The Clare Echo 27/05/21

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MAY 27 2021

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Time for Govt TDs to stand up for Shannon PÁRAIC McMAHON

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LARE’S Government TDs have been urged to make a stand for Shannon Airport by putting their party whip on the line.

The county’s longest serving politician made the suggestion to Clare’s Oireachtas members at a special meeting of the local authority

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on Monday in the wake of Aer Lingus shutting their cabin crew base at Shannon Airport.

Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) urged Cathal Crowe TD (FF), Joe Carey TD (FG), Senator Martin Conway (FG), Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) and Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) to make a stand.

He said, “There is a lesson to be learned, we have five Oireachtas members supporting the Government, I urge them to give the Taoiseach an ultimatum that they will change their jerseys if something is not done”.

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2 NEWS

Index NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

HEAVENLY WHITE HORSES

2-17

GREENER CLARE

18

ENTERTAINMENT

19

COLUMNISTS

20-22

BUY INTO CLARE

24-27

BUSINESS

A

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

28

SPORT

29-33

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

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SALES

Email: ger.naughton@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

Beaches retain blue flag status

lSTUNNING: Two white horses photographed by O’Brien’s Big Lough near Spancilhill

Photo by Ronan McMahon

LL nine Blue Flag beaches in Clare have retained their status for 2021.

On Tuesday, the International Blue Flag and Green Coast Award recipients for 2021 were announced by the Education Unit of An Taisce at a virtual ceremony. The number of Blue Flags awarded this season set a new record for the Republic of Ireland with 93 sites awarded.

In Clare, Ballycuggeran, Cappa Pier, Fanore, Kilkee, Lahinch, Mountshannon, Spanish Point, White Strand Doonbeg and White Strand Miltown Malbay retained their Blue Flag status.

Seafield, Bishops Quarter, Ballyalla Lake and Carrigaholt Beach have retained Green Coast Awards for the coming season.

Deemed to be one of the world’s most recognised eco-labels, the Blue Flag originated in France in 1985 when French coastal Local Authorities were awarded with the Blue Flag for compliance with sewage treatment and bathing water quality criteria. It was launched as an International programme as part of the "European Year of the Environment in 1987.

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Clare Lodge Covid-19 outbreak fuels concern PÁRAIC MCMAHON

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OMPACT living conditions at the Clare Lodge Direct Provision centre in Ennis have fuelled concerns that a repeat outbreak of COVID-19 is likely until residents are vaccinated.

As first reported by The Clare Echo, all Direct Provision residents at The Clare Lodge in Ennis were transferred to Dublin to quarantine after a significant outbreak of the virus emerged. Of the 36 residents, 27 are said to have tested positive for the virus while nine of the 11 staff members have also been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Concerns have been expressed to The Clare Echo that detail on the first cases two weeks ago where not informed to all individuals at Clare Lodge. Speaking to The Clare Echo, one Ennis resident cautioned that a repeat outbreak is possible as the living conditions of the centre make it very difficult to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

The Clare Echo has learned that two residents that have completed their period in quarantine returned to DP centre on Tuesday night.

Clare TD, Violet-Anne Wynne (SF) said it was “a huge concern” that Direct Provision residents had yet to be vaccinated.

“Anyone living in a congregated setting is more at risk. We saw that with nursing homes throughout the whole Covid-19 pandemic,” she stated.

A spokesperson for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth told The Clare Echo that they are guided by the advice of public health officials in the management of COVID-19 “including decisions on when and where off-site isolation is deemed necessary.

Where off-site isolation is deemed necessary, a resident is moved to the off-site facility and supported while there. The Department will continue to work with the HSE and the Department of Health in the best interests of all residents whilst we remain in the midst of this unprecedented pandemic”. Several measures have been introduced to address COVID-19 issues, the spokesperson commented.

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Taoiseach promises to aid in Kilkee water concerns

by PÁRAIC McMAHON KILKEE’S beauty was referenced at a sitting of the Dáil on Wednesday as the Taoiseach confirmed he will intervene as the area was hit with a do not swim notice for the third year in succession.

On Saturday afternoon, Clare County Council on the advice of the HSE placed a prohibition on swimming in Kilkee “due to a malfunction of Irish Water sewage infrastructure”. This ban is to remain in place until further notice.

Irish Water have said they are working with the local authority to “repair two incidences of rising main bursts at Kilkee” carrying out repairs which is feared to have resulted in wastewater discharge at the beach.

Repairs plus the results of sampling from bathing waters are needed before the notice can be lifted. Notification of the incident has been circulated to the Envi-

ronmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday, Deputy Cathal Crowe (FF) voiced his frustration that it was the third year in a row that a malfunction in the Irish Water sewage infrastructure has caused the beach to close to swimmers.

He criticised projected timelines from Irish Water which estimate it will take four years to install modern infrastructure. The Meelick native said the local community was “up in arms” over the ban and quality of the infrastructure.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin (FF) acknowledged that Kilkee was “a very popular and attractive location. Indeed many Corkonians spend their holidays in Kilkee”. He committed to intervening and pursuing the matter with Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien (FF). “Pumping raw sewerage into a coastal location like this is unacceptable”.

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THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

‘Abysmal’ treatment of Aer Lingus workers condemned PÁRAIC MCMAHON

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ER Lingus have been criticised for the “abysmal” manner in which it treated its workers at Shannon Airport.

Following the decision of Aer Lingus to shut its cabin crew base at Shannon Airport, 81 cabin crew are to be offered enhanced severance or a transfer to Dublin Airport while its 45 ground staff remain laid off.

Speaking at a special meeting of Clare County Council which was attended by the county’s seven Oireachtas members, the Mayor of Clare, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) criticised the move of Aer Lingus to inform its employees via Zoom.

Further annoyance with the method of communication was voiced by Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) who labelled it

lCRITICISED: Aer Lingus as “horrible” and “abysmal”.

He added, “It is unbelievable that a company in receipt of so much public support over the last 12 months would treat workers and our citizen members this way”.

Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) was of the same view, “the way the announcement was made was a disgrace to workers”.

In February, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund provided a €150m threeyear loan to Aer Lingus, this was referenced by Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) who questioned

why this support “wasn’t tied to some kind of guarantee for the connectivity for the west of Ireland”.

Motives of the timing of the announcement were flagged by Cllr John Crowe (FG).

“Aer Lingus are using this as a tool to try extract more money from Government.

We have paid the wages of their staff since the virus came out, this is another tool, as they have done with Shannon down through the years, they have never put their shoulder to the wheel

with Shannon”.

Having a base at Shannon has always been “an issue” for Aer Lingus, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) maintained.

“It is not unrealistic to draw a clear straight line with the decision to sell off Aer Lingus and their decision to close the base in Shannon,” Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) commented and said the airline doesn’t believe in the Government’s commitment to regional development.

Deputy Joe Carey (FG) told the meeting of his view that Aer Lingus used the cloud of COVID-19 “to take out these people who have given such loyal service”. He felt the treatment of employees, some of whom had over 30 years service was “shocking”.

Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) was concerned with how silent Aer Lingus had been on whether they will return to Shannon with flights, but was confident they would return.

Guarantees needed on Heathrow slots CONFIDENCE is low that Aer Lingus’ decision to shut their Shannon Airport base will be reversed which has prompted elected representatives to stress the importance of connectivity for the International Airport going forward, writes Páraic McMahon.

At a special meeting of Clare County Council on Monday, the necessity of strong connectivity for success of Shannon Airport was stressed with the introduction of positive discriminatory measures suggested by Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) and Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG).

Attending the virtual meeting from Shannon, Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) said he was looking out on the runway with no plane to be seen. “It is a sad indictment of our Government and our country. One of the longest runways in the world, we can land any plane and there isn’t one to be seen”.

Aer Lingus’ decision is unlikely to be reversed, Cllr Michael Begley (IND) outlined, “we need to dwell on getting the Airport up to a level that is viable into the future.

“We need more flights,

more airlines and to retain connectivity with Heathrow”. A “decent percentage” of the tourist trade flying into Dublin must be rerouted to Shannon, he stated.

“Doing nothing or more of the same is not an option, we need to come out fighting for Shannon,” Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) remarked.

Any future funding given to Aer Lingus must have “strings attached,” Joe Carey TD (FG) insisted such as the reinstatement of their cabin crew, protection of routes and a commitment to the Heathrow slots for the next decade.

Connectivity commitments between the State and International Airlines Group expire in September of next year. This includes the Shannon to Heathrow slots which cannot be disposed of without prior consent from the Minister for Finance.

Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) warned, “If the base is not there we will not have early morning and late evening return, we know how important they are for people who want to go over to work and for early connectivity to Asia”.

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NEWS 9

THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

Impact of HSE ransomware attack is ‘exhausting’ PÁRAIC MCMAHON

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paraic@clareecho.ie

RONTLINE workers have found the impact of the cyber attack on the HSE’s IT systems to be “exhausting”.

Throughout the UL Hospitals Group, staff have had to rely on patient notes and written records as they cope with the shutting down of all IT systems across the HSE following a major ransomware attack earlier this month which has also resulted in the cancellation of all routine outpatient appointments, all routine surgeries and routine cancer reviews.

In the absence of IT systems, healthcare workers have been forced to adapt.

“We’ve been relying on patient notes and written records, we print out laboratory results and then put into the notes, the same for radiology notes, they are set out by the radiologist reporting them. It is a very labour intensive process, it is like going back 40 years,” Dr. Denis O'Keeffe (inset), Consultant Haematologist and Clinical Director of Cancer Services at University Hospital Limerick admitted.

“All the basic things that we’re used to like turning to a computer and getting the laboratory results, getting the latest X-ray, looking at past records, all of that is not possible, that is a huge challenge to us for the patients with us today and for those that come in unexpected”.

Systems have been improving this week, Dr O’Keeffe observed, “there

is a hope that a significant amount of it will have turned by the end of this week, how that translates into being able to have services up and running fully again is still not clear. Our hope would be perhaps over the next two weeks but it is still not clear”.

He described the cancellation of all routine outpatient appointments, all routine surgeries and routine cancer reviews as a “huge impact”.

The Limerick native added, “It is inevitable when you cancel outpatients and we’ve had to cancel them a number of times because of COVID, this crisis on top of that there will be people with conditions and cancers that will be delayed before their diagnosis.

“Our aim is to get things up and running as quickly as possible. We’re hoping to run extra services once we’re back up and running but it is going to be a huge challenge”.

Patients with operations cancelled as a result of the cyber attack are to be rescheduled. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy services have not been affected.

“The difficult thing is the patients waiting for investigations to see what is going on”. Staff have responded well to the crisis, Denis maintained.

“It has been exhausting for all of us in different ways, in terms of morale after the initial shock of the loss of so many system there was a feel of exhaustion but the reality is that you have to deal with it and collectively from the CEO down you get into crisis mode and work around.

“You have to stop quite a few services to deal with this but most importantly you’ve to make sure your emergency services are functioning well and safely, that is exactly what we’ve done”.

Politicians urged to put party whip on the line

by PÁRAIC McMAHON CLARE’S Government representatives have been urged to put their vote on the line by making a stand for Shannon Airport.

Among the votes to be put before the Dáil this week include a decision on whether to extend regulations on mandatory hotel quarantine.

Of Clare’s seven Oireachtas members, five of them are tied to Government parties and they have been urged to put their party whip on the line by making a stand for Shannon Airport when it comes to voting this week.

“We have five Oireachtas members supporting the Government, I urge them to give the Taoiseach an ultimatum that they will change their jerseys if something is not done,” Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) commented.

Referencing the “restrictive approach” followed as the country responded to the pandemic, Michael McNamara TD (IND) detailed that a number of votes will be put before Oireachtas members this week in-

cluding mandatory hotel quarantine and “shutting down of businesses”. Talks of a positive announcement on further easing of restrictions is expected on Friday “but there are a whole host of votes before then, I hope my colleagues aren’t going into this blind,” the Scariff native remarked.

Reliance on tourism and aviation has seen the Mid-West region “disproportionately affected” by the Government’s response to COVID-19, Deputy McNamara stated.

He noted that as the meeting was held no Chairperson of Shannon Group was in place with the future of Shannon Heritage and Shannon Airport in a precarious position, “this would not happen in Dublin Airport because Dublin TDs would not allow it to happen”.

Public health measures have been in place “to save lives” and were recommended by public health experts, Senator Conway responded.Senator Garvey said it was “sad to see Deputy McNamara scoring political points”.

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Kilrush healthcare centre promises ‘too vague’ A CLARE TD has criticised the HSE’s “unnecessarily vague” nature when it comes to commitments for a planned health care centre in Kilrush, writes Páraic McMahon.

In March 2019, a new primary health care centre was first announced for Kilrush. The lack of progress and clarity with timelines for the facility has been lambasted by Violet-Anne Wynne TD (SF).

She stated, “The HSE are still effectively refusing to commit to any concrete action or development two years down the line is unacceptable. We all know that various developmental projects have been stalled as a result of the pandemic but the HSE’s response to any questions seeking clarification about projected timelines are unnecessarily vague and seem to be back-peddling on the previous commitment”.

Curtailment of Shannondoc services has also caused worry in the county, Deputy Wynne remarked, which are “leaving many people unaware of where their nearest Shannondoc service is and its hours of operation”.

THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

Returning to physical activities outdoors a struggle for MS patients CIAN O’BROIN

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cianobroin@clareecho.ie

ORLD MS Day 2021 hopes to highlight the challenges facing those living with Multiple Sclerosis, with one Clare woman stressing her own difficulties in returning to physical activity outdoors.

This year, a total of 9,000 individuals living with the chronic neurological condition in Ireland will be looking to return to regular essential activity outdoors, with physical distancing in confined spaces a serious challenge that many are facing.

Retired nurse Margaret Lohan Gunning acknowledged the impact that MS has on one’s life, forcing them to rethink their life goals and expectations. Diagnosed with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS) after moving to Ennis in 1995, the former New York City nurse knew the signs and symptoms before they began to have an effect on her daily life but asserted that an early diagnosis is essential in preventing exacerbations and slowing down the condition.

“During COVID, I didn’t go out that much. If you had assisted devices during the pandemic, you had to keep your hands clean. But you also had to keep the stick clean and the rollator also.

That was an added challenge. It’s very important for people with MS to have physical activity. My physical activity in the past consisted of short walks outside, face to face physiotherapy or yoga also. That was certainly all gone,” the Galway native stated.

This year’s theme for World MS Day, celebrated on Sunday May 30, explores connections and the challenging of social stigma barriers by

promoting a sense of community to transcend social isolation and feelings of loneliness. Margaret championed the work of local MS services and community members in Clare over the lockdown, where networking and chat groups facilitated online yoga, meditation and physiotherapy programmes. “Some did not have the required technology within the MS community and have missed out on this valuable time,” she conceded.

Receiving her first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at the West County Hotel in early May was a point of pride for Margaret. Despite this positive, she is slightly dismayed at the three month wait required for her second dose and like many with SPMS, a relapsing-remitting phase of the disease where individuals are not deemed in a “vulnerable category”, is still scared of contracting the virus while out pursuing her daily exercise.

“World MS highlights the condition and the limitations we have. If they see us walking with a stick, that they would help and stay out of our way. I’ve been pushing for some time now for a safe walk to be put up in Lees Road in Ennis for people with rollators or sticks. If there are runners, cyclers or walkers up there, you get really nervous. Even if there was a 100-yard space where you could walk up and down, undistracted. That is something I would like to see,” she concluded.

l COVID IMPACT: Margaret Lohan Gunnning

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THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

Leadership needed to maximise potential of Shannon Estuary PÁRAIC MCMAHON

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paraic@clareecho.ie

EADERSHIP is needed to maximise the potential investment for West Clare from the Shannon

Estuary.

These sentiments were echoed by Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) at a recent sitting of the West Clare Municipal District where he called for the re-establishing of a Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) committee for the Shannon Estuary to identify potential developments.

He also wished to see the Moneypoint task force reconvened to lead a consultation process “on how best to develop land banks” in the Municipal District “to ensure an early input into any potential planning applications ensuring maximum benefit of the natural resources available”.

Chief Executive of Clare

County Council, Pat Dowling currently chairs the SIFP Steering Committee, Director of Service Liam Conneally outlined. He confirmed that a SIFP marketing group has been set up while SIFP data “will be made available to the ESB and other commercial interests intending to invest in the Estuary. This material will be of particular

assistance to all parties seeking planning consent for on/ offshore development in the Estuary”.

Briefings from the ESB on the Green Atlantic development at Moneypoint are to be held with West Clare councillors at least every six months, the Director stated in response to the suggestion to reignite taskforce.

l ASSET:

The Shannon Estuary

Recent plans announced for Moneypoint were acknowledged by Cllr Lynch, “while it has been very positive it comes with a caveat that we need to be prepared”. He was confident numerous developments would appear along the Shannon Estuary but stressed that open and honest discussions were needed.

Plans of the Shannon LNG and Shannon Foynes plus that of ESB were referenced by the Kilrush representative, “if we let one group run away with it we could damage the potential of the Estuary. We need to be very proactive on this.”.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Lynch stressed, “This asset doesn’t belong to the ESB, it belongs to the people of Co Clare, unless we step up to protect it for people of Clare we will lose it and it will stop all future development. I want this Council to lead it, we were quick to lead when we wanted investment, now we need to manage the investment”.

Appeal reiterated for repair works on 'East Clare's busiest footpath’

by PÁRAIC McMAHON FRUSTRATION has been voiced in Tuamgraney about the delay to carry out repairs to what has been labelled the ‘busiest footpath in East Clare’.

At this month’s meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District, Cllr Pat Burke (FG) sought an update to ascertain why requested works were not completed on a section of footpath at Drewsborough in Tuamgraney between Nilands service station and Nuala’s restaurant.

Residents had made their views known to the Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council on the lack of progress made in upgrading the footpath. He calculated that the work required would take a couple of hours to complete.

Executive engineer, Declan Flanagan detailed that the work could be organised to take place in “the next couple of weeks”.

He acknowledged that their schedule of tasks had been curtailed due to COVID-19 with crews “going flat out” since the roadwork programme commenced.

When Burke’s initial proposal was tabled, senior executive engineer Niamh Madden committed to a survey of the footpath and to completing any “essential maintenance where necessary”. Complaints have been associated with the footpath for a long time, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) noted.

A high level activity of pedestrians particularly in the evenings have been using the footpath, Cllr Burke recounted. This has brought to his attention the need for upgrades, he surmised.

“It is probably the busiest section of footpath in all of the Killaloe Municipal District,” the Whitegate representative stated.

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THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

Spring 2022 target for works to begin on Killaloe bypass PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

S

PRING of next year has been earmarked as the planned start of construction on the main scheme works associated with the Killaloe

Bypass.

Progress has been made on the project in recent months despite the impact of COVID-19 on the construction sector including completion of the main archaeological works. After site clearance works, archaeology investigations were required on the canal.

Senior engineer in the project management office of Clare County Council, Seán Lenihan detailed that Coir Infrastructure, the contractors for the project are due to complete a “significant bundle of advance works” in the coming weeks.

A draft tender suite of documents has been finalised and forwarded to the Department of Transport for review. Lenihan was hopeful to receive approval from the Minister to proceed to tender in mid-June.

Should this timeline be met to run the tender competition, the submitted bids from the six shortlisted contractors will then be assessed before selecting a preferred bidder and award-

lCONSTRUCTION: Killaloe ing a contract by the end of this year.

Lenihan stated, “It would then be expected that following mobilisation, construction of the main scheme works would commence on site in the Spring of next year 2022. Due to the seasonal constraints associated with in-river works, the construction period is expected to take between 30 and 36 months to complete. In parallel to the works outlined above, we are progressing with the remaining Landowner Agreements, mostly by direct negotiation with a very small few choosing to go the Arbitration route. Following the easing of Covid related restrictions, these are due to recommence in mid June and July”.

Date set for Blake's Corner oral hearing A VIRTUAL oral hearing for Blake’s Corner will be held next month, writes Páraic McMahon.

June 9th and 10th have been set as the dates on which the oral hearing will be held via Microsoft Teams, An Bord Pleanála have confirmed.

Members of the public may attend but questions will be at the discretion of the inspector.

Fourteen objections were received for a compulsory purchase order for two properties at the Ennistymon traffic block spot since June of last year.

Cllr Pat Burke (FG) requested an update at the May meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District on the project.

“We spoke about Henchy Cross and Green initiatives. Please God Minister Ryan won’t pull a wobbly and think people should be walking or cycling across the old bridge in Killaloe instead. Without doubt, this is the most vital piece of infrastructure that has ever been put into East Clare”.

Initial progress was “satisfactory” in the eyes of Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF). “I think we’re on target. It is incumbent on us to maintain the pressure on our political masters”. He predicted that Killaloe within a couple of years will offer a gateway to the M7.

Denis Vaughan of Save Ennistymon’s Heritage told The Clare Echo, “Blake’s Corner is Ennistymon’s Future.

“As societies the world over reset and put more focus on authentic experiences, Clare can play a key role in our nations economic recovery”.

Future uses of Blake’s Corner must be open and transparent, he maintained.

“We must ensure strong representation from business and our community in a sustained program of regeneration by the townspeople, with careful and transparent use of resources and above all respect for our past”.

lRESPECT:

An archive photo of Blake’s Corner

Laura expands her childcare service with ECCE Pre-School MY NAME is Laura Corbett and my career took an unusual turn recently. I am qualified in FETAC 5 & 6 Early Childhood Care with Special Needs.

Little did I think I would be operating a childcare service based in the primary school of which I myself am a past pupil.

In September 2020 I knew I was taking a significant risk due to COVID-19. Businesses were closing all around, but I bucked this trend and saw an opportunity to start mine. Simply put I saw an opportunity to run my own ‘’After-school’’ childcare service in Ballynacally NS. Initially I had four children enrolled but by the end of Term 1 this grew to 32. There is a wonderful atmosphere in our school and I soon realised that there is nowhere I’d rather have set up my business than in the beautiful Ballynacally village.

Here is the good news! To follow on from the success of my After-School service I am opening an ECCE Pre-School service. Laura’s Childcare service will operate from 9:3012:30 a.m. daily. The Pre-School will be located on school grounds where children will be best prepared for transition from PreSchool to Primary level. I am really looking forward to the future and realising the full potential of my service in caring for the children of our community and beyond.

As well as childcare of the highest standards children who attend my service will engage in a comprehensive range of indoor and outdoor activities. I wish to thank the school’s Board of Management for its support and hope this service, and our school, go from strength to strength in the future.

Please see Ballynacally N.S. Facebook page for additional information and a selection of Parents’ Testimonials to assure you that you are making the right decision when enrolling your child in Laura’s Childcare.

Contact Laura on 0863661005 for additional information.

lACTIVITIES: Ballynacally NS

NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

13

Return of friend & family visitors a huge lift at Carrigoran

CIAN O’BROIN cianobroin@clareecho.ie

S

even months into her tenure as CEO of Carrigoran House, Marie O’Malley has outlined that the return of friend and family visitations following the full vaccination of staff and residents across the campus has provided a huge lift.

Marie O’Malley took up her new post within the Newmarket-on-Fergus facility in November, having spent over 20 years in senior positions throughout nursing homes.

The Limerick woman began working in nursing homes due to the circumstances of her life and immediately fell in love with caring for the elderly.

Returning to Carrigoran, where she worked between 2000 and 2011, followed by a spate at two other facilities including working in the area of spinal and acquired brain injury, Marie feels that there is “something magical about Carrigoran.” Her duties include the overall responsibility of the campus including the day care facilities, independent living facilities, assisted living facilities as well as the nursing home and the surrounding land.

A renewed sense of freedom and happiness has reinvigorated residents across the 109 bed facility. “There was a sense of disbelief amongst people, saying ‘have we got through this safely and how lucky are we, all being alive after this horrendous year and a half.’ It’s wonderful to see all the residents from different units chattering up and down the corridor, mixing and seeing their friends. Everybody is just beaming and smiling,” the University of Limerick nursing graduate stated.

Following two weeks of nice weather, Carrigoran House prioritised getting residents outside into their walled gardens, with a mixture of walking, transit chairs and two of the facilities special golf buggies which were going “from morning to night.” Residents are now permitted four visits per week, with two people allowed to attend each visit. These can take place indoors and are not solely limited to family members.

Looking to the future of the facility Marie fully supports the big shift to Home Care, with the aim of “keeping people at home longer” through day care and respite services. In her eyes, this is the perfect solution, with many residents preferring to live independently with a small degree of assistance.

Carrigoran House has always been noted for its vision around person centred care, she stated.

“I always say a nursing home should be

halfway between a hospital and a hotel. It should have clinical services and experience but also be about promoting lifestyle.

It’s about being appreciated as an individual.

What we want here is a complete campus with freedom and fun. Life is for living, at all stages.” l Right Marie O’Malley and below the beautiful gardens of Carrigoran House

CARRIGORAN HOUSE Carrigoran House has a long history and reputation for providing the highest quality person centred care. We acknowledge that the dearest wish of every older person is to remain in and be cared for in their own home. Our vision and ethos is to provide care as and when needed to support living at home. We do this through our continuum of care services to support people to remain at home for as long as possible and offer many alternatives if and when this becomes unfeasible for them.

Our services include; - Day Care Services - Respite and Convalescent Services - Independent Living Chalets - Assisted Living Apartments - Long Term Care Services - Dementia Specific Care Unit - All provided within our extensive and beautiful gardens overlooking the Shannon by a team of highly professional and dedicated staff

Address: Carrigoran, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co.Clare Contact: 061-368100 info@carrigoranhouse.ie, www.carrigoranhouse.ie

14 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

West Clare can cash in on the cruise industry post COVID-19 PÁRAIC MCMAHON

W

paraic@clareecho.ie

EST Clare has the capability to pounce on what is expected to be a dramatically altered cruise industry.

“Significant changes” to the cruise industry are predicted by Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) who felt the time was right for Clare County Council to establish a partnership with existing cruise ship agents entering the Shannon Estuary.

Cahercon, Kilrush and Carrigaholt may be used for “landing passengers offering a unique visitor experience along west Clare to ensure we are best placed to maximise any potential from the cruise ship tourism,” he suggested. The proposal was seconded by Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG).

The cruise industry is worth an estimated €70 million to Ireland’s economy, with 157,000 cruise passengers and 69,000 cruise ship crew members visiting Cork alone in 2018, and injecting €12 million into the Cork and Cobh economies specifically.

Senior planner with the local authority, Brian McCarthy noted that its location on the Wild Atlantic Way with natural deep and sheltered waters, Co Clare and the Shannon

Estuary “is a welcoming and attractive destination for cruise liners and their passengers” with bounding counties Kerry and Limerick also possessing tourism offerings.

McCarthy outlined that the Council’s Strategic Economic Initiatives unit have worked and collaborated with Shannon Foynes Port Company and Kerry County Council, Limerick City and County Council to form Cruise Shannon Estuary over the past year.

Clare is seen as the location for the docking of small to medium size cruise ships mid-way in the Estuary with passengers get-

ting the options to travel south to Foynes if heading to Kerry or Limerick or northwards to Cahercon Pier and Clare “enabling tourists visit the amenities and attractions in the nearby coastal towns and villages of Clare along the Estuary and experience the stunning trails, local produce and attractions of the County”.

Cahercon Pier is the current focus of the Cruise Shannon Estuary Initiative but McCarthy acknowledged Carrigaholt and Kilrush also have potential “for further maritime related development and initiatives”.

Upgrades to be carried out at Westbury UPGRADES to the entrances and roadside wall at one of Clare’s biggest housing estates are to be carried out, writes Páraic MaMahon.

An appeal for the upgrade of the Westbury entrances and roadside wall (which were said to be “in a very unsightly state” was tabled by Cllr Michael Begley (IND).

Funding has been secured, senior executive engineer Tom Mellett confirmed with investigation works underway to determine the condition of the wall before finalising plans. “The intention is to engage with local community groups before works commence and that all works will be completed by the end of this year”.

Urgency must be placed on the works, Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) believed. “It is the biggest housing estate we have, over 1000 houses inside. The wall is not nice. The people living in there deserve better”. O’Gorman at the same meeting asked for a survey on traffic movements to be completed to justify the reduction of the speed limit or installation of calming measures. This survey will be completed when traffic returns to pre COVID-19 levels, Mellett confirmed.

l PARTNERSHIP: Cahercon Pier

Stricter policy needed for over night parking of campervans CALLS for a strict policy on the parking of camper vans on private roads in Clare have been made by local representatives, writes Cian O’Broin.

The issue of an influx of camper vans in undesignated areas was raised by Cllr. Pat Burke (FG) at a sitting of the Rural Development SPC, following the overnight parking of several vehicles at Dromaan Harbour in recent weeks.

Whilst welcome if respectful, the East Clare representative and father of three urged that the policing of these undesignated areas, for “when the undesirables arrive” is an essential balancing act that must be addressed this summer.

Cllr. Cillian Murphy (FF) who undertook

his master’s thesis on an economic assessment of the motor homes sector but had to withdraw due to a lack of information from domestic motor home organisations, highlighted that the cost of managing motor homes throughout the county this summer will vastly outweigh the cost of policy.

“It’s not good enough in my book to say that you can’t come, and we are not going to facilitate you.

“What we should be saying is, you are more than welcome these are our standard organised spaces with services.

“There is a fee, here is the system but parking elsewhere is illegal, and we are going to prosecute you if you do that,” the co-founder of Loop Head Tourism warned.

NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

Clare is Amazing,

15

Sponsored by

take it ALL in...

Visit Ennis - a picturesque andClare historic market town is Amazing, T take it ALL in...

Sponsored by

HE STREETS of Ennis are bustling with shoppers and day-trippers once again as our economy and society reopens. Our museum, library and cultural venues are

Explore ALL of Clare. It will surprise you!

B A L LYA L A County L A K Council E ‘Clare is Amazing’ page, sponsored byL Clare and Clare Tourism, will be a regular feature in this paper over the weeks d. We will be reminding readers of experiences that can be explored njoyed in Clare in line with the latest public health guidelines. ll also encourage readers to ‘Get out There’ and share their iences with other readers – your tips! What have you discovered and on your trip-taking and staycations within the County? Tell us, and ould win some great prizes, and we’ll share some of the best tips on age in the weeks ahead.

now, here are just a few suggestions:

Tourist for a day. In any typical Clare would be welcoming over million visitors from within Ireland worldwide. They are drawn to e because of all the possibilities njoyment and fun. Our seascapes, scapes and lakescapes provide m with the amazing natural kdrops within which each visitor shape their own experience. You e the great advantage of living . For one or more days, imagine self as a tourist and really explore t can be enjoyed at this time. in places that you are not overly liar with. d for the open spaces. In Clare, e are plenty of open spaces and zing places. Enjoy the beaches, sts, parks, Wild Atlantic Way tline, The Burren, the Hidden rtlands, historical sites and ogical wonders.

Lost! As well as travelling to your urite places, travel to the parts of e you don’t know. Go and get lost d see where it takes you! Clare is of surprises. k the Walk. Clare has lots of astic loop and linear walks to suit evels of fitness. For the serious er, there are well-organised es, including national trails that well sign-posted. There are also

great loop walks suited to walkers of different levels of fitness. Our clifftop, mountain-top, and hill-top walks are spectacular.

• Bring a picnic, or buy a picnic. As ‘eating in’ places are not yet open, either bring a picnic or check out the places you can pick up a tasty takeaway. Restaurants and cafés are very creative at this time, and you can order and pick up excellent meals and snacks. It’s also a great way to support local businesses!

H I S TO RY H U N T I N G

also reopening their doors to visitors from near and far, heralding the beginning of what is expected to be a bumper domestic tourist season for the Clare County Capital this summer.

Go History Hunting

A picturesque and historic market town called after the Irish name for island (Inis), Ennis’ origins date back to the 13th century when the Kings of Thomond invited the Franciscans to establish a settlement. 800 years later and the narrow and historic lanes and bow-ways give character to the town while monuments, buildings and waterways showcase its rich heritage.

Great Shopping

Long renowned as a centre of excellence for shopping, Ennis is home to beautiful boutiques providing locally produced crafts and an extensive range of covetable fashion labels Tell our readers whatperched you lovedalong most its cobbled streetsabout and busy thoroughfares. your recent trip around the County,

T H E B O U T I Q U E C A P I TA L O F I R E L A N D

lare and win some great prizes - including a C l l e T Family Staycation Holiday.

IN Every W d Ireland’s Friendliest Town second week we will draw winners for n a ‘Ireland’s Friendliest our latest Town’ prizes from those who , as named byprovide Retailgood

tips.an Then, at the end of August, Excellence feedback Ireland, and is also International Purple we will also draw from all entrants for a very special Flag location.

When hospitality resumes during weekend staycation for either a family or two June andsharing July, visitors will choice!). once again be able to (the winners enjoy a vibrant, well-managed, and safe evening and night-time economy.

This Weeks Prize

Ceoil agus Craic

Win a ‘Walk with a Hawk’ at the Aillwee Cave Burren BirdsEnnis of Prey Centre is also the home of Traditional Irish Music

with year-round traditional music sessions and festivals held. The continued opening of our economy post-Covid means that the streets will soon be filled with the sound of live music and song.

A Hawk Walk at Aillwee is a once in a lifetime opportunity to interact with some of nature’s top predators. Guided and instructed by experienced Falconers, Aillwee’s hour-long ‘Walk with a Hawk’ through hazel woodland and across Burren limestone pavement is tailor-made for anybody seeking a totally unique experience. The lucky winner and a friend can avail of the prize once the Aillwee Cave and the Birds of Prey Centre re-opens. That’s something to look forward to! See www.AillweeCave.ie

And there’s more to wet your appetite..!

Sights to see and experiences include a walk in the footsteps of the Franciscans at Ennis Friary HeriFeedback Online to Win! tage Site and visits to medieval buildings. Or try a have a chance win, a forest walk in visit toTo the Ennis Farmersto Market, nearbyvisit Johnwww.Clare.ie/TellClare O’Sullivan Park, Lee’s Road and / or a paddle in Ballyalla Lake. What’s not to love about Ennis!

#everybodylovesennis #visitclare

Stay safe. Protect each other. Please remember to follow all public health advice. Above all, always distance yourself I R (6 EL A Nfrom D’S FR IEND L I Eface S Tcoverings, TO W N at least 2 meters feet) other people.

Wear covering your mouth and nose, when in proximity T I Mwell E A Mfrequently.

O N G F See R I Ewww.gov.ie/covid NDS to others. Wash your–hands and

www.Clare.ie

J O H N O ’ S U L L I VA N PA R K , L E E ’ S R O A D , E N N I S

16 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

Anger as Aldi denied planning again PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

A

NGER has been expressed in Shannon following the decision of Clare County Council to deny Aldi planning permission for a new store in the town.

Late last week, Clare County Council refused planning permission for the two storey outler which was to create 25 permanent jobs and up 80 during the construction period.

Zoning, lack of pedestrian linkages to the town centres and the contravening of objectives in the Shannon Town and Environs Local Area Plan were listed as areas for the decision. It was claimed in the Chief Executive’s Order that the development “would seriously

injure the amenities of the area”.

Existing vacancy levels at the shopping centre in Shannon and “the nature of the development which is primarily to serve car borne traffic” were also referenced in the order signed by the acting senior planner Helen Quinn.

Aldi have confirmed they will appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála. “We are committed to bringing our fantastic prices, value and greater choice to shoppers in Shannon and will be appealing the decision to An Bord Pleanala”.

Revised plans were lodged by the discount store in April. “Our revised plans for the new store feature several facilities that will benefit the wider Shannon community, including a dedicated connection to the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists, the addition of a two storey café or restaurant unit with associated external terrace area and free-to-use electric vehicle

charging points,” the spokesperson added.

Clare County Council previously denied Aldi planning permission for a Shannon store in 2017, a subsequent appeal to An Bord Pleanála in August 2018 was unsuccessful.

An online petition has been launched by residents of the town

who have criticised the decision of the local authority. Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) confirmed that he and Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) have rowed in behind the appeal.

Flynn admitted he was surprised with the outcome. “Aldi would bing more business to Shannon, busi-

lEMPLOYMENT: Aldi

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SWARM wishes were extended by Shannon councillors about the prospect of creating bee hotels in the town to compliment the existing pollinator areas.

Five pollinator areas have been successfully trialled around Shannon Town and to build on this, hopes have been expressed that bee hotels can be added to strengthen the protection of the ecosystem in the Airport town.

Citing the importance of bees to the ecosystem, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) mentioned the fast decline of bees in Ireland.

She appealed to the Shannon Municipal District to create bee hotels in the area “to help sustain and grow our bee population”.

She explained, “these hotels can be made from recycled materials and are easy to

make, they can be part of a school project and then used along with the pollinators as education on bees, their life and how important they are to us”.

Expansion of the pollinator sites is under consideration for next year, senior executive engineer Tom Mellett outlined, “with the aim of creating a network to support all pollinators”. He added that advice will be sought “on how best to help nesting bees naturally and to create and retain bee habitat which would incorporate physical measures as described in the motion”.

Schools in Shannon have already built bee hotels and have voiced their excitement at the proposal, Cllr McGettigan stated.

The addition of the hotels “will enhance our biodiversity in the area,” she predicted.

Praise of the pollinator areas was voiced

by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND). “We have hundreds of areas left alone in Shannon that could be described as pollinator areas, we did this to bring it into the heart of the town”. He felt a better location may be found for the bee hotels rather than the pollinator areas as they are quite residential. “There might be suitable areas other than the areas up against residential areas and schools. It is amazing the importance of bees to whole ecosystem in bees in Ireland”.

Cathaoirleach of the Shannon MD, Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) acknowledged the role played by nature documentaries on the television in “making people aware of the good that bees do”. l SWARM WISHES: One of the pollinator areas Photo by Joe Buckley

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ness we’re not getting now. It is up to SkyCourt to entice them across the road, the more footfall you have the better it is for the shopping centre. I fully expected they would have got planning permission. I thought the time had come”.

He felt common sense was lacking when it came to the decision and believed the planners were guilty of “inward thinking” by refusing commercial developments in close proximity to the shopping centre. The Shannon resident outlined, “for years, the planners have protected the shopping centre but that has come at a cost”.

“I think it is ridiculous that all the focus is on the capital town of Ennis, I’ve no problem that it has to be minded but all we’re hearing now is Ennis 2040 and ploughing more money into it, what about the rest of the county. I think Ennis is being prioritised at the expense of other districts,” Flynn concluded.

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17

THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

in association with

Suicide prevention centre to open in Ennis CIAN O’BROIN

A

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

NEW suicide prevention centre will open its doors in Ennis to help tackle a mental health pandemic that existed long before COVID-19.

The Haven Hub Clare will provide a safe space for those over 16 years of age who need to talk, are in crisis or family members that need to talk to peer support individuals trained in suicide prevention.

Ennis native Tina Whelan, who lost her stepson Seamus Higgins to suicide in 2013, decided to set up the centre after learning that people were being turned away from suicide prevention services in Limerick due to being from Clare.

“I have attended so many suicide prevention conferences and it’s the same old story. I thought Seamus’ story was the only one until I attended these, and I heard the ex-

act same thing. You go to Ennis at night, they tell you we are full.

You go to Limerick, and they say we can’t treat you because you are from Clare. Seamus was told that.

My friend who was in a crisis a few months ago was told the same exact thing, you’re from Clare, you have got your own place, we can’t treat you,” Tina stated.

A management committee has been set up comprising of Tina Whelan, Timmy Dooley, Lourdes Murphy and Scott Casson Rennie.

The centre, which is yet to be purchased, will be a sister hub of The Haven Hub Limerick, which was founded by Leona O’ Callaghan to counteract the closing of the majority of suicide prevention services after 11pm each night, with the exception of University Hospital Limerick (UHL).

Tackling a county that has twice the average number of people self-harming or attempting suicide, Leona led The Haven Hub Limerick to the 2018 accolade of having the highest discharge rate

l Tina Whelan

in the country for people who self-harm or attempt suicide. Tina lends full credit to Leona and its Limerick counterpart, who have been instrumental in assisting with essential policy as well as providing free training to future volunteers.

Near misses at Ballybeg leave councillors on alert

by PÁRAIC Mc MAHON NEAR-MISSES have prompted an elected representative based in Ballybeg to highlight concerns relating to pedestrian safety in the vicinity.

Residents on the Ballybeg Rd in Ennis have expressed their desire to have speed ramps or VMS flashing signs installed, this plea was aired before the May meeting of the Ennis Municipal District by Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF).

She outlined, “There has been a welcome abundance of pedestrians and cyclists along the Ballybeg Rd as people take the loop walk along the Kilrush Rd and Limerick Rd, and locals who walk are complaining about the speeding on the road which I have observed and find very concerning”.

Speed surveys are to be completed, senior executive engineer Eamon O’Dea confirmed. “If the speeds recorded warrants

l Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF)

Photo by Eamon Ward

further interventions, the details will be forwarded to An Garda Siochana for their review of traffic enforcement locations,” he explained.

Popularity of Ballybeg as a walking route for residents of Ennis town was reiterated

by Cllr Colleran Molloy at the meeting. The provision of funding to construct a footpath from the water tower to the Kildysart Rd was welcomed by the former Mayor of Clare. She voiced her concern with the safety of pedestrians at present, “I’ve witnessed near-misses, I walk it daily”.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) also informed the meeting he regularly cycles and walks the route. He flagged that “blind spots” exist on the road and that the addition of the footpath will improve safety.

“It is a motion that is hugely important for the safety of not alone residents but for others actually using the facilities up around Ballybeg and into the woods. It is important that the likes of these motions are taken seriously,” Cllr Ann Norton (IND) stressed.

Most people from the town make the most of the “hugely popular walk,” Cllr Pat Daly (FF) observed.

Adding further detail to the surveys, O’Dea clarified that they would be done over 24, 36 and 48 hour periods on varying days, “if people are not driving within speed limit, they are breaking the law”. The footpath is intended to be completed this year, he stated, the start date will depend on the roadworks programme but he predicted works could begin in July or August. The effect of VMS signs will be “substantially reduced” if too many of them appear around the MD, he cautioned. “If we start putting them up everywhere around the place, people begin to ignore them like the speed limit signs”.

She highlighted that when individuals in distress are being turned away in future, the Haven Hub Clare will be open, offering a compassionate and non-judgemental service. Liaising with Haven Hub Limerick, who successfully carried out 200 suicide interventions

last year, Tina aspires for Ennis to be the most trained up location in Ireland with regards to QPR training. QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer, an emergency mental health intervention for suicidal persons created in 1995 by Paul Quinnett.

Tina believes that knowledge is power and that the more people within the community that are trained up “the more chance of saving lives.” Voluntary Suicide Prevention Officers will commit to two evenings per month at the Centre. “I had people ringing me previous to this, asking if I will speak to their children, brothers and sisters. I told them that I can’t as I’m not trained, all I have is personal experience. I could end up saying the wrong thing. I know it’s needed here in Clare,” she concluded.

For more information contact ‘The Haven Hub Clare’ on Facebook or call their phoneline on 089-262 1855.

18 FEATURES

THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

GREEN CLARE

Sustainable energy described as the new tool for local development CIAN O’BROIN

S

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

USTAINABLE energy has been described as the new tool for local development as Clare communities were urged to become SECs. Ireland’s transition to a low carbon energy future forms part of Ireland’s Energy Policy (2015-2030).

One of the pivotal elements of this transition is the establishing of Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs).

Co Clare currently has 22 SECs registered on a national network tallying 475.

A Sustainable Energy Community works together to develop a sustainable energy system for the benefit of the community.

The European Union defines it as “collective energy actions that foster citizens’ participation across the energy system”.

Proportion and size vary, from the size of a street to a county or entire region. The network, created by the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) includes a mixture of islands, rural and urban SECs. These communities are generally comprised of a number of community organisations, fostering local engagement.

Some of these include development associations, community councils and residents associations, Tidy Towns Committees, Local environmental groups, housing associations and Suburban community organisations.

Community Energy Mentor, Gearóid Fitzgibbon addressed last week’s meeting of the Rural Development SPC where he explained the supports available through the SEAI. “This is all mainstream state policy now.

We are on a radical course away from fossil fuels.

“Energy is the new tool for local devel-

opment. We are eager to double or treble the number of SECs in Co Clare. There are now significant funds coming on stream,” he said, drawing on 15 years of experience in the SEAI. Some of the SEAI community grants include Better Energy Community, Warmer Homes Scheme, National Retrofit Scheme amongst many others. A 100 per cent funded Energy Master Plan (EMP) is the starting point for communities looking to assess their cost and energy savings as well as looking at renewable energy alternatives.

At a village level, EMPs will cost €10,000, whilst the total for a community level comes to €25,000. Providing mentoring for SECs in the Mid-west and South-West alongside Gloria Callinan, Gearóid explained the positives of the Community Benefit Fund.

“Community Benefit Funds will represent the largest transfer of wealth in the state to communities over a lifetime. This will enable communities to create positive impacts environmentally, societally and culturally, for the well-being of communities,” he stated.

The CBF will look at creating collaborative work between project developers and communities to maximise overall value of funds, creating an enduring relationship. Community engagement and participation in all decision-making regarding funding is another key element of CBFs. “It’s a question of partnership. Making it a priority is critical. Stopping the leaking of money out of communities is an economic strategy of its own. The €25,000 grant from the SEAI is a priority and a catalyst. Renewables are now the mainstream and need a priority focus. Countries like Germany have directly benefited. Local value creation was one of the key motivators in getting people involved. Local benefit, community benefit, individual benefit are all vital,” Gearóid concluded.

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY COMMUNITIES l Lisdoonvarna Tidy Towns l Miltown Malbay Development Community l O’ Brien’s Bridge Community Group l Kilkee Sustainable Community Group l Meitheal Fuinnimh An Clár – Clare Energy Cooperative l 1st and 4th Ennis Scouts l Clooney Spancilhill Community Development Group l Burren Ecotourism Network l Clare Local Development Company l Inagh Development l Doolin Community Council

l Ennistymon Town Team l West Clare Municipal District l Lisdoonvarna Failte CLG l Kilmihil People’s Park Ltd l Newmarket-on-Fergus Community Centre CLG l Broadford Community Action Group l Brothers of Charity Services Ireland Clare Region Banner Housing Association l Cratloe Community Council l Kilmihil Community Development Ltd l Barefield Community Development

lSUSTAINABLE: Solar panels

YOUR COUNTY. YOUR WASTE?

Illegal dumping is costly. It threatens our environment. Let’s all take responsibility. #StopIllegalDumping Report Illegal Dumping Call: 1800 606 706 Email: enviroff@clarecoco.ie

Arts & Entertainment 19

THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

Top 10 coastal walks in Clare pavements. Take a drink from the holy well on your way up, it’s rumoured to cure diabetes.

TADHG HOLLAND

T

news@clareecho.ie

HERE’S scarcely a better place to be than Clare if you’re looking for good hike or a leisurely walk and with COVID-19 still with us people are going to be searching for trips they can make within the county this Summer. We scanned the county to discover the best walks and hikes on offer.

CLIFFS OF MOHER COASTAL WALK

The internationally famous Cliffs of Moher are an absolute beauty and with crowds perhaps a little smaller this year what better time to finally visit or maybe even revisit this iconic attraction. In full the coastal walk is 18km but you can choose how big a portion of it you wish to traverse. Film enthusiasts may recognise some of the images along the walk from films like ‘Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince’ and ‘The Princess Bride’.

Fr Ted fans might spot that this is the cliff Fr Jack’s wheelchair rolled off.

LOUGH AVALLA LOOP

This 6km walk which tracks through goat and cattle farms maybe doesn’t have the same level of fame as The Cliffs of Moher but it’s just as beautiful. It’s a relatively easy hike taking roughly two hours starting and ending at Mullaghmore Cross. For all those interested in the geology of the Burren it has some great examples of limestone

KILKEE CLIFF WALK

Once called the “best public walk in the world” by Oscar winning actor Russell Crowe the picturesque Kilkee Cliff Walk is an absolute joy. If the tide is out don’t forget to take a look at the famous Pollock Holes.

LOOP HEAD WALK

Another cliff walk from Kilkee, this two hour trail takes you around the Loop Head Peninsula. It’s known for its historical landmarks which include the Loop Head Lighthouse, a World War II look out post and the mythic Diarmuid and Grainne rocks.

DYSERT O’DEA HERITAGE WALKING ROUTE

Take a tour of Corofin’s past with the Dysert O’Dea Heritage Walking Route. The trail which spans 4.5km interlinks various historical sites including but not limited to a Romanesque church, an iron age fort, a round tower and of course the titular Dysert O’Dea castle. An easy walk perfect for a family day out.

BALLYVAUGHAN WOOD LOOP

Recently chosen to represent Clare in The Irish Times’ ‘32 Great Walks in Ireland’ Ballyvaughan’s Wood Loop is an enjoyable 8km trail. Wellingtons may be needed in parts. It should be noted it passes by Ailwee Caves in case you may be so inclined to

lHIKING: The Caher Valley Loop

make a day out of the trip.

BLACK HEAD LOOP

Experienced hikers may be more interested in taking the Black Head Loop from Ballyvaughan, a 7-hour 26 km hike which takes you up hills and along the coast.

It’s a strenuous journey so be warned but the views are exceptional and it’s known for the beauty of its wildflowers which can be found all along the trail.

CAHER VALLEY LOOP

Starting and ending at Fanore Beach this scenic walk follows one the few above ground rivers in the Burren. The distant views of the Aran islands are one of the highlights.

DROMORE WOOD LOOP

Take an easy 1 hour walk through the Dromore Nature Reserve in the South-Eastern side of the Burren starting and ending in the village of Ruan. The Dromore Nature Reserve is known as a hotspot for native species. Don’t forget to stop by historical landmarks such as the lime kiln, the two ringforts and O’Brien’s Castle as well.

TEMPLECRONAN LOOP

Starting and ending at Cassidy’s Pub in Carron this relaxed 5km walk takes only an hour and a half and passes one of Ireland’s largest Turloughs and the ruins of Templecronan Church. The Carron Loop a longer 9km walk can also be taken from the same starting and ending point.

Art performed apart - Ennistymon School of Art unveil exhibition

by CIAN O’BROIN

lCREATIVE: Sandra Juanes, Ennistymon School of Art

ENNISTYMON School of Art have unveiled their end of year exhibition at the Courthouse Gallery, rounding off what one tutor described as “a year of socially engaged art performed apart.”

Affiliated with Ennistymon Vocational School, the post-secondary level art school delivers QQI training at Level 5 and Level 6, training students of all ages in drawing, sculpture, combined materials and ceramics. The class, which this year had students enrolled between the ages of 17 to 80, explores each individual’s artistic interests thematically, guiding people through enquiry in order

to build a sustainable art practice moving forward in their careers.

Socially engaged artist, Co-ordinator and main tutor on the Art Course, Maeve Collins exclaimed that the annual exhibition came together through a uniquely pooled skillset. “We usually have an exhibition around April. It’s one of the modules on our Level 6 course, Exhibition Techniques. We saw what we had between videoing, editing, public relations, researching and social media. Each person got a chance to see their work in the Art Gallery. That’s an important part of our course,” the LIT and University of Ulster graduate stated.

The project, named Art-appArt

is a series of 10 films created by 10 students, designed in each person’s specific style. It signifies a year where restrictions meant that the course was delivered online via the use of technology.

A number of common threads were identified between artists of different ages and backgrounds.

Maeve highlighted that each subject reads into the undertones that mark the year, demonstrating how each student is very serious about their work.

The course, which operated out of a building at Blake’s Corner in Ennistymon, prepares students in developing a portfolio for art college. Tailored to the individual’s own style, many of the students

progress onto MAs in Art Therapy, courses in animation as well as Art College in Limerick or Galway.

Maeve is delighted to announce the School of Art will be moving premises to Crosbie’s building in the town square. Enrolment for next year’s course is open.

Maeve stressed the importance of connecting through art and creativity throughout the lockdowns. “People who have done the course, say the most magical things. It has ignited their curiosity and creativity,” she concluded.

To sign up for September’s course, visit www.fetchcourses.ie and search for Ennistymon School of Art QQI Level 5 and Level 6 courses.

20 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

Eoin Neylon

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

Kearney Cooks KEEP IT SIMPLE WITH PANNA COTTA

I

T’S been a while since I have done a dessert for this column, and well frankly, that’s a situation that needs sorting. Anyone who knows me will acknowledge that I love simple food that packs a big bunch of flavour.

They will also know that I’m an absolute sucker for Italian food. So with this in mind I thought I would do my favourite simple Italian dessert this week, a vanilla panna cotta with a strawberry sauce.

Pour your mix into bowls or moulds and let them cool before putting them into the fridge to set. This hould take four to five hours.

FOR THE PANNA COTTA YOU WILL NEED: • 450ml milk • 285ml double cream • 200g caster sugar • 5 gelatine leaves • 2 vanilla pods

Step 4 Serve your Panna Cotta with the strawberry sauce, either turned out on a plate or together in a bowl.

FOR THE COULIS: • 225gm punnet of strawberries • 60g sugar • 1 sprig of thyme (trust me) • 10ml water Step 1 Put your gelatine leaves into a bowl of water and let them go soft. Scrape the seeds out of your vanilla pods and fire them into a pot along with your cream, milk and sugar. Then bring to a boil. You can also lob in the scraped out pods to boost the vanilla flavour, but don’t forget to take them out.

Step 2 Once your mix is boiled, turn off the heat and whisk in your gelatine leaves that you have squeezed the excess water out of.

Step 3 Whilst your panna cotta is setting, put your strawberries, sugar, thyme and water into a pot and bring to a rolling boil. Once the fruit is soft enough puree it into a sauce. Leave to cool.

You should get six desserts out of the above recipe so it is perfect for when you have guests over (can we do that now?).

You can have this made well in advance and it is so simple to plate up it doesn’t keep you away from your guests for too long. If you want to fancy it up a small bit you can top it with some fresh fruit and serve with a nice bit of shortbread, but honestly, I believe a dessert such as this is best served as simply as possible.

As usual if you have any questions about this recipe or others please feel free to dm me on Instagram, just search for KearneyCooks, and keep an eye out to The Clare Echo social media channels for the instructional videos. .

Enjoy

Steve K

Support local this summer

T

HE EU travel scheme to allow international travel looks set to take effect in Ireland from mid-July, but this is scant consolation for the Aer Lingus (EI) Shannon staff.

It is too little, too late for them as the base is set to close and, as soundings from EI management would have us believe, there is nothing that will reverse that decision.

Communications from management have been consistent and, in an email, to staff this week, were reiterated: post pandemic Aer Lingus will be a much smaller airline. Whereas flights by our once national carrier may well resume from Co. Clare, they will likely be operated by staff from other bases.

The loss of 130 jobs to the region is a huge blow, as is the connectivity at a time that we are hoping aviation can get off the ground once again.

Speaking on Monday morning on RTÉ radio, Taoiseach Martin vented his displeasure at the closure at Shannon, however, he and his Government share a lot of the blame for this.

Ireland, inexplicably, remains an outlier in Europe in not having an aviation recovery plan.

This is set to be announced on Friday by Government, but once again, this is too little, too late.

Ireland being the only European country with a mandatory hotel quarantine was the death nail in the coffin for many aviation jobs.

For this reason, the closure of Shannon is absolutely nothing that opposition parties can chastise Government over.

Each and every one of them advocated for extreme Covid policies that

have led to this. Be it hotel quarantine, and those who were advocating other Zero Covid policies, they have contributed to the hardship this industry faces.

There were precious few political voices calling for some sense, like the rapid roll out of digital green certs and widespread use of antigen testing.

We all know who they are at this point and they should be thanked for standing up for people’s livelihoods.

As domestic tourism and hospitality return over the next couple of weeks, Clare needs to put its best foot forward to ensure more jobs are not lost in the county and the economic recovery can start off on a good foot.

Firstly, I cannot but encourage people in the Banner to support our own.

As much as we all want to get around the country and see somewhere else, and we will, there are many great tourist attractions and hospitality businesses that will be screaming out for business in Clare too.

For those who can afford it, make sure you get yourself out to dine at and visit these establishments/ attractions and get our own economy ticking over again.

I for one cannot wait to get to my local, sit outside and enjoy a pint with friends I’ve not seen in far too long. I hope to see as many of you reading this as possible around the county as I do.

We also need to give businesses the right conditions to thrive.

Ennis, Kilrush, Lahinch, Killaloe and other towns and villages in Clare were practically made for alfresco dining; weather permitting!

It is up to the Council to give them the space in which to do so and ensure there are no financial

impediments to people getting into urban spaces to support these businesses.

I think it a good idea on weekends to give a morning grace period, up to noon, on parking to allow people park overnight in certain carparks, safely enjoy themselves, and collect their car in the morning, thereby encouraging people into our towns and villages.

It will also encourage shoppers into town in the early morning to do their shopping.

Pedestrianisation is all the range in Cork, Dublin, Galway and many other towns and villages across Ireland as businesses get the space and freedom to safely maximise reopening.

It boggles the mind to think there are a cohort in Ennis opposed to it when the benefits are so obvious to most people.

With enough hardship on the county over the past 18 months, let us give ourselves the best chance to thrive.

There is nothing more welcoming than a couple of vibrant streets one can freely stroll through to shop, eat and drink along the way without cars taking up half the space.

Along the main streets of Ennis, there is scarcely a business that is more than 100m from a car park as it is.

The couple of dozen on street parking spaces will not be a massive loss and in all my years, I don’t recall once even seeing a car travelling down O’Connell Street suddenly stop to buy something the driver saw in a shop window. Cars are not needed here. People are.

Leadership doesn’t just come from central Government but from people on the ground in our communities too.

Let’s band together and get the county back on its feet.

COLUMNIST 21

THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

R

ebecca O’Neill

DIY garden projects

Rebecca O’Neill has been catching up with her clients, who shared stories of their lockdown DIY projects

D

IY projects of different natures have really helped to keep us occupied throughout the pandemic.

During strict restrictions and not being able to leave our homes, with the exception of purchasing food, it has been hard to not do as much as we are used to.

Lockdown life has affected people in so many different ways mentally and physically.

To stay sane many of us created routines for ourselves and major life changes.

I noticed recently while being back to work and meeting new clients every day, that people turned to DIY to keep themselves occupied.

I noticed the dramatic changes people made to their houses and gardens. Some really delved into their own projects that they wanted to complete for themselves. I loved the idea of people making themselves

DIY TABLE Upcycling is so popular when it comes to saving money.

Buying garden furniture can be unnecessary when trying to save money. A great idea is to use wooden pallets. Give your table colour by painting it.

UPCYCLE: Make furniture from pallets

busy alongside their normal every day life, and essentially making themselves satisfied with the end result.

It got me thinking that making projects for yourself no matter what it is, can be very beneficial for your mental health.

Here is a few DIY tips if you’re planning a budget proj-

Scariff man leading love tour to Ukraine A SCARIFF man has done a deal with an American dating tour company with a view to getting a wife for 50 Irish and British men in Ukraine, writes Páraic McMahon.

James Treacy has expressed his excitement with what he called “the biggest tour of my life” which will see him team up with an American tour operator to find wives from the Ukraine for Irish, British and American men. He plans on bringing the group to Ukraine in August 2022 and has collaborated with the website, A Foreign Affair.

James previously used the service and met “a lovely Russian doctor” who he met in Saint Petersburg. “She was going to come to live with me in Ireland but she got a great job in Russia”.

He is hopeful he will find the right match in Ukraine.

The East Clare man said he has yet to visit the country but added, “there are a lot of nice women in Ukraine that I’ve come across on the

CORNER SOFA Having a wall in your garden can work out to be very useful with this tip. Create a bench against your wall with just a plank of wood to sit on. Add a few pillows and your table will create the best finished touch.

ect for your garden.

ADDING COLOUR Painting rocks and placing them around your garden has been so popular this year. I love this idea myself and how easy it can be. This is a perfect project to start off with and creates a sense of positivity for your garden.

REUSING KITCHEN MATERIALS Pots and pans can create a great home for your favourite flowers. Different shaped pots to fit your sowing needs and adding colour to your garden is essential. Painting your pots the way you want and placing them around your garden can give such a professional effect to your gardening skills.

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“We are going to Kiev in Ukraine and also the second biggest city for 10 nights in total and we will be able to date as many women as we

like,” he explained.

Leading 50 men on the tour is the target of James who will be busy organising the trip between now and next summer.

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22 FEATURES

Road to serenity

RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

T

HE Serenity Prayer is a wide door, one that's open to people of all faiths, backgrounds and none. It speaks wisdom to addicts and non-addicts alike.

Wise people have used this prayer as a foundational rudder in their lives. It guides them to stand in their own truth, heal from their woes and exercise 'self and other' compassion.

When applied to any conflictual situation in our lives, this prayer works like a genius challenging us to be present, conscious and deliberate with our thoughts and discerning with our choices.

People who live this prayer discover how to strike a dynamic balance between acceptance and change. Many of us spend too much time anxious about things we cannot change: the economy, the weather, traffic on our roads, or people who annoy us. As a result, we don’t have the energy to make the most of the opportunities we do have.

Recognizing the difference between what we can and cannot change can help us live more peaceful and productive lives.

Acceptance is the key. If we can understand what serenity means then we can better understand what recovery from addiction, anxiety and worry is about.

Options

In such moments, we often forget we have a second option. We can change our response to the situation. Viktor Frankl was prisoner number 119104 in a concentration camp in the Second World War. He spent most of his time alone, laying tracks for railway lines.

Most people assume he would have been miserable or gone insane, but even in the concentration camp, Frankl felt free. In his book, 'Man’s search for Meaning', he concluded that everything can be taken from us except our ability to choose our attitude in any given set of circumstances. Another name for this freedom is 'Acceptance.'

Between stimulus and response there is a space.

In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. Everything can be taken from a person but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. Fankl discovered this second option while he was in the concentration camp. Escape was not feasible; he was powerless

over the situation. So he responded by dwelling on thoughts that empowered him. More specifically, Frankl stayed alive to the beauty of nature. Even the Nazis could not take away sunsets.

He imagined amusing incidents that could take place in the future, allowing him to laugh. And he remembered the people he loved. He wrote how a man who has nothing left in the world may still know bliss, if only for a brief moment, in the contemplation of the people and things he loved and in the good he did in his life.

Applying serenity to our lives

Complete this sentence: ‘ I would be happy if I had...’ Typical answers include the right job, the right relationship, a new car, a child, a house. All of these have to do with the first option, having the right circumstances. All are attempts to change the world outside our heads. For example, addiction is something we are powerless over and recovery from addiction means looking for serenity elsewhere – in the world inside our heads.

Recovery hinges on learning to dwell on beliefs, attitudes and thoughts that remain true no matter what happens to us.

The most important thing to learn and remember is that there is always another way of looking at anything. The Serenity Prayer reminds us that we should change what we can, accept that which we cannot change and strive to know the difference. For people in recovery, for all of us, such knowledge is the heart of serenity. The Serenity Prayer offers us more than an insightful look back at our past; it provides us with a road map for our future.

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, pray for people you know who have an addiction or worry in their lives including me, that they will say the Serenity Prayer and use it as a road map for their future and that we will have the courage and wisdom to use that map in our future dealings with ourselves and with others. You can have flaws, faults, be anxious, feel lost, sad, down and ever angry, but do not forget that your life is the greatest enterprise in the world. Only you can stop it from going bust. Many appreciate you, admire you and love you.

Hold on to them and care for them and return these gifts to them and others when you can. Remember that to be happy is not to have a sky without a storm, a journey

without cancellations, plans without setbacks, work without fatigue, family without upset, relationships without disappointments. To be happy is to find strength in forgiveness, hope in battles, security in the stages of fear and real love in discord. It is not only to enjoy the smile, but also to reflect on the sadness.

It is not only to celebrate the successes, but to learn lessons from the failures. It is not only to feel happy with the applause, but to be happy in anonymity. Being happy is not a fatality of destiny, but an achievement for those who can travel within themselves. To be happy is to stop feeling like a victim and become your destiny's author. It is to cross deserts, yet to be able to find an oasis in the depths of our soul. It is to thank God for every morning in prayer, for the miracle of life.

Being happy is not being afraid of your own feelings.

It's to be able to talk about you. It is having the courage to hear a "no".

It is confidence in the face of criticism, even when unjustified.

It is to kiss and hug your children, pamper your parents, to live poetic moments with friends, even when they hurt us. To be happy is to let live the creature that lives in each of us, free, joyful and simple. It is to have maturity to be able to say: "I made mistakes". It is to have the courage to say "I am sorry". It is to have the sensitivity to say, "I need you". It is to have the ability to say "I love you".

May your life become a garden of opportunities for serenity. That in spring may it be a lover of joy.

In winter a lover of wisdom. And when you make a mistake, start all over again. For only then will you be in love with life.

You will find that to be happy is not to have a perfect life, a perfect family, a perfect friend, a perfect relationship. But use the tears to irrigate tolerance.

Use your losses to train patience.

Use your mistakes to sculpture serenity. Use pain to plaster pleasure.

Use obstacles to open windows of intelligence. Never give up. Never give up on people who love you.

Never give up on the people you love. Never give up on happiness, never give up on you, for life is an incredible show.

Pray the Serenity prayer everyday as I do, "God grant me the serenity, To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world, As it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make things right, If I surrender to His Will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him, Forever and ever in the next.

Amen."

THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

Community KILRUSH

lLONG LOCKS: Clara Miniter, a 1st year student at Kilrush

Community School, recently cut her long hair and donated it to charity to be used to make wigs for children and teenagers suffering from cancer. She also ran a fundraiser for LauraLynn Irish cancer children’s hospice raising €3,104.50. Thank you to everyone who donated so generously

ENNIS WALKING HOCKEY

ENNIS Hockey Club recently started their walking hockey for over 55s programme. They are the first club in Ireland to provide the activity.

Walking Hockey is exactly as the name suggests - you play Hockey, walking. It’s designed to help people keep an active

lifestyle regardless of age, health and ability, as well as getting those back into hockey who had to stop due to injuries or other reasons.

Walking Hockey takes place on Monday evenings at the CBS outdoor pitch in Ennis at 18:00. Visit Ennis Hockey club on Facebook for more info.

ONLINE CUIMHNEAMH AN CHLÁIR

NEW voices and stories from times gone by will be shared on the final day of the Bealtaine Festival.

Each year, the Bealtaine Festival celebrates the arts and creativity as we age. The archive of Cuimhneamh an Chláir (www.clarememories.ie) has expanded with more memories and storytelling added.

In recent months, Cuimhneamh an Chláir has welcomed new volunteers through the Clare Volunteer Centre.

They have had the time-consuming but rewarding task of transcribing more of the stories of Clare’s older citizens that are held in its archive.

On the last day of Bealtaine, Cuimhneamh an Chláir is inviting all interested people to a zoom gathering to listen to these new voices and stories which takes place on Monday (May 31st) at 7:30pm.

To register your interest, email info@clarememories.ie, a zoom link will be sent to you closer to the date.

COUNTYWIDE CANCER CARE WEST

The cancer support centre at Cancer Care West is acutely aware of the impact the cyber-attack is having on cancer patients and their families. Coming on top of the COVID-19 pandemic and just when we are starting to be hopeful of a gradual return to normality with the roll out of the vaccination programme, this is a cruel development. We know

that patients are experiencing significant stress due to this event, and we want to reassure our clients that we are fully operational on both a face-to-face and remote basis. All our services are running normally, and we have not been impacted by this cyber-attack. Please call us on 091 540040 or email to support@cancercarewest.ie .

As always all our services are free of charge and confidential.

THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

Community LETTER TO THE EDITOR

COMMUNITY 23 CONTACT

NEWSDESK 065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

KILLALOE/BALLINA

Dear Sir, It is with a sense of joy that I read The Clare Echo each week. Thank you for the information and enlightenment you have brought, particularly through the various Covid restrictions we have in recent times endured.

This week, has however, been somewhat disappointing. The Clare Echo Quiz has been a mainstay of Friday night entertainment in our house.

The high jinks we have, debating the history of the Tulla Céilí Band, or the varied nicknames of GAA stalwarts are treasured memories.

You can imagine then how great was the blow on opening the paper this week to find no quiz, crosswords indeed! I can only hope this is an aberration and the quiz is rightfully restored to pride of place next week.

Yours faithfully, M. Higgins, Ennis

Clare Youth Service Community Training Centre

NOW ENROLLING FOR FULL-TIME COURSES STARTING IN AUGUST 2021:

 QQI Level 4 Creative Media Technology  Leaving Certificate Applied  QQI Level 3 Employability Skills  Moving On Programme – Pathways to Progression These educational programmes have been developed for early school leavers/unemployed young people aged 16-21 years. Participants will be given the opportunity to set personal and career goals, achieve certification and progress to further education and training as well as employment.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT Edel McDonough (065) 6845359 Clare Youth Service, Carmody Street, Ennis, Co Clare

emcdonough@clareyouthservice.org Clare Youth Service Community Training Centre offers Youthreach provision directed at unemployed early school leavers aged 16 to 21 years. This provision is supported by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board and co-funded by the Government of Ireland, the European Social Fund and the Youth Employment Initiative as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014 – 2020.

lFÉILE BRIAN BORÚ 2021:

THE Féile Brian Ború committee does not want another year to go by without our twin towns, Killaloe and Ballina, celebrating our annual Féile Brian Ború; so we are organising a slightly different festival this year.

So far we have organised historical talks; self guided historical walks; online art and drawing classes; a photo competition of your pooch in aid of LAW, to replace our popular dog show; a colouring competition and a photographic competition based around our beautiful twin towns; a scavenger hunt you can do with your family and Brian Boru’s Wild & Wonderful Art Adventure - a socially distanced treasure hunt around the historic sites of Killaloe. We will also have kayaking and stand up paddle boarding sessions, and a fun alternative to the much loved Beat on the Street.

So while things are different this year, we hope to have plenty of fun events and activities for everyone.

Mark your Diaries for Wednesday 7th - Sunday 11th July and keep an eye on our social media (@FeileBrianBoru) for news and updates.

If you have any queries, just drop us a line - info@feilebrianboru.com

THURS, MAY 27, 2021

Buy into Clare

Seoidín sparkling after 25 years of continued growth Starting with just a small shop and a lot of ambition back in 1996 in Ennis, Co Clare, 25 years later, Seoidín now proudly occupies 4 shops across the country and has acquired a fantastic online community too Where it all began.

This month, Ennis-born jewellers Seoidín, is celebrating an incredible 25 years in business. From humble beginnings back in 1996, founder Maureen Harrison, opened up her first shop in Ennis, with just a three-year lease. It proved to be such a success that she decided she needed a bigger premises and opened up just across the road, where Seoidín's headquarters are now based to this very day quite the feat for a small Irish business, set up in prime Celtic Tiger days. Seoidín not only survived, but thrived after the recession hit in Ireland and Maureen puts that down to staying passionate, being adaptable and listening to what her customers want.

“We’ve never shied away from the challenges that business brings” says Maureen. “We’ve always understood that we need to adapt to how our community wants to shop with us, which suits me, as I love a challenge. But I’ve also never lost my real passion for jewellery design and I think that helps immensely.”

Onwards & Upwards.

Just a few years after opening their first shop in Ennis, Seoidín grew and grew. Now, the brand proudly occupies two shops in Ennis, one in the bustling city of Limerick and most recently, one in the coastal town of Skerries in Dublin.

Being a part of a physical, local community plays a huge part of what Seoidín does. Building up relationships with customers and being able to offer a high level of service is something that they have always prided themselves on. Even as the pandemic forced them to trade solely online, they have been determined that their community could still reach out for advice or for recommendations.

“Our website has been our saving grace for the last year,” explains Maureen. “We see it as our fifth shop and we are determined that our customer service is consistent, whether our community wants to connect with us online or if they choose to shop in our brick and mortar shops."

At Seoidín, much might have changed over 25 years, but having started out designing unique pieces with the tagline "Jewellery with a difference", there are some things that have remained the same. Their handcrafted pieces have

always been inspired by the beauty of Ireland and continue to do so now. In creating her collections these days, Maureen uses a few signature techniques such as woven, crochet precious metals, hand-hammered gold and silver and has always loved to use semi-precious gems too.

"We have always challenged ourselves to design collections that feel current and modern but still have an authentic Irish edge to them" explains Maureen. "I think the way in which we have consistently adapted and reinvented our classic designs means that our collections grow along with our community's tastes."

What's next?

In 2020, the pandemic forced Seoidín to accelerate their online presence pretty quickly. They didn't anticipate growing their presence as quickly as they did, but they are really happy with the success they have had with it. The focus on improving the online shopping experience will certainly continue for Seoidín in the coming months and years but with all that said, Maureen and her team were absolutely thrilled to reopen their doors last week and to get back to what they do best, meeting with their customers and helping them to choose the perfect little gems to treasure.

In terms of exciting collections that Seoidín have coming up, Maureen says that they have a few things up their sleeve.

"2020 was definitely the year of the ring," she says, "and that trend is certainly continuing into this year too.

Lots of our customers are buying themselves or their loved ones Milestone rings; rings that mark an important event in their lives, be it engagements, birthdays, becoming a parent or even to celebrate a job promotion. We love this sentiment so we are currently working on some really exciting things with that in mind so, watch this space..."

One thing is for sure, after 25 years in business, Maureen and the Seoidín team are certainly not showing signs of slowing down any time soon.

PICTURED: (from top) Maureen in the first Seoidín on O'Connell Street, Ennis; Seoidín pictured this week; Seoidín Eile on Abbey Street, Ennis; (and above) Maureen serves another happy customer

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THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

BUY INTO CLARE 25

THURS, MAY 27, 2021

Buy into Clare NEW BUSINESS IN ARDRAHAN

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Potential for 'real green changes'

by CIAN O'BROIN

Having lost its post office and shop last year, Ardrahan has been given a timely boost with the opening of a new business, Irish Wool & Much More, which will be located upstairs from Irish Fibre Crafters, a working studio and craft shop, which opened a year ago. "Along with the farmers market on a Saturday it is great to see a bit of life coming back into our village," commented Cll. PJ Murphy.

"We hope that at least one of our Pubs will be opening soon again and there may be plans for a café around the corner! We need to have something to offer the visitor to entice them to stay and spend."

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CLARE Local Enterprise Office (LEO) are running sustainable business supports for SME’s looking to improve their environmental corporate image.

The aim of the new initiative, launched nationally by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar (FG) during National Enterprise Week is to help prepare small businesses for the low carbon, more resource efficient economy of the future.

This is a free programme, available to companies with up to 10 employees and delivered via a two-day seminar, with an option to keep in touch with a designated LEO Green Consultant moving forward. This individual will be matched to suit the specific needs of businesses and will prepare a comprehensive Green for Micro Report also.

“In Clare, there are approximately 6,600 businesses with less than 10 employees so there is lots of potential for

real green changes and lots of money saved. I think it has never been more important for people to support small businesses,” said Sen Roisin Garvey (GP).

The programme looks at developing a stronger ‘Greener Policy’ for businesses moving forward. Some of the benefits include increased cost savings, improved resource efficiency, reduced environmental footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.

The LEO recommends businesses in construction and the built environment, retail, manufacturing, textiles and fashion, food, electronics, plastics, and packaging. Eligibility for the programme requires that micro-enterprises with up to 10 employees must have been trading for the last six months, have a turnover in excess of €30,000 annually in either 2019 or 2020.

Application forms can be found online whilst LEO Clare can be contacted at localenterprise@leo.clarecoco.ie or 087-464 8402.

Clare firm hopes to get golfers in right swing  

 



CIAN O’BROIN COUNTY Clare based business Cad Ma Designs have developed a product that for the first time ever, will perfect golfers club alignment in training through the use of technology.

CEO and product designer Les Egan is excited to officially bring the Lock Align into the distribution stage, following two years of intense research and development that yielded invaluable testing from several professional Irish golfers.

“We identified the biggest problem with golfing which is front face alignment. Our device sits on top of the club. You start off by standing on your target line, point the club where you want the ball to end up and press a button, whereby it remembers the line,” Mr. Egan, who was born in Dublin, but lived all his life in Clare said. The product then utilises vibrations in order to perfect the position each time.

The key to the technology is avoiding the optical il-

lusion created by the dominant eye whilst playing, Mr. Egan continued. “Many golfers fall foul of being up to five degrees off in terms of alignment when facing sideways. You often see golfers going out with their alignment sticks before a shot. Every pro golfer does this. It is something that must always be practiced.

If you are not playing right, a simple press of the button fixes that.”

Cad Ma Designs linked up with the Clare Local Enterprise Office in a bid to move from prototype to production. Here they received their Micro Finance Ireland (MFI) Loan, which lends to small businesses with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover of less than €2m. These loan packages vary in size from €5,000 to €25,000 and Mr. Egan has described the support as “absolutely fantastic every step of the way.”

The Lock Align hopes to target the United States, where 50 per cent of worldwide golfers there consist of a market of 30 million potential customers. The support of the LEO office

in Clare is what Mr. Egan touted could transform the business from micro to one of the biggest international sellers within the industry.

Mentors within the LEO assisted in running through a letter of intent with Mr. Egan when he first connected with one of Europe’s largest distributors who have agreed to ship the product worldwide.

“Investors are few and far between on the ground due to COVID-19. People are reluctant to spend and are holding on to their finances.

That made the MFI Loan a God send,” he stated.

The Lock Align is expected to come to market in three months’ time, Mr. Egan concluded.

BUY INTO CLARE 27

THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

Apply through Local Enterprise Office Clare for 1% reduction in interest rate.

For more information email: localenterprise@leo.clarecoco.ie or visit Microfinanceireland.ie

28 RECRUITMENT

THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

Communities united by Ilen voyage ELAINE TUBRIDY news@clareecho.ie

L Would you like to work at Ireland’s most visited natural attraction?

We’re hiring for the following position:

Commercial Manager The Commercial Manager will be responsible for the financial, commercial and project management aspects of the business for the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience organisation.

The Commercial Manager forms part of the senior management team and will participate in the management and operation of the iconic Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience. He/she will provide line management for the finance teams, projects team and is responsible for all activities within these areas reporting directly to the Director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience.

AST Tuesday, communities on either side of the Shannon Estuary were united as part of a unique event, as the renowned Ilen ship followed the path of the old cargo ships down the Shannon Estuary, transporting ‘Gift Cargo Boxes’ between communities on each side of the Estuary.

As part of the event, these local Shannon Estuary communities were invited to put together a Cargo Box from their area, to gift to other communities along the Shannon Estuary. The invite to gift a cargo box was greeted with huge enthusiasm with communities gathering gifts that best represented the produce or heritage from their individual areas, as well as the trade traditions between the Estuary communities. Gift boxes included loose tea and sugar from Kildysart and grain, seaweed and lace from Kilrush town and a Gandelaw anchor from Clarecastle along with a variety of gifts from Labasheeda and horseshoes from Ballynanally.

The symbolic cargo boxes were boarded onto the Ilen in Limerick City and at various other locations as the vessel made its way to Cappagh Harbour, the shipping harbour for the town of Kilrush. The Ilen vessel itself is hugely symbolic of the tradition of trade across the Shannon Estuary, and the vibrant trade and shipping market that once formed part of daily life.

The event was part of a Destination Development Programme led by two rural and community development organisations, West Limerick Resources CLG, and Clare Local Development Company through the LEADER programme, and the ‘Gift Cargo Box’ event represented the formal launch of the programme. The Shannon Estuary Way Destination Development programme is focused on putting communities at the heart of the Shannon Estuary Way and the visitor experience, as part of the destination development process. During the course of the next twelve months, participants will learn ways in which their communities can share the rich heritage of the Shannon Estuary Way with each other and with visitors.

Commenting on the launch, LEADER Development Officer with Clare Local Development Company, Agnes O’Shaughnessy added: “We are thrilled with the enthusiastic response from communities to this symbolic voyage. We’re looking forward to all that is yet to emerge as the communities of the Shannon Estuary take the lead in shaping the story of their destination and coming together to share it with visitors.”

The Shannon Estuary Way is a 207km destination route created and launched by Failte Ireland in 2019, to stimulate tourism and increase visitor dwell time.

Further information on joining this Shannon Estuary Way Destination Development programme is available from the Tourism Space at info@thetourismspace.com or you can register to take part at online at https:// www.thetourismspace.com/sew

A full job description can be obtained by e-mailing careers@cliffsofmoher.ie

l PRECIOUS CARGO: The Ilen Photo by Dermot Lynch

S E LR e t ail To p Q u a l i t y If you wish to apply for this role, please forward your curriculum vitae accompanied by a cover letter stating what you can bring to this role to careers@cliffsofmoher.ie before 5pm on Monday 14th June 2021.

CANVASSING WILL DISQUALIFY. CLIFFS OF MOHER CENTRE LTD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER.

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Till R o l l s ( Ra n g e o f Si z e s ) Vi s a Ro l l s Ther mal S ca l e L a b e l s ( Pr i n t e d o r Pl a i n )

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Back to back wins a stepping stone PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

O

VERCOMING Kildare in Newbridge represents “a stepping stone” for Clare football, David Tubridy believed.

In what was his first start of the year, Tubridy kicked three points as Clare recorded their first win over Kildare in Newbridge as they followed up on their opening round victory against Laois. “To come up to Newbridge any day and get a win is a mighty result, they were flying it last weekend and we knew we had a big battle on our hands. The last few years we could never put back to back wins together but today is a stepping stone”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the Doonbeg attacker outlined that the removal of a sweeper has strengthened their cause. “We’ve changed our style of football, we don’t really have a sweeper and we’re going man on man, we’ve more freedom creating more space for the likes of Eoin Cleary and the shooters on the ball, it is good for them to take the sweeper out of it for the opposition”.

Throughout the opening half, David who started at full-forward was regularly around the middle third creating passages of play but acting in a composed manner against a Kildare defence that were difficult to break down.

Patience displayed by Colm Collins’ outfit during this spell came following weeks of working on minding the ball. “We wasted about five minutes in the first half going across the field with the ball, it boosted Kildare because we didn’t score but it was a boost for us because there was a very strong wind there”.

Collins applauded the work of athletic performance coach and sport scientist Rob Mulcahy for enabling Clare to have enough gas in the tank to reap the rewards from this plan. The sentiments are echoed by 2010 Clare SFC winner.

“Our fitness is a different level altogether, you could see that the last day against Laois, the runners off our shoulders is something we haven’t been doing for four or five years, fellas look fit and they want to run. It is a fit team, if you always have runners off the shoulder it creates spaces for people to have shots and opens up shooting lanes for us. I’ve never felt in better shape in my life. That’s down to Rob and his strength and conditioning”.

Pre-Christmas runs in Doughmore formed part of his preparation while the publican has had extra time on his hands with the family bar remaining shut due to restrictions. The small silver lining of this has been the freeing up of time. “I’ve had more time to try different things and get my body ready for the league, it’s great, I feel good and it’s great to get seventy to eighty minutes under my belt. It freed up a bit of time

Tubridy at the weekend

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

for me this year, going to pilates was a big help for me in January, February and March, I’d no injury problems which has been great for me because I always pick up something every year but this year I feel fine and healthy”.

Tubridy will be itching to remain in this form when Clare welcome Cork to Cusack Park on Sunday.

LITTLEWOODS SENIOR CAMOGIE LEAGUE DIVISION 1: ROUND 2

Relegation battle on hands Limerick 2-14 Clare 1-11 Venue: Doora LIMERICK Puckouts Won: 14 from 23 Frees Won: 14 (59) Wides: 2 (2/0) Scores from Play: 1-12 Spread of Scorers:5 Top Scorer: Caoimhe Costelloe (2-06 1’Pen 2f) GER O’CONNELL, CLARE MANAGER “We were outbattled, outfought and outhurled to be honest for the majority of the game. Perhaps you can do too much talking during the week as well but we had to back up what we did last week and we didn’t.

“I think it’s a bit of a trend that we have.

Last year we played well against Kilkenny and then not so well against Waterford so it’s something we need to work on ourselves and the girls know that. But perhaps we just need to draw a line under it too, get back to the training field and just work hard.

CLARE Puckouts Won: 11 from 18 Frees Won: 18 (6/12) Wides: 11 (5/6) Scores from Play: 1-04 Spread of Scorers: 4 Top Scorer: Chloe Morey (0-08 5f 1’45)

PLAYER WATCH CLARE HEHIR (CLARE) Minutes: 60 Possessions: 5 (2/3) Passes: 5 (2/3) Short: 5 Hand: 3 (2/1) Hurley: 2 (0/2) Clean Distribution: 5

“They were so much sharper. Look, for me, I think it was just their higher willingness to work, they outfought us there. I think the work count was eight to one by half-time so that just shows that they were battling harder than us as well and you have to be able to compete there. It’s just seriously frustrating straight after the game and it’s hard to know what to say to be honest.

“You have to take your chances, Limerick got their chances and took them and we didn’t. But I’ve no excuses, the better team won and we just need to regroup now and get

pg 29

20s hurlers may miss out

by SEAMUS HAYES

THERE is growing concern amongst GAA fans in Clare that the county will be forced into playing in the Munster U20 hurling championship without four members of the panel who are also part of the senior hurling squad.

In recent years, the GAA decided that football players common to senior and U21 (now U20) could not play with the U21 grade if they had played senior championship with their county and if their senior team was still in their championship when the U21s came to play.

This ruling was extended to hurling this year. Currently Mark Rodgers, Shane Meehan, Cian Galvin and Paddy Donnellan are members of both the senior and under 20 hurling panels in Clare and all four have seen action in the early rounds of the Allianz National Hurling League.

Munster Council have yet to confirm specific dates for the U20 championships but they have indicated that the competition will commence in early July which, it is understood, will be before the seniors play in the qualifier if they lose out to Waterford in the first round of the senior championship.

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

from 5 Hooks: 0 Blocks: 1 (1/0) Tackles: 5 (1/4) Turnovers Won: 3 Frees Won: 0 Frees Lost: 0

our heads down training again. I mean you don’t go from being good against Galway and then a week later turn up like this so it’s just something we need to sort out on the training field, it’s as simple as that.

“It’s our second game in six months and we’re only back training three weeks so we have to keep that in perspective too. Look, I can’t hide that I’m seriously frustrated and disappointed but the girls are the same, it’s not just me talking like this. We just have to draw a line through and get back training on Monday and that’s it”.

Aoife Keane collides with Áine Cunningham Photo

by Gerard O’Neill

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Clare Echo THE

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ALLIANZ NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 1B: ROUND 3 Compiled by Seamus Hayes

McCarthy leads hurlers to victory Clare 2-27 Laois 1-17 Venue: MW Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise

CLARE Frees For: 17 (8/9) Wides: 20 (13/7) Scores from play: 2-15 Spread of scorers: 9 Top scorer: Aidan McCarthy (0-13, 11 frees, 1 ‘65) Puckouts won: 13/27 Short puckouts: 9/27

LAOIS Frees for: 18 (9/9) Wides: 9 (3/6) Scores from play: 1-8 Spread of scorers: 6 Top scorer: P.J. Scully (0-10, 9 feees) Puckouts won: 13/49 Short puckouts: 8/29

BRIAN LOHAN, CLARE MANAGER “Twenty wides is a lot of wides, we don’t mind about that when we are putting 2-27 on the scoreboard”.

“The game is about winning and when you don’t win any games you are going to be.under pressure. We were under pressure coming up here and we were looking at all the different scenarios, different potential things that could happen

Jack Browne in action on Sunday Photo by Gerard O’Neill

PLAYER WATCH JACK BROWNE (CLARE) Possessions: 10 (6/4) Passes: 8 Long: 2 Short: 6 Shots: 1 Scores: 0 Wides: 1

Hooks : 2 Blocks: 1 Tackles: 4 Frees won: 2 Frees lost: 0 Turnovers: 2 Turnovers Lost: 0

to us and from that perspective, its good to get a win”.

“We have had a lot of soft tissue injuries and we have been trying to get on top of that but it’s not that easy because you are trying to get your fitness up and one eye if not both eyes are on the Munster championship. We are conscious of all the injuries and looking to try and make sure we don’t have any more”.

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

DONACH O’DONNELL,LAOIS MANAGER “The second half went away from us and Clare finished very strong. The first half went reasonably well for us and I thought we should have been a point of two up at half time. In that second half Clare took over and the pressure is on us now, We have to play Kilkenny and Antrim and both games are away.

“Our wide count was fairly high as well. Both teams are struggling with injuries and the whole covid thing didn’t help either. It’s difficult to keep players on the pitch and keep them fresh. Three weeks of group training and straight into three weeks in a row is tough going. If you had five or six weeks you would have a lot more physical conditioning done going into matches”.

“It’s the same for everybody and I am not making excuses but you would be hoping it wouldn’t be the same next year. Trying to get fellas back on the field is the biggest focus at the moment”.

NET

All About Quality not Quantity

No answers from Clare GAA on close contacts controversy SEAMUS HAYES NO ANSWERS were provided to Clare GAA club delegates regarding engagement between the organisation and the HSE on two senior hurling panellists being identified as close contacts of two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Wexford panel.

Tulla’s Brian Torpey raised the matter at Monday’s meeting of the County Board. It followed comments from senior boss Brian Lohan a day previous which claimed Wexford nominated the Clare players as close con-

tacts, remarks which Wexford chairman Michael Martin labelled “outrageous” as he sought a retraction.

Martin has since stated that any Wexford players who were in the dressing room with the confirmed cases are isolating and restricting their movements.

Feargal McGill, the GAA’s director of player, club and games administration has said the decision to name two Clare hurlers as close contacts was made by the HSE. "Only a public health specialist can make the determination of who is a close contact. In this case, the decision would be with the local health authority”. He added, “They would be the ones

to designate close contacts. It had nothing to do with Wexford”.

Torpey at Monday’s meeting asked for information on “what happened with the COVID in the Wexford Clare situation, “all those questions, we as delegates need to ask and get answers to”.

Chairman of Clare GAA, Jack Chaplin when Torpey repeated the question, responded, “I can’t answer you about COVID in Wexford because some of that only came out last night and I haven’t had a chance to discuss with anyone about it. We will have to go through that and come up with answers”.

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ALLIANZ NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2: ROUND 2 Compiled by Páraic McMahon

Clare jostle for promotion position Clare 1-13 Kildare 0-13 Venue: St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge

CLARE Kickouts Won: 16 from 22 (73%) Kickouts Lost: 6 from 22 (27%) Short Kickouts: 6 from 22 (27%) Frees Won: 24 (11/13) Wides: 7 (3/4)

KILDARE Kickouts Won: 13 from 21 (62%) Kickouts Lost: 8 from 21 (38%) Short Kickouts: 7 from 21 (33%) Frees Won: 17 (8/9) Wides: 8 (5/3)

Scores from Play: 1-06 Spread of Scorers: 6 Top Scorer: Eoin Cleary (0-07 4f 1’45)

Scores from Play: 0-11 Spread of Scorers: 5 Top Scorer: Neil Flynn (0-04 2f) & Jimmy Hyland (0-04)

COLM COLLINS, CLARE MANAGER “Not that the breeze wins any match but I thought it was particularly difficult to score from play in that goal and I thought were in a good spot at half-time with some really good shooters to shoot from outside like Eoin Cleary, Tubs (David Tubridy) and Emmet McMahon, they are really good outside shooters so at half-time I thought we had a great chance and I’d have taken being three points down at half-time before the match. I didn’t need to say anything at half-time, the lads were really up for it and they did really well in the second

half, they kicked some good scores on a difficult day for shooting because of the breeze”.

“The platform for victory is their physical fitness. Rob Mulcahy is our strength and conditioning coach and we’re never afraid they are going to run out of gas. Declan O’Keeffe and Gerry McGowan are both coaching the team, that platform of winning the breaks came from Declan’s work, I would like to credit Gerry for something which took us a long time to nail and that is patience. There was a ball in the first half when we held onto it for a long

PLAYER WATCH GAVIN COONEY Minutes Played: 65 Possessions: 7 (4/3) Shots: 1 Scores: 0-01 Wides: 0 Passes: 5 (all short) Foot Pass: 1 Hand Pass: 4 Tackles: 3 (1/2) Frees For: 0 Frees Against:0 Turnovers: 2 (1/1) Turned Over: 2 (1/1)

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Pearse Lillis in action

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

period of time and rather kick it away which we would have done in an old Clare team which would have allowed the Kildare lads to attack”.

JACK O’CONNOR, KILDARE MANAGER “A goal was always going to be a crucial score, unfortunately it was Clare that got it. It was fortuitous enough, they were going for a point and the

LIDL INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL LEAGUE: ROUND 1

Marrinan strike seals Clare win

shot dropped and caught out our defenders, once they got a goal and got their nose in front it allowed them to drop bodies back and they are a hard team to break down”.

“We were set on trying to get a win today and put us in the firing line for the semi-finals but we’ll just have to dust ourselves down and get our heads around the game and be right

for Portlaoise next weekend and try qualify that way”.

Clare are very spirited, they have a good system, their manager is with them seven or eight years so they know what they are about. They got one over us in Ennis last year and today the goal might have been a bit fortuitous but they fought till the bitter end”.

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Clare 0-12 Wexford 1-08 Venue: Cusack Pk, Ennis CLARE Kickouts Won: 13 from 16 (81%) Short Kickouts: 13 from 16 (81%) Frees Won: 15 (8/7) Wides: 8 (3/5) Scores from Play: 0-07 Spread of Scorers: 4 Top Scorer: Ciara McCarthy (0-06

WEXFORD Kickouts Won: 10 from 20 (50%) Short Kickouts: 7 from 20 (35%) Frees Won: 20 (13/7) Wides: 7 (5/2) Scores from Play: 0-02 Spread of Scorers: 3 Top Scorer: Amy Wilson (1-05 5f 1’Pen)

Aisling Reidy assesses her options Burren Eye Photography

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Golf: Winter leagues conclude at East Clare

by SEAMUS HAYES WITH the weather over the past few days, one would be forgiven for thinking we were back in winter. Ironically, EAST CLARE’s winter league final was scheduled for this weekend.

In the cup, team H of Ray McInerney, Noel Nash, Josh Moloney, Alan O’Neill, Maureen Clune and Breda McCarthy emerged victorious and had four points to spare over team G of Enda Donnellan, Adrian Casey, Jason Horan, Kieran Fox, Marie Donnellan and Rachel Whelan.

In the shield, team B of Martin ‘Skippy’ McInerney, Colm Kelly, Barney McInerney, Mark McInerney, Mary Farrell and Ursula Hogan who subbed in for Nadine Fox took the spoils.

The winter league has been in existence in East Clare since 2015 and the ultimate prize is the Michael MacNamara Perpetual Cup. This year saw one of the biggest entries with over 100 members taking part, comprised of 17 teams made up of 4 men and 2 women, plus some substitutes used along the way.

Round one commenced when the club re-opened in December with each team requiring 3 x mixed cards playing a modified scramble over 14 holes, and 2 x 9 hole cards per player.

Due to the closure of the club at the end of December, round two didn’t go ahead and the results from round one were used to decide which teams qualified for the cup and the shield.

The final took place this weekend over four days, with cards required for 2 x mixed teams of 3. The format was a modified scramble taking the best drive with 1 to score on holes 1 to 7, 2 to score on holes 8 to 14 and all 3 to score on holes 15, 16, 17 and 18. The winning team had a total of 187 points.

Planning for 2021/22 will commence in September..

KILRUSH The weekend men’s competition at Kilrush was won by Pat Mulcahy (23) with 39 points from Paul McGibney (22) with 38 points with third spot filled by Thomas Downes (11) with 37 points. Noel McMa-

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hon (11) won Division 1 with 37 points, Joe Daly (15) won Division 2 with 36 points while Des Murphy (23) won Division 3 with 34 points The captain’s (Gerry Duffy) ‘welcome back’ men’s close competition was won

by Tom Clancy (7) with 42 points from Gearoid Kelly (11) with 41, John Stapleton (22) with 40 and James Murtagh (17) with 40.

Division 1 was won by Jim Young Junior (4) with 38 points with Pat Shannon (20) with 40 winning division 2 while Division 3 was won by Pat Mulcahy (24) with 37 points SHANNON Last week’s 18 hole singles competition at Shannon was won by Joe O’Neill (22) with 44 points from John Spillane (23) with 43 points. In third spot with 42 points was Aaron Diviney (27) with 42 points followed

by Patrick Mullins (20) with 42 and Ross Gallivan (20) with 42 points. Ed Hickey (scratch) won the gross with 38 points.

The men’s team of four competition was won by Tom Kenny (7), Alan Hehir (11), Shaun Kenny (14) and David Duhig (11) with 89 points In the weekly 9 hole competition, Eddie Russell (9) was the winner in block 2 with 21 points. In block one David Young (5) won with 23 points from John O’Connell (2) with 21 with third spot filled by Brian Downey (10) with 21 WOODSTOCK Forty members played in the Woodstock seniors first competition of the season on Tuesday last. The winners of the modified team scramble were John McGrath, Willie Thompson, Pat McMahon and Pat Quinn with an impressive 70 points. In second place with 63 points were Joe Hurley, Donie O’Shea, Eugene Conroy and Sean McDermott.

PORTUMNA Colette Fahy (28) was the winner of the ladies competition at Portumna last week with 40 points from Rita Shiel with 37 points. In third place with 35 points was Dolores O’Shea while the senior section was won by Loretta O’Grady with 30 points.

To book an appointment call us on 065 684 0844

‘What was O’Connor’s motive’ for feeding U20s, asks treasurer

SEAMUS HAYES ANIMATED exchanges took place at the reconvened May meeting of the Clare County Board with the Treasurer of Clare GAA refusing multiple requests to withdraw remarks passed in the heat of the moment.

When Tulla delegate Brian Torpey asked the meeting “what is the role of the club delegate’, he could hardly have predicted that it would lead to one of the liveliest debates at a board meeting for some years leading to tensions boiling.

While referencing the ongoing work with the strategic review of Clare GAA, he stated, “What do we do in the meantime. Are we supposed to sit on our hands as delegates and not ask any questions.

I want to know the story about the U20 hurlers. What exactly happened there”. Éire Óg’s Rory Hickey also agreed that answers were required regarding the U20s.

“Is there any fundraising. Is there any financial report at any of these meetings. I have been coming to these meetings and not a word from the Treasurer... The u20 situation, kids not getting fed after training or whatever. My own club colleague Niall O’Connor was able to raise €4,000 in four hours. That is more than Clare GAA has raised in two years if I am being blunt and honest. Are there going to be any fundraising initiatives by Clare GAA this year or are we going to just plod along”.

Chairman, Jack Chaplin replied, “There is a finance committee there and they are working on that, definitely”.

Dan Treacy of Scariff questioned if the U20 hurlers were now provided with a meal and their football counterparts were not. “There are a lot of questions and very little information been given back to delegates. It just exasperates the whole situa-

tion in the media then”. The Chairman responded, “Some of the questions I just can’t answer now but I will try and have them for the next meeting. It’s very difficult to answer some of them until we get back to having live county board meetings”.

Treasurer Michael Gallagher informed the meeting that last year Croke Park provided a stipend towards food for players but that didn’t come this year “so we weren’t able to provide that”.

Gallagher continued, “Personally I’d like to thank Niall O’Connor. I didn’t realise that he had taken it on himself to do this. Fair play to him for raising €4,000.00 and personally I’d like to thank him for that but I would have to ask ye, delegates, what was his motive for that. Was it for the good of the under 20 hurlers or was it to embarrass the county board. That’s the question I am going to pose tonight. Is this the same Niall O’Connor who embarrassed the County Board down in Thurles where his father and the manager had to go back and apologise to the Clare County Board. Is that the same Niall O’Connor we are talking about here. Niall O’Connor never rang me as county treasurer and we could have spoken about it. He went off on a solo run. Is this the same Niall O’Connor who was brought on by the county minor manager as a selector and for some reason best known to himself, left for no reason.”

Comments on the county secretary and geKilmaley’s Conor Clancy said it was “disingenuous” of the Treasurer to question Niall’s motives. Rory Hickey asked the Treasurer to withdraw some of his remarks about O’Connor. Vice Chairman of Clare GAA, Kieran Keating asked his fellow executive officer “to reconsider and withdraw the comments”. Clarecastle duo Neville O’Hallloran and Niall Tuohy also asked for the comments to be withdrawn.

Gallagher declined to do so.

pg 33

27-05-21

Clare Echo THE

instagram.com/ClareEcho twitter.com/ClareEcho facebook.com/clareecho clareecho.ie

Controversy reigns in Clare soccer PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

CONTROVERSY continues to brew in Clare soccer circles with the fallout set to delay the start of schoolboys and schoolgirls games in the county.

Six members of the Clare Schoolboys/ Schoolgirls Soccer League (CSSL) committee, Chairman Donal Kirby, secretary Caroline O’Brien, treasurer Deirdre Shannon, PRO Chris Curran, fixtures secretary Conor Twomey and committee member Brendan Wall announced their resignation on Friday following a meeting on Thursday. Avenue Utd’s Tommy Molloy was the only member of the committee who did not resign.

It is believed that a report in The Clare Echo last week detailing a letter sent by Ennis Town delegate Tony Downey to the CSSL committee following the heated AGM was discussed at length during the committee meeting.

Four of the six committee members that

resigned wished not to comment when contacted by The Clare Echo.

On Friday, the SFAI was notified of the resignations. In a bid to have all games played, the SFAI mandated Tommy Molloy (chairman), Michael Guilfoyle (hon secretary), Frankie Gormley (hon treasurer) and Ronnie Pyne (fixtures secretary) to run the league on an interim basis up to the conclusion of the current season. Normal procedures for the election of league officers and committee members to run the league from thereon will be carried at the League's AGM as per its rules.

However by Monday morning it emerged that the personnel selected to run the league for a three month period were not Garda vetted and they themselves had to resign.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Frank Gormley called on the FAI to intervene.

“We are a small county soccer wise and it is time for the CSSL and the CDSL to amalgamate. We can’t ignore the situation any longer”.

An ex Chairman of the CSSL, Gorm-

ley outlined that he accepted the offer to form the interim committee so that games would be played over the coming months.

He expressed his concern that games may not proceed due to the latest twist. He felt the committee members that resigned last week should consider their positions, “we have great people involved in soccer in Clare, the committee should reconsider, they were a great asset”.

On Wednesday morning, Tony Downey told The Clare Echo, “anything I’ve done over the past two weeks have been for the best interests of football long-term”. He stated that he was involved with U14, U15 and U16 sides with Ennis Town, “the last thing I want for all these young fellas is to not be playing games. I spend 20 hours a week with soccer teams, I’ve soccer at my heart”.

The Clare Echo understands that members of the committee who did resign on Friday last are to hold a meeting in the coming days where a potential return will be discussed.

NAOMI INCLUDED IN IREALND EURO SQUAD

Cratloe native Naomi Carroll has been included in Irish squad for the European Championships in the Netherlands this June Photo by John Mangan

Impressive win for Brother Joe BROTHER Joe bounced back from disappointment in his last run to claim an impressive win in Galway.

A superb performance

by Brother Joe in the A7 graded seventh contest in Galway saw the Pat Crowe of Ennistymon owned dog rout his rivals over 525 yards by upwards of five and a half lengths in 29.05.

Very smartly into his stride the Donal Duggan of Tulla trained son of Droopys Sydney & Sarista quickly went through the gears racing towards the opening bend rounding which he led by three lengths from Dynamic Twinkle. Striding out well down the back, Brother Joe was out in splendid isolation as he approached the penultimate corner as he strode to an impressive success.

The complexion of race three changed dramatically between the third and fourth bends as the Martin Williams of Clooney owned Clooney Dasher trained

by Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge slipped along the inside on her way to a three and three quarter length success over Haaland in 29.60. In the early strides No Overlap led his rivals around the opening

two bends but approaching the penultimate corner the pack began to close. Once the gap appeared along the rails for Clooney Dasher though the daughter of Skywalker Puma and Cragmoher Susie drew right away from her rivals.

In race five, Gower Pam owned by Cooraclare’s Anne Carey never saw another rival in this A8 graded contest as she recorded her maiden success at the eighth attempt as she proved four and a half lengths too good for Commanche Springs in 29.86.

The A4 tenth contest went to the Michael Costello of North Clare owned Pinnacle Abbie who never saw another rival as she recorded her eighth success by three lengths over Dromana Bobby in 29.27. Trapping well the daughter of Laughill Duke and Maries Legacy led her rivals by over two lengths rounding the opening bend and at half the lead was over four lengths as Dromana Bobby gave chase but ultimately, to no avail.

All six runners were away on terms for the third event on Saturday, a Novice 525 yards contest, and as they approached the opening bend Burnpark Brae held a

narrow advantage over Cascade King but approaching the penultimate bend the Jack Browne of Ballyea owned Cascade King was right on the leader’s tail. Between the final two bends Cascade King took command before easing away to defeat Cheero by two and a half lengths in a slick 29.05 The S8 graded fourth contest was a straight forward win for the red jacketed Aulton Messi, who took command approaching the opening bend. Tracking well along the inner the Pat Hogan of Ennis owned Aulton Messi extended his advantage with every stride and the Donie Duggan trained runner eventually scored by six and a half lengths from Bridgepark Jack in 19.52.

The Pat Hogan owned double was completed in the A4 graded 575 yards ninth contest as the Vincent McKenna trained Aulton Tiger led off the home bend on his way to his maiden career victory by two & a half lengths over Brykar Oak in 31.83.

The S5 sixth graded sprint contest saw success for the Ciara Burke and Jason O’Dwyer of Miltown Malbay owned Malbay Dixie in 19.56.

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35

PLANNING NOTICES CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL OLD PAROCHIAL HOUSE CLONLARA CO CLARE V94 E76D Planning Permission is sought

by Philippa Keogh for single storey extensions to the side and rear of an existing two storey house, alterations to the existing house and all associated site works, at the Old Parochial House, Clonlara, Co. Clare, V94 E76D. 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 LEAMANEIGH BEG, NEWMARKET ON FERGUS, CO CLARE V95 V2D9 Take notice that Alan & Majella O’Gorman intend to apply for Planning Permission to a) demolish existing detached garage, b) construct single storey extension to the existing dwelling house and c) make modifications to the internal layout of the existing dwelling house including all ancillary site services and works at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority, in writing, on payment of a fee of €20.00 within five weeks beginning

on the date of receipt by the Authority of the Planning Application CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CLONCOOL, O’CALLAGHANS MILLS, CO. CLARE. We, Orla Moroney & Bryan Williams, intend to apply to the above named authority for planning permission for the demolition of side & rear extensions to existing dwelling house including adjacent garage building and the construction of new side and rear extensions, external landscaping, boundary wall treatments & all ancillary site works at Cloncool, O’Callaghans Mills, Co. Clare.

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

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the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KILRUSH ROAD, KILMIHIL, CO. CLARE Carmel McNamara intends to apply for outline permission for development at this site Kilrush Road, Kilmihil, Co. Clare.

The development will consist of a dwelling house and a private garage c/w ancillary site works.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, E20, 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 author 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, FURROOR, LISSYCASEY, CO CLARE Take notice that K. Clancy & A. Kelly intend to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to alter and extend their existing dwelling house, construct a new shed and install a new proprietary treatment system 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 BALLYNACALLY, ENNIS, CO. CLARE Take notice that Francis O’Reilly intends to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct a new dwelling house and garage complete with a new entrance, sewage treatment system and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare

County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL TOONAGH, TULLA, ENNIS, CO.CLARE 1, Donal Conheady, intend to apply to the above Planning Authority for Permission to construct a Private Dwelling House, Wastewater Treatment System /Soil Polishing Filter, Entrance and all associated site works at Toonagh, Tulla, Ennis, Co.Clare 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 of €20, within a 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 RAHEEN WOOD STEINER SECONDARY SCHOOL, RAHEEN, TUAMGRANEY, CO.CLARE Take notice that Raheen Wood Steiner Secondary School intends to apply for planning permission for development at Raheen Wood Steiner Secondary School, Raheen, Tuamgraney, Co.Clare. The development will consist of the construction of a new classroom building consisting of 3 classrooms, auxiliary spaces and associated site works.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours 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, KILLARD, DOONBEG, CO. CLARE. Take notice that Diarmuid Keane + Associates Ltd. (0659083667, www.diarmuidkeane. ie) intend to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of Gerard Blake for retention permission to retain the asconstructed foundation for a machinery shed and planning permission to complete the construction of the machinery shed along with all associated site works and services at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of 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 ATHLUNKARD VILLA, ATHLUNKARD, WESTBURY, CO CLARE. I, John Moloney intend to apply for retention permission for development at Athlunkard Villa, Athlunkard, Westbury, Co Clare.

The development consists of changes made to the site boundaries, abandonment of septic tank and percolation area, connection to public foul and storm water sewers and relocation of the site entrance for a domestic dwelling house 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.

36

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38

QUIZ 39

THURSDAY, MAY 27 2021

The Clare Echo Quiz

RAIDIO CORCA BAISCINN QUIZ Where are the studios of Raidio Corca is the name of the weekly show 1Kilrush Baiscinn located?

7What hosted by Dermot Hayes?

In July 2018, the Broadcasting Author3 ity of Ireland extended RCB’s community radio licensing contract for how many years?

5 10 15

Presenter of Mikey’s Mix, Michael Lor4 rigan is from what part of Clare?

Kilshanny Kildysart Kilmurry McMahon

Which ex RCB station manager ap5 peared on The Late Late Show?

Sorcha Daly Áine Mae O’Mahony Jason Murphy

6

Which Clare FM presenter started their media career with RCB? Fiona Cahill Derrick Lynch Gavin Grace

presents the weekly poetry show 8Who on RCB? Sadhbh Smyth Pauline Skehan Paddy Murray

Flow of Words showcases writers 9Afrom East Clare on the station, who presents the show?

Jamesy McConigley Muireann Duffy Jim Conlan

10

Sports reporter Nicolas Rynne is affiliated with which Clare GAA club?

Kilmaley Inagh/Kilnamona St Josephs Miltown

Spot the Difference Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences.

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

l What is the name of the weekly show presented by Corofin native Dermot Hayes

ANSWERS

6. Derrick Lynch 7. Radio Beams 8. Pauline Skehan 9. Jim Conlan 10.Inagh/Kilnamona

2005 2010

Kilkee 2010 10 Kilmurry McMahon Áine Mae O’Mahony

In what year did the community radio 2 station start?

2000

Slán Tamall Realpolitik Radio Beams

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Kilkee Moyasta

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. Cow missing . Tree missing . Pillar on wall missing

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