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26 Sep 2019
2019
15pc property tax hike the ‘right decision’
STUART HOLLY
C
editor@clareecho.ie
l CELEBRATION: Tulla Utd U16 players Molly Ellis and
Aoibheann Madden with the CSSL U16 Girls Cup at Frank Healy Park Ennis on Monday night Photo by Arthur Ellis
LARE’S local property tax is to increase by 15 percent after a vote by elected members on Monday. It will be the second hike in the space of four years as a two thirds majority of Clare County Council voted to up the local property tax (LPT) by the maximum. The increase will kick in from next year with households depending on the value of their home paying an additional 20 to 60 cent per week. Clare Echo columnist Eoin Neylon writes this week that despite the negative reaction from the public, the decision to increase the tax by 15 per cent was a “brave move” by our local councillors.
“For the average house owner in Clare, it equates to €27.50 on top of the recommended LPT per annum. The equivalent of five pints in an entire year for those who imbibe. A week’s coffees. A couple of four-line Euromillions lotto ticket, with plus. Just 53 cent per week. Most of us have that in the back of the sofa. “For this, the council can fix more roads, give more children safe playing areas, repair damaged sea walls, put in safe cycling infrastructure, clean more illegal dumping, cut back more overgrown roadside trees, put more street lightning in our villages, invest in local festivals, the arts and cultural pursuits, advertise our county for additional tourism revenue and give more to the many wonderful community and charity groups that make Clare the great county it is.”
Full story Page 10
2 NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPT 26 2019
GP fears in Newmarket
Index NEWS
2-17
WORLD CUP DIARY
14
ENTERTAINMENT
20-23
SPORTS & ACTIVITY
24-26
PROPERTY
28-33
20x20 CLASSIFIEDS
PÁRAIC McMAHON
R
paraic@clareecho.ie
34 36-37
PUZZLE PAGE
38
The Square, Ennis, County Clare Telephone: 065 671 9021
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Email: editor@clareecho.ie or news@clareecho.ie
SALES
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lALL IN: Dylan Hayes, Jerry O’Keeffe, Derek Gleeson and John Breslin enjoying a pint with Brent Pope at the Rugby World Cup in Japan last weekend
ESIDENTS in Newmarket-on-Fergus are “very worried” as the village is left in limbo without a GP. Dr. Colm Hackett who was the GP in the area for 42 years retired in May, he has been seeing patients in the interval with Dr. Yvonne Williams in the Shannon Medical Centre treating his patients over the past four months. In June, the HSE confirmed that a provisional agreement had been reached with a GP to succeed the Dublin native in Newmarket. However, last week it emerged this deal had fallen through. A spokesperson for Mid West Community Healthcare told The Clare Echo, “A GP was due to take up
duty in Newmarket on Fergus on the 23rd September 2019, unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, this is now not proceeding. The recruitment process is ongoing to fill the vacancy in Newmarket on Fergus on a full time basis. In the interim, Dr. Yvonne Williams will continue to provide patients with a service in Shannon”. Eimear Murphy who is the co-ordinator of the Meals on Wheels service with community organisation, Obair has been fielding numerous calls on the matter in the past week. “They’re so worried, these are primarily elderly people, they might be carers or looking after a sick person in the family...I think there has definitely been a huge loss,” she said of the retired medical team. Obair have been informed by the HSE that they have already offered the contract to the next candidate in line.
4 NEWS
Clare behind the camper van curve PÁRAIC McMAHON
C
paraic@clareecho.ie
lare is not designed for camper vans and suitable locations need to be found to accommodate such visitors, members of the West Clare Municipal District have said. Councillors Ian Lynch (IND) and Cillian Murphy (FF) both tabled motions relating to overnight camping, caravans and camper vans to the MD’s September meeting. Lynch asked for bye laws to be developed “to regulate and control the influx of temporary overnight visitors” and to identify “safe and suitable locations” for them to reside at. Murphy requested a feasibility study on the number of sites for overnight rental “on a twenty four hour basis using existing public car parking facilities”. “There is merit in improving/
increasing the provision of these tourism services tailored to demand and appropriate regulation,” Leonard Cleary acknowledged in his reply. The Director of Rural Development confirmed the County Council would “develop a proposal for a feasibility study to address this tourism need and also associated issues acquiring bye-laws”. Waste left behind by guests to the county in camper vans is causing problems for residents and the Kilrush Tidy Towns who “are having to clean up their waste,” Cllr Lynch said. “Every time we look at doing something in West Clare we say tourism is going to be a saviour but we are not set up for camper vans”. He added, “We’re a bit behind the curve but before it passes us out, we might come up with the infrastructure for it”.
Cllr Murphy stated, “Ireland in general and Clare specifically is extremely poorly served by serviced overnight parking for motor homes”. In Ireland, the local spend per day of motor home owners is believed to be in the region of €30-€40. “I am a firm believer in two concepts, firstly, ‘build it and they will
come’ and secondly ‘use what we have, where we have it’. We have many public car parks, owned and managed by Clare County Council. “Many of them are in extremely scenic remote locations, like the Bridges of Ross, with its dark skies and would be highly desirable overnight stops offering a very special Wild Atlantic/West Clare experience.
THURSDAY, SEPT 26 2019
Moorings need work
CLARE’S promotion of its visitors moorings in an international cruise sailing route is “embarrassing”, Cllr Cillian Murphy has claimed. As a result of the 2014 storms, moorings in Carrigaholt and Labasheeda were severely damaged, while repairs in Carrigaholt were carried out a year later, funding delayed the Labasheeda works. Views have been expressed that there is major benefits for investing in boatyards with a spokesperson for Kilrush Marina observing, “Kilrush is strategically placed for exploring the unspoilt west coast of Ireland, including Galway Bay, Dingle, west Cork and Kerry. It also provides a gateway to over 150 miles of cruising on Lough Derg, the River Shannon and the Irish canal system”. Cllr Cillian Murphy called on Clare County Council to undertake a feasibility study “into all that would be required for the provision and maintenance of dedicated visitor moorings to provide secure anchorage for small to medium craft at coastal villages around the entire length of the coast of the West Clare Municipal District including investigating where capital and ongoing costs may be drawn from to ensure minimum drain on the Council’s budget”. His Fianna Fáil colleague, Cllr Shane Talty seconded the motion. In response to his motion at the September meeting of the West Clare Municipal District, acting senior executive engineer, John O’Malley confirmed the study would take place for additional visitor moorings “along suitable locations on the west coast of the county”. He said sources of funding were being assessed “to determine whether they will cover the cost of the initial capital outlay and ongoing annual maintenance costs will need to be budgeted for”.
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6 NEWS
All aboard for Ennis Food & Drinks Fleadh
CIAN O’BROIN
T
cian@clareecho.ie
HIS year marks the birth of the Clare Food and Drink Fleadh, taking place between September 26th and 29th. The brand new festival comes at a time when Clare has truly proved its worth as the leading county for traditional Irish music festivals. Margaret O’ Brien of the Ennis Chamber conceived the idea of the festival to, “show that Clare is renowned for its food produce, with artisans of the food trade spread out all over the county.” One particular event which catches the eye is a special bus tour, designed specifically to be, “both informative as well as fun”. The tour takes place on September 29th from 9:30am to 4:00pm. Margaret commends the modesty of a ticket ranging from only €22, “if you were to calculate the
true value of the ticket it would exceed the price of a weekend pass to electric picnic.” The tour kicks off with a traditional Irish breakfast at No. Forty One in Abbey Street, Ennis. The first official stop takes place at Lahinch where tour members will be greeted by one of Ireland’s leading foragers Oonagh O’ Dwyer. “Everyone can bring a pair of wellies and a rain jacket and can take a plastic bag with them on to the beach, so that they can take home whatever they want, after an eye-opening masterclass delivered by Oonagh.” Next up is the infamous Burren Smokehouse, where tour members will be educated on culinary techniques involving salmon and other types of fish. This visit will be delivered in the form of a masterclass and promises to be an eye-opening experience for everybody on board, with some tasting samples included also. Following this is a
l TASTY EVENT: The Burren Smokehouse is among the stops on the Ennis Food & Drinks Fleadh Bus Tour, which takes place this Sunday from 9.30am to 4pm
stop at the Aillwee Caves Farm Shop where everyone will get to tour and taste the secrets of expert cheese making. The tour comes to an end in Ennis in the late afternoon just in time for everyone to attend the
final of the Fleadh which takes place at 7:30pm.
Tickets are available to purchase online on eventrbite.ie.
THURSDAY, SEPT 26 2019
Clonlara flooding concerns INSTEAD of the time frame getting shorter on advancing necessary flood protection works at Springfield the opposite is happening, Cllr Michael Begley has claimed. Last November, flood relief plans for Springfield were withdrawn following an environmental objection. Flooding in 2015 forced people to vacate their homes. In April, Cllr Cathal Crowe flagged his concern that the cost overrun at the National Children’s Hospital in Dublin could impact on defence work being carried out in Clonlara. At the September meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Michael Begley observed, “The Springfield project seems to be getting longer and longer instead of shorter.” He asked when did engineers within the local authority expect to go part eight planning. “If the rainfall continues as it did for month of August we are staring into 2015/16 situation again. Three years on, we need some sort of finality on this project,” Begley said. Sean Lenihan, senior executive engineer said they were hopeful by October the outcome for modelling and further assessment would be complete.
8 NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPT 26 2019
Ennis win All Ireland event
Killaloe bypass will not be completed until 2022 PÁRAIC McMAHON
A
paraic@clareecho.ie
Ilunga Balman, TJ Ajisomo, Julius Leke, Muisilu, Gary Martyn, Kayode, Akim Ajayi-Taiwo, Ben Ayoola, BabaTunde Ladehinde, TJ Aibor, Samuel Philips, Temi Kuku, Mike Oshobe and William Enubele (missing)
ENNIS All Stars have brought the SARI Cup back to Clare for the third time. The All Stars Football team won the cup at the 23rd Annual SARI (Sports Against Racism Ireland) Soccerfest, which took place in Phoenix Park Dublin. Ennis teams have participated in the tournament for 19 years and up to 25 countries have played for Clare. Soccerfest is a launch event for the European Week of Sport. Sports Against Racism Ireland Soccerfest promotes cultural integration and social development through sport. It is one of the largest intercultural 7-aside soccer tournaments in
Europe with over 32 teams participating from all over Ireland. Players from over 60 different nationalities now residing in Ireland including from programmed refugee communities and Direct Provision Centres compete. “Ennis All Stars are delighted to be bringing the cup back to Clare. We really enjoyed a very tough tournament which we won on penalties in the end. We are proud to participate in this tournament each year,” said a spokesperson for Ennis All Stars. The Ennis All Stars team is supported by Clare Immigrant Support Centre.
PPROVED by An Bord Pleanála in early 2013, late 2022 is the envisaged completion date for the Killaloe Bypass. As part of the proposed Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and R494 Improvement Scheme, a western bypass of Killaloe, a new bridge crossing of the River Shannon and an upgrade of the existing R494 regional road from Ballina to the N7 at Bridhill will all be provided. The entire scheme is approximately 6.2km and will cross the River Shannon approximately 1km to the south of the existing Killaloe Bridge and will cross the Kilmastulla River. Following Oral Hearing in 2012, it was granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanala in 2013 and the CPO was confirmed, the project was subsequently delayed through appeals made to The High Court and
The Supreme Court. The most recent appeal to The Supreme Court, in November 2016, upheld the decision of The High Court allowing the project proceed towards the construction stage. In summer 2018, RPS Consulting Engineers was commissioned to finalise the detailed design and prepare the tender documents. To complete detailed design, the necessary surveys, ground investigation, land agreements, bridge order, Technical approval, OPW approval are all being finalised. Last January, €34m in funding was allocated to the project as part of the Government's Capital Plan Review. Whitegate councillor, Pat Burke (FG) at the September meeting of the local authority queried, "Am I right in saying works are progressing slower than anticipated". A detailed design is currently being completed, senior executive engineer Sean Lenihan outlined that the tender pre-qualification process will begin by late 2019 then proceedings to tender proper in spring 2020. The Council expects to be in a position to award a contract in summer 2020,
the awarding of same will be subject to DTTaS approval. Cllr Burke raised the matter again at Wednesday's meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District. Senior executive engineer, Tom Mellett had received no update from the Capital Projects Department in advance of the meeting while Director of Service, Anne Haugh stated, "There is approval in place to go ahead with the appointment of a contractor. It's full steam ahead up until 2020". "I thought the successful contractor would be in place by now but it's not going to happen by the end of the year. I'm meeting people on a weekly basis asking for an update on the Killaloe Bypass especially the people this side of the county that are commuting into Limerick. It appears to be moving a bit slower than I was led to believe earlier in the year," Cllr Burke said. Fianna Fáil's Tony O'Brien felt the sentiment expressed by Haugh should be the narrative sent out. "The message that has to go out here today is that it's full steam ahead. There was a slight hiccup but the appointment of contractors will be done by 2020".
10 NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPT 26 2019
Property tax to increase by 15pc CLARE’S local property tax is to increase by 15 percent after a vote by elected members on Monday, writes Páraic McMahon. It will be the second hike in the space of four years as a two thirds majority of Clare County Council voted to up the local property tax (LPT) by the maximum. The increase will kick in from next year with households depending on the value of their home paying an additional 20 to 60 cent per week. Council Chief Executive Pat Dowling told the meeting an increase would provide an additional €1.5m in funding and promised to add to their General Municipal Allocation if the vote was passed. “In order for us to be progressive, we need to find funding sources, we have been successful in drawing down the largest amounts of capital funding this county has ever seen”. Independent councillor, Gerry Flynn
failed in his bid to find a seconder to his proposal to reduce the local property tax by fifteen percent. “For the good of the county,” Fine Gael’s Joe Cooney proposed the increase of 15 per cent. Inagh’s Roisin Garvey of The Green Party seconded the proposal. Fianna Fáil’s Pat Hayes said he wished to see a resolution to the €2m being paid out by Clare Co Council in property tax earnings to fund poorer local authorities.
FOR: Mary Howard (FG), Paul Murphy (FG), Joe Cooney (FG), Pat Hayes (FF), Pat Burke (FG), Alan O’Callaghan (FF), Tony O’Brien (FF), Michael Begley (IND), PJ Ryan (IND), Shane Talty (FF), Joe Killeen (FF), Joe Garrihy (FG), Roisin Garvey (GP), Bill Chambers (FF), Gabriel Keating (FG), Cillian Murphy (FF). AGAINST: Mark Nestor (FF), Clare Colleran Molloy (FF), Ann Norton (IND), Pat Daly (FF), Cathal Crowe (FF), Gerry Flynn (IND) , PJ Kelly (FF), Ian Lynch (IND). ABSENT: Johnny Flynn (FG), John Crowe (FG), Pat McMahon (FF), Mike McKee (SF).
Councillors took the brave, correct decision EOIN NEYLON
N
POLITICAL COLUMNIST
EWS of Clare County Council’s decision to raise the local property tax by 15% spread like wildfire through social media since news broke of Monday night’s vote. Reaction was largely negative with labels like 'traitors' being bandied about. The 15 per cent, on paper, looks like a lot, however this represents an average of just €27.50 per house owner in Clare per year based on 2018 figures. It will not apply to those in Council housing, nor should it, in theory apply to those living in rental accommodation. The property tax is levied on those who own property. Essentially, it’s a wealth tax and the larger and more expensive your house is, the more you pay. I personally have major issues with the Local Property Tax (LPT) system in this country. It should be based on a site valuation instead of house price, which we all know is far too variable and leads itself to a policy of inflating house prices in order to generate more LPT revenue. Also, the fact that local authorities have so heavily depended on funding from Central Government is a shocking centralisation of power which is not found in most Western countries. We have the highest politician to citizen ratio in Europe meaning our politicians represent more people per capita that any of our neighbours. This is due directly to the huge lack of local representation that the famous Phil Hogan reforms of local Government achieved in 2013. The result is that local councils only have Commercial Rates, LPT and Central Government funding to raise revenue to provide essential public services. Local businesses have been hit time and again with increases to commercial rates in recent years. Our last Council (2014 – 2019) repeatedly voted to decrease LPT by the maximum 15% and campaigned instead for Central Government to increase direct funding to the Council. This campaign ultimately fell on deaf ears and the funding shortfall for Clare County Council has been drastic as a result. Local community groups have been crying out for additional funding, but the Council
simply does not have the funds. This is not helped by the system which sees counties like Clare not keeping 100% of LPT raised here with money going to poorer counties. I’d prefer for that shortfall to be met by Central Government from general taxation, not from the LPT of other counties. So what does the 15 per cent increase mean? Well, for the average house owner in Clare, it equates to €27.50 on top of the recommended LPT per annum. The equivalent of five pints in an entire year for those who imbibe. A week’s coffees. A couple of four-line Euromillions lotto ticket, with plus. Just 53 cent per week. Most of us have that in the back of the sofa. For this, the council can fix more roads, give more children safe playing areas, repair damaged sea walls, put in safe cycling infrastructure, clean more illegal dumping, cut back more overgrown roadside trees, put more street lightning in our villages, invest in local festivals, the arts and cultural pursuits, advertise our county for additional tourism revenue and give more to the many wonderful community and charity groups that make Clare the great county it is. No one likes paying more tax, however, we all want better public services and if we’re to get them, we must pay for them one way or the other. I respect all Councillors that spoke on all sides both for and against the increase. Those against spoke of the need for Central Government to step in and do their part to better fund local services. Nevertheless, after 5 years of their abdication of that responsibility, the time has come for the council to do it themselves. It won’t be a popular decision, but it is a necessary and correct one. Many of those I saw react badly to the news of the increase are also the same people I see regularly giving out that the Council doesn’t do enough. Well, you can’t have your cake and eat it. If the Council is to do more, they need money to pay for it. There are people struggling financially, of that I’m all too aware. But remember, the Council directly fund local charities that in turn help families in need. Some of this funding will indeed go directly to lessening that suffering. Well done to our local Councillors, all of them. It’s these thankless hard decisions that sets them apart and we should be thankful that there are citizens amongst us brave enough to take them.
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12 NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPT 26 2019
'One person can make a difference' to the climate Pร RAIC McMAHON
O
paraic@clareecho.ie
N FEBRUARY 15, Eleanor Dagnell Wise took to the steps of the Daniel O'Connell monument and stood for hours on her own demonstrating for climate action to be taken, on Friday she was joined by over one hundred students engaged in their day of action. A sixth year student at Colรกiste Muire, Eleanor has been a central part of Fridays for Future Clare as they skip school to highlight climate change, in the space of seven months the numbers alongside her continue to expand. Over the course of Friday's day of action, more than 200 Clare students were involved in different events across the county, the most significant event being organised in Ennis. Of the growing numbers involved, Eleanor said, "It's great to see, it proves that one person can make a difference, you make one step and stand at The Height alone one time and then the next time you've fifty people and the
next over 100 coming throughout the day". She took all of Friday off school as one of the main organisers of the demonstrations. The narrative that teenagers do it for a day out of the classroom is inaccurate in her view, "People were coming on and off throughout the day. Despite what people say people do want to attend class so there is a lot of classes they wanted to get back to school for and they just come back for their lunch break or after school". As they concluded their street classroom at The Market, the amount of students that walked past was higher than the sum total of those preparing to march to Aras Contae an Chlรกir. Eleanor told The Clare Echo that their main aim at present is to try get the whole student body of Ennis behind the cause. "We're trying to get our own peers involved, people think 'I'm too cool for this, it's a bit silly' but a lot of the time people in the classroom say 'that's great I'll come out and join you sometime' but they never do. It might be a bit humiliating to stand in the centre of town with a poster, every teenager is self-conscious but if you really care about the planet and humanity it's important to do it". One parent gathered in the crowd sug-
gested a future Taoiseach may be among the strikers. The Ennis teenager has regularly had to answer the question if politics was a potential career. "People ask me a lot of the time would I go into politics, I'm not really sure, I'll see where life takes me. The thing that upsets me about it is people say 'oh you'll make these changes when you're a politician' but we don't have time for that, it will be a while before I become a politician if I ever do and we've ten years before climate change becomes irreversible, I would really worry about that". Engagement with the Colรกiste has been very positive when it comes to facilitating the strikes according to Dagnell Wise. "It shows to the schools that you do get rewarded for being active and participating in this movement, any schools that have had negative opinions of this strikes can see positive things come out of it and most of the people that have organised the strikes have improved their skills as a student, we've been writing speeches and making impromptu speeches so it all benefits us as students. Our school has realised that so that is why they support us".
lPROTEST: Eleanor Dagnell Wise was joined by a hundred students in Ennis for the Fridays for Future global clmiate strike Photo by Orla Begley
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14 NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPT 26 2019
Clare connections aplenty at RWC PÁRAIC McMAHON
A
paraic@clareecho.ie
Newmarket-on-Fergus native who is coaching one of the twenty teams involved in the Rugby World Cup is teaming up with The Clare Echo for the duration of the tournament. Ged McNamara is the strength and conditioning coach of the Georgian national rugby team and will be penning a weekly diary for The Clare Echo from Japan giving our
readers a unique insight into their preparations. Three years ago, Ged made the brave decision to move to Tbilisi having applied for the role as an intern with the national rugby team. Within the space of a year, he was offered a contract to become the main S&C coach and has been there ever since. His own playing career saw him line out as a winger with St Senans RFC in Shannon, his younger brothers Jamie and Darren have also featured in many outings for the Saints. While studying at Tralee IT, Ged began working under Joe O’Connor and was given
control of the S&C programme for the Clare minor hurlers. He pursued a Masters from Setanta College Thurles and simultaneously ran Gold Standard Fitness, what was a popular gym in Shannon. He also served as lead S&C coach with the Clare senior camogie team. There is a further Clare connection to this year’s RWC in Japan. Cork native, Shane O’Leary, a past pupil of St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe is part of the Canada squad. In secondary school, he played with Scariff RFC, receiving a call up to the Munster U18s for his displays and he subsequent-
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ly moved to Young Munster. His mother was born in New Brunswick making him eligible to line out for Canada. In 2013, Shane was part of the Canada U20 squad that reached the final of the Junior IRB World Rugby Trophy, a tournament in which he finished as top scorer. He made his debut for the senior team in June 2017, ironically against Georgia. The former Grenoble and Connacht fly-half who now plays for Nottingham was not included in Kingsley Jones’ first 23 for their RWC opener against Italy.
Ged's World Cup Diary
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with GED McNAMARA BEING involved in the Rugby World Cup is “a surreal experience” writes Newmarket-on-Fergus native Ged McNamara, a strength and conditioning coach with the Georgian national rugby team in his first RWC diary entry for The Clare Echo from Japan.
S
O THIS was my first week of the Rugby World Cup. We landed the previous week in Tokishima to help get acclimatized to the weather and humidity in Japan. From here we got the bullet train from Kobi to our first venue Nagoya. This week we played Wales in the opening game of our World Cup campaign, competing against the former world number ones was a huge challenge but one we relished in advance. It finished 43-14, we were happy to score two second half tries, unfortunately things didn’t go our way but these boys will bounce back no problem. It’s a surreal experience being at a competition like this. Seeing the organization of the World Cup and also the people of the Japan has been a big eye opener. But the biggest moment for me was looking at my team kit with the Rugby World Cup logo on it. The training field and venue have been incredible. So far, for me the highlight has been the people and rugby fans of Japan. They have embraced the Georgian national team so well and have made a huge impact on every member of the squad. Earlier in the week, we had a special private welcome ceremony where we were greeted by the Mayor of Nagoya and a special Japanese dance, it wasn’t the Mayor that performed the dance! Every member of the squad and management received our Rugby World Cup participation medals, which is something I will treasure for years to come.
‘Friendliness and warmth’ brings visitors here
I
T’S the simple things that make Ireland stand out as a tourism destination. Technology may have changed the way visitors preview and book their holidays to Ireland but it's the simple things, like the friendliness and warmth of the Irish, that impress people once they visit the country. This was one of points made by Tourism Ireland CEO, Niall Gibbons, when he addressed Shannon Chamber members and guests at a business lunch in Dromoland Castle Hotel last week. Speaking at the lunch, Mr Gibbons stated that tourism is the biggest employer in the county, with the 325,000 jobs it provides reaching into every town and village, generating €6.1bn in revenue from the 11.2 million visitors from abroad in 2018. As we face the uncertainty of Brexit and a slowdown in the global economy, Mr Gibbons stressed the importance of protecting this critical sector for Ireland.
l WELCOME: Niall Gibbons, CEO, Tourism Ireland (centre), pictured at the Shannon Chamber lunch in Dromoland Castle Hotel with (from left) Leonard Cleary, deputy CEO, Clare Co Co; Clare Colleran Molloy, Deputy Mayor of Clare; Mary Considine, president and Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamber Photo by Eamon Ward
"We operate in a highly competitive landscape so it's important to keep telling the story, maintain relationships with the traditional travel trade and keep the region and Ireland to the forefront. Collaboration is the key to overcoming any potential crisis," he stated. Also addressing the lunch, Shannon Chamber president Mary Considine agreed air access is crucial to drive growth in our regional economies. "Whilst the number of visitors to Ireland may be up this year, the regions are seeing a softening and we need to ask what more can be done to deliver an even spread of visitors to this island. "Chambers across the Mid-West are now calling for the introduction of regional targets and increased funding for Tourism Ireland to support airline connectivity into the regions. “This is essential if the Government is to attain its target of driving 75 per cent of growth outside the capital by 2040.”
No flood defence Joseph O’Connor in conversation with English consultants yet
C
LARE County Library in conjunction with Creative Ireland is inviting reading enthusiasts to the second annual Readers Day event, the theme of which is ‘Historical Fiction’. Shannon Library will host author and playwright Joseph O’Connor in conversation with broadcaster and writer Rachael English on Thursday 7 November at 7.00pm. O’Connor will read from his most recent novel Shadowplay, based on the life of Bram Stoker, and will then discuss the inspiration and research that goes into writing historical fiction. The Dubliner, who is currently McCourt Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Limerick, is the author of 18 books, as well as stage plays and hundreds of
radio diaries. Though born in England, Rachael English grew up in Shannon, Co. Clare. Her first novel, Going Back, was shortlisted for the most-promising new-comer award at the 2013 Bord Gáis Irish Book Awards. Her third novel, The American Girl, reached number one on the Irish paperback best sellers list. Her other novels are Each and Every One, The Night of the Party and The Paper Bracelet.
To book and for further details please contact Shannon Library on 061-364266.
PÁRAIC McMAHON
paraic@clareecho.ie
l STORYTIME: Author and playwright Joseph O’Connor will read from his most recent novel at the second annual Readers Day event
CONSULTANTS have not been appointed for the delivery of flood defence works along the Shannon Embankments. Last December, Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran announced a €27m fund to upgrade flood defences at Shannon Airport, the town and industrial zone. This work would see the raising and widening of the Embankments that border the three areas and currently don’t offer sufficient protection in the case of a one in two hundred year tidal flood. A report carried out on behalf of Clare County Council, Shannon Group and the Office of Public Works (OPW) found a potential €693m in damages could occur from such an ex-
treme weather event. Shannon Group, the OPW and Clare County Council are working on the joint project to deliver defences with the local authority managing it overall. A project steering group between the three bodies has been established, their initial task was to agree a brief for the procurement of engineering and environmental consultants to progress the design of the works and to examine all the required environmental considerations. Cllr Gerry Flynn sought an update on proceedings and on future works. Senior Executive Engineer, Sean Lenihan confirmed they have recently finalised the tender for the appointment of consultants. He described the allocation of money to the project as “very positive news for Shannon and its environs”.
16 NEWS FEATURE
THURSDAY, SEPT 26 2019
Brass Band invites public to blow their own horn... STUART HOLLY
A
editor@clareecho.ie
S THE Ennis Brass Band approaches its 50th year, they will open their doors to the public to welcome the next generation of hornists. The Clare Echo sat down with three integral members of the historic band on Monday night at Ennis Community College, where they practice twice weekly to perfect their unique artform. Secretary Deirdre Coffey, Musical Director Mark Nutley and Band Master Bernard McAllister will, along with the band’s 32 members, open the green doors of the school next Monday to showcase their group to those curious to learn more, or even better, join up. Young and old are welcome to attend and are being encouraged to test out the instruments and ask any questions they might have. Speaking to the trio, a strong narrative of community and family is imparted and there is arguably no better encapsulation of this than Band Master Bernard McAllister,
lSAXY AND THEY KNOW IT: The Ennis Brass Band are hosting an open night next week
who has spawned another eight McAllisters - seven of whom have worn the famous blue uniform of the Ennis Brass Band. “My father was in the old band as well, so I picked it up from there,” begins Bernard. “There was a band in the '50s which broke up for economic reasons. There was always bands in town but for some reason they couldn’t keep it together back then.” That
was until 1971, when the Ennis Brass Band in its current guise was formed. Today, Bernard is the only musician from that formation to remain on the scene. “Seán O’Shea, he was a councillor at the time, he was the man to get it going in 1971. Next year will be our 50th year. It was a hard slog in the beginning but eventually we got it going." Some 18 months after their first practice, the Ennis Brass Band had its first outing, marching through town for a Corpus Christi procession. "We thought we were great but if we heard it now, I suppose it would have been awful,” laughs Bernard. These days, Ennis Brass Band members suit up for a number of occasions through the calendar year. St Patrick’s Day, Ennis Christmas Concert, Doonbeg Christmas Market, Parnell Street Halloween Festival, to name a few. This Friday, they will polish their instruments for the Ennis Food & Drinks Fleadh on Friday evening. The band scene has also diversified from traditional brass band music (typically opera music) into the contemporary with the Ennis outfit tackling hits from Taylor Swift and Michael Bublé (and even Baby Shark was given an airing last Halloween to great fanfare). And at the core of any brass band making these decisions is its musical director. In 2017, Drogheda native Mark Nutley answered the call to fill the position. Mark, a member of the Defence Forces who lives in Athlone, travels to Ennis every Monday and Friday to preside over practice. A music graduate, Mark started out with the Drogheda Brass Band playing cornet, before stints with Dublin Concert Band and the Irish Film & Pops Orchestra. Responding to an ad on Facebook, Mark applied for the role of Musical Director in Ennis and is thriving in the role. “To be honest, the biggest thing that struck me when I came down was the sense of com-
munity and family. Everybody is so tight, and friendly to each other. “I’ve walked in here and thrown some crazy ideas at them but they go with it and that’s the biggest reward. For Clonakilty (the South Of Ireland Band Championships) last year I said, 'we’re not doing it with stands or chairs, we’re going to walk and move around'. They looked at me as if I was crazy but it worked and the adjudicator commented on how well it looked and sounded." Long-time member Deirdre Coffey continues, “It’s a very tight-knit group. My two best friends are in the band, I think it’s why so many of us have stayed for as long as we did, because this is where our friends are. “Being in the Ennis Brass Band, it’s that sense of being part of a team. We all as kids have done sports, and this really feels like a team. You don’t have one shining star like you might in football or soccer, it’s all of us together making it what it is. It’s also that sense of satisfaction you get. Clonakilty is a prime example. Everyone here said they’ve never had as much fun as they did for May, June and July [practising for the event], because we weren’t in standard practice, we were moving, dancing, taking us out of our comfort zone but we absolutely loved it." Although the Ennis Brass Band has a healthy membership in the region of 32, Bernard explains that they are trying to establish a junior band, which is why the public are being invited to an open session next Monday. Currently, its members range in age from 10 up to Bernard's vintage, however new recruits from age seven plus are being encouraged to join. Deirdre says, "Visitors will get to see the different instruments, ask questions, talk to Mark, see what the band is about, try out the instruments. That’s what the evening is all about. Musical experience is not necessary." Mark adds, "Everybody has to start somewhere, and we'd also love to welcome any former members who would like to come back." The Ennis Brass Band open day takes place on September 30. Their next outing is this Friday evening outside Ennis Gourmet Store as part of the Ennis Food & Drink Fleadh. lJAZZY: Brass Band member Elson Ling, who is a sixth year student at Ennis Community college
18 THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
THURSDAY, SEPT 26 2019
Ronan Scully
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Author spreading the word of positivity
Cherish them always R
ECENTLY, I received the most beautiful note from a close friend of mine who was thanking me for praying for them in their time of need with the following quotation enclosed: “Friendship isn’t about whom you have known the longest....It’s about who came and never left your side.” Recently we celebrated international friendship day and it got me to focus on some of the ingredients of true friendship such as loyalty, trust, compassion, love, care, honesty, mutual commitment and shared ideals. Friends are very special to us because we know that they are there for us, just as we are there for them.
Friendship’s Rainbow “Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel. All claimed that they were the best. The most important. The most useful. The favorite. Green said: “Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority.” Blue interrupted: “You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The
sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing.” Yellow chuckled: “You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun.” Orange started next to blow her trumpet: “I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious, for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes and papayas. I don’t hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you.” Red could stand it no longer. He shouted out: “I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life’s blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy.” Purple rose up to his full height. He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: “I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs and bishops have always chosen me, for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not ques-
tion me! They listen and obey.” Finally Indigo spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination: “Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace.” And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening. Thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort. In the midst of the clamor, rain began to speak: “You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don’t you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me.” Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands. The rain continued: “From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The Rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow.” And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a Rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.” Thought for the Week As your thought for the week, look around you and truly cherish those special people and friends that are part of your life and always remember that friendship can be a true place of refuge and is one of life’s most wonderful blessings. Let me finish this thought with a prayer I say for my friends, “I will pray for you, my friend. I will name you in my heart before God and ask all His blessing be upon you. I will be concerned for your rising and your daily mood. I will be sympathetic to your personal needs and desires in each day of your life. “I will wish you well in your learning, or your work, in your domestic round and your leisure. I will think of you at the close of each day and pray that God’s peace be with you. If you have been especially kind or helpful to me then I will make my gratitude known to you. If you are in trouble or difficulty of any kind, or simply tired and worn down, I will do all and anything I can to lift your spirits. I will ache for you in your sorrows and disasters and rejoice with you in your joys and triumphs. I will love and care for you as I love and care for myself. Amen” So always remember that a friend is someone who walks in when the whole world has walked away. Be thankful and cherish those true friends that are part of your life and understand that we all need help and support now and then. Please remember that Friendship is one of the most beautiful, most powerful, and most valuable treasures in life. It is your true wealth.
Entertainment
Clare libraries to host Children’s Book Festival THE 2019 Children’s Book Festival, the biggest annual initiative in the children’s library programme, will feature events in all 15 Clare County Council library branches during October. Partnering with schools in their catchment areas, Clare County Library staff will be spreading the joy of books and reading among children and parents, authors and illustrators, teachers and librarians in all counties. Next month, children will meet some of their favourite authors, take part in poetry workshops, enjoy exciting children’s theatre shows, take part in science workshops and try their hand at creating a pop-up junior radio studio, as well as participating in writing and story workshops. Junior classes have many events to choose from including a return visit from Derek Mulveen of Eire’s Kids telling stories of Oisín the Brave from Robot Island or presentations by Gary Ward and Audrey Moore based on their picture books for young children. Booster Cushion Theatre presents Little Red Riding Hood and Friends in a fast and funny show with lots of slapstick humour and child participation in a not so traditional retelling of this wellloved tale. Sadhbh Devlin and Tarsila Krüse visit library branches for bumper activity workshops based on their picturebook Bí ag Spraoi Liom! Sadhbh will inspire junior classes to design their own inventions based on her book and Tarsila will demonstrate how to bring them to life through illustration.
In separate workshops Tarsila will take children on a drawing journey through their home town inspired by images from her latest book My Little Album of Dublin. Children will be encouraged to create new characters, environments and stories to bring home. Tarsila Krüse is an award-winning children’s books illustrator. She has published seven books to date including My Little Album of Dublin (O’Brien Press) and Ná Gabh ar Scoil! and Percy Péacóg both published by Futa Fata. Senior classes can choose from a variety of author events including readings by Patricia Forde based on her book The Wordsmith in which the heroine Letta is faced with the daunting task of saving the language as well as the entire culture of her people and where she lives. The Wordsmith is an intriguing and exciting read for older children followed by its newly released sequel Mother Tongue with a launch date of October the 3rd. Both titles are available for borrowing in Clare library branches. Jane Mitchell’s book A Dangerous Crossing has been described as, ‘An important book, a necessary book, but above all, a brilliantly told story,’ by fellow writer and book reviewer Sarah Webb. In it she tells the story of Ghalib Shenu, a 13-year old Kurdish boy who lives in Syria who has no choice but to leave everything behind and try for a new life elsewhere. Jane will bring the experiences of real Syrian families to life.
Teachers are invited to check out the programme on the library website, www. clarelibrary.ie, and to contact their nearest library branch to book events for their classes.
My Dad’s Blind - with audio description
T
he WINNER of Best Production at the Dublin Fringe Festival Awards 2018 is coming to glór, Ennis as part of a national tour on 24th September 2019. Centering on a dysfunctional relationship between a blind father and his sighted daughter, My Dad’s Blind (below) uses audio recordings, irreverent comedy and real life memories to explore a father daughter relationship and all the awkward, embarrassing and ridiculous ways they struggle to navigate a sighted world with a guide dog that’s just had a stroke. Starring Steve Blount (Game of Thrones, HBO/Can’t Cope, Won’t
Cope, RTÉ/Minding Frankie) and Anna Sheils-McNamee (Vikings, HISTORY/The Importance of Nothing, Pan Pan Theatre Company), the production is directed by Gemma Aked-Priestley. Anna Sheils-McNamee stated: Growing up people told me my Dad was “amazing”, which didn’t make any sense to me. He’s pretty boring - he works a 9-5 and watches Coronation Street in the evenings. I soon realised they were only saying this because he was blind. I wrote this play in response to that. However, this show ain’t no Ted Talk! Imagine Lauren from The Catherine Tate show was a Kardashian and grew
up with an epileptic guide dog - then you’ll be closer to the tone of this show. For the first time ever, Audio Description will be available at every performance on the tour. Audio Description on the national tour is sponsored by Fighting Blindness. Fighting Blindness fund world-leading research into treatments and cures for blindness, while caring for people and families through counselling and peer to peer support services.
My Dad’s Blind Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=w1HnepHy9Kc
ENTERTAINMENT 21
THURSDAY, SEPT 26 2019
Eight week Acting for Adults workshop with expert Sarah O’Toole returns to Ennis
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NNIS Actors Workshop are delighted to announce the return of their 8-Week Acting for Adults course, starting on Wednesday 2nd October at Cloughleigh Community Hall, Ennis. Acting for Adults is perfect for anyone who’s always wanted to give acting a try, or just wants to build confidence, have fun and meet people. It’s suitable for absolute beginners and also those who have done a little acting but want to deepen their knowledge of the craft, and learn specific skills. We are affiliated with Galway Actors Workshop who have been providing quality acting training for all levels and interests in Galway for over ten years. But we’ve had so many students driving all the way from Clare and Limerick, and then having to negotiate rush-hour Galway traffic, that we decided to make things easier and bring the courses to you! The course, taught by experienced actor, director and facilitator Sarah O’Toole, is a continuation from the Acting for Adults course we ran over the Summer, and will revisit key themes such as character, relationships, objectives, space, ensemble, story-telling, voice, physicality and text. Half way through the course, students
lSafe space: Sarah’s class is suitable for absolute beginners
will be given a scene to work on, and will develop important skills in rehearsal and taking direction as we work towards preparing for a showcase performance in Cloughleigh Community Hall on Wednesday 4th December to which family and friends will be invited. By the end of the course, students have greater confidence in an audition or rehearsal situation Following on from this, we will be adding an Acting 201 course during the Autumn semester and, over time, establishing courses that lead to public performances in a theatre venue. The course runs on Wednesdays, 7-10pm, from 2nd October to the 4th December, and costs €250 or €235 (Students/unemployed).
For more information visit www.galwayactorsworkshop.com, call Sarah on 087 237 3531 or email galwayactorsworkshop@gmail.com
22 ENTERTAINMENT
THURSDAY, SEPT 26 2019
‘My Wild Atlantic Journey’ with Colin Stafford Johnson
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MMY Award winning cinematographer Colin Stafford-Johnson (right) is the foremost nature and wildlife cinematographer and presenter in Ireland today. Colin could be considered the Irish David Attenborough, given his encyclopedic knowledge of wildlife and nature. With over 30 years experience, Colin’s in depth understanding and appreciation of wildlife here in Ireland, and in the most remote parts of the world, make him a leading wildlife expert. Colin has been
walking, exploring and filming wildlife along Ireland’s wild Atlantic coast over the last 15 years. Colin’s accolades include winning an Emmy, plus prestigious awards at Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, WWF Golden Pandas at Wildscreen and, in 2018, his documentary ‘Wild Ireland - Edge of the World’ won the Grierson Award for Best Natural History Film. This Autumn embark on a journey of discovery with Colin along the western seaboard of Ireland as he presents ‘My Wild Atlantic Journey” with Colin
Stafford-Johnson’. Come and hear tales of adventure and misadventure from years spent tracking down some of Ireland’s most elusive creatures - all accompanied by stunning visuals that will make you wish you were there. “Clare has such unique natural history that over the years I have spent a great deal of time filming for both my RTE Living the Wildlife series and for the BBC series Wild Ireland, Edge of the world,” Colin said. Join Colin in glór, Ennis on Monday, October 14 at 8pm. Visit glor.ie for info.
Community THURSDAY, SEPT 26 2018
NORTH CLARE
COMMUNITY 23 CONTACT NEWSDESK
065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie
TOONAGH
BOOK APPEAL Ennistymon Vocational School are seeking copies of the book Wonder by RJ Palacio. Do you have a copy you would like to donate? Please contact the office at 065 7071375 or send copy to Ennistymon Vocational school, Ennistymon. BURREN STUDY Burren Lowlands CLG, is conducting a study of all the communities within the area to find out more about what is happening in each. The results of study will inform a LEADER funding application for the region. Information on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges of each will be gathered. This study is being carried out by Teresa Butler, anyone interested in contributing is invited to contact Teresa on (087) 237 64 59 or email: teresabutler.synergy@gmail.com.
ENNIS
IRISH RED CROSS CHARITY 5KM Irish Red Cross memorial 5km charity walk/run, Remembering John Kerin. Lees Road, Ennis, October 28. Registration: www.eventbrite. com, or on the day from 9am to 10.45am. Walk starts at 11am. Registration fee: adults €10, family €20. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments and prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd male and female. All proceeds go towards Irish Red Cross Clare Community Services. IS THE DISABILITY ACT WORKING? Friday 4th of October, disabled people and their supporters are invited to come together in the Temple Gate Hotel Ennis to examine “Is the Disability Act 2005 Working for Us?”. Presented by the Clare Leader Forum, the conference aims to review the 2005 Act.Keynote speakers on the day include Minister for Disability Issues Finian McGrath TD, Dr Gerald Craddock Chief Officer at the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design and Standards and Monitoring, Joesphine Keaveney from the National Advocacy Services, and representatives from Clare County Council. Delegates will have an opportunity to hear from people on how the Disability Act 2005 has impacted their lives. The conference, which is supported by CLDC, will take place from 10am to 1pm. All are welcome with registration from 9.30am.
SOUTH EAST CLARE CLONLARA YOUTH CLUB Registration night for current members will be held on Friday 27th September between 8 and 9 pm in the Clonlara Sports Hall. Please come along and collect your membership form for 2019/2020. The club would like to invite sixth class students along with a parent to attend on the night also if interest in joining. Please contact 086-8195040 or come along on Friday 27 if interested. Thank you.
l LOCAL HEROES: Members of the successful Ruan Junior Championship winning team and
management recently visited the pupils of Toonagh National School. The school children who made an effort to wear the Ruan colours on the day were delighted that the players visited them with the cup and gave of their time to speak to the children.
ENNIS ENNIS SOROPTIMISTS Ennis and District Soroptimists would like to announce Sarah Malone (right) as their new president.Originally from Dublin, Sarah has lived and worked in Clare for 22 years, raising a family of five. Her passion for the health and welfare of women and children is evident through her commitment to fostering for 20 years, while helping to build a successful catering business with her husband Ean and his business partner. She currently serves on the voluntary board of Clare Haven Services and is delighted to take up the position of President of Ennis and District Soroptimists for the year ahead. GREEN COMMUNITY CYCLE As we become increasingly aware of the fragility of our natural environment it can be daunting to know what we can do to help. Cycling allows us to be part of the solution not part of the problem. But if you are wary of getting back in the saddle and out on the road the Clare Green Party is organising a relaxed 5km group cycle around Ennis this Sunday: no fancy bike needed. The aim is to make you more confident on the road and to rediscover the joy of the bike. The cycle will leave from the Fair Green, Ennis at 1pm with a free bike check from midday as well as safe cycling tips. The event is suitable for all ages and abilities. Bring a picnic along for afterwards and drinks will be provided. For additional information contact 087 7917589.
24 EUROPEAN WEEK OF SPORTS & ACTIVITY
Music Generation transforming lives
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USIC Generation is Ireland’s national music education programme, that aims to transform the lives of children and young people through access to high-quality, affordable music tuition. The programme was first established in 2010 by Music Network, with funding from U2, The Ireland Funds and Local Music Education Partnerships. Since then the programme has received funding support from the Department of Education and Skills, to ensure that the programme continues into the future and for the long-term. Currently Music Generation is established in 26 areas of Ireland, including in County Clare, where the programme has been running since 2014. Locally, Music Generation Clare is managed by Clare Local Music Education Partnership, led by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board in partnership with Clare County Council. The goal of Music Generation Clare is to create a range of ways for children and young people ages 0 to 18 to access inspiring music-making and musical learning with professional musician educators. This includes working in partnership with schools, community music groups and Youthreach services among others, to form choirs, orchestras, composition and songwriting projects, rock and pop initiatives and much more. In December 2017, An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar T.D. announced the commitment
by Government to support expansion of the programme nationwide by 2022 as part of Creative Youth – Creative Ireland Programme plan to enable the creativity of every child and young person. The process for roll-out will commence in 2019 with five further areas of Ireland. Subject to Exchequer funding, it is intended that all remaining areas of the country will have access to Music Generation by 2022.
Music Generation Clare offers a wealth of musical programmes: Kids’ Ceol is a programme that runs in national schools offering musical enrichment in a creative capacity. It helps every child engage with music, even if they have never held a musical instrument. This programme is delivered using music technology, instrumentation, percussion and many more important elements from music learning. Teens’ Ceol is our Secondary School programme and is available to secondary schools county wide. It offers a musical experience in composition, music technology, instrumentation and much more. Music Tech for Teens is a 10 week programme run in Secondary schools where we teach Music Technology to students. Using our own Macbooks, interfaces, Midi Keyboards and interfaces, students learn how to write and compose music using computers. Music Technology is one of the main sources of employment in the Arts Sector and has many third level opportunities to explore at Degree and Masters level.
Hubs: Music Generation Clare currently run five instrumental hubs in Shannon, Kilkee, Killaloe, Ennis and Ennistymon. We just began our first instrumental hub in Shannon in September 2019. We offer classes in a wide variety of instrumental and vocal tuition across many genres including, Irish Traditional, Pop, Rock, Rap, Music Technology, Music Production, Music Recording etc. We offer instrumental rental for attendees if they wish. Monday: Ennistymon Vocational School 16:00 – 20:00 Tuesday: Killaloe St. Annes Community College 16:00 – 20:00 Wednesday: Ennis, LCETB FET Campus, Clonroad 16:00 – 20:00 Thursday: Shannon, St. Patricks Comprehensive School 16:00 – 20:00 Thursday Kilkee, St. Josephs Commuinty College 16:00 – 20:00
Music Generation Clare Band is a meeting of teenagers every Wednesday where they come together to write and arrange music that they love. It’s a great way for teenagers to meet other enthusiastic musicians/singers of all levels and ages. Going under the name “The Noteables”, the band will have regular opportunities for recording and performing. The Creative Hub is run on Saturdays in Ennis in partnership with Clare Youth Service and provides a space for opening musical minds to creativity. All instruments and levels of musicians are invited to write,
record and perform in groups, with fun being the central focal point. Members of the Creative hub learn how to perform, promote their own gigs, run their own gigs, setup live sound as well recording and performing throughout the year. MGCE Vocal group is a brand new programme beginning in November of this year. Based in Ennis, this group will be an active performing group crossing many genres. Collaborations will be available such as working with the world renowned vocal coaches from Voiceworks, a trip to Carlow to perform with Mouthbox and many other performances throughout the year. North and East Clare Strings is a programme run in partnership with national schools in each area. Children learn how to play fiddle during school time, with fun and creative repertoires being to the fore. Camps and Festivals: Music Generation Clare run creative musical camps throughout the year Countywide. We also partner with a number of festivals including Ennis Trad Festival and ran our own Musicale festival in Kilkee in Sept where we had world renowned musicians Donal Lunny, Maityin O Connor, Zoe Conway and Elaine Hogan perform and inspire all learners. Music Generation Clare works in Partnership with Youthreach Clare offering a QQi Level 3 Music Appreciation course to their learners across their 4 centres in West Clare, For further information visit www.musicgeneration.ie.
EUROPEAN WEEK OF SPORT & ACTIVITY
25
Active Ennis a one-stop shop for sports & leisure
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HE town of Ennis provides a wide choice of top class sports and leisure amenities for you to enjoy. From wooded walks, parks and playgrounds to indoor and outdoor gyms, running tracks and a 25 metre swimming pool, Ennis now boasts an integrated network of facilities to meet the needs of the entire community. These are owned and developed by Clare County Council whilst a special unit, Active Ennis, manages them in a coordinated way. So, for enquiries, bookings or suggestions, Active Ennis is now the one-stop shop for all public sports and leisure facilities in the town. The Active Ennis team is dedicated to maintaining these facilities to the highest standards and to helping you get the most from them. Whether you are an athlete, walker, skateboarder, team player or individual, young or not so young, Active Ennis has a facility designed with your well-being in mind. Included in the Active Ennis portfolio is - the Active Ennis Leisure Complex, a complete indoor health and fitness arena with White Flag accreditation. - Active Ennis Sports & Amenity Park, Lee’s Road. Located just 1 km from Ennis town centre, the Sports and Amenity Park at Lees Road is set in 134 acres of feature-rich, bio diverse woodland and parkland. - Active Ennis Tim Smythe Park (pictured). Tim Smythe Park offers a wide range of sports and leisure amenities in tranquil surroundings close to the town centre. - Active Ennis Pitch, Coote Park. Facilities include playing pitch, training area, dressing rooms and children’s playground. - Active Ennis All Weather Pitch, Cloughleigh. Facilities include: synthetic 5-a-side pitch, Dressing Rooms, Childrens Playground. - Active Ennis Pitch, Glenina
GET IN TOUCH: Email: info@activeennis.ie Phone: 065 682 1604 Website: www.activeennis.ie Facebook: ActiveEnnis
FLASH SALE AT HUSTLE
HUSTLE Fitness is offering new members a year’s membership for the special offer of €325 to celebrate their second birthday. The offer, which will save new members €70, only runs until the end of September so anybody looking to get fit for the Christmas season is urged to get in contact with the team. Owner Conor Mullen told The Clare Echo the benefits of joining Hustle Gym, “Facility wise, we have over 60 machines so we’d be one of the best equipped gyms in the country. “Secondly is the level of care you get when you’re a Hustle member. We have seven staff in here, all fully fully qualified professionals with level 8 masters degrees. The aim is for us, that when someone comes through the door, that it shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, that you’re getting exceptional value for money. “Whether you want to come in and do your own thing in our commercial gym, whether you want to take part in our classes, such as spinning, or whether you want to do personal training, we can cater for all that.” Conor added that Hustle Fitness welcomes a wide variety of client, all of them equally welcome at the two-storey facility. “We cater for every type of client also, elite athletes, people trying to lose weight and complete beginners. If you came in last night, you would have met 65 year olds in here training, you’d have seen Weight Watchers, you’d have seen lads preparing for bodybuilding shows. “We’re very proud of the community we have here, it’s a very welcoming place and there’s no elitism or anything like that. Once you’re in the door, you’re part of the family.” If you would like a free consultation or just want to check out the facilities, message Hustle Fitness on Facebook or phone 065 68 92500.
BUSINESS 27
THURSDAY, SEPT 26 2019
BUSINESS
CONTACT US WE’RE ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM #CE
Shannon firm Leads the way... CLARE based company Advanced Technical Concepts Ltd has been announced as winner of the Leadership Development Award at the second annual AIB Women in Enterprise Programme which was held in the AIB Centre of Excellence Hub in Central Park, Dublin. Almost 80 companies took part in the hotly contested programme which saw companies throughout Ireland competing for the top spot. Clare based Advanced Technical Concepts walked away with the Leadership Development Award and part of the
€40,000 prize fund. Advanced Technical Concepts specialises in providing engineering and supply chain solutions to manufacturing facilities in Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe. They supply into several industry sectors including aerospace, medical device, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, power generation and mining. It operates out of Shannon and Limerick city. The winners and finalists will share a prize fund of €40,000 which will go towards helping them scale their businesses. They will also receive mentoring and media profiling for their companies. Speaking about the awards, Marie Clifford of Clare based Advanced Technical Concepts said “”I am delighted to receive this award from AIB. These masterclasses are a great opportunity to recalibrate and take time out to work on the business. I would like to thank #TeamATC for all their hard work and their contributions to taking ATC forward.” Lorraine Greene, AIB Women in Enterprise Programme Manager said: “The awards are a key milestone in this programme and give an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the many achievements of the businesses that participated throughout the year”.
l MINDSET FOR SUCCESS : Local Enterprise Office Clare Women In Business Networking Event, Strategies for developing a “Mindset For Success” in Business with Tracy Geraghty as guest speaker at The Templegate Hotel Ennis on Tuesday evening. Pictured L-R Sinead Dixon Slattery, LEO Clare, Guest Speaker Tracy Geraghty, and Joanne Molloy, Style with Joanne Photo by Arthur Ellis
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UP TO
NEW FOR
2019
BACK IN CASH
ON YOUR NEW MORTGAGE SEARCH EBS MORTGAGE MASTERS
If you’re looking to buy a new home EBS Ennis are ready to help
Drop in, call us on (065) 689 9600 or email ennis@mail.ebs.ie IMPORTANT INFORMATION Warning: If you do not keep up your repayments you may lose your home
Warning: You may have to pay charges if you pay off a fixed-rate loan early
Warning: The cost of your monthly repayments may increase
Warning: If you do not meet the repayments on your loan, your account will go into arrears. This may affect your credit rating, which may limit your ability to access credit in the future. WARNING: YOUR HOME IS AT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP PAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT. WARNING: THE PAYMENT RATES ON THIS HOUSING LOAN MAY BE ADJUSTED BY THE LENDER FROM TIME TO TIME. Lending criteria, Terms and Conditions apply. For eligible customers 2% will be paid into your current account. Additional 1% paid on the 5th anniversary of the EBS mortgage. EBS. d.a.c. is an authorised agent and servicer of EBS Mortgage Finance (a wholly-owned subsidiary of EBS d.a.c.). EBS d.a.c. & EBS Mortgage Finance are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. A typical €100,000, 20 year mortgage for an Owner Occupier Residential Property with Loan to value greater than 80% will have a variable interest rate of 3.7% and Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 3.8%, and 240 monthly repayments of €590.29. If the APR does not vary during the term of the mortgage, the total cost of credit i.e. the total amount repayable less than the amount of the loan would be €41,884.48 (inclusive of valuation report fees of €215.00). The total amount repayable would be €141,884.48. The effect of a 1% increase in interest rates for such a mortgage will add €53.21 to the monthly repayments. Note: The above notice in respect of adjustments to repayment rates will not apply during any period when the loan is at a fixed rate. If you or your dependants intend to use the property as a principal place of residence, you must show evidence of mortgage protection insurance, unless you are exempt under the Consumer Credit Act 1995. Maximum loan to value of Owner Occupier Residential Properties - 90% of purchase price or valuation whichever is lower and 80% loan to value on one bedroom properties. Lending levels are subject to monthly repayment burden, typically not exceeding c. 35% of borrower’s disposable income and will vary according to individual circumstances. Mortgage loan requests are considered on the basis of proof of income, financial status and demonstrated repayment capacity (including capacity to repay at higher interest rates). Loans not available to people under 18. Mortgage loans are secured by a first legal mortgage/charge over your property. The property must be within the Republic of Ireland. Offer valid until 31st December 2019.
BALLYMACAULA VIEW Cahercalla Ennis Co. Clare
NOW TAKING BOOKINGS now releasing 2 homes at €260,00
Another Quality Development by M. Fitzgibbon Contractors Ltd. Enter to Win €300 Voucher for In House, Ennis Follow Helen Gallery Auctioneers on Facebook to find out more
Helen Gallery Auctioneers & Valuers T: 065 682 9481 | M: 086 250 4671 |E: info@helengallery.ie 68 Parnell Street Ennis Co Clare PRSA No 002433
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184 ACHA BHILE, LAHINCH ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 K409
€119,000
Positioned on the first floor and boasting a corner site position is this bright and spacious two bedroom (doubles) first floor apartment with private access in the Acha Bhile Housing Development. Excellent opportunity to get on the property ladder in Ennis.
APT 67 MILL HOUSE, MILL ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 RW83
€95,000
Number 67 Mill House is a two-bedroom penthouse apartment located in the heart of Ennis Town Centre. Offered to the market in good order throughout, the bright spacious apartment has panoramic views over the River Fergus and Ennis Town.
77 CAHERCALLA ESTATE, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 NWK7
€169,000
Fronting on to the vast green area of Cahercalla Estate and onto the main Kilrush Road, No 77 is a bright and spacious three-bedroom semidetached family home presented for sale in excellent condition throughout.
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47 HAZELWOOD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 NH2Y
€169,000
Conveniently located in the Hazelwood Development just 300 meters from St. Flannan's College, 700 meters from the Ennis Bus and Rail and just 1,200 meters to Ennis Town Centre, this bright and spacious 3 bedroomed semidetached family home is presented for sale in excellent condition throughout.
41 THE HAWTHORNS, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 C5H0
€169,950
The Hawthorns is a three bedroom family home conveniently located on the Limerick Road, within walking distance of all local and town amenities and offering excellent access to transport links via the M18 linking Shannon, Galway and Limerick.
7 ROS AN OIR, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 TFN0
€189,000
Located in the popular and much sought-after town centre housing development of Ros an Oir, No. 7 is a three-bedroom, 2-bathroom semidetached home tastefully decorated throughout with all amenities on your doorstep.
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5 BALLYMONEEN, CAPPAHARD, €169,000 ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 N2K5
2 SHANACLOON, LAHINCH ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 Y2D9
€195,000
Fronting on to the green area of Cappahard and linked at the single storey section of the property, No. 5 Ballymoneen makes for an ideal family or first-time buyer home. The property offers well-proportioned accommodation throughout with a rare feature of all 4 bedrooms as double rooms with the Master Bedroom being en suite with walk-in wardrobe.
Located in the popular Shanballa Housing Development, just off the Lahinch Road, and within a cul de sac of just 8 private family homes, fronting onto an approximately 0.5 acre green area, this three bedroom semidetached home offers accommodation normally reserved for countryside living with all amenities on your doorstep.
12 GLENSHEEN, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 C5P2
€199,000
Positioned on an extended corner site in the Glensheen housing development, conveniently located within walking distance of all local and town amenities and just 800 metres to the Lees Road Sports Complex No 12 is a four-bedroom semidetached property presented in excellent condition throughout.
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39 DERRYMORE, TULLA ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 K3CE
€199,000
Located in the much sought after exclusive development of Derrymore, No 39 is a three bedroom semidetached home presented for sale in excellent condition throughout boasting spacious and well-proportioned living accommodation with each room finished to a high specification.
€199,000
20 LISSANISKA, LAHINCH ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 A2T3
Positioned on an extended corner site and fronting onto the green area, boasting extensive rear gardens which are not overlooked, No. 20 Lissaniska is a bright and spacious 3 bedroomed semidetached family home presented for sale in excellent condition throughout boasting many features.
8 WOODLANDS, KILRUSH ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 AK2K
€199,000
Located in the much sought after residential estate of Woodlands, No. 8 is a four bedroom linked home in immaculate condition throughout. Just 10 minutes walk to Ennis town centre, 2 minutes drive to the west link to the Ennis by-pass, 10 minutes walk to the Ennis National School.
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26 CREGAUN, TOBARTEASCAIN, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 DHD6
€199,000
Located in the much sought after and popular residential area of Tobarteascain, within walking distance of all town centre amenities, Number 26 is a bright, spacious and well-proportioned 4-bedroom semi-detached family home presented for sale in very good condition throughout.
LE ED A S RE AG
3 GLENINA, HAZEL LANE, GORT ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 V6HD
€209,000
Number 3 is a bright, spacious, well-proportioned and nicely presented detached four-bedroom home boasting a fantastic location just a short stroll to all local and town amenities and set on a stunning private site with private access off Hazel Lane.
LE ED A S RE AG
1 AHERNES TERRACE, CARMODY STREET, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 TVH2
€145,000
Not often does a house on Aherne's Terrace come to the market and in particular one that boasts a corner site with private gated side access providing ample off-street parking and leading to extensive gardens that are normally reserved for countryside living. This four-bedroom home is a must view.
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18 ST SENANS ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE V95 F9PP
33 LEIM AN BHRADAIN, ENNIS, CO. CLARE V95 YP76
PEBBLE VIEW, SPANCILL HILL, ENNIS, CO CLARE V95RK4W
85/85A PARNELL STREET, ENNIS, CO CLARE V95YN32
Located on the very much sought after St Senan's Road, one of Ennis's more mature and desirable residential areas within a short stroll of all town amenities. Number 18 has the added advantage of boasting an extended side site which currently facilitates an adjoining garage and storage sheds.
No. 33 is a fantastic bright two bedroom first floor apartment overlooking communal greens in the popular quiet development of Leim An Bhradain on the Gort Road in Ennis, Co. Clare. Located beside Lidl & The River Lodge Health Club the property offers easy access to Ennis Town Centre with the M18 Galway Limerick motorway within a short driving distance.
SOLD AT AUCTION SEPTEMBER 20TH
SOLD AT AUCTION SEPTEMBER 20TH
• Positioned on quiet cul de sac road • Mature site of approximately 0.5 acres • Entrance hallway • Main Reception • Kitchen/Dining • 3 Bedrooms • Main Bathroom
• Mixed use commercial and residential investment • Ground Floor Commercial with access to private rear courtyard/ garden • First floor 1 bedroom apartment • Separate access to ground and first floors • Excellent investment opportunity
28 THE MAPLES, OAKLEIGH WOOD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 DDF7
€295,000
17 GORT LEAMHAN, TULLA ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 E39E
€260,000
Located in the popular Oakleigh Wood Development in the much sought after Tulla Road, No. 28 is a very well presented five bedroomed detached home positioned on a corner site and within walking distance of all local amenities. The property is impeccably maintained and tastefully finished to modern standards.
Located in the much sought after Tulla Road and the equally sought after cul de sac estate of Gort Leamhan, Number 17 is a five-bedroom semidetached home and benefits from an excellent position within the development on a near corner site.
2 CAHERCALLA WOODS, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 C2F4
€500,000
14 LAGHTAGOONA, COROFIN, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 PH99
€279,950
Set on a mature woodland site in the enviable location of Cahercalla Woods, No. 2 extends to 3,000 sqft. This detached four bedroom home offers the ultimate executive style living accommodation.
No. 14 is a four bedroom, detached, executive style home with immaculately manicured gardens on large corner site finished to an exceptional standard throughout. This stunning property is situated in an award-winning development on the edge of Corofin Village, just 15 minutes from Ennis and thirty minutes from Shannon.
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CAHERCALLA ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 DT1W
€370,000
Located in the very much sought after and affluent suburb known as Cahercalla Road, this substantial 4 bedroom detached two storey residence is a rare gem to come to the market in this very exclusive area. On a site extending to approx. 0.4 acres, the mature tree bound site features the mature trees, raised decking, lawn areas to front and side.
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RINEEN HOUSE, BALLYHANNON, QUIN, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 W298
10 ORCHARD WOOD, DROMOLAND, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 EK71
€445,000
No. 10 Orchard Wood is a detached three bedroom luxury home located within the grounds of the 5 Star Dromoland Castle Estate & Country Club. Watch our video walkthrough on http://www.dngosullivanhurley.com/
LE SA REED AG
€575,000
Private detached seven-bedroom home set on a large two-acre site approached by long meandering driveway with fantastic views of the surrounding countryside. The outside grounds are approached by a pea gravel drive way with manicured gardens to either side and mature hedging to the front and to the side with post and rail fencing.
11 SILVERGROVE, BALLYBEG, ENNIS, CO. CLARE EIRCODE: V95 A2CE
€500,000
Positioned on a stunning corner site and boundaries on three sides by mature forestry this stunning property is located to the rear of the Silvergrove exclusive development of detached homes. Set on a site of approximately 0.75 acre this stunning 5-bedroom detached family has bright, spacious and well proportioned living accommodation.
34 SPORT
THURSDAY, SEP 26 2019
Chisom hoping to inspire young athletes with PÁRAIC McMAHON
This week, as part of our 20x20 series we meet Ennis Rugby Club’s try-scoring sensation Chisom Ugwueru, a St Flannan’s student with aspirations to take up a sports scholarship
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Future aspirations include securing a sport scholarship, “I’d love to be a professional athlete,” she confessed. On the career side, helping people is a priority, “I’d like to do something that provides a service and helping out children or people with disabilities”. Getting the chance to represent her county, province and country is an honour the Scoil
‘‘
I love the athletics but I love the rugby because it’s in a group, athletics is individual. The quiet is nice but sometimes you need the fun and the friends to be bouncing off
‘‘
ITHOUT doubt, Chisom Ugwueru is an all-rounder, she’ll turn seventeen in November and already has represented her country in rugby and athletics. On Sunday, she was part of the Munster U18 side that won the Womens Interprovincial Championship. “We weren’t expecting to win it, we started off the first three matches and had lost the three of them,” begins Chisom. “Myself, Méabh McElligott and Marlese Flynn were part of the 7s squad so we missed all three matches. We had a little bit of faith that we could do it but we were really nervous and we weren’t expecting to win. After we beat Leinster two weeks ago, we were confident that we could beat Ulster and we did”. In their 37-7 win over Ulster, Chisom crossed the line with two tries. “It was so good, I was just ecstatic”. Her rise in the rugby ranks is pretty impressive, two years ago she took up the sport and has since gone on to shine for her club, Ennis RFC, her province and the Ireland 7s side. Last month, the 7s side won four of their five Home Nations Games in Swansea lining out against England, Wales and Scotland. Although Ugwueru was one of four newcomers to the side, it didn’t faze her as she scored three tries over the weekend. At the beginning of September, she was in Jarocin, Poland as the national side competed in the Rugby Europe U-18 Women’s Sevens Championship. After losing their last-eight clash with eventual silver medallists England, they regrouped to secure a fifth place finish thanks to victories over Czech Republic (2910) and Scotland (21-7). Chisom’s tackling was praised in the Scotland win while in the duration of the tournament, the winger added two further tries. Though still ‘sweet sixteen’, Chisom’s sporting exploits are already inspiring the generation below her. “When we came home from Poland, there was this little girl, I don’t know who she was but she came up to us and was like ‘I always wanted to play rugby’ and she said she would love to be like us when she was older”. She is hopeful more girls from Ennis and the entire county will continue to stand out on the rugby field over the coming years. Keeping up with her schedule isn’t easy but catching Chisom in an 80m sprint on the track is a much more difficult task. “I love the athletics but I love the rugby because it’s in a group, athletics is individual. The quiet is nice but sometimes you need the fun and the friends to be bouncing off ”. Her earliest sporting memory is indeed athletics which she has been doing since
l ONE FOR THE FUTURE: Chisom has represented Munster and Ireland in rugby Photo by John Mangan
the age of “eight or nine” and maintaining it has been very beneficial to her rugby career. In July, she was part of the Irish Schools Team competing at the SIAB Track and Field Championships in Swansea. Injury hampered her preparations and the St Flannans College student had to settle for a sixth place finish in a time of 12.17 seconds in the 80m hurdles. “I had been injured so I wasn’t sure I was going to perform. I finished sixth but I was still happy with it because I was injured”. She also regularly competes in the long jump and triple jump. When it comes to building up max speed, her advice is simple. “Always train but you shouldn’t be training too hard all the time be-
cause you will tire yourself out, you need to look at your technique and focus on that then over time you will get better”. Now a Leaving Certificate student, Chisom admitted staying on top of schoolwork can be difficult with so many sporting commitments. “It’s been tough, it’s hard to fit in the study and the training but we get there”. Balancing the books can be problematic but so too can the different rules of the various sports she juggles. “It’s hard to remember the basic rules of all the sports, I remember starting off rugby, I would run in front of the ball because I was used to that with ladies football, now I’ve the hang of it but at the start it got me”.
Chríost Rí past pupil is very proud of. “It’s so good, people are saying ‘it must be so cool to represent Ireland’ and I like sharing the story with people and I feel it inspires them to do the same, especially for girls, most of them tend to drop out at the age of fifteen so we need to show them it is doable and you can achieve your dreams with hard work”. Her devoted parents Ifeoma and Festus play an invaluable role in facilitating Chisom’s quest to achieve her sporting dreams but it is her older brother Ikem, himself a talented sportsman at gaelic football, rugby and soccer, that she looks up to most, “He has probably inspired me the most, he tells me to keep going”. Ikem is the oldest of six children, Chisom is next in line with four behind them, if it’s a case of the next child surpassing the achievements of the one previous then the Ugwuerus are set to create many more unforgettable sporting memories.
SPORT
THURSDAY, SEP 26 2019
35
Éire Óg the weekend’s big losers PÁRAIC McMAHON
paraic@clareecho.ie
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DRAMATIC finish in extra time saw Doonbeg score two goals in added time to knock Éire Óg out of the Clare senior football championship on a scoreline of 4-08 to 1-12 at Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay on Sunday. Remarkably Doonbeg recorded their first win of this year’s championship and yet sealed their place in the semi-finals for the first time since 2013. They had not been in the lead at all until Enda Doyle goaled with 81 minutes on the clock. Despite going twenty minutes in the first half and eighteen in the second without getting a score, Doonbeg came good in additional time of which there was a lot, hitting a tally of 3-03 in time added on. Any winning team needs luck on their side, some can even manage to make their own good fortune but not Éire Óg in this outing. County centre back Aaron Fitzgerald was a massive loss to their team, they were without Colin Smyth, Danny Griffin and Éinne O’Connor for the tie and
during the game lost Shane Daniels, Conall Ó hÁiniféin and Eimhin Courtney to injury. While some supporters of theirs were annoyed with the amount of additional time played, there is no denying that players switched off at the most important period in the game and this is what cost them a semi-final spot. In a year when the Long Village has welcomed both the US President and Vice President, this memorable win may go down as the highlight of the year in Doonbeg. David Tubridy, Colm Dillon, Eoghan Tubridy, Eoin Conway and Paraic Aherne stood out for Daniel Ryan’s charges. Meanwhile, Cratloe withstood a shaky start to ease past Ennistymon in the first contest of the day 1-16 0-08. Last year’s beaten finalists went three points up in the first ten minutes but would only add another white flag for the remainder of the half and allowed Cratloe hold a four point advantage at the break. Cathal McInerney’s goal on forty two minutes put the game beyond doubt as Colm Collins’ men advanced to the semi-finals for the fifth time in six years. Not one but two penalties from Steven Moloney sent Kilmurry
Ibrickane on their way to a 2-14 1-10 win against Kilmihil. The 15 time champions conceded a point after four minutes but responded with an unanswered 1-06. Philip Ryan goaled shortly before the break to leave a gap of three points at halftime. However Kilmihil kicked just four points in the second half as Aidan ‘Horse’ Moloney’s charges hit 1-08 to book their place in the last year for the fourth year in a row. Reigning champions St Josephs Miltown had four points to spare over Lissycasey, winning out 0-12 1-05. David O’Brien’s side started brightly with an unanswered seven points. Conor Finucane goaled from a penalty in what was Lissycasey’s only score of the first half. They added five points in the second but the damage was done. Clondegad edged past Kilrush Shamrocks 2-10 2-08 in the senior relegation semi-final. A late Liam Madigan goal was not enough for the Shams to cause an upset with early first half goals from Barry Toner and Shane Brennan setting the platform for Clondegad’s success. Five goals from Cooraclare ensured they also retained their senior status with a 5-11 0-14 win against Corofin.
l I WANT TO BREAK FREE: Keelan Sexton of Kilmurry Ibrickane attempts to break free from the grips of the Kilmihil defence on his way to victory on Saturday Photo by Gerard O’Neill
The Scorecard in association with
ENNIS GOLF CLUB Tuesday Fourball 17/09 1ST Paul Higgins & Fintan Mc Evoy 30pts 2ND Gary Tyrrell & Walter O’ Brien 30pts 3RD Ger O’ Hanlon & Peter Quinn 30pts 4TH Tony Flynn & Paul Nihill 29pts
l TOP OF THE PILE: Clare Senior Football County Champions Kilmihil celebrate their defeat of the Banner Ladies in the final on a scoreline of 3-12 to 0-10 at the weekend Photo by Gerard O’Neill
Friday Open Singles 1ST Senan Ryan (9) 40pts 2ND Andrew Mc Gloin (12) 36pts GROSS Sean Myatt (1) 34pts 3RD Cillian O Connor (10) 34pts 9 Hole open singles 1ST Joe Carmody (16) 17pts 2ND Leo Herbert (11) 16pts Club Scramble 21/09 1ST Della Burns, Steve Burns, John Cleary & Tom Gallery (71-2) 69pts 2ND Flor Coffey, Willie Delaney & Tim Kelly 69pts Paddy Con Trophy, 18 Hole Scotch Foursomes Sept. 21/22 1ST Michael Meagher(8) & Michael Moroney(14) 64nett 2ND Pat G Mc Inerney(13) & Ger O’ Brien(17) 64nett 3RD Michael Kearney(8) & Paul Nihill(13) 64.5nett Ennis GC Ladies results Medal, Silver 1ST Suzanne Deane (16) 79 2ND Della Burns (16) 82 (Back 9:40.5v43) Bronze 1ST Bridget Hoey (21) 82 2ND Patricia Moroney (22) 83 9 Hole S/F 1ST Mary Woulfe (27) 17pts
2ND Mary Glynn (31) 15pts 3RD Geraldine O’Rourke (34) 14pts EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB Men’s Singles 1ST Ger Hogan (10) 38pts 2ND Eoin Magill (4) 36pts Ladies Singles Sunday 1ST Catherine Minogue 34pts 2ND Noreen Doyle 32pts Men’s Seniors 1ST Seán Putt, Ailbe McDonald,Ger Daly KILRUSH GOLF CLUB Sept 21/22: ESB Inaugural Cup Men’s Singles 1 Ger Brennan (16) 41 Back 9 2 Thomas Downes (12) 41 3 Brendan Carey (21) 40 Sept 19: Wild Atlantic Candles Ladies’ Singles 1 Anne Brennan (13) 37 pts 2 Agnes Shannon (21) 34 pts SPANISH POINT GOLF CLUB Sep 22 - PJ Kyne Memorial 18-Hole S/F Ladies: WINNER Fiona O’Boyle 39 pts 2ND Karen White 35 pts 3RD Eileen Murrihy 34 pts Men: WINNER Gerry Gallagher 41 pts 2ND Brian O’Loughlin 40 pts 3RD Leslie Seal 38 pts. Sep 17 - Senior Open Singles 18-Hole S/F 1ST Derek Power 44 pts 2ND Danny Comerford 42 pts 3RD Bernard Coleman 39 pts
36
CLASSIFIEDS
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Classifieds PAINTING
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PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
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MATHS GRINDS AVAILABLE Leaving Certificate & Junior Certificate ENNIS Qualifications and Experience l B.A Hons in Mathematics - Trinity College Dublin 2018
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› Word › Best Daily Word Se… (http://puzzles.bestforpuzzles.com/category/word/)
38 PUZZLEPAGE
THURSDAY, SEP 26 2019
Best Daily Word Search
THIS WEEKS PUZZLES SEP 26
Best Daily Word Search: 19 September 2019
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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.
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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.
Game (http://puzzles.bestforpuzzles.com)
Solution
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The Clare Echo Crossword ACROSS 1 Fully developed (6) 4 Capital of Canada (6) JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG8 Acute SEP (5) 9 Perpendicular (7) 10 Obstructed (7) 11 Spooky (5) 19 September: Take a Solve (/games/best-daily-word-search/? 12 Edible flatfish (5,4) now puzzleDate=20190919) Trip 17 Unpatterned (5) 19 Firedog (7) 21 Breathed out (7) More Puzzles 22 Hazy (5) . Agent () 23 Scallywag (6) . Aircra� () 24 Keyed up (2,4) 1
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QUIZ 39
THURSDAY, SEP 26 2019
The Clare Echo Quiz
The Ennis Chronicle and Clare 2 Advertiser was established in which century? a. 17th b. 18th c. 19th
3 a. b. c.
Who was the proprietor and editor of the Clare Journal? James Knox Walker John B. Knox Tom Galvin
Clare Man was discontinued 4The due to ______? a. A libel Action b. An amalgamation with another local newspaper c. The passing of the owner
How many issues are there of the 5 Clare Journal and Ennis Advertiser? a. b. c.
Circa. 1,000 Circa. 2,000 Circa. 3,000
The Clare Advertiser and Kilrush 7 _____ was a newspaper published in 1868? a. Gazette b. Times c. People
Clare Echo was first pub8The lished in? a. 2016 b. 2017 c. 2018
The Clare Echo is hand delivered 9 to ______ houses in Ennis every Thursday? a. 2,000 b. 5,000 c. 7,000
Clare people was in opera10The tion for how many years? a. b. c.
8 years 14 years 22 years
By Cian O’Broin
Cleary set up which newspaper in 1876 in Clare? 6T.S a.
l QUESTION 8 : The Clare Echo was first published in?
ANSWERS
6. Clare Independent and Tipperary Catholic Times
Mondays and Thursdays Wednesday and Sunday Tuesdays and Thursdays
7. Gazette 8. 2017 9. 7,000 10. 14 years
a. b. c.
b. The Freeman’s Journal c. Clare Independent and Tipperary Catholic Times
1. Mondays and Thursdays 2. 18th 3. John B. Knox 4. A libel Action 5. Circa. 3,000
‘Ennis Chronicle and Clare 1ly onThe Advertiser’ appeared twice weekwhich days?
The Clare Advertiser
Spot the Difference Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences. The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.
Last weeks Answers . Dots in eyes on logo have moved . Glasses missing on man . Poetry missing on white sheet on shelf . Keys missing in womans hand (right)
. ORLD letters in background (right) are different colour . Buttons on man’s shirt missing . Woman (right) necklace is missing
Photo by Arthur Ellis