The Clare Echo 27/01/2022 by The Clare Echo

065 671 9021

clareecho.ie

JAN 27 2022

People ‘let loose’ as restrictions lift

BOYS IN BLUE

...but UHL crowding at all-time high PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

IDESPREAD joy has been evident following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions but pressure remains on the region’s main hospital with record levels of patients on trolleys recorded on Wednesday. Clare TD, Michael McNamara

(IND) has called for an independent investigation into overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), where a record 111 patients were on trolleys on Wednesday. Addressing Taoiseach Micheál Martin (FF) in the Dáil, McNamara said the exponential growth in trolley numbers at UHL was unlikely to be halted by the introduction of additional beds alone and that consideration should be given to upgrading other hospitals within the UHL

Group. The Taoiseach said he would request the Health Minister and the HSE to review the proposal around the causes of ongoing overcrowding. Meanwhile, the people of Clare basked in the joy of easing restrictions with huge crowds flocking to pubs and nightclubs across the county. “It was like freedom day,” Ennis DJ Trevor White said of the electric atmosphere in the Queens on Saturday night.

FULL STORY pg 4

l A St Joseph’s Tulla fan celebrates as the school booked its place in the Harty Cup final last weekend Photo by Gerard O’Neill

2 NEWS

Index NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

SAY CHEESE EVERYONE

2-15

ENTERTAINMENT

GREENER CLARE

RECRUITMENT

20-21

PATHWAYS

22-28

PROPERTY

SPORT

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

30-34

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

NEWSDESK

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

SALES

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

€500,000 plan almost complete

 PROUD: St Joseph’s Tulla school teacher Ciara Grogan captures the occasion on camera as the East Clare school celebrate qualifying for a ﬁrst ever Harty Cup ﬁnal Photo by Gerard O’Neill

SITE to serve as an off-street car park in Ennistymon has been located with Clare County Council in the final stages of purchasing it. Seventy per cent of work on the €500k Ennistymon streetscape project is now completed, the planned rejuvenation most notably included the intention to house the Púca statue in the North Clare town. While the Púca may not have arrived in Ennistymon, upgrades to the existing drainage network, undergrounding all electrical cables, removal of overhead wires and poles and new lighting have gone ahead. Installation of new kerbs and paving has commenced while the addition of street furniture and an art piece have to be finished. Director of Service with Clare County Council, Leonard Cleary expected works on the streetscape project to be concluded by the second quarter of 2022. “A suitable site has been identified for an off-street car park within the town and we are entering the final stages in relation to the purchase of this site currently,” he confirmed. “Businesses are nervous and concerned about the delivery of off-street parking,” Cllr Shane Talty (FF) admitted.

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THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

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4 NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

‘Time to be ourselves again’ R EMOVAL of almost all COVID-19 restrictions have been broadly welcomed across Co Clare and the entire country, writes Páraic McMahon.

“It’s time to be ourselves again,” Taoiseach Micheál Martin (FF) announced while addressing the nation on Friday. Some 680 days on from the introduction of the first set of restrictions, it was confirmed that the operating hours for pubs and restaurants would return to normal, nightclubs would reopen while requirements for COVID certificates and face masks in these settings were scrapped. At pubs, the rules of six per table and contact tracing will be removed. Household visits can occur with Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from no restrictions and social distancing suitably qualified persons for the below competitions. Clare has also been removed. Full attenCounty Council will, following the interview process, form a dance will now be allowed at indoor panel for the area set out below from which future relevant and outdoor events such as sporting vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from contests, funerals, weddings, other the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. religious ceremonies and all events taking place in the music and enter• SCHOOL WARDEN PART-TIME, tainment industry. Pubs across Clare reported an WEST CLARE MUNICIPAL DISTRICT, increase in business over the week-

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end with crowds in Ennis on Saturday reminiscent of the ‘good aul days’. Trevor White was DJ in the Queens as the popular nightclub welcomed large crowds back to the dance floor. He said of the excitement before the return, “you were nearly like a child on Christmas morning, it was exciting and I was really looking forward to it. Tadhg Lyne got onto me Friday morning to check my availability for Saturday night and once we got the go ahead on Friday evening, I was looking forward to getting back into it and seeing the place in full flight, by God was it in full ﬂight then on Saturday night”. He told The Clare Echo, “You could see everyone was happy by the smiles on their faces, normally when people go into a nightclub they venture in, go to the bar or whatever, on Saturday night it was straight to the floor and let loose”. Some of those in the Queens on Saturday night had never been to a nightclub before, Trevor noticed a mix in the age-demograph-

ic present from 18 and 19 year olds to those in their 40s and early 50s, he was conﬁdent people would continue to embrace the nighttime economy for the coming weeks. Saturday’s atmosphere was “electric,” the popular DJ said and admitted that it ranked among the 10 ten gigs he has performed to date, “it was like freedom day”. The Ennis native continued, “You’d hope that it would be a boost to the nightclub industry and rejuvenate it again, I think people took it for granted that the nightclubs were there, I hope people appreciate them now they’re back. I also hope that the worst days are behind us”. Away from the DJ booth, Trevor is also the owner of AAA Taxis, the increase in business was very evident for their drivers. “To compare Friday and Saturday, it was like chalk and cheese, on Friday there was nearly tumbleweed blowing up the street and Saturday was all non-stop. The feedback from our drivers was that everyone was in such good spirits and form”.

Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Thursday 10th February 2022 .

• APPRENTICE HEAVY VEHICLE MECHANIC, 2022 (4-YEAR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME) (OPEN COMPETITION) Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Thursday 10th February 2022 . Application forms and further particulars may be obtained by requesting same from the Human Resources Department, Clare County Council at 065-6846251, via e-mail: recruitment@clarecoco.ie or can be downloaded from the following website: www.clarecoco.ie Clare County Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the Community. Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.

• PANEL FOR BEACH LIFEGUARDS & SENIOR BEACH LIFEGUARDS SUMMER SEASON 2022 Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for inclusion on a Panel for employment as Beach Lifeguards & Senior Beach Lifeguards for the 2022 Bathing season. Age Limit: Not less than 18 years of age on 1st May, 2022. Qualifications: Current Water Safety Ireland, National Beach Lifeguard Award or equivalent as recognised by the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS). All candidates will be required to undergo a practical test in Basic Life Support (BLS), swimming ability, lifesaving techniques and a theory test conducted by an Examiner(s) nominated by Water Safety Ireland. The Garda Vetting process will be carried out in respect of all applicants. All relevant information must be included on application form to ensure appropriate marks are awarded. Certificates in respect of qualifications/training other than those listed on the Application Form should not be submitted as no additional marks will be awarded. Application forms and further particulars may be obtained by requesting same from the Human Resources Department, Clare County Council at 065-6846251, via e-mail: recruitment@clarecoco.ie or can be downloaded from the following website: www.clarecoco.ie Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Thursday 17th February 2022.

NIGHT OUT: The Queens Nightclub on Saturday night

'Desperate upset' at continuation of maternity visitor restrictions PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

CONTINUATION of restrictions at the University Maternity Hospital in Limerick (UMHL) caused ‘desperate upset’, hospital chiefs have acknowledged. Maternity hospitals and units have been slow to relax COVID-19 restrictions despite pressure to allow more visitors. Although the country has reopened with the Omicron wave under control, maternity services are still following December guidance to facilitate access to a woman’s nominated support partner for labour, birth and scans. Pregnant women must attend out-patient appointments alone and extended family and children are not allowed to visit, except on special grounds. Tragic instances have occurred during

the pandemic were woman who have had a miscarriage have been unable to have their partner by their side. Also, occasions which should have been joyous for new parents saw mothers give birth in the absence of their partner. Responding to queries from The Clare Echo at a briefing of UL Hospitals Group this week, Chief Clinical Director, Prof Brian Lenehan said the presence of restrictions on maternity services were “a challenge for everybody but mainly patients and their partners”. Infrastructure, curtain spaces and “very little space for physical distancing or privacy” were cited as reasons for the restrictions. He added, “At every opportunity, when we got to relieve restrictions, we tried to lead out. I don’t think anybody on the hospital executive wanted to prevent partners from being in attendance with pregnant women particularly on the is-

sue with a miscarriage or something of a threat of miscarriage. It was something we spoke of daily”. Group Chief Executive of UL Hospitals Group, Colette Cowan said management were “desperately upset about having to impose restrictions on women and their partners surrounding the most important event of having a new born child”. She added, “I do get the upset from the public on it, they contact me regularly and I agree with them”. Cowan said the existing building was “not fit for purpose” and noted aspirations for a new maternity hospital estimated to cost €250m which is listed as a core project in the Ireland 2040 plan “that must be delivered for the region and the women of the region”. Design work is to commence on this, she stated but cautioned that the entire project will take approximately eight years.

NEWS 5

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

Operator of Lisdoonvarna direct provision centre receives €2.35m in fees

by GORDON DEEGAN

HE operator of the direct provision centre in Lisdoonvarna received €2.35m (Incl VAT) in fees from the State in 2020. The payout for 2020 represents a 50pc increase on the €1.564m fees paid out to James White & Co Ltd by the State in 2019. The White firm operates the King Thomond Hotel in Lisdoonvarna and the payment brings to €6.15m the company has received since the centre was opened in 2018 to accommodate asylum seekers in controversial circumstances.The company was paid €1.244m for the period between March and December 2018. The centre is regarded as one of the better run across scores of direct provision centres used to accommodate asylum seekers here with a Minister for State at the Dept of Justice, David Stanton previously telling the Dail: “There were concerns about Lisdoonvarna; it is a model now.” The most recent accounts for James White & Co Ltd show the operation of the direct provision centre is producing strong profits for the company.The accounts show that the company’s post tax profits for 2020 of €579,141 were a four fold increase on the post tax profits of €137,150 recorded for 2019.The accounts show that accumulated profits at the firm at the end of 2020 totalled €1.2 million. During the period under review, the firm’s

cash funds more than doubled from €361,613 to €863,381.The profit for 2020 takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of €107,135. The company’s pre-tax profits for 2020 totalled €670,814. The firm total corporate tax bill for 2020 amounted to €91,673. The company is controlled by James White. Filings previously lodged with the Companies Office show that Marcus White resigned as a director from James White & Co Ltd in August of 2019. The directors are listed as Megan White and Anne Barrett along with Gert Eksteen who joined the board in September 2021. Directors’ pay for 2020 increased almost four fold from €50,000 in 2019 to €195,091 made up of remuneration of €94,691 and pension payments of €100,000. At a public meeting in the town in February 2018, then director of the hotel firm, Marcus White said that if the townspeople didn't want the centre to proceed, he would honour that decision.In response to Mr White’s public statement, the local community held a vote by secret ballot at a public meeting organised by Lisdoonvarna Fáilte. In response to the question ‘do you want a direct provision centre in Lisdoonvarna?’, 197 voted ‘no’ with 15 voting ‘yes’. However, James White & Co Ltd subsequently entered a contract with the Dept of Justice’s Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) to operate a direct provision centre at the home for one year.

6 NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

Pinpointing working West Clare grieves deﬁbrillators on app for Paul Dillon ‘can save lives’ PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

SE of an app to locate defibrillators across Clare “could help to save lives,” a Shannon councillor has highlighted. Access to defibrillators was proving to be difficult in parts of the county, elected representatives cautioned while backing the call from Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) for Clare County Council to “register any defibrillators in council facilities or other public AEDs that they would have an involvement with, with the PulsePoint AED defibrillator location App for Ireland and encourage all community groups, businesses, schools and others who may have them to register them”. Recognition through a Garda community safety award justifies the potential of the app, Cllr McGettigan maintained, “this App that is so simple to use that it could help to save lives”. All publicly accessible defibrillators (AEDs) need to be registered with the National Ambulance Service, Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly outlined. He said the Fire Service, Civil Defence together with the

Rural and Community Development directorate of the Council would research initiatives in place for the local authority sector on the back of the motion. “It is done at the touch of a button, the more cases they are registered in, they will be obliged to use it. It is easy to use and it will save lives,” McGettigan predicted. Having a conversation on defibrillators was very positive, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) felt. “I would like for us to engage with residents’ associations, we need to have them near estates or where people live. Usually cardiac arrests happen in the home, we tend to think that they will be dramatic heart attacks in the centre of the town, that rarely happens”. Instances of heart attacks are increasing, Cllr John Crowe (FG) commented with the survival rate lower when they occur at home. Looking for a defibrillator “is one of the first things” surveyed by Cllr Ann Norton (IND) when entering a town or village, she admitted. “You never know when you might need it. It is happening at all ages”. She acknowledged the “huge effort” by community groups and sporting organisations to have them available. “It is young and old that can be affected and could be in need of a defibrillator. It could save a life someday”. Twenty four hour access to defibrillators is essential, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) flagged.

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RIP: Paul Dillon leagues in Clare County Council. “Paul was always so helpful and willing in any jobs he was asked to do in a calm and pleasant way,” acting senior executive officer of the West Clare Municipal District, John O’Malley stated. Paul will be sadly missed by his loving wife, son, daughter, parents Paddy and Kitty (Dillon), brothers John, Stephen and Patrick, sisters Siobhán and Edel, parents-in-law Philip and Marian (Vaughan), uncles, aunts, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family, work colleagues in Clare County Council, neighbours and many friends.

'Strong desire' for pump track in Lahinch by PÁRAIC McMAHON

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AUL Dillon’s sudden death on Sunday has left communities heartbroken in West Clare, writes Páraic McMahon. On Sunday afternoon, an alarm was raised shortly after 2pm when it emerged that a man had fallen and was swept to sea. Rescue 115 was tasked to Kilkee for a search and rescue operation along with Aran Islands RNLI All Weather Lifeboat, Kilkee Irish Coast Guard Unit, HSE National Ambulance Service and local Gardaí. The units were stood down shortly after the man’s body was recovered north of George’s Head. An investigation into what led to the tragedy will be conducted by An Garda Síochána, sources have confirmed. Father of two, Paul Dillon was picking seaweed with a family member at the time of the accident, The Clare Echo understands. Noted for his dedication whether it be to his family, work or sporting endeavours, Paul was a quiet unassuming man. He was born in Tullycrine but lived with his beloved wife Roisin and their two children in Knocknagore, Kilkee. Members of the Dillon family have been associated with Shannon Gaels GAA club for decades, “Paul will be sadly missed by all and will forever be in our hearts,” said a spokesperson for the club. He was highly regarded by his work col-

DEVELOPMENT of a pump track in Lahinch would offer an alternative to “drinking cans by the cliff car park” for young people, a Green Party councillor has claimed. Arranging a pre-feasibility study for the development of a pump track in Lahinch has been sought by Cllr Liam Grant (GP) who praised the “very successful” and “hugely popular” equivalent in Shannon and the demand existing in North-West Clare for a similar facility. The end of the promenade and top carpark were suggested by Grant as possible locations. A demand also exists in Kilkee and Lisdoonvarna for such facilities, he maintained, “the Council should look into carrying out feasibility studies and design work across all locations collectively”. Acting senior executive officer in the West Clare Municipal District, John O’Malley detailed that the Shannon Pump Track project was managed by Clare County Council’s forward planning section as part of the Shannon Town Park Project with EU funding from the Southern Regional Assembly's Operational Programme and matching funding from Clare County Council following extensive public consultation. He stated, “In order to progress the proposed pump track in Lahinch and other locations in the West Clare MD funding will be required to progress with a feasibility study which will include a public engagement process for these areas. I will work

Pump track

with the member on progressing this”. There is a strong desire to have skater and cycle tracks across North-West Clare, Cllr Grant outlined. He committed to continuing to push for the pump track as long as he was sitting on the Council. “Drinking cans by the cliff park in Lahinch was the big thing to do, this is an alternative option that we can put forward. This facility will become more and more popular, let’s get a very good one in Clare. I’ll go around with a bucket myself if I have to in order to fund it”. Cathaoirleach of the West Clare MD, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) wheeled in with solid support for the proposal, “I’m 100 per cent behind you on this one, they’re very cost effective, there’s a bit of capital money that needs to go in but they’re not huge numbers for what they deliver”. He acknowledged the importance of a feasibility study, “the engagement with the community as to where it goes is a very important piece of the puzzle”. He said he was willing to support funding through his General Municipal Allocation.

NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

COVID-19: Reframing the challenge

Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting Once again, a collective effort from the Irish people has brought us to a better place. Over recent weeks people socialised less and were more careful when they did. That effort combined with the vaccination and booster programme has made a huge difference to the public health situation. We can now change how we live with COVID-19 and remove many of the public health measures in place:

Frequently Asked Questions Do I still need to wear a mask? Yes, Masks should continue to be worn on public transport and in other appropriate settings.

Can I go abroad on holiday? Yes, but current measures regarding travel still apply including completion of a PLF and proof of vaccination/recovery or a negative PCR test for return to the State. In some countries you will need it for access to amenities too — check the rules before you go.

Can I go back to the oﬃce? From 24 January 2022 a return to attendance can commence on a phased basis. Your employer will advise.

What about schools and early learning and care? The protective measures in schools and early learning and care facilities will remain until 28 February 2022.

Can I go to a restaurant or pub – and for how long? Yes. The restrictions on opening times and capacity limits for all hospitality and cultural events will be removed with eﬀect from 22 January 2022 (including weddings).

What if I have symptoms, positive test or am a close contact? You still need to follow the guidance at HSE.ie.

Are more people allowed at concerts, theatres, sporting events? Yes, all capacity restrictions will be removed with eﬀect from 22 January 2022 for both indoor and outdoor events.

What about business and income supports? There are some further changes to business and income supports go to gov.ie/recovery for more information.

Can I have people in my house? Yes, all restrictions will be removed with eﬀect from 22 January 2022.

The best way to keep yourself, your family and your community safe is to be fully vaccinated. So, please, get vaccinated and get your booster. (See HSE.ie for details)

You may still have concerns about yourself or your family members. You should continue to assess your individual situation. There are ways to reduce risk, especially for those who may be more vulnerable. For further guidance go to gov.ie/riskaware.

The behaviour of the virus in Ireland and around the world will continue to be closely monitored. The priority of Government will always be the health and wellbeing of our people. For the full details of the changes go to gov.ie/recovery

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

First ever coercive control case comes before courts by GORDON DEEGAN GARDAÍ were unable to serve a Book of Evidence on a 47-year old Co Clare man concerning the alleged sexual assault and false imprisonment of his ex-wife. At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge Mary Larkin said that the accused man was unable to come to court as he currently has Covid-19.Sgt Aiden Lonergan said that the Book of Evidence is ready in the case and ready to be served on the accused man. Sgt Lonergan said that as the accused man is unavailable the matter could be adjourned for two weeks and that the Book of Evidence could then be served. As part of the prosecution against the man involving 22 separate charges, the man is also facing a charge of coercive control against the woman. It is the ﬁrst such coercive control charge under the Domestic Violence Act to come before the criminal courts in Clare where the man is accused of knowingly and persistently engaging in behaviour that was controlling or coercive and which had a serious effect on the woman who was or is his spouse between January 1st 2019 to

May 15th 2019. In total, the man is to face 12 counts of sexual assault, six counts of false imprisonment, two counts of assault calling harm against the woman, one count of criminal damage and the coercive control charge. Sgt Lonergan stated that the case is to proceed by indictment to the circuit court. The ﬁrst alleged sexual assault against the woman is alleged to have occurred on October 15th 2018 with the ﬁnal sex assault charge in February 2020. The alleged sexual assaults took place at two separate addresses. Legal aid has been granted for the man and Gardaí have not opposed conditional bail for the accused. As part of bail conditions, Judge Larkin has previously directed that the man surrender his passport, have no contact with any witnesses or the alleged injured party other than for the purpose of arranging access to a child. Judge Larkin imposed reporting restrictions on the identity of the accused and alleged injured party due to the nature of the case. Judge Larkin adjourned the case to February 2nd.

Information sought on stolen jeep GARDAÍ are seeking the public’s assistance in trying to locate a man who stole a jeep in Feakle and drove it as far as Ennis, writes Páraic McMahon. At approximately 12:18pm on Sunday (January 23rd), a

male wearing a blue jacket cycled into a yard in Derrynaheilla, Feakle and stole a blue Mitsubishi Pajero Jeep. Keys had been left in the jeep with the vehicle later recovered at 5:30pm at the Ennis Train Station.

Crime prevention officer, Triona Brooks stated, “If anyone saw this jeep being driven between these times or anyone has dash cam footage we would ask them to contact Ennis Garda Station on 6848100”.

Pyrite homeowners to take to the streets

OMEOWNERS in Clare are to protest through the town of Ennis this Saturday, writes Páraic McMahon. Members of the Clare Pyrite Action Group have organised the protest which will begin at Áras an Chontae in Ennis at 2pm on Saturday before marching to O’Connell monument in the heart of Ennis town centre. All corners of the county have homes containing pyrite-defective blocks causing crumbling of their own homes. An approximate 124 homeowners are now signed up to the Clare Pyrite Action Group. Their efforts to include Clare in a redress scheme continue. As reported by The Clare Echo last week, sharp criticism of the Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien (FF) was voiced by the Action Group’s founder, Dr Martina Cleary in an open

 REDRESS: Hundreds of Clare homes are affected

letter. Five months after the Minister promised to make a decision on their application for redress “within weeks,” the action group will take to the streets as they appeal for members of the public to back their cause. “With regard to the ongoing exclusion of County Clare from any existing grant or remediation

scheme, we feel that there is a definite, perpetuated and undeniable form of discrimination being meted out to the people of this county. We are at a loss to understand why reports and evidence submitted by our consultant engineer, are deemed insufficient to warrant immediate inclusion and assistance,” Dr Cleary stated.

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10 NEWS

Funding could enhance amenities by adding loos

by PÁRAIC McMAHON XISTING leisure facilities could soon be enhanced to provide low-cost toilet facilities across Co Clare. Under the Community Support Scheme, groups across Clare can avail of funding from the County Council to enhance public areas and amenities. Including a clause to enable the addition of low cost toilet facilities at existing facilities will now be considered. It follows a proposal from Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) before the January meeting of the local authority. Planning permission is likely to be required if community groups wish to add toilets to their facilities, Director of Service, Leonard Cleary outlined. “We have been informed on a number of occasions that there are over 50 villages in Clare without wastewater, there are a number of them that do have the wastewater but don’t have public toilets,” Cllr Kelly stated.

FACILITIES: Public toilets Clare has previously led the way when it came to rural development and has a chance to set another positive example, the Lissycasey representative believed. He calculated that the cost would be between €5,000 to €6,000 for the installation of the

facilities. “The public toilets in Lissycasey are used by passers-by and people in the village, they could be in every village, there are villages with buildings left derelict that could be adapted”. Strong support for the proposal came from Cllr Cillian Murphy,

“use what you have where you have it before you go introducing new things”. The tourism consultant said he recently finished working with Munster Vale tourism group and one of the biggest issues raised from them was the need for new facilitates to enable access to mountains and open spaces. Existing infrastructure in communities such as car parking, showering and toilet facilities belonging to sporting organisations could also come into the reckoning, the Kilkee representative commented. Location of sporting grounds may hinder their potential use, Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) cautioned. “Since 1984, every GAA club now has its own field, car park and public toilets, they now have modern gyms, those grounds in a lot of cases are not in the town centre or the village centre, they are adjacent to the village, very often the facilities are not as you drive by the town on the main road”.

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

Supply chain delaying new injury unit SUPPLY chain delays have impacted on the opening of a new local injury unit at Ennis Hospital, writes Páraic McMahon. Responsibility for the running of the injuries unit in Ennis Hospital was officially handed over to the HSE at the beginning of December. Group Chief Executive of UL Hospitals Group, Colette Cowan confirmed that delays have been experienced in its planned opening. “It is a new facility, the old facility was old and small, we haven’t opened it yet, we have ordered the equipment but the supply chain is an international issue”. Once the equipment arrives, it will take a week to commission it so that it is suitable for use, Ms Cowan told The Clare Echo, “the incident in the Suez Canal didn’t help,” she remarked and flagged that similar issues have been experienced across the country. The unit is expected to open in the first quarter of this year with existing workers said to be sufficient to staff its operation. Moving the outpatient department of Ennis Hospital to an off-site location “has been a very big success,” she outlined at a briefing this week. Clare TD, Violet-Anne Wynne (SF) was confident the new unit would benefit the people of Clare. “Too many Clare folk have to travel to Limerick and spend excessive amounts of time waiting in a congested Emergency Department down there”.

Visitor restrictions continue following COVID-19 outbreak VISITING restrictions remain in place at Ennis Hospital following an outbreak of COVID-19, writes Páraic McMahon. Restrictions are in place on the Burren Ward of Ennis Hospital since Friday, visitors are not permitted into the ward as a precautionary measure since the outbreak only if visiting confused or critically unwell patients. Visits to other areas of the hospital continue Please do not grieve alone We listen and support You are welcome to contact us by call or text

Call or text

086 0565373 087 369 8315 www.claresuicidebereavementsupport.com

as normal. A spokesperson for UL Hospitals Group outlined, “We regret any inconvenience these restrictions cause for patients on the Burren Ward and for their loved ones. An outbreak control team has convened, and hospital management has decided that it is necessary to impose the measures in the interests of patient safety and keeping essential services open for all pa-

tients”. Prof Brian Lenehan, Chief Clinical Director of UL Hospitals Group said the design of Ennis Hospital makes it very effective to respond to outbreaks. “We manage all outbreaks very proactively, we are very fortunate that Ennis has single room facility which makes it easier to manage it, we are not having to isolate patients because they are all isolated by the virtue of single rooms”.

NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION & TRAINING LCFE Mulgrave Street Campus

VIRTUAL OPEN DAY Thursday 27th January 10am to 1pm Demonstrations from some of our 70 programmes Submit questions at our live Q&A session Hear from current learners and academic staff No CAO points required and low registration fees

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Go to lcfe.ie

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

Crossing points on the way for Ballycasey PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

CROSSING points are set to be introduced from adjoining estates under an upcoming Ballycasey Active Travel project. Trafﬁc calming measures in the Gleann Rua and Cluain Donn area of Ballycasey were requested by Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) before the January meeting of the Shannon Municipal District.

She explained, “this is an area almost like a cul de sac where a lot of children play and residents are concerned with the speed and visibility of traffic”. Senior executive engineer, Tom Mellett confirmed that the MD office intended to introduce a crossing point from the adjoining estates as part of works into the upcoming Ballycasey Active Travel project. He added, “Traffic calming measures will be required to facilitate this crossing and will form part of the design

process”. “In some cases with parking you can come in one way and out the other, often you can’t see the trafﬁc coming around the corner. “Kids are playing there and they run across the road, it is a wonder there hasn’t been an accident,” Shannon representative McGettigan stated. Support for the motion was voiced by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) who stressed the importance of public consultation with the local residents.

Land Tax emerges as new aspect to County Development Plan

ZONING: Clare Co Co

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

SAFETY FIRST: Gleann Rua Photo by Joe Buckley

ONLINE PUBLIC MEETING

FARMING OUR FUTURE Have your say

GUEST SPEAKER

Min. MARTIN HEYDON TD

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Working with my Oireachtas colleague Senator Martin Conway

Thursday Feb 3rd @ 8pm Joe

CAREY TD

PLEASE REGISTER BY EMAIL OR CALL:

joe.carey@oir.ie 065 689 1199

www.finegael.ie/farming-our-future/

REPARATION of Clare’s upcoming County Development Plan 2023 – 2029 has been hit with a fresh hurdle with Department officials pushing for the introduction of a new tax for residential zoned land. Public consultation events have begun in different parts of Clare with the county’s citizens encouraged to take an active involvement so that they are fully aware of the impact the document will have on their lives and area. A total of ten volumes are included in the County Development Plan. This includes a written statement, maps, written statements for each Municipal District, settlement plans, a record of protected structures, a Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary plus strategies for renewable energy, wind energy, retail and housing in the county. Creation of 4,500 housing units has been set as a target for the lifetime of the Development Plan. Lands identified for residential zoning must be capable of having the services necessary such as wastewater infrastructure which presently rules out two thirds of the towns and villages of Co Clare. Briefing members of the Rural Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), acting senior planner of Clare County Council, Helen Quinn revealed that a new aspect of the plan was the addition of a residential zoned land tax which will apply to all lands zoned residential or lands that can accommodate residential use. The tax will

become operational from February 1st 2024 with Revenue tasked with its collection Further guidance is to be issued from the Department of Local Government to local authority officials regarding the new tax. “Our guidance so far is anywhere where development could be facilitated is subject to the tax,” Ms Quinn stated. “This is going to be trouble,” Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) predicted. He questioned how the introduction of a land tax could arise in the middle of public consultation for the County Development Plan. “Do we ignore it and go back to square one, who is exactly going to be taxed, Revenue won’t be long sending out letters to people whose land is to be zoned”. Concern was also expressed by Cllr Pat Burke (FG) who questioned when Revenue would decide when enough money had been paid. “Will it be a case of land tax comes in on zoned land, what if a genuine landowner wants to see land developed, he or she puts a for sale sign up in a rural village but nobody comes along, it’s like the pub closing down and for sale sign going up to avoid rates”. Chair of the SPC, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) blamed “outside interference” for impacting on the progress of the Plan. He acknowledged that Council officials hadn’t been furnished with the information as of yet on its impact. “All policies implemented at a national level are now impacting us at a local level, they need to be taken into account”. Quinn conceded that there could be “significant work” ahead for the Council as a result of the Land Tax but said the directive was coming from Central Government.

NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 PUBLIC CONSULTATION EVENTS The Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 is on public display from the 10th December 2021 until the 28th March 2022. A series of public consultation events will take place throughout the County, subject to public health advice, in order to provide an opportunity for members of the public to find out more about the draft plan, how to have your say and how to make a submission. These events will be informal in nature and will also provide an opportunity to discuss the draft plan with planning staff. Details of the events are as follows:

VENUE

DATE

TIME

Lisdoonvarna Pavillion, Lisdoonvarna

Tuesday 25th January 2022

Ennis Scout Hall (beside Parish Office), Station Road, Ennis Clonlara Community Sports & Leisure Centre, Clonlara

Wednesday 26 January 2022 Thursday 27th January 2022

Kilkee Community Hall, Kilkee

Tuesday 1st February 2022

4.00-8.00pm

Killaloe Hotel & Spa, Killaloe

Wednesday 2nd February 2022

4.00-8.00pm

Clarecastle Community Hall, Clarecastle

Thursday 3rd February 2022

4.00-8.00pm

Kilmihil Community Hall, Kilmihil

Tuesday 8th February 2022 Wednesday 9th February 2022

4.00-8.00pm

Thursday 10th February 2022

4.00-8.00pm

Tulla Cultural Centre, Tulla Newmarket on Fergus Community Hall, Newmarket on Fergus

4.00-8.00pm 4.00-8.00pm 4.00-8.00pm

4.00-8.00pm

Submissions/Observations Submissions and observations with respect to Volumes 1-10 of the Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 can be made as follows: - Online:

https://clarecdp2023-2029.clarecoco.ie/make-a-submission/

- In writing to:

Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029, Planning Department, Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis, Co Clare. V95 DXP2

- By Email to:

devplan@clarecoco.ie Subject headline should read ‘Submission to Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029’

The deadline for receipt of submissions/observations is 4pm on Monday 28th March 2022. Please note late submissions will not be considered. Please make your submission by one medium only NB: As this is a public consultation process, submissions may be made available for public viewing and consequently personal details such as address, e-mail address or phone number should be submitted on a separate sheet accompanying any submission or observation. If you have any queries or require more detail, please contact the Forward Planning Section by email at: forwardplan@clarecoco.ie or by phone at 065-6846407/6846451.

14 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

HOMEMADE POSH SAUSAGE ROLLS Kearney Cooks

LOVE a munch that you can eat with one hand. Pies, pasties, hotdogs etc. All top tier comfort foods in my books. However, my absolute favourite comforting nibble has to be a sausage roll. And not any old sausage roll, a fully pimped out, fully loaded with ingredients and bursting with flavour sausage roll. YOU WILL NEED • 350g sausage meat (or sausages with the skins peeled off) • Half an onion ﬁnely diced • Tsp thyme • Tsp rosemary • A good pinch of salt and pepper • 1 sheet of ready to roll puff pastry • 1 jar of your favourite chutney or savoury jam • 1 egg • 20ml milk Step One In a bowl mix all your sausage meat, herbs, seasoning and onion together. Give it a good mix now. Step Two Lay out the puff pastry on a floured surface, and cut it in half lengthways. Spoon a small amount of the chutney along the middle of each length. Then

roll your sausage meat into a cylindrical shape and lay it on top of your chutney. Step Three Mix the egg and milk together and brush the edges of the pastry and then roll it into a sausage roll shape. Brush the pastry with the eggwash all over and cut into your desired sausage roll size. Fire them onto a baking tray on some greaseproof paper and into the oven at 180c for 25 to 30 mins until they are golden brown and puffy. Step Four Leave to cool for 20 minutes or so and then horse into those badboys, I recommend serving with a nice cup of tea. These sausage rolls go down a treat in

my house and I usually serve them up with a bit of salad and some onion jam. Top notch stuff. Also you can go a bit nuts with whatever spices or herbs that you want to add as pork sausage meat works well with lots of things. And if you wanted to make it look especially sexy you could sprinkle some sesame or pumpkin seeds on top as well. As usual if you have any questions about this recipe or others please feel free to message me on Instagram. Also keep an eye to the Clare Echo Facebook page or my Instagram @stevekearney37 for the instructional video that goes with this recipe.

Enjoy

Steve K

With With

With

O COMMUNITY EDUCATION FACILITATOR (x 2 Posts) Ref. No. 011041 (With initial responsibility to support the coordination of Part-Time Provision and Support Services) COLLEGES OF FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING EAST AND WEST LIMERICK Applications are invited for the above posts. Online application form and further details are available on www.lcetb.ie Closing time and date for receipt of online applications is 12 noon Thursday 10th February 2022 Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Canvassing will disqualify. Provision co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. Có-mhaoinithe ag an

AONTAS EORPACH Co-funded by the

EUROPEAN UNION

learning works

UR off season is coming to an end in the next few days as we welcome the first of our new born calves for 2022. Around the farm yard there is a palpable sense of anticipation for the arrival of spring. I often wonder in the depths of winter how we will muster the energy to take on the spring workload, however the beauty of spring calving is that as our workload increases so too does our daylight hours. Much of the year’s work occurs from late January to early June so a good start in February is essential. Labour is a scarce resource on most farms nowadays so preventing problems before they start is a key tactic to reducing labour, one of the main technologies used for this is vaccinating the herd against a myriad of maladies such as IBR, Leptospirosis etc. A sick cow or calf is the last thing a farmer wants to see especially so when his workload is all consuming so a few years ago we created a vaccination program for our herd. Another area that we really try and focus on pre-calving is the body condition of our cows. It is crucial that our cows are not too fat or thin at calving as it will invariably have an adverse effect on the cow’s ability to deliver a calf without

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY: It’s calving season on the Melody farm

complication as well as her ability to subsequently go back in calf. We went for quality over quantity in last year’s silage harvest so throughout the winter we have added some roughage in the form of hay to reduce the calories going into the cows that we felt were a little bit on the fat side. The goal here is to have a cow calving down fit but not fat. As cows calve we generally turn them out to grass full-time. The past winter has been an exceptional one for grass growth and hopefully a kind spring will allow us to utilise as much of this

valuable feed as possible. Growing large quantities of grass and utilising a high percentage of it will be even more important this year with the inflation in input costs. On the positive side milk markets are on the up with evidence that milk output from the main dairy exporting countries is slowing. Rising input costs will have a disproportionate effect on dairy producers in countries like Germany and Holland where most of their milk is produced indoors thus requiring more inputs. The main threat for 2022 is input costs and for our part all we can do is mitigate for it by making sure our dairy herd is as efficient as possible in terms of getting as many days at grass as possible along with continually questioning how we can streamline the business and make it more resilient. Challenges like these can be seen as a negative however I prefer to see them as an opportunity to sharpen the business and build further resilience into it for the long term. Equally there is a big opportunity in that milk price will be strong in tandem with strong cattle prices. We hope to maximise this by continuing to measure grass, allocate quality swards consistently to the herd and continue our reseeding program.

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

in association with

Role of Ennis Hospital during Covid-19 pandemic highlights its potential PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

NNIS Hospital’s invaluable role in standing up services during the pandemic has highlighted its potential to take on further elective work in the future. Health chiefs in the Mid-West this week spoke of the vital input of Ennis Hospital and its staff in allowing the region to curb the threat of COVID-19 by transferring patients, services from University Hospital Limerick (UHL), staff were also redeployed with the provision of isolation rooms important at times when surge capacity was required. Over the past three years, UHL had inpatient discharges of 29,012

(2019), 30,803 (2020) and 32,774 (2021), the next highest figure was recorded at University Maternity Hospital, Limerick (UMHL), 7243 (2019), 6952 (2020) and 6798 (2021). Of the model two hospitals in the region, Ennis was the busiest with inpatient discharges of 6096 (2019), 7357 (2020) and 7079 (2021). Day cases recorded over the past three years at UHL were 42,563 (2019), 38,707 (2020) and 38,536 (2021) compared with Ennis Hospital’s figures of 6945 (2019), 2967 (2020) and 2568 (2021) which was less than the activity at Nenagh Hospital. Unsurprisingly UHL had the most quantity of COVID inpatients, 651 (2020) and 1480 (2021) with Ennis the next busiest of the region’s hospitals with 90 (2020) and 152 (2021).

ESSENTIAL: Ennis Hospital

Chief Operations Officer of UL Hospitals, Noreen Spillane hailed the role played by Ennis and model two hospitals in the Mid-West.

Ballyalla cycling route awaiting ﬁnal design

ACTIVE TRAVEL: Ballyalla Lake Photo by Martin Molloy

by PÁRAIC McMAHON DESIGN for a cycling route linking Ennis with Barefield, Ballyalla and Crusheen is to commence in the coming weeks. Senior executive engineer with Clare County Council, John Gannon confirmed that design stage for the cycle routes from Ennis to Barefield, Ennis

to Ballyalla and Ballyalla to Crusheen as approved under last year’s NTA Active Travel Programme will commence in the ﬁrst quarter of 2022. An update was sought by Cllr Ann Norton (IND) at the January meeting of the Ennis Municipal District. “The amount of people that

are out cycling, we want to make sure people are safe on our roads whether they are driving, walking or cycling. The funding is there to encourage people to cycle, it is important we keep on top of things and are ready”. Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) thanked the Mayor of the Ennis MD for highlighting the matter.

“Our model two hospitals played a vital role in our response to COVID-19, it was key to enable core emergency services to be

maintained at UHL and created a surge when it was required during the pandemic”. Presence of 50 single rooms at Ennis Hospital was critical, Prof Brian Lenehan, Chief Clinical Director of UL Hospitals Group outlined. “For weeks and months, Ennis stood up services with more patients in beds than using day wards to help us manage the surge here at UHL”. Speaking at a media briefing this week, Group Chief Executive of UL Hospitals Group, Colette Cowan detailed that the performance of Ennis Hospital underlined its potential. Investment in the existing infrastructure is needed with design work underway for new theatres which when completed would be capable of increasing the amount of elective work carried out at the hospital.

16 Arts & Entertainment

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

The day Ennis ‘went wild’

by STUART HOLLY HE 1980s was something of a golden era of international caliber musicians adorning stages in County Clare. Admittedly, it was the draw of Lisdoonvarna alone that pulled the likes of Jackson Browne, UB40, Van Morrison, Rory Gallagher and many more to the Banner County but as the decade ended and Ireland were preparing for Italia 90, the great showman Meat Loaf ended up on a stage on the fringes of Ennis town. It’s a curious historical occurrence that the man behind Bat Out Of Hell, still one of the biggest selling records of all time, ended up playing to between 2,500 and upwards of 5,000 fans (there are varying reports) in an arena in Clare where usually horses could be found jumping fences. In the wake of news of Meat Loaf ’s passing aged 74, The Clare Echo looks back on the much-talked about visit to Ennis. In a career spanning six decades, Meat Loaf (Michael Lee Aday) sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and starred in dozens of Hollywood movies including

Fight Club. As with any long-spanning career there would be peaks and troughs; his 1977 debut album Bat Out of Hell put the singer firmly on the map with singles including You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad and Bat Out of Hell taking the world by storm. As his career progressed into the 1980s, he would briefly part with songwriter Jim Steinman and with it, his commercial success took a sizeable hit (until the emergence of the Steinman-written I Would Do Anything For Love in the early ‘90s). It was the Swarbrigg brothers Tommy and Jimmy, of Eurovision fame, who were responsible for the Texan hit-maker’s visit to Ireland where his touring list included venues such as the Dundrum Hotel in Tipperary, the Moate Community Hall, and the Showgrounds in Ennis. A Ronan Casey article written for loudersound.com recounts the events surrounding his visit. “With his record deal about to go too, old Meat was a goner. He was reduced to touring ‘intimate’ venues — the types he

would have ignored long before Bat Out of Hell broke. But he still had pockets of fans in Ireland and the UK he could depend on. “The rural rockers of Ireland, in particular, are the type of loyal fan every star craves. So long as there’s a fella throwing shapes with a loud guitar and an act who’ll play the hits, they’ll go for it. And so, in 1989 and 1990, Meatloaf was booked on a ramshackle tour of some of Ireland’s worst community centres, ballrooms, hotel function rooms and other assorted sheds suddenly deemed good enough to host rock royalty. He even turned up in a few fields.” Queue the Showgrounds Ennis. Among those with memories of the night include Bonaventure Slattery from St Michael’s Villas, who worked as a doorman at Dillinger’s Bar in the Market at the time. He was among those enlisted to work backstage security that night which was organised locally by then Dillinger’s owner Seamus Lynch. It was a summer’s night and no doubt a sweaty affair under the shed which is more accustomed to hosting pony jumping, and indeed the odd circus or carnival over the years. “The place went wild,” recounted Bon, who says Bat Out of Hell was one of the best albums he purchased in the 1970s. “There were five to seven thousand in attendance, a big crowd for there. There was a great atmosphere, it was one of the biggest gigs to come to Ennis, you could say.”

“My memories of the night was people trying to get in backstage, and I tried to keep them back out. I also remember the man himself, Meat Loaf, coming around backstage to take on oxygen because he was a chronic asthmatic, after every tune he had to take oxygen.” In recent years, Meat Loaf had spoken openly about his asthma issues, which had led to him collapsing on stage in Wembley in 2003 and Pittsburgh in 2011 (he failed to mention Ennis). His reported asthma problems didn’t stop him producing a brilliant performance in Ennis and he allegedly had the energy to crash a graduation night for St Patrick’s Comprehensive School at the Clare Inn later that night. While it’s been recounted that Meat Loaf threatened to leave the stage in Moate after being bombarded by flying cans from the audience, Bon recounts there were no major security incidents on the night in Ennis. “Not at all, anyone that went there enjoyed it and they were there to see Meatloaf.” Reflecting on the night, he adds that doing security for Meat Loaf became “something to talk about. It was grand. I did a lot of security in bars and hotels but that was the first time I did a gig. And the last time!”  ROCK: (above) the late Meat Loaf and (inset) a ticket for the 1990 Ennis show

courtesy of Jimmy Fenton

TedFest returns in March with orginal cast members TEDFEST organisers have conﬁrmed it will be returning to the Aran Islands at the beginning of March, writtes Páraic McMahon. Inis Mór will become Craggy Island from Thursday March 3rd to Sunday March 6th for TedFest 2022 with the ofﬁcial itinerary yet to be announced. Highlights will include the annu-

al Lovely Girls Competition, Ted's Got Talent, Craggy Island’s ﬁttest family, Matchmaking with Nellie, Priests Dance Off, The Pan Asian Zen-Off, the Father Ted Prizeless Quiz, the Craggy Cup and Blind Date. Original cast members Fr Damo (Joe Rooney) and Eoin McLove (Patrick McDonell) will be heading

to the Aran Islands for TedFest. Copious cups of tea and sandwiches, a lot of red tank-tops, nuns on the run, priests on the pull, map-cap costumes and of course a bishop getting a kick up the arse are promised. Interestingly, Tedfest was the last great festival that went ahead in 2020 before lockdown and will

be among the ﬁrst festivals to take place post lockdown. Organisers are encouraging the seventeen million repentant brethren who have never managed to tick TedFest off their bucket list to not miss out again as tickets are going fast and are limited to the amount of accommodation available on the island.

Father Ted which aired from 1995 to 1998 was famously ﬁlmed in North Clare. The parochial house is McCormack’s at Glenquin on the Boston Rd from Kilnaboy, primary locations for the comedy included Coroﬁn, Ennis, Kilnaboy, Kilfenora and Ennistymon.

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

NEWS

18 FEATURES

Choosing hope Make hay

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

HAVE received many letters, cards and emails over the years because of the messages in my writings from various people up and down the country and from abroad. Some said they were doing great, seemingly on top of the world while others confided in me that they were barely getting by, living dayto-day, trying to make ends meet and that life was a hopeless situation for them and with many others dealing with circumstances such as serious illnesses, financial worries and lack of faith so difficult that, quite frankly, they felt defeated and overwhelmed by life. We will all battle hopelessness at some point in our lives. And no matter who we are or what our situation, “Hope” is one thing we all desperately need especially now as we enter out of nearly all restrictions that we had for the past two years. The reason is, hope is powerful!

Hopeful Acceptance

Hope is more than a motivational thought. Hope is a nothing-is-impossible-with-God firestorm refusing to be quenched. It’s an awareness that God is actually longing to show you His goodness. Hope is what stabilises our frantic thoughts and emotions. Hope is an awareness that there is no problem big enough to keep God from rescuing us. These days as we have known for the past two years, it’s easy to be worn down by hopelessness because of the Coronavirus and what we have gone through. People lose hope when they experience overwhelming loss, repeated failures, impossible situations, or when they’re hurt by people they trust. Like most of you, I understand what it’s like to feel hopeless. I spent many years especially during some of my younger years when my life was sometimes filled with pain, abuse, disappointment, unfaithfulness and one bad thing after another. Because of this, I wouldn’t get my hopes up. I used to say, “If I don’t expect anything good to happen, I won’t be disappointed when it doesn’t.” I’ve had the same fears and worries over the last few months and some long days in my own life and not just during this time of Covid-19, where I felt like nothing was working and everything seemed to end in disaster and all looked hopeless. I have started saying a prayer of hope recently that you can use on the ten fingers of your hands which was kindly given to me by a good

friend David. It goes as follows, “God please keep me hopeful with acceptance of your will.” But it made me think that it is one thing to pray for God’s will to be done in your life, but it is quite another to accept His will. Many of us talk a good game, as they say in the sporting world, about wanting His will for our lives, but once it is revealed, we get scared and we run away from it. We let fear take over rather than to choose hope in God’s will. Or we refuse to accept it because God’s will actually isn’t what we wanted at all. I can say all of this because I’ve been there and in many ways, I am there right now as I worry about my family, friends and colleagues about what the future may hold for us all and are we doing enough to make sure our world is in a good place for our children and for our children’s children. For me having hope is important to the very act of being a human being. Hope is a match in a dark tunnel, a moment of light, just enough to reveal the path ahead and ultimately the way forward. I’ve long prayed and hoped for God’s will and purpose to be revealed in my life, but I never really took into consideration how I would respond to the revelation. I realise that not only should my prayer be, “Thy will be done” but also, “Let me accept thy will,” or to put it another way, feel the fear and do it anyway and to realise that to be a pilgrim of hope on the journey of life is to believe that hope in God is everything.

Hope starts with You

Be the one who comforts, consoles and listens, and you will be comforted, consoled and heard. Be the one who loves and cares, and you will be loved and cared for. Be the one who supports, helps and gives, and you will be supported and blessed. Be the one who encourages, and you will receive encouragement. Be the one who is kind and caring, and you will have kindness and care shown to you. Be the one who is considerate, and you will receive consideration.

Choose Hope

A story as follows from my Nana Scully’s prayer book might help in helping us choose hope. “A boy was in the burn unit of a hospital for many weeks making little if any progress. His teacher was asked to visit him and tutor the boy with some schoolwork while he was in hospital. As she tried to tutor him it was obvious the boy was in a lot of discomfort. The teacher felt ashamed of putting him

through such a senseless exercise. The next day the nurse asked her: “What did you do to that boy? His entire attitude has changed. It’s as though he has decided to live.” A few weeks later the boy explained that he had given up hope until his teacher arrived. “They wouldn’t send my teacher to work on nouns and verbs with a dying boy, would they?” We too journey into people’s lives and into places and events that on the surface seem to have no meaning or purpose to us. Yet God gently works through us, creating many surprises and in ways we least expect. One of the greatest gifts we can give someone is the gift of hope. Once you choose hope in God, anything’s possible.”

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, pray for hope for the people in your life especially now that things are beginning to open up after nearly two years of lockdowns and restrictions. Every morning when I wake up I tell myself that today is a new day, a new beginning, a new dawn, a new chance, a new day with endless possibilities. And that gives me something that everyone cherishes, it brings me hope. It can bring anyone and everyone hope, and if you hold on to hope one day all those thoughts of a better life will become a reality. I am going to try each day and I hope you will too. I am going to wake, get up, dress up and show up and give it the best I can at that time. And if you aren’t going through any of this but know a friend or a family member or a colleague who is, talk to them, be with them, listen to them, guide them, help them, get help for them, show them where they can get help, be there for them, care for them and help them to show up and find that hope that you hopefully have in your life. I will have that candle of hope lighting for us all today, tonight and tomorrow and everyday that we will all find that hope we need in our lives. I wish much hope and prayers for us all and especially for any families or friends or colleagues who are searching for a loved one who is missing, or who is unwell or is suffering in any way. Let us all say my beautiful friends David’s prayer - “God keep me well with acceptance of your will” especially for those of us in those longer seasons of joblessness, sickness, financial stress, addiction, homelessness, relationship strain and other ongoing life events and especially for us all coming out of the lockdowns and restrictions of the Coronavirus, where the stress and frustration was overwhelming and where hope had started to lose its flicker. I pray for strength and hope for us all as we go forward on our life journeys!!

before the sun shines

EOIN NEYLON

news@clareecho.ie

LTHOUGH not a plebiscite, the results of the Clare County Council public survey into the pedestrianisation of Ennis did produce an overwhelming result all the same. Outside of supporting Clare GAA, I doubt you’d get such levels of support for many other things amongst Clare people. Yet the online survey by the Council saw over 9 in 10 respondents favour some form of pedestrianisation of Ennis town centre either immediately, or after certain infrastructural changes. Even amongst the town’s business owners, some two thirds favour making Clare’s County town more walking friendly. With the lifting of all Covid restrictions last weekend, apart from mask wearing, it appears this is one aspect of Covid times that people in Ennis are keen to continue with. Personally, I too favour removing cars from the town centre from the Queen’s Hotel, right up to the Old Ground, and down half of Bank Place along with High Street, from the morning to the late afternoon. This will allow for business deliveries in the earlier hours of the trading day, as well as giving a window to the less mobile to access the town centre more easily. But if events like the Fleadh showed us anything, it’s that by removing cars, Ennis can become a festival town to rival them all. The Council and indeed, it’s elected members, should not waste time in acting on the will of the people and getting this plan of action in motion, and the infrastructure to enable it installed, ahead of the Spring/ Summer tourist season. Minister for Housing and Local Government, Darragh O’Brien, in March of last year, approved over €4mn in funding (75 per cent the cost of the project) for the regen-

eration of Ennis Town Centre from his department, yet there has been little progress since further than design and public consultation stages. Clare County Council are to provide the other 25 per cent. Ennis area Councillors were told some months ago that works were due to commence this year, but we await word on an actual commencement date with fears now rising that the first post Covid Summer could see the town centre a cluttered building site for its duration. Being no stranger to the construction game, I can well attest to the unusually good weather we are enjoying at this time of year as of late. It would be a shame to see this period of favourable construction weather wasted to bureaucracy. There are plenty of cautionary tales from many’s the time a public project did not use funding swiftly enough, only to see it disappear elsewhere, especially if a crisis were to unfold. With Russia set to play active war games off the Irish coast and amassing troops on the Ukrainian border, such a fresh crisis may rear its ugly head sooner rather than later if Vladimir Putin doesn’t keep his imperialist tendencies in check. All one need do is think of the Active Travel pilot schemes that were given funding approval by the Irish Government in 2009, only to see said funding disappear, never to be explained, as soon as the full weight of the international banking crisis and global credit crunch hit our shores. “Make hay while the sun shines”, is a favoured phrase in Clare, but equally, get outdoor infrastructure projects completed before the sun shines, so people can enjoy the riches of what Ennis has to offer when it does. Giving the town a facelift with which to greet old friends and new post-Covid could be the making of long-term financial prosperity for a generation to come, not just for Ennis, but for the county as a whole, with Ennis acting as a gateway to the rest of Clare for visitors.

FEATURES 19

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

GREEN CLARE

Green light award for Burren Ecotourism Network STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

HE Burren Ecotourism has won the Irish Independent’s green light award for sustainability in this year’s ‘Reader Travel Awards’. The judges applauded the network for it’s ‘contribution to sustainable tourism which they said helped ‘make Ireland a greener destination and inspirational example’. Made up of 62 tourism enterprises, from cheesemongers to carbon-neutral hotels, they applauded the network’s efforts to conserve the area through training, initiatives and a code of sus-

tainable practices. “The members promote initiatives like community clean-ups and each business gives out Burren Bags — tote bags that can be filled with rubbish found when guests are out exploring.” the judges said. They added that businesses can also adopt hedgerows and undergo biodiversity training, and support the Burren Pine Project, which aims to restore Ireland’s only native pine species, previously believed to have been extinct. In May 2020, the network launched a visitor voucher that could be spent among any of the members, and it also held two festivals completely virtually during the pandemic — the Burren Food Fayre and Burren Slow Food Festival. Jarlath O’Dwyer, CEO of the

Irish Water to end raw sewage being discharged into Shannon Estuary IRISH Water, working in partnership with Clare County Council, has commenced works to construct Kilrush Wastewater Treatment Plant, to end the discharge of raw sewage into the Shannon Estuary, writes Elaine Tubridy. The project involves the construction of a new state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant and sewer pipelines that will serve a population equivalent of approximately 6,700. The pumping station on Frances Street will also upgrade its pumps, mechanical plant and a storm water storage tank. Speaking on-site, Esther White from Irish Water said “Wastewater from the

public sewer network in Kilrush is currently discharged untreated into the estuary. This unacceptable practice threatens water quality, detracts from the amenity value of the area and does not comply with EU regulations relating to the treatment of wastewater. “Providing improved wastewater treatment for Kilrush will enhance the environmental amenity and protect the waters of Kilrush for activities like swimming, and ﬁshing. The project will also hopefully support social and economic development in Kilrush for years to come. “I want to thank everyone in the Kilrush community in

advance for their patience and co-operation as we carry out this project and continue to progress our goal of ending the discharge of raw sewage throughout the country by 2025. We will endeavour to keep everyone informed as this essential project progresses.” Cllr PJ Ryan, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, said: “This is an important piece of wastewater infrastructure that will help to protect the waters of Kilrush and enhance the area for residents and visitors. I look forward to it being brought to fruition.” The project, is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete.

Burren Ecotourism Network said: “We’re proud of the fact we’ve mobilized the community with our regular litter picking and beach clean-ups. There’s always a great turnout, not just from our members, but also from people in the community as well. That’s a sign that people really want to protect the area.” In 2020, the Lonely Planet named the network as one of the world’s Best Community Tourism Projects and “a global leader for sustainable tourism”.

 Mullagmore

20 RECRUITMENT

BUSINESS AND RECRUITMENT

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

Airport recorded 380,000 passengers in 2021 by PÁRAIC McMAHON

ASSENGER NUMBERS at Shannon Airport increased by 8 percent last year but remain 78 percent less than 2019 ﬁgures. Shannon Airport passenger numbers rose 8% in 2021 compared to 2020, with most travel taking place in the latter part of the year following the rollout of the vaccination programme and the introduction of the EU Digital Covid Cert enabling the lifting of restrictions on non-essential air travel from mid-July of last year. Almost 380,000 people used Shannon Airport in 2021, compared to just over 352,000 in 2020. This is however still down 78% on 2019, the last full year of operation before the pandemic. European and UK services in Shannon took a step in the right direction during 2021. European passenger numbers from Shannon recovered to 65% of 2019 levels, and the UK market to 43% of 2019 levels. Both markets saw a ﬁvefold increase in passengers between August and November 2021 when compared to the same period in 2020.

CEO of Shannon Group, Mary Considine said 2021 was “another challenging year” but remained optimistic for the future. “While it will still take time for the unwinding of Covid restrictions to ﬁlter down into the aviation sector, it is a really positive development for industries devastated by the pandemic”. She outlined, “This summer we will operate services to 25 destinations with 107 planned weekly frequencies. The return of Transatlantic services to Boston, New York (JFK) and Newark from Shannon in March, combined with our strong European summer ﬂight schedule and the return to full strength of our Heathrow services, are reasons to be optimistic”. Progress was made last year on the transfer of Shannon Group’s heritage sites to relevant local authorities. She said, the transfer of these activities will assist Shannon Group to focus on the recovery of the airport, build back international passengers, while continuing to develop its aviation cluster and associated property activities. Visitor numbers to the heritage sites continued to be impacted by the pandemic recording a drop of almost 50% since 2019 when the sites had 963,000 visitors. How-

ever, there was some recovery in 2021 with almost 496,000 visitors recorded, up from just over 300,000 visitors recorded in 2020.

ON THE UP: Shannon Airport

The Group’s property development activities across the Shannon campus remained strong in 2021.

RECRUITMENT 21

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

Craft professionals sought for €1.8m business development programme ELAINE TUBRIDY

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

US and the Design & Crafts Council Ireland have announced an open call for €1.8m programme to help craft professionals develop their business skills. The Crafting Business programme forms part of a wider, three-year Crafting Europe Project, being run in eight countries including Ireland. The professional online training programme will provide expertise and knowledge to support the business development of newcomers to the craft industry. The programme will focus on building business skills, generating revenue, and supporting marketing and promotion in micro-enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It will encourage access to national and international markets, and establish a platform for information sharing, networking and peer-to-peer learning. Gillian Barry, Head of Innovation & Enterprise at TUS said, “An important focus for this programme is to improve the business skills of new and practising professionals in the crafts sector. This includes encour-

aging business innovation, which is vital to competitiveness in the global economy. By using the Crafting Business programme to learn about the fundamentals of business, new craft professionals can gain skills that will strengthen their business performance.” The Crafting Business Programme, now in its second year, is open to new or early-stage Crafting Business Entrepreneurs, and is made up of eight online workshops taking place between February and April 2022. It will include expert training and tutorials and opportunities to collaborate with other makers and designers. The project seeks to engage future generations of skilled craft professionals and to open up potential new markets and opportunities for the sector. Rosemary Steen, CEO at DCCI said, “Design & Crafts Council Ireland is delighted to lead the Crafting Business programme in partnership with TUS. Delivering on the overall objective of the Creative Europe Project, this programme enhances new skills and improves employability of emerging and current professionals within the craft sector. “We believe it is important to equip newcomers with the right business tools at this important stage in their career. This is why we have worked with TUS to develop a programme fo-

INSTRUCTORS

Electrical x 8 Posts Shannon / Raheen Campus Ref. No. 011021

COURSE: Malú Colorin

cussing on entrepreneurship." Participant from the first programme, Malú Colorin, founder of TALÚ - a natural dye and design company said, "This programme really opened my mind about what is necessary to make a successful business. It's not just about outstanding crafting products; there's a lot of things behind the scenes that need to happen, and I feel inspired to do them to make my business thrive. The call for applications is now open. The deadline for applications is 4pm on February 7, 2022. This is a competitive programme with limited places to support engagement and collaboration. Visit: https://www.hartnettcentre.ie/crafting-business.html for more details.

Carpentry & Joinery x 1 Post Raheen Campus Ref. No. 011024

General Assistant x 2 Posts Raheen Campus Ref. No. 011023 Applications are invited for the above posts. Online application form and further details are available on www.lcetb.ie Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Canvassing will disqualify. Provision co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. Có-mhaoinithe ag an

AONTAS EORPACH Co-funded by the

EUROPEAN UNION

learning works

P AT H W AY T O Y O U R F U T U R E T H U R S D AY 2 7 2 0 2 2

Armada Hotel’s €3m redevelopment & 100 post recruitment gathers pace

FINAL call has been issued by The Armada Hotel for its ‘Quest for the Best’ to attract hospitality talent from across Ireland to fill remaining jobs in a 100 person recruitment drive. In October, The Armada in Spanish Point announced plans to create 100 new jobs in a €3m redevelopment plan. Easing of COVID-19 restrictions have resulted in renewed optimism of the expansion which is due to be completed by next Friday. The recruitment campaign is halfway complete. The construction project which will see the delivery of a brand new 90-seater restau-

rant, bar, private dining area and dedicated space for wedding arrivals with panoramic views, had already been set an extremely tight one-month timeline. On January 2nd, as the last guests checked out following the New Year celebrations, a building team moved into the hotel and the intensive renovation and expansion programme commenced. Hotel owner, John Burke, noted for his ambition which included successfully climbing Mount Everest in 2017, has confirmed all plans are on track for a February 4th re-opening. “After dealing with pre-Christmas challenges caused by restric-

tion changes and issues around staffing due to close Covid contacts, we began the New Year facing into our renovation and expansion programme. On day one, we were down to 8 staff out of a team of 24 due to Covid. We now have up to 90 people a day on site at different times and the contractors are constantly making arrangements and juggling schedules based on resources available. It has been very challenging for all but despite everything, we are on track and on schedule for phased reopening from the start of February”. Price increases and availability of materials also impacted on the €3m investment budget.

To try make the Armada a leading employer in the industry, Burke has announced a suite of benefits for its staff and renewed his call for change within the hospitality industry in order to make the sector more attractive as a long-term career. Career benefits on offer include, above industry-norm rates of pay, flexible working hours, private healthcare packages, night shift premiums, wellbeing programmes, education support, career progression opportunities, paid days off for community charity work, and maternity leave bonuses to help cover new baby costs. He said, “As an industry we can continue doing the same thing and wonder why we aren’t getting applicants. We can look at/point the finger at the PUP, the impact of restrictions and more, but here at The Armada, we have chosen to take a proactive approach. We want to attract and retain the best talent within the sector to work and live here in Co Clare. We’re building a world-class extension to give our guests the most authentic experience of life by the coast. That’s what we have to offer as a career too: the chance to work in one of Ireland’s most innovative hotels, offering something few other establishments are facilitating: a healthier approach to working hours, pay and conditions that means our team and their families get to truly enjoy life by the sea”. 2022 could be the year to make up for lost occasions, John predicted. “We look to 2022 with great optimism. The pandemic has triggered a newfound appreciation for holidaying at home. As an industry we now have an amazing product and there is huge pent up demand for hospitality in the months ahead because people have been unable to celebrate special occasions and enjoy get togethers for so long and all indications are that this could be the year to make up for that.” Anyone interested in learning more about the culture and standards of The Armada hotel and the posts available should visit www.jobsbythesea.com or send their CV to the ‘Quest For The Best’ team by email at HR@ARMADAHOTEL.COM

The Armada Hotel in Spanish Point, Co. Clare are owner and managing director, John Burke; pastry chef Sorcha Peyton; Alba Arand

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

MULTI-CAMPUS S S O R C A E G E L COL E R A L C & K C I R E LIM Your learning pathway in 2022 begins here

learningandskills.ie COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION & TRAINING

P AT H W AY T O Y O U R F U T U R E T H U R S D AY 2 7 2 0 2 2

‘The knowledge and skills I have gained have definitely made me more employable’ Vicki McCarthy talks of her experience training for Special Needs Assisting at CCL

I my name is Vicki. I studied Special Needs Assisting in the 2021/2022 academic year. I could not recommend CCL enough. The tutors made me feel so welcome and were always available to help with any difficulties and queries I had. I was encouraged and guided at all times in order to achieve the best results possible. My tutors were always there to provide me with positive feedback on all my assignments. This year was a bit different due to Covid-19 and all the teaching and learning was carried out remotely. However, I did not find that online learning hindered my learning experience. If anything, it made me feel like I had a better connection with my tutors. We used the Microsoft Office 365 learning platform, which allowed me to contact my tutors on Teams with any questions I had. Teams also allowed me to get a great level of feedback on my assignments and all learning material that was used in class was online, which allowed me to recap and revise at my own pace. We were also able to view and record videos for any skills demonstrations and assignments which was extremely beneficial for our learning. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in Central College Limerick. The course introduced me to new life experiences, and I feel the knowledge and skills I have gained have definitely made me more employable. I would highly recommend CCL to anybody who is thinking of completing a further education course for the coming year.

ENROLLING

NOW

Level 6 ECCE course provides learners the final opportunity to achieve a full major QQI level 6 ECCE award before deactivation

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION & TRAINING

Ennis Campus

Your learning pathway in 2022 begins here... FULL-TIME DAY PROGRAMMES BUSINESS

GENERAL LEARNING TOURISM HEALTHCARE/CHILDCARE

ART/CRAFT/DESIGN STEM

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Business Administration with Legal Practice Business Studies Office Administration - Medical Secretary Diploma in Accounting Technician Certificate in Accounting Technician Tourism with Business General Studies - University Access Regional and Local Tour Guiding National Tour Guiding Community Care Community Health Services Nursing Studies Early Learning and Care Early Childhood Care and Education Graphic Design Science Laboratory Techniques ICT with Manufacturing Skills Food Science Music

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PART-TIME DAY/EVENING PROGRAMMES Leaving Certificate: English, Maths (Ord/Found), History, Business, Biology Business Management/Office/Medical Administration Healthcare: Introduction, Service Skills/Support, Infection Prevention and Control Craft: Mosaics, Embroidery with Clare Museum, Stained Glass, Painting and Drawing Returning to Work/Money Matters Beauty Therapy

Educational guidance

Apply Today Programmes co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union

Core skills support

Cookery Family Learning English for Speakers of Other Languages Exploring Family History Horticulture for Beginners Information Technology Safe Pass Sports, Recreation and Exercise and lots more...

Supported work placements

Self-Access Learning Hub

#FindTheBestInYou

Go to learningandskills.ie/ennis-campus

P AT H W AY T O Y O U R F U T U R E T H U R S D AY 2 7 2 0 2 2

College of FET, Ennis Campus inspiring learners to pursue their dream career

LCETB Ennis Learner Placements Tracey McEntee

T’S that time of year again when Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board invites you to #FindTheBestInYou and choose a Further Education and Training programme that could help you find your own pathway to employment or progress to further

study. Tracey McEntee, a 34-year old mum of three from Shannon is the perfect example of a learner who secured her dream job when she embarked on her Further Education and Training journey at the College of Further Education and Training, Ennis Campus. Speaking about her experience, Tracey who completed a part-time Health Service Skills programme at the campus is delighted with her achievement. “I worked at a butcher’s shop for over twelve years and things were pretty hectic because I’m also mum to six-year-old twins and an eight-yearold and I also worked as a home carer with Bluebird Care. I enjoyed working at the butchers and I got used to my hours but to be honest I always wanted to work in the Healthcare sector,” she said. “I left school at 16 and I didn’t have much experience with computers so I struggled with a private online programme because I was kind of just left to figure things out myself, with not enough support or guidance. Then I got a call from Rose at the College of FET, Ennis Campus and everything changed.” Tracey said Rose explained everything about the Health Service Skills programme and offered her lots of online support and guidance. The flexibility of the programme allowed her to continue to work both jobs while also fitting things in around her family life. “Rose and the team talked me through everything step by step and checked on me regularly online. That way I was able to pick up where I left off and they encouraged me to reach my full potential,” she

said. After completing her programme Tracey was appointed as a HSE Lymphoedema Assistant at a new clinic in Ennis. The clinic is part of an exciting new pilot scheme which is the first service of its kind in primary care in Ireland and Tracey’s new role there is the culmination of her hard work, dedication and perseverance. Tracey believes what helped her on the path to her chosen career in Healthcare was the variety of modules on offer. “My Healthcare Skills programme offered eight modules which definitely helped me secure the HSE job.” she said. “Starting in a new clinic was fantastic, because I was part of a brand new team. The Infection Protection and Control module really prepared me for the Covid-19 pandemic, plus the Communications module was also really helpful with the administration side of my job,” she explained. So what advice woud Tracey give to someone else who is thinking of returning to education with a view to changing their career? “I would tell them to go for it, a year sounds like a lot but it flies by and I would 100% recommend the FET experience, it was great to listen to other learners’ stories and we definitely all inspired each other.” she said. If you’d like to discover and then develop the skills you need for your future career, College of Further Education and Training Ennis Campus has a wide range of courses on offer which are ideal for unemployed early school leavers, adults returning to education, and those wishing to up-skill in a new area who are employed or preparing for employment. For more information on any of the courses offered at the campus, search learningandskills.ie/ ennis-campus or email applyennis@lcetb.ie.

Dept of Marketing and International Business at MTU awarded prestigious DELTA award

HE Department of Marketing and International Business at Munster Technological University has attained the prestigious DELTA Award from the National Forum for Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. The award has been made to lecturers and students in the marketing discipline who comprised a team that made the award submission over the past 12 months. The Disciplinary Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Assessment (DELTA) Award is presented to discipline groups who can demonstrate a record of excellence in teaching and learning enhancement and who commit to an ongoing, clearly articulated, shared process of continued enhancement. Speaking about the award Dr Pio Fenton, Head of Department of Marketing and International Business said: “Our marketing lecturers are fully committed to giving our students the best possible start in their marketing careers.” “By working with hundreds of companies in recent years we have broken down the walls between theory and practice. Because of this, we are now producing some of the best marketers in the country,” he said. The Department of Marketing and International Business

has worked with a range of companies on their authentic assessment approach. This includes micro businesses, SMEs and multi-national companies. Companies attest to the value attained from having fresh eyes looking at their marketing problems. Dr Fenton continued: “The students we have on our marketing programmes have always been so committed to this approach. They enjoy the learning experience so much more when they can see the tangible impact they are making on businesses. We see this too in the internships our students get in their undergraduate programmes as well as the careers they undertake afterwards. They are buoyed by confidence as they know they can hit the ground running,” he added. The award involves a commitment over the coming years to continue to develop new and exciting ways of making the marketing students’ experience as positive as possible. The marketing discipline has grown in strength and impact over the past decade with a now substantial suite of programmes on offer to full and part-time students. Within this, the marketing lecturers have taken a proactive approach to ensure that the student experience is centred on real-world problems – an approach called Authentic Assessment.

This places more emphasis on active hands-on learning than theoretical learning and ensures that students are exposed to real marketing problems throughout their programme of study

Pio Fenton, Head of Marketing and International Business with lecturers in Marketing Michele McManus, Lisa Scannell, Anna Horan, Conor Kelleher and Rose Leahy with students Cian Ryan, Jack Regan, Estefani Hanley, and Georgia Ahearne celebrate following their receipt of the DELTA award. Pic: Darragh Kane

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Have you recently returned to Clare to establish your own business? ‘Back for Business’ could be the programme for you!

F YOU have recently returned to Clare and are setting up a new business or are living abroad and are thinking of returning home with a great idea you want to get off the ground – then Back for Business could be for you. Back for Business is a development programme, funded from the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme, that was established to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among emigrants returning to live in Ireland. It is aimed at those who have lived abroad for at least a year and have returned in the last three years or those planning to return in the near future. It was launched earlier this month by Colm Brophy T.D. Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora and now the programme is looking for applications for the 2022 programme from those living in or hoping to return to Clare. There is no charge for those selected to participate and the closing date for applications is Tuesday, February 15th, 2022. The programme will run from the end of February to June 2022. This is the fifth year of Back for Business. The support initiative addresses the challenges that all early-stage entrepreneurs encounter, but also focuses on the addition-

al barriers faced by those who have been living outside Ireland for some years. Their personal and professional networks in Ireland have weakened since they have been abroad and their knowledge of the entrepreneurial eco system is not well developed. Participants on last year’s programme more than tripled their combined workforce and more than doubled their turnover during the six-month cycle of the programme – despite the restrictions placed on businesses as a result of the Covid pandemic. There are places for up to 50 entrepreneurs to participate in Back for Business 5. Those interested in learning more can download a brochure and register their interest in receiving an application form by visiting www.backforbusiness.com Those selected to join Back for Business 5 will take part in round table sessions, focused on goals and milestones, which are facilitated by voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs, who have experience of successfully starting and growing a business. The Lead Entrepreneurs, who participate in a voluntary capacity, are the backbone of the Back for Business initiative. This year’s Lead Entrepreneurs are: Áine Denn, co-founder and formerly of Altify; Heather Reynolds, co-founder and formerly of Eishtec; Paul Duggan of The Gardin-

er Group; Seamus Reilly, co- founder and formerly of Critical Healthcare; and Thomas Ennis, founder of the Thomas Ennis Group. A Back for Business Community is also being formed for previous participants, who will be offered workshops, review round tables and an annual Community Forum. Former participants from Clare include Ciara McGuane of Rahoo.ie which provides face-to-face and online educational courses to make professional development more accessible for teachers. Ciara, who lived and worked in London for nine years before returning to Ireland in 2016, took part in the second cycle of Back for Business. Having experienced at first hand the benefits of participation in Back for Business, Ciara encourages others to apply for the programme. Ciara said: “Back for Business is a fantastic initiative to support returned Irish emigrants and help them develop their business concept.” Colm Brophy T.D. Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora said: “Back for Business has been a great success in recent years in supporting new businesses being started by returning emigrants throughout Ireland. Past participants have made significant progress and I am proud of their achievements. Their new businesses

generate economic activity and additional employment across the country. Back for Business presents a great opportunity for Irish citizens returning to Ireland who wish to tap into their entrepreneurial potential. I would encourage all those eligible to apply.” Back for Business has been designed and is being implemented by Fitzsimons Consulting, specialists in areas related to entrepreneurship and growth. The deadline for completed applications for Back to Business is Tuesday, February 15th, 2022. For more information or to register your interest in receiving an application form, please see backforbusiness.com.

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

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PART & FULL-TIME DEGREES IN BUSINESS, ACCOUNTING & FINANCE, ENGINEERING AND COMPUTING FULL-TIME PROGRAMMES FU AVAILABLE ON THE CAO CALL 061-310031 OR VISIT GRIFFITH.IE FOR MORE INFORMATION

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27 2022

Calling all Clare Entrepreneurs

HE EY Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) programme celebrates its 25th anniversary in Ireland this year and officially opens its call for nominations today. Entrepreneurs from emerging businesses to established and international groups, across all sectors from Clare, are invited to submit their nominations by February 28. Roger Wallace, Partner Lead for EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ireland said: “What we have seen over the last two years in particular has cemented our belief that entrepreneurs are special. Our alumni of over 560 entrepreneurs represent the very best of innovation, bravery and leadership, building world class businesses, creating employment and inspiring others to become change makers in their own right. We start this 25th year of the programme with optimism and a strong belief that the health of Irish entrepreneurship is stronger than ever.” The programme is open to entrepreneurs from all sectors and growth stages in the Republic and Northern Ireland. The awards programme is divided into three categories - Emerging, Established and International with eight finalists chosen per category. This year, the programme’s inaugural EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Sustainabil-

ity Award will also be presented to one of the finalists, recognising the critical importance of innovation leadership in meeting our collective sustainability challenges. This award will be presented to the finalist who is making the biggest contribution towards environmental sustainability through their business. The 24 finalists will be selected by an independent judging panel, comprising former winners and chaired by Anne Heraty of CPL Resources plc. EY is delighted to announce that Aimee Connolly, CEO, Sculpted by Aimee and winner of the 2021 Emerging EY Entrepreneur Of The Year category, will join the judging panel this year. Aimee commented: “I am thrilled to join the judging panel for EOY. My experience of the programme in 2021 was fantastic from start to finish. What stood out for me as a finalist was the amazing support that I felt from the alumni community right from the beginning. I’m looking forward to meeting and working with the next group of finalists in 2022.” Anyone interested can find out more or complete an online nomination form at www.eoy.ie. Those nominating someone else must do so with the entrepreneur’s consent.

Property

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

Beautiful homes all over the County

CAPPA, BAREFIELD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

ASKING PRICE €90,000

0.5 ACRE SITE CAPPA, Barefield Ennis is an attractive half acre site ideally located within 0.5 kilometers of the M18 with easy access to Shannon, Limerick & Galway cities. The site offers an excellent opportunity for those, local to the area, who want to design and build their own home. The site itself is a nice clear site which is slightly elevated, has a number of substantial homes beside it and should be easy to develop. Water would be by proposed well and ESB connection passing the site. The site is being sold subject to planning permission. Viewing on this fine site is strongly recommended. Helen Gallery Auctioneers and Valuers Tel: 065 682 9481 & 086 250 4671 PSL 002433

SITE – MOLLANEEN, DYSERT, ENNIS, ASKING PRICE CO. CLARE €70,000 0.5 ACRE SITE

62 BOHEROAN, NEWMARKET ON FERGUS, ASKING PRICE CO CLARE. €220,000 COMING TO THE MARKET

EXTREMELY Well Located Site: Half acre site at Mollaneen, Dysart, a popular area just off the Ennis/Corofin road in residential area close to Dysart castle. Dysart is ideally located, being in a quiet rural setting with all the benefits of country living yet is within a stone’s throw of the M18 and easy access to Ennis, Shannon, Galway and Limerick cities for those commuting to work. The site is being sold subject to planning permission. Local restrictions may not apply here as the site is infill, however, interested parties should investigate this matter to their own satisfaction. Electricity, water passing. Viewing on this fine site is strongly recommended Helen Gallery Auctioneers and Valuers Tel: 065 682 9481 & 086 250 4671 PSL 002433

THIS modern three bedroomed semi detached home is ideally located on a large site in a quiet cul de sac in this popular development of Boheroan with a large open green area to the front and a view overlooking Lough Ash. There is ample on site parking to the front of the house and the rear garden which has a garden shed. Boheroan is ideally located offering easy access to the M18 to Shannon, Ennis and Limerick and is within walking distance of all amenities in the area. Viewing of this fine family home is strongly recommended . 102 sq. m. (1096 sq. ft. approx.) BER: C3 Helen Gallery Auctioneers and Valuers Tel: 065 682 9481 & 086 250 4671 PSL 002433

27-01-22

Clare Echo THE

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NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2, ROUND 1: CLARE VS OFFALY AT CUSACK PARK, SUNDAY 2PM

PUNDITS ‘LACK RESEARCH’ ON CLASS OF CLARE FOOTBALL by SEAMUS HAYES

“THERE is always a sense of optimism and of the unknown at the start of every league campaign”, says Clare forward Keelan Sexton, with one eye on Sunday. Looking ahead to the opening game in Division 2 of the Allianz League, Sexton who is currently studying for a masters in law at Trinity College in Dublin, says “lads are very excited about Sunday and there is a great vibe in the camp”. The Kilmurry Ibrickane clubman said that “while we didn’t get the Waterford game in the McGrath Cup, we have had a couple of really beneficial challenge games in which we played some quality teams and that has helped to get lads primed nicely for the league”. That football pundits have predicted that Clare would be relegated over recent years is “more a lack of research on their behalf with regard to Clare football. We don’t pay too much attention to that, maybe it goes into the head as an extra motivation to prove them wrong.

“We know what level we can play at. We are under no illusions as to how tough Division 2 is. We know we are good enough to be there. That’s what we are aiming to do, to get Clare football as high as possible.” As far as the talented forward — holder of three Clare senior championship medals with his club — is concerned “we will be approaching this league on a game-by-game basis and that will be the same for all the teams”. “One can’t look past the challenge in front of you. Offaly are on a great energiser from the U20 win. They will be full of energy. We have to match that and be up for the challenge. We have to focus on the game and prep as if it’s our last game. Then we will have another week to take the positives, identify the negatives be back in the thick of it again. Teams can’t rest on a win or a loss, they will have to get on to the next fixture.” Sexton accepts that being involved at this level is “a serious part of life and it would be mental to be doing it if we didn’t love it. It is a great priv-

Keelan Sexton

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

ilege to wear the Clare jersey and it’s something I enjoy. I want to play against the best players in the country. I want to do that and see where I am with these lads. “One has to be committed and you have to put everything into it. The lads are all really committed and all work for that. Colm [Collins] and the lads have set the example. They are top quality. Colm has done a lot for Clare football. He has got great people involved, everyone brings their own positives to the group. He has identified that. Hopefully, as a group our aim is to meet those standards and that will bring success.” “Every fella who gets a jersey is praying to hold on to it. If you do have it it’s great but someone will come in and replace you.” For now, “the focus is on Sunday, and getting a win. This week is about, concentrating on our game and capitalising on chances on Sunday. If we can start with a win, it’s a massive bonus. Nothing beats winning,” Keelan concluded.

‘Management looked at 50 players ahead of league’

Winning start important for Clare’s NFL campaign hopes

by SEAMUS HAYES

FOOTBALL pundits have repeatedly predict- while it’s unlikely that Jamie Malone (Corofin) ed in recent years that Clare will not survive and Conor Jordan (Austin Stacks) will be inin the higher divisions in the Allianz National volved after their exploits with their clubs who Football League, writes Seamus Hayes. reached the Munster intermediate and senior After years plying their trade in Division 4, club deciders respectively. the Banner side gained successive promotions Following impressive form with Éire Óg this up to Division 2 where they have more than season, defenders Manus Doherty and Ronan held their own since 2017. In fact, they have Lanigan are pressing for inclusion on Sunday been a kick of a ball away from promotion to as are Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon) and LisDivision 1 for the past two seasons. sycasey’s Aaron Griffin. Experience is proHeading into a new campaign, many of the vided by David Tubridy, Pearse Lillis, Cathal so-called experts are again predicting that O’Connor, Cian O’Dea, Ciaran Russell, Podge relegation will be Clare’s lot but players and Collins and captain Eoin Cleary. management have a different view. Colm ColWith just three of their seven games in the lins’ charges open their campaign with a home league on home soil, victory on Sunday would tie in Cusack Park against Offaly whose 2021 provide Clare with a massive boost for what All-Ireland U20 success has given a huge lift to promises to be a huge campaign. the game in the Faithful county. Early interest in the tie suggests NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE there will be a big attendance at Cusack Park when Offaly, now manDIVISION 2: CLARE FIXTURES aged by a great Clare favourite in January 30: Clare v Offaly in Cusack Park, Ennis Mayo man John Maughan, take to February 5: Clare v Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork the pitch. February 20: Clare v Roscommon in Dr Hyde Park, Roscommon Clare’s starting 15 for Sunday February 27: Clare v Derry in Cusack Park, Ennis won’t be revealed until nearer match March 13: Clare v Galway in Pearse Stadium, Salthill day but Kevin Harnett, Sean ColMarch 20: Clare v Meath in Cusack Park, Ennis lins, Gavin Cooney and Dermot March 27: Clare v Down in Pairc Esler, Newry Coughlan are on the injured list

ENDA Coughlan doesn’t need any introduction to Clare football followers. The Kilmurry-Ibrickane man — holder of nine Clare senior championship medals and a Munster title in 2009 as captain — called time on his inter county days in 2016. He has continued to be a key figure with his club and not surprisingly, Colm Collins drafted him into his management team in 2017 where he continues to be a vital cog. “I didn’t think when Colm asked me in that I would be still there five years on”, the Shannon based Garda told The Clare Echo this week. Coughlan notes that Clare have shown great progress over the last four years but admits it’s been “disappointing” that Clare have failed to progrss to Division 1 having gone “into the last game in the league in contention to go up” for the last two seasons. Look-

ing ahead to Sunday’s opener, Coughlan believes the first two games are vital this year. “If you don’t win you will be scrapping for survival. Every game in Division 2 is difficult. All the teams can take points off each other. We have got to make sure we get points on the board early”. Enda is very happy with Clare’s preparation for this campaign. “While we won’t know until the heat of battle how we will go, we are really happy with the preparations. Between the challenge games and the McGrath Cup, we got to look at over 50 players”. Looking ahead to the Offaly match-up, Coughlan adds, “It is important for the players that there will be big support. Éire Óg and Corofin did well in the club championships which is a good sign for Clare football. If teams can win their first two games in this league they will be in a good place. Hopefully we can get two points on the board on Sunday.”

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DR HARTY CUP SEMI-FINAL: ST JOSEPH’S TULLA 0-20 DE LA SALLE (WATERFORD) 1-13 VENUE: Mallow GAA Complex

‘Privilege to reach Harty Cup final’ Compiled by Páraic McMahon

TERENCE FAHY, ST JOSEPH’S TULLA MANAGER: “Immensely proud of the lads, we’re always proud of the lads, we just wanted them to come down and deliver a performance today and they did, it didn’t go smoothly for us, we got knocked back early but we’ve been knocked back a lot but it doesn’t phase them. “You can always reference hard-cold evidence, the evidence is there that these lads will stay going, they’ve been backed into corners but they never give up, they have immense qualities and we’re lucky it came to the fore this evening against De La Salle. “At this level you’re always worried, you have fellas like Paddy Fitzgerald down the far end of the field for De La Salle who are clinical, they are a very organised team. One thing we do know is that these guys will go to the wire, they’ll go, go and they’ll go again. There was a twinge of worry, it wasn’t going straight forward, we had a great opening quarter, fell away in the second quarter, fell away in the third quarter, our discipline wasn’t on the pitch of it, there was a refusal to yield in the final quarter. You could see the players, the players took ownership of the water break at the final quarter, they knew it was going to be our last fifteen minutes of schools hurling if they didn’t win, that’s how much it meant to them. “We have a collective and great spirit, our power is the collective and not individuals, that was proven today, the last day and the day before. “We’re in a Harty final now, it’s a privilege to be in it, we’ll come down a bit, breath it in and savour today, we’ll make a plan from there”.

ST JOSEPH’S TULLA: Frees for: 22 (11/11) Wides: 6 (4/2) Scores from play: 0-08 Spread of scorers: 5 Top scorer: Sean Withycombe (0-15 12f) Bookings: Adam Hogan (28), Fionn Ryan (36) Own puckouts won: 11 from 22 (50%) DE LA SALLE: Frees for: 18 (8/10) Wides: 8 (2/6) Scores from play: 1-04 Spread of scorers: 3 Top scorer: Paddy Fitzgerald (0-11 9f) Bookings: None Own puckouts won: 18 from 26 (69%)

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Colm Cleary cuts through the De La Salle defence; (below l-r) Ronan O’Connor and Evan Maxted show their delight at the final whistle; Oisin O’Connor gets away from Jack Twomey; A delighted St Joseph’s Tulla supporter in Mallow Photos by Gerard O’Neill

REFEREE: Eamonn Stapleton (Limerick)

Lohan ‘disappointed’ with margin CLARE 0-18 LIMERICK 0-27 Venue: Cusack Park Ennis | Munster Hurling Cup Final

JOHN KIELY, LIMERICK MANAGER: “It was brilliant to hear the crowds again going at it, it was fantastic and long may it last. “It is not just satisfying, it is vital, these boys are ambitious and they want to be playing a bigger part in what’s ahead of us throughout the spring and summer time, now is the time to be putting their hand up, they are doing it with their colleges too to be fair. “Today is of no significance really being honest with it, there’s only one game that matters here and that is in May, the championship match is the one that matters, that is the bottom line, everything else is a dress rehearsal before it. BRIAN LOHAN, CLARE MANAGER: “I think it was more than a training session. We lost a game, we were well beaten on the scoreboard, I’m disappointed enough with the extent of the defeat.

“Anytime you play against those guys you will learn, every team is in the same position, they’re trying to learn as much as they can, those guys don’t seem to be going backwards. “To get the pre-season, it was good to get it in this year and try get a bit of work done because we certainly need it, this year once it starts it comes thick and fast, we have the five league matches and then very little of a break between it followed by four championship matches in five weeks. “I don’t know why there is such a rush to get the thing over, I can’t see why we couldn’t have six weeks for that round-robin rather than the five weeks and forcing two teams to go three weeks in a row, certainly I’d be looking for a change there. Whether it can be changed or not I don’t know, it will be with the Munster Council this week so hopefully they will change that”. REFEREE: Conor Doyle (Tipperary)

Patrick Crotty keeps an eye on the ball with Barry Nash in close pursuit Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

LIMERICK Frees for: 19 (11/8) Wides: 19 (11/8) Scores from play: 0-16 Spread of scorers: 10 Top scorer: David Reidy (0-12 11f) Bookings: Will O’Donoghue (0), Own puckouts won: 20 from 29 (69%)

CLARE Frees for: 13 (6/7) Wides: 11 (4/7) Scores from play: 0-09 Spread of scorers: 6 Top scorer: David Reidy (0-09 6f 2’65) Bookings: Jack Browne SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT (0), Jason McCarthy (17), Conor Cleary (50). Own puckouts won: 29 from 46 (63%)

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MUNSTER SENIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: SCARIFF-OGONNELLOE VS DROM & INCH

‘All Ireland final is our dream’ SCARIFF/OGONNELLOE 1-08 DROM & INCH 1-07 Venue: Mallow GAA Complex

DAVID SULLIVAN, SCARIFF/ OGONNELLOE MANAGER: “I have to commend the character of the girls again, many a team would have laid down when the 1-01 went in, we lost two or three puckouts in a row after that but we stayed going, the characteristic that this team has in abundance is that we never panic, we didn’t lose the run of ourselves or start shooting from stupid angles, we didn’t start doing anything crazy with the ball, we just kept going through the process and we waited for the chance to come. “There was always going to be time for one last chance, when you get a chance in front of the goals who else do you want the ball to fall to only Mairead Scanlan, what the girl has done for throughout the years has been fantastic from where she has drove this club on to be, it is fitting that she got the goal, she is probably the one player that gets mentioned if you say Scariff/Ogonnelloe to anybody. “At half time we weren’t happy, I felt we dominated the first half. We were much better than them, you’ve to pay credit to Caoimhe Bourke too, she is not Tipp goalie for nothing, she made two great saves from Alva. “Drom & Inch are a classy team, they

were always going to get a period of dominance, they have some fantastic hurlers, it was like the county final with Truagh/ Clonlara and the semi-final with Inagh/ Kilnamona, you have to hang in for the tough periods and stay with it, that’s exactly what we did, we stayed at it and waited for the one chance to strike, it is a fairytale way to end it. “I do feel sorry for Eimear McGrath at the end, I don’t think the booing before it was fair, I’m from Tipperary as you well know, she does a lot for Tipperary camogie, it is unfortunate that she missed the free at the end but she’ll have better days ahead. “I made a speech in McNamara’s Pub after the county final, I stood up, there was fifty people in the room, players, mams, dads and everything, I had no drink taken at the time and I said this is going to end in Croke Park, some people looked at me as if I had five heads but they’re looking at me now in a different light because we’re 60 minutes from getting this team into an All-Ireland club final, we were desperately close in 2019. “It is about getting over the line and getting into an All-Ireland final which is our dream, that’s what we have all dreamed of. I find myself in a privileged position

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Alva Rodgers flanked by a delighted Ger and Trish at the final whistle Photo by Gerard O’Neill

to work with such an ambitious group of players, I know they will give everything to me in the next four weeks so that we

can get over the line”. REFEREE: Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork)

Scanlan's sweet strike leads to ‘unreal’ celebrations by PÁRIAC McMAHON

MATCH-WINNING hero, Mairead Scanlan has described Scariff/Ogonnelloe’s latest camogie success as “unreal”. Leading 0-08 0-05 with fifty four minutes on the clock, Scariff/Ogonnelloe fell behind three minutes later when Drom & Inch scored 1-01 without reply in the space of eighty seconds to push ahead for only the second time in the game. Cometh the hour, cometh Mairead Scanlan to respond for Scariff/Ogonnelloe. The joint captain took a long range free and sprinted into the danger area, somehow managing to pick up a break before unleashing an unstoppable shot that left Caoimhe Bourke with no chance. Recalling the moment, Mairead said, “I finally get one onto my left side, I was running out into space and was probably a bit far from goal, I had hardly any striking all day it was more running with the ball and hitting a few frees, when it broke to me there, I saw Susan Vaughan in front of me and I was like what are you doing here, I rose it up and made a really clean connection”. Drom & Inch had a chance to equalise with sixty six minutes played but Eimear McGrath lost her footing and the subsequent free tailed to the right of Rachel Daly’s goal. “You have to be a free taker to understand how a free taker thinks, going into big games as a free taker that carries its own bit of pressure, it wasn’t an easy free, it was out the side and conditions

Scariff/Ogonnelloe joint captains, Mairead Scanlan and Amy Barrett Photo by Gerard O’Neill

were darkening, she is an excellent free taker but no one is a one hundred percent free taker, you might get eight out of ten or nine out of ten but nobody is perfect, they wouldn’t have been a point down without her”. Conditions in Mallow allowed for “faster and more skilful hurling,” the accoun-

SCARIFF/ OGONNELLOE: Frees for: 15 (6/9) Wides: 3 (2/1) Scores from play: 1-03 Spread of scorers: 3 Top scorer: Aisling Corbett (0-06 6f) Bookings: None Own puckouts won: 6 from 13 (46%) DROM & INCH: Frees for: 14 (7/7) Wides: 5 (2/3) Scores from play: 1-02 Spread of scorers: 4 Top scorer: Eimear McGrath (0-05 5f) Bookings: Miriam Campion (39) Own puckouts won: 3 from 12 (25%)

tant noted. “It’s unreal, we said it over Christmas, I’ve never enjoyed my camogie as much, we’re going out having the craic and we feel so lucky to play and train together, we have such a good time, we have two cups won and we have to take this on. It’s a new championship and we’ll go all out for it”.

Vaughan plays big role after suspension lifted ONLY five days before Saturday’s Munster senior camogie club final Susan Vaughan discovered that she was going to line out in the decider. Sent off on a straight red card in the dying moments of Scariff/Ogonnelloe’s Munster semi-final win over Inniscarra, an appeal before the Munster Camogie Association saw Susan’s dismissal rescinded, a decision that manager David Sullivan was always confident would materialise. Fortunately for the East Clare amalgamation this was the outcome with the former Clare senior captain very involved in the opening half particularly. Playing alongside Ciara Doyle and Rachel Minogue in the half-back line, they were central to stopping Drom & Inch from gaining a foothold in the contest as the Tipperary side failed on several occasions to get the ball over the trio. Reflecting on the build-up to the final, Susan recounted, “It was a bit up in the air before Tuesday, I’m glad that I got to play today and that the Munster Council rescinded my red card. I have no qualms with any referee’s decision, I’m just delighted to have been playing”. Trailing by two points with five minutes of additional time played, Susan went upfield as Mairead Scanlan took a long range free. The placed ball dropped into the danger area, Susan managed to get onto it and offloaded to Lorraine Grady whose shot was blocked, the resulting break fell to Scanlan who produced a rip-roaring effort that sealed the deal hitting the roof of the net. She played her part in the match-winning moment but the Ogonnelloe woman was glad the ball fell to their joint captain. “I don’t care who gets it,” she said of the winner. “I must have got stage fright up there, Mairead turned to me and said what were you doing there but we had to push on to try get something from the game, there is no one better to put the ball in the back of the net than Mairead, I’m so happy it fell to her and that she did the job”.

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Amy answers Ireland’s call AMY Madden of Newmarket-on-Fergus is part of the Ireland Women's Under-16s football team playing two international friendlies in Portugal this week. Amy, a defender with Treaty Utd, was included in head coach Tom Elmes’ 21 person squad for two international friendlies against a talented Portugal side this week.

Corofin Harps Josh O'Brien with Shannon Town's Scott O'Brien in their U17 clash Photograph: Burren Eye Photography

No change at top as Clare soccer resumes

AFTER a month’s break over the Christmas and New Year, Clare soccer league action returned at the weekend and after Sunday’s games in the Premier Division, the positions at the top of the table remain unchanged, writes Seamus Hayes. Reigning champions Newmarket Celtic, Avenue United and Shannon Town A all won on Sunday as they continue their challenge to win this season’s title. AVENUE DISPOSE OF ENNIS RIVALS Lifford 0 Avenue United A 2 Venue: Tom Steele Park, Ennis

Avenue United got off to a great start in this Ennis derby tie with Lifford when they hit the front after just one minute. Great play by Mark Roche down the left ended when his cross was finished to the net by Elias Kunz. The winners dominated the opening twenty minutes and they doubled their lead when Eoghan Thynne volleyed home after good work by Tomás Hehir. The winners would have been further ahead by half time but for outstanding play from Lifford goalie Rhys Phillips who produced two excellent saves from Hehir and Mark Roche before the break. No real chances were created in the second half when the winners continued to hold the upperhand on their way to a merited win

Lifford; Rhys Phillips; John Maher, M. J. Junaid, Dara Kerins, Dan Daly, Paul Martyn, Sean Corry, Gary McNaboe, Ethan Cronin; Dean Coughlan, John Keogh; Subs; Nathan Redezde for Coughlan; Matthew Davenport for Keogh; Lucas Felipe for Cronin; Keith Shea for McNaboe; Dylan Ryan for Corry Avenue United A; James Tierney; Cullen McCabe, Conor Mullen, Dylan Casey, Shane Browne; Stephen Jordan, Mikey Dinan, Eoghan Thynne, Mark Roche; Elias Kunz, Tomás Hehir; Subs; Jamie Roche for Browne; Dylan Barry for Dinan; Callum Barrett for Jordan, Gary Roche for Kunz; Philip Talty for G. Roche.

COMFORTABLE FOR NEWMARKET

Newmarket Celtic 3 Shannon Olympic 0 Venue: McDonagh Memorial Park, ket-on-Fergus

Newmar-

Title holders Newmarket Celtic recorded a comfortable win over Shannon Olympic on Sunday morning. After a scoreless first half, the winners took the lead shortly after half time through Ronan McCormack and further goals followed from Gearoid O’Brien and Daithi O’Connell. Newmarket Celtic A: Shane Cusack; David O’Grady, Paddy Purcell, Stephen Kelly, Darren Cullinan; Cathal Hayes, Alan Kelly, Dave McCarthy, Daithi O’Connell, Gearoid O’Brien, Ronan McCormack; Subs; Conor McDaid for C. Hayes; Caeleb Gaffney for Cullinan; James Fahy for O’Grady; Davy Lennon for R. McCormack. Shannon Olympic; Zsolt Lakos; Benjamon Cantillon, Dan Clair, Dean Power, Rob Clair, Pa Madden, Rachid Amaliah, Sean McDonald, Ray Quigley, Jay Regan, Declan McDonald; Subs; Wayne Regan for Madden; Piotr Kaluza for Amaliah

BRIDGE START YEAR ON HIGH

Bridge United A 4 Shannon Hibs 1 Venue: Sixmilebridge

Bridge United A got 2022 off to a win-

ning start when they recorded a comfortable win over Shannon Hibs on Sunday. Brian Corry, Liam Buckley from the penalty spot, Jordan Downes and Kieran Quinlan were the goalscorers. Gary Leahy was the Shannon Hibs goalscorer, converting from the penalty spot.

Bridge United A; Paul Tuohy; Dan Larkin, Jason Loughnane, Alan Mulready, Storm Devanney, Jonathan Downes, Leon Kelly, Liam Buckley, Jordan Downes, Kieran Quinlan, Brian Corry; Subs; Leon Daly for Corry; Enda Boyce for Jonathan Downes; Michael Carr for Loughnane; Conor Deasy for Kelly; Stephen Stewart for Buckley; Shannon Hibs; Damian Casey; Ciaran McKee, Julien Woods, Bobby O’Connell, Darragh McDade, Liam Delaney, Lee Wall, Dean Devanney, Mikey Wall, Gary Leahy, Billy Connors; Subs; Stephen McInerney for Woods; Cian O’Rourke for McDade; Darren O’Loughlin for L. Wall; Stephen Tuohy for M. Wall; Sean Costello for G. Leahy

SHANNON TOWN TRUMP GOALFEST

Shannon Town A 5 Sporting Ennistymon 3 Venue: Lynch Park, Shannon

Shannon Town A came from behind three times in this with Sporting Ennistymon at Shannon on Sunday. The winners trailed by a goal at half time when the score was 1-2 with the Shannon goal coming from a Brian Monaghan penalty. Kieran Hackett levelled the game at 2-2 while substitute Jack Ryan tied up the game at 3-3. Town went ahead for the first time when Brian Monaghan scored from a free kick before Jack Ryan struck for his second to seal a deserved win. Scorers for Sporting Ennistymon were Nikolai Jug, Ciaran Monahan and Darren McNamara.

Shannon Town A; Darren Whelan; Aidan Leahy, Colum Treacy, Darren Griffin, Steven Carroll; Brian Monaghan, Robert Wall, Jack Kelly, Gary O’Connell, Brian O’Connor, Kieran Hackett Subs; Jack Ryan for Carroll; Chris Dunning for K. Hackett; Ian Collins for A. Leahy; T. J. O’Dwyer for R. Wall; Liam Boland for B. O’Connor; Sporting Ennistymon; Joe Gallagher; Dara Flynn, Jack O’Dea, Michael Leigh, Ciaran Monahan; Thierry Bouton, Eoin Marrinan, Nikolai Jug, Jamesy McConigley, Darren McNamara, Sean McConigley.

An accomplished camogie and ladies footballer with the Blues, Amy first came to prominence on the soccer pitch while earning trials for North Munster at U12 level during her time as a student at Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire in Newmarket-on-Fergus. In 2001, Amy’s mother Elaine McMahon became the first person to captain

Busy schedule at Shannon by SEAMUS HAYES

SHANNON GOLF CLUB: This week at Shannon, there will be a singles competition over 15 holes while there will also be a team of four competitions at Shannon where one score will count at each of the first five holes, two scores at each of the next five holes and three scores at each of the last five holes. The club has hosted a number of competitions over recent weeks. James Harty (19) won the singles competition at the beginning of January with 36 points. In a team scramble competition the same week the winners were Brian Downey (10), Nigel Bourke (23), Eoghan McAteer (10) and Ross Newsham (16) on a score of 40.1 from Aidan (11) and Karl Moloney (22), Brendan O’Brien (16) and Billy Austin (20) with 44.2. The men’s 15 hole competition played between January 3 and January 16 was won by Noel O Sullivan (21) with 37 points from Adrian Carew (9) on 36 points. The men’s team of four competition during the same period resulted in victory for John Kelly (13), David Byrne (19), Mike Collins (15) and Albert Carew (19) on a score of 80 points over 15 holes. Last week’s men’s singles competition was won by Aidan O’Neill (28) with 37 points for 15 holes from Chris Price (14) with 35 points. The modified scramble last week was won by Jamie Hodge (7), Greg Collins (14), Ben O’ Gorman (8) and Jordan Collins on a score of 89 points. ENNIS GOLF CLUB: There was a good turnout for the Ennis senior ladies weekly outing which resulted in victory for Deirdre Molyneaux, Ann Daly and Kathleen Pyne with 55,8. In second place with 58.2 were Claire Ruane, Margaret Flanagan and

FIRST DIVISION RESULTS:

Avenue United B 0-6 Moher Celtic A Bridge United B 1-1 Tulla United Kilrush Rangers 2-1 Hermitage Turnpike Rovers 2-3 Coole FC Newmarket Celtic B 2-2 Shannon town B

SECOND DIVISION RESULTS:

Corofin Harps 2-3 Kiladysert Celtic Kilkishen Celtic 4-1 Shannon Hibs B Manus Celtic A 2-1 Rhine Rovers Inch Crusaders 2-0 Connolly Celtic

THIRD DIVISION RESULTS:

Bunratty Cratloe 1-3 Shannon town C ST. Pats 1-3 Ennis dons Fern Celtic P-P Manus Celtic B

RICHIE FITZGERALD ELECTICAL U17 LEAGUE GROUP 1 St Pats BYE Mountshannon Celtic 2 – 1 Shannon Hibs

RICHIE FITZGERALD ELECTICAL U17 LEAGUE GROUP 2 Tulla Utd 3 – 4 Avenue Utd Corofin Harps 2 – 3 Shannon Town

EI ELECTRONICS WOMENS SENIOR LEAGUE: Bridge Utd 1 – 0 Burren Utd

Newmarket-on-Fergus to senior camogie championship glory. Her father, Brian Madden lined out at all levels with the O’Callaghans Mills

hurling club. Proving the great pedigree of her family, Amy’s uncle Brian ‘Beano’ McMahon was corner back on the Clare team to win the 1997 All-Ireland minor hurling title while her aunts Moira and Catriona both collected a haul of senior championships with the Blues as well as representing their county with distinction.

OUR NEW CUSTOM FITTING

ROOM IS NOW OPEN

Carmel Cummins and they were followed by Brid Cunningham, Pat Lacey and Alice D’Arcy with 58.6.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB: Last week’s men’s singles at Kilrush was won by Sean Moran (14) with 29 points. He had two to spare over Anthony Gilmartin (12) with third spot filled by Des Murphy (17) who also scored 27 points. LAHINCH GOLF CLUB: As the golf season for 2022 begins managers of the various teams that will represent clubs are in the process of compiling a panel of players for this year. The Lahinch club Pierce Purcell team managers for 2022 are John Skerritt and Mick O’Riordan and they are currently putting a panel together for this season’s competition. Club members interested in being part of the squad are asked to contact the managers as soon as possible ahead of a schedule of trials and practice sessions for this year’s competition. WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB: The competition at Woodstock at the weekend was a club modified fourball which resulted in victory for Cathal Nagle (7) and John Dempsey(12) with 50 points from Ray Grogan (15) and Kevin O’Neill (12) who had a similar score. In third spot, with 49 points, were Kieran Dromey (4) and Jarlath Fahy (12). This weekend’s competition will be a club singles stableford. The weekly seniors competition on Tuesday was won by Paddy Meehan, Sean Howard and Gerry Griffey with 51 points. DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB: In week two of the ladies Winter league at Dromoland the winner was Dolores Fox with 22 points.

27-01-22

4-Wall nationals on A NUMBER of Clare athletes will take part in the 2022 GAA Handball 4-Wall Irish Adult Nationals this weekend. Gort na Mona HC will be the host venue of the Elite Men’s & Ladies grade, with action kicking off from 5pm on Friday. In the men’s open, Diarmaid Nash from Tuamgraney Handball Club is playing on Saturday at 09am followed by Colin Crehan from Kilkishen Handball Club at noon. In the Men’s A, Ciaran Malone from Tuamgraney and Conor Cooney from Kilkishen are both in action on Saturday while the Men’s B tournament will see Glenn Murray from Newmarket on Fergus and Mark Crehan both line out. Kevin O’Callaghan from Kilkishen Handball Club will be the only Clare representative in the C grade. Meanwhile, Cumann Liathrōid Láimhe Contae an Chláir Bord would like to congratulations the All-Ireland Champions Gearóid Sheedy (Tuamgraney, U17), Aine Lenihan, Fina Close (Kilkishen, pictured) and Eimear Rodgers (all U15) who won their delayed 2020 All-Ireland finals against Kilkenny opposition.

pg 34

‘Crisis’ with GAA referees in Clare by PÁRIAC McMAHON

CLARE GAA is facing “a crisis” with the shortage of referees, an ex-inter county official has warned. Speaking at the January meeting of the Clare County Board, Ambrose Heagney issued a note of caution to clubs asking for increased league games at football and at championship level for Junior B hurling. During his time as a referee, the Galway native was in charge of the 2005 Munster club senior hurling final between Newtownshandrum and Ballygunner, the 2006 Munster U21 hurling decider and four Clare SHC finals. “The only issue with more games is with referees,” the Corofin man stated. “We have a serious crisis with refereeing in this county, it is causing huge problems. We are struggling to get referees to cover fixtures”. Heagney added, “it is something that needs to be ad-

Wayne King explains a decision to Ballyea’s Niall Deasy Burren Eye Photography

dressed as soon as possible. With the amount of games, it is so difficult. Referees are doing three to four games per weekend and some during the week”. Jack Chaplin, in his final address as Chairman of Clare GAA raised the alarm about the current quantity of match officials. “We are drawing from a small pool of referees and I appeal to our clubs, past players and anyone interested to

offer their services in this area”. Coiste na nÓg Iomaint secretary, Pat Gavin also expressed the need for clubs to put forward more personnel to take up the whistle. “If the current programme of games is to continue going forward then clubs are going to have to supply more people to come forward and take up the whistle and become an official referee,” the Ogonnelloe man warned.

Mythical Hippy sees Flanagan record double by MICHAEL MAHER SATURDAY evening’s Galway card had a pair of A1 graded contest at top of the bill over the 550 and 525 yards trip respectively. As the traps rose for the opening contest which was an A5 graded contest Handels Messiah was smartly into stride and by the halfway mark had a three-length lead. From the third bend though the Frank Casey of Newmarket-on-Fergus owned Ferryforth Jess began to close and as Handels Messiah treaded water Ferryforth Jess (Rockabay Foley-Lemon Jane) swept by to prevail by three parts of a length in 29.45. The S1 sixth contest produced a thrilling finish as the Denny Gould of Cree owned Cree Sydney got the better of Menmal Prince in what was a two dog battle of the 350 yards trip by a head at the line in 19.20. Narrowly denied in the previous contest the Martin Fahy and Mullagh native Michael Casey team gained quick compensation as their Menmal Princess (Paddy Magic-Cottage Brandy) made just about all to record a length and three parts success over Inherowntime in 29.27. Headed from traps by Merciful Debbie on the rails Menmal Princess showed fine early pace to lead her rivals by over two lengths rounding the opening bend and with some bunching behind the winner was always in control. The outcome of the A5 contest fourth contest on Friday was eventually decided close to home as the Michael Corry and Michael Daly of Clarecastle owned Lillies Joy saw off the persistent challenge of the wide seeded Creevy Chick by half a length in 29.56 and

record her eighth career success. The Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained winner trapped well and at the opening bend railed well as Creevy Chick moved round the outer to join issue into the back straight. Racing along the back the pair matched strides but railing well Lillies Joy (Ballymac Vic-Brookeville Dash) gradually gained the upper hand. There was a 12-race card on offer last Thursday in Limerick which produced four Clare winners. Once again it was a prolific evening for Ennistymon’s trainer and owner Tom Flanagan who recorded a double with Ballyea Sydney and Mythical Hippy. Ballyea Sydney who is owned by Noel Gavin is proving to be a very consistent performer; Sydney gave an eye-catching performance to land the spoils in 28.88, matching his personal best in an A2 contest, this was the fastest run of the evening, and career success number 4 for this son of Droopys Sydney and Sarista. Tom’s double was completed with his own Mythical Hippy in race 10, an A4 contest. Hippy, a daughter of Droopys Buick and Flandys Hawkeye, led from the off and stayed on strongly to cross the line with a four and a half lengths margin in 29.23. Parteen based Shanakyle Syndicate under the stewardship of Joe Collins, have been entering the winner’s enclosure frequently in 2022, and this continued when Shanaklye Abbey notched her third career win when she duly obliged, leading from trap to line to record 29.63 in an A4 contest. Anne Carey form Cooraclare enjoyed the performance of Gower Pam, who took the honours in an A5 contest in 29.59.

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PLANNING 35

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

PLANNING NOTICES CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CROSSES OF ANNAGH, QUILTY, CO CLARE Take notice that Noralynne and Fergal Hehir intend to apply for permission to build a Dwelling House, install a wastewater treatment system & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL MOUNT RIVERS, DOONBEG, CO CLARE Take notice that Shirley Ann and Joseph Sexton intend to apply for permission to replace the existing substandard dwelling with a new Dwelling House, using existing connections to public services & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FANOREBEG, FANORE, CO CLARE Take notice that Sean O Driscoll intends to apply for outline permission to build a Dwelling House, install a wastewater treatment system & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt

by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION / REVISED PLANS PLANNING REFERENCE: P 21 / 684 Development Description: Planning permission for the construction of new dwelling house, garage, new entrance, sewerage and water facilities along with all necessary associated works at the above address at Kiltumper, Kilmihil, Co Clare. Location: Kiltumper, Kilmihil, Co Clare. Take notice that Aoife Mahon & Patrick Hickey have lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P 21 / 684. 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 Chontae 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 DRUMQUIN, BAREFIELD, ENNIS, CO CLARE Take notice that Drumquin Construction Ltd intend to apply to Clare County Council for planning permission for the construction of 7 Residential Dwelling houses at Drumquin, Barefield, Ennis Co Clare. This application seeks Planning Permission for the following: 1) Amendment to previously granted planning permission P 21 695. 2) The construction of 3 nr. detached Dormer Bungalows ( 4 bedroom) House Type A 3) The construction of 4 nr. semidetached Dormer bungalows ( 4 bedroom) House Type A1 4) The connection to the Exiting public mains Sewerage and water network and as permitted under P 21 695 5) All associated site boundary walls, gates

and fences 6) All associated and ancillary site works and services The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL 50 KINCORA PARK, LIFFORD, ENNIS, CO CLARE Take notice that Denis Lynch intends to apply for Planning Permission to a) dismantle, demolish and remove the existing lean-to shed and garage, b) to extend the width of the dropped kerb and provide off-street parking, c) to construct a detached annexe including all site services and ancillary site works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority, in writing, on payment of a fee of €20.00 within five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the Planning Application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BURRANE LOWER, KILLIMER Take notice that M. & K. O’Connell intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to retain existing structures and site boundaries at the above address. The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered

by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL NO 11 ABBEYLAWN, BALLAGHAFADDA EAST, CLARECASTLE, CO. CLARE Take notice that Lisa Murphy & Sean Gilmartin intend to apply to the planning authority for (a) permission to demolish an existing extension to the north side of an existing dwelling house and replace it with a smaller porch (b) permission to construct an extension to the south side of the existing dwelling and (c) alterations to the existing dwelling including lifting the roof to incorporate first floor living accommodation, 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 RINEANNA NORTH, NEWMARKET ON FERGUS, CO. CLARE Take Notice that We Deirdre & Eugene Mahony intend to apply to Clare County Council For Permission for the Construction of a single storey extension to rear of existing dwelling to include, Kitchen/Dining/Living Area, including internal modifications & elevational changes to existing dwelling. Also, permission is sought for the demolition of existing outbuildings to rear of dwelling & for permission for the installation of replacement treatment plant & percolation area & modifications to existing entrance, including ancillary site works at above address. The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis,

Co. Clare during it’s public opening hours. A submission or Observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DERRYFADDA, CLONLARA, CO. CLARE I, Jonathan Smith, am applying to the above authority for permission for the following development on property at Derryfadda, Clonlara, Co Clare: Permission for detached two storey dwelling, detached domestic garage, onsite wastewater treatment system and percolation area, connection to necessary services, new entrance together with all associated ancillary and incidental site works The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours 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 FAHY BEG, BRIDGETOWN, CO. CLARE I, Noel Daly, am applying to the above authority for permission for the following development on property at Fahy Beg, Bridgetown, Co Clare: Permission for the demolition of existing semi-derelict dwelling house, construction of replacement detached dormer dwelling house, onsite wastewater treatment system and percolation area, connection to necessary services, construction of new entrance detail together with all associated ancillary and incidental site works. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours 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 CLOONEYOGAN SOUTH, MOY, LAHINCH, CO.CLARE Take notice that Hannah Finucane, intends to apply for permission for the following works, (A) Demolish an existing derelict dwelling, (B) Construct a replacement dwelling and garage, (C) Install new effluent treatment system, and (D) Upgrade an existing entrance and driveway from public road, all with associated site works, at above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, BALLINAGUN EAST, CREE, CO. CLARE Take notice that J. Kerin intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission for the following works a) to alter and extend an existing dwelling house b) to install a proprietary wastewater treatment system c) the filling of lands with inert material for improved agricultural purposes along with ancillary site works at the above address. That the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, CRAGG, LAHINCH, CO. CLARE Take notice that D. Mc-

Donagh intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to alter the design of 1No. split level house and to change the site boundaries as granted under P19/91 along with associated site works at the above address. That the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CARHULIGANE, MULLAGH, CO. CLARE Take notice that Declan Nugent is applying to Clare County Council for retention permission for renovating an existing cottage and construction of a single storey rear extension 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 KILLADERRY, BROADFORD, CO.CLARE Permission is sought to construct a detached domestic garage, including all ancillary site works and services at above address. Applicant Ronan Smith The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

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PUZZLEPAGE

THURSDAY, JAN 27 2022

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES JAN 27th

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU

1/25/22, 12:07 PM

Monaco

Monopoly

Monarch

Monroe

Month

Montreal

Monument

Monitor

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

ANSWERS 1

9 3

5 1

4 7

1 7 9 5 8 6

6 7 1 5 4 2 8

2 1

4 8

8 4

3 2

1/1

1/25/22, 12:07 PM

Monolith

Monogram

Monogamy

Monody

Monocle

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

HOW TO PLAY

Monkfish

Monkey

Moniker

Monte

Monica

Monster

Mongrel

Monsoon

Mongoose

Mongol

How to play

Money

Monday

Monotone

1/1

Monad

The Clare Echo Crossword

U T

on spinach eater (6) cal fruit (5) employees (7)

nd-out (5)

an religious leader (5,4) tening creature (7) d (5)

ossession, coolness (6) S

quarrel (6) 1

F R A C A S 3

V E D D

C A R G O

A 9

A I

L A M A

E R

A S K E D 2

I D

R E V

C H A P

on of a book (7)

E R

D A L A

ht back to life (7) ht (5)

M O N S

A 4

A P 5

R E R

U 6

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ise (6)

ival (5,4)

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nce (7)

M A N G O

E R S

cle (6)

ing inconvenience (7)

A S S E S S

er (6)

der (5,4)

P O P E Y E

)

(7)

ct accounts (5)

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

for all ills (7)

DOWN

1 Debacle (6) 1 Noisy quarrel (6) 4 Self-possession, coolness 2 Causing inconvenience (7) 3 Inspect accounts (5) (6) 5 Cure for all ills (7) 8 Invited (5) 9 Frightening creature (7) 6 Exterior (5) 7 Accept a loan (6) 10 Section of a book (7) 9 Shrove Tuesday festival (5,4) 11 Freight (5) 12 Tibetan religious leader 13 Theft (7) 14 Make progress (7) (5,4) 15 Barney (4-2) 17 Out-and-out (5) 19 Brought back to life (7) 16 Obnoxious (6) 18 Flowering bulb (5) 21 Bank employees (7) 20 Seductive women (5) 22 Tropical fruit (5) 23 Cartoon spinach eater (6) 24 Appraise (6)

ior (5)

olness (6)

ACROSS

e Tuesday festival (5,4)

pt a loan (6)

progress (7)

(7)

y (4-2)

ring bulb (5)

xious (6)

1/1

ctive women (5)

QUIZ 39

THURSDAY, JAN 20 2022

The Clare Echo Quiz

Daniel O’Connell was elected 1by-election, to Parliament in the 1828 Clare the first openly Roman

Catholic to do so. But what party did he represent? Tory, Labour, Radical

Postman, Barista, Psychiatrist

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

Patrick Lynch, Arthur Lynch, Willie Redmond

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

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

l NEWMARKET NATIVE: President Michael D Higgins grew up in Newmarket on Fergus. But which school did he attend?

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

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

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

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

Up until 1898 until it was transIn 2016, only one Clare candidate 10 ferred, which Clare village was 6 got more than 10,000 1st preference votes. Who was it? in the Galway constituency? Pat Breen, Michael Harty, Timmy Dooley

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

Tubber, Mountshannon, Ballyvaughan

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

6. Timmy Dooley 7. 2 8. Spanish Point 9. Hugh O’Brien (Ind, 1981) 10. Mountshannon

profession?

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

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

Last weeks Answers . Helmet different colour . Post missing . Handle on hurley (left) different colour . writing on player (22) missing

. Writing on back of dark grey top missing (middle) . Vodafone logo missing on shorts (middle) . Writing missing on player (8) jersey

St Josephs Tulla v St Flannangs College Photograph by Gerard O’Neill