The Clare Echo 26/10/23

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clareecho.ie

Oct 26 2023

MASTER AT WORK

Burglar in the ditch Locals foil robbery attempt

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

IT TOOK A COMMUNITY effort to foil a robbery in Sixmilebridge this week.

Crowe’s Shop at the Ministers Cross experienced

its third robbery in ten days on Tuesday evening.

However, the actions of locals who spotted the would-be thief were on hand to chase the male as he proceeded to jump a ditch. Full story Page 4

Clare duo commit for 2024

l Michael Collins serves an Irish coffee to Tom Burke with Joe Sheehan keeping a watchful eye at The Inn at Dromoland

Photo by John Mangan

CLARE’S hopes of success on the hurling field next year have received a lift with two of the county’s key players committing to the cause once again.

Fresh from winning his second ever Clare SHC medal

with Clonlara, John Conlon has confirmed to The Clare Echo that he will be back with Brian Lohan’s panel next year for what will he his 16th championship campaign.

Fellow All Star nominee, Shane

O’Donnell has put an end to his inter-county speculation. The Ennis native has confirmed he will be returning to the Clare panel following the Allianz National Hurling League.

Full story Page 37

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Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

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CONTENTS

NEWS .............................2-20 COLUMNISTS ..............24-25 GREEN CLARE ...........28-29 BUSINESS ...................31-33 SPORT..........................36-41

CONTACT US

36C Abbey St., Ennis, Co Clare Call: 065 - 6719021

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

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

Getting into the swing of things in Cloughleigh

Two new initiatives aimed at increasing youth participation in sporting and recreational activities in Cloughleigh and the wider Ennis West area have been announced. A six-week introductory kickboxing programme for teenagers is being held at Cloughleigh Community Centre in Davitt Terrace while the all-weather facility in Cloughleigh is hosting a Halloween Multi Activity Kids Camp from October 31st to November 2nd. Pictured are representatives of Clare County Council, Clare LCDC, Cloughleigh Residents and Development Group and An Garda Siochana launching the youth initiatives at Cloughleigh Community Centre Photo by Paul Corey

Viral photo prompts probe AVENUE United have completed an internal investigation following the dissemination of an image connected to the club which contained illegal substances, writes Páraic McMahon.

Having won a competition to get a sponsored set of jerseys, a photograph showcasing one of the new jerseys inadvertently highlighted drug-taking with the image circulating across social media this week. The club has stressed that no player or coach was associated with the photograph or the domestic setting whereby it was taken and has condemned the contents of the photograph. In a statement on Wednesday morning, a spokesperson for Avenue Utd outlined, “Avenue United are aware of a photo that is currently circulating on social media and have carried out an internal investigation into the matter”.

“Firstly, we would like to reassure all players, parents and sponsors that the photo, which was taken in a domestic setting was not associated to any coach or player at Avenue United”.

Support is being offered to the person who took the photograph, the club confirmed. This internal investigation concluded on Tuesday night, The Clare Echo has learned.

Exact recommendations and sanctions following this have not been revealed but the club is committed to the “duty of care” towards the person involved.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 26 , 2023

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Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

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Community effort stops thief from fleeing Sixmilebridge store

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A COMMUNITY effort has been hailed with stopping a robbery from a Clare service station while increasing criminal behaviour is causing distress across the county.

On Tuesday evening, Crowe’s Shop at the Minister’s Cross in Sixmilebridge was subject to its third robbery in 10 days. This time round, the community stood tall to ensure the perpetrator did not get beyond An Garda Síochána.

Store owner, Cyril Crowe told The Clare Echo that one local along with a mechanic from the MC Autos which is located adjacent to the store noticed a man coming out of the shop with a mask over his face and then took off after the individual. “He jumped into a ditch but they ran after him into the field and were able to flag Gardaí who were there within three to four minutes and they were able to apprehend the man”.

“A lot of people in the locality are disgusted with what is happening, everyone knows what is happening with these crimes. A lot of our staff are students trying to pay their way through college, we’re only from a small rural area where everyone knows the girls working behind the

l Cyril Crowe

Photo by Joe Buckley

till and who their parents are”.

This may have been a win but the losses are mounting for business personnel such as the Crowe family who have incurred financial impli-

cations with in the region of “a couple of thousand euros” stolen.

Criminals are changing their habits, Cyril observed. “There was a stage two years ago when we had

eight break ins over four months, this is the first time in 50 years in business where people have come on during a shift where people have been working, ordinarily the robberies happen when the shops are closed and people are not there but that has changed now and people have become very brazen”.

Such alternative tactics have had a traumatic impact on the staff on duty when the robberies have occurred.

“An awful lot of our staff are students or young girls under the age of 24, they have been petrified over the last two weeks, they are worried coming into work for the night shift.

A hammer was put to one girl and a knife put to another when they were demanded to empty the contents of the till,” Cyril stated.

Counselling has since been offered to staff members, he confirmed. “They all need jobs and for the students they need a source of income so we are doing everything we can to support them. Everything is open to them, they are off work and it will take time for them to feel comfortable in the shop again, some of them will never get that sense of security back”.

Crowe knows this only too well as he was able to recall an incident

he was involved in 12 years ago. He had been at home when the alarm to the store went off, as he pulled into the Minister’s Cross, five men came towards the vehicle with machetes, a pick axe and a hatchet where they proceeded to break the windscreen of his car. “They ran from behind the shop in Sixmilebridge while I was in the car, they put a pick axe through the side and broke the windscreen, they had hoped I was going to just go straight to the door and open it but I had spotted them when I pulled in. I wasn’t right for about three years after it,” he admitted.

With levels of crime continuing to rise, it is heightening the need for a stronger Garda presence in the locality, he stressed. “It is incident after incident in Sixmilebridge and yet we’re still without a Garda presence in the area. The Gardaí have their hands tied, they have to be in the urban areas and don’t have the manpower to get out to us. Limerick City and Ennis are full of Gardaí, they should be redeployed to rural areas. The criminals know Sixmilebridge, Quin and Kilkishen don’t have a Garda presence at night-time so something will have to change,” the Fine Gael local election candidate added.

UHL experiences record levels of overcrowding UNIVERSITY Hospital Limerick has experienced record levels of overcrowding with surgeries cancelled at Ennis Hospital on Wednesday as a result, writes Páraic McMahon.

On Monday, there were 130 patients waiting for admission to a bed at UHL according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), the highest number recorded there on a single day.

INMO Assistant Director for Industrial Relations Mary Fogarty said that the record figure comes as no surprise to its members as they have been working in overcrowded and understaffed wards with no reprieve for years.

It emerged on Wednesday that day-surgeries had been cancelled at Ennis Hospital and St John’s Hospital, because of the overcrowding in Limerick. An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar (FG) has committed to visit Ennis Hospital to assess potential solutions.

Speaking in the Dáil, Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) described the situation in UHL as “a mess”. He stated, “this morning day surgeries were cancelled in Ennis, no patients arrived but it does appear that nobody

told the surgical team that, the urological surgery team, the anaesthetists and the nurses all waiting for patients but none arrived, it seems to me an incredibly bad use of scarce resources. It is not unique unfortunately, we remember during the COVID pandemic that Ennis had a lot more cancellations to services than either Nenagh, St John’s or UHL, Limerick may not be surprising but the others should be on a par with Ennis”.

Scariff native McNamara acknowledged that the Taoiseach had visited UHL unlike his predecessor, Micheál Martin (FF).

“You do have an interest in the matter, I will give you that but an interest isn’t enough, will you come to Ennis and see the solutions that it offers in terms of the short-term by increasing the local injury unit capacity, the medical assessment unit capacity and in the longer term increasing capacity to day surgeries”.

He added, “More importantly make sure Ennis is adequately utilised and not disregarded to the fashion it is today”.

Taoiseach Varadkar admitted, “I don’t know what exactly happened in Ennis today

and why surgery was cancelled and why surgical team weren’t informed, they would usually be the first to know in my experience in the health service but that may not always be the case, I definitely agree that part of the solution to the problems we experience at University Hospital Limerick is greater use in Ennis and Nenagh, that is happening to an extent but not to the extent that I would like to see being the case, I do look forward to visiting Ennis Hospital again as soon as I can”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo this week, Deputy McNamara remarked, "People are afraid to go to University Hospital Limerick (UHL).

Lives will be lost because of the fear but, equally, lives will be lost because that fear is justified. While celebrating being republicans this government has perpetuated huge disparity in healthcare across Ireland”.

Criticism of the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly (FF) and CEO of UL Hospitals Group, Colette Cowan was voiced by Violet-Anne Wynne (IND). “The people of the Mid-West are dying at the feet of this government minister, and nothing is being done,” she remarked.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 26, 2023

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Celebrating a decade of excellence:

News

5

Home Trends Furniture Store

lFinbar and Eileen Keaveney

Photos by Tom Micks

SITUATED in the heart of Ennis, Home Trends Furniture store is proud to mark a decade of providing exceptional service and value to the community.

Founded in 2013 and still family-owned and operated by Finbar and Eileen Keaveney, this local business has thrived through the years. To commemorate this remarkable milestone, we invite you to join us for a spectacular Anniversary Sale. This event is more than just a sale; it's a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality and our customers over the past 10 years.

The Keaveney family's dedication to offering top-notch furniture and service has earned them a reputation as a trusted choice not only in Co Clare but also beyond. Our spacious shop boasts a wide range of furniture, from 3-piece suites, dining room sets, beds, mattresses, sofa beds, coffee tables, consoles, to smaller items like lockers and rugs.

We're renowned for providing quality pieces at prices that won't break the bank. When you make a purchase at Home Trends, you're investing in pieces that not only complement your home but also endure the test of time. With two entrances, front and back, our store's eye-catching exterior has recently been painted and sports a fresh new logo. The inviting exterior is matched by a beauti-

fully refurbished interior completed in 2020.

On the second floor, you'll find a fantastic display of rugs, dining sets, artwork, cushions, mirrors, and more. According to store owner Eileen, "Rugs and cushions are incredibly popular this season and provide an affordable way to transform any room." Eileen and Finbar, along with their dedicated team, always go the extra mile to ensure your needs and requirements are met.

This level of commitment has fostered a loyal customer base over the past decade.

As Finbar, the store owner, notes, "It's fantastic when customers recommend us to family and friends, and most people are happy to support local businesses." Both Finbar and Eileen wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to all their customers for the incredible support, loyalty, and kindness shown over the last ten years. So, if you're in search of quality furniture, don't miss this chance to benefit from exceptional deals at our local, family-run store.

Come celebrate Home Trends' 10-year anniversary event with us. Find us at Home Trends, 29 Parnell Street, Ennis (V95ED79), or call us at 065- 6797853. For more information, follow our Facebook and Instagram pages, or visit our website at www.hometrendsfurniture.ie

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Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

News

Mullagh’s Therese Doohan joins Fine Gael campaign MULLAGH’S Therese Doohan (FG) will be contesting June’s local elections running alongside Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) on the Fine Gael ticket in the West Clare Municipal District, writes Páraic McMahon.

Both Therese and Gabriel were the only nominees to represent the party following a selection convention held on Friday night.

First elected in 2009, Cllr Keating has prevailed in the 2014 and 2019 local elections

lELECTION: Therese Doohan (FG) & Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG)

since leaving the financial services industry. The Cross native is the Vice President of Naomh Eoin GAA club and was the first Clare man to receive the presidential award for his contribution to the GAA. A support worker with the Brothers of Charity, Therese was approached by Fine Gael to run in the 2024 local elections.

Originally from Miltown Malbay, she is the daughter of PJ (RIP) and Kathleen Downes.

She emigrated in the 1980s but returned to West Clare in 1994 when her father’s health began to deteriorate, she had been working in Lister Hospital in Stevenage prior to this. Work with Bank of Ireland brought her to Kilrush and beyond the county but she later ran her own business, An Scileán in Miltown Malbay. After meeting her husband, Francis they settled in Mullagh and had four daughters, Rebecca, Claudia, Jessica and Joanna.

After Fine Gael figures contacted her to gauge her interest, it was her family with whom she first discussed the notion with. “Any life in the public eye affects everyone in the family, they have always been very supportive of me. No matter where you stick your head up there is always someone ready

to knock you down. I felt it was an opportunity for me because my family is somewhat reared with our youngest just off to college. This is a time of my life which I can dedicate to people, I’m a good listener and I’m able to work with people to identify what is needed, I’ve a fair idea of somethings that are needed but you have to sit down and listen to people to see what can be improved”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Therese commented, “I’m new to politics but I’ve done an awful lot of volunteering even when I was living in England”. She remains involved with Kilmurry Ibrickane ladies football club, having previously served as Chairperson and Treasurer.

Alongside James Egan, she founded the Mullagh Youth Club.

During her eight year term as Chairperson of the Mullagh Community Sports Field, she was central to many development projects including an outdoor accessible gym, a running track, lighting and meeting rooms. She is currently the registrar on the Executive of the Clare Ladies Gaelic Football Association, having also been Central Council Delegate plus a stint as Assistant Secretary at a provincial level.

Ryan chosen as Sinn Féin candidate SINN Féin have confirmed the candidacy of Shannonbanks’ James Ryan (inset) for next year’s local elections, writes Páraic McMahon.

James is the second declared Sinn Féin candidate for the 2024 local elections and will join sitting Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) in the Shannon Municipal District. The party had anticipated running three candidates in this electoral area. He was ratified by Sinn Féin’s Ard Comhairle having been selected at a recent convention.

Now living in Westbury with his wife Jiale and two children, he met his wife while living in China for close to 13 years where they ran an art gallery while he worked full-time in logistics.

Since returning to Ireland in 2015, James worked in Shannon in the field or airport hire but has now retrained and works as a part-time teacher. “I work mostly with DEIS schools, I do the STEM courses with parents and children, we build contraptions for them to work with, it is an interesting thing going to different schools and meeting different people. I also work with the youth diversion programme in St Mary’s, in Direct Provision centres, with Corpus Christi and all the primary schools in Limerick and a few in Clare”.

Ryan became a member of Sinn Féin in 2018.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 26 , 2023

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Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

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‘Happy tears’ for Clonlara school girl as hero Katie McCabe reaches out

by Adam Maloney news@clareecho.ie

lSTAR STRUCK: Grace O’Connell holds up the sign she made for Katie

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CLONLARA’S Grace O’Connell was left with happy tears with an acknowledgement from her hero, Irish women’s captain Katie McCabe.

For her ninth birthday, Grace was due to watch her favourite women’s player, Katie McCabe line out for Arsenal against Aston Villa.

Plans for the O’Connell family to go to Emirates Stadium came asunder when fog curtailed flights from Shannon Airport on this particular Sunday morning, a fortnight ago.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Grace’s father Barry explained that he, his wife Nicole and their two children, Grace and Luke are staunch Arsenal supporters.

In advance of Grace’s birthday, the family began organising the trip in September. While they were waiting to board their flight to Stanstead they were informed that the fog led to its cancellation. “So obviously Grace got very upset, she was bawling God bless her and she had made a little sign for Katie McCabe,” Barry recounted.

He added, “the whole airport was going mad, because all of the flights were being cancelled, so we were kind of the lucky ones that we were going over and back the same day

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and there was an NFL game on in London on the same day and there was a load of lads there stranded, so it was just a chaotic morning”.

When they returned to their home in Clonlara, Barry was keen to lift the family mood and asked Grace a third year pupil at St. Senan’s Primary School for the sign she designed. “I didn’t know what else to do really to put a smile on her face so I just said screw it, I’ll post it up on Twitter and tag Arsenal and Katie and hope that someone might like it or retweet it or something”.

“My wife and I decided to bring the kids into go bowling in Limerick to try take our mind off stuff so on the way in the car my phone started going a bit mad so I was kind of like what the hell is going on, and by the time we stopped up, my phone had gone chaotic, and I was getting messages and whatever else. So, I checked Twitter then and obviously saw that Katie had reached out which was cool of her, and mentioned she’d sort tickets the next time we go over,” O’Connell said.

McCabe a nominee for the Women’s Ballon d’Or this year in her tweet managed to successfully the spirits of the whole family, “Sorry to hear you can’t make it! Let me know when you’re next over and I’ll arrange tickets! ps. love the sign,” the

Irish captain tweeted.

This response was only something Grace could have dreamt of, “I like Katie because she is the captain of Ireland, she plays for my favourite team, and she is probably my favourite out of the women’s team. I almost cried happy tears because something like that has never happened to me before,” she told The Clare Echo.

Barry who works as a Telestrator Operative for Nemeton TV for their live GAA games on TG4 and for American Football data company, PFF said he has yet to make contact with Katie on her offer. “I haven’t reached out to Katie yet or anything, but I’m sure she’d be a girl of her word, but either we’ll go back again anyway, we’re Arsenal fans, but I’d promise Grace and Luke that we’d go over this season and we’ll try our best to go back again”.

He concluded, “They play only I think five times this season, and the next time is just before Christmas, which is probably just a bit too close, but after Christmas they’re playing Man United and Tottenham, so it would be nice to get to the Emirates for a North London derby, and Katie scored two goals as well at the weekend so fair play to her, so it’s only making Grace more determined to go and see her, so that’s the plan”.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 26 , 2023

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Family Fun at Fifty!

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Crescent Shopping Centre celebrates 50 Years in Limerick with a festival of Family Fun this weekend!

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Enjoy ‘Meet & Greets’ and ‘Pup Pup Boogie’ at intervals throughout the day!

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Oct 30th 11am-4pm

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Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

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120 Aer Rianta workers reunite

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

UP TO 120 retired members from Aer Rianta in Shannon gathered at the Inn at Dromoland on Wednesday last.

Shannon Airport and Aer Rianta International had a proud association which began with the opening of its first duty-free store in 1947.

In March 2018, this long relationship came to an end when the final eleven Shannon based Aer Rianta workers concluded their service, having either been redeployed or took early retirement or a voluntary severance package.

Aer Rianta International managed turnover of €1.1bn in 2022, a leap of 132 percent year-on-year with the figure reaching 91 percent of pre-pandemic levels from 2019.

Scariff-based Liam Skelly who attended Wednesday’s function and was a founding member of Aer Rianta International previously told The Clare Echo that Shannon Airport’s “golden goose” was snatched

by Dublin Airport when it was stripped of Aer Rianta International while becoming an independent airport in 2013, the DAA retained control of Aer Rianta International.

Staff at Aer Rianta were always proud of their connection to Shannon Airport and it was evident in Newmarket-on-Fergus last week where their most recent outing took place.

On arrival, attendees were treated

lCATCHING UP: Margaret O’Neill, Noreen Hickey, Maura McNamara and Fionnuala Power Photo by John Mangan

l HOSPITALITY: Michael ‘Gazzy’ Collins making his famous Irish coffee

Photo by John Mangan

to a speciality Irish Coffee made by Kilkishen native, Michael ‘Gazzy’ Collins, he worked in Shannon Airport hospitality for 44 years where he served celebrities including Maureen O’Hara while his technique received esteemed praise in newspapers in New York City.

Gazzy is part of the 12 person

committee who meet once a month to try and arrange outings for retired Aer Rianta staff.

He explained that that contributions made over the years have helped to fund their outings while the dinner was made possible by the amount of money saved from making contact with their membership

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“We have the savings from over the years, everybody would have paid a shilling a week and it materialised then over the years that if somebody fell on bad times like a fella who had retired and was confined to a wheelchair and had exhausted all his medical avenues that we were able to offer a bit of support,” he explained.

Trips to the Aran Islands and Waterford are some of the highlights of the group’s ventures over the years.

Hynes pulls out of bid to become Chancellor

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Their contact list is expected to increase following Wednesday’s dinner. “It might develop from the list we took, this goes back the last 40 or 50 years and primarily the fund was only in case some people went into hard times. It has accumulated over the years,” the Hurlers Cross resident noted. He acknowledged that Aer Rianta had previously given contributions of €1000 towards

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NEW Quay’s Rose Hynes has withdrew her name from the contest to appoint a Chancellor for the Governing Authority at the University of Limerick, writes Páraic McMahon.

Earlier this month, UL’s Governing Authority for the first time in its history failed to elect a Chancellor after Ms Hynes failed to reach the two-third majority needed among members to ratify her candidacy. She was one of two people seen as appointable by board members to lead UL’s Governing Authority but was the only name put forward for the October 8th vote. The Clare Echo has learned that on Monday, Rose informed the President of UL that she would be withdrawing her name. She is said to be considering her position as a member of UL’s Governing Authority.

Efforts by The Clare Echo to get comment from Ms Hynes through her solicitor, Paul Tweed were unsuccessful and at the time of going to print the correspondence issued to the Belfast media lawyer were not acknowledged.

UL’s Governing Authority is made up of 19 internal and external members. One seat, to be held by a ministerial appointee, remains vacant and is in the process of being filled but this is expected to take some time. An external member must fill the role of chancellor. One external member of the authority may have to resign to allow for a new person to fill the role and then be appointed chancellor.

Former Tánaiste, Mary Harney had served as Chancellor and Chairperson of UL’s Governing Authority from 2018 until

September of this year. She was formerly the youngest ever member of Seanad Éireann when elected in 1977. An interim chairperson will remain in place until the election process has concluded.

Under existing legislation, all Irish universities with the exception of Trinity College must have a chancellor in place at all times. At UL, the chancellor effectively functions as the president’s immediate superior, to whom they report.

Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) speaking in the Seanad had voiced concern that there would be a move to persuade those who had voted against the candidate put forward by the university to "revisit the decision", and that "a level of intense lobbying will begin to try to browbeat people who made, in good judgment, a decision not to appoint the individual concerned”.

While he didn’t name Ms Hynes, Senator Dooley commented, "There is some history about the appointment of the same individual to another board of the State where there was intense lobbying, up to and including telephone calls to the Taoiseach at the time, Leo Varadkar, to secure a particular position for that individual”.

Minister of State at the Department of Health Mary Butler (FF) stated that the public appointments process is currently in progress for the selection of ministerial nominees. She said that the Minister for Higher Education had no influence on the appointment of a Chancellor. "It is really important to state that the Minister has no role whatsoever in this process. The Minister is legally prohibited from intervening.”

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 26, 2023

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe WITH the arrival of winter, the Fig Tree Restaurant at Dromoland Castle’s Golf & Country Club is unveiling its new seasonal menus and an exciting brunch offering that promises to captivate your taste buds.

Here, excellence meets a commitment to local sourcing, creating a dining experience that is as sustainable as it is sumptuous.

Brunch Beyond Expectations: Redefine your weekend dining experience with the enticing new brunch offering from The Fig Tree Restaurant. Often hailed as the best meal of the day, we’ve given brunch an added sprinkling of Irish enchantment. With a diverse selection of delectable dishes that range from classic breakfast favourites to innovative brunch specialties, your weekend mornings just became a lot more exciting.

Our kitchen team’s passion for local sourcing means our brunch dishes are graced with the bounty of Dromoland’s surrounding farms, elevating the taste of every bite and sip. Wake up to locally roasted coffee and indulge in farm-fresh eggs, artisanal bread, and more. Here at The Fig Tree, brunch is a celebration of the region's flavours, making each meal an experience that you’ll want to make part of your weekend ritual.

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Dromoland Castle unveil new seasonal menu & brunch options

l PANCAKES: Delight your tastebuds at Dromoland

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Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

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Patients encouraged to use ‘evidencebased services’ at Slainte An Chláir ‘Anyone can open a cancer centre and register it as a business’

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

CLARE Cancer Support, Slainte An Chláir is encouraging cancer sufferers and survivors, along with their families to make use of their “evidence-based” services at their centre in Kilnamona.

It comes as volunteers and management move to clarify any confusion around the identity of cancer charities in County Clare.

Clare Cancer Support, Slainte An Chláir is a voluntary organisation based in Kilnamona which supports the people of Clare and their families affected by cancer. All its services are free of charge including physical therapies, exercise classes, lymphoedema management and a range of complementary therapies.

Run by volunteers, the service employs service provider who are trained and qualified in their area of practice at the centre.

Beyond that, Slainte An Chláir have been known to go the extra mile. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Slainte An Chláir opened its doors for some cancer sufferers to isolate, where they were provided with meals and given a safe, supportive space to isolate.

Currently, Slainte An Chláir provides up to 300 services a week, which includes the vital service of driving people to hospital appointments.

An article in The Clare Champion recently

l CANCER SUPPORT: Mary Skehan, Lyndsay Walsh and Theresa Murrihy Photo by Paschal Brooks highlighted the provision of and reinforce the message every day told The Clare Anne Murphy, an oncology services being provided by that they are a completely Echo that members of the specialist who has been a the Clare 250 Cancer Centre independent charity. public have confused them cancer support nurse with in Ruan, a service which is The Clare Echo visited with the Clare 250 Cancer Slainte An Chlair since 2014, completely unaffiliated with Kilnamona this week and Centre in Ruan and they are tells The Clare Echo, “All the Slainte An Chlair. Slainte An met with service users, eager to remind the public services here are aligned Chlair are eager to inform the management and volunteers. about the unique services with what best evidence public of their own services Those who run the service they provide. is and what the National

Cancer Control programme (NCCP) is advocating and trying to roll out in line with patient participation and their own care, so we tick all those boxes.

“Transport, counselling, complimentary therapies, meeting like-minded people, lymphoedema management, cancer support. That’s the evidence-based services here.

“Anyone can open a cancer centre and register it as a business, but there is no accountability for what they provide. We choose to be clinically governed … keeping abreast of all the current recommendations, best practice, and what the patient wants. It’s aligned with the patient.”

Theresa Murrihy is the honorary chairperson of Sláinte an Chlair, she adds that there are no paid staff in Clare Cancer Support.

“We’re about the people of Clare and we look after our own community. We stand alone on our own, we’re funded by the people of Clare and we follow HSE guidelines.”

Ann continues, “People have supported other services [thinking it’s Slainte An Chláir] because they didn’t realise it was different.

People give to cancer but sometimes they don’t really look behind the scenes.

“Ultimately when you have a service like this, it’s about the patient. The service we’re providing is at the core of the grassroots for the patient, not for anybody else.”

‘I can honestly say it’s a lifesaver’ – service users describe time in Slainte An Chláir

DURING The Clare Echo’s visit to Slainte An Chláir, we met a group of people who are living with cancer or are cancer survivors, as they prepared to partake in a meditation session in Kilnamona, writes Stuart Holly.

They explained what the centre in Kilnamona means to them. All participants were afforded anonymity.

One local woman describes the service as a “home from home”. “I’ve been coming four years. They drive me to all my appointments, I have no transport. Beyond that, it’s just the support of having people to talk to.” She admits that she would be lost without the service. “I had to give up work so this gets me out and I have a support network, and they’re friends more than a support network.”

The group consensus is that the welcome you receive on arrival means it’s a seamless process to ‘fit in’ in Kilnamona. One service user tells us she started visiting Slainte An Chláir earlier this year.

“I was very sick after my treatment so I wasn’t able to come and friend of mine who

has been coming here since it opened was telling me about it and she took me here. I haven’t looked back since. I look forward to every Tuesday coming here, I find I have an awful lot in common with the people here. I can discuss it. My family think ‘I had cancer and I’m cured now and I’m over it’, but that’s not how cancer goes because every time you find a lump you’re thinking, ‘is it back again?’ It’s very welcoming and [the management] are fantastic.

“I’m very relaxed and Marie will do the meditation and I really enjoy it. It takes me out of what I’m thinking before I came, it’s so relaxing. And it’s like a big family.”

The longest-running visitor of Slainte An Chláir among the group has been coming to Kilnamona for 12 years. “I’ll continue to come as long as they have me,” she quips. (“We will, we’ll have you!” bellows the sound of another voice in the background.) “I can honestly say it’s a life-saver. When I came it was in its infancy and it just grew, and grew and grew. The services it provides, and I’ve never been anywhere where we were respected so much…

“It’s somewhere that I came when I was scared – and you’re always in the company of people that felt the same – but just laughed and smiled and we did silly, crazy things and took us out of ourselves. There’s just so much, there’s the reflexology, the meditation, exercise classes, but the most important thing of all are the people that come here. I know quite a few of the ladies because I’ve been coming here a long time, but I think it’s a lifesaver for us. Well it is for me, I don’t want to get emotional but that’s all I can say really. It’s an oasis, it’s like being a member of a club you never wanted to join. Now, we’re all in it together.

“The people volunteering here are incredible,” she says. (“Great cooks!” chirps in another.) “They do so much work, they give up their time. They’re so kind and they put up with us.”

Another person tells The Clare Echo they have cancer in their brain, and currently are awaiting results. “I don’t know how long I’m coming here. It’s been months and it’s just gone by like that. I didn’t remember how unwell I was when I came here a few months ago

and the difference now, the Tuesdays just give you focus for your week because it can be very hard doing the cancer journey. You’re all the time waiting for results, you don’t know what the future holds and to come and speak to people openly here is just great. I was really in a bad way and I would be lost without it.”

Another person adds, “Everybody is welcome. And it gives you space too as you don’t want to be loading your family and you want to go on with as normal a life as possible outside but here you can pay attention to your cancer. It’s healing just being here and the treatments are fantastic; I do the exercise class and the reflexology are fantastic – but it’s the place and the people that really make it so wonderful.”

If you would like to make a donation to Clare Cancer Support, Slainte An Chláir, visit https://www.idonate.ie/cause/clarecancersupport.

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Pedestrianisation removed in Ennis

O’CONNELL Street has reopened to traffic with pedestrianisation in Ennis ending on Sunday.

The Clare Echo spoke with members of the public on Tuesday morning to gauge their opinions on pedestrianisation in the county town.

Mary Loughnane, Chez Marie, O’Connell Street, Ennis “It’s only at an end for a couple of weeks as far as I’m aware, its only at an end to come as there now complying the regulations that were never put in place but should’ve been put in place before they went ahead with full pedestrianisation for the last 12 months. I’m personally not in favour of full pedestrianisation, simply because I’m almost 40 years in business and I can speak for how this town was before pedestrianisation particularly on O’Connell Street. As you can see there’s serious anti-social behaviour and I mean it’s a

daily occurrence and this all started in my opinion and nobody is going to change my opinion since pedestrianisation. I said this before over and over again, you know closing the street to traffic, is leading to serious problems in every street it has ever happened on, so we need to look at other towns and see what has happened.

“This town is ok to have one or two small streets pedestrianised, but to pedestrianise the main street in this town is leading to not only anti-social behaviour, but crazy pile ups on the main road. People can’t access this town, as we used to. It’s just insane but it’s going to happen regardless of what those of us in business are saying, we know it’s going to happen, but so be it, we can’t do nothing about it.

“I love to see the cars passing through O’Connell Street, I love cars passing through O’Connell Street when you have cars passing through O’Connell Street you’ve got eyes on the street the whole time, these people that are misbehaving don’t have the opportunity to do so because they know that somebody will see them at some stage. You know people walking up and down are more concerned about where they’re going to go next, people in cars are watching all the time. I love the cars down the street the atmosphere in fantastic when the cars are on the street.

I’m not in favour of pedestrianisation, and I never will be, no, I just feel they are going to destroy our town and that’s it, so be it”.

James Nagle, Quin: “If you had more pedestrians on streets, you could sit out and have a coffee.

“No matter what you do you’ll always get people to object whether it’s good or bad, I know there’s one particular chap in Dublin, he’ll object to everything in the country, and he’s nothing got to do with it, but to me it doesn’t bother me”.

Liam Meaney, Club Dangan, O’Connell Street Ennis “In terms of trade I think it (ending of measures) will be very beneficial to all of our stores, especially here on O’Connell Street, you can see the influence it has with it being closed during the days.

I’ve said it a few times especially with the cold wet days has a massive impact when people can’t drive down the street especially if they wanted to hop out of the car and

Phil Browne, Hermitage, Ennis: “I’m not in favour of it, I think it is a good thing (end of pedestrianisation measures). My son is a taxi driver and he would be delighted”. quickly get something or drop someone off when it’s raining, but definitely I’m looking forward to having back open and getting the cars down the street again.

“I personally would be not in favour of it being pedestrianised, like everything it has pros and cons, but from the streets being closed I think its probably had more of a negative impact on trade then positive so going forward I’d probably have to be against it to be honest.

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Considine ‘Busiest Halloween hopeful of more growth since 2008’

S

by Páraic McMahon

are really welcome”. paraic@clareecho.ie Passengers numbers for RyHANNON Airport anair at Shannon are set to remains on course to hit 1.4m by the end of 2023, exceed pre-pandemic this represents a 70 per cent passenger levels this increase on pre-pandemic figyear. ures. “They have three aircraft As reported by The Clare based here, they will be up on Echo last week, an indepen- 1.3m passengers this year, in dent analysis by global aviation total Shannon will exceed its publication, Air Service One pre-pandemic passenger levfound Shannon Airport to be els. We’ve had a very strong Ireland’s best recovered airport year, we’ve seen strong return since the pandemic. on the transatlantic with Aer This endorsement was hailed Lingus and United, we’ve seen

by Shannon Airport Group Delta coming back, all of that is CEO, Mary Considine. “That good news and it is all down to was great and really welcome hard work. All those routes will for our own staff who have continue to be here so long as worked really hard since the we have people using and suppandemic in what was a tough porting the Airport, that is the time to get to where we are crucial thing,” Considine said. today and we don’t take it for Speaking to The Clare Echo, granted”.

Mary was confident Ryanair Ryanair issued a further vote would increase its capacity of confidence in Shannon with next year off the back of the the announce2023 summer ment of its winseason perforter schedule mance.

“We which includes hope to have Faro and LivRyanair down erpool for the here again first time plus next summer increased freto launch the quency for six summer schedroutes. On top ule and see of this, the airextra capacity. line is to base Where routes an extra aircraft are working in Co Clare. well, they are Mary Conadding new sidine labelled capacity and Ryanair as “a lMary Considine more frequenreally important Photo by Brian Arthur cy, it is good for partner for us”. people because She stated “they are bringing in it is improving the timings, one new Boeing Gamechanger the options and the choice, aircraft, it is more fuel efficient hopefully we will see that grow. and it will be based here from Delta are coming back daily this winter. on JFK for next summer, that “Extra aircraft means they is really good and United will have more opportunity to add be on Chicago and New York, more routes and more desti- we’ll have the daily transatlannations, we’re seeing routes tic year-round and Paris is dothat traditionally would have ing really well with Aer Lingus, stopped at the end of Septem- helped by the Rugby World ber period like Faro, Liverpool Cup but unfortunately we’re continue this year through the out now but it has been a posiwinter period so that is really tive recovery for Shannon”. good news. It is on the back Home carriers such as Ryof Ryanair’s announcement anair and Aer Lingus remain earlier this year that they were the most valued partners for opening a significant mainte- Shannon but Mary outlined nance base here in Shannon, they are in ongoing talks with it is solidifying their operation other airlines. “Traditionally if and growing their operation you look across Europe your here in Shannon”. biggest carriers would always An additional 30 cabin crew be your home-based carriers and pilots will be based at which is Ryanair and Aer LinShannon following Ryanair’s gus here in Shannon, we are decision to base the 197-seater talking to other airlines and we Gamechanger in the county. will always be talking to them.

New aircraft like this are part “Periodically we will have new of the “sustainability journey,” transit operators come and Mary explained. “We’re all go. Our route development working really hard to decar- team are just back from World bonise the industry we work in Routes, they are always out so I think new efficient aircraft there talking to airlines”.

OVER 44,000 people are forecast to take off from Shannon Airport across the Halloween Bank Holiday weekend, writes Páraic McMahon.

Such numbers are the highest experienced at Shannon Airport for the Halloween period since 2008.

Extra flights have been added at Shannon to facilitate the Halloween holiday exodus. Over 200 extra flights have been added during school holidays in October, Christmas, and Easter, made possible thanks to the third Ryanair based aircraft.

Forecasted figures for the Bank Holiday are up by 37 percent at Shannon compared to the same period last year.

European destinations are the firm favourites, with a 60 per cent increase in the number of passengers travelling to an array of city and sun destinations across Europe for the seasonal break when compared to 2022’s Samhain season.

Transatlantic passenger numbers have jumped by 11 per cent and travellers to UK destinations are up by 33 per cent on the same period last year.

Mary Considine, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group said, “Our recovery to date has been consistently strong and we are seeing this with a record-breaking number of passengers expected this Halloween break. Not only are more people travelling this October Bank Holiday when compared to last year, but we are also up by 23 per cent in passenger traffic for the same period in 2019 (pre pandemic).

“This is bolstered by the fact that for our Winter schedule, we have added 200 extra flights throughout the school holidays breaks in October, Christmas and Easter, to accommodate those well-deserved family get aways. Our new service to Paris Charles De Gaulle with Aer Lingus commenced in September, providing more exciting travel options for our passengers”.

Earlier this month Shannon Airport launched its winter schedule to 22 destinations across the UK, Europe and the US, with 188 weekly flights. The schedule officially kicks off this Bank Holiday weekend on the 29th of October and will run until the 30th of March 2024.

lSPOOKY SEASON: Group Procurement Manager, Robert Doyle,

Hastings and Leah Murphy

Ryanair committed to Shannon RYANAIR are confident of further expanding their services at Shannon Airport, writes Páraic McMahon.

On Thursday, the airline announced its winter schedule from Shannon which will run 18 different routes. Thirty new jobs have been created with the airline deciding to base a third-aircraft in Shannon.

Gamechanger is a 197 seater aircraft which has 16 per cent less emissions and 40 per cent less noise than other models, it is valued at $100m or €94m.

Head of Digital and Marketing with Ryanair, Dara Brady was in Shannon to unveil the new schedule.

He told a press conference,

“we’re the number one carrier in Shannon, we hope to continue to grow here”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Dara stated, “I think our announcement is all about our confidence in investing in Shannon, we’re putting in an extra aircraft that is worth $100m, that aircraft will have up to 30 pilots and cabin crew, it is another aircraft that we wouldn’t have here last winter, those jobs will go to local people and it is a real vote of confidence from

Ryanair in the region here”.

Demand for travel on Ryanair’s services from Shannon is high, he noted. “All across our network coming out of COVID, we have seen huge demand for Ryanair’s low fares, there is a huge appetite still for people to travel and they want to do it at the lowest fares possible and Ryanair do that.

As you can see from Shannon’s numbers, it has been the fastest growing airport on the island here and that is a result lDara Brady

Photo by Brian Arthur

of the airport doing a really good job in terms of managing its operations but it is also on the back of Ryanair putting in another aircraft and driving demand with our low fares”.

As part of its winter schedule, extra services to Alicante and Lanzarote have been added plus the inclusion of Faro and Liverpool at this time of year for the first time. Brady was optimistic its services at Shannon would continue to grow. “I’d be very confident as we’re always trying to grow our network here and we want to develop a route portfolio to try see new routes come in as we announce our summer schedule”.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 26, 2023

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The Shannon Airport Group and Airport Search Unit Officers Katie Duggan Photo by Stephen O’Malley

Winter schedule adds 30 jobs & two routes RYANAIR is to base an extra aircraft at Shannon Airport resulting in thirty extra jobs with two new routes added to its winter schedule at the International Airport, writes Páraic McMahon.

A total of 18 routes form Ryanair’s winter schedule at Shannon Airport with new routes to Faro and Liverpool while capacity will increase on services to Alicante, Krakow, Lanzarote, Malaga, Tenerife and Wroclaw.

Adding a further boost is the decision of the airline to base one new Gamechanger aircraft in Shannon which will re-

sult in an additional 30 jobs. Ryanair now has a fleet of three aircraft in Shannon which supports over 1,000 local jobs.

The new aircraft made by Boeing will reduce CO2 emissions by 16 per cent, noise emissions by 40 per cent and carry 4 per cent more passengers.

In its 35 year history at Shannon, Ryanair has carried 18m passengers.

The development of its maintenance facility, a €10m investment created 200 high-skilled jobs in Shannon.

Speaking in Shannon, Ryanair’s Director of Digital and Marketing,

Dara Brady said it was “a very important day”. He was confident that by the end of 2023, Ryanair will have had 1.4m passengers in Shannon Airport this year and labelled it as “one of the fastest growing airports for us”.

Securing extra aircraft and employment in the region was “a huge boost,” Dara stated.

CEO of the Shannon Airport Group, Mary Considine described Ryanair as “a really important airline for Shannon” and she said the success of both partnerships was evident with the full car park outside the Airport.

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Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Advertorial

Pamela celebrates year as Slimming World consultant after losing seven stone

lINSPIRATIONAL: Pamela Vaughan

PAMELA Vaughan is passionate about helping people.

Having discovered Slimming World as a member in the Auburn Lodge, she has witnessed first-hand the benefits of losing weight and the confidence and happiness she has gained since joining Slimming World is undeniable. Now as a consultant, she helps people achieve their weight loss dreams every week in her groups in Ennis and Ennistymon. This week, she celebrates her first anniversary, and in that time she has helped countless members reach their target weight.

Two members have lost over five and a half stone along with an astonishing group total loss of 531 stone in the last year.

“Attending group every week has been such a lifeline for my members”, says Pamela. “I want anyone who’s worrying about their weight or health to know that there will be absolutely no judgement at our Slimming World groups – just lots of understanding and a very warm welcome”.

Slimming World’s powerful combination of group support, a generous flexible eating plan, a diet high in

fibre, fruit and vegetables, and an incremental physical activity programme, is an evidence-based, effective way to lose weight, and stay slim for life helping members reduce their risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, plus many cancers by losing weight and getting support to maintain a healthy weight.

“Members come in bouncing because they’ve been to the doctor and they can’t get over the weight loss, and they can now go for surgery or their cholesterol is down, others have been downgraded from Type 2 diabetes,” explains Pamela.

“If you stick to the plan, the plan works. I’ve lost nearly seven stone on Slimming World, it’s life-changing.

Your family is healthier, your house is cleaner, your car is cleaner because your headspace is clearer because you made time for you. It’s a domino affect, once you start getting something right everything else starts going right.”

Pamela says she was motivated by Slimming World’s method of presenting awards for every half stone lost and for exercising. “Everything is baby steps. If you don’t like the gym, don’t go to the gym.

If you like walking, go for a walk. Make it work for you and take gradual steps.”

Pamela started with short walks and eventually set herself the target of climbing the highest mountain in Clare, Moylussa, a 1,745ft task which she has since completed with ease. Pamela admits that her Slimming World diet has made her entire family healthier, adding that the recipes are a huge hit with her children.

Pamela adds that Slimming World is for everybody.

“I had a lady who lost a half stone and the messages I got from her were more powerful than most, she was

so appreciative because she wanted to get back to who she was. You have people getting ready for a wedding, people going on holidays, it’s for absolutely everybody."

Pamela's Slimming World members in Ennis and Ennistymon are also celebrating their fabulous weight losses by donating the clothes they’ve successfully slimmed out of to the Irish Cancer Society. As well as raising vital funds, the partnership between Slimming World and the Irish Cancer Society also supports their shared goal to raise awareness of the links between obesity and cancer.

There is currently a members offer a with special offer of freemembership for lapsed or returning members, and special ‘bring a friend’ rates for returning members.

Everyone is welcome to oin Pamela’s Slimming World group next week at Treacy’s West County on Tuesday at 8am, 9:30am, 5:30pm and 7pm; in Teach Cheoil, Ennistymon on Wednesday at 4:15pm and 5:45pm; and Thursday in Treacy's West County at 8pm and 9:30pm. If you’re interested in becoming a consultant, get in touch with Pamela on 087 6224698.

MARIAN DANCES INTO NEW LIFE I WAS so happy to hear about Slimming world. I started Slimming World October 2022. I was feeling miserable and needed guidance to look and feel better. I love the plan.

I have 1 Stone and 8.5 lbs loss to date. I feel better and healthier. I had my 50th birthday last year and wasn't happy In the dress I wore. I felt

so bloated. Tired. I now love going for walks and dancing is my favourite.

I get lots of compliments from my friends now how well Im looking.

Thank you Pamela for your weekly support.

Marian.

lCOMPLIMENTS:

(left) Marian on her 50th birthday & (right) Marian has lost nearly two stone to date!

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 26, 2023

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Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Advertorial

Practical road safety tips for winter Brought to you in association with Gort Road Tyres, keeping you on the road for less IRELAND'S winter weather can be unpredictable, and the icy roads, snow, and rain can make driving a challenging task.

To help you stay safe during the winter months in Clare, we've joined Gort Road Tyres to compile a list of practical road safety tips that emphasise tyre safety and the use of essential safety gear.

tions and prevent accidents.

Know Your Brakes: Familiarise yourself with your vehicle's braking system. In slippery conditions, gently apply the brakes rather than slamming

cy kit, including warm clothing, blankets, a first-aid kit, non-perishable food, and a fully charged mobile phone.

In case you get stuck or stranded, these items will keep you safe and comfortable while waiting for assistance.

safety of others on the road.

Avoid Sudden Maneuvers: Refrain from making sudden lane changes or sharp turns, as these can lead to a loss of control on slippery roads. Drive smoothly and steadily to maintain traction and stability.

Choose the Right Tyres: Invest in quality winter tires, as they are designed to provide better traction on slippery roads. Check the tread depth and ensure they are properly inflated. Adequate tire pressure is crucial for maintaining control on icy or wet surfaces.

Plan Your Journeys: Stay informed about weather conditions and road updates. When possible, plan your trips to avoid driving during extreme weather. Delaying your journey or opting for an alternative route can significantly enhance your safety.

Safety Gear: Keep essential safety gear in your vehicle, including a high-visibility vest, warning triangles, and a flashlight. In case of an emergency or breakdown, these items can make you more visible to other drivers and help you stay safe while addressing the situation.

Be Visible: Ensure your vehicle's windows, mirrors, and lights are free of snow and ice before setting off. Being visible to other drivers and pedestrians is crucial for preventing accidents.

Antifreeze and De-Icer: Stock up on antifreeze and de-icer for your windshield. These products can help prevent ice from forming on your windshield and side mirrors, ensuring clear visibility while driving.

Slow Down and Maintain Distance: During winter, reduce your speed and increase your following distance. Slower speeds and greater spacing between vehicles give you more time to react to unexpected situa-

l Tyres

them, which can cause skidding. Consider having your brakes inspected before winter to ensure they're in good working condition.

Emergency Kit: Carry a well-equipped winter emergen-

Check Your Lights: Make sure all your vehicle's lights are in working order. In winter, days are shorter, and visibility can be limited. Properly functioning headlights, taillights, and fog lights are essential for both your safety and the

Conclusion: In the West of Ireland, winter road conditions demand a practical and safety-focused approach. By following these road safety tips, with a strong emphasis on tire safety and essential safety gear, you can navigate the winter roads with confidence. Prioritizing your safety, along with the safety of others on the road, is essential during the colder months.

So, equip yourself and your vehicle with the necessary tools and knowledge, and make every winter journey a safer one.

Visit Gort Road Tyres to check that your tyres are roadworthy. (065) 682 0877

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Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Columnists

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Thought for the week: Positive outlook

Spreading the word of positivity RONAN SCULLY

I

T’S HARD to be thankful for anything when it seems that everything is going wrong in your world and I am not talking about the fact that the bottom has almost fallen out of the economy again, there are enough people talking about that and being so negative about things.

I am talking about when you might be having one of those days when your child is sick, the washing machine has just spewed soapy water all over the place, and to top it off, your car won’t start! The last thing you want to do is say thank you for any of this. But, there are reasons to be thankful in our lives. First of all, be thankful that your child is at home sick, and not in the hospital.

Be thankful that you have such things as a washing machine and a car. There are many out there in our world who don’t have these luxuries.

TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK Even when things seem totally lost, there are several reasons to be thankful.

There are a lot of people out there who believe that special occasions are the only time to sit down and count their blessings. I believe that everyday is a reason to be thankful. Instead of complaining about having to go to work, be thankful that you have a job and can take care of your family.

Think about all the people out there who can’t work, or those that have lost their jobs due to downsizing and the effects of the economy going bust. You have a lot of reasons to be thankful, if you just take the time to look for them. It’s easy to sit around and grumble about the way your life is going. However, finding the silver lining can be the difference between having a bad day, and having a great day. It can take a bit of creative thinking, but if you look deep enough, there are some positive points to focus on. Sometimes these points may seem trivial, but a positive outlook will make being thankful much easier.

LOOK AT LIFE Take a look at some of the things going on in your life. For everything you see as being a disappointment or a reason to complain, see if you can come up with something to be thankful for. We, as a society, have forgotten that it’s the little things in life that make it worth living. We forget that generations before us had it much worse than we do now, and they almost always found reasons to be

l Gratitude is key thankful. They were thankful that they had food to give their families, thankful that they had a piece of land in which to build their homes, and thankful that they had the ability to get out of bed each morning. Remember, no matter how bad your life seems, there is at least one reason to give thanks.

Take a moment to look over your situation and see if you can find that one positive aspect and embrace it. When you have a positive outlook and a reason to be thankful, others around you will pick up on this. It could eventually give everyone else a reason to be thankful.

rearranging your priorities so that your final goal can be achieved. Sometimes, familiarity and comfort need to be challenged. There are times when you must take a few extra chances and create your own realities. Be strong enough to at least try to make your life better. Be confident enough that you won’t settle for a compromise just to get by. Appreciate yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop, and find your true sense of purpose.

Don’t stand in someone else’s shadow when it’s your sunlight that should lead the way.

LET YOUR SUNLIGHT LEAD THE WAY Work hard at what you like to do and try to overcome all obstacles. Laugh at your mistakes and praise yourself for learning from them. Pick some flowers and appreciate the beauty of nature. Say hello to strangers and enjoy the people you know.Don’t be afraid to show your emotions, laughing and crying make you feel better. Love your friends and family, they are the most important part of your life. Feel the calmness on a quiet sunny day.

Look for a rainbow and always remember life is better than it seems. You must feel confident enough within yourself to follow your own dreams. You must be willing to make sacrifices. You must be capable of changing and

BE THANKFUL FOR BLESSINGS “Two old friends met each other on the street one day.

One looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, “What has the world done to you, my old friend?”

The sad fellow said, “Let me tell you: three weeks ago, my uncle died and left me forty thousand euro’s.”

“That’s a lot of money.” “But you see, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me eighty-five thousand euro’s, free and clear.”

“Sounds to me that you’ve been very blessed.”

“You don’t understand!” he interrupted. “Last week my great-aunt passed away. I inherited almost a quarter of a million euro’s from her.”

Now the man’s friend was really confused. “Then, why do you look so glum?”

“This week . . . nothing!”

FOCUS ON THE GOOD That’s a problem with receiving something on a regular basis. Even if it is a gift, we eventually come to expect it. The natural tendency is that if we receive a gift long enough, we come to view it almost as an entitlement. We feel hurt, even angry, if we don’t receive it any longer. It is the same way with the blessings God gives us every day.

I don’t deserve my comfortable home that I live in, the beautiful scenery around me, the clean water I drink. But after receiving these gifts and a multitude of others for years, I sometimes fail to be grateful. I’ve come to expect these good things. And when one of them is removed for a short time like water or electricity or internet going down, I get upset. Let’s make an effort this week to recognize the blessings we’ve come to take for granted. Focus on what we have rather than on what we don’t have, and see if it doesn’t improve our attitudes.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK As your thought for the week, be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to

look forward to? Be thankful when you don’t know something, as it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.

During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement. Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary, because it means you’ve made a difference. It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

Dear Friends, Don’t take your blessings for granted.

Don’t take your gifts and talents for granted. Don’t take your life for granted!

The blessings you look at as no big deal are the same blessings many others are desperately praying and hoping for! The gifts you look at as commonplace are the same gifts many others would be absolutely thrilled to be given! Please don’t look down on your blessings – an attitude of gratitude will make room for even more blessings! Please don’t look down on your gifts and talents – your gift will make room for you and your gifts will make a way for you!

Please don’t look down on your life and worth – You are

valuable to God! You are precious to God! Be intentional about knowing your worth! Please don’t take your life for granted – You are living someone else’s dream!!!

Avoid comparing yourself to others! Fix your eyes on God, stay in your lane and shine for God! Listen for God’s voice in everything you do! God longs to help you and guide you as you navigate life on earth! Enjoy what you have while you have it, instead of being constantly fixated on what you don’t have!

Please please please don’t allow discontentment, impatience, disappointment, discouragement or regret to rob you of experiencing abundant life! Determine to keep on learning and growing by God’s grace! Be thankful for everything God has blessed you with and if you’ve made mistakes, learn from them, and move on.

Don’t dwell on the past! Focus on living in the present: Enjoy the blessing of today!

Take care of your blessings!

Take care of your gifts! Take care of yourself! Take care of your loved ones. Take care of people in need, especially the most vulnerable in our world. Don’t take your blessings for granted, enjoy your blessings by the grace of God, use your blessings to the glory of God, and trust God with every detail of your life!

Amen.

Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

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Columnists

25

A taste of Clare cuisine Free Range

Pork Blanquette

This weeks recipe is brought to you by

PORK has for a long time been out of fashion, however it is one of the most affordable and tastiest meats to cook.

Lunas farm near Quinn is now farming some of the best in the country with their pigs living their whole life outside in nature.

Many local butchers are also stocking free range pork including our local butcher Sean Haugh in the market house Ennistymon.

This recipe is a classic french pork stew finished with cream, a great one to cook for a sunday lunch or a midweek dinner. It can also be made with lamb or chicken thighs however the cooking time will be less.

Ingredients

• 500g diced pork shoulder • 2 large onions • 3 sticks celery • 2 bay leaves • 3 springs thyme • 4 cloves garlic crushed • 15 chestnut mushrooms • 50g butter • 1 litre chicken stock • 300g cream • 100g white wine • 20g whole grain mustard • 1 tin Haricot Beans In Water • 100g cabbage or spinach - Place the thyme, bay leaf, garlic, white wine and chicken stock in a large pan and bring to a gentle boil.

- Once these and boiling and the herbs have infused in the stock for 5 minutes add the

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diced pork shoulder and turn down, simmer lightly for 45 minutes to 1 hour till the pork is tender but still holding its shape. Strain the stock from the pan keeping the stock and the pork separate.

- Peel and chop the onions into 8 wedges, slice the mushrooms in 4 and celery but the celery into stick 2-3 cm in length.

- In the pan the pork was cooked, melt the butter, add the onions, celery and mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and cook on a medium heat for 3-4 minutes allowing the vegetables to cook with no colour.

- Next add in the strained tin of haricot beans and 500g of the stock you cooked the pork to the vegetables, then add the cream and mustard.

- Bring to a boil and simmer till reduced to the consistency of cream. Season with salt and pepper to your taste - Add in the pork and warm through and finish with some chopped pointed cabbage or spinach leaves.

- This is best served with steamed potatoes or rice enjoy.

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26

Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

News

Clare hotels called on to join campaign

Duo win Chief Scout Awards

Ciara Sunderland from Shannon and Alex Furey from Ennis were the only two from Clare to receive the Chief Scout Award this year. This is the highest award a youth member can achieve in Scouting. The Chief Scout Award is less of a collection of tasks, but more of a journey, trying new things and learning along the way. Ciara joined a crew aboard a tall ship as part of her expedition and they had to navigate their way through the Irish sea and she also learned a new skill as part of her project which was to play the ukulele. Alex completed a hike from Liscannor to Lisdoonvarna, as well as hosting an intercultural camp.

Oliver and Brendan honoured for work The Clare Association of An Taisce, the National Trust of Ireland since 1948, recently celebrated the national organisation's 75th birthday by awarding certificates of appreciation to two Clare men who have served the Clare Association so well in the past.

Peter Moylan accepted the award for his late father, Oliver Moylan from Ennis. Peter now runs the Ennis Cash

Company (Men’s Outfitters, est 1880) in Ennis and Jane O'Donoghue accepted the award for her elderly father, Brendan O'Donoghue from Ballyvaughan. Jane now runs the Tea & Garden Rooms (An Féar Gorta) in Ballyvaughan.

The Clare Association would also like to thank the Inn at Dromoland for their sponsorship for the series of An Taisce Project 75 events.

CLARE hotelier John Burke and the Children’s Health Foundation are calling on hotels across the county to donate a night and change a life by taking part in their ‘Hotels for Little Heroes’ campaign.

The campaign asks Irish hotels to donate the cost of a night’s stay to raise vital funds to help give every sick child in Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght, and Connolly the very best chance. Killarney native and patient in Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Alexis O’Mahony, teamed up with Children’s Health Foundation Ambassador John Burke from The Armada Hotel to launch this new

campaign and urge Irish hotels to help change the lives of sick children who spend time away from home in hospital.

Alexis first visited Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street three days after she was born. Steve, Alexis’s Dad, says “that was our first trip up and down to Temple Street and this has continued over the past seven years. Alexis has grown up there and it’s like a home away from home.”

By registering to take part in the campaign, hotels can support children like Alexis as they spend many nights in hospital being looked after by the amazing Children’s Health Ireland staff.

John Burke, CEO of The Armada Hotel, speaking at the

launch of the Hotels for Little Heroes said, “I’m delighted to welcome Alexis and her parents Teresa and Steve to The Armada Hotel today to launch Hotels for Little Heroes. By taking part, The Armada Hotel and other hotels across Ireland will donate life-saving funds to support little heroes like Alexis currently in the care of the staff in Children’s Health Ireland hospitals and urgent care centres. Alexis and I are calling upon hotels to join The Armada Hotel and donate a night on Friday, 3rd November”.

To register and find out other ways hotels can get involved, visit https://www.childrenshealth.ie/hotels-for-little-heroes/ or email modonnell@ childrenshealth.ie

l HOTELS FOR LITTLE HEROES: Alexis O’Mahony with her parent’s Teresa and Steve at the Armada Hotel Spanish Point hotel CEO John Burke

Notes ENNIS SUPPER THEATRE SUPPER Theatre is back and guaranteed to fill your plate with laughs, tears and all in between!…..

Rehearsals are well underway for this four night production, offering the finest of theatre and the finest of food in the surrounds of the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis. Supper Theatre shall take place between November 20th and 23rd, Monday to Thursday nights inclusive in The Old Ground Hotel, Station Road, Ennis. Tickets are priced at €25 (inclusive of all booking fees) and are on sale now from glór box office and www.glor.ie. Early booking is advised.

CUIMHNEAMH AN CHLÁIR STORIES OF THE SUPERNATURAL Cuimhneamh an Chláir presents stories of the supernatural collected in Co. Clare at a free community event in the Teach Ceoil in Corofin on Tuesday 31 October at 7.30pm.

Join us in a candle-lit Teach Ceoil in Corofin for a night of stories of the unexplainable from the Cuimhneamh an Chláir archive. We’ll serve you brown bread, black pudding and a generous helping of banshees, fairy mounds, death coaches and haunted houses. We’d like to hear your stories too. If you have tales of lone bushes, lights in graveyards, cloven hooves, mysterious wails at night, footsteps in your attic etc, please bring them with you on the night. The event is free but must be booked in advance. Book your free place here: https://buytickets.at/cuimhneamhanchlir/1043532

l COMMUNITY: Jane O’Donoghue and Peter Moylan accept the certificates in honour of their loved ones

OCD ME AT CULTÚRLANN SWEENEY Just Friends Theatre Collective present their one-woman show, ‘OCD Me’, in Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee, for secondary school and general audiences on 26th October, 2023, at 11:00am and 7.30pm. Written and directed by Aisling Smith and performed by Laura Whelan, ‘OCD Me’ is a one-woman play about living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Based on Aisling’s own experiences, this autobiographical show gives an honest but fun account of the condition.

Visit https://clarearts.ie/places/culturlann-sweeney/for more.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 26, 2023

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GREEN CLARE

Two month long boil water notice lifted

l O’Briensbridge

A TWO month boil water notice has finally been lifted in O’Briensbridge, writes Páraic McMahon.

Areas impacted by the notice included O’Briensbridge, Montpelier, Bridgetown and surrounding villages.

An approximate 950 customers are on the O’Briensbridge public water supply.

The notice was introduced following a disinfection at the water treatment plant at the end of August.

Uisce Éireann lifted the notice following consultation with the HSE which now allows cusomters to resume normal use of their public water supply. Uisce Éire-

27

ann is responsible for delivering public drinking water and wastewater services for the people of Ireland.

Darragh Conneely of Uisce Éireann acknowledged the impact of the notice on customers and thanked the community for their support.

“Uisce Éireann’s primary focus remains the protection of public health and we worked with our stakeholders to lift the notice as quickly as possible. We are grateful to customers, elected representatives and the media for their assistance in sharing information on the boil water notice in recent weeks.”

28

Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

GREEN CLARE

GREEN CLARE Clare County Council launches ‘Oil Tank – Safe Check’ campaign

CLARE County Council has launched a campaign to raise awareness about the prevention of oil leaks from home heating oil tanks.

The purpose of the campaign is to ensure homeowners know their own home heating tank and store oil safely and securely without posing a risk to water, environment or human health.

A web resource has been developed which provides information on siting and installation of a home heating oil tank, the importance of checking for leaks and what to do if there is an oil leak or a suspected leak.

Maura McNulty, Executive Scientist, Clare County Council, explained

that, “Oil leaks seriously pollute soil and water, including drinking water.

By taking action it will help reduce the risk of an oil spill and avoid difficult and expensive clean-up costs later.

“Homeowners have a legal responsibility to ensure that oil is stored safely and securely without posing a risk to water, environment, and human health. This campaign will help homeowners meet these obligations.”

Karen Foley, Environmental Awareness Officer, continued, “This resource gives step by step information on how to reduce your risk of having an oil spill in the first instance and valuable information on what to do if you have an oil leak.”

Ms Foley outlined, “Steps to reduce

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 26, 2023

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your risk of an oil leak include placing your oil tank on a level base with horizontal support, and locating the tank in an area where there is low risk of it falling over or being damaged during a storm.

“Steps also should be taken to protect the underground pipework line to your home from degradation. Checking for leaks is also

key. Check for splits, cracks on your plastic tank or rust patches if you have a metal tank.

“Indicators of a leak include a strong smell where your tank or pipework is located.

Damp oil patches underneath your tank is also an indicator of a leak. The smallest irregular leak can cause serious pollution.”

Chris Dixon O’Mara, Climate Action Of-

ficer, Clare County Council, explained, “By servicing your oil tank on an annual basis you will not only reduce the risk of an oil leak but will increase the energy efficiency of your boiler and reduce fuel consumption.

“There are also more ways than ever to make your home warmer and more energy efficient like heat pumps and solar thermal

GREEN CLARE

29

systems. Visit https://www.seai.ie/ for lots of information and grants available to support alternative home heating solutions.”

Follow the campaign on @GreenerClare social media channels and visit the web resource at: https://yoursay.clarecoco.ie/knowyour-home-heating-oil-tank

l MAINTENANCE: Rust can be a major factor in oil tank leaks and can lead to environmental damage

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30

Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

News

Clare Libraries ready to start new chapter in 2024

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

CLARE Libraries will turn over a new page in its history when a new state-ofthe-art library and headquarters opens in Ennis, adjacent to glór Theatre next year.

spread far and wide including library, arts, museum, archives, while she also acts as the Creative Ireland and decoctive centenary coordinator.

Having been in the role since 2009, she predicts that their anticipated move across town to the Causeway will

County Librarian Helen Walsh and executive librarian Niamh O’Donovan with plans for the new Ennis Library which is due to open in 2024

This week, Clare library staff told The Clare Echo that they expect that the new library will be delivered in “the early part of next year”, as County Librarian Helen Walsh and Executive Librarian Niamh O’Donovan discussed plans for the new facility, along with the variety of initiatives being offered and supported by Clare Libraries.

The completed project will feature a new library, library service headquarters, local studies centre and an exhibition space.

As the County Librarian, Helen’s responsibilities

strengthen footfall and service users to Library services in Clare, which has a membership of almost 18,000.

Research shows that regular reading can lower blood pressure, reduce stress and improve sleep quality. Reading into Clare Library statistics, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Clare public are a very relaxed group of people.

According to the most recent available figures (2022), there were 396,826 items issued to the public by Clare Libraries

last year. This figure includes digital resources such as e-books (16,443), e-audio books (29,695), e-magazines (7,699) and online training courses (4,025). With a move into the digital age heavily influencing many industries, traditional book borrowing is still the strongest reason people continue to use libraries.

A total of 11,005 hours of internet use was recorded, in addition, 8,363 hours of Wi Fi usage was recorded.

Significantly, and coinciding with the return of the public to branches following the Covid pandemic, programmed activities increased to 1,167 in-branch events with an attendance of 11,752 in 2022.

Niamh tells The Clare Echo that Clare Libraries are currently formulating a new Library Development Plan which is being developed following a survey amongst library users. Niamh says that amongst adults and children surveyed, books remain top of the priority list. “That was great to see. There’s this perception that children don’t read anymore, but we see day-to-day that, that’s not true. Children love reading and Ireland has a really great high level of reading ability for young children at the moment, so it’s great to see.”

Another focus of Clare Li-

brary’s development, notes Helen, will be creating “more welcoming spaces” for teenagers in their new building.

“We’re actually doing quite a lovely space, we’re providing hublets, and we’re providing laptops in the new library so we’ll have digital resources for teenagers. Wifi will be a big element as well so they can sit around and use Wifi.”

Clare Libraries run and support a wide variety of services and events year-round, such as Creative Ireland

projects including Ennis International Film Festival and Ennis Book Club Festival and Music Generation; while their branches are a hive of activity with events around digital literacy, cyber security, and literary events such as the upcoming ‘Clare Readers Festival’ in November and history week, which culminated last week with a talk on Eamonn DeValera.

The Library manager in Kilrush, Francis Pender runs their ‘Healthy Ireland at Your

Library’ programme which supports events throughout the year such as health and wellness talks, chair yoga and more. Meanwhile in recent years, Clare Libraries have established a sensory room in Ennistymon Library with a ‘Cubby’ being installed in the new Ennis Library designed specifically for children with autism.

It’s free to join a library in Clare and there are no fees or overdue fees. To join or find out more, visit your local

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 26, 2023

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Business & Recruitment

31

60 seconds with... Liam O’Brien With five weeks to go before the Clare Business Excellence Awards 2023, we speak to Liam O’Brien from Doolin Ferry

1. Where are you from?

Kilfenora, Co Clare.

2. Tell me about your business?

Ferry to the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher Cruises, from Doolin in Co.Clare.

3. Is there anything that

might surprise readers about Doolin Ferry?

We are a second-generation family business, in operation since 1970.

4. What was your first job and what age were you?

Selling ferry tickets, about 11 years old!

5. What are your strongest memories of that?

Meeting people from all over the world.

anybody considering going into business?

Be prepared to work every day of the week and you will succeed.

6. Weirdest job you ever had?

I haven’t really worked anywhere else.

12. What is your favourite book?

I don’t have one.

7. If you could have chosen a different career path, what would it be?

Construction.

8. Is there anybody in business that has inspired you?

Not particularly.

9. What has been the most challenging thing you’ve encountered in business?

Competition.

10. If you could start again, is there anything you would do differently?

I would hire people even though I thought I couldn’t afford them.

11. Can you give advice to

13.What is your favourite film?

Goodfellas 14. What was the first CD / tape / record your purchased?

Gangsta’s Paradise.

15. Who is your sporting hero?

Paul O’Connell.

16. What was your favourite holiday?

Florida with the wife and kids last year.

17. If somebody could play you in a film, who would it be?

Will Ferrell!

l Liam O’Brien 18. Three things you’d bring to a desert island?

My phone, a solar charger and my wife as she solves all my problems and I wouldn’t be able to live without her!.

19. What is your favourite saying / quote?

The boat is always half full.

Shannon Springs Hotel celebrates national award win

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

SHANNON Springs is celebrating after being awarded the Airport Hotel of the Year 2023.

It was a night to be remembered at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa in Sligo as hospitality teams from around the country joined their colleagues to celebrate the best and the brightest in the industry.

For the second year in-a-row and the third time overall, Shannon Springs Hotel picked up the coveted award of Airport Hotel of the Year.

Dermot Kelly and John Gavin are co-owners of Shannon Springs Hotel and in their eight years at the helm, the hotel has undergone huge transformation which culminated in being upgraded from a 2-star to an award-winning 4-star establishment.

Dermot and John were joined by Sales & Marketing manager Lisa Glynn, Financial Controller Marie Cleary and John’s wife Sinéad, as they collected their award at a gala awards night in Sligo. John told The Clare Echo, “We’re thrilled. It’s a great boost for the team and great recognition for their hard work over the year so we’re delighted.”

The award was achieved based on an overnight visit from a mystery shopper, with a full review sheet scoring the Clare hotel at 100 per cent “which is a great testament to our staff – we’re very lucky with the team we have”.

Shannon Springs Hotel was nominated for six awards this year and John says Shannon Springs have ambitions to win the overall four-star hotel of the year and boutique hotel of the year in the future. John adds that increased volumes of passengers going through Shannon Airport this year has come as a boost for industry in the region. John is optimistic for the future, “We’ve had a very strong year this year and we’re looking forward to hopefully a very strong year next year.”

Shannon Springs is in the process of completing a multi-million euro renovation which introduced a completely refurbished reception area, a fitness room, and will bring their bedroom stock up to 71 fully air conditioned rooms. The hotel also boasts its hugely popular AA Rosette-awarded Old Lodge Gastro Pub. Shane Smith, Managing Direc-

tor of NI Media who run the Irish Hotel Awards, said: “The Irish Hotel Awards is now recognised as a benchmark of quality for properties

in Ireland. All our members have been rigorously inspected by a team of researchers who are dedicated to promoting and developing the

industry. Our members have been assessed and judged at the highest standards and the quality out there is simply magnificent.”

lGALA: Lisa Glynn, Sales & Marketing manager at Shannon Springs Hotel; John Gavin, co-owner; Shane Smith - Managing Director of NI Media; Marie Cleary, financial controller, and Dermot Kelly, co-owner of Shannon Springs Hotel

32

Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Business & Recruitment

National Womens Enterprise Day empowering business together EMPOWERING Business Together was the theme of the Local Enterprise Office’s (LEO) Midwest conference for female entrepreneurs who took part in Ireland’s National Women’s Enterprise Day in the Clayton Hotel.

140 women from the Region spent the day networking and learning from leading industry experts while tapping into the extensive supports available from LEOs in Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.

“There was a huge demand for tickets for this event and participants saw it as both an opportunity to network and take time out to refresh and get motivated. ” said Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise, LEO Clare. “Being an entrepreneur, an owner and employer can be a lonely place. This day empowers businesses by reminding them that they are all on a similar journey and can share knowledge to overcome challenges. Businesses often tell us they don’t have time and then thank us when they do take the time out to reflect and get inspired”. The LEO’s are uniquely positioned to support the SME sector with grant supports for eligible businesses, individual business mentoring and training.

Ciana Campbell, former RTE broadcaster and award-winning journalist was MC and the keynote speaker was Fiona O’Carroll a leader in business growth and mindset who spoke about the importance

of building a peer network, how to continuously grow and develop core business skills.

Reinforcing the importance of LEO was a panel of expert speakers who outlined their entrepreneur-

ial journey and the role that LEO has played in their development.

The panel included Aoife Lenihan

lWOMEN IN BUSINESS: L-R: Deirdre Keating (LEO Clare), Sinead Dixon Slattery (LEO Clare), Claire Bannon (Indigo) & Helen Pilkington (LEO Clare)

from Cara Motorhomes (Limerick), Claire Bannon from Indigo (Clare) and Evie and Eliza Ward from Nutshed (Tipperary). All spoke about issues affecting women in business and the importance of achieving a good work and homelife balance.

The trending hashtags wre #NWED and #EmpoweringBusinessTogether.

LEO, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland co-ordinate cohesive development for SME’s and micro enterprises. LEO Clare provides a “First Stop Shop”, ranging from advice on setting up a business, through to the provision of support and grants for feasibility studies, provision of financial support for the establishment of new businesses or expansion of existing ones and the provision of training and mentoring. Female entrepreneurs who possess a budding idea or wish to expand their existing business were strongly encouraged, throughout the event, to utilise the vital expertise of LEO.

The Local Enterprise Office Clare also supports the Women In Business network and has developed a series of general networking events held throughout the year.

The next event is taking place in December. To register your interest or support in any of these events, please email localenterprise@leo. clarecoco.ie. W: localenterprise.ie/ clare

Ten new posts to be created in Kilrush redevelopment AN ONGOING multi-million euro redevelopment at Vandeleur Walled Garden and Visitor Centre in Kilrush is to create 10 new permanent jobs, writes Páraic McMahon.

A 140 seater indoor and outdoor café and restaurant is to be developed at the West Clare visitor attraction. On Tuesday, Clare County Council signed a contract with Martins Construction Ltd for the works. It is anticipated that the new facility will open in June 2024.

Following a competitive tender process for the restaurant, Brambles Café chain, were awarded the tender for operating the new facility, which will allow for Vandeleur Walled Garden and Visitor Centre to cater for corporate and festive events.Works have SCHOOLS DIVISION been ongoing since 2021 to extensively restore and renovate the site as part of LOCAL CREATIVE an overall Visitor Development Strategy that also includes the improved use YOUTH PARTNERSHIP of the 420 acres of surrounding native CO-ORDINATOR woodland. The new café and restaurant development consists of restoration One Year Fixed Term Contract work and alterations within the exist(1 Post) ing stable block courtyard to support tourism development, including a café Ref. No. 014321 and restaurant, indoor and outdoor dining area, kitchen, office and welfare Application Form, Person Specification and Job Description facilities. is available on www.lcetb.ie/recruitment Earlier this year, a new interpretive Closing time and date for receipt of applications is centre was opened together with the 12 noon Thursday, 2nd November 2023. newly renovated stable block, a new Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Canvassing will disqualify. gardener’s maintenance building and public toilet facilities. The Department An Roinn Leanaí, Comhionannais, of Rural and Community DevelopMíchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige Department of Children, Equality, ment also has approved funding totalDisability, Integration and Youth ling €245,000, with 25% match funding from Clare County Council.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 26, 2023

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Business & Recruitment

33

Bridget Haren Hair and Beauty celebrate rising star Laoibhse’s achievements LAOIBHSE O'Malley, a third-year apprentice at Bridget Haren Hair and Beauty, has set the Irish Hairdressing industry abuzz with her remarkable achievements in the past few months.

Laoibhse's dedication and passion has recently culminated in not one, but two prestigious awards.

First, in September, Laoibhse claimed first place in the hairdressing category at WorldSkills Ireland, showcasing her unparalleled skills in six categories including Catwalk Fashion, Ladies' Festival Look, Ladies' Commercial Colour, Men's Colour, and Cut. Just when we thought her journey couldn't get any more remarkable, October brought another incredible achievement. Laoibhse O'Malley was named "Apprentice of the Year" in the hairdressing category by Apprenticeship Ireland. Among an impressive gathering of over 222 apprentice award nominees, she was one of 14 finalists to take home an award.

Laoibhse's achievements are not only a testament to her talent and commitment but also a reflection of the supportive environment at Bridget Haren Hair and Beauty.

As she humbly puts it, "Is this real life? I'm blown away by the recognition in these two awards. I couldn't have achieved all this without the support from my amazing coworkers, educators, mentors, and Bridget."

Laoibhse has been an integral part of the Bridget Haren Hair and Beauty team for several years, cultivating a loyal clientele base for cut, colour and styling. Moreover, she has recently taken the helm on the Bridal Team, working alongside the salon's makeup artist and contributing to making countless brides' special days even more magical.

Bridget Haren Hair and Beauty has been a fixture in the Ennis community for 14 years, known for its unwavering commitment to training and upskilling.

This dedication to nurturing future hairdressing talents has led to having some of the county's most highly trained hairstylists within their team. Pair the exceptional talent of the salon’s Make-up artist, Linda Lafferty, the salon has become a destination for client’s preparing for weddings and events.

lTALENTED: Laoibhse celebrates winning Apprentice of the Year with the team at Bridget Haren Hair and Beauty along with LCETB Hairdressing Instructor Thomas Downes

Bridget Haren expressed her pride stating, "We are so proud of Laoibhse for her hard work and dedication.

“She has always been very focused on her career but over the past few months, her focus and determination to excel in the WorldSkills competition have been nothing short of extraordinary. I also couldn't be prouder of the whole team for getting behind her to support her. She is a great role model for the other apprentices in the salon coming up behind her."

Laoibhse's journey is an example of passion, dedication, and continual learning, values deeply instilled in the Bridget Haren Hair and Beauty team. Bridget herself emphasised, "My passion has always been fuelled by continual learning throughout my career. I look for that same drive when I am recruiting for the salon.

lMENTORS: LCETB Hairdressing Instructor Thomas Downes, Laoibhse and Bridget Haren

Photo by Tom Micks

“My team is not only passionate about hair and fashion trends; they aspire to be the best for their clients."

As we celebrate Laoibhse's remarkable achievements, she serves as an inspiration

Photo by Tom Micks

to the incredible heights that can be reached when passion, commitment, and support come together, making Bridget Haren Hair and Beauty an establishment that truly celebrates rising stars.

34

Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Property

Progress to allow Nursing home residents to retain income from renting out their homes Sean Canney Independent TD welcomes progress to allow Nursing home residents to be able to retain all income from renting out their homes under plans being finalised by the Government.

“The Minister for Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien agreed to introduce this measures and it is time now to move ahead with the changes while introducing extra safeguards for older people whose homes are being rented out”.

Under current regulations, those in nursing homes under the Fair Deal scheme must give up 40 per cent of the income from their home if it is placed on the private rental market, making a contribution towards their care.

As a member of the Regional Group of Independent TDs we put forward this proposal amid political controversy over the Coalition’s decision to lift the eviction ban in March, Mr O’Brien announced that 100 per cent of the rental income would be cleared for retention as part of a package of measures to combat vacancy.

A decision was delayed pending a review of the potential impact of the changes. That review was due to take place within three or four weeks but has dragged on for

months.

“I now understand that Minister O’Brien intends to put in place a working group of officials and Health Service Executive safeguarding teams as well as representatives from NGOs involved in advocacy for older people, and the Decision Support Service, to act as a watchdog against financial abuse or premature entry into care”.

“The unnecessary delay has been due to concerns within Government which are groundless. Essentially there is no threat to older people as the clinical assessment on the need for long term care is carried out by the HSE who are independent and will not be influenced in any way when making their clinical assessment”.

The Department of Housing estimated last November that just short of 11,000 homes were vacant due to their owners being in residential care settings like nursing homes or long-term hospital stays. Lifting the cap on income that can be retained would allow many more homes to be brought on to the market. The present situation acts as a direct and serious disincentive to the properties becoming available for rent.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 26, 2023

Property

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36

Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

l Jathan McMahon lifts the Canon Hamilton. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Clonlara breakthrough 'massive' for Madden TUS CLARE SHC FINAL

this is massive for us.”

Prior to the final, the secondary school principal noted the importance of letting players embrace the CLONLARA CRUSHEEN: Frees for: 7 (3/4) build-up including interviews with Frees for: 13 (6/7) Wides: 14 (11/3) the media and sampling the atmo- Wides: 12 (7/5) of scorers: 9 Spread of scorers: 7 sphere in Clonlara. The anticipation Spread Scores from play: 3-11 Scores from play: 2-12 to their first final since losing the Top scorer: Micheál Top scorer: Oisin O’Donnell (1-4) 2016 decider after a replay to Ballyea O’Loughlin (2-9 7f) Bookings: Cian Dillon was something they tried to relish. Bookings: David (36).

(19).

“We enjoyed winning every game, Fitzgerald Own puckouts won: 20 Own puckouts won: 24 we partied, enjoyed it and then went from 32 (63%) from 33 (72%) back down the following night to train again because what is all about REFEREE: Niall Malone (Éire Óg) if you’re not going to enjoy it, we’ll enjoy the next couple of nights and prepare care about the lads and they care about me again. My young fella told us we’re playing but I’m actually very chilled in general, with my family, wife and friends I’d be horizontal the Tipp champions, I hadn’t a clue."

Top scorer in the 2008 final when they in a lot of ways, in my job I am very chilled defeated Newmarket-on-Fergus, Donal was but when I go on a hurling field I care about also part of the side which relinquished the our club and everyone of those individuals and every single person in our parish who title in the 2009 final against Cratloe.

When Jathan McMahon referenced Donal is involved in our club. Whenever we finish in his speech, the manager was in tears. “Peo- up as a management I’ll be involved with the ple see me going nuts on the line because I U8s and U10s because I just love hurling”.

STORY OF THE GAME

Clonlara 3-18 Crusheen 2-16 Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

SENIOR Championship winning Clonlara manager, Donal Madden is hopeful their success can be the catalyst for further glory across the club, writes Páraic McMahon.

Madden’s charges were crowned Clare SHC champions on Sunday recording a five point victory over Crusheen to win the title for the third time in their history. Ending a 15 year wait to lift the Canon Hamilton was an occasion to treasure, Donal said.

“It means so much to so many people, I just want to pay due respect for everyone who has put on a Clonlara jersey over the last 15 years to try and do this.

"Lots of things have been said about all of us, I was one of those players and I tried many a time to win this both as a coach and a manager, eventually we’ve done it and those people deserve a lot of respect because we’ve tried so hard as a club because

'Type of feeling you can't buy'

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

THERE’S something special about county finals and it was epitomised by Micheál O’Loughlin, Clonlara’s man of the match who hit 2-9 to send them to a third senior title.

In advance of the final, Micheál described himself as a veteran of the side aged 27.

He had tasted defeat in county finals, losing to Sixmilebridge in 2015 and Ballyear in 2016. The winning feeling, he noted, is priceless. “You can’t buy it, you literally cannot, all the money in the world you cannot buy this

feeling here and doing it with the lads you are literally in love with, you’d give everything for them and die for them, it’s incredible”.

“It is surreal, we’re looking on over the last few years and watching teams breaking through wondering will we ever get it and what does it take, after losing in 2015 and 2016 I don’t know did I think our chance was gone”.

Giving his view on what it takes to get over the line, O’Loughlin stated, “There was definitely something in our team this year, I don’t know how to describe it, it’s been re-

ally special, the buy-in and the friendship that was built up, a different kind of buy-in. We had a psychologist with us N o l laig [O’Sullivan] and she was absolutely unbelievable ... I think it was a huge factor in our whole progression”.

On Saturday, another O’Loughlin led the way with sister Áine scoring 2-6 as Truagh/Clonlara qualified for the county final. As he left Fr McNamara

Browne: We made it hard but I'm proud

Park, Micheál happened to meet this writer and he admitted that the exchange was in his head prior to taking to the field in Cusack Park. “They were playing their camogie semi-final on Saturday, she had a good game and got a few scores, I met yourself Páraic going out the gate and you did say if another O’Loughlin managed to get a score like that it could be a good weekend, maybe it was written in the stars."

l Crusheen boss Michael Browne

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A FIRST HALF tally of 11 wides was too much for Crusheen to come back from but in the midst of their disappointment remained a strong sense of pride from Michael Browne.

Five points was the final margin in Sunday’s county final as Crusheen lost out to a dominant Clonlara side.

There were no complaints with the outcome from Michael Browne who was part of the Crusheen management side alongside Cronan Dillon, Paddy Vaughan, Gearoid O’Donnell, Alan Tuohy and coach Aidan Harte. “I’m really proud of the lads, on the day Clonlara were that bit better and that bit better all the time.

“We made life really hard for ourselves in the first half by having 11 wides, that made it really difficult. I was sitting watching it in the first half, some of the shots we hit that went wide, Clonlara repeated them but they went over so if it’s for you, it’s for you. I’m really proud of the fact that we brought it back, we were back in the game until they got their third goal, we had pushed up to try really go for it and sometimes when you do that you get caught and we got caught, sin é”.

For their comprehensive wins over Newmarket-on-Fergus and Scariff in the quarter-final and semi-final respectively, Crusheen started proceedings in a very strong fashion.

They didn’t commence in such rip-roaring fashion but instead needed to produce a heroic finish after Oisin O’Donnell’s 44th minute goal brought them back to within three points.

Browne reflected, “Considering where we were two months ago, it is phenomenal that we were within five points at the finish, we were there with a few minutes to go until that goal went in. I’m really proud of them, congratulations to Clonlara who delivered a really good team performance, really strong in all positions all over the field, really good and the fact that we could be that close to them in fairness is brilliant that we came that close, we’re really disappointed that we didn’t do better but I’m still really proud of what happened in the year”.

Hope remains for hurling in Crusheen, he maintained. “There is always a strong hurling ethic in the parish, hopefully the game will be there for many years to come and hopefully today will have helped that as well”.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 26, 2023

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Sport

37

O'Loughlin leads way for O'Donnell and Conlon commit county champs Corofin

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

TUS CLARE IHC FINAL

Corofin 0-18 Six'bridge 0-14 Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

JOE Cahill said that Corofin’s panel were full of leaders but when it came to appointing a captain of their side, they certainly made an excellent call in Damien O’Loughlin, writes Páraic McMahon.

It takes the smallest of moments to swing a game and in a county final momentum is truly a precious commodity.

With ten minutes on the clock in Saturday’s intermediate final, Corofin and Sixmilebridge were tied at 0-3 apiece, The Bridge having bounced back from falling two points down to taking the lead via Luke O’Halloran until Shane O’Brien equalised.

Confidence was beginning to grow with the underdogs until O’Loughlin made a vital contribution. Sixmilebridge were about to strike, a goal opportunity was at their feet but the skipper stepped in to block Luke Keogh and possession was turned over, the sliotar travelled from one end of the field to the other with corner forward Mi-

l Warm embraces between Gearoid Kelly, Kevin Keane, Gearoid

Cahill, Jamie Malone and Geraldine Cahill.

chael Kelly putting the North Clare back in front.

Their advantage grew to five points with Gearoid Kelly and O’Brien adding further scores while they kept Sixmilebridge scoreless for 23 minutes.

“In the first half they dropped a man back so it was two on two inside, we had a spare man COROFIN SIXMILEBRIDGE: which we Frees for: 15 (7/8) Frees for: 13 (8/5) weren’t usWides: 10 (7/3) Wides: 14 (6/8) ing well for Spread of scorers: 6 Spread of scorers: 5 Scores from play: 0-9 Scores from play: 0-6 the first few Top scorer: Gearoid Kelly Top scorer: Sean Lynch minutes, we (0-9 9f) (0-7 5f 1’65) e ve ntu a l ly Bookings: None Bookings: Adam Breen got on top Own puckouts won: 12 (11), Colm Flynn (45), from 28 (43%) Dara Fitzgerald (59) and it fell Puckouts: 21/28 (75%) into place,” REFEREE: Aaron Hogg (Clonlara) he recalled of the open-

STORY OF THE GAME

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

ing half.

He added, “It was our plan at the start of the day and our plan at the start of the year to get up to senior hurling, we’re a senior football team and we wanted to be the same in hurling, we’ve done it and we did it the hard way in that we didn’t perform to our best, the Bridge could say the same because there was a lot of wides, it was a dog fight, it was a battle and they are the games you have to win, thankfully we got over the line”.

One of the dozen dual-players on the starting team, Damien believed their familiarity as a team has helped them progress on the hurling field this season. “From the August Bank Holiday we’ve played every weekend, the bond you get from playing championship

every week is different to other teams, you’re going to the well every week, you recover and you’re straight back into it for the next so it is a great bond and thankfully we will get to do it in senior for both next year”.

Leadership shown by their younger players has aided their success, he said. “There has been a great influx of youth in the last few years, lads winning Minor A titles and U21A titles with brilliant coaching over the years, we knew those lads were coming and we got up in the football two years ago, thankfully they have eventually grown into the team, if you look up the middle of the team we have Killian O’Connor, Conor Leen, Diarmuid Cahill, all these young lads, they have forced their way onto the team and become leaders so it has been a big boost to us”.

Although Corofin have won the Clare intermediate hurling championship on three occasions, Damien is the fourth winning captain from the club at this grade, following in the footsteps of John Malone (1991) and the 2002 joint captains Seamus Clancy and Pat Curtis.

Two years ago, he was part of the Corofin intermediate football side to win promotion and in their first year back senior (2022) they reached the semi-finals. Such a run is something they would only love to replicate on the hurling field next year.

“It is a challenge we’re looking forward to, I’ve been playing football and hurling all my life, you always want to play at the top level”.

Corofin no overnight success

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

COROFIN’S success in winning the intermediate hurling championship was not achieved overnight.

That was the immediate reflection of victorious manager, Joe Cahill and having coached a cohort of the players lining out in the final since they were aged six, he knows only too well how true that statement is.

Moments after guiding Corofin back to the top tier on the local hurling scene, Joe took time to reference the many people who have helped them to become a senior dual-club. “It is a surreal feeling at the moment.

I’d like to think about

the people over the years who kept Corofin going that have passed onto their eternal rest, men and women, by keeping it going they gave us an opportunity to have a go at it.

"Hopefully this win will excite the next generation. We’ve a thriving club up there, a small club in North Clare, now we’re a dual senior club and that is something that is not achieved overnight."

When they were amalgamated with Ruan which led to their Minor A and U21A successes in 2019 and 2021, Joe was again the man in charge and his time with many of the players dates back

to the first time they held a hurley in Páirc Finne.

While he admitted to having a fine amount of intel on the players, Cahill was continually impressed with the ambition they display.

“Someone said to me a half an hour ago that I know their dates of birth. You get involved with them and they are serious achievers both on and off the field, that is the most important thing, they want to do well in their careers but also in sporting terms.

"They are very easy to work with, the older crew who are 28 or 29 years of age, I worked with them this year and I got massive learnings

from them, one thing this group do they demand high standards."

For up to 27 weekends in a row, Corofin had a sizeable amount of players lining out each weekend due to the club’s involvement in the Clare SFC, the level of fitness they had built up was a big asset in overcoming Sixmilebridge on Sunday, Joe felt.

Also central to their success was a 0-9 return from freetaker, Gearoid Kelly. “He has been at it two or three years, it didn’t happen overnight for Gearoid, he is above on the pitch and he is practicing and trying to work on it, he is a great lad and a great leader

among us."

In 1991, Corofin won their first intermediate championship, on that occasion Joe lined out at wing forward while this time round his two sons Gearoid and Diarmuid were in midfield and corner forward.

Players like the Cahills won’t hold any fear when it comes to senior club hurling next season.

“When you get up there it is an opportunity to go at it, for me it is about working hard, we’ve to go back and re-evaluate to see where we are."

“Today we wanted to get a licence to go playing senior hurling, it is great to get the Paddy Browne Cup going home”.

BEFORE Clare's hurlers begin preparations for the 2024 season, they’ve been boosted by the decision of John Conlon and Shane O’Donnell to commit to the county colours for another year.

Inter-county panels cannot begin gathering collectively until November 24 but already Clare

have received a lift with two of their top-performers opting to remain involved in the set-up.

Thirty-four year old Conlon confirmed to The Clare Echo he will continue to line out with Clare next year for what will be his sixteenth championship campaign with the seniors. O’Donnell has also put an end to speculation on his involvement by stating he’ll be back for the 2024 championship, he was first joined the panel in 2013.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, John said, “I said I’d give it another year, Shane O’Donnell was onto me to say ‘make sure you give it another year’ so I will be going back. We’ll look after that in January but delighted”.

Conlon is hopeful that some of his Clonlara teammates who won the Clare SHC will also be joining him and Ian Galvin on the panel, “There’s a few of them there who have done really well throughout the year and deserve to be in there”.

Former Clare hurler, Darach Honan speaking on The Water Break, a video podcast exclusive to subscribers of The Clare Echo, praised the condition of Conlon as central to Clonlara’s success. “John is playing the best hurling of his career at the moment, I think he looks faster and stronger now at thirty four than he was in at 25 or 26, the work he has done on his body and getting himself physically right to give the performances he’s given this year,” Honan maintained.

Several people have played a part to assist with this, Conlon told The Clare Echo. “That’s testament to Adrian O’Brien with the strength and conditioning with Clare, in fairness Brian (Lohan) has been great to me, I don’t have to really go training too hard until February, as you get older you just have to be a bit cuter. I’ve been going up to Shane Flynn in Westmeath doing work with him, he has been super to me.

“I feel super at the moment and it’s all testament to the people I’ve been working with. You have to work hard yourself, Donal said before the match ‘think of all the work we’ve done, all the running in the bank from the winter and when it’s raining that you’ve to get out here and work’, it makes it all the sweeter when you win”.

Ennis native O’Donnell will be a central part of Lohan’s plans for the 2024 championship with the forward set to play no part in the Allianz National Hurling League. "The first time I took the league off, it was an effort to reduce my time on the pitch from a health perspective," The last two years, I have had the opportunity to come back in March with a renewed level of enthusiasm”.

Calls to remove pre-season competitions have been backed by the Éire Óg clubman. "When you have an opportunity to have a longer time off, you come back far more enthusiastic. I don’t think it detracts at all from your ability to perform at all on championship days”.

On the 2024 season, Shane said he was “massively looking forward” to it. “Obviously, Limerick are going for a huge milestone and we will see what we can do in that respect. We believe that we are able to beat Limerick. We did it once this year and unfortunately it was the less important of the two times we met them but next year will be another opportunity”.

38

Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

CLARE SENIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: SCARIFF-OGONNELLOE VS TRUAGH-CLONLARA

Daly determined for Scariff/Ogonnelloe to maintain grip on McMahon Cup

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

PLAYING in a county final is special at any time but when you are one of four sisters on the team, it makes it that bit more special.

Rachel Daly will join her sisters Susan, Linda and Jennifer on the Scariff/Ogonnelloe team seeking to be crowned Clare senior camogie champions for the third year in a row on this Saturday.

Rachel, Susan and Linda are triplets while Jennifer is their younger sister and she helped Clare to win the All-Ireland junior title earlier this year.

There was never a doubt but that they would be involved in sport as their father John was very involved in rugby and their mother Diane was prominent in badminton.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Rachel recalled, “Aoife

Power’s dad Charlie set us up with camogie in Ogonnelloe where we got our first taste of the sport and we have been going since. We didn’t win much at underage, got to a few finals but Feakle-Killanena and Inagh-Kilnamona beat us. Our first underage success was at under 21 A level. We won our first senior title in 2019 and we have been going well since”.

Goalkeeper Rachel added, “we are all friends outside of camogie and it makes a difference. We do this for ourselves and our families and it means a lot to us”.

Motivation is not lacking within their ranks as they bid to win a first-ever threein-a-row. “We know we have a good team and when you start winning you want to keep going. Once you are up there you have to keep going if you want to stay there”.

There is plenty of familiarity with their final opponents,

Truagh/Clonlara who they have squared off with in the 2021 and 2022 deciders. “We have played them a good few times, they are a really good team. Each time we have played it has been very close, sometimes only a puck of the ball in it. We know that we will have to go hard on Saturday as they will be gunning for us. They do have extra motivation this year. We will be prepared. I expect it will be a good tight contest”.

For the second year in a row, the county final will be played in Cusack Park.

“Playing in Cusack Park is massive. It’s great to have this final at county headquarters and we are so grateful that we can play on such a good quality pitch. This will be one of the best games of the year.

We have great support from our community and hopefully we can give them something to celebrate again”.

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Rodgers hopeful his side can keep out rising Truagh/Clonlara tide

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

SCARIFF/OGONNELLOE have their sights firmly set on retaining the McMahon Cup in Cusack Park this weekend.

The emphasis placed on putting strong coaching structures in place in the late 2000s by people like Michael Sheedy (Ogonnelloe) and Ger Rodgers (Scariff) has played a vital role in the rise in fortunes by teams representing Scariff and Ogonnelloe in hurling and camogie in recent times.

That’s according to Scariff/ Ogonnelloe senior camogie manager Alphie Rodgers who will lead his side into the 2023 Clare senior camogie final at Cusack Park on this Saturday when they will be hoping to win the title for the third year in a row.

Alphie is in his second year in charge of the East Clare outfit having taken over from David Sullivan who is now Offaly intermediate camogie manager, at the start of the 2022 campaign.

Rodgers has no doubt but that “there is a massive focus on structures and coaching and this has led to the success currently being enjoyed by teams in the club. Prior to establishing a focus on coaching we didn’t have the coaches to develop the game and the players but we are now benefitting from having really good coaching structures”.

While he expects a serious challenge from Truagh/ Clonlara, beaten finalists for the past two years, Alphie says all camogie followers are a little surprised that the South Clare side will be providing the opposition on Saturday. “Inagh/Kilnamona were the hot favourites from the outset in this campaign but Truagh/Clonlara, despite having a number of injury problems, came through after extra time last week. They will have momentum going into Saturday’s final coming from Clonlara’s victory in the senior hurling final last week and as we all know a rising tide lifts all boats”.

l Alphie Rodgers with The Clare Echo’s Páraic McMahon

A replay was needed in 2021 before Scariff/Ogonnelloe emerged with the Clare title and they went on to win the Munster crown. Last year they retained the Clare title at Cusack Park but lost narrowly to Drom & Inch from

Tipperary in the Munster final.

All of last year’s final team are available again this year and included are Alva Rodgers and Amy Barrett, both of whom are currently out of the country but will be back

Photo by Ruth Griffin

in time for Saturday’s decider.

“A number of the girls have spent time travelling in recent years but many are back now including Susan Vaughan who missed out last year”, explained the manager

whose backroom team includes Pat Minogue, David Kennedy and Alan Gorman who was part of the management team two years ago and who has re-joined the management this season. The team is captained by Ciara Doyle with Aoife Power as vice captain.

While all involved with Scariff/Ogonnelloe would love to see the team go on and compete for the Munster title, the manager stressed that they are not looking past Saturday’s final. “Our policy throughout the campaign has been to focus on the next game. That was the task last week when we played Feakle/Killanena. We weren’t even thinking about this week’s final. Truagh/Clonlara are coming into the final a little more under the radar than they were last year.

Concluding he expects “a big challenge from Truagh/ Clonlara. Their semi-final win last week after extra time will have given them a massive boost”.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 26, 2023

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Sport

39

CLARE SENIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: SCARIFF-OGONNELLOE VS TRUAGH-CLONLARA

systems Truagh/Clonlara have 'All go' as Truagh/ 'nothing to lose' in bid Clonlara look to keep good to cap amazing week times rolling

by Seamus Hayes

by Seamus Hayes

GAELIC GAMES occupies a huge part of Truagh/Clonlara joint captain Michelle Caulfield’s life.

Speaking to The Clare Echo on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s Clare senior camogie final, Michelle had just completed a final training session with the Monaleen school under 13 team ahead of their Limerick under 13 A schools final.

Two days earlier she was a proud supporter in Cusack Park as the Clonlara hurlers won a Clare SHC for the first time in fifteen years with her husband John Conlon part of the victorious team.

She noted, “the camogie and hurling teams in the parish are a very tight knit group with brothers, cousins and partners involved. We support each other. The hurling win last week has created a great buzz and it’s great to see the flags and the banners flying. They (hurlers) are really driving us on. They are still celebrating and we want to join them”.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s decider against Scariff/Ogonnelloe, Michelle said, “we have trained really hard in the last few weeks. We have lost massive leaders, three of whom were part of the county team also, but the younger girls have stepped up. We have always said we are a well-balanced team”.

She continued, “Scariff/ Ogonnelloe and Inagh/Kilnamona have been the standard bearers and we have so much respect for them. We are trying to make amends for the final losses of the past two years The first one (2021) went to extra time, we probably left it behind us the first day. Scariff/Ogonnelloe have more players back this year, they have added to their squad and they have been competing at A level up along the grades”.

Younger guns have really stood up for the side, Michelle said. “We are 100% ready to go and we have also added to our panel this year. The younger players have stepped up. We know we are serious underdogs but we are going to give it a right go and we are going to enjoy the occasion. Anything can happen on the day”.

TRUAGH/CLONLARA are facing into their third senior camogie final on the trot, looking to win silverware for the first time but “have nothing to lose” according to their coach.

Ryan Morris acknowledged that the majority view all season was that this Saturday’s senior final would be between Scariff/Ogonnelloe and Inagh/ Kilnamona.

news@clareecho.ie

news@clareecho.ie

l Becky Foley

l Michelle Caulfield storms through the challenge of Claire Commane Photo by Gerard O'Neill

According to the primary school teacher, “the club is thriving at the moment. We have been in the past three finals. It took us a long time to come out of intermediate and it’s great to see the progress that has been made. We have a big following. There have been loads of messages coming through all week. Women’s sport is in a great place at this time. It was lovely to see the young girls out on the field last

Saturday They want to be role models”.

Getting to line out in Cusack Park for county final day is special, the former Clare player felt. “The lads are used to playing there for club and county. Everybody wants to play there and it’s great that the camogie final is there. It was in great condition last weekend for the hurling and hopefully the weather will help us out this week. Clare camogie is

on the up, it was great to see the juniors in Croke Park this year and a lot of those younger players will go onto the senior team. We would all like to see the senior side in Croke Park at semi-final and final time, they haven’t been too far away.

For now the focus is on the Clare final and it’s all systems go for Saturday”.

Photo by Aidan Ryan

He explained that these predictions were used as motivation in advance of their county semi-final against Inagh/Kilnamona.

“That view would have been influenced by the fact that four of our team that played in last year’s final are all absent this year having suffered ACL injuries. Eimear Kelly, Michelle Powell and Becky Foley, all county players as well, and Lisa Moloney are out because of injury. On the plus side Sinead Ryan has returned from injury which had her out since last year and she came on during our semi-final last week”.

This year, Ryan doubled up his coaching commitments with Truagh/Clonlara and the Clare senior and junior camogie sides. “We are facing a tough challenge. They are a great team and they have represented the county very well. They were unlucky in Munster last year. I went to see them in the semi-final last week and they were very good. Look we have to have full belief that we can do it and we have that,” he said of Saturday’s opponents.

Morris is part of a backroom team headed by manager Bob Caulfield and which includes Eamonn Noonan, Eoin Fitzgerald, Kenneth Haskett, John Conlon, former player Cathy Halley and Emmett Browne (S&C) while Ailbhe and Joe Clancy look after the stats. Michelle Caulfield and Laura Foley are the joint team captains.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, he admitted, “Winning the hurling title last week was massive and that was evident when they brought the cup to the village on Sunday night. Hopefully that win will give us the extra 5 or 10 percent to get over the line.

We also want to do it for the girls that are ruled out through injury”.

The team coach says Truagh/Clonlara “have nothing to lose.

"The pressure is on Scariff. We have done very well to get to the final and anything can happen in a final. Clare camogie is getting stronger and we are delighted to have had Michelle Powell and Sinead Hogg as part of the All-Ireland winning junior team.

A win for us on Saturday would cap an unbelievable week for the parish”.

40

Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

Garrihy laments 'killer' goal in Oscar Traynor loss

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CONCEDING a second goal before half-time was “a killer” for Clare’s hopes of getting their Oscar Traynor campaign off to a winning start, manager Donie Garrihy has lamented.

Clare fell to a 2-1 loss on Wednesday in their first tie in Group A of the Oscar Traynor.

Before a ball was kicked, Clare were dealt a blow with Avenue Utd trio Elias Kunz, Nnabuike Nneji and Witness Odirile missing the start of the contest due to car troubles. Elias and Nna had been earmarked to start and it forced the Clare management to rejig their starting 11. That meant that Jack Ryan and Liam Buckley were drafted into the makeshift starting 11, both being replaced after the half hour mark.

Garrihy said, “It was the last 30 minutes I wanted to give the young fellas when the big strong fellas from Limerick would be getting tired, they were really honest and so were the two Hanrahans from Moher Celtic, they did everything we asked them”.

James Fitzgerald’s goal on the stroke of half-time really hurt Clare’s chances, Donie felt. “It was a killer, we gave the ball away, we don’t want to be point-

ing the finger at anybody or offend anybody because anybody that comes here on a rotten dirty night and gives their all for Clare on a rotten dirty night we’re happy for them”.

While it appeared Clare may have had cause to be disgruntled with some refereeing decisions, the two-time Oscar Traynor winning manager didn’t feel the performance of the match official warranted criticism.

Of the 16 players that featured over the 90 minutes for Clare, only John Mulready had prior experience of lining out in the Oscar Traynor.

Next up for Clare is a home tie against Kerry which is scheduled to be played on Sunday November 19th at 2pm. “It’s on in a month’s time, it is on the weekend because you can’t expect them to travel midweek even though midweek is good because you don’t lose club games at the weekend.

This thing of a long lead-in doesn’t suit me or the players, they want to get it played, we came down here to get a result and get a win if not take the draw, we didn’t get it and that was disappointing”.

Scariff Bay launch new soccer podcast

SCARIFF Bay Community Radio have launched a new soccer podcast, writes Páraic McMahon.

Aptly named ’90 Minutes’, the show focuses solely on matters on the beautiful game within Co Clare.

Presented by Tom Bottcher who has been heavily involved with Mountshannon Celtic, the opening episode kicked off in the past fornight. New episodes are set to be released on a monthly basis.

He told The Clare Echo, “The

show will cover all aspects of soccer in Clare From boys and girls underage to senior with a local focus on our clubs in East Clare as well as looking at the overall picture in the county. We will talk to administrators, officials and a wide range of people involved in the game at all levels in future episodes with the aim of promoting and highlighting the players and clubs who take part”.

Scariff Bay are hopeful of doing live match commentaries on lo-

cal soccer games, he confirmed.

“Match reports of games will feature in new episodes and we hope to expand our coverage over the radio and podcasts and hope to get to the stage where we could do some live reporting and match commentaries in the future”.

On the first episode, the show spoke with two managers in the Maloney Garden Machinery Premier Division, Tulla Utd’s Mike Moloney and Fergus Donovan of

Kilkishen Celtic.

Newly appointed Mountshannon Celtic manager Colm Kavanagh accompanied by William Glass who has returned to the club after a season away also joined the show.

Ex CDSL Chairman and PRO, Jim Madden who is set to be a regular contributor to the podcast was also on hand to discuss big issues affecting the game in the county.

Podcasts from Scariff Bay are available on all platforms.

Duddy delivers on golf course in Dromoland

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB RECENTLY appointed Galway U20 hurling selector, Padraic Duddy claimed the spoils in the single’s stableford competition at Dromoland Castle Golf Club.

Duddy won the men’s singles stableford competition at Dromoland at the weekend with 44 points. He had one to spare over Vinny Derham with third spot filled by Adrian Glynn who had a similar score. Fourth spot was filled by Mervyn Frazer with 42 points while Seamus Cusack won the gross with 39 points.

The ladies 18 hole stableford competition was won by Siobhan Doohan with 36 points while the 9 hole winner was Leslie O'Flynn with 16 points.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB: The men’s competition at Kilrush at the weekend was 12 hole stableford and victory went to Eoin Fitzgerald (11) with 28 points. He won from Michael Miniter (10) who had a similar score and they were one ahead of Michael Bolton (22) and Tom Cleary (15)

WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB: Barry McNamara (12) was the winner of the club singles at Woodstock at the weekend with 39 points. He had two to spare over Thomas Flynn (14) with Pat Keane (8) a point further back in third place.

There will be another club singles this weekend while there will be a team of 4 Texas scramble on Bank holiday Monday.

Meanwhile the senior's annual general meeting will take place on Tuesday November 28 at 8pm in Hotel Woodstock.

Entries are been taken for the Ozone Health & Fitness Winter/Spring League. Entries are being taken for members wishing to participate in this competition.

The competition commences Friday week, November 3. The weekly competitions will consist of fourballs, scrambles, foursomes and singles in varied formats.

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB: The senior men’s competition at East Clare last week was won by Jackie McHugh.

Tom Larkin and J J Barton. In second place were Willie Roche, John Nihill and Jim Willis and they were followed by Paul Husband, Brendan Moloney and Denis Corcoran. The

weekly mixed scramble takes place on Friday morning at 10am.

GORT GOLF CLUB: Mark Deegan (6) was the winner of category A in the men’s competition at Gort at the weekend with 45 points. Category 2 was won

by Joe Byrne (12) with 43 points. The category 3 winner was Mark Kavanagh (20) with 36 points while category 4 was won by Pat McNamara (24) with 41 points.

Last week’s ladies competition resulted in category 1 victory for Hannah McInerney (5) with 35 points. Category 2 was won by Anne Kerins (37) with 36 points, category 3 was won by 3 Ena Furey (31) with 32 points with the category 4 honours going to Bernadette Burke (47) with 39 points.

The winner of the 9 hole singles stableford was Eleanor Stafford (9) with 18 points.

DEATH OF QUEALLY: The death took place this week of one of Lahinch golf club’s best known members, P.J. Queally who followed in his father Tommy’s footsteps when he joined the greenkeeping team at the club.

He was a key member of the team ensuring both golf courses were presented to the high-

est standards for members and guests.

P.J. was also an accomplished golfer playing off a handicap of 2 and lower for many years. He represented Lahinch in the first Munster Boys championship at Castletroy in 1950, which was won by his colleague and great friend, Tommy Skerritt.

He played in many South of Ireland championships reaching the semi-finals on three occasions, the most famous being his defeat to Greg Young at the 20th hole in 1972. He also caddied for many years and formed a great relationship and friendship with Ennis native Vincent Nevin who won the South in 1976 and 1978.

He won numerous club competitions including the Dr. Browne cup, Visitors cup and the Lakeside cup and he was a key member of the senior cup team that won the Munster title in 1984. The Queally family also enjoyed great success in the famed Caddies Match for the Wickham Cup. His father Tommy won it three times, a feat equalled by PJ who won the cup in 1951, 1963 and 1965.

Following his funeral mass on Monday last he was laid to rest in the old cemetery, Ennistymon.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 26, 2023

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41

Busy weekend of rugby for Ennis RFC sides

by Dearbhla Parry

U14 Boys League Ennis U14 Boys travelled to Kilrush and scored a dominant 11-try victory.

Tries were scored by Steven O’Neill (x2), Jake O’Donoghue (x2), Alex Pelczar (x2), Thomas Connolly (x2), Niall Burke and Reece Yeung. The try of the day was scored

by Cillian Dinan, and there were 7 conversions between O’Neill and O’Donoghue.

The pack leader, Conor Quinn led the way up front, with standout performances

by Reece Yeung, Colm Griffin, Jamie Culleton, Christopher Rynne and Josh Flynn; and half-back Steven O’Neill and Captain Jake O’Donoghue.

Ennis: Conor Quinn, Jamie Culleton, Reece Yeung, Ronan Donlan, Dan Holly, Cormac Dinan, Chris Rynne, Josh Flynn, Steven O’Neill, Jake O’Donoghue, Connor Owens, Alex Pelczar, Ronan O’Leary, Harry Daniels, Sam Kelly, Luke O’Connor, Colm Griffin, Niall Burke, Thomas Connolly, DD Corry, Josh Cotter and Eoin Keane.

U14 Girls: Ennis RFC v Richmond RFC It was a tough day for the Ennis girls, who played the top team in the league.

They had three debutants: Emma, Amy and Niamh. Richmond ran in a couple of early tries, but Ennis rallied back with a try from Lauren Reidy. Ennis managed a team try, going through a lot of phases to get it out to the winger. At half time, Ennis were down but not disheartened. In the second half, Ennis managed another try with Biborka getting over the line, but Richmond proved too strong.

U15 Boys: Ennis RFC 17 – 30 Ballina/Killaloe A tough first half saw Ennis go into the break 5 – 15 down. Scorers for Ennis were Tadhg Bane with a brace, one in each half.

The returning Lewis O’Dwyer made his customary sweeping run to score in each corner. Ennis competed well, turning over 3 lineouts, although in the end late tries blew the scoreline out.

U16 Girls Munster League: Ennis RFC 44 – 5 Old Crescent/Richmond RFC Ennis U16 Girls maintained their winning run with a victory in their first league

game of the season against Old Crescent/ Richmond. Ennis dominated from the start.

Good carries were seen from Lucy Kelly and Eimear Meaney and great work was seen at the breakdown from Kiera Hanrahan and Kate Howard. The front row of Fia Doody, Aoife Martin and Kathy Stapleton dominated the scrums, providing space for the backline to take advantage.

Sarah Keavey and Aoife Martin scored early tries which were converted by Nicole Clark. This ensured that Ennis were in front from the start. They continued to dominate through the first half of the match with further tries from Abbie Kelly in the centre.

At half time, Ennis brought on a strong bench owith Rachel Hayes and Lilith Kearney stepping into the front row, Maebh McCarthy coming into the back row, and Holly Murphy coming on to the wing. The Ennis half backs of Grace Hoyne and Emma McGann kept the backline moving. This paid off with a well worked try from Laura Kate Ryan in the corner. Further hard running from Eileen Keating and Siofra kept Old Crescent/ Richmond on the backfoot, and continued pressure saw Maebh McCarthy go over for Ennis' final try of the day.

Ennis: Fia Doody, Kathy Slattery, Aoife Martin, Lucy Kelly, EimearMeaney, Kiera Hanrahan, Kate Howard, Nicole Clarke, Grace Hoyne, Emma McGann, Siofra Enright, Sarah Keavey, Abbie Kelly, Eileen Keating, Laura Kate Ryan, Lilith Kearney, Rachel Hayes, Meabh McCarthy and Holly Murphy.

U18 Boys Pan Munster Round Robin Phase 1: Ennis RFC v Cashel RFC In Lees Road on Sunday, Ennis started strongly and were off the mark with their first try in the first 10 minutes of the game.

Ennis soon took control with 2 quick tries in succession from Luke Kennedy, Luca Cleary and Marco Cleary.

In the second half of the game, Ennis made wholesale changes and they proved too strong. Scores were made from David Moses, Adrian Moloney, John O’Donoghue and Sean Quelly. The 3 out of 4 conversions

by Marco finally completed the scoring.

Luca Cleary and his younger brother, Marco Cleary, made a return from their ex-

More success for young McMahon

by Michael Maher news@clareecho.ie

COORACLARE owner James McMahon was victorious in the final of the Paddy O’Gorman A1 525 which was the feature contest on Saturday night's card in Galway.

As the traps rose for the €2250 to the winner Paddy O’Gorman A1 Final, Crokers Spirit was just about best away in the centre from Grangeview Lolo and Lissatouk Dave. As the leaders reached the opening bend Lissatouk Dave just managed to find a slight burst of pace to take command of the contest and tracking well around the opening two bends the son of Laughill Blake and Lissatouk Dolly went on to see it it out well by a lengths and three parts in 28.82.

For the A1 graded 525 yarded eighth contest, the Michael Fitzgerald of Kilrush owned Flyers Kirsty railed superbly around the opening bend to take a three length advantage down the back straight.

From this point the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Arminta extend her advantage with every stride to score by seven and three quarter lengths from Grangeview Port in 28.86.

In the novice 525 yards contest race number two on the card owner Noel Gavin of Ballyea and trainer Declan McDonagh of Liscannor combined with a most impressive debutant in the shape of Ballyea Buck who routed his rivals by upwards of 12 and a half lengths in a superb time of 28.79.

The opening contest of the night was a Novice 350 yards contest which was won by the David Hogan of Quilty owned Tromora Banner by four & a half lengths in 19.58.

In the early strides of the A3 graded contest the Thomas Keane of Kilmihil owned Glynnscross Ted (Droopys Sydney-Glynnscrosstyler) stayed on well to defeat Donies Wood by three and a half lengths in 29.10.

Friday night’s card in Galway was an all graded card which took place with an air of sadness around the College Road venue as the majority of the attendance would have attended the funeral of Menlo Galway City based trainer Martin Fahy who had sadly passed away earlier in the week following an Illness. Martin was an outstanding trainer who enjoyed great success for many years and also served the W.G.O.B.A. in many roles.

The opening contest of the night was an A8 graded contest and from traps Island Mags and Cragataska Blue were prominent towards the outside with Kai also going up well inside the pair.

Rounding the bend the Barry Cashman owned Island Mags took a couple of lengths out of her rivals and turning down the back she led by three lengths from Kai. Striding out well in front, the Declan McDonagh Liscannor trained daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Jet Stream Mags was in control as she stayed on well to score by four and a half lengths from Kai in 29.80.

lected a ball inside her own 22 following a kick through and ran the length of the pitch evading three tackles and scored in the corner. This, however, was her last play in the match as she had to leave the game due to an injury. This try put the Ennis girls 10 - 7 ahead. The next three tries of the match were all scored by Nell Walsh, after great fast handling skills from a combination of forwards and backs to give Walsh the little space she needed to score. By half time, the score was 27-7 to Ennis.

In the second half, Sally Kelly crossed twice more for her hat-trick while the final score of the game was created by great footwork by Emma Keane to put her twin sister Eillen in for a try in the town end. l U18 Girls player Emma Keane

ploits with Munster U19s and U18s during the Summer.

U18 Girls Munster League: Ennis RFC 44 – 21 Ballina/Killaloe RFC Ennis RFC U18 girls played their first league game of the season at home against Ballina/Killaloe on Saturday.

From an early stage, the Ennis girls were camped on the Ballina/Killaloe line only to be held up on two occasions. Against the run of play on the 7th minute, Ballina/ Killaloe scored a great try from a quick tap penalty on the half-way line. The conversion was good and the Ennis girls found themselves 7 - 0 down.

This was a wakeup call for the girls and on the 9th minute, Sally Kelly crossed the line to score after great handling from the backs. After 14 minutes, Ellis Flaherty col-

Ennis: Annie Lynch, Aine Morrisey, Alana Foudy, Jenifer Weston, Caoilinn Cahill, Aisling Heapes, Maggie Murphy, Emily Kelly, Eillen Keane, Emma Keane (Joint Captain), Ellis Flaherty, Sally Kelly, Tara Phillips, Nelly Walsh, Niamh Mc Manus, Kiera O’Neill, Ciara Reidy, Saoirse Downes, Ava Walsh and Imogen Reynolds.

Senior Men Munster Junior League Round 1: Ennis RFC 25 – 13 Waterford RFC Ennis won the first round of the Munster Junior League with a score of 25 – 13.

Tries were scored by Dylan Kenny and Colm Kearney (x2). Dylan Kenny also managed 2 conversions and 2 penalties.

Senior Women Munster Cup Semi-Final: Ennis/ Kilrush RFC 29 – 15 Tralee RFC The Ennis/Kilrush Senior women travelled to Tralee for the Munster Cup Semi Final and came out victorious with a score of 29 – 15.

Having been promoted to Division 1 this year, it was the first time they faced this strong side who made up the winners of Division 1 League and Cup last season.

Further reporting on www.clareecho.ie

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MONTHS MIND

Dillon Sinead

The family and extended family of the late Sinead Dillon would like to express our heartful gratitude for the kindness, sympathy and support we received during the course of Sinéad’s illness.

We wish to express our gratitude to our many friends, neighbours, relatives, parishioners, colleagues and well-wishers from near and far who attended Sinéad’s repose, funeral mass and cremation. Our most sincere thanks to everyone who called to Sinéad’s home, rang members of the family, sent messages of support, mass and sympathy cards, floral tributes and posted condolences and were present with us during those difficult times. All of your kind words of support and precious memories are hugely appreciated.

Thank you to the entire community, neighbours, friends, GAA Club, and hospitality sector for the provision of food and

other refreshments.

We offer our thanks to those who made charitable donations to Millford Hospice that allow them to continue to provide comfort and dignity to others.

Sincere appreciation to Fr. Des Hillery for his compassion and guidance. For the meaningful ceremony and kind words at Sinéad’s mass we thank Fr. Des and Fr. Tom Whelan.

To Michael and Gearoid O’Donnell for their guidance and assistance to the family and their professionalism in carrying out the funeral arrangements. We offer our most sincere thanks.

For the elegant musicianship and song at Sinead’s mass, our most special thanks to Francis Cunningham, his wife Eimear and Edel Vaughan.

Thank you to the church committee for their organization, flowers and provision of refreshments during and after the ceremony and also to the Ministers of the Pastoral Care for their assistance in the ceremony.

To the residents of Inchicronan for their guard of honour at the removal from Sinéad’s home.

Thank you to Crusheen GAA for their stewardship on the day of Sinéad’s funeral mass.

We would like to offer our sincere thanks to the entire Medical Profession: To Dr.’s Conor & Aoife Fanning, Barbara and all the staff at Sonas Medical centre and all the staff at Flynn’s Life pharmacy for their

Lynch, Gerard (Gerry) Kildysart Clare O’BRIEN, Thomas (Tommy) Kilrush Clare O’Grady, Mary Teresa Clarecastle Clare Vaughan (née Rynne), Anne Inagh Clare Butler, Brendan Ennis Clare

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PRAYER Prayer to the Blessed Virgin of Mt. Carmel Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven. Blessed mother of the son of God, Immaculate virgin: assist me in my necessity.

Oh, star of the sea, help me and show me you are my mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth! I humbly beseech from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity.

(State the request).

There are none who can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3x) Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3x).

Amen Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days and then you must publish it and it will be grand to you.

M McN

constant care during Sinéad’s long illness.

Our gratitude to all the staff in Ward 6b at the Oncology Unit in University Hospital Limerick.

Our most sincere thanks to the nurses in the CIT unit Ennis Hospital who cared for Sinead over the many years. Their unending professionalism, gentleness and humour was greatly appreciated.

We thank the Public Health nurses for their care.

To the palliative care nurses who tended to Sinead’s well being with dedication and compassion during their daily visits during her time at home.

Thank you to all of the Night nurses / Daffodil nurses who provided comfort and security to both Sinead and the family.

And lastly to the entire palliative care team at the Solas Ward, Milford Hospice we offer you our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for their professionalism , dignity and care during Sinéad’s final weeks.

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our genuine appreciation, gratitude and thanks.

Sinéad’s Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated on Friday 27th October, at 7.30 p.m. in St. Cronans Church, Crusheen.

Recent Deaths

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CLUNE, Joan, Colonel (Retd.)

Quin Clare Joyce (née Mc Teggart), Annemarie Shannon Clare McMahon, Alphonsus (Al Jnr) Coolmeen Clare Cashman, William (Val) Ardnacrusha Clare Cashman, William (Val) Feakle Clare Crotty(née Minogue), Mary Scariff Clare McInerney (née Long), Mary Ennis Clare McInerney (née Long), Mary Scariff Clare Driscoll (née Magee), June Fanore Clare Keane, Michael Quin Clare Keane, Diane Ennis Clare Kelly, Caroline Quilty Clare

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Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Quiz

The Clare Echo Quiz

Clare People & Places Patrick Donnellan Shane O’Donnell Anthony Daly

 Who does East Clare actor Frank Blake play in ‘Normal People’?

Alan Niall Jamie

 Which Heavyweight boxer was

 Tuamgraney writer Edna O’Brien

Lennox Lewis Muhammad Ali Mike Tyson

Irish PEN award Ulysses medal Writers’ guild award

made free man of Ennis in 2009?

 What Ennis based secondary

school did Michael d Higgins attend?

Ennis Community College Rice College St. Flannans

 John P holland, inventor of

won what award in 2001?

 What Character does Ennis born actor; Denise Gough play in the film Monday?

Stephanie Chloe Anna

submarine, was born in which west Clare town?

 Before Eire Og, who were the last

 What 2021 film was partly filmed

Cratloe Wolfe Tones Shannon Ennistymon

Liscannor Kilkee Doolin

at Hag’s Head?

Malignant Jolt Finding you

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2009?

ANSWERS

GAA club to be in a senior hurling and football final in the same year?

 Kilnaboy born runner Sonnie Murphy ran in what Olympics?

6: Alan 7: Irish PEN award 8:Chloe 9: Cratloe 10: 1932

tain Clare to an all-Ireland hurling win

1:Patrick Donnellan 2: Muhammad Ali 3: St. Flannans 4: Liscannor 5: Finding you

 Who was the last person to cap-

1928 1932 1936

Spot the Difference Can you spot the 7 differences

Last weeks answers

. Flag missing . HPV badge missing (front) . GAA missing on Jersey (front, right) . Crest missing on top (middle right)

. Arm raised missing in background (left) . HPV badge missing on top (middle) . Number 2 missing on jersey

Ethan Coughlan catches the ball during his starting debut for Munster in Thomond Park

Photo by Joe Buckley

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 Game (http://puzzles.bestforpuzzles.com)

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Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

46

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Planning

CLARE. Take notice that Ennistymon & District Credit Union Limited intend to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to change the use of the existing ground floor shop unit for use as a credit union along with ancillary site works at the above address for a period of five years.

The development is located within an Architectural Conservation Area.

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

cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application.

The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

PLANNING

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL MOUNTSHANNON WEST, LABASHEEDA, KILRUSH, CO. CLARE Take notice that Marie & Ignatius Moloney are applying to Clare County Council for planning permission to demolish existing house & garage damaged by fire and the construction of a new dwelling house and garage along with all associated works at the above address.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CLONREDDAN, COORACLARE, CO. CLARE Take notice that Donal Dillon is applying to Clare County Council for retention permission for minor alterations to the existing dwelling house and planning permission to install a new wastewater treatment unit & percolation area, and revised site boundaries along with all associated works at the above address.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

KILLARD, DOONBEG, CO. CLARE Take notice that Oliver Ryan intends to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct a garage/fuel shed along with ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DOONMORE, DOONBEG, CO. CLARE Take notice that Maria Kelly intends to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct a new dwelling house and garage complete with a new entrance, sewage treatment system and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE CO. COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION / REVISED PLANS PLANNING REF: P23/303 Development Description: proposed construction of

an extension to existing slatted cubicle unit, walled silage pit, an overground circular slurry store and associated site works.

Location: Clounty, Scariff, Co Clare.

Take notice that Brian Geoghegan has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P23/303. This information and planning application maybe inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DRUMLINE, NEWMARKET ON FERGUS, CO CLARE Take notice that Kieran Quinn of Drumline, Newmarket on Fergus, Co Clare, intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to retain existing 1st floor living area and rear storage shed.

The planning authority may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of five (5) weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by the

Planning Authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DANGANALLA, COORACLARE, CO. CLARE Take notice that John O’Gorman of Danganalla, Cooraclare Co Clare, intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to retain existing conservatory and rear storage area.

The planning authority may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of five (5) weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by the Planning Authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CAHERBLONICK, KILNABOY, CO.CLARE. We, Tony Kirby and Eimer Ní Riain, wish to apply to the above named local authority for planning permission for the construction of a new single storey porch and single storey extension to the side of an existing dwelling, modifications to the existing dwelling and all ancillary site works at Caherblonick, Kilnaboy, Co.Clare.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, 4,5 NEW ROAD, ENNISTYMON, CO.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BUSHYPARK, ENNIS, CO CLARE. Take notice that Caroline Casey intends to apply to the planning authority for permission to (a) construct a new dwelling house complete with a sewage treatment system and (b) change of use from an outbuilding to domestic garage to include completion of same, along with ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS PLANNING REF: P23/112 Development Description: (a) change of use of existing house to farm workshop, tack store and farm office (b) general renovations and modifications to existing farm buildings (c) replacement farm house (d) new site entrance (e) domestic wastewater treatment system and associated site works and services.

Location: Erinagh More, Fountain, Ennis, Co. Clare Take notice that Patrick and Catherine Hannon have lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P23/112. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co.Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KNOCKERRA WEST, KILRUSH Take notice that P. Fitzpatrick intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to erect 5No dwellings + foul sewer treatment systems + percolation areas, to connect to ancillary services and to develop service road and new site entrance at the above address.

The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL RHYNAGONNAUGHT, DOONBEG Take notice that M. Fitzpatrick intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to erect dwelling house, foul sewer treatment plant, percolation area and new site entrance at the above address.

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

The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 26 , 2023

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