge score, we made a lot of mistakes in the first half that we weren’t happy with but we didn’t go after the game enough either, thankfully in the second half we did”.

“We felt that if we were to beat Clondegad that we had to score goals, the goal was a huge score but we could have tagged on some more scores after it, when the game is that tight it is swings and roundabouts, to be fair to Clondegad they missed a lot too and we have to acknowledge that they missed a good few frees so all in all a draw is a fair result”.

“Sport is about a challenge and it is about the next challenge, what better challenge than the county champions, we’re going up against the best in the county now and that is what we’re facing, I’ve no doubt that we will be ready for it. Éire Óg are a fine team and are going for three in a row, they have serious quality right throughout the team, it will be a huge challenge but that is what is in front of us and we have to face it”.

“It was always going to be a battle, Doonbeg are a typical championship team, they are hard, abrasive and make it difficult for anyone they are playing against, we knew that from the first day that we had to pick ourselves up and in fairness we got a performance, we maybe didn’t show it on the scoreboard but we fought back tough and hard to get a draw which keeps us in it”.

“We worked our gameplan really well in the first half, in this conditions playing against the breeze can be easier than trying to make use of it, it can be really tricky to get the maximum from it, we found that a number of balls which wouldn’t normally go wide from delivery did. We’re happy enough but we have to brush up on a few bits and pieces and be ready for the next day but it is still in our hands which is the big thing”.

“It was very daunting the first day to have to go and face the two time champions, it was a big ask but we didn’t play the way we wanted to play and we have to take it on the chin and move on, the lads did and today we came ready for battle”.

l Darragh McDonagh has no way past Darren O’Neill or Ciaran Russell Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Martin Guerin, St Joseph’s Miltown manager:

l Daniel Walsh’s volley flies over the head of Luke Neylon

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Douglas Hurley, Corofin joint manager:

Dermot Gavin, Clondegad manager

Lissycasey lower Ennistymon

Breckan’s 'had to respond'

TUS CLARE SFC GROUP 1 ROUND 2

St Breckan’s 1-15 St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 0-8

Venue: Páirc Finne, Corofin

Compiled by Eoin Brennan

STORY OF THE GAME

ST BRECKAN’S

Frees For: 15 (7/8)

Wides: 5 (3/2)

Scores from Play: 1-10

Spread of Scorers: 5

Top Scorer: Jamie Stack

(0-6 3f)

Own Kick-Outs won: 15 from 18 (83%)

TUS CLARE SFC GROUP 3 ROUND 2:

Lissycasey 0-13 Ennistymon 0-07

Venue: Cusack Park Compiled by Seamus Hayes

STORY OF THE GAME

LISSYCASEY Frees for: 19 (10/9)

Wides: 5 (3/2)

Scores from play: 0-05

Spread of scorers: 5

Top scorer: Conor Finucane

(0-05 4f)

Red Card: Niall McCarthy

(51)

Own kickouts won: 10 from 11 (91%)

ENNISTYMON Frees for: 15 (9/6)

Wides: 4 (2/2)

Scores from play: 0-05

Spread of scorers: 3

Top scorer: Sean Rynne

(0-04)

Bookings: Liam Cotter (49)

Own kickouts won: 14 from 18 (78%)

REFEREE: Barry Kelly (St Joseph’s Miltown)

MANAGER COMMENT “

Aiden Moloney, Lissycasey manager:

“It was a win we needed, we felt we left the last game a little bit behind us, we worked on a good few things since and we could see them out there today. The workrate was doubled if

not tripled from our first game, we were disappointed with our workrate against Cratloe but I have no complaints with today”. “It wasn’t pretty at times but I actually thought there was

some good football played, our lads held the ball well and supported each other well, we carried the ball into the wind a little bit in the second half and got our rewards, our goalkeeper came up to hit three great frees and it kept our scoreboard ticking over, that is all we wanted and once we didn’t concede a goal I think we were there or thereabouts all the way”.

“I think early on they started dictating the terms of engagement, they got a grip early, they dealt with the conditions better, they got that bit of a lead and never relinquished it, they were well worth their win”.

“We have to bounce back, sport doesn’t be long changing, we had the couple of wins lately with the

Cusack Cup final and the first round of the championship but we’re back to the drawing board now, we were comprehensively beaten, we tried our best but we just weren’t good enough on the night. They dealt with the conditions better, they got a lot right and they were well worth their win”.

“I still think we went to the end but in general I think the mistakes and the fact that we weren’t dealing with the conditions, when you continue to make mistake after mistake I think that was more the story than lacking in resilience, we made too many mistakes and couldn’t get to within two or three points in the second half, it was all about Lissycasey they were really good”.

ST JOSEPH’S DOORA/ BAREFIELD

Frees For: 10 (7/3)

Wides: 10 (4/6)

Scores from Play: 0-5

Spread of Scorers: 4

Top Scorer: Tom Curran (0-3 2f)

Own Puck-Outs won: 14 from 20 (70%)

REFEREE: Barry Keating (Lissycasey)

MANAGER COMMENT “

Declan O’Keeffe, St Breckan’s manager:

“We’re delighted with that, it was much more positive today. We were obviously very disappoint-ed after the last game [against Kilmurry Ibrickane] so you’re always looking for a reaction after a loss and I think we got it tonight from the lads in spades.

“We just upped the work-rate all over the field and we simply had to respond as another defeat and we were almost gone out of the championship. That said, tonight’s victory is great but we still have to go out the next day against Corofin and try to get another win.

“We respect Corofin as we know the potential they have. I mean they reached last year’s semi-finals by kicking 19 points against a very decent Lissycasey side that we saw on Friday disman-tling Ennistymon. So there’s very little between most teams and that’s what made this win ex-tremely pleasing as I genuinely didn’t expect such a gap to be between the sides."

Donagh Vaughan, St Joseph’s Doora/ Barefield manager:

“It’s obviously disappointing as we just didn’t perform today, that’s the bottom line. As a group, we’re better than that but we just didn’t bring it today, it’s as simple as that. It was a very flat performance so we’ll had to figure out what went wrong fairly quickly as we’ve another big game coming up in two weeks time.

“We have to up it now as we’ve Kilmurry Ibrickane next and we need a reaction from this.

“Look, they’re a great group of players and I have great faith in them but we just need to learn the trade of senior football and they will but by bit."

Kildysart record first senior win in two decades

TUS CLARE SFC GROUP 3 ROUND 2

Kildysart 2-14 Cratloe 1-14

Venue: Cusack Park

Compiled by Seamus Hayes

STORY OF THE GAME

KILDYSART

Frees For: 12(8/4)

Wides: 3 (2/1)

Scores from play: 1-11

Spread of scorers: 7

Top scorer: Rory McMahon (1-03 1’Pen)

Bookings: Rory McMahon; Mikey Donnellan

Own kickouts won: 15 out of 20

(75%)

MANAGER COMMENT “

David Butler, Kildysart manager:

Colm Collins Cratloe manager:

CRATLOE

Frees For: 22 (10/12)

Wides: 5 (2/3)

Scores from play: 1-4

Spread of scorers: 6

Top scorer: Sean Collins (0-05 4f), Cathal McInerney (0-05 4f)

Bookings: David Collins, Tommy Rooney

Own kickouts won: 15 out of 19 (79%)

REFEREE: Niall Quinn (St Joseph’s Miltown)

“We knew after the result yesterday evening that it had thrown things wide open in the group. We felt after the last night that the scoreline didn’t do the lads justice even if we did deserve to lose. The lads have put in two weeks of savage training. It’s a knock out championship now. There isn’t a toss of a coin between any of the teams in Clare. I know they were missing Podge (Collins) today but you see the calibre of player they have. This is a big win for the club, a first since we got back to senior but it’s no more than that, no more that the last day. One loss didn’t define the season and one win doesn’t define the season either. It’s been thrown at us plenty of times when opponents got a run on us that we folded but by God did the lads answer tonight, a loss tonight and it was out of our hands, we just had to give it everything. It’s a huge win for Kildysart and that’s it. Its finished now. We have a nice local derby coming up in two weeks time. It’s great, there will be great excitement in both parishes and that’s what you want, two teams going at it.

“We were a bit lackadaisical in our play at the start of the game and it cost us dearly. It’s still in our own hands, everybody is in the same boat, thankfully we pulled back a bit of the score difference. It’s a game to look forward to and hopefully we can get some of the injuries cleared up. Credit to Kildysart, they answered our good start to the second half really well. Another team would have been doubting themselves at that point but they didn’t. They came back and got some great scores. Some of the points they kicked were top drawer. I don’t know how many wides they had but that was a fine display by them”. today and we’ll drive it on”.

l Conor Finucane under pressure against Ennistymon

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Mark Shanahan, Ennistymon manager:

Injuries keep Ryan Taylor & Tony Kelly sidelined Permutations explained ahead of Clare SHC final round

by Páraic McMahon

TWO OF CLARE’S top hurlers are facing lengthy spells on the sideline.

Injury ended Ryan Taylor’s involvement in the three-point All-Ireland SHC semi-final defeat to Kilkenny with thirty three minutes on the clock in July.

Subsequent scans have confirmed that the pacy Clooney/Quin midfielder has sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

It rules him out of the Allianz National Hurling League and the entirety of the Munster senior hurling championship next year. All going well with his recovery and should Clare as hoped return to the All-Ireland series, the NUIG graduate will be back in contention for a place in the team.

Clare captain Tony Kelly also joins Taylor on the injured list. The four-time All Star is understood to have fractured a bone in his ankle which will rule him out of the remainder of the club season, serving as a major blow to Ballyea in their bid to win three consecutive titles for the first time in their history.

Kelly underwent surgery in October 2021 on his ankle which involved reconstruction on the outside and inside, the latest injury is reported to be the

ankle that was not operated on.

A teacher at St Flannan’s College, Tony has been wearing a protective boot and crutches since the diagnosis was confirmed. He had been due to line out in the hurling for cancer research 2023 charity game in aid of the Irish Cancer Society which took place this week.

His absence will be a major loss to Ballyea who face Scariff in Dr Daly Park, Tulla in a must-win encounter in the TUS Clare SHC this Sunday.

An exact timeframe on when it is hoped that Kelly can return to action is unknown.

Another leading light of Clare’s attack, Shane O’Donnell is reported to be considering his inter-county future. The Éire Óg man who once again was one of the top players for Brian Lohan’s side as they reached successive Munster finals and All-Ireland semi-finals did not feature in this season’s National Hurling League before making a scintillating return for the championship.

O’Donnell is currently concentrating on his club action with Éire Óg and no decision on his Clare future will be made until their involvement in the race for the Canon Hamilton concludes.

Action kicks of in league cup

AVENUE UTD and Lifford FC began their respective League Cup endeavours with comprehensive victories writes Páraic McMahon.

Dylan Casey scored twice while his successor as Avenue Utd captain Ronan Kerin also hit the target along with Tomas Hehir, Elias Kunz and Mark Roche as they recorded a 6-0 win over Kilrush Rangers.

It marked Steven McGann’s first competitive game for the club since joining from Pike Rovers. Holland native, Patrick Ernest has also joined David Russell’s management as coach, he had been involved with underage sides with the Roslevan based club in recent seasons.

Avenue Utd: Luke Woodrow, Jamie Roche, Conor Hehir, Dylan Barry,

Dylan Casey, Nnabuike Nneji, Mark Roche, Steven McGann, Elias Kunz, Ronan Kerin, Tomas Hehir

Subs: Michael Dinan for Barry, Vincent Onouha for Tomas Hehir, Stephen Jordan for Roche, Gary Roche for Kunz, Simon Cuddy for Conor Hehir

Kilrush Rangers: Michael Quirke, Tomasz Zajas, Sean Madigan, Ktrill Antonov, Patryk Potemiski, Richie Gajdecki, Patrick Clair, Norbert Knucki, Karl Murphy, Luke Talty, Filip Rzymek. Sub: Aaron Meaney. Lifford FC had a 5-3 win over Coole FC to begin their campaign with a win. George Quinn, Clinton Bempah, Fiachra Roche, Josh Ryan and Finn Woods were the goalscorers for last season’s Hugh Kelly Cup winners.

by Seamus Hayes

CALCULATORS will be at the ready with club officials and patrons at this weekend’s TUS Clare senior hurling championship games as score difference may be required to determine the final positions of teams in Groups 2 and 4.

While there is another round to go in Group 1 which has five teams, there will also be huge interest in the games here.

In Group 3, Newmarket-on-Fergus will be top irrespective of the outcome of their game with neighbours Wolfe Tones and the Blues will be joined in the quarter finals by the winners of the Clooney/Quin v Cratloe tie. Should this game finish in a draw, Clooney/Quin will progress as they have a better score difference.

Irrespective of the outcome of their match with Newmarket-on-Fergus, the Shannon men will be in the relegation play off.

Clooney/Quin’s hopes of progress have been greatly boosted by the availability of Peter Duggan who was successful earlier this week in having the red card he received in their last outing against Newmarket overturned.

Cratloe may be without key man Podge Collins who missed his side’s football game last week due to a hamstring injury.

In Group 2 there could be a three-way tie at the top or at the bottom depending on the result of games. Sixmilebridge play O’Callaghans Mills and the latter must win this if they are to have a chance of remaining in the title race.

Should the Mills manage to win they will need Clonlara to beat Crusheen and this scenario would leave the Bridge, the Mills and Crusheen all on two points. Scoring difference would then be required and at present the Mills are well off the pace here on minus 10 with Crusheen on minus 5

and Sixmilebridge on minus 1.

The other scenario here is for Crusheen to beat Clonlara and Sixmilebridge to beat the Mills and this would mean that Crusheen, the Bridge and Clonlara would all have four points leading to scoring difference to calculate who would go through. Currently Clonlara are best positioned with a difference of plus 6.

In Group 4, Feakle lead the way with four points and they face fellow East Clare side Broadford who need to win to keep their hopes of progress alive. In the other game in this group Éire Óg face pointless Clarecastle who have an outside chance of getting through and of avoiding the relegation play off. A win for the Magpies together with a win for Broadford over Feakle would put the Townies into the relegation battle.

Wins for Broadford and Éire Óg will leave three teams, Broadford, Éire Óg and Feakle level on four points each leading to score difference being required. Currently Feakle lead the way with plus 9 from Éire Óg with plus 1 and Broadford on minus 6.

Victory for Clarecastle over Éire Óg and for Feakle over Broadford will leave Broadford, Clarecastle and Éire Óg on 2 points each. The magpies would have to win by a big margin to remain in contention for a quarter final place as they are currently on minus 14.

Group 1 still has two rounds to play but this weekend’s games will have a big part to play in deciding who will go through. Pointless Inagh/ Kilnamona must beat their neighbours Kilmaley to keep their slim hopes of progress alive while champions Ballyea who will be playing their final game in the group, as they have the bye in the final round, will be in a stronger position to progress if they account for unbeaten Scariff.

paraic@clareecho.ie

l Tony Kelly and Ryan Taylor chase Will O'Donoghue Photo by Gerard O'Neill

l Peter Duggan has been cleared of suspension and will line out this weekend

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Mulcahy appointed as Clare GAA's first performance lead

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ROB MULCAHY has been announced as the first ever performance lead for Clare GAA.

Kerry native Mulcahy had been head of athlete development and a sport scientist with Clare GAA since May 2019 but will take on a new role in what is a promotion within the Association.

For five seasons, Rob was the strength and conditioning coach to the Clare senior footballers during Colm Collins’ tenure. Speaking previously to The Clare Echo said of Rob’s influence, “Rob Mulcahy is an exceptional guy and he deserves great credit. The platform for victory is their physical fitness. Rob Mulcahy is our strength and conditioning coach and we’re never afraid they are going to run out of gas”.

He has also worked with county development teams from U14 to U20 and this season was part of the U20

hurling management team headed up by Terence Fahy. He had previously been involved with St Breckan’s when the North Clare football club were managed by Donie Garrihy.

Under Rob’s watch, Clare GAA have introduced bio-banding with the development squads over the past twenty three months. It is defined as grouping players based off physical maturation as opposed to chronological age. Growth and maturation data on players has been collated to determine who the early, on-time, and late developers in their panels are so they could design coaching programmes that were developmentally appropriate for them.

Players were bio-banded using the Khamis-Roche method which calculates what the player’s fully grown height is likely to be, based on their height, weight, date of birth and the heights of their parents.

On top of his current workload, Rob is undertaking a PhD at the University of Limerick on Talent Identification, Detection, and

Player transition and one of the papers he is writing has looked at how hurlers who represented Clare in the Tony Forristal (U-14) tournament from 1984 to 2016 fared.

During his youth, Rob represented Ireland in competitive underage swimming. He is the holder of an intermediate national cup basketball medal with St Brendan’s and was part of the Garvey’s Tralee Warriors squad during their first season in the Super League. He played underage gaelic football with John Mitchels in Tralee.

After graduating with a BA (Hons) in Education from UL, he moved to London and began teaching while also working with athletes from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Paralympic rowing and Basketball. He returned to Ireland in 2015 and completed his MSc in Strength and Conditioning through St Mary’s University, London.

This promotion is the latest burst of good news for Rob who tied the knot with his long-time partner Meagan Dunne in the middle of July.

Camogie championship ties called off

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ALL FOUR games in the Clare Credit Unions senior camogie championship due to take place on Friday evening were called off.

Officials in Clare Camogie were not quick in making the call to postpone games with players, managements and their supporters having arrived at the respective venues.

This is despite the fact that a Status Yellow rain warning was in place for Clare, Kerry, Limerick and Galway with heavy rain and thundery downpours forecast.

Second round ties were scheduled to take place in Fr McNamara Park (Kilmaley vs Feakle/Killanena), Ruan (Clarecastle/Ballyea vs Clooney/Quin), Shannon (Inagh/Kilnamona vs Newmarket-on-Fergus) and Dr Daly Park (Scariff/Ogonnelloe vs Sixmilebridge).

While conditions were very wet in some of the venues, both

Scariff/Ogonnelloe and Sixmilebridge who had completed their respective warm-ups in Tulla before the decision was relayed to Dr Daly Park opted to partake in a training session at either side of the field with the weather clearing up in East Clare.

Such a scenario was not applicable for any of the other six teams with a constant downpour as they exited the respective venues.

Two games went ahead in the Clare Credit Unions intermediate championship. Éire Óg recorded a 1-08 1-05 win over Tulla while Broadford ran out 1-12 0-08 winners over Broadford. The meeting of St Joseph’s Doora/ Barefield and Whitegate scheduled to take place in Gurteen also fell foul to the weather.

Action resumes in the senior championship this Friday with ties scheduled for the third round to proceed. No date has yet been announced as to when the postponed fixtures will be held.

East Clare Golf Club win Arthur Spring Cup

by Seamus Hayes

East Clare golf club’s senior men played a group of Tralee seniors in the annual Arthur Spring Cup and emerged victorious.

This competition, started in 2020, commemorates the late Arthur Spring who designed the East Clare course and who was a lifetime

Brid Hayes (18.4) won category 1 with 77, Margaret Lynch (29.8) won category 2 with 74 while category 3 was won by Mary Bugler (36.1) with 81.

The ladies Wednesday competition was won by Brid Hayes, Joan McNamara, Mary Stritch and Phil Burke from Mary Bugler, Nancy Starr and Carmel Lenihan

This week’s senior men’s competition was won by John Nihill, Michael Moloney and Steve Symes from Batt Skehan, Richard Keating and Terry Coughlan with third spot filled by Danny Minogue, Jackie McHugh and Tim McGrath.

Kelly (28) and Helen Hartnett (29) while the gross was won by Shannon Hegarty with 82. Ann A. Gallery (17) won the front nine with 35 and she also won the longest drive while the back nine was won by Monica Finnerty (26) with 38.

Division 1 was won by Valerie Hassett (15) with 76 nett from Yvonne Keohane (18) with 78 nett.

Division 2 was won by Elaine Whelan (29) with 76 nett from Rita O’Brien (25), also with 76 nett.

Other prize winners were Brid Cunningham with 77 nett (best granny), Nuala D’Auria with 86 net(past captain) and Della Burns (nearest the pin).

The 9 hole stroke competition was won by Therese Lillis (25) with 35 nett from Mary McGrath-Fahy (29) with 36 nett with third spot filled by Sarah Connolly Barnes(28) with 37 nett. Mary Glynn (18) won the gross with 56.

Coleman (14) with a similar score. Pat J Shannon(14) was third, also with 40 points and they were followed by Declan O’Donovan (10) with 39 points, Patrick O’Dea (16) with 38 points and Jim Kelly (27) with 38 points.

Rory Lillis (4) won the gross with 33 points while the category winners were Greg Young (8) with 38 points, Gearoid Williams (17) with 38 points and Michael Studdert (23) with 38 points. The nines were won by Des Murphy (26) with 22 points and Thomas Coffey (21) with 21 points.

week with confirmation that Danny Lyne has been selected to represent Munster in the U16 boys Interprovincial championships while Paddy O’Connell has been selected on the U14 boys panel. Next week’s Interprovincial championships will be held at Ballykisteen.

Shannon Golf Club:

Noeleen Neylon (12) won the ladies August medal at Shannon last week with 69 nett. She had one to spare over Laura O’Brien (9) while the gross was won by Madge Young (11) with 81.

member of Tralee golf club. After a keenly contested match East Clare narrowly regained the cup.

Dick Spring, former Tánaiste and brother of Arthur, was a member of the Tralee team and he spoke of the strong connection that Arthur had with East Clare.

Meanwhile, Eileen Donnellan (15.7) was the winner of the ladies 18 hole stroke competition at East Clare at the weekend with 74.

Due to course work there will be no open day on this Thursday, August 24.

Ennis Golf Club:

Lady Captain Mary Linehan’s prize was the competition at Ennis at the weekend when the 18 hole stroke competition was won by Sinéad Hegarty (19) with 73 nett. She had one to spare over Kate Keohane (19) 74 nett and they were followed by Ruth Nihill (21), Ann

The lady captain’s mixed foursomes was won by Mary Nagle and Michael Studdert with 41 points from James P Horgan and LilyMay Horgan with a similar score. In third place with 40 points were Ethna Murphy and Noel Whelan. The get into golf prize was won by Rose Sharkey (21) with 37 nett from Lorraine Barry (20) with 44 nett.

Kilrush Golf Club:

President Sean Moran’s prize was played for at Kilrush on Sunday and resulted in victory for Jim Young Snr (9) with 40 points over Patrick

Mounvoor Lad takes top spot for Feakle Five Syndicate

by Michael Maher

THE GALWAY weather was much more pleasant for Saturday nights card at Galway Greyhound Stadium on which the A2 graded ninth race over 525 yards was the feature contest .

As the traps rose for the feature contest, Knoppogue Time broke well out wide but it was the red jacketed Mounvoor Lad that displayed the best early pace on the run to the opening bend rounding which he Lissatouk Gena by over a length with Joeys Champ in third place entering the back straight. Racing along the back the Feakle Five Syndicate of Feakle owned Mounvoor Lad continued to show the way to his rivals as Croaghill Sly began to make ground nearing the third bend. Off the home bend the lead was down to a length but Mounvoor Lad (Ballymac Best & Ridgedale Martha) would not be denied as he dug deep close home to land the prize by three parts of a length at the line in 29.14.

All six runners were away on terms for the A5 graded contest with the red jacketed Fast Fit Felix just shading the issue along the fence as they rounded the opening bend. Turning down the back Fast Fit Felix led Liam Be Slick by a length with On The Radio in third place passing halfway. Out front though, the John Quinn of Gort owned Fast Fit Felix (Doritos Wildcat-Fast Fit Maeve) was making the best of his way home as he stayed in gamely to see off the challenge of On The Radio by a length & a half in 29.54.

The concluding A1 graded 525 yards contest was the Friday feature at the College Road Venue where a fine attendance was present on horrific conditions to witness some exiting racing with special praise for the track ground staff who ensured all races were completed without any incident.

As a consequence of the heavy ran the track was rated .20 slow for the opening three

and .20 and .40 slow for sprint and four bends races subsequently.

In the A4 graded eighth contest all six runners were away on terms with Flyers Phobia out wide Raining In Paris along the inner and Creevy Bird between runners disputing the lead at the opening bend. Tracking well, the PJ Quinn owned Raining In Paris took a length out of his rivals between the opening two bends to lead by almost two approaching halfway from Creevy Bird. Exiting the back straight, Flyers Phobia began to close out wide but the Mathew Harte of Gort trained Raining In Paris(Droopys Sydney-Long Pearl) lasted home by three parts of a length in 29.46.

Following a fairly level break in the A4 graded contest Bark Wahlberg, Burnpark Layla and Annie On Faya disputed the lead as they raced towards the opening bend at which the Donal Duggan of Tulla trained Annie On Faya tracked well along the inner to taken a length out of her rivals. Racing down the back the daughter of Superior Panama and Cabra Skylar extended his advantage to over three lengths from Burnpark Layla who in turn was clear of those behind. Out front, the Cian Mulrooney owned Annie On Faya had taken control of the contest and extending her all the way to the line had six and a half lengths to spare in 29.43.

The outcome of the S6 graded sprint contest was effectively decided at the opening bend as from traps Dynamic Logan and Domain Joe were away well with Lissatouk Suzy close up along the rails as the opening bend loomed. At the opening bend the Seamus McMahon of Cooraclare owned Lissatouk Suzy enjoyed a free run along the rails as her rivals drifted towards the centre of the track and railing superbly again rounding the home turn the daughter of Laughill Blake and Lissatouk Dolly drew right away to defeat Domain Joe by three lengths at the line in 20.08.

The lady president’s, (Dr. Mary O’Sullivan) prize was played for last week when Fiona Kinsella (14) was the winner with 68. She had one to spare over Agnes Shannon (25) and they were followed by Miriam Saunders (24) with 71, Mary McCarthy (30) with 72, Mary Bolton (18) with 73 and Edel Crowley (26) with 74. Anne Galllagher (10) won the gross with 87 while the nines were won by Margaret Donnelly(20) with 33 and Bernie Tubridy (44) with 34.

The lady president’s 9 hole prize was won by Mary O’Neill with 16 points from Margaret Griffin with 12 points.

Lahinch Golf Club:

While preparations are at an advanced stage ahead of the Fred Daly and boys inter-club All-Ireland finals to be held at Castletroy on August 29 and 30, there was more good news for Lahinch junior boys last

The category winners were Ettie Gallery (15) with 70 nett, Pauline Kilmartin (30) with 72 nett and Honor Kinahan (34) with 76 nett. Woodstock Golf Club:

Senior captain John O’Donovan's prize was played for at Woodstock on Saturday when Paddy Meehan emerged as the winner with 46 points.

Club president Ollie McNamara won category 1 with 41 points from Paul Coote with 38 points.

Category 2 was won by Seamus Kelly with 42 points from Dickie Pyne who had a similar score while the category 3 winner was Nick Germaine with 41 points from Eugene Conroy with 36 points.

Andy Turner on the guests section with 36 points.

The weekend’s club singles winner was Gerry Walsh (24) with 43 points from David Greene (15) wth 43 points with Aaron Lavery (29) in third place with 41 points.

Picture shows Maurice Costelloe, East Clare Men's vice captain ,receiving the Arthur Spring Cup from Martin Mitchell captain of Tralee Golf Club.

PLANNING

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

RIVERVILLE, FRANCES STREET, KILRUSH, CO. CLARE.

Take note that Charlie & Deirdre Glynn are applying to Clare County Council for planning permission to extend, refurbish and renovate an existing vacant dwelling house along with all necessary ancillary services at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of 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.

ATTYSLANY SOUTH, TUBBER, CO. CLARE

Take note that the Kilkeedy Community group intent to apply to the planning authority for the following works at the above address.

To construct a new pedestrian access gate, gravel

walkway, timber post and rail fence and all associated site works. This development is located within the East Burren complex SAC. A Natura Impact Statement will be submitted to the planning authority as part of this planning application.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority of Clare county council, Planning department, Aras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare 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 of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CLOONYCONRY MORE, BROADFORD, CO CLARE

Take notice that Padraig Hickey intends to apply to the planning authority for permission (a) to demolish an existing agricultural shed and (b) permission to

construct a new dwelling house 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 CARROWFREE, KILLIMER, CO CLARE.

Take notice that Eoin Grogan intends 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

LICENCE APPLICATION

AN CHUIRT DUICHE

THE DISTRICT COURT NO. 86.3

PUBLIC DANCE HALLS ACT, 1935

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PUBLIC DANCING LICENCE DISTRICT COURT AREA OF ENNIS DISTRICT NO. 12

Dennehy Michael as Nominee Applicant

TAKE NOTICE that the abovenamed Applicant Dennehy Michael as nominee of Western Public House Limited of 18 Abbey Street, Ennis, Clare intends to apply to the District Court at Ennis District Court on the 27 Sep 2023 at 10:30 for the grant of an Annual Dance Licence a Licence to use a particular place, to wit: Knox’s Bar situate at 18 Abbey Street, Ennis, Clare in court area and district aforesaid, for public dancing. null Signed Cahir & Co. LLP

Solicitor for Applicant

Solicitors, 36 Abbey Street, Ennis , Clare

To the Garda Superintendent, at CourtPresenters.Ennis@garda.ie, Ennis Garda Station, Ennis, Clare, V95 TR83

To the Fire Officer, at fireoff@ clarecoco.ie, Clare Fire Station, Ennis, Clare, V95 CD74

To the Co Council Official, at corporate@clarecoco.ie, Clare County Council, Ennis, Clare, V95 DXP2

To the Health Service Executive Official, at pehoclare@hse.ie

To the District Court Clerk, Ennis District Court

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 BALLYVESKIL, TIERMACLANE, ENNIS, CO CLARE V95 D9C7

Take notice that Joe Longe intends to apply for Retention Permission to retain the existing dwelling house, stable block and associated facilities as constructed on site including all ancillary services and 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 BUNNOW, ENNIS, CO CLARE

We, Kenneth Ryan & Amy Sheedy, intend to apply for permission for development at this site: Bunnow, Ennis, Co Clare The development will consist of:

Construction of a Dwelling House, Effluent Treatment System & all associated site works.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of

AN CHUIRT DUICHE

THE DISTRICT COURT NO. 86.3

PUBLIC DANCE HALLS ACT, 1935

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PUBLIC DANCING LICENCE DISTRICT COURT AREA OF ENNIS

DISTRICT NO. 12

Sean O’Driscoll as Nominee

receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

AN CHUIRT DUICHE

CASE NO:

D:LIC:ENIS:2023:006992

THE DISTRICT COURT NO. 86.3

PUBLIC DANCE HALLS ACT, 1935

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PUBLIC DANCING LICENCE

DISTRICT COURT AREA OF ENNIS DISTRICT NO. 12

Eamonn Fitzgerald as Nominee Applicant

TAKE NOTICE that the abovenamed Applicant, Eamonn Fitzgerald, as nominee of Sunny Bay Limited, of The Claremont Hotel, Lahinch, Co. Clare intends to apply to the District Court at Ennis District Court on the 27th September 2023 at 10:30 for the grant of an Annual Dance Licence to use a particular place, to wit: The Claremont Nightclub, situate at Lahinch, Lahinch, Clare in court area and district aforesaid, for public dancing.

Dated this 17th day of August 2023

Signed MHP Sellors LLP

Solicitors for the Applicant

9/10/11 Bindon Street, Ennis , Clare

To: the Garda Superintendent, at Ennis Garda Station, Ennis, Co. Clare

To: the Fire Officer, at Clare Fire Station, Ennis, Co. Clare

To: the District Court Clerk, Ennis District Court, The Courthouse, Ennis, Co. Clare

Applicant

TAKE NOTICE that the abovenamed Applicant Sean O’Driscoll as nominee of iNua Limerick General Partner Limited of 4th Floor, 1 1 Anglesea Street, Ballintemple, Cork intends to apply to the District Court at Ennis District Court on the 27 Sep 2023 at 10:30 for the grant of an Annual Dance Licence a Licence to use a particular place, to wit:

LOCATION

Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Ennis Road, Ennis, Co. Clare situate at Ennis Road, Limerick, Clare in court area and district aforesaid, for public dancing.

Dated this 15 Aug 2023

Signed Hassett Considine LLP

Solicitor for Applicant

Solicitors, 9 & 10 Carmody Street, Business Park Ennis, Clare

To the Garda Superintendent, at CourtPresenters.Ennis@garda.ie, Ennis Garda Station, Ennis, Clare, V95 TR83

To the Fire Officer, at fireoff@ clarecoco.ie, Clare Fire Station, Ennis, Clare, V95 CD74

To the Co Council Official, at corporate@clarecoco.ie, Clare County Council, Ennis, Clare, V95 DXP2

To the Health Service Executive Official, at pehoclare@hse.ie

AN CHUIRT DUICHE (THE DISTRICT COURT) DISTRICT COURT AREA OF CLARE DISTRICT NUMBER: 12

In the matter of:

The Licensing Acts 1833 to 2008;

The Licensing Act (Ireland) 1874, as amended by substitution in the First Schedule to the Courts (No. 2) Act 1986;

The Licensing (Ireland) Act 1833, Section 6;

The District Court Rules 1997, Order 79.

And in the matter of An Application of:

Quinnster Limited

Application for Certificate of Transfer of On-Licence

(Confirmation of Transfer)

TAKE NOTICE that Quinnster Limited whose registered office is at 2 Radharc na hInse, Ballybeg, Ennis, County Clare will apply to the Annual Licensing District Court sitting at the District Court, The Courthouse, Ennis, County Clare on the 27th day of September 2023 at 10.30 a.m. or so soon thereafter as this application may be taken in its order in the Court list for a Certificate by way of Transfer entitling the Applicant to receive a Seven Day Publican’s OnLicence in respect of the premises known as Quinn’s Pub and situate at 7 Lower Market Street, Ennis, County Clare in the Court Area and District aforesaid.

Dated this the 21st day of August 2023

Signed: Micheál Glynn & Company, Solicitors for the Applicant, 98 O’Connell Street, Limerick

Wender Painter 0894159009

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ANNIVERSARY

Recent Deaths

Griffin (née Pierce), Evelyn Ennis Clare

Payne (née Coughlan), Dympna Ennis Clare

Clune, Barry Ennis Clare

Clune, Barry Lissycasey Clare

Corry, Michael Cranny Clare

Vincent Griffin

O Lord, the God of mercies, grant unto the sould of Thy servants the anniversary day of whole burial we are keeping, a place of solace, of peaceful rest, of glorious light.

Anniversary mass will be offer this Sunday the 27th August at St. Mary s church feakle at 10 am.

PRAYER

THE

Leahy, John Ennistymon Clare

Nestor, Joe Dysart Clare

O’Brien (née Canny), Mary Patricia (Pat) Ennis Clare

Downes, Tom Shannon Clare

Fitzgerald, John Kilkee Clare

Gawlowski, Stanislaw (Stan) Kilkishen Clare

HICKEY, John Kilrush Clare

McAllen, Michael Shannon Clare

McAllen, Michael Crusheen Clare

McGrath(née Flaherty), Kathleen (Kitty)

Crusheen Clare

O’Loughlin, Frankie Miltown Malbay Clare

Cotter, Bernadette (Bernie) DoonbegClare

Gleeson, Frank ShannonClare

The Clare Echo Quiz

1 The M18 Motorway links Clare with which County?

a. Limerick

b. Tipperary

c. Galway

2 Ennis and ____ town run along the N18 primary road?

a. Shannon

b. Newmarket on Fergus

c. Gort

3 The N19 linking Shannon Airport to Limerick-Ennis-Galway comes in the form of a ___?

a. Motorway

b. Dual Carriageway

c. Regional Road

4 The National Road N68 within Clare runs from Ennis to ____?

a. Scariff

b. Lahinch

c. Kilrush

5 Every house on Bindon Street in Ennis contain ____ from the early 18thc?

a. Stables

b. Vaulted coal stores

c. Oval windows

6 The Ennis Outer ring Road is formally known as?

a. The N85 Western Relief Road

b. The N85 Relief Road

c. The M18 Western Relief Bypass

7 The Burren Beauty Drive in Clare stretches for how many kilometres?

a. 25km

b. 48km

c. 68km

8 The Western Railway Corridor links Ennis to ____?

a. Doolin

b. Galway

c. Kilkee

9

How many rail services link Ennis to Limerick daily?

a. 20

b. 25

c. 30

10 Which of the following Bus Eireann services does not link Clare to Galway? a.

b.

c.

Spot the Difference

Can you spot the 7 differences

Joey Rouine battles with Conor Finucane. Lissycasey vs Ennistymon

Photo by Ger O’Neill

l QUESTION 10 : Which of the following Bus Eireann services does not link Clare to Galway?

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES Aug 24th

WORD SEARCH

Blemish Blend

Blot Cloud

Dirt

Dye Rust

Slur

Smear

Smudge Soil

Spatter

Speck Spot Stain

Sully

Taint

Tarnish Tinge

The Clare Echo Crossword

HOW TO PLAY

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

DOWN

1 Female horse (4)

2 Resist (6)

3 Scottish New Year celebration (8)

4 Black bird (4)

5 Hang loosely (6)

6 Harem (8)

11 Huge (8)

12 Marine mammal (8)

15 Slumbering (6)

17 Required (6)

19 Profound (4)

21 Twilight (4)

CROSSWORD ANSWERS