The Clare Echo 24/10/24 by The Clare Echo

Garda burnout due to ‘bizarre’ amalgamation

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

AMALGAMATING the Clare and Tipperary Garda Divisions has increased the level of burnout among members of the force, the Dáil has heard.

Tipperary TD, Alan Kelly (LAB) said the level of fatigue and burnout has accelerated among Gardaí in Clare and Tipperary since the amalgamation came into effect in August 2023.

He said, “As a division, why Tipperary-Clare was set up is bizarre because it is a logistical nightmare. Many of the

Gardaí are burnt out”.

Deputy Kelly pointed out that Killaloe Garda Station has no marked Garda car.

Presently there are 656 Gardaí assigned to the Clare and Tipperary division which is an increase of ten since 2015. As of the same date, 164 probationer Gardaí have been assigned to stations within the Clare Tipperary division since 2020. There are also 129 Garda vehicles in use in the division.

l Freddy Cunningham is thrown in the air by his father Aaron after Wolfe Tones secured promotion to the Clare senior hurling championship, beating Tubber by a single point in Saturday’s intermediate final

Photo by Ruth Grifﬁn

Killaloe Garda Station

Photo by Oliver Dixon

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Cratloe crew compete in New York competition for mothers & others...

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A GROUP of 21 Cratloe women lined out in New York last weekend representing their club and county.

New York Ladies GAA club hosted the Gaelic for Mothers and Others Festival of football. The event was held in Rockland GAA in Orangeburg NY on Saturday October 12th with thirty three clubs from the four provinces of Ireland making the trip Stateside to take part. Seven local teams from New York also lined out in the competition which had over 800 women in action.

Cratloe faced off with against Monivea (Galway), O’Donovan Rossa (Antrim), Ballinteer (Dublin), Naomh Conaill (Donegal) and New York Rangers in an extremely well run tournament. by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

Irish Kidney Association to host Ennis meeting

CLARE’s branch of the Irish Kidney Association are holding what has been described as “a very important meeting” this Tuesday.

Taking place at 8pm on Tuesday (October 29th) in The Old Ground Hotel, the meeting will have two senior staff members from the Irish Kidney Association national office in attendance. They will be informing members on how

members with kidney issues can overcome various difficulties. Plans to open a new unit in Ennis Hospital within the next sixteen months for persons on Hemodialysis will also be discussed, this facility is hoped to save individuals from having to travel to the unit in Limerick and Galway.

Corofin native, Dermot Hayes has recently been elected as the Chairperson of the Clare branch with Lisa O’Dwyer ap-

pointed secretary. Hayes outlined that the meeting will also stress the importance of carrying a donor card for the public “along with the benefits of being a member and the use of the holiday homes in Ireland for those with kidney failure. We are planning a gathering for Christmas lunch and to share some social time. While remembering all those that have passed away and were activist”.

Direct entry medicine undergraduate program for the Midwest

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

CONFIRMATION of the Mid-West’s first undergraduate Medicine programme has been welcomed by Clare officials.

A €130 million investment in healthcare third level places was announced by the Department of Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science (DFHERIS) on Friday morning.

Minister Patrick O’Donovan announced that the investment will see the establishment of a new direct entry undergraduate medicine programme at the University of Limerick.

Fianna Fáil TD, Cathal Crowe, says it has the potential to be transformative for the region’s students.

As part of the significant investment, which comes from the National Training Fund, the University of Limerick is to launch a direct entry medicine programme. Building on its

expertise as a provider of Graduate Entry Medicine, UL is set to play a key role in addressing Ireland’s need for more medical professionals.

According to Deputy Crowe: “Previously, students from Clare, Limerick and Tipperary who wished to become doctors had to study elsewhere and then had the option to return to University of Limerick for postgraduate medical training.

“The announcement this morning that the University of Limerick will soon be offering undergraduate Medicine is hugely welcome and will open the door to many students in the region who wish to pursue medicine.

“This announcement allows the potential for students from the Mid-West to do all of their medical training in the region and enter the workforce here afterwards.”

Deputy Crowe also welcomed confirmation of

a new programme in the University of Galway aimed at addressing the shortage of general practitioners in rural Ireland.

He said: “As a member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, I have long called for additional resources and supports for those who are considering a career in General Practice as we are crying out for local doctors.

“In the past few months, we have seen various disruptions to local GP services in Clare and I have been working with communities around the county on these issues. It is estimated that the roll-out of the new Rural and Remote Graduate Entry Medicine Stream in the University of Galway will provide close to 50 additional GPs per year and these are very welcome in addressing the shortages we have seen recently.”

Also announced was a new pharmacy programme in the University of Galway.

We preview the Clare SFC ﬁnal

Future of Clare post offices under threat

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

300 post offices are facing closure without the assistance of State funding, a Clare postmaster has said.

In a proposal before the October meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) warned “Up to 300 post offices face closure without more state funding, I call our Minister for Communications to work closely with all stakeholders ensuring a viable business model is achieved preventing the closure of many urban and rural communities post offices especially within our county”.

Prior to becoming a county councillor in 2022, O’Callaghan had previously spoken before the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications through his role as a lobbyist with the Independent Postmasters Group.

Addressing the October sitting of the County Council, he said, “it is a topic that has darkened its head before and has not gone away”. He continued, “It is well known that I’ve lobbied for years, back in 2022 there was a crisis and €10m allocated for the post office network”.

Transactions at post offices have dropped, O’Callaghan outlined, “people have object-

ed to paying their TV licence so they are not paying their stamps in the post office”. He continued, “The €10m allocated is to expire in early 2025 so we’re looking at significant closures, you’re looking at taking out the heart of ourvillages, no postmaster in the country is saying they don’t want to work, we’re also conscious of the digitalisation of the world”.

He said the upcoming closure of the Post Office in the Market in Ennis is “really upsetting” and added, “when they advertised it they couldn’t get anyone to take it on, on the basis that it didn’t stack up”.

Seconding the proposal, Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) stated, “The post office is a vital social interaction for the elderly people in small towns and villages, the bank is a hole in the wall now with nobody to talk to, a person shoving on that goes in to collect their pension it is a way to go out and meet people, it is bringing people together and bringing villages together, they might spend a few pound in the small shop that is struggling and they might go in for a pint”. He added, “Any person who saves a few pound in the post office, they will always say how friendly the person is behind the counter”. Post offices “are a vital part of our communities, when

we’re trying to combat social isolation and particularly for the elderly it is a key role,” maintained Cllr Rita McInerney (FF).

“We all know situations where someone in the post offices noticed somebody was missing or wasn’t in to collect their pension and vital calls were made,” she said. The Doonbeg woman added, “We’re cutting off that social link, it is vital we fight to keep our post offices”.

During his canvass for the local elections, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) said he was assisted by a person retired from the post office, “for every house he knew the people who lived in the house, he knew when the dog was coming out, he knew the ages of the children, it showed me the impact of a person like that”. He said “it is something we value and we have to support, I know a village in North Clare where the post office closed five years ago and it has been a huge loss, there was not enough transactions there”.

North Clare has experienced the effect of losing post offices, Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) detailed, “We’re experiencing the stress in a number of towns and villages across North Clare, it is a psychological impact as much as anything else when you lose

services”. He said staff at a post office in the locality had been instructed to go to Ennis to sort their post, “It is planned obsolescence of rural Clare to borrow a phrase from a former esteemed colleague”.

Previous Government decisions led to the privatisation of the post office service, Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) noted. “I’d urge councillors to talk to their Government parties about the possibility of bringing it back into public service, at the minute it is a private entity”.

An Post have a seven day delivery for Amazon but not the public, claimed Cllr Michael Shannon (FF). “Where are we going to go in five years time if the majority of post offices are going to close,” he questioned. Examination is needed as to why An Post is no longer sustainable, Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) said.

Civic reception for All-Ireland winning Clare hurlers

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE’s All-Ireland winning hurlers are to be honoured with a civic reception by Clare County Council.

A civic reception is the highest honour the local authority can bestow on an individual, group or organisation and there was unanimous agreement at this month’s Council sitting that the hurlers would receive such a tribute.

Mayor of Clare County Council, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) told the meeting that a date for the civic reception was to be conﬁrmed. The recommendation to have the reception was proposed by Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) and seconded by Cllr Pat Daly (FF).

All elected mem bers are in favour of the proposal, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) stressed.

“Maybe the Chief Executive is right and may be I do have too much time on my hands but I no ticed in the report that at the Octo ber meeting of the

Corporate Policy Group (CPG) that the members considered a nomination and the nomination was submitted by the Cathaoirleach to the CPG in accordance with standing orders”.

Killaloe based O’Brien reminded the Mayor that the nomination was submitted “on behalf of all elected members”. He added, “I’d like us all to be included” and he told the meeting, “I don’t think there is any elected representative here that would not like to be included”.

“I hope we win the the All-Ireland in 2025,” remarked Cllr Daly. Cllr Cooney said, “we are all well aware of what the Clare team have achieved, we’re all in this together, we all appreciate what they have done”.

Brian Lohan’s side will be the ﬁrst Clare hurling team to receive a civic reception since Brian O’Connell’s All-Ireland and Munster winning minor side of 2023.

The Post Ofﬁce, Ennis Market

John Conlon Photo by Gerard O’Neill

‘Logistical nightmare’ of amalgamating Clare & Tipp Garda Divisions has increased burnout

by Paraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

AN AMALGAMATED Garda Division of Clare and Tipperary has been “a logistical nightmare,” the Dáil has heard.

Plans to amalgamate the Garda Divisions of Clare and Tipperary were first announced as far back as August 2019 but came into effect in August 2023.

Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday, Tipperary TD, Alan Kelly (LAB) said councillors in the Nenagh Municipal District came out of a meeting with the Garda superintendent “shocked because he more or less admitted that he did not have the resources in the Tipperary-Clare division to meet the requirements of the area. He was pretty matter-of-fact about it. He has to be admired for how blunt he was with the councillors”.

Pay and work conditions in An Garda Síochána are a major issue, the former Labour leader flagged. “As a division, why Tipperary-Clare was set up is bizarre because it is a logistical nightmare. Many of the Gardaí are burnt out. Let us look at a scenario in Roscrea, where there were not enough Gardaí. A Garda went from Newport on secondment for six months to cover Roscrea. Newport to Roscrea is not a short distance but he had to go for six months. That leaves Newport short a Garda. There is no marked police car in Newport. Roscrea has a 2012 Ford Focus, a community policing car. Killaloe Garda station, which is part of the same Nenagh-Killaloe area, has no marked

“We have the Garda Training College in Templemore. There is currently a position there in the actual Garda room in the college. Hundreds of gardaí have applied for the position, to get away from front-line policing. They do not want to continue given what they have to put up with. Members in the division on long-term sick leave are not being replaced because there is no one to replace them. Gardaí are being put into areas where they have no local knowledge, so there is a deficit in actual response times. Bureaucracy on small issues is taking up a lot of time. We are taking gardaí from smaller towns and bringing them to bigger towns. Community policing units and crime taskforce units are great in theory but when gardaí are being taken for these from frontline policing in stations and the stations are being left vacant, what is the point? We are robbing Peter to pay Paul,” he added.

Junior Minister at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Joe O’Brien (GP) responded, “I can assure the Deputy that the Garda Commissioner and his management team keep the distribution of Garda members and resources under constant review. This is done in light of operational needs and in close consultation with local Garda management in each division”.

He continued, “To assist with recruitment, the Government increased the training allowance and increased the age of entry from 35 to 50. The Minister has also secured a significant increase in the training

allowance which now means that trainees are paid €354 per week. The Government is determined that An Garda Síochána grows to 15,000 members and beyond. We are seeing growing momentum in recruitment and more and more gardaí are coming through the Garda Training College and onto our streets. Last month the Minister was delighted to witness 108 new Garda members

attesting. This is the third graduation ceremony of the year, with 165 members attested in March and a further 157 in June”.

According to the Junior Minister, there are 656 Gardaí assigned to the Clare-Tipperary division which is an increase of ten since 2015. As of the same date, 164 probationer gardaí have been assigned to stations within the Clare-Tipperary division since

l Tipperary TD, Alan Kelly

Halloween photo competition: Win family ticket to Arc Cinema

THE Clare Echo has teamed up with Arc Cinema, Ennis on our spooktacular Halloween photo competition.

We are asking readers to send in their spookiest Halloween themed photographs over the next two weeks - so we want to see your best costumes and spooky house decorations in the lead-up to Oiche Shamhna.

We are giving one lucky reader a family pass to Arc Cinema Ennis for the most spooktacular photograph.

The winners will be announced in our edition on Thursday, October 31, when a selection of photographs will be published in The Clare Echo’s Halloween edition.

To enter, email your entry to lisa@clareecho.ie. One entry per person, by entering you are permitting The Clare Echo to share your photograph on social media and in our print publication.

Best of luck to everyone.

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Financial woes of UL put planned University Town in Clare on pause

UL’s involvement in progressing Europe’s first university town in collaboration with Clare County Council is under review putting the viability in jeopardy.

An economic report prepared by Clare County Council and the University of Limerick found that the South Clare Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) would become the first ‘university town’ in Europe and could generate a gross added value of €1.795 billion annually to the Irish economy.

The designation of the lands as an Economic SDZ will enable the site to generate upwards of 3,500 jobs with additional employment being generated in the construction phase and subsequent spin-off developments.

In February 2022, an application was made to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to designate lands on the Clare side of the UL campus as an economic SDZ. A designated active company (DAC) which has a fifty fifty ownership between the local authority and university has also been created.

Concerns have been raised by Clare councillors on UL’s commitment to the project given the ongoing questions surrounding the university’s financial prudence. The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) found that no formal valuation was done by UL prior to purchasing the former Dunnes Stores building in Limerick City for €8m while UL also admitted it paid “significantly above market price” when forking out €12.85million for the development of 20 homes to be used for student accommo-

dation in Rhebogue. A spokesperson for UL when asked by The Clare Echo on their future commitment to the South Clare SDZ outlined, “University of Limerick is continuing to engage with the Higher Education Authority in relation to the section 64 review. In consultation with the HEA, UL will agree a process for the implementation of rec-

County Council, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF), Cllr Michael Begley (IND) and Cllr Rachel Hartigan (FF) requested the Council to ask “the relevant Minister to sign off and designate the Special Development Zone (SDZ) at Gilloge, Clonlara, County Clare, as applied for by University Limerick and Clare County Council”.

At a behind closed doors

ever it won’t come into force for some time so we have a window of opportunity to get window to sign off on this, so be it if we’re the last one signed off in the country”.

According to Cllr Begley, “this will cost the Minister nothing”. He outlined, “We would have two years minimum to come up with masterplan on how to make use

Limerick”.

While the decision rests with Minister Darragh O’Brien (FF) it does so “only on a recommendation put before by him by a senior planner in the Department of Housing, only this summer we met with planners in the Department on this project, they have required certain steps to be taken, one of which for Clare County

ommendations, with independent oversight of the process. UL is at the end stage of this and a number of other review processes that have taken place over the past number of months.

“All major capital development projects are being reviewed in line with these recommendations and are being considered by both the Executive Committee and Governing Authority. As such, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time”.

In a proposal before the October sitting of Clare

workshop, councillors were informed that UL may no longer be in a position to continue as a partner in the project.

Cllr O’Brien believed it was “a very simple request” as he referenced the “huge” body of work done by officials in the Council. “It would be a huge important economic benefactor,” he said.

Questions were raised by Cllr Begley on whether the Council was a joint applicant or “just a supporting act”. SDZ’s are excluded from the next planning and development bill, he flagged, “how-

of this. We shouldn’t deny ourselves the opportunity to make a case for the development of 300 acres of land for South East Clare which would not benefit just South Clare or South East Clare but Limerick too”.

Securing a designation for the SDZ is “a crucial step towards unlocking the future of South Clare and its longterm prosperity,” stressed Cllr Hartigan. “This designation cannot happen in isolation, for the SDZ to happen we need the designation of phase two of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road. We need to be proactive and forward thinking for the future of Clare, it will drive sustainable development”. She asked if the IDA had given their backing towards the research industrial unit planned.

Addressing the meeting, Chief Executive of the Council, Pat Dowling said, “I’d never regard myself as a supporting act”. He added, “Clare County Council have done everything in its power, it has never been found wanting in promoting this project”. He explained, “The reason it is potentially in question does not lie at our feet but rests with other difficulties at the University of

meeting in the summer time over their commitment to the SDZ. “We will continue to press for the matter but us going ahead on our own, we don’t build universities or university campuses”. He added, “the level of ambition hasn’t changed from our end but it definitely has changed from the university”.

Responding to the Chief Executive’s contribution, Cllr Begley commented, “I have some issues with what the CEO has said. If the designation was granted tomorrow, UL will not go away, UL’s problems will be sorted, it may take some time but one of their approaches to solving their problems appears to be throwing in the towel on some projects, they also disregarded their pressure to get the veterinary school”. He added, “I don’t see why it should hold us back in getting the designation. I don’t see why their current temporary issues should be holding this up”.

Council and UL to sign a commitment on the project going forward, I’ve dealt with three different presidents in UL on this project, they require that,” he added.

At a meeting with the Deputy President of UL this summer, Dowling was joined by Director of Economic Development Carmel Kirby and said he stressed the need for both parties to sign the commitment. “While empathising with their current challenges and difficulties which we all read about too regularly, I stressed we should proceed with a designation which is followed by a 24 month masterplan period, the 300 acres is in private property and is owned by UL”.

He continued, “The new management group in UL have not conceded to that request, we’re in a position of uncertainty right now, the senior planners in the Department cannot consider it further until UL commit to the project”. UL’s management are “consumed with other difficulties,” Dowling commented. “UL’s commitment to proceed with it, I don’t know what it is but it is somewhat in question”.

UL have yet to respond to the Council since their

Cllr O’Brien replied, “I hear what the CEO is saying, I’ve no doubt we’ve done everything we can”. He added, “I’m concerned but we have invested heavily in this, both time from senior personnel in our planning department and I don’t want to see that go to waste. What can we do as a body to keep the pressure on”.

Dowling said they will continue to engage with the senior planner in the Department of Housing. “The Minister won’t sign anything without it being recommended to be signed. It has to be assessed fully and recommended to be approved or not approved, it is not as simple as a Minister approving the plan”. He said, “We have invested significantly both in staff time and financially going back over many years, the leap of faith we took in 2017 to provide for development of 300 acres of land in South East Clare was a significant one, a huge leap of faith which we’ve done everything to activate since then”. He told councillors he wished to provide a comprehensive report for their November meeting.

According to Cllr Pat Hayes, “a huge opportunity has been lost”. He said, “It hasn’t been resolved, we’re six years since we were first briefed on the Council about this”. Hayes added, “UL may have its difficulties but we’re still proud of the wonderful university down the road”.

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

Gatwick renaming fiasco of Shannon Airport resolved

by Paraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SHANNON AIRPORT will not be renamed as Limerick Airport despite the accidental attempts of management at Gatwick to do so.

Last week, the departures board listed a Ryanair FR1193 flight scheduled for Shannon Airport as instead heading for Limerick.

This drew the ire of Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF). “Shannon deserves its proper name,” he said while referring to his role as Fianna Fáil’s spokesperson and “a staunch supporter of Shannon Airport” when outlining he would be contacting CEO of London Gatwick, Stewart Wingate.

In correspondence to Deputy Crowe, Wingate explained, “We’ve investigated this and a recent IT update on one of our systems has wrongly pulled through flight information for Shannon (SNN) displaying the destination to passengers as Limerick. We’ve corrected this today in the system so all future flights to Shannon will be correctly displayed at Gatwick. Please accept our apologies for this”.

After receiving the clarification, Deputy Crowe said, “I’m happy to report that the ‘renaming’ of Shannon Airport fiasco has been resolved. It’s still Shannon Airport, not ‘Limerick’”.

Clare Suicide Bereavement Support; Community talk about emotional healing

Clare Suicide Bereavement Support are delighted to host Dr Harry Barry who will give us an insightful discussion on understanding and managing emotional distress.

Dr. Barry is an Irish author and medical doctor based in County Louth. He has a particula interest in the area of mental health and has extensive experience in his practice of dealing with issues such as depression, addiction and anxiety. He has written numerous articles for The Irish Independent and eleven books Clare Suicide Bereavement Support is a service that befriends and supports individuals, families and communities who are bereaved by suicide, whether recently or in the past.

We are a group of fully-trained volunteers providing confidential emotional support to individuals, families and communities throughout Co. Clare, who are grieving the loss of someone they loved through suicide. We befriend,

listen, support and care – providing a service that is free of charge. There is no waiting list and we are available 7 days a week day time and evenings.

We also offer support to younger people and children who often deal with grief in a very different way to adults. We hope you can join us for what promises to be a very informative evening

lDr. Harry Barry: author and mental health expert

lShannon Aiport exterior

One month suspended prison term for partner of Clare TD

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

CLARE TD Violet Anne Wynne’s (IND) partner has received a suspended onemonth prison term over driving without a driver’s licence.

At Kilrush District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett imposed the one month prison term suspended for one year on John Mountaine (42) of Pella Rd, Kilrush.

Judge Gabbett imposed the penalty after Mr Mountaine pleaded guilty to driving a 192 G registered car without a driving licence on May 19th 2022 at Wood Road, Kilrush contrary to Section 38 (1) of the Road Trafﬁc Act.

Mr Mountaine is currently off the road and serving a three month driving ban that was afﬁrmed at Kilrush Circuit Court in July concerning a separate driving offence.

The driving ban comes to an end on Wednesday October 23rd.

At Kilrush Circuit Court in July, Mr Mountaine unsuccessfully pleaded with Judge Francis Comerford not to af-

ﬁrm the three month driving ban that was initially imposed on him in the District Court in June.

After Judge Comerford said that he would be afﬁrming the three month ban imposed on Mr Mountaine for driving unaccompanied on a provisional licence at Lack West, Kilmihil, Co Clare in October 2021, Mr Mountaine’s solicitor, Patrick Moylan told Judge Comerford that Mr Mountaine would like to personally address the court.

Mr Mountaine told Judge Comerford, “The reason why I didn’t apply (for the driving test) until 2020 was because I couldn’t afford it before then to do the test”.

Violet Anne Wynne was elected a TD for Sinn Féin for Clare in the February 2020 General Election and Mr Mountaine said, “My wife got a job and I applied for the test”.

Mr Mountaine told the court, “Unfortunately she is a politician and there is no ﬁlter from the brain to the mouth and she has upset a lot of people and I believe this is why this has taken so long”.

He said, “I don’t understand why it has taken so long - that is the only reason I can come to”.

Appealing to Judge Comerford not to impose the driving ban, Mr Mountaine said, “I need me licence to be able to get to work”.

“I am asking, impose any

he was afﬁrming the ban as he said Mr Mountaine’s course of events about waiting for a driving test appointment was “inherently improbable” without providing any correspondence to back it up.

Judge Comerford noted that Mr Mountaine was ﬁrst convicted of driving without a provisional licence unaccompanied in 2013 and he was still without a full licence.

Solicitor for Mr Mountaine, Patrick Moylan said: “There is no getting around that Mr Mountaine made a driving test application in November 2020 and we are now in July 2024”.

Mr Moylan said that the almost four year wait “is extraordinary - it is in his interests

and no one wants more to get his test than Mr Mountaine”.

Mr Moylan said, “He is a 42 year old man who has a partner and six children ranging in age from 14 to 2. His driver’s licence is something that is very important to him”.

Mr Moylan added, “He commenced a carpentry business, Monty’s Carpentry and it has taken off and he is doing very well. He wants nothing more than to get his driver’s licence. If he is disqualiﬁed from driving, he can’t do his driving test”.

ﬁne on me you would want but please let me keep my licence because it affects me majorly”.

However, after hearing Mr Mountaine’s personal plea, Judge Comerford said that would afﬁrm the ban and said that he could sit his driving test after the ban expires.

Judge Comerford said that

Co Clare weathers strong winds during Storm Ashley

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

GUSTS OF 106 km/h were recorded in Co Clare during Storm Ashley’s ten hour stint in the county on Sunday.

Sustained winds of 70 to 80km/h were recorded in West and North Clare where there have been gusts of 120 to 130km/h. Shannon Airport experienced winds of 106km/h.

Over 1000 homes and businesses across the county were without power as a result of Storm Ashley.

Impacted areas included Ballyvaughan, Drumquin, Ennis, Ennistymon, Lisdoonvarna and Tulla, Whitegate, Corofin, Kilnamona and Quin.

Fallen trees were reported in Broadford, O’Callaghans Mills, Kilmaley, Connolly, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Quin and Shannon.

Co Clare was one of seven counties under a Status Orange wind warning issued by Met Éireann along with Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo until 8pm on Sunday evening.

During the course of the storm, Shannon Airport had thirteen flight diversions while all services at Shannon operated as scheduled.

A spokesperson for the Shannon Airport Group confirmed to The Clare Echo, “While all Shannon Airport services operated to schedule today, thirteen flights were diverted to Shannon Airport, seven originally due to land at Cork Airport six due at Dublin Airport”.

Pictured is John Mountaine

Photo by John Mangan

History meets the haunted for Halloween at Bunratty

MONSTERS, Misﬁts and Mayhem’ will descend on Bunratty Castle & Folk Park this October Bank Holiday Weekend (October 26th28th) as the Clare visitor attraction is transformed into a haunted Halloween village.

Traditions and superstitions of ‘Samhain’ will be on display during the October Bank Holiday weekend with Halloween games, ghostly characters, witchcraft, a Bed of Nails, tarot reading, street entertainment, and Haunted Train rides past ghosts, grim reapers, and zombies that will appear from the shadows throughout the 26-acre folk park.

Marie Brennan, Events Manager at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park commented, “Our Halloween event is hugely popular with people from across the Mid-West Region and beyond. We are very excited about welcoming everyone back to Bunratty, where history meets the haunted. It is an eerie time of year, and we have pulled out all the stops to create an unforgettable experience full of fun, frights and festivity for the whole family”.

Age-old Halloween traditions will be re-enacted at the Golden Vale Farmhouse where the Bean an Tí will speak about the types

of food that typically would have been eaten in Samhain and recall the peculiar superstitions of the time. The Farmhouse also will host Halloween-themed fun with traditional games such as Bobbing for Apples, Blind-Man’s-Buff and Snap Apple.

Adult visitors will be invited to step back in time at a Victorianera parlour séance where the secrets of the past will be unveiled as the spirits of the departed are summoned. The Wicked Wake will be hosted in The Shannon Farmhouse where the resident MacNamara family will mourn the loss of their beloved Mickey, whose ghostly presence suggests he has unﬁnished business in the land of the living.

Visitors can experience a reenactment of a Witch Trial each day at 11.00am, 12.00pm, 2.15pm, and 3.30pm by following an angry mob from the village street to Ardcroney Church. Meanwhile, a bewitching duo will take up residence in the kitchen of the Loop Head Farmhouse where mysterious concoctions will be brewing.

At Corry’s Pub on the Village Street, Bunratty’s resident seanchaí Mickey Joe will recount fables of Samhain and hair-raising tall tales passed

down through the generations. Other performances include Halloween puppetry with Konor Halpin each day at 11.30am, 1.00pm, 2.30pm, and 4.00pm in the Village Street Alleyway, Escapologist Monsieur Gusto showcasing his juggling, escapology, and acrobatic skills on October 28th, and fun and frightening frolics with Dracula King of Vampires, The Minister of Death, Escaped Convicts, and Mad Musicians.

The Red Devil and the King of the Vampires will lurk in the shadows ready to pounce at a moment’s notice, The Talking Head guarantees to entertain and frighten guests at the Mountain Farmhouse, Dr. Jekyll’s surgery will open its doors for anyone who is brave enough to enter, a shrinking illusion will be on display in the Castle’s basement, and the Bed of Nails returns this year in the Castle’s Torture Chamber.

Visitors to Bunratty Castle also will get to see the deadly dungeon and monstrous murder hole and meet Maleﬁcent’s Wicked Sister.

‘Monsters, Misﬁts and Mayhem’ takes place from 10.30am to 1.30pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm each day from Saturday October 26th to Monday October 28th. Visit www. bunrattycastle.ie for booking details.

Beware, mortals! A frightful feast of Halloween horrors awaits you at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. Join us for a frightfully fun Halloween adventure ﬁlled with terrifying tales, chilling characters, and spine-tingling surprises. Oct 26th-28th

b k now: bunra ycastle.ie/b k-tickets/ha ow n/

Clare man returned for trial for child porn possession

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A38-year old Clare man was returned for trial in relation to the unlawful possession of 36 videos and 77 images of child pornography.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge Alec Gabbett returned the man for trial to the current sittings of Ennis Circuit Court.

Judge Gabbett made the return after Garda Emmet Roche gave evidence of serving the Book of Evidence in the case on Wednesday morning.

In the case, the man is charged with at his Clare home on September 18th 2022 having in his possession the 36 videos and 77 images of child pornography as defined by Section 2 of the Child Trafficking and Porn Act 1998.

The charge is contrary to Section 6 of the Child Trafficking and Porn Act 1998.

Judge Gabbett told the man that if an alibi forms any part of his defence, his solicitor, John Casey was to inform the State within 14 days.

Judge Gabbett said that an alibi probably doesn’t apply in such a case.

Solicitor, John Casey for the accused applied for legal aid and Judge Gabbett granted legal aid for Mr Casey and a barrister to represent the accused in the circuit court.

Judge Gabbett made no order that reporting restrictions be lifted.

When the case first came before the court last month, Judge Gabbett ruled that reporting restrictions be in place for now as the images contain minors “but I am not entirely sure that it is merited”.

Judge Gabbett said that the vigilante issue in such cases had to be considered when parties are identified “but that is out of my control”.

Sgt John Burke told the court at the time, “The accused wouldn’t know the alleged victim as such and I don’t know if reporting restrictions apply”.

Judge Gabbett remanded the accused on existing bail terms to appear at the current sessions of Ennis Circuit Court.

Aer Lingus captain turned US flight around due to alleged sexual assault

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A CAPTAIN of an Aer Lingus Boston-bound ﬂight turned the aircraft around over the Atlantic Ocean after being informed that a male passenger had inappropriately touched a teenage girl sitting beside him on the ﬂight, a court has heard.

At Ennis District Court today, a 57-year old County Galway man appeared in connection with being charged with two counts of sexually assaulting the then 16 year old girl on board the E1 135 Shannon to Boston ﬂight on November 15th 2023.

Det Garda Ruth O’Sullivan told the court that the costs to Aer Lingus of returning the Boston bound aircraft to Shannon is €28,213.

Giving an outline of the alleged sexual assaults, Det Garda O’Sullivan said that the ﬂight had departed Shannon at around 2.30pm.

Det Garda O’Sullivan said that an hour into the transatlantic ﬂight at around 3.30pm, a young girl informed cabin crew that a male passenger sitting beside her had touched her inappropriately.

Det Garda O’Sullivan said: “They then informed the captain who took a decision to turn the ﬂight back to Shannon for the safety of all on board.”

Uisce Eireann Kilkee plant ‘monstrosity’ is refused

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

UISCE Éireann’s plans to eliminate the discharge of untreated waste-water into the Atlantic Ocean off the seaside resort of Kilkee have been dealt a major blow.

This follows Clare County Council comprehensively rejecting Uisce Éireann’s planning application for a new waste-water treatment plant for the seaside resort.

Locals have campaigned for many years for proper waste water treatment facilities for Kilkee but over 80 objections were lodged against the proposed scheme for Dunlicky Road with locals angry over the proposed location and that Uisce Éireann was proposing only primary treatment of wastewater.

As part of the wave of opposition against the proposal, Kilkee resident, Sheila Lardner branded the WWTP as a “monstrosity”.

box ticking exercise by the applicant which simply wants to be seen to be taking steps, no matter how inappropriate, to address its historic inability to provide a basic and fundamental requirement for planning and sustainable development in a long established important tourism town”.

Uisce Éireann said that the project “will end the discharge of inadequately treated sewage into the bay” and that the new infrastructure “will bring signiﬁcant beneﬁts to the local community by improving water quality in the receiving waters at Intrinsic bay”.

l Locals feared that the wastewater treatment

She said that the young girl and her family returned to Shannon airport where statements were obtained in the short turnaround before they took off again for the US.

In one charge, the man is charged with the sexual assault of the girl by way of kissing her arm and rubbing up and down her thigh with his hand on board the Aer Lingus ﬂight within the jurisdiction of the Irish State, contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Amendment Act.

In the second charge, the man is charged with the sexual assault of the girl by rubbing and grabbing her buttocks on the ﬂight within the State contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Amendment Act.

Det Garda O’Sullivan said that she arrested the accused for purpose of charge before Wednesday’s sitting of Ennis District Court.

Det Garda O’Sullivan said that the accused made 'no reply' after caution.

After hearing an outline of the State’s case against the accused, Judge Alec Gabbett declined district court jurisdiction and the case will be transferred to the circuit court where more serious penalties are available.

Judge Gabbett remanded the accused on bail to November 27.

One of those to object, Michael Duffy on behalf of the Dunlicky Rd Residents Group in Kilkee described the proposal as “a disgraceful waste of scarce public resources” and will be an “open wound and eye-sore” on the local landscape.

Mr Duffy contended that “this application is an ill-considered, expensive,

However, as part of its refusal the Council ruled that the scheme would have adverse impacts on the visual amenities of the area, the character of the receiving landscape, and the views available from the adjacent “Scenic Route” and recreational routes which are valuable tourism assets for Kilkee.

The Council also refused planning permission after concluding that it has not been adequately demonstrated that the proposed development would be adequate to appropriately manage the efﬂuent loading from Kilkee.

The planning authority also refused planning permission after stating that it could not be satisﬁed that the proposed development, either individually or in-combination with other plans or projects, would not be likely to have adverse effects on the Kilkee Reefs Special area of Conservation (SAC).

The Council also refused planning permission after concluding that the proposed development would have adverse impacts on the residential amenities for a nearby existing dwell-

ing due to overbearance and general disturbance.

A spokeswoman for Uisce Éireann said on Tuesday that following the Council refusal for the planned new Wastewater Treatment Plant “Uisce Éireann are now reassessing the approach to ﬁnding a solution to end untreated wastewater discharges to Intrinsic Bay near Kilkee”. She said, “We will continue to keep the community updat-

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

THE TRIAL of a Garda charged with the unauthorised disclosure of Garda PULSE personal data on 14 individuals to a co-accused charged with a drug trafficking offence will not take place until next year.

In the case, Shane Flanagan (39) of Lifford Rd, Ennis is facing fourteen separate counts of disclosing personal data on the Garda PULSE Information system to another person on dates between January 12th 2020 to September 24th 2020.

Mr Flanagan was last month sent forward for trial to Ennis Circuit

Court.

The charges relate to Mr Flanagan disclosing the personal data without authorisation from the Garda PULSE system to Colm Meere (43) of Knockanean, Ennis of 14 separate individuals and only their initials are provided on the charges in order to protect their identity.

The individuals’ initials are listed as LL, FS, LMc, RN, SH, DC, WS, LG, GL, NC, KR, KD, DD and IS.

Mr Flanagan is charged under the Data Protection Act.

Mr Flanagan’s co-accused, Colm Meere is facing companion PULSE charges where he is charged with

inciting Shane Flanagan to disclose personal data from the Garda PULSE Information system on the same 14 individuals on dates between January 12th to September 24th 2020. Those charges are also under the Data Protection Act.

Mr Meere is also facing a drug trafficking charge where on April 14th 2022, at Henry Garda Station, Limerick within a 161 D vehicle did possess a number of articles - a tick list, bag sealer, tin foil, scissors, baggies, mobile phone, purple folder, and a number of Dunnes Stores bags “in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that these arti-

ed on the status of the project. Uisce Éireann is committed to enabling communities to thrive by continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment”.

In one objection, Gerard and Catriona Hennessy of Dough, Kilkee told the Council that the proposed Waste Water Treatment Plant “will have a negative impact on such a scenic area. It is a local attraction on

the Wild Atlantic Way and we believe this will have a negative effect on Kilkee’s popular ‘Cliff Walk’”.

Tom Byrne told the Council that while it is commendable, though very late, of Uisce Éireann to now address the issue of the construction of a badly needed WWTP to serve Kilkee, “what has been submitted falls very far short of what is required”.

Dr Tom Nolan told the Council that it is a sad historical fact that the people of Kilkee and visitors have been

treated disgracefully by the Council over many years in the matter of the maintenance and high quality bathing waters for which it was once famous.

Dr Nolan said that tertiary treatment is required at any new WWTP for Kilkee. On the Uisce Éireann proposal to provide primary treatment only, Dr Nolan says “it is unacceptable that a system so designed to fail is being offered”.

charged with til the new year

cles were in your possession for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation, facilitation or instigation of a drug trafficking offence”.

The charge is under the Criminal justice Act 2007.

In the first time for the case to come before Ennis Circuit Court, counsel for Mr Meere, Patrick Whyms BL said that allegations in the case concern “serious data breaches and inciting those breaches”.

Mr Whyms said that Mr Meere is also represented by Michael Collins SC and solicitor, Daragh Hassett in the case.

Solicitor Tara Godfrey appeared on

behalf of Mr Flanagan and told Judge Francis Comerford that she was appearing as agent for Mr Flanagan’s solicitor, Dan O’Gorman.

Mr Hassett has previously told the district court that while his client, Mr Meere may be a co-accused in theory, he would be looking for a separate trial for his client and he agreed with Judge Gabbett that this could be done at the circuit court.

In the circuit court, Judge Comerford adjourned the case to December 13th to fix a date for trial in 2025.

Judge Comerford said that both accused will not be required to attend court on December 13th.

Lamb, Chickpea and Pumpkin Tagine

INGREDIENTS

n1 onion, sliced

n2 cloves garlic, crushed

n1 red capsicum, diced

n1/2 butternut pumpkin or sweet potato, cut into chunks

n400g can diced tomatoes

n400g can chickpeas, drained

n2 cups water

n1/2 cup halved dates or pitted prunes

n2 teaspoons sea salt grated rind 1 lemon

n1/2 cup coriander leaves

nﬂatbread, for serving or cous cous, or both

METHOD

Step 1

Coat lamb in spices.

Step 2

Heat oil in a tagine or large pot and brown meat on all sides.

Step 3

Stir in onion, garlic and capsicum and cook for 1 minute.

Step 4

Stir in pumpkin, tomatoes, chickpeas, water, dates and salt. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer covered for 1 1/2 hours until tender.

Step 5

Remove lid and simmer a further 10 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 6

Grate lemon rind over the top, garnish with coriander and serve with ﬂatbread, cous cous or both.

Enjoy!

Azio Beauty: Discover ageless skincare

Style, Beauty and Lifestlye

Looking for affordable, high-quality skincare? Holly’s Pharmacy Haven in Ennis has just what you need with the launch of Azio Beauty.

This professional yet budget-friendly brand offers plant-based, anti-aging skincare products that are perfect for all skin types. Whether you’re fighting wrinkles, brightening tired eyes, or simply boosting your skin’s radiance, Azio Beauty delivers results without the hefty price tag. One standout is the Intense Firming Face Serum (€28).

This potent serum smooths fine lines and wrinkles while stimulating collagen production, leaving your skin firmer, more elastic, and glowing with youth. For tired eyes, the Intense Lifting Eye Serum (€34) is your secret weapon. This expert eye care product reduces puffiness, dark circles, and signs of fatigue while tightening and brightening the eye area for a fresher, more youthful appearance. Perfect

for daily use, it will have your eyes looking awake and rejuvenated in no time.

Need an overnight treatment? The Rejuvenating Night Cream (€28) is a rich, luxurious cream that deeply hydrates and restores your skin while you sleep. It tackles fine lines, shields against environmental damage, and leaves your skin soft, plump, and refreshed by morning.

Don’t forget the delicate neck and chest area. The Lift Factor Neck & Chest

in Ennis, where their friendly staff will help you explore the Azio Beauty range and find the perfect products to transform your skin.

out breaking the bank—your skin will thank you!

Rachel Porter @rachels_day_

Maximizing Fitness for a Busy Lifestyle: James Ferns’ Personalized EMS Workout Journey

JAMES Ferns is a name that carries weight in the local fitness community.

Known for his expertise as a highly qualified personal trainer and the proud owner of a health shop, he’s made a significant impact on the lives of his clients and customers.

On top of his professional commitments, he is also a dedicated father. James is a man with a full plate. As a personal trainer, owner of a health shop and father, his days are packed from dawn till dusk. While he spends his days helping others achieve their fitness goals, finding time for his own workouts is changing.

James wants to improve his core strength, balance, and endurance, but his lim-

ited time and busy lifestyle make traditional workout routines hard to maintain.

That’s where EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) training comes in as a game-changer.

EMS workouts are designed for efficiency. By using electrical impulses to stimulate muscle contractions, an EMS suit can activate multiple muscle groups simultaneously. This means James can get a full body workout in just 20 minutes. For someone with his schedule, this is a massive time-saver.

EMS activates deep muscle fibers that are harder to reach through conventional exercises. This makes it particularly effective for targeting James’s core strength

and balance, which are crucial for improving his stability and endurance in daily activities.

Personalized EMS for Maximum Beneﬁt

James’s EMS workout can be fully personalized to his needs. Here’s how:

1. Core Strength and Balance Focus: By targeting his core muscles, EMS helps James build the stability he desires. A combination of standing balance exercises, like single-leg stands and dynamic movements, paired with EMS stimulation, can boost his balance and functional strength more effectively than traditional methods alone.

2. Endurance Boosting: As James is always on his

feet, he needs endurance that will carry him through long days. EMS can be set to stimulate slow-twitch mus cle fibers—the type respon sible for endurance. Just a few sessions can help him feel more energetic and less fatigued during his busy day.

3. Time-Efficient Work outs: The beauty of EMS is that it only requires a short time commitment. James can easily fit a 20-minute session into his schedule. This allows him to stay con sistent with his fitness with out sacrificing time with his family or work commit ments.

4. Low Impact, High Effi ciency: EMS is low impact, making it ideal for reducing strain on James’s joints. As

a personal trainer, he understands the importance of longevity in fitness, and

his core stability, balance, and endurance. Keep an eye out for our next update on James’s results and how this od is changing the game for

Winter focused at Lahinch Leisure Centre

AS THE evenings and mornings grow darker and the clocks turn back, now is the time to be thinking of getting indoors to exercise.

Its time to gear up to be the best winter version of yourself. Let’s move towards keeping our bodies and minds healthy and active.

At Lahinch Leisure Centre we know Individual preferences exist when it comes to

type, mode and setting of physical activity. While some favour organised group activities from competitive to non-competitive , others prefer leisure-based physical activities for fun and enjoyment while some individuals, exercising solitary is the preferred choice. Lahinch Leisure Centre has a full variety of services and programmes which can be utilised.

We are situated on the promenade of La-

and

hinch, looking out into the beautiful Wild Atlantic Way. We run 25+ fitness classes per week, a 25 meter swimming pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. Swimming lessons and swim programmes for beginners to advanced. A two floor fully equipment techno gym, a functional fitness room, half basketball court and we provide 4+ classes of Hyrox fitness programmes per week to get you into winter action mode quickly.

programmes for

All our facilities at Lahinch Leisure Centre are pay as you go, while also providing membership rates to suit all needs. Call in and have a look for yourself of the new facilities in the Leisure Centre and have a chat with one of our staff members to see what best suits your winter exercise needs. Call us on 065-6703018 or visit our social @lahinchleisurecentre for further information.

Hearing Rhythm, Seeing Rhythm Exhibition Opening at the Burren College of Art

AN EXHIBITION featuring the work the Burren College of Art graduating PhD student, Ling Liu opens on Thursday, October 31 from 5-7pm at the Burren College of Art.

The exhibition entitled;“Hearing Rhythm, Seeing Rhythm”, incorportaes acoustics and imageryto explore idea of yijing (one of the essential aspects of Chinese lyric aesthetics) in contemporary integrated sonic-visual artistic practice. In this exhibition, the sound works start with the repeated singing of poetry, and the calligraphic drawings with ink and brush are a kind of improvisational rhythmic drawings of the accumulation of painted sonic gestures, presenting the process of drawing the sound patterns while listening to the vocal performance. The visual gestures, the movement, the passion become the graphic transcription

of the sound. They are all different, layered together, as they were in the vocal performance. The repetition within the paintings recounts the repetition of the listening experience. The sonic-visual space becomes a complex atmosphere of vocal and visual expressions. Together, the sonic patterns are revealed in the visuals, and the rhythmic flows heard in the paintings.

Ling Liu is a sound and image based artist. Born and educated in Hangzhou, China, she completed a BFA and MFA in Chinese painting and Chinese art history. Additionally, she finished a MFA in photographic and electronic media. Currently she is a PhD candidate in practice based artistic research at Burren College of Art.

lHearing Rhythm, Seeing Rhythm: Two pieces from Ling Liu’s exhbition

l Exercise indoors: A two ﬂoor fully equipment techno gym

l 25 metre swimming pool: Swimming lessons

swim

beginners to advanced. availble at Lahinch Leisure Centre

Construction contracts signed for eight new homes in Doonbeg

by Paraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CUSTY CONSTRUCTION has been appointed by Clare County Council as the contractor for the construction of a new eight-unit social housing development in Doonbeg.

Scheduled for completion in 2025, the development is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Construction is expected to begin in early November. The scheme will comprise of a mix of two and three-bedroom houses and will include a number of specially adapted units.

Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling commented, “These eight units in Doonbeg are an important part of our housing programme for the county and will help in the Council’s efforts to meet the housing need of ap-

Everyone is welcome at Swim in Pink event Cappagh

by Lisa Mullaly lisa@clareecho.ie

Cappagh’s 3rd annual Swim in Pink event will take place on Sunday 27th of October, to help raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research during October, breast cancer awareness month.

Pauline Dunleavy is one of the key organisers and she spoke to The Clare Echo ahead of Sunday’s event which commences at 1pm in Cappa, Kilrush.

“We have a lovely swim group in Cappagh called the Mermaids and Bouys, we’ve been there for about three and a half years now. About two years ago, we took this on ourselves, and we didn’t realise what a big thing it was going to be. But we had an amazing crowd out the ﬁrst year. And then last year we did it again, and it got even bigger. So this year we’re kind of trying to make it a little bit bigger again”.

One in seven Irish women will develop breast cancer before they reach 75 with over 3,500 cases diagnosed annually. Based at the Lambe Institute, University of Galway the National Breast Cancer Research Institute-funded researchers are currently working on major national and international projects to improve the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Swim in Pink is an initiative set up National Breast Cancer Research Institute in 2021 and has continued to grow over the past three years, with events taking place all over Ireland. So far this year participants have raised a total of €199477.

Pauline is encouraging everyone to get involved with this years Swim in Pink event at the pier in Cappagh. Just pop on a bit of pink, bring a few bob, make a donation and help ﬁght cancer.

For more information contact: Pauline Dunleavy on 086 8339347

plicants. Developments like this one, along with our programme of turnkey builds, acquisitions, buy and renew, approved housing body build and acquisition, and vacant property refurbishment, are all essential in our efforts to provide more housing in County Clare”.

Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Alan O’Callaghan (FF) said the Doonbeg development is further evidence of the Council’s commitment to the delivery of social housing in the county, “This development in Doonbeg will continue the positive progress has been that achieved to date in Clare to provide much-needed homes”.

Jason Murphy, Director of Service, Social Housing Directorate, stated, “We are pleased to finalise this contract for the development of eight new homes in Doonbeg.

These new homes will provide quality, sustainable housing and will also contribute to the vitality of the area. We are excited to see this project come to fruition and continue to support the housing needs of our rural communities.”

Chair of the Social Development Strategic Policy Committee, Cllr John Crowe (FG) outlined that he was looking forward “to progressing similar schemes all over the county”.

The project design team, managed by the Social Development Directorate in Clare County Council, includes, Hassett Leyden Flynn and Associates in the capacity of architects, P. Coleman and Associates as civil and structural engineers, Moloney Fox Consulting Engineers as mechanical and electrical engineers and Bermingham King Massey as quantity surveyors.

l Swim in Pink: Cappagh event 2023

l Jason Murphy, Director of Services, Clare County Council; Pat Dowling, Chief Executive, Clare County Council; and Dermot Custy, Custy Construction Ltd.

Road safety tips for the school run

ROAD safety is a crucial life skill, especially for school pupils who often navigate the busy roads on their way to and from school.

As more families in Clare are being encouraged to use green methods of travel to and from school, teaching young students about road safety is paramount to ensure their well-being. Here are some essential road safety tips for school pupils, brought to you by The Clare Echo and Martin Daly Autos:

Look both ways before crossing:

The fundamental rule of road safety is to always look both ways before crossing the road. Teach students to stop at the curb, check for oncoming traffic from both directions, and only proceed when it is safe.

Use pedestrian crossings:

Explain the importance of using marked crosswalks and pedestrian crossings. Make sure children understand that these designated areas are safer for crossing the road, as they alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians.

Follow trafﬁc signals:

Teach pupils to obey traffic lights and pedestrian signals. Explain the significance of the

red, green, and yellow lights and how they indicate when to stop, go, or wait.

Walk, don’t run:

Encourage school pupils to walk on the footpath and avoid running or playing near the road. Running can be unpredictable, making it difficult for drivers to react in time.

Be visible:

Wearing bright, reflective clothing or accessories can make a child more visible to drivers, especially in low-light conditions. Remind them to be seen and not just heard. Stay on the footpath:

Instruct children to always use the sidewalk when available. If there is no footpath, they should walk on the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.

Windfarm action group calls for ‘genuine engagement’ from developers

THE Broadford to Oatfield Windfarm Action Group has challenged the developers behind the Knockshanvo and Oatfield windfarms to engage meaningfully with the communities of East Clare.

According to the East Clare group, developers have “relied on repetitive, boilerplate press releases issued by an organisation presenting itself as Wind Energy Ireland (WEI). While WEI may claim to speak with authority, it is important to

remember that it is a privately funded body whose interests are aligned with those of the developers”.

Alex O’Connor, spokesperson for the action group, said; What’s happening here in East Clare will likely be remembered for years as an example of how not to engage with a community. Requests for local consultation events have been met with silence, while developers rely on a steady stream of media releases to

try and drown out legitimate concerns. We’ve taken the time to review the plans and seek professional advice; this community is well aware of the grim reality that lies ahead if we don’t speak up.”

O’Connor continued;“we challenge any representative from WEI to step away from their keyboards and engage with us, the people who are going to be living with the consequences of these developments,” O’Connor continued. “Come to East Clare, see the landscape, and witness firsthand the changes being proposed. The developers’ socalled consultation, which involved displaying a few maps in a hotel in another county, hardly qualifies as meaningful engagement.”

The action group urges the community to remain vigilant as the deadline for submitting observations on the Knockshanvo wind farm with An Bord Pleanála approaches. Submissions must be made by 5pm on Thursday, October 31, 2024 (Case Reference PA03.320705).

Don’t use electronic devices:

Emphasise the dangers of using phones, headphones, or other electronic devices while crossing the road. Such distractions can prevent them from paying attention to traffic.

Hold hands with an adult:

For younger pupils, holding hands with a responsible adult when crossing the road is a must. This ensures their safety and teaches them the importance of guidance.

Be aware of parked cars: Explain the risks of parked cars, as drivers may not see children approaching. Encourage pupils to stay away from parked vehicles and maintain a safe distance from the road. Report any unsafe situations: Teach students that if they encounter any unsafe situations or witness reckless behavior on the road, they should inform a trusted adult or school authority immediately. Incorporating these road safety tips into school curricula and reinforcing them through practical exercises and discussions can significantly contribute to the safety of school pupils on the roads. These lessons instill lifelong habits that will help protect them as pedestrians and future drivers.

Killaloe Male Voice Choir representing Ireland at International Festival

by Paraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

NEXT week, the Killaloe Male Voice Choir will travel to Czech Republic to partake in the Prague International Choir Festival.

Now in its tenth year, the Killaloe Male Voice Choir will be representing Ireland at the international festival and they have also been invited to perform at the Irish Embassy in Prague on October 31st.

Formed in January 2015 under the musical directorship of Anne Cullen, the Killaloe Male Voice Choir has thirty members and its expanding repertoire draws on classical and contemporary pieces in four parts including musical standards and popular world favourites.

In recent years, the choir has performed regularly at venues including St. Mary’s

Cathedral Limerick and St. Flannan’s Cathedral, Killaloe, Co. Clare. They make regular appearances at the annual Limerick Sings International Choral Festival and the renowned Killaloe Music Festival. Peter Murphy, one of the choir’s original co-founders told The Clare Echo, “We are delighted to be participating in a prestigious event such as the Prague International Choral Festival and to be representing Clare and indeed Ireland on a world stage. The choir has grown from its humble beginnings in 2015 to a 30-strong, four-part Group with a broad and eclectic repertoire. The mental health beneﬁts of singing are well known, and over the years the members have experienced the joy of creating a unique sound together and entertaining audiences”.

l Road Safety: know the road rules and be safe when walking to school

l Killaloe Male Voice Choir

30 years of Clare Fruit and Veg Market

CLARE Fruit and Veg Market on the Turnpike Road in Ennis is celebrating 30 years in business this weekend.

Tubber native Matt Watters was a secondary school teacher in Garbally College in Ballinasloe. In 1994 Mtt and his wive Nuala saw a gap in the market and felt that Ennis needed a good quality fruit and veg shop.

Nuala and Matt established their premises on the Turnpike Road and have been there ever since. What

started as a small business venture grew over the years and it has been serving the people of Ennis and Clare for 30 years.

The business attributes its success to its commitment to providing top quality produce, excellent customer service and of course excellent value for money.

Clare Fruit and Veg prides itself on supporting local and Irish farmers and having the best quality produce available at all times.

Matt & Nuala told The

Clare Echo, “As a small local business we are so grateful to our loyal customers who have supported us continually over the years, many who have been shopping with us from day 1.”

This Friday from 12-3 Clare Fuit & Veg are inviting you to celebrate this milestone with live music, dancing, refreshments, giveaways and some very special guests as part of a Clare FM outside broadcast.

Ennis man awarded for excellent customer service by Irish Rail

MICHAEL Gilligan from Ennis was presented with the CX Excellence Award for Excellent customer service within Irish Rail company. Michael was chosen for this award as he is recognised in Irish Rail as an individual who has not only met but exceeded expectations, demonstrating an unwavering dedication to putting customers ﬁrst.

The Irish rail CX Excellence Awards 2024 took place in the Aviva Stadium Dublin 15 October. These awards are dedicated to honouring businesses, public sector, and individuals who have truly made a difference in the lives of their customers or people they serve and recognise those that go above and beyond to deliver outstanding experience.

Stories of yesteryear recalled at special de Valera library event

by Paraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

LIBRARY users, with past and present staff of Clare County Libraries gathered to recall stories of de Valera library.

In situ for forty nine years, the library building is to be vacated, and services moved to the new state-of-the-art County Library on Causeway Link, Ennis when it opens its doors to the public later this year.

On Wednesday last, there was plenty of reminiscing on the near five decade history of the County Library stretching back to its 1975 opening.

Retired County Librarian Noel Crowley, who oversaw the construction of the architect-designed building in the mid-1970s, recalled how the building and services were

considered innovative at the time and continued to meet the needs of the public for generations Clare County Librarian, Helen Walsh, who has taken up the mantel for the development for the next era of library services in Clare, shared her memories of working in the “de Valera Library” in the 1990s, before members of the audience shared their memories of former events and colleagues.

l 30 Years: Clare Fruit and Veg Market

lCX Excellence Awards: Jim Meade CEO and Michael Gilligan

l Reminiscing: Noel Crowley and Helen Walsh

Overcoming the obstacles: James’ journey to becoming Ferns Fitness

THE Irish economy experienced a severe downturn in 2008 affecting many families across County Clare and throughout Ireland.

During this challenging period, James Ferns was employed as a painter and decorator helping to provide for his young family, wife Tracey and daughter Kaitlyn. Work became sporadic and scarce. By 2012 the future of the building trade was extremely uncertain. With two new additions to the family, Bobby and Jaime, the couple agreed something had to change.

After a thirteen-year break, James made the brave decision to return to full-time education, driven by his passion for sports, particularly soccer, and his interest in personal training. “It was a challenging time for us,” he remembers, “the kids were in preschool and Tracey was working in the Ennis National School”. “I was studying in college all day and working as a FAI Referee then in the evenings. Like many hardworking parents at the time, we barely saw each other but we made it work”. His dedication paid off, and he graduated with distinction,

earning a diploma in Sports and Community Development.

Immediately after graduating, James wasted no time in finding employment at Educo Gym in Ennis, where he honed his training skills even further. However, the desire to establish his own venture eventually grew, leading to the birth of Ferns Fitness.

On a chilly February morning, James held his first Ferns Fitness class in the Fair Green in Ennis. To this day, almost 10 years later, it remains a testament to his abilities that many of the people who attended that inaugural class are still loyal clients. James offers a wide range of training services, including strength and conditioning, rehabilitation after injury, weight management, Garda Fitness Test Preparation, Thump Boxing, Post-Partum exercises, TRX band workouts, as well as classes for kids and teenagers.

Passionate about helping individuals achieve their goals, James works with people of all ages and abilities. His dedication extends beyond his clients, as he actively engages with the community. James collaborates with organizations such as Clare

COPD Support Group, The Irish Heart Association, COPD Ireland and Eire Og making a positive impact on individuals with various fitness and health needs. James has contributed to many local sports groups and schools. Recently, he enjoyed working with Ennis Community College students as part of their Wellness week initiative. He volunteers as a coach with Ennis Town FC where his son Bobby plays and with Avenue United Girls FC where Jaime plays.

In November 2023, James and Tracey opened Ferns Wellness Health Store in Francis Street in Ennis to further enable people to meet their health and wellbeing needs. “I leave James classes energised, motivated and happy”, explains one of his clients, “James is always in great form no matter the hour and you just know he genuinely wants the best for you. His classes are great fun and I have made friends for life there”. If you would like to know more about any of the classes, groups or organisations that James works with, you can contact him on 0877709307 or on Instagram/Facebook @ferns.fitness

Protect your garden from stormy weather

WELL, the start of the stormy weather has arrived over the weekend, hopefully ye all were ok and came to no harm.

Now the plants and shrubs were a different story so I assume that lots of twigs and leaves have been scattered around. That’s ok easy; enough to clean up and the leaves can be composted or used as mulch for beds. I had some plants move and even relocate to other parts of my garden and some pots also got relocated so its important that we now secure these for any other bad weather that may potentially come our way.

the back yard or near a hedge if you have that option. If you have trees that are planted only recently have a check, see do they need a second staking or an extra support.

For me I cluster pots together and put them in sheltered spot in

Check the bed and remove any broken twigs and maybe mulch the beds to add more protection to insulate the base of plant and perennials.

Move tender plants like potted herbs indoors and geraniums, Coleus plants. Be careful with fallen leaves they can leave paths very slippery, when you are out walking. Over the next few weeks, we will be potting up plants for pots coming into November the month of all souls. Lots of people like the idea of long-lasting pots so by adding spring bulbs to the pots these can give extra Spring colour. The dwarf daffodil is idea and the crocus are another these aren’t too tall and the wind does not affect them. I like the heathers this time of year they add lovely colour and the primrose

l Birdfeeders: Give the birds a little helping hand this winter

have loads of colour to offer too There are lots of other plants available also.

So, if your still wondering what else can you do maybe you have perennials that need dividing and transplanting like daylilies or Iris. Cut back perennials like Hosta or peonies. Its also the time of year where the birds would appreciate a little help so if you have feeders, they would be very grateful. I love to see the Robins they are a welcomed guest in my garden .

l Ferns Fitness: Nana Josie with James

lStormy weather: fallen leaves can leave paths slippery

Shannon Airport set for 42,000 passengers over October Bank Holiday

SHANNON AIRPORT will welcome over 42,000 passengers this October Bank Holiday weekend.

Passenger numbers at Shannon Airport are up seven percent year to date. The end of October marks the beginning of Shannon’s winter schedule where there is increased capacity on five of the seventeen Ryanair services and an extra 30,000 seats.

CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, Mary Considine said: "Our passenger numbers at Shannon Airport are up 7% year-todate, and we are really looking forward to welcoming over 42,000 passengers during the October Halloween break. Our team have been working tirelessly to improve the airport experience and that is why, in addition to our existing supports, we have just joined the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme to enhance the airport experience for all customers.

“We're proud to be ranked as Ireland's

Local Clare retailer presented with Food Safety & Quality Award

FUREY Smyth’s EUROSPAR Newmarket-on-Fergus joined retailing colleagues from all over Ireland recently to receive their Food Safety & Quality Awards at the Eurospar Supermarkets Retailer Forum.

EUROSPAR Supermarkets throughout Ireland were presented with their award in Lawlor’s Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare. The Eurospar Store Standards and Hygiene Awards have been running for more than 20 years and recognises supermarkets that excel across all areas of food safety.

Congratulating Euro-

spar retailers on the night, Peter Dwan, Eurospar Sales Director, said: “Furey Smyth’s Eurospar in Newmarket-on-Fergus Co. Clare have once again delivered on their objectives to provide the best retailing experience they can for their customers. Achieving LRQA recognition is indicative of the commitment and ambition demonstrated by Furey Smyth’s Eurospar and all EUROSPAR retailers to keep providing the highest level of service to their customers. Their focus on continually exceeding customer expectations is a testament

to the hard work of their staff, for which they should be very proud.”

In achieving these awards, EurosparSupermarkets were independently assessed across a range of food safety criteria, demonstrating a commitment to upholding the highest food safety & quality standards across all departments in their stores. each Eurospar star was assesed by the LRQA, who are a leading independent provider of accredited certification services across a broad spectrum of retailing standards, specialising in food safety.

top airport for customer satisfaction in the recent CXi Insights report. More and more passengers from across the country are discovering how convenient it is to fly from Shannon. Whether passengers are heading off on a Halloween holiday or arriving for business or pleasure, we're dedicated to making their journey enjoyable from the moment they step into the airport. The holiday starts here,” she said.

Ryanair’s schedule at Shannon features city break options to Budapest, Edinburgh, Krakow, Liverpool, London, and Manchester, as well as popular winter sun hotspots including Alicante, Lanzarote, Malaga, and Tenerife. Shannon’s winter schedule also sees the return of the popular Italian ski destination to Turin with a Saturday departure. Aer Lingus will operate up to six daily departures to Paris, London Heathrow, New York JFK and Boston for winter ’24.

Shannon Town Centre Hosts Fashion Show in Aid of Breast Cancer Ireland

The vibrant heart of Shannon Town Centre will come alive on Thursday, 24 October at 7pm for a special fashion show in support of Breast Cancer Ireland.

Fashion lovers and supporters of a worthy cause are invited to join a stylish evening ﬁlled with glitz, glamour, and charitable spirit. This exciting event will feature bubbles and bites, creating a relaxed atmosphere for guests to enjoy an unforgettable evening of fashion, beauty, and conversation. The night will be hosted by the charismatic Valerie Wheeler as MC, with engaging panel discussions from an esteemed lineup of guest panellists including Michelle McNulty, Éadaoin Walsh, Leona O’Shea, Kate Hewitt, Annie O’Dea, and Laoise Quinn.

The evening will also include a captivating makeup and hair demonstration, perfect for those looking to pick up expert beauty tips, followed by the highly anticipated Pink Catwalk Fashion Show.

Guest will be treated to an exclusive showcase of the latest collections from top local and national brands, including Ivory Lane Boutique, The Bunratty Village Mills, Pamela Scott, Dunnes Stores, The Atelier, and A Bit of a Do Shannon.

Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast or simply looking to support a fantastic cause, this event

promises to be an unmissable evening of fun, fashion, and philanthropy.

Tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite or can be purchased in-store at Shannon Town Centre. Be sure to secure your spot for this dazzling event, as tickets are selling fast! Join us for an unforgettable night, and help us raise vital funds for Breast Cancer Ireland.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, 24th October 2024

• Time: 7:00 PM

• Venue: Shannon Town Centre

• Tickets: Available on Eventbrite and instore at Shannon Town Centre

For more information or to involve your brand, please contact: Lee Hayes via email on lhayes@ugp.ie

l Kate Sikorska, Furey Smyth’s EUROSPAR Newmarket-On-Fergus, pictured receiving their Food Safety and Quality Award from Peter Dwan, EUROSPAR Sales Director

l Shannon Airport: Ready for a bsy bank holiday

Dr Karen Weekes inspires Gort & Burren business owners and entrepreneurs

by Páraic McMahon

On Friday 18th October Dr Karen Weekes, Kinvara based performance psychologist and endurance adventurer, delivered an inspiring talk to local business owners and entrepreneurs at a special event hosted by Burren Lowlands and newly formed Gort and Burren Business Network at the Lady Gregory Hotel, Gort.

The evening was a resounding success, offering attendees powerful insights into foundational strength, visualisation and overcoming adversity—valuable lessons for both personal and business growth.

Weekes, best known for her solo row across the Atlantic and her extensive expertise in performance psychology, captivated the audience by drawing compelling parallels between the mental endurance required for extreme adventures and the mindset necessary to succeed in business. Her talk highlighted key strategies for developing mental preparedness, staying calm and sharing knowl-

edge —qualities essential for navigating today’s competitive business environment.

“We were thrilled to have Karen Weekes as our keynote speaker,” said Sally Smith from Burren Lowlands. “Her ability to connect her remarkable experiences to the everyday challenges of running a business left a lasting impression on the local entrepreneurs. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We are grateful to Galway County Council for the funding to make tonight possible.”

Local business owners Teresa Cunningham of No. 3 Boutique and Fiona Griffin of Wild Folk, both on Bridge Street in Gort, shared their experiences with the audience following Dr Weekes. Teresa and Fiona both alluded to the community support as a large part of their successes.

The event, held in the elegant setting of the Lady Gregory Hotel, also provided a fantastic opportunity for business owners to connect and build strong business relationships in the region. At-

tendees took advantage of the tea break to engage with fellow entrepreneurs, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations. The energy and enthusiasm in the room demonstrated the growing strength of the business community in Gort and the surrounding region.

As part of Burren Lowlands and Gort Burren Business Network ongoing efforts to foster a vibrant and interconnected business ecosystem, additional events are planned for the near future, ensuring that the momentum from last night continues to build. For those who were unable to attend, keep an eye out for future opportunities to engage with industry experts, gain fresh insights, and connect with peers to strengthen the regional business network. INterested parties can reach out via email to gortburrenbusinessnetwork@gmail.com.

Funding announced for sports facilities

€60,000 in funding for the installation of permanent sports equipment in Ballinasloe and Tuam has been secured by Galway County Council.

Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education & the Gaeltacht Thomas Byrne (FF) has included the local projects in his announcement of recipients of the ‘Participation Nation Outdoor Fund’, which was launched earlier this year to support nature connected projects at sports facilities that are open to community useThe Palace Grounds in Tuam has received funding for the installation of a 3v3 Basketball Court and a Table Tennis and Tec Ball Table. The investment follows the recent allocation under the Community Development Fund of €75,000 towards the development of a sensory garden and dog park at the 12-acre park, which also includes 5 kilometres miles of walkwaysMeanwhile, the proposed East Galway Eco Park at Ballintober, near Kilconnell, will benefit from the provision of a “BoxUp” locker to enable the public to easily access sporting equipment. ‘Fit Stick’ walking trail signage also will be installed to encourage people to be active while at the Eco Park, which also received €50,000 in August under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and a further €178,000

in last month’s Sports Capital Grant announcementCouncillor Albert Dolan (FF), Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway said, “Engaging in sports helps individuals of all ages build self-confidence, reduce stress,

and enhance their mental health. By introducing this new funding scheme, the Government is providing valuable support to local authorities in purchasing and installing permanent sport equipment on public land

for community use”.

Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council commented, “Increasing the level of participation in sport and physical activity of the people in Galway and enhancing the county’s sporting infrastructure are key goals of Galway County Council and the Galway Sports Partnership. I want to acknowledge the Council staff for their work in securing this €60,000 in funding and for exploring new opportunities for encouraging greater use of the public space at The Palace Grounds and the proposed East Galway Eco Park”.

Andrew McBride, Co-ordinator for the Galway Sports Partnership commented, “The funded projects will be very much welcomed by the people of Tuam, Kilconnell and the surrounding areas and will provide the communities concerned with the opportunity to be more active in outdoor settings”.

The ‘Participation Nation Outdoor Fund’ is overseen by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, Media & Equality and is administered by Sport Ireland. For more visit www.gov.ie.

lDr Karen Weekes

lFUNDING: Andrew Mc Bride of Galway Sports Partnership; Cathaoirleach Cllr Albert Dolan; John Coyle, Senior Engineer with Galway County Council and Mike Murray of Basketball Ireland pictured at The Palace Grounds in Tuam. Photo Boyd Challenger

“We got Mummy back”- Oxygeneration helping to improve patients quailty of life

OXYGENERATION is a clinic based in Galway that offers Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT),which involves breathing in almost 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This therapy is known to promote healing by increasing oxygen delivery to tissues that are typically oxygen-starved.

OxyGeneration serves a wide range of clients, from athletes recovering from injuries to individuals dealing with long COVID, radiation damage, and other chronic conditions.

Sinéad Keaveney has been a key member of the OxyGeneration team since 2018. She transitioned from the beauty industry to

healthcare and is passionate about building rapport with clients and supporting them through their healing process. She finds it particularly rewarding to witness firsthand the improvements in clients’ health, especially those suffering from conditions like long COVID, sports injuries, and chronic ailments. Sinéad also emphasizes the comfort and reassurance provided during sessions, ensuring a positive experience for clients undergoing the unfamiliar therapy . Sinéad has seen clients across the whole age range from teenagers to clients in their early 90’s come into the clinic over the past six years.

HBOT at OxyGeneration has been particularly noted for its benefits in reducing inflammation, promoting tissue healing, and improving quality of life for those with lingering symptoms from COVID-19 or other conditions.

Due to popular demand OxyGeneration have added an extra session daily Monday – Friday.

Irish Life Health covers sessions at OxyGeneration for certain medical criteria*

Call (091) 394444 or email info@ oxygeneration.com to speak to Sinéad or one of the OxyGeneration team.

Thought for the Week - Have Courage

Spreading the word of positivity

RONAN

SCULLY

When trying to truly love always it will entail many hardships and costs, but you have to keep trying. True love when it’s for real gets its hands dirty. It takes a chance. It goes out on a limb. Love makes a statement and leaves a legacy. It does the unexpected, surprising, and stirring. It performs acts that steal the heart and leave an impression on our souls.

A lot of the time we are afraid to love and to have the courage to truly care for others. Being afraid is an uncomfortable feeling, especially during times in our life when things are uncertain While many things remain outside our control, our mindset is key to coping with difﬁcult circumstances

and conﬁdently facing the unknown.

Uncertainty is all around us, yet as human beings, we crave security. We want to feel safe and have a sense of control over our lives. Fear and uncertainty can leave us feeling stressed, anxious, and powerless. It can drain us emotionally and trap us in a downward spiral of endless “what-ifs” and worst-case scenarios about what tomorrow may bring. It is up to us to try to choose faith over fear. When life seems to be out of control, let us try to choose to be calm, cool, collected and courageous. Let’s have the courage to try. Have the courage to do it. Have the courage to be you. Have the courage to follow your heart. Have the courage to love, to hope, to care and to look beyond appearances to souls. Have

the courage to say no and to say yeso. Have the courage to truly live a life worth living.

Thought for the Week

As your thought for the week, don’t ever forget how important and how special each and every one of us are. Please try to love deeply from your heart always and for the good of everyone. In the end. These last few years for all of us at a personal, local, national and global level have been ﬁlled with worry, anxiety and fear. It is only natural that we are afraid. Perhaps, now more than ever, we need the encouraging and afﬁrming words of Jesus, ‘Do not be afraid.’ So may everyday be a thoughtful courageous day for you. “Pray, Hope, Love and Don’t Worry!!!” Amen.”

I started going to OxyGeneration to treat pressure sores in my spine, Which Developed when I was getting chemotherapy. The OxyGeneration therapy has accelerated wound healing by months and both pressure soars are nearly gone. Another beneﬁt that I noticed after my ﬁrst session was that my ‘chemo brain’ is gone - I feel like the chemo fog has lifted andI feel so much better cognitively and more engaged with the world. My daughter say; “we got mummy back” as my quality of life has greatly improved. I would highly recommend OxyGeneration to anyone who has been through chemotherapy.

-Anne

MAR chuid d’Fhéile Scannán na hInse, taispeánfar an scannán úafáis “An Taibhse” i bpictiúrlann an Arc san oíche Dé Domhnaigh beag seo ag 8pm. Beidh seisiún ceisteannaí agus freagraí ann ina dhiaidh freisin leis an stiúrthóir, John Farrelly, agus le príomh-aisteoir an scannáin, fear Chondae an Chláir, Tom Kerrisk. Tuilleadh eolais le fáil ar shuíomh Arc Cinema Ennis

Imeachtaí/Events:

lBeidh Tom Kerrisk, as Leangach, le feiceáil sa scannán “An Taibhse” san Arc Cinema an Dé Domhnaigh beag seo ag 8pm

nLUIMNEACH – AIFREANN GAEILGE, chuile Dé Domhnaigh, 10.30am, Mainistir an tSlánaitheora, Sráid San Doiminic, Luimneach nClare FM - Cúl-chaint le Domhnall Ó Loingsigh chuile Dé Sathairn, ag 9am ar Clare FM nCILL INÍNE BAOITHE - Ciorcal Comhrá san XPO, chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 7.30pm

nINIS – 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 nLUIMNEACH – Ciorcail Comhrá, Chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 10.30am, Bialann Eden, Ollscoil Luimnigh.Tuilleadh eolais ar fáil ó Noel ag 086 792 8389. nAN SCAIRBH – “Lón i nGaeilge”, 1-2pm, chuile Dé Mairt i gcaifé “An Gáirdín”

lOxyGeneration: Sinead Keaveney Clinic Associate

Mannion

Breast Cancer: reduce your risk, choose screening and know the signs

BREAST cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in Ireland (excluding skin cancer).

Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are over 50, but younger women can also get breast cancer. In rare cases men can get breast cancer.

Bernadette Mullins is a Senior Health Promotion & Improvement Officer Cancer Prevention with HSE Mid West. Here, Bernadette tells us about ways to reduce your risk, how to participate in free HSE breast screening and the importance of acting on possible signs of breast cancer.

Reduce your risk

You can reduce your risk of breast cancer by:

nMaintaining a healthy body weight. If you are overweight, even modest sustained weight loss can lower your breast cancer risk.

nAlcohol causes 1 in 13 breast cancers diagnosed in Ireland each year. The less you drink the lower your risk.

nBreastfeeding reduces a woman’s risk of breast cancer. The longer a women has breastfed over the course of her life, the greater the protection.

nPhysical activity decreases your risk of breast cancer. Any amount of physical activity is good for your health.

BreastCheck

BreastCheck is the free national breast screening programme for women aged between 50 and 69 that helps find breast cancer at an early

stage. Breast screening involves having an x-ray (called a mammogram) of your breasts to find breast cancer when it’s too small to see or feel.

Breast screening takes place at a BreastCheck clinic or a mobile screening unit. About 1 in 25 women are called back for more tests after their first screening. Being called back doesn’t mean you have cancer. It may just mean that the first mammogram was unclear. Most women are given a normal result after more tests.

BreastCheck will invite you to take part when you are eligible and they are next screening women in your area but you can also check that your name is on the breast screening register by calling 1800 45 45 55 (Freephone), e-mailing: info@breastcheck.ie, or visiting the website www.hse.ie/breastcheck

Screening is for women who do not have symptoms of breast cancer. If you have symptoms, do not wait for screening - contact your GP straight away. Breast cancer can occur at any time, including between screenings.

Know the signs

There are steps we can all take to reduce our risk of breast cancer. However, 1 in 7 women in Ireland will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Treatment options and survival rates are better than ever – especially when breast cancer is found early. How can you be breast aware? Check your breasts regularly so you know what is normal for you and to recognise any unusual or irregular

changes – it’s important to be breast aware from your mid-twenties onwards.

Go to a GP if you have any changes or any of the following signs or symptoms:

nA new lump that you can feel in either of your breasts

nA new lump that you can feel in either of your armpits

nA change in the size, shape or feel of one or both breasts, e.g. a new area of thickened tissue or lumpiness in either breast or armpit that was not there before

nSkin changes on your breast, such as puckering or dimpling (the skin may look like orange peel)

nAn abscess (infected boil) in your breast – this may appear as a red, tender area on your breast

nA change in the appearance of your nipple, such as the nipple flattening or sinking into your breast or turning inwards

nBloodstained or watery discharge from either of your nipples

nA rash or eczema on or around your nipple.

lBreast Cancer Awareness Month: Screening looks for early signs of breast cancer

Warning issued over illegal disposal of waste during Hallowe’en period

CLARE County Fire and Rescue Service has warned the public of the dangers associated with burning waste in illegal bonfires.

The warning comes in advance of the Hallowe’en period, a time when illegal bonfires have been used to dispose of waste.

Maria Carey, Executive Engineer, Clare County Council, said, “Businesses and members of the public are asked not to supply any waste material to people who do not have a valid waste collection permit. Dealing with waste material on any other basis is an offence and can result in prosecution.”

“There are significant risks arising from such bonfires, including the illegal nature of the activity, the adverse effects on the members of the local community, not to mention the negative effects on the general environment”, she added.

Meanwhile, Clare Chief Fire Officer, Adrian Kelly, highlighted the

strain this time of year can often place on the emergency services, “I would like people to be aware of the fire safety hazards that arise from illegal bonfires, where the burning of highly combustible materials may lead to serious injuries or death. Hallowe’en is one of the busiest times of the year for the fire services and responding to bonfire callouts puts pressure on existing resources.”

“Unfortunately, we have experienced anti-social behaviour on a small number of occasions when attending these fires. I would appeal to people to respect the role of the firefighters in this regard and let them carry out their duty in a safe manner,” he added.

Members of the public are also advised not to buy, use or supply fireworks. Illegal fireworks may be manufactured without safety standards and can cause serious damage to users, particularly chil-

“Plastic Nature!” Exhibition open at Clare Museum

AN EXHIBITION of largescale artwork created by the pupils in Ennis National School opens at the Clare Museum today, October 24 at 11:15am

The exhibition features large-scale installations of County Clare’s wildlife made from old plastic toys and jewellery by the pupils of Ennis National School led by Creative Associate Evelyn Sorohan and made in collaboration with Ennis Men’s Shed.

Local environmental artist, Evelyn, is a Creative Associate with Ennis National School as part of the Creative Schools ini-

tiative that supports schools to put the arts and creativity at the heart of children’s and young people’s lives.

In this Creative School project, the pupils of Ennis N.S. were provided with opportunities to creatively research their local environment, build their artistic skills, learn to communicate, collaborate, stimulate their imaginations, be inventive, and harness their curiosity. With their class teachers, they were empowered to plan, experiment and create. Together they decided to make larger-than-life wildlife using their old toys and jewellery. Skilled craftsmen from Ennis Men’s Shed helped the pupils every step of the way.

All are welcome to visit this fantastic exhibition. Evelyn says, “You will be stimulated and amazed at these young artists’ work and how they reuse, recycle and recreate.”

The exhibition runs from October 22 to November 15, 2024. Clare Museum exhibition opening hours are 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and 9.30am to 12.30pm on Saturdays.

dren. Throughout the country, every year, children end up tragically injured and often scarred for life, after using illegal fireworks.

In the period before and during Hallowe’en, Clare County Council and Clare County Fire and Rescue Service will work with An Garda Síochána to closely monitor and note any stockpiles of bonfire material. Clare County Council endeavours to collect this waste where possible.

“The uncontrolled burning of waste in a bonfire is an illegal, costly and dangerous practice,” said Ms Carey.

If you have any concerns about material being gathered for illegal bonfires in your area, please contact Clare County Council’s waste enforcement section on enviroff@ clarecoco.ie, 065-6846331 or visit www.clarecoco.ie.

l Hedgehog: created by the students of Ennis National School

l Illegal bonﬁres: Clare County Fire and Rescue Service has warned the public of the dangers associated with burning waste in illegal bonﬁres.

Love Your Coast photo competition; images of Co.Clare win 1st place in two categories

TWO images taken in county Clare win 1st prize in two categories of the 15th edition of the Love Your Coast photography competition.

Lisa Farrell and Eabha Hughes were announced as first place winners last Thursday at An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Programme event held in Richmond Barracks, Dublin. Lisa Farrell, took first place in the Wildlife and the Coast category with her photo ‘Peeping Tom’, taken at Whitestrand Beach in Miltown Malbay Co. Clare. She said of her photo, “I run a water sports company on the beach and enjoy taking shots of our local dolphin who visits every day. One day when sitting out I spotted my little friend peeping out, she became very curious and came closer, so I sat and watched her jump and bounce and play with the flowers. It was lovely to see her as I haven’t seen one before.”

In the Underwater category, Eabha A. Hughes placed first with their image ‘PeekA-Boo!’, taken at Pollock Holes, Kilkee, Co. Clare. Speaking on their photo Eabha stated, “The Pollock Holes in Kilkee boast exceptional biodiversity and are truly a hidden gem along the west coast. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve snorkelled them; every

visit surprises me with a new species or a stunning little vista tucked beneath a rock. After playing peek-a-boo with my camera and this Red Blenny, it confidently poked its head out just long enough for me to get the shot.”

Alongside the two first place photographs, an additional five photos taken in Clare were shortlisted in the top ten across the

other categories.

The images shortlisted from Co. Clare include, Stephen Phelan, “Doolin Wave,” Doolin Co. Clare, Piotr Machowczyk, “Foggy morning”, Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare and Adrian Hendroff, “Sunset at Lovers Leap”, Loop Head, Co. Clare from the Coastal Landscape Category; Kevin Doyle, “Leap of Faith”, Southern Clare Coastline Co. Clare

in the People and the Coast Category; and Mark O’Leary, “Compass Jellyfish”, Kilkee, Co. Clare in the Underwater Category.

In the 15 years since its inception in 2010, the Love Your Coast photography competition sponsored by Fáilte Ireland has been a celebration of the extraordinary beauty of Ireland’s coastline, that Clean Coasts’ volunteers work diligently to protect.

l Peeping Tom: Lisa Farrell ﬁrst place Wild Life and the Coast

l Peek-A-Boo!: Eabha A. Hughes ﬁrst place Under Water

LET’S GO, GIRLS

A new record attendance for National Women’s Enterprise Day was set at events that took place across the country last Thursday.

Over 2,200 female entrepreneurs and women in business attended the 14 Local Enterprise Ofﬁce led events nationwide, the most that has attended the day since it’s inception in 2006.

It was also revealed that so far this year 64% of those who availed of training this year by the Local Enterprise Ofﬁces were women and that 61% of the participants in the Local Enterprise Ofﬁces Start Your Own Business programme in 2024 have been female.

Breege Cosgrave, Co-Chair of National Women’s Enterprise Day 2024, said; “We have 14 fantastic events across the country covering everything from getting started and funding through to digitalization and sustainability. There’s something for everyone and some amazing businesses and female entrepreneurs telling their stories of how they got started and overcame challenges.”

Some of those that took part this year included Aimee Connolly, founder and CEO of Sculpted by Aimee, Anne Heraty founder of CPL Resources, Oonagh O’Hagan of Meaghers Pharmacy, broadcaster and entrepreneur, Norah Casey. For more information on National Women’s Enterprise Day go to www.LocalEnterprise.ie/NWED

Pictured at the Clare LEO event hosted at Dromoland Castle were (L-R) Aimee Connolly, Sculpted by Aimee, Eve Lawler, Circular Style, Aoibhin Garrihy, BEO Wellness and Claire Connellan, The Natural Health Centre

by Arthur Ellis

'Exponential' opportunities for aerospace business in Mid-West region

CLARE County Council hosted delegates from nine other different European countries as part of an INTERREG project designed to explore new opportunities for Aerospace in the Shannon and Mid-West region.

The delegation is a part of the European wide “Moving Toward Aerospace” (MAE) project whose objective is to research potential opportunities and identify barriers within the Aerospace Sector in the region.

MAE, in which Clare County Council plays a key role, aims to open up potential opportunities in future-oriented manufacturing for SMEs currently operating in traditional industry segments. The project explores policy interventions that may be required to support a transition to a new generation of innovative SMEs in aerospace, develop local aerospace value-chains, and lay the foundation for future SME growth and high-quality jobs.

Clare County Council hosted delegates from Czech Republic; Norway; Netherlands; Spain; Italy; Ukraine; and Romania as part of MAE’s visit to the Mid West.

Speaking about the MAE project Clare County Council’s Head of the Local Enterprise Office Padraic McElwee said, “When people think of space, they automatically think of travelling to

mars or landing on the moon, however, the business opportunities presenting as part of this project are much more practical and accessible. The Mid West region has a strong history in aviation innovation coupled with a strong manufacturing hub in medical devices which have already been identified as key enablers. This project facilitates an understanding of what best practice looks like across Europe and what pathways our local SMEs can follow to gain a foothold in this fast-moving growth sector.”

The two-day delegation visit gave the region an opportunity to showcase some of its aerospace companies and supports

which included a site visit to TUS Coonagh Campus led by Vice President of Research, Development and Innovation Dr Liam Browne, followed by presentations from Dominic Murphy, MD of Shannon Precision Engineering; Colm Diggins, Takumi; John Drysdale of Shannon Group; and Russell Vickers CEO Future Mobility Campus. Presentations were also received from Joe Leddin Midwest Regional Skills Forum; Ann Ledwith and John Davenport representing Explore Engineering; Carmel Moloney of Enterprise Ireland; and Theresa Mulvihill of Emerald Aero Group over the two days.

Photo

Finalists for Clare Business Excellence Awards 2024 have been announced

THE suspense is over for the 2024 entrants to Clare Business Excellence Awards, as hosts Ennis Chamber, together with main sponsor Clare County Council, announce this year’s finalists.

The team of independent adjudicators covered hundreds of miles, as they zig-zagged across County Clare, judging the bumper crop of fantastic and worthy entries for Clare Business Excellence

Awards 2024.

The quality was exceptionally high, giving the adjudicators a tough task when it came to choosing category finalists.

As is tradition, the winner of Best Voluntary/ Community Group (sponsored by Vitalograph) is announced at the same time as we announce the finalists in the remaining categories

The winner of Best Voluntary/

Community Group (sponsored by Vitalograph) 2024 is Kilnamona Development Association.

The adjudicators praised the Kilnamona Development Association’s clear and professional strategy, and its business-like and determined approach to sustaining a strong community, across the generations in Kilnamona, through active communication, engagement and a programme of

community events.

Representatives of the Kilnamona Development Association will be presented with a cheque for €500 at the Awards Gala on November 27, at The Inn at Dromoland.

Awards Gala Dinner Details

The winners of each category will be announced at a Gala Awards Dinner, on Wednesday November 27th. The overall ‘Clare

Business of the Year’ sponsored by Clare County Council will also be revealed on that date.

Date: Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Venue: The Inn at Dromoland, Newmarket-on-Fergus

Time: 18:45 Prosecco Reception, 20:00: Dinner &Wine, 22:00: Awards Presentation 23:00 Live Music with ‘Switch’. Dancing til late!

Clare Business Excellence Awards Finalists 2024

Professional Services Excellence Sponsored by Bank of Ireland

nCD Environmental (Ennis)

nCiara Petty Design Studio (Ennis)

nMHP Sellors (Ennis)

nO’Brien Learning Solutions (Shannon)

Best Tourism Experience

Walsh O'Loghlen energised by Éire Óg return

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

COLM WALSH O’Loghlen watched on from the stands when Éire Óg won back-to-back senior football titles in 2021 and 2022, he’s now one of their leading lights in attack.

Indeed he is the club’s top scorer in the championship with a tally of 2-14 across their five championship outings. Not bad considering it’s an attack which also includes Mark McInerney and Gavin Cooney.

There’s plenty pedigree though, as his great-grand uncle Michael from Ballyvaughan was part of the 1917 Clare team to reach the All-Ireland final.

It’s Colm’s second year on the senior panel having put away the football gloves following their 2017 Minor A championship win over Ennistymon and he’s very pleased to be back in red and white.

“I’m local and a lot of the lads that I would have grown up with were playing on that minor team with Ronan Lanigan, Ikem Ugwueru, Mark McInerney and Gavin Cooney. I saw the success they went

on to have playing county and winning the two years in a row, Paul (Madden) was trying to get me to come back and see if I still had some football in me, I’m definitely glad I came back”.

The corner forward's pace is his biggest weapon, and Colm reveals it's a trait that runs in the family.

“I think I was just fortunate enough my best asset is probably my speed. My father played football for Clare in his 20s, that is where I got some of my ability from, he is pret ty much the same height and build so I’d say that is where I got the speed from."

Last year, Colm spent 120 minutes on the pitch during Éire Óg's champi onship campaign, includ ing starting in their fivepoint win over Doonbeg, whereas this year he has featured for all but three

minutes making a total of 297

Having decided to do a second year, Colm was determined he would be a starter in 2024. “The players ahead of me were starting for Clare and on the county panel like Gavin and Mark, Gavin Murray and Ikem were playing in the forwards last year so it was a very tough group to get in with so I kind of knew my role throughout the year would be coming off the bench and making an impact. Coming back this year I said I wanted to put the head down, work hard and then I thought I’d be good enough to start and hold down the spot so I’m pretty glad it has panned out that way”.

An only child, Colm comes from an interesting house, his father

Martin was parliamentary assistant to Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) during his 13 years as a TD and remains his right-hand man and his mother Helen is the County Librarian.

He admits his Dad has, over the years, attempted to get him involved with Fianna Fáil while his mother made similar attempts to peak his interest in books.

“It was something she wanted me to pursue a little bit more but I read in the evenings.

"I find it very good before you go to sleep because, working in the Credit Union you are looking at a screen a lot of the time. We use our phones so much so I find that one of the best things to do before I go to sleep is read, that is usually what I do before I go to sleep and it works”.

Paul Madden’s tips for success would be a book he’d be more than happy to tuck into, “It would be a pretty good read I’d say, he has had a bit of success so if he put one out I’d probably buy Paul Madden’s tips for success, he is a leader of men."

Working as a clerical officer at

the Credit Union in Ennis, his preparations have been aided by the return of his colleague, Avenue Utd stalwart Gary Roche to the office following a brief sojourn in the sunny climate of Dubai. On top of work and his sporting commtments, Colm is studying to become a qualified financial advisor, so he may yet be an advisor to a future Minister for Finance, “I don’t know about that but it’s a few letters after the name anyway and it will hopefully help me move up the ladder a bit”.

Colm is chasing a first Clare SFC medal but there’s a huge appetite among the panel to prevail on Sunday, he said. “Coming in last year a lot of people probably said you’re coming into a team that has won two years in a row and you’ll probably get an easy medal... it didn’t pan out that way so I think us losing last year might have been the reason why we’re so hungry this year, I know I’m hungry for it but you can see everyone else in the team is playing right from one to 33”. For our extended interview with Colm, visit www.clareecho.ie.

Cahill hoping for 21st birthday gift

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ORAN CAHILL will be the youngest member of the Éire Óg starting 15 this Sunday, a day when he hopes to not only celebrate his 21st birthday but also a county championship.

Amongst the starters, defender Manus Doherty is closest in age to him at two years older while on the bench Jarlath Collins is the same age and Luke Pyne is two years younger. His age doesn’t stop Oran from dishing out the instructions to older colleagues if needs be. “We have a motto that nobody is bigger than anybody else in the group, whether it’s number 36 or number six, whoever says it is taken on board and not taken in a bad way”.

He focused solely on hurling when Éire Óg won a ﬁrst senior football championship in ﬁfteen years back in 2021 but Cahill was wing forward on the side which retained the title beating Ennistymon in the 2022 decider.

Situated in the engine room at wing forward, Oran admitted to The Clare Echo, “I’m not really the most skilful or best footballer, going up and down the ﬁeld is my main asset.

"Tracking runners, getting off shoulders and feeding the shooters, it is constant work around that middle third, covering ground all game and making sure there is no runner coming through, that is the main part of the job as a running half-forward”. This role is not the most glamorous gig but “someone has to do it, I’m one of them.”

He has been part of county squads at minor, U20 and senior with hurling but he has not donned a Clare jersey on the football front, something he hasn’t ruled out in the future. Currently in his fourth year as a chemical engineering student at UL, Oran is weighing up his options for next year whether that be completing a Masters, working, or going travelling.

Éire Óg defeated Kilmurry Ibrickane in the group stages of this year’s championship, but Oran notes, "It will be a lot different the next day compared with previous games I feel es-

pecially with the rivalry that is there and they are getting into good form at the moment so it will be a tough battle”.

Oran says the success of the footballers has been a tonic for the hurlers' quarter-ﬁnal exit to Inagh/Kilnamona. “Ever since then it has been football, football, football so our mind is taken off it and it will probably hit us a bit later come the winter when the football is over and we’ll realise that maybe we left the hurling behind us."

Éire Óg’s Junior A hurlers are in semi-ﬁnal action this Saturday, their game was one of the casualties due to Storm Ashley. Part of their management team is Oran’s father, Gerry. There will be no Cahill father and son double act with any club team in the near future, Oran stressed. “We always kept to a rule that he would stay away because I wouldn’t be able to manage, he is probably my biggest supporter but he never coached me in the hurling, I don’t think he ever will, hopefully”. For our extended interview with Oran, visit www.clareecho.ie.

l Oran Cahill

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Reliable Ronan brings inner drive

RELIABLE players rarely put a foot wrong. Ronan Lanigan’s rise through to the ranks from making his starting debut for Éire Óg’s seniors in 2020 to ensuring he is one of the first names on the Clare teamsheet has been pretty impressive.

To illustrate Lanigan’s importance to the county cause, he played every single minute in league and championship this year for Mark Fitzgerald’s sole season in charge. So too did his clubmate Manus Doherty but Lanigan has also lined out from start to finish for Éire Óg in their five championship outings.

So with 700 minutes of inter-county football under his belt followed by 300 minutes in the club championship, Lanigan remarkably feels there is less fatigue within Éire Óg this year despite clocking up more than 1,000 minutes of action this season.

“We were very upset with the way we went out last year, we wanted to leave no stone unturned this year and do our best to get back there. "Penalties is never a nice way to go out. There was mental and physical fatigue last year especially with a long year with county and club and a lot of dual players.. this year we are a lot fresher”.

Preparing for his third Clare SFC final, Ronan is

very appreciative of the fact that such big days don’t come around too often. “I think I joined at the right time with a great bunch of players, it is a great panel of players and it is really good to be here at this time”.

His father Garry hails from Mountrath in Laois “it wouldn’t have been a stronghold” and his mother is Claire Dillon from Ennis so “I’m the first in the line

anyway” he says of representing Éire Óg. His uncles Peter, Tom and John Dillon all represented the Faughs “back in the day” along with lining out with Avenue Utd. 2020 also marked Ronan’s last time lining out for Avenue Utd B, he was part of the starting 11 which lost out 2-0 to Newmarket Celtic A in the Clare Cup final.

Following the 2021 club campaign when Éire Óg were crowned county champions, Ronan earned a call-up to the county squad from Colm Collins. “I went in with Clare during the first week of 2022 for my first training session, I hadn’t played underage or anything with Clare before, it was very new to me,” he recalled.

Ronan told The Clare Echo that he had “an inner drive” to grab the opportunity having not been selected to play minor or U20 for the county. “You have a point to prove to a degree, you have the inner

drive to prove your worth but it was really nice to be in the set-up and get a taste of it”.

His story is a clear example that players who miss out on inter-county minor and U20 panels can still find a way if they take the chance to impress with their clubs. “It can happen for anyone at any time, look at Paudie Clifford, he broke into the Kerry team when he was 24 or 25, that is a prime example of it”.

From linking up with a county squad in the first week of January in 2021, Ronan’s rise through the ranks to become a first choice member of the Clare full-back line has been rapid.

Clare reached successive Munster finals before a disappointing All-Ireland run where they shipped losses to Cork, Tyrone and Donegal. Slotting back into a club panel of Éire Óg’s calibre is like reverting to an inter-county set-up, the 24 year old admitted. “Paul has it set up really

well, it is such an enjoyable team to be a part of, we’re really blessed to have the support he offers us”.

Having finished his studies in Trinity College in June 2023, Ronan has a full year under his belt working as a physiotherapist with Excel Physiotherapy.

Ahead of this weekend's decider, Lanigan believes “it’s no surprise” that Éire Óg are facing Kilmurry Ibrickane in the final. “They have got better in every game they have played so I’m expecting a real battle on Sunday”. Those preparations will be kept low-key, he outlined, “next week it is wind down and get ready for the game, not get psyched up too early for it, just focus on our own game plan for the most part, go out there and do what we have to do”.

For our extended interview with Ronan, visit www.clareecho.ie.

l Ronan Lanigan charges out of defence Photo by Gerard O'Neill

by Páraic McMahon

paraic@clareecho.ie

AARON FITZGERALD

CLARE SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: ÉIRE ÓG VS KILMURRY IBRICKANE

ALL PHOTOS BY GERARD O'NEILL

AIDAN McGRATH ALEX McNAMARA ANDREW McELWEE CIAN HOWARD CIARÁN RUSSELL COLM WALSH O'LOGHLEN

DARREN O'BRIEN DARREN O'NEILL DAVID McNAMARA DEAN D'AURIA

DEAN RYAN ÉINNE O'CONNOR EOIN GUILFOYLE

FOINNAN TREACY GAVIN COONEY GAVIN MURRAY IKEM UGWUERU JACK JOYCE JAMES LYNE JARLATH COLLINS

LUKE MOORE LUKE PYNE MANUS O'DOHERTY MARK COLLINS MARK McINERNEY

PEADAR O'KEEFFE PHILIP TALTY RONAN LANIGAN SEÁN MULOOLY

SEAN PERILL SHANE DANIELS PAUL MADDEN

NIALL McMAHON ORAN CAHILL

BARRY RYAN BILLY WOODS JUSTIN BURKE MIKE CARMODY NEIL McCARTHY TOM RUSSELL PETER COSGROVE VICTOR O'RIORDAN

CLARE SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: ÉIRE ÓG VS KILMURRY IBRICKANE

ALL PHOTOS BY GERARD O'NEILL

AARON CONSIDINE AARON RYAN AIDAN McCARTHY ANDREW SHANNON

CIARAN MORRISSEY

COLIN CONSIDINE CONOR KEARNEY DARYN CALLINAN DAVID O'DONOGHUE

DAVID SEXTON DERMOT COUGHLAN DIARMUID COMBER DIARMUID KING ENDA COUGHLAN EVAN CAHILL

JAMES SEXTON

JOE CAMPBELL JOSHUA MOLONEY KEELAN SEXTON MARK KILLEEN MARTIN McMAHON MAURICE DONNELLAN MICHAEL COMBER

CAOLFHIONN O'DEA CATHAL TALTY

DANIEL WALSH DARRAGH SEXTON DARREN HICKEY

MICHAEL O'DWYER NIALL HICKEY OISIN SEXTON SEAMUS MURRIHY

KEVIN SEXTON MICHAEL CONSIDINE VINCENT TALTY

DAVID EGAN EVAN TALTY GARY SEXTON

SHANE HICKEY SHAY GLEESON TOMÁS SEXTON

Race against time for captain Coughlan

by Páraic McMahon

IT’S a race against time for Kilmurry Ibrickane captain Dermot Coughlan who is doing all he can to line out in Sunday’s Clare SFC final.

Coughlan sustained a fractured foot in Kilmurry Ibrickane’s 11-point quarter-final win over St Joseph’s Miltown on September 28. That ruled him out of their three-point semi final victory against Cratloe and has him as a major doubt for Sunday’s final with Éire Óg.

Storm Ashley has come and gone in West Clare but within the parish of Kilmurry Ibrickane, it is believed that the most common prayer this week has been for Dermot’s foot, a notion he laughs at. “I could do with them, I’ve been unlucky enough," he admits, adding that whether or not he is passed fit, "I’ve full faith in everyone that is togged for us the next day”.

Dermot's foot was “particularly sore” for the first two weeks following the injury which forced Dermot to take two weeks off work at St Caimin’s Community School in Shannon where he is an English and history teacher.

Last week, Dermot told The Clare Echo he can “get around in the boot" but quipped he'd rather be wearing a different type of boot on the football pitch. "But look, I’m here to help in any way I can, we’ve a great community, a great parish here and everyone is looking forward to it, there’s

a great buzz around the place, anything I can do for anybody, I’ll be there”.

Dermot, who turns 25 in December, is unfortunately no stranger to injuries in his young career. “My first very bad injury was above in Newry, we [Clare] played Armagh and the pitch was half frozen that day, after about 10 seconds I went down and I dislocated and broke my ankle, that was the first major one."

Another outing with Clare, this time a challenge match in 2020, saw Dermot do his cruciate during his warm-up.

"I was eager to get back [after that injury] and I made it back. Ray Moran in Santry has been top class and a great help to me. He thought I was flying and I came back I went training with Clare and I was unlucky enough for it to go again," he documents.

"Ever since then I’ve had no real long-term injuries until the Miltown game the last day where I just fractured my foot going up for a ball. There is setbacks and they are all part and parcel of it, some more than others unfortunately but I will do everything I can to try get back as fast as possible.”

To keep bouncing back from such blows requires a strong mental resilience. “It is frustrating and it is very disappointing, you want to be out there especially with the people you grew up with.

"I’m lucky enough in that we come from a great footballing parish, I’ve great peo-

ple around me and we’ve a superb squad, after the Miltown game I was disappointed but the boys really gathered around me and they made me a promise that they would do everything they could to get back to the county final and they came through to their word."

With his temporary vantage point on the sideline alongside the management, Dermot admitted he was impressed with the decision making of his teammates in possession. “You’ve to admire the composure of our old-

make space for

next day”.

er fellas, in the second half they knew how to hold the ball when it came down to it, it took the sting out of the Cratloe attack even though it never seemed like ending in the second half for a while.

"I remember looking up at the clock at one stage in the second half and there was only six minutes gone in the second half, I was thinking we would never get out of here but we did. It is different, when you are playing them games you don’t feel that pressure because you’re just trying to get on the ball,

CLARE SFC CHAMPIONSHIP ROAD TO THE FINAL

GROUP 1:

Round 1:

Éire Óg 0-10 Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-08 on 02/08/24 in Cooraclare

Lissycasey 2-16 Kilmihil 0-7 on 03/08/24 in Kilrush

Round 2:

Kilmurry Ibrickane 1-9 Lissycasey 0-9 on 17/08/24 in Cusack Park

Éire Óg 3-18 Kilmihil 0-4 on 18/08/24 in Cusack Park

Round 3:

Kilmurry Ibrickane 2-15 Kilmihil 0-13 on 31/08/24 in Doonbeg Éire Óg 2-17 Lissycasey 1-6 on 31/08/24 in Cusack Park

GROUP 2:

Round 1:

St Joseph’s Doora/Bareﬁeld 1-9

St Breckan’s 1-7 on 02/08/24 in Páirc Finne, Coroﬁn

Kildysart 0-12 Coroﬁn 0-9 on 03/08/24 in Clarecastle Round 2: St Breckan’s 4-9 Kildysart 0-9 on 16/08/24 in Gurteen

St Joseph’s Doora/Bareﬁeld 1-14 Coroﬁn 1-12 on 17/08/24 in Cusack Park

Round 3: Kildysart 1-12 St Joseph’s Doora/Bareﬁeld 1-11 on 01/09/24 in Clarecastle

St Breckan’s 2-11 Coroﬁn 0-5 on 01/09/24 in Cusack Park

GROUP 3:

Round 1: Cratloe 2-9 St Joseph’s Miltown 0-10 on 02/08/24 in Clarecastle Ennistymon 1-7 Doonbeg 0-8 on 03/08/24 in Miltown Malbay

Round 2:

St Joseph’s Miltown 2-6

Doonbeg 0-7 on 16/08/24 in Kilmihil Cratloe 0-15 Ennistymon 1-12 on 18/08/24 in Cusack Park

Round 3: Cratloe 2-8 Doonbeg 0-12 on 01/09/24 in Cusack Park

St Joseph’s Miltown 1-12

Doonbeg 0-10 on 01/09/24 in Cooraclare

PRELIMINARY QUARTER-FINAL:

Lissycasey 0-8 Kildysart 0-4 on 14/09/24 in Kilmihil

RELEGATION SEMI-FINAL: Doonbeg 1-10 Kilmihil 0-11 on 15/09/24 in Cooraclare

RELEGATION FINAL: Kilmihil 1-6 Coroﬁn 0-4 on 29/09/24 in Miltown Malbay

QUARTER-FINALS:

Cratloe 1-13 Lissycasey 0-13 on 28/09/24 in Cusack Park

Kilmurry Ibrickane 2-15 St Joseph’s Miltown 0-10 on 28/09/24 in Doonbeg Éire Óg 2-14 St Joseph’s Doora/Bareﬁeld 0-6 on 29/09/24 in Cusack Park Ennistymon 1-7 St Breckan’s 0-8 on 29/09/24 in Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay

SEMI-FINALS: Kilmurry Ibrickane 3-8 Cratloe 1-11 on 12/10/24 in Cusack Park Éire Óg 1-13 Ennistymon 0-2 on 13/10/24 in Cusack Park FINAL: Éire Óg v Kilmurry Ibrickane on 27/10/24 in Cusack Park

There’s plenty of footballs kicked and sliotars pucked in the staff room of St Caimin’s this weather with Aaron Cunningham winning a second Clare IHC medal with Wolfe Tones as Brian Corry chases a sixth Clare SHC medal with Sixmilebridge while the football conversation is steered by Dermot, Emmet McMahon, Ger Keane and Páraic Aherne.

Given that he is teaching English and history, the same subjects as Keane, he gets a great kick at being labelled “Ger Keane the second”.

Coughlan confirmed that the Kilkee native has yet to teach him the ropes on postgoal celebrations as he fa-

mously delivered after teeing Martin Daly’s match-winning goal in the 1997 Munster semi-final. “We all know about Ger, he was a fantastic player so I’m delighted to see him going in with the minors with Joe Hayes, he can offer a wealth of knowledge.”

With the exit of 13 members of the 2023 Clare squad, Dermot was one of the players to assume a leadership role with the county this season and he duly delivered. Off the back of leading the way with Clare, he was very proud to get the call to captain his club. “From a personal point of view it is a great honour but if you ask anyone of them 15 or 20 lads inside in the dressing room to be captain, they would do just as good at the role as I would be able to be.

"At the start of the year we set out to get to a county final and hopefully get over the line, that is our main aim. Being captain is nice but at the end of the day it is just another title on a piece of paper, there have been lads that are around a lot longer than I was and lads that come a lot longer after me, we’re all trying to row in the same direction, work for each other on the field and see how far we can get together”.

How far Coughlan can go and the input he will have for Sunday’s final, his fifth including replays and injuries, will be determined at training on Thursday when management finalise their starting fifteen.

O'Brien to referee ﬁnal

BROADFORD clubman Fergal O’Brien is to take charge of Sunday’s TUS Clare senior football final, writes Páraic McMahon. O’Brien will referee his first senior championship final when Éire Óg and Kilmurry Ibrickane meet in the county final in what is a repeat of the 2021 decider. Sunday’s final commences at 2:30pm in Cusack Park.

Games ofﬁciated by dual-referee O’Brien during this year’s Clare SFC include Cratloe’s group wins over St Joseph’s Miltown and Doonbeg, the North Clare derby between Ennistymon and St Breckan’s which saw Ennistymon prevail in the quarter-ﬁnal that had two mentors dismissed to the stand.

Last year, Kerry native Fergal was the man in the middle for the Clare IHC final when Corofin overcame Sixmilebridge. He was part of the Broadford U15 management when they defeated Feakle/Killanena in 2019 to win what was the club’s first B championship in twenty eight years. A lecturer in the University of Limerick, Fergal is a Professor in Finance and Assistant Dean of Postgraduate Studies at the Kemmy Business School.

Miltown Malbay native, Niall Quinn who was the referee for last year’s senior ﬁnal will be the referee for Saturday’s intermediate ﬁnal which pits Naomh Eoin against Wolfe Tones. The game takes place at 3pm in Cooraclare.

l Dermot Coughlan

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Moloney living for the moment in chase for

senior medal

by Páraic McMahon

KILMURRY IBRICKANE

have contested nine of the last 17 senior championship finals, make it 11 if replays are included. Sunday will be a first decider in the top tier for Joshua Moloney.

Ever-present at wing forward for all five of their championship outings thus far, Moloney has worked tirelessly as the Bricks reached a first senior final since 2021.

Now in his third year on the senior panel, Joshua told The Clare Echo, “This is every lad’s goal when they start to play football, to go on and play in a county final but we’ve to block out some of the build-up too and worry about playing the game, focus on training.”

For the past two seasons, he has been part of the Clare U20 team, this year serving as joint captain alongside Killimer’s Odhran Cunningham. He describes going from inter-county U20 football to senior club as a "massive jump". "Everything has to be tuned in for senior, in the Clare senior championship there are no easy games."

Originally from Sea View Park in Quilty, Joshua quipped that his current residence just outside Miltown Malbay is “controversial”. To have then beaten St Joseph’s Miltown by 11 points in the quarter-final added extra personal satisfaction. “You enjoy it more but the quarter-final was a sweet one for all of us, there is always a rivalry between Kilmurry Ibrickane and Miltown."

Moloney continued, “That was a big game for us and we played really well. We knew Miltown were going to be tough and they had battled in their group because they are a tough team.

"We were delighted with ourselves and the result, it was great and we had to keep driving forward.”

Coming from a family steeped in the club, it is no surprise that Joshua has gone on to impress at senior level.

“Everyone in the family all played football, my uncles Brendan and Stephen were

on the team that got to the All-Ireland final, Stephen got the goal in the final, my uncle Aidan was the selector for years and he was the manager in 2018 with the seniors, my aunts Lily, Loretta and Margaret all played ladies football and were involved in the management side of things, we’re well steeped in football tradition in the family."

His uncle Steven was a player Joshua always looked up to, lining out with the Junior A side that won the Division 4 league before calling time on his career. “I’ve a jersey at home which is one of his county final jerseys, it’s something nice to have when you have someone so close to home to be looking up to and try follow in their footsteps."

Now in his second year studying environmental science at the University of Limerick, Moloney developed an interest in science during his time at St Joseph’s Spanish Point Secondary School.

UL has also aided with his development as a footballer, he won a Division 1 All-Ireland league medal with the college as part of their freshers side and has made the panel of 50 for UL’s Sigerson Cup squad, a fine feat for a second year student. “When you’re playing with players from other counties who are all high-level players you see it like with Danny Walsh on those teams for the last four

or five years and he’s playing with the Clare seniors, it brings players on. It’s early yet, you’d always be delighted to get as far as you get and I’m delighted so far, for the moment Kilmurry Ibrickane is the main focus”.

Comfortable at wing forward and wing back, Moloney says there is little difference between the two roles.

“At wing forward, sometimes you are tracking back and doing the wing back’s job, the same sometimes at wing back you can be going forward and doing the wing forward’s job, they are interchangeable enough."

Dethroning Cratloe as county champions was the moment Joshua realised that Kilmurry Ibrickane are capable of lifting the Jack Daly in 2024.

“I try to take the games one at a time and not be thinking of a county final before you get there because you can get ahead of yourself too and if you do that you can get caught.

"Going into the Cratloe game, we said we had every chance and we didn’t fear anyone and that we had every chance in it. We said 100 percent that there was a chance for us to be in the county final, we knew we had to go out in the Cratloe game and back that up to get our spot in the final, that was the moment”.

Egan predicted Éire Óg ﬁnal

DAVID EGAN has married into a staunch Éire Óg family and on Sunday he tows the line as the Kilmurry Ibrickane manager looking to stop the Ennis club from winning a third Jack Daly in four seasons.

There’s been no way of keeping a safe distance from Éire Óg supporters as on Sunday just gone, he and his wife Louise were joined by the entire Skelly family as they christened their child. “Michael Skelly would be a big Éire Óg man, he ran the clubhouse for years, his daughter Louise is my partner. Louise is very supportive of everything I do but she will be wearing the red and white,” he admits.

Having relocated from Cork with Louise and the family, David was quickly snapped up by Kilmurry Ibrick ane for the 2024 campaign after John Talty came across him while working on a windfarm in Quilty.

Two points separated Kilmurry Ibrickane and Éire Óg when the West Clare side fell to their only loss of this year’s championship at the start of August.

Even at that early stage of the championship, Egan predicted the sides would meet again.

"Not being arrogant but

yes”, he replied when asked if he expected to be facing Paul Madden’s side again. “I felt even before we played that game that if we were to win a championship then we’d have to cross that path twice, I think I was right in my thinking in that the two best panels in Clare have arrived at the stage.

Egan expects a ferocious battle this Sunday but admits the two sides were "shadow-boxing" on that day in August. Since then, the Bricks are in a much healthier place with Keelan Sexton getting game time under his belt plus the returns of Aidan McCarthy and Ciaran Morrissey from injury and Darren Hickey regaining his place in the first 15. The big caveat to all of that is the fractured foot Coughlan. in Sexton make the this Thursmot is fit the Thursday night before then he starts, that is my opinion... I’d love for the chap to be fit because he lives and breathes football, he lives and breathes Kilmurry Ibrickane too."

For the extended interview, visit

l Joshua Moloney

Photo Gerard O'Neill

ADAM FOLEY

CLARE INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: NAOMH EOIN VS WOLFETONES

ALL PHOTOS BY GERARD O'NEILL

ADAM HAUGH ANDREW NAUGHTON CIARAN BONFIL CONOR MAGNER CONOR TEVLIN DECLAN KENIRY

EOIN DALY EOIN HANRAHAN FERGAL KEANE

GAVIN MAGNER

GEAROID LYNCH KEVIN ROCHE LIAM ROCHE

MARK McQUAID NIALL BONFIL ODHRAN LYNCH OWEN LYNCH

SEAMUS BOLAND SEAN BONFIL

SEAN ROCHE

TOMÁS BONFIL

BARRY HARTE MARTIN HAUGH THOMAS O'CONNOR

CLARE INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: NAOMH EOIN VS WOLFETONES

ALL PHOTOS BY GERARD O'NEILL

AARON BRENNAN AARON KELLY AARON SHINNERS BEN O'NEILL BRIAN MONAGHAN BRIAN MURPHY CHRIS DUNNING

CODY WALLER COLIN RIORDAN CONOR CARRAIG

CONOR CASEY

CRAIG RIORDAN DANIEL RIORDAN DEAN DEVANNEY

EOGHAN CASEY EOIN GOUGH

FIONN McINERNEY GARY LEAHY JACK RYAN

JASON McCAULEY JAYME O'SULLIVAN

JOE McGAULEY LIAM DIVILLEY LUKE CAHILL NIALL FITZGERALD SEAN MURPHY

TADHG FITZGERALD TAN GREENE

KIERAN RYAN

SHANE NIHILL SHANE RUSSELL

JONNY BRIDGES FERGAL O'DONNELL BARRY MURPHY

Lynchpins trying to navigate Naomh Eoin's promotion

by Páraic McMahon

GAA is at the heart of life in the Loop Head Peninsula with Naomh Eoin bridging to win promotion to the Clare senior football championship for the first time.

Drawing players from Cross and Kilbaha, the Peninsula club take on Wolfe Tones in Saturday’s intermediate decider in Cooraclare which has a 3pm start.

Capping off the 50th year since the club’s foundation by claiming the Talty Stores Cup is now the focus.

Owen Lynch is captain of the Naomh Eoin side while 10 years previous his older brother Gearoid was the victorious captain when the club won the Junior A football championship.

Gaelic football has been the talk of the place since their semi-final win over Clondegad, Gearoid admitted. “It is the first time ever that we’re in an intermediate final so everyone is excited back here, it is a matter of passing the next days away”.

Activity in the parish is often based around the football club, Owen outlined. “It is the centre point of the commu-

nity, after every game you’d go into the pub and everyone would be there congratulating you...it isn’t just us on the panel that would be delighted after a game, everyone would be in great form and on about it, when you meet someone on the road it is the first thing anybody talks about”.

David Russell was manager of the Naomh Eoin side to win the Junior A in 2014 while Kilkee man Barry Harte is now in charge.

Time hasn’t been long going since that success, Gearoid observed, “Ten years ago for the 40th anniversary, it was great, I was 23 at the time and it doesn’t be long passing."

The trend of Naomh Eoin reaching county finals on anniversary years since its foundation and one of the Lynch’s acting as captain are notable coincidences. “There isn’t much difference to be honest, it is an easy bunch to be captain of because there’s leaders all over the field, there’s no change for me, I don’t do any extra talking,” Owen commented of leading the team into battle.

Speeches are often a strength of captains and as far as best man speeches are

concerned, Gearoid certainly knocked it out of the park when in the role for the wedding of former O’Currys footballer Tom Downes and Ennis native Una Casey, both of whom are now based in New York City.

Their sister Ciara is responsible for running the club’s Facebook Page, Gearoid works with their father Gerry as a plasterer, “he’ll have to be understanding come Tuesday or Wednesday if things go right but we’ll be busy Friday”. The brothers agree that it’s

their mother Eileen that will be most nervous in advance of the final. “The old lady is a bit excited about it,” Owen pointed out and Gearoid added, “She would be a bit excited about it, in our house you can be too busy sometimes to be worried about a game”.

Captain Owen turns 25 on Thursday (October 24), he finished a degree in quantity surveying and may yet return to that line of work but for now is working with a local contractor.

Regardless of the amount

of brothers on the panel, it is a very tight-knit group. “We’re close, we’ve the Magners, the Bonfils, the likes of Sean Roche in goals and his brother Liam doing stats, the rest of the lads then if they are not brothers they are related, it is the nature of it back here, everyone knows everyone and everyone is related to everyone,” Gearoid said.

He continued, “the youngest is from eighteen or nineteen, Seamus is the oldest at thirty eight, I’m thirty three, Declan is the next at thirty, there’s only three on the panel in their thirties, I know the panel isn’t massive but we’re lucky to have a group of lads in their early twenties, it helps with the style of play”.

Indeed their direct style has been applauded by neutrals. Owen said, “We love to go at teams, we have confidence in our ability, the running game suits us because we have great lads on the ball like Odhran (Lynch) and Niall (Bonfil), real strong runners so it is playing to our strengths”.

Naomh Eoin have never played in the senior championship but some of their players including Owen have, in 2019 the amalgama-

tion of Western Gaels saw O’Currys, Naomh Eoin and St Senan’s Kilkee join forces. “It was a big jump but it was a bit all over the place, there was no real training and you didn’t know until the day of the game if you were starting never mind who was beside you...it wasn’t a total failure but it hasn’t happened since, we were playing Saturday and Sunday so it was near impossible,” Owen recalled. When it came to the semi-final against Clondegad, Owen kicked the winning score from a free, a clip of which has been viewed close to 120,000 times on The Clare Echo’s TikTok account.

Wolfe Tones have already beaten Naomh Eoin twice in the league. “In the league final, both teams were missing three or four, well we were probably missing only one or two but they were definitely missing three or four and they beat us a point that day, they are a good side, we have struggled to beat them the last few years so hopefully Saturday is the day we do it,” Owen added.

For the extended interview, visit www.clareecho.ie.

Dual senior status on captain Jack's mind

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

WOLFE TONES vice captain Jack Ryan is hopeful by the end of the weekend the Shannon club will have dual senior status.

On Saturday last, the hurlers managed by Barry Keane secured promotion to the senior ranks following their relegation last year while this Saturday it’s the turn of Johnny Bridges side to try complete the double.

Jack Ryan is in his third season with the Wolfe Tones intermediate footballers.

“This year we’ve had the most committed group since I started playing, everyone is training every night. Last year our percentage for attendance was in the seventy marks whereas this year everyone is up in the nineties, showing up to training every week,” he outlined.

This drive was triggered by the upset from their five point semi final loss to Kilrush Shamrocks last year.

“The disappointment of last

year and knowing how close we got, everyone wanted to rectify that this year and put the head down from the start of the year, we had a good league campaign and the momentum kept going. We let the game go away from us last year against Kilrush, like that they only lost by a point, a kick of a ball and knew we were able to do it, that gave us the confidence for us to know we were good enough”.

Beating Naomh Eoin in the league final strengthened their belief, the third year business and sports management student at TUS outlined. “Winning the league final, it was a tough day out against a good Naomh Eoin side and we got over the line by a point which showed we had been building character, that was the day everyone said yeah we can do this”.

He remarked of Saturday’s opponents, “They continue to impress every year, they got to the semi-final last year and the final this year, credit to them they are flying it, I’d

have been expecting them to make a semi-final at least myself but the two of us will give it a good rattle”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, he explained their results have fed into the buy-in from the panel, “Everything is more enjoyable when you’re winning, the commitment from everyone has made it more enjoyable, we’re going down to training and not

wondering where lads are, there’s a strong group with the young lads mixed with the experience, there’s a great bond there at the moment”.

Shannon needs to be a dual senior club, the twenty one year old maintained. “It’s brilliant,” he said of the buzz in the town for both finals, “the academy have been out in green jerseys supporting us for our trainings, it is brilliant to have two teams in the final. For the size of Shannon we need to be senior in both and we have the quality to be a senior team in both, hopefully we can push on”. Relegated from the Clare SFC in 2018, Jack admitted he has no recollection of seeing the Tones compete in the top tier.

A noted goalscorer in the Premier Division of the Clare District Soccer League, Jack made a big transfer from Shannon Town Utd to Avenue Utd during the summer while a move to Newmarket Celtic was on the cards. “David Russell and Adrian Walsh have been very nice to me

trying to mix the two, whenever I can I’ve been trying to tip away with Avenue as well, it’s been nicely done so far”.

On what made him opt for the Roslevan based club, he said, “I went out and did a few sessions with Avenue and I knew straight away really, the quality there is outstanding, we want to push on in big tournaments, they are the games you want to be playing in, going further in competitions, it was an awful decision to leave home but I think I made the right decision”. He continued, “I had a bit of slagging at the start because my uncle took over the Shannon Town team, he wished me the best and I wished them the best”.

There are similarities between his two managers in either code, Bridges and Russell, “They are two good loudmouths anyways, they are both very good in their own respect”.

Dean Devanney and Colin Riordan are the two dual starters for Wolfe Tones but

Jack is also a dual player but just with another sport, “you just have to know your body and get the recovery done when you can, after a match get to Shannon Leisure Centre, get a swim and sauna done, look after yourself with protein after training”. They atoned for last year’s defeat to Kilrush by overcoming them in the semi-finals a fortnight ago. “The main thing was to keep going at it, don’t let the head drop, next ball, it is always next ball, what has happened has happened, your chance will come, we should have scored a few more goals but we were lucky that a few more went in”.

“We know these games don’t come around often, we want to take in the experience of the whole county final, it is great to talk to Chris Dunning and Gary Leahy who have been there and done it all, us young lads the majority of us haven’t played in an adult final so getting advice off them is great for us,” he concluded.

lGearoid and Owen Lynch

lJack Ryan Burren Eye Photography

Strong Miltown support behind Lenihan in Doora/Bareﬁeld's quest for honours

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

THERE will be a strong Miltown Malbay support in Sunday’s ladies football final but not for the neighbouring Kilmurry Ibrickane parish. Instead, it will be for St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield netminder Amy Lenihan who has strong ties to the West Clare village, both of her parents, Seán and Debbie hailing from Miltown Malbay.

There will be many supporters passing ‘The Hand’ en route to Cusack Park this Sunday to cheer on Kilmurry Ibrickane in both finals but former referee Mickey Wilson will be heading to Ennis to cheer on his grand-daughter Amy. Indeed the goalkeeper singled out the support of her grandfather in advance of the county final, “when he was younger he was doing a lot of reffing in his day, the interest in football came from that”.

She explained, “Friends and family is who most people are playing sport for, plus the girls on the pitch and watching you off it. I think that connection really makes people enjoy it and want to stick with it”. She added. “When I was younger a lot of

the Clare team that got to the 2016 All-Ireland final, that was the main thing, ladies football in Clare was blown up because of it but coaches and parents have been a big influence and my grand-dad is a huge fan and comes to all the matches”.

A mechanical engineering graduate, Amy has been on the Doora/Barefield panel for six years, having previously won numerous underage, intermediate and Junior A titles with the club. Reaching the senior final is part of their natural progression, she maintained.

“For the last two or three years we’ve seen how close we’ve got in certain years and how we do have a good strong team there and knowing that we can get there eventually, it all comes with age and experience”.

Clare’s first choice goalkeeper for the past three seasons, Amy rotated between this position and the full-forward line during her underage career. “It wasn’t until four or five years ago when I got called up to the county team to cover the sub goalkeeper who had got injured, because I had play in goals for the Clare minors the year be-

fore and that is where it started, getting used and comfortable with the position,” she told The Clare Echo Standing between the posts can be a very lonely spot. However she notes, “I’m lucky to have Siofra [Ní Chonaill] in front of me, we’re so used to playing with each other for both teams. It’s great to have that connection with someone and being able to trust her knowing that I can rely on her, it is the same with the other backs, we’ve really built it as a unit this year”.

With restarts having such an importance in the modern game, securing possession from kickouts places further pressure on custodians. “For myself I think a huge thing is getting the kickouts right, if you have six good strong backs in front of you and they are doing their job you might only get one or two shots on you in the game but you could have 15 kickouts so that is the main thing that we try work on ... because there’s nothing worse than kicking it straight to the opposition or one going astray, before you know it you could have three or four points belted in on top of you”.

Doora/Barefield have a

stronger desire to succeed this year, Lenihan believed. “At the start of the championship you would have fancied a few of the teams in the other group but looking back now I think those tough matches really stood to us. Kilmurry Ibrickane were our first match, we knew it would be tough and the same with Kilmihil, then West Clare Gaels were in the county final last year so they were all tough, hard matches which have really stood to us”.

Inter-county experience is a big asset when it comes to playing for her club, Amy admits. Exiting at the quarter-finals to Tyrone in Cusack Park was a big upset for Clare’s intermediates this season but the 24-year old is confident they will bounce back next year under new manager Graham Shine.

“We saw last year we were a point away from Kildare, this year it was a point or two against Tyrone and they were very close to Leitrim so again there’s a kick of a ball in all these games and we know how close we’ve been, it’s about getting the heads right and getting the work done to hopefully get us over the line”.

'If you don't have nerves on the day, then football isn't for you'

FOR Kilmurry Ibrickane captain Chloe Moloney, playing for her club means everything, writes Seamus Hayes

Given that her Dad is none other than Aiden ‘Horse’ Moloney, that’s not surprising.

“It’s just a different feeling when playing for your club. I would class Peamount F.C. as my club and it’s an honour to play for Clare but nothing beats playing for where you are from. It’s really special and it would be a dream come

through to go up the steps at Cusack Park on Sunday to receive the cup”, she told The Clare Echo this week ahead of Sunday’s Clare senior ladies football championship ﬁnal.

"It’s a great day for the club,” she said of their curtain raiser ahead of the Clare SFC where the club’s men team take on Éire Óg. "It’s great to have the lads after us as well but we are fully focused on ourselves”.

Noting that Sunday’s ﬁnal

is a repeat of the league ﬁnal which required free kicks to decide a winner Chloe said “there is nothing between the sides”.

Asked if there is pressure on the players to win given the huge interest in football in the Kilmurry parish she replied “on a county ﬁnal day, no matter where you're from, there is pressure and if you don’t have nerves on the day then football isn’t for you."

Reaching ﬁnal 'a big jump' for Kilmurry Ibrickane

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

REACHING the Clare senior ladies final is “a big jump but a great achievement for Kilmurry Ibrickane”.

That’s according to midfielder Ciara McCarthy, a pharmacy technician working in nearby Kilrush. “This was our goal at the start of the year and it’s a privilege to get there with such a small group. We have all played together since a young age and we are delighted to be there”, she told The Clare Echo ahead of Sunday’s final.

Noting that “this is a repeat of the league final”, she added “this is the main one, the league was a great battle, there was nothing between us, no doubt this will be another cracker of a game”.

Like all of those involved with the team she agrees “this is a great day for the parish and there will be massive support. We have to concentrate on our own game, there will be nerves on both sides, it’s such a big day. We are delighted to have the two teams involved”.

Ciara has been playing football from a very young age. “It’s been football since the day I was born and I am delighted to be in a first county final with my own club. There are no guarantees and it will be all on the day. We will take it as another game. County finals are there to be won. Moral victories are over no one remembers you when you get to county final and lose it. We want to get the silverware and that’s what we

are aiming for”, She continued, “we have pride and a lot of heart. Heads were down a bit at half time in the semi-final against Kilmihil but we knew the game was still there. We were delighted to get over the line, Kilmihil are a great side and we were delighted to be ahead at the final whistle”.

Asked about the colour ahead of the final she replied “we are used to big days with Clare. We have to focus on ourselves, it's there and people are talking about it We have to concentrate and get ready for the game. Niall (Hickey) has been in many county finals and Patrick (O’Connor) has been around with teams. They are capable of keeping us focused”. Ciara added, “everything is focused on the final. We are delighted to be in Cusack Park, it’s a lovely pitch to play in. We are really looking forward to it”.

l Ciara McCarthy Photo by Gerard O'Neill

'One of the best days' - O'Rouke relishes Wolfe Tones title

TUS CLARE IHC FINAL

Crusheen 1-24 Scariff 0-19

Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis by Páraic McMahon

HAVING put in the hard yards, Cian O’Rourke was among the most satisfied men in Cusack Park after Wolfe Tones secured their return to the senior championship at the first attempt.

Fewer individuals played such a part in their one point win over Tubber on Saturday with Cian accounting for half of their scores on a day when he had 100 per cent accuracy from placed balls which saw him earn man of the match. Their work with over 130 training sessions paid off as Barry Keane’s charges edged out Tubber to be promoted.

“What an hour and a half, I’m lost for words a bit because in the last 10 minutes you don’t know what is going to happen and you’re playing every ball.

"For a club our size, everyone is saying you should be there but we went down deservedly last year because we weren’t good enough or up to standard but we’re back up next year and we’ve a lot of work to do but where else would you rather be”.

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

may not have been another chance for him. It is probably one of the best days of my life, I won’t lie to you, I’m so happy”.

Based in Dublin where he works as Brand Manager of Pan Euro Foods, Cian’s training on his own in the capital was referenced by Guilfoyle in advance of the game as an example of how the Tones made sacrifices and went further in their efforts this year. “My girlfriend is there beside me, she is nearly in the apartment by herself every second weekend so a lot goes into it. I’ve a few friends and I’m doing a bit of training with St Jude’s and Round Towers, some of those friends were down here today so you’re like a hurling nomad,” O’Rourke noted.

that’ but this year we pride ourselves on the protocol that we have so if we’re up ten points or down ten points we do the same thing. I won’t lie, there was a few lows and when you have Aaron Cunningham and Daithí Lohan going off when the game is still in the melting pot but there was no panic stations, there was no lumping high balls, we still tried to do the right thing, we made very hard work of it but we got there in the end so maybe it was meant to be”.

Prior to their relegation in 2023, Wolfe Tones contested senior quarter-finals in 2021 and 2022 where they lost to Newmarket-on-Fergus and Sixmilebridge prompting the corner forward to remark,

“You gave some marking one of the times but we deserved to go down last year as I said, if you look at the club right now we’ve an intermediate football final, there’s a Junior B football final, there’s a U17 football final, there’s positivity, last year other than our Junior Bs it would have been a long cold winter, it is good, you can see all the kids here and that is what it is all about, Clare winning the All-Ireland I’ve never saw as many hurlers around the town since that, if we can get fifty percent of that with kids out hurling and get up from competing in C and B underage that is what is about, at least they have something to strive for at senior”.

STORY OF THE GAME

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cian said it was an extra special feeling to win with his brother John Guilfoyle as captain and his younger brother Oisin O’Rourke producing a fine hour between the posts. “When Oisin makes those saves I’m nearly

jumping in celebration as if it was me scoring a goal, he had a bad accident and it hit hard for the whole family, he is lucky to even be hurling, he is a kind of lad who sleeps with his hurley. John then is coming in with a few grey hairs so if we lost today maybe there

Tubber got a run of four points without reply to lead by a single score at halftime. Unlike previous years, the Tones dressing room remained very calm. “Last year and the year before there was a lot of roaring and shouting with ‘you did this and you did

Fitzgerald: It was 10 times harder this year

CLARE SENIOR CAMOGIE FINAL

Truagh-Clonlara 2-11

Inagh-Kilnamona 2-07

Venue: Dr Daly Park,Tulla

Compiled by Seamus Hayes

STORY OF THE GAME

TRUAGH CLONLARA

Frees For; 13 (6/7) Wides;-8 4/4)

Scores from play; 2-5

Spread of scorers; 6 Own puckouts won; 10 out of 14

INAGH-KILNAMONA Frees For; 22 (12/10) Wides;- 5 (3/2) Scores from play; 1-1

Spread of scorers; 3 Own puckouts won; 16 out of 21

Bookings; Laoise Ryan (45)

REFEREE: Andy McMahon (Cratloe)

SPEAKING after Saturday’s victory Owen Fitzgerald, from the Truagh-Clonlara management team said “this year was ten times harder than last year, everyone is gunning for you, making life harder".

Fitzgerald admitted that Truagh-Clonlara's preparation "had to be way more detailed than last year but then it’s a lot sweeter when you win".

Continuing he told The Clare Echo, “there is so little between the top three teams in Clare. Our girls like to make hard work of it. At times, there before the goals, we were a bit more comfortable on sthe scoreboard.

"When they got the goals they put us to the pin of our collars but in fairness to the girls, they never stopped working.

Owen agreed that the performance of the team “is a

sign of how the team has progressed. “Given the disappointment the girls hive had over the years, they always come up with answers, you never doubt them” Looking ahead to the Munster club championship, Owen said “ we got one game in Munster club last year and we lost it. We had a two week turnaround. This year we have a bye in the first round and we will have a chance to focus”, he concluded

Team manager Bob Caulfield who received a special mentor from joint captain Ellen Horgan at the presentation of the trophy for his dedication to the game in Truagh-Clonlara . was particularly happy with Saturday’s result

“This is unreal, they are a great bunch of girls, anything you ask them, they do for you, they train harder than any group of men. This

is what it’s all about, everything is spot on. This was the target, that is why we wanted to keep everyone together, get back and show that last year wasn’t a fluke.

“WE lost our midfielder and full back to injury and Michelle (Caulfield) was missing as well. Like last year, they gave it everything and I am delighted. It’s back to Clonlara now for a big night tonight” he concluded.

Meanwhile Inagh-Kilnamona manager Eugene Foudy, while disappointed with the outcome praised the effort from his charges.

“We have a very young

team and our lack of experience was shown in the first half. We were lucky to be only four points in arrears at half time.

"Our girls responded brilliantly in the second half but the overall strength of Truagh-Clonlara was telling. Of course we are disappointed with the result but I am full of praise for the effort our girls showed throughout. It’s about development and, hopefully, the experience gained by the girls will stand to them going forward”

TONES: Frees for: 15 (4/11) Wides: 11 (7/4) Spread of scorers: 6 Scores from play: 1-6 Top scorer: Cian O’Rourke (0-12 11f)

Bookings: None Own puckouts won: 15 from 24 (63%)

Frees for: 16 (8/8)

Wides: 5 (2/3) Spread of scorers: 5 Scores from play: 0-10

REFEREE: Gus Callaghan (Feakle)

LISSYCASEY LEAD FROM START TO FINISH

SHC ﬁnal on Monday

CLARE’s senior hurling championship final has been refixed to take place on Bank Holiday Monday. Feakle and Sixmilebridge meet in the Clare SHC final for the first time with the game now fixed to take place on Bank Holiday Monday (October 28th) at 14:30 in Cusack Park.

Clonlara’s Joe Mullins will be the referee in what will be his first time officiating a Clare SHC final.

Cusack Park will be a busy venue over the weekend with the Shinty/Hurling exhibition match taking place at 15:30 on Saturday.

Éire Óg and Kilmurry Ibrickane face off at the county grounds on Sunday in the Clare SFC final, a game which commences at 14:30 and is preceded by Kilmurry Ibrickane vs St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield in the Clare LGFA senior final at 12:00.

As a result of the Feakle and Bridge going ahead eight days later than planned, the Junior B final between Moy and Wolfe Tones is moved out of Cusack Park and instead will take place in Gurteen at 12:30, the game would have been Moy’s first ever championship final to be held in Cusack Park.

WOLFE

TUBBER

Top scorer: Blaine Earley (0-10 8f)

Bookings: Fergal O’Grady (35), Ronan Monahan (39), Senan Dunford (64) Own puckouts: 17/29 (58%)

l Wolfe Tones captain John Guilfoyle with the Paddy Browne Cup and Cian O’Rourke with the man of the match award

Photo by Ruth Grifﬁn

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

l Truagh-Clonlara celebrate their title

by PÁDRAIG MCGRATH

I recently played a Ryder Cup style golf tournament at The Heritage Golf Resort with some old college and golﬁng buddies and was blown away by the threeday getaway.

The total price of the trip for 24 golfers worked out at about €385 which included your two nights stay, two rounds of golf, breakfast on both mornings and two evening meals, one at the hotel and the second at the Thatch Pub which is located at the entrance to the hotel. The price was incredible considering the quality of the golf course as well as the food and service which I have to say the staff went above and beyond our expectations for the whole three days.

The breakfast buffet is one of the best I have seen around the country. After breakfast we headed to the Eddie Doyle Golf Academy located beside the hotel car park. Here they have indoor bays on artiﬁcial grass or outdoor bays on grass avail-

able to hit from. It is a perfect venue to loosen up before your round at The Heritage because you will want to be warmed up before you tackle the beast of a championship course.

I remember well when Seve played at the Heritage many of years ago at the opening of the resort, he was beaming all day with pride while playing his newly designed course. It was fantastic to watch him play up close and to see the incredible parkland course for the ﬁrst time. I revisited years later to play during the winter months and I couldn't believe how dry and ﬁrm the course was. If the Heritage was situated about half an hour closer to Dublin, I would have no doubt you would barely get a tee time. In a way, having it located where it is means you get exceptional value for the hotel and for the course. The course itself truly is beastly long from the back tees, but don't fear they have several of tee box options on each hole to choose from so you can play a shorter more enjoyable course if you are not a long hitter. The course

Winners in Tulla, Feakle and Ennis

by Michael Maher news@clareecho.ie

The Semi Finals of the €10,000 to the winner Fonez Galway Oaks were the twin features on Friday night. As the traps rose for the €1500 to the winner in the Paul McKenna Memorial Final all six runners were away as one with Rylane Master along the inner and Burnpark Taylor towards the outer. However Rylane Master, owned by Donal Duggan of Tulla, took command as he stayed on powerfully to defeat Lisk Rapid by two & a half lengths in 29.48. The outcome of the Galway Regulars A5 first semi final was in truth in little doubt from as early as the opening bend as the John Quinn & Shane Counihan of Gort-owned daughter of Pestana and Port West Pop trapped really slickly and stayed on powerfully for an impressive four length success over Hanover Mellie in 29.27.

With Rugby action on Saturday night it was Thursday and Friday night action

itself has no weak holes but it does have some incredible stand out holes, especially the 9th and 18th which lay adjacent to each other hugging the opposite sides of a lake that separates both fairways. These are two of the toughest holes as water comes into play off the tee and for your second shot into both greens. You have to commit to both shots on this hole otherwise you will surely ﬁnd a watery grave. The Par 5s are all some of the best our country has to offer it terms of their layout. In particular the second and the eighth holes both have

streams that run across the fairway and run along the fairway towards the green. This stream has to be avoided for your tee shots and it also comes into play for your approach shot. On the second hole you also have a large lake that wraps around the edge of the green that has to be carried to reach the green surface. Should you try to bail out to the right of this green you have bunkers and gorse bushes to contend with.

Also, the Par 3s are unbelievable and range from 155 - 225 yards. The third hole is 184 yards from the front tee

and plays 214 yards from the back tees. To reach the green you have to carry a large lake that wraps around the front right of the green all the way to the back right hand side. The last time I played this hole it was into a stiff breeze and I had to hit a 2 iron that was stuck to perfection however my heart was in my mouth while the ball was airborne until I saw it safely hold the right side if the green. You do have an option to play short and left of the green but beware there are bunkers awaiting if you hit it too far left trying to avoid the lake. It really is such a tough hole and even when you are playing well this hole can bring you to your knees.

The halfway house that sits looking over both the 9th and 18th greens is a small bar that serves a huge array of sandwiches, wraps and snacks. Our group gathered here for drinks on both days after our Ryder Cup matches and there is a great atmosphere here where you can relax and have a couple of beers after your round while you watch other golfers in your group make a mess of their round on the

18th hole. In fact, one of our group's trolleys took off on its own accord and ended up inside the lake that sits below the 18th green. The laughter that ensued from the halfway hut could have been heard from Clare as we watched him jump into the lake to retrieve his belongings. Both meals we had after both rounds at the hotel and at the Thatch Pub were perfect. The hotel served up a beautiful steak perfectly cooked and was ideal for hungry golfers or even anyone bringing partners who would like a romantic meal. The Thatch Pub decor is extremely cool with several of different areas to eat or drink in. It also has a fully grown tree growing in the main bar that you can sit around and have a few beers together. I highly recommend adding the Heritage to your diary for 2025, especially if you have a society or if you are a part of a group of golfers who do an annual night away. The Heritage won't be beaten for value for money and you will have memories that will last a lifetime both on and off the course.

Two hole-in-ones for Brigdale at Ennis

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

FOR ANY golfer, professional or amateur, holes in one are rare so when one is recorded it leads to great celebrations.

in Galway last week with a nine race card on Thursday night that had the concluding A3 graded 525 yards affair as the top graded event . The Damien & Gary Pepper of Feakle-owned Astro Neil recored his third career success in the S5 graded contest as he made all the running to defeat Springwell Phil by three & a half lengths in 19.39.

In race six, the Clare native John Collins-owned Brickhill Harvey never saw another rival in this A6 graded contest as the son of Broadstrand Bono & Brickhill Sharon recorded his second career success by four & a half lengths over French Fearless in 29.35.

In the opening semi final of the Kennedy Cup in Limerick on Saturday, Blaze More Fire built on her second round performance with another trap to line display for joint Ennis owners, Kim Bennis and Tony Brigdale as she galloped to a two and a half length victory. .

The odds of recording two in the same round are 67million to one so when Philip Brigdale achieved such an achievement at Ennis Golf Club recently, it led to major celebrations.

A member of Ennis for the past 19 years, 19 handicapper Philip was playing in the Cancer Alliance competition with his nephew Ethan Kerin, Gerry Hannon and Gerry Daly.

“As we were playing the ﬁrst we were talking about a friend who had recorded a hole in one the previous day, never thinking that any of us was about to have a similar achievement”, explained Philip.

“I played a 7 iron to the second and while we heard the ball hit the pin we didn’t ever think that the ball had dropped into the hole. We didn’t know where the ball had ﬁnished until we got to the green and, obviously

I was delighted when we found the ball in the hole. It was my ﬁrst ever hole in one”, explained Philip.

“We were still celebrating this and I had a good score of 15 points going, despite recording a double bogey at the sixth, when we reached he seventh hole. I hit a 5 iron here, as sweet as I ever hit one and we watched the ball role towards the hole before losing sight of

it. The lads coming up the sixth saw it go into the hole but they didn’t know that it was my shot from the tee. It was celebration time again”, continued Philip.

Understandably Philip was “in a bit of a haze for the next few holes and I managed just two points over the next four before things settled down again”. Philip has since received “loads of congratulations, including

messages from the club captain and, and the achievement is to be honoured by the golf club. In fact it was to have happened last Sunday but storm Ashley meant that those plans had to be cancelled. The card has been signed and this has been reported to the GUI (Golﬁng Union of Ireland). A photograph is to be hung on the wall at the club”, according to Philip before conﬁrming “I bought a round for all at the bar afterwards”.

Meanwhile Storm Ashley caused disruption to Sunday competitions across the county however competitions went ahead as scheduled on Friday and Saturday EAST CLARE

The ladies Wednesday competition at East Clare last week was won by Pauline Nugent and Noreen Doyle from Connie McKenna and Breda O'Loghlin.

Last week’s senior men’s competition was won by Danny Minogue, Kieran McNamara and Pat Duggan from Denis Corcoran, Terry Coughlan and Martin

McKeogh with third spot ﬁlled by Noel Earley, Steve Symes and Batt Skehan.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB

Last week’s senior ladies competition at Ennis was won by Mary McMahon, Martina Corbett, Alice D'Arcy and Jean Moloney with second place ﬁlled by Bernie Brooks, Mary Murray and Anne McMahon.

DROMOLAND

Niall Woods won the men’s strokeplay competition with 64. John Hayes was in second with James Purcell in third also scoring 64s. In the senior mens the winner of category a was Niall Cannon. Category B was won by Pat Bergin.

KILRUSH

The Glynn cup men's foursomes competition at Kilrush at the weekend was won by Tom Browne and Jack Foley with 70 WOODSTOCK

The weekend club singles at Woodstock was wo by Noel Crowe(18) with 39 points from Michael Canty(12) with 38 points with tthird spot ﬁlled by Brian Keogh(12) with 36 points.

Accolades on the double for Devitt with Treaty Utd

FOR THE second season in a row, Lee Devitt has been named as Treaty Utd’s player of the season.

Newmarket-on-Fergus native Devitt was this week named as the members player of the year and the players’ player of the year for Treaty Utd.

Midfielder Devitt made thirty eight appearances for the Limerick club this season and finished the campaign

with ten goals to his name.

Another consistent display from Lee is sure to attract the attention of Premier Division clubs in the League of Ireland.

He was a key figure for Tommy Barrett’s side who finished seventh in the League of Ireland First Division after recording a 2-1 win over Finn Harps.

Ennis derby awaits

AN ENNIS derby awaits in the third round of the FAI Junior Cup.

Avenue Utd coach

Adrian Walsh will go up against his former club Lifford FC with the Ennis man having stepped down as manager last season before moving into his new role with David Russell’s side.

Their third round meeting in the FAI Junior Cup is expected

to draw a large crowd to Tom Steele Park in Drumcliffe as Michael Clair’s Lifford welcome neighbours Avenue Utd to the other side of town.

Bridge Utd will wear the favourites tag despite being drawn away to Shannonn Hibs while fresh from a penalty shootout victory in round two, Newmarket Celtic will welcome

Kerry opponents to McDonough Memorial Park again, this time in the guise of Killorglin AFC.

FAI Junior Cup Third Round:

Shannon Hibs vs Bridge Utd

Lifford FC vs Avenue Utd

Newmarket Celtic FC vs Killorglin AFC

Castleisland AFC vs Ballheigue Athletic FC

Ballingarry AFC vs Killarney Athletic AFC

Neylon or O'Keeffe expected to be named as next Clare manager

FORMER KERRY boss Peter Keane is reported to have pulled out of the race to become the next Clare senior football manager.

The Clare Echo understands that U20 manager Michael Neylon (pictured left) and two-time All-Ireland winner Declan O’Keeffe (pictured right) are the last two candidates standing as Clare GAA look to appoint Mark Fitzgerald’s successor.

Officials in Clare GAA are keeping very tightlipped with a further round of interviews held on Monday and Tuesday of this week. The four-person interview committee is comprised of Clare GAA Head of Operations, Deirdre Murphy, Clare GAA Chairman Kieran Keating, ex Clare minor manager Dermot Coughlan and National League all-time top scorer David Tubridy.

Outgoing selector Declan Downes received a groundswell of support among players and the Clare public after details of his proposed ticket were reported by The Clare Echo. However his

omission from the race has caused surprise among members of the county senior football panel and supporters.

Keane has been out of inter-county action since his tenure as Kerry boss ended in September 2021. He had also been linked with the Tipperary role last season but withdrew at the last minute.

Experienced Cork coach John Fintan Daly is believed to have withdrew his name for consideration late last week.

Other outside candidates including John Evans and Niall Carew were unsuccessful in their bid to be appointed as Clare boss.

Tralee native Jerome Stack is understood to be part of Neylon’s proposed ticket while former Clare midfielder David Russell from Kilkee has been touted as a potential selector.

An appointment is expected to be made before Sunday’s county final.

Ennis u14s defeat Shannon in North Munster League

by Dearbhla Parry news@clareecho.ie

U14 Boys North Munster League: Ennis RFC 31 –22 Shannon RFC

Ennis won 31 – 22 against Shannon early on Sunday morning during the North Munster League.

The U14 boys started the game strong, working the ball wide for scrum-half Eoghan McGroary to score the opening try. Ennis defended well with Nathan McNamara making numerous big tackles throughout. Oisín McNamara managed to intercept a good Shannon attack

and passed to Cian O’Dwyer, who then scored in the corner. Shannon responded to this well by scoring two tries just before halftime, leaving the score at 10 – 10.

In the second half Ennis scored a converted try, and captain Robbie McMahon scored while Ben McAllister converted. Another score from Ennis and two more tries from McMahon later, the final score was set at 31 – 22.

Senior Men’s Gleeson League: Ennis RFC 26 –36 Presentation RFC

The senior men contested in a fierce game on Saturday

afternoon against Presentation with a final score of 26 – 36.

Ennis had the majority of possession in the first half, but the Presentation pack were able to take advantage of this. Fine individual effort from Evan Crowley allowed Ennis their only score up until halftime.

Both teams played excellent rugby in the second half and scored three tries each. Ennis numerously obtained strong positions to retake the lead, only to turn over the ball at crucial times.

Other Ennis tries were scored by Diolmhain Hynes

and Shane Harran, with three conversions by Sam Browne. A storming run from Ciarán McManus off the back of the scrum gave Andrew Cahir-Whelan the opportunity to score, putting the score at 26 – 31 with three minutes left. However, a knock-on call from the referee gave Presentation the game 26 – 36.

Ennis’ team included Alan O’Shea, Jack Colleran, Diolmhain Hynes, Kristian Currid, Jonathan O’Donoghue, Darragh Tubridy, Seán Healy, Ciarán McManus, Sam Browne, Ben Geraghty (captain), Evan Crowley, Os-

car O’Gorman, Niall O’Brien, Shane Harran, and Andrew Cahir-Whelan. The substitutes were David Costello, Cillian Mullins, Keelan Butler, and Michael O’Leary. Fixtures:

U13 Boys Munster Development League: Ennis v Nenagh. Saturday 26th October, 10am in Lee’s Road U14 Girls League: Ennis v Nenagh. Saturday 26th October, 11am in Nenagh

U18 Girls Munster League: Ennis v Bruff. Saturday 26th October, 11am in Drumbiggle

U16 Girls Munster League: Ennis v Bruff. Saturday

26th October, 12:30pm in Drumbiggle

Senior Men’s Friendly: Ennis v Corinthians. Saturday 26th October, 3pm in Drumbiggle

U16 Boys League: Ennis v Cashel. Sunday 27th October, 11:30am in Drumbiggle

U15 Boys Munster League: Ennis v Nenagh. Sunday 27th October, 12pm in Nenagh U18 Boys League: Ennis v Newport. Sunday 27th October,1pm in Tralee Senior Women’s League: Ennis v Tralee. Sunday 27th October, 1pm in Tralee

CLARE

COUNTY COUNCIL LISCULLANE, COROFIN, CO.CLARE

We, David Corbett and Sarah Quirke, wish to apply to the above named local authority for planning permission for (a) modifications to an existing dwelling (b) a single storey extension to the existing dwelling (c) a new wastewater treatment system and all ancillary site works at Liscullane, Corofin, Co.Clare.

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

CLARE

COUNTY COUNCIL, UNIT C, CÚIRT NA DTONNTA, E-TOWN, MILTOWN MALBAY, CO. CLARE, V95 CX80

Take notice that N. Hogan intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission for the following a) to change the use of the premises from commercial to residential use b) to add a single storey extension to rear c) to add windows to the existing side elevation along with ancillary site works at the above address.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

LISHEEN, BALLYNACALLY, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Ann-Paula & Patrick Davoren intend to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct (a) a new dwelling house and garage complete with a new entrance, sewage treatment system and ancillary works and (b) an agricultural machinery shed 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 FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS

Planning Ref: P24/60310 Development Description: alterations, rear extension and change of use of existing domestic garage to a granny flat accommodation, along with ancillary works

Location: Ardkyle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co. Clare.

Take notice that Mary Nihill has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P24/60310. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning

authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL TOORNAHOUN, LISDOONVARNA, CO CLARE

Take notice that JOHN CLANCY intends to apply for permission to RETAIN:

The revised location of the dwelling, wwts / percolation area & entrance; the extension and altered fenestration to the dwelling; the revised site boundaries, all of which vary from that granted under permission P11/616, permission to RETAIN the bored well and shed on site and for PERMISSION to provide drainage for disposal of surface water on site & all other associated site 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, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CLOHANINCHY, QUILTY, CO CLARE. V95A9N2

Take notice that Maria and Philip Smyth intend to apply for permission to renovate and extend the existing dwelling & all other associated site 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, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BREAFFY SOUTH, MILTOWN MALBAY

Take notice that M. O’Neill intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to erect dwelling house, foul sewer system and percolation area at the above address.

The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, GOWLAUN, LISDOONVARNA, CO. CLARE.

Take notice that R. O’Flaherty intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission consequent on the grant of outline permission (Ref. No. P21/872) to construct a dwelling house and garage along with ancillary site works at the above address. That the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of

making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, GOWLAUN, LISDOONVARNA, CO. CLARE.

Take notice that A. O’Flaherty intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission consequent on the grant of outline permission (Ref. No. P21/870) to construct a dwelling house and garage along with ancillary site works at the above address. That the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee with-

in the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, 14 SAINT MUNCHIN’S DRIVE, SHANNON BANKS, CORBALLY, LIMERICK, CO. CLARE.

Take notice that P. & A. Clancy intend to apply to the Planning Authority for retention permission and permission for the following works; a) to retain the roof on their shed granted planning permission under P99/942 b) to add an extension onto their existing shed and to convert this shed into independent living accommodation c) to create new site boundaries for the new independent living accommodation d) to create a new site entrance at the front and new pedestrian access at the side of the new independent living accommodation e) connections to public services along with ancillary site works at the above address.

That the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding

the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

PRAYER

Prayer to St. Jude

O Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return, I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St. Jude pray for us all who invoke your aid. Amen. Feast Day 28th October J.T

Recent Deaths

Bane, Paddy Feakle

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CARRIG, Patricia Kilrush

Garry, Michael Ennis

O Halloran (née Pilkington), Brigid Ruan

CONSIDINE, Michael Cree

Kenny Reynolds, Joan Newmarket-on-Fergus

Ogarkova, Alicia (Olesja) Clare

Wilson, Robert (Bob) Flagmount

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Furey(née Gleeson), Gretta Clonlara

Gough(née Mulcahy), Mae Killaloe

MOYNIHAN(née O’Mahony), Nancy Kilrush

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The Clare Echo Quiz

What does the rose in the Clare crest symbolise?

Vandeleur walled garden, The Rose of Clare song, The Burren

How many people died in county Clare during the famine from 1841-1851?

50,000, 20,000, 100,000

What is the total area of county Clare ?

5000 sq km, 3450 sq km, 2750 sq km

Where was Ex rugby player Marcus Horan from ?

Clonlara, Killaloe, Miltown Malbay

How many passengers passed through Shannon airport last year ?

500,000, 2 million, 1 million

What year was county Clare established ? 1405, 1620, 1565

How many counties does county Clare border ? 3, 4, 2

Which of the following islands does not lie off the coast of County Clare ? Innisfallen Island, Mutton Island, Scattery Island

How many TD’s are there for the Clare constituency ? 5, 4, 6

Where was former Irish president Patrick Hillary from? Tulla, Ennis, Spanish Point

Spot the Difference

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

ANSWERS

Last weeks Answers

Wolfe Tones supporters at last

Where was former Irish president Patrick Hillary from?

WORD SEARCH

Aegina

Arcadia

Argos

Athens

Boeotia

Calydon

Corinth

Delos

Delphi

Dodona

Epirus

Euboea

Ithaca

Lemnos

Euboea

Lesbos

Megara

Mycenae

Naxos

Phocis

Sparta

Thebes

Thessaly

The Clare Echo Crossword

ACROSS

1 Guaranteed (7)

5 Capture (5)

8 Makes an effort (5)

9 Southern US state (7)

10 Bright red (7)

11 Period of work (5)

5 March: Ancient Greece Solve now (/games/best-daily-word-search/? puzzleDate=20200305)

. Aegina ()

Arcadia ()

12 Maiden in distress? (6)

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.

More Puzzles

14 Area surrounded by water (6)

18 Small and elegant (5)

. Argos ()

Athens ()

Boeotia () C l d () 2020

20 Instrument to mea-

sure electric current (7)

22 Excess (7)

Lured (7) 2 Winter sports enthusiast (5) 3 Breathe (7) 4 More expensive (6) 5 Talons (5)

6 Russian empress (7)

7 Core (5)

13 Largest of the Balearic Islands (7)

Maigret’s creator (7)

Mocked (7)

Horse-drawn cab (6)

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23 River nymph (5)

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24 Organism causing fermentation (5)

25 Mixed (7)

Domineering (5)

Not illuminated (5)

Court case (5)