The Clare Echo 27/10/22

Supermac’s plaza to open by next year

PÁRAIC McMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE’s

first motorway plaza is to be open by the end of next year.

An Bord Pleanála this week upheld a decision to grant planning permission for the €10m plaza in Doora, on the outskirts of the county town. Construction is set to commence in the next three to four months.

Supermac’s boss Pat McDonagh said it would

result in the same level of job creation as the Barack Obama Plaza at about 130 jobs with an additional 100 temporary construction jobs.

Cllr Pat Daly (FF) said “it is good for employment and for tourism” while maintaining it will not impact on other businesses “one bit”.

Allen Flynn of The Old Ground Hotel who raised concerns over the plaza’s scale warned that the development could result in businesses in Ennis suffering, particularly other filling stations, as well as tourism facilities such as the coach park.

MORE ON pg 4

l Iarla Griffin and Martin O’Leary go through the post match analysis after Ballyea won the senior hurling county final on Sunday

Photo by Ruth Griffin

TUS MAITH AT THIRD LEVEL OPEN DAY

Dennis' Den to close permanently

OWNERS of Dennis’ Den Fun world in Ennis have announced its permanent closure, writes Páraic McMahon

Approaching 25 years since

its opening in November 1997, the closure of the busy chil dren’s play area on the Quin Rd in Ennis was confirmed.

“It’s a decision that hasn’t

been taken lightly but we feel now is the right time to move on to new adventures,” stated owners Patrick and Patricia Ta affe.

The Taafe family thanked loyal customers, neighbours, friends and family, along with their staff for their support through the years.

Keelin

Leah O’Malley from St. John Bosco Community College, Kildysart

Supermac's plaza on Ennis outskirts gets go-ahead

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

ASUPERMAC'S

plaza

on the outskirts of En nis has been given the go-ahead by An Bord Pleanála.

Over six years after first lodg ing plans, Supermac's can now proceed with its attempts to con struct the €10m plaza which is to be located in Kilbreckan, Doora adjacent to junction 12 of the M18. The site had been zoned for an offline motorway service area (MSA) in the Clare County Development Plan.

The Clare Echo has learned that An Bord Pleanála upheld the decision made by Clare Coun ty Council in December 2020 to grant planning permission to the development. 120 jobs will be cre ated within a year of the develop ments, Supermac's previously told The Clare Echo. The Clare facility will not be to the same scale as the Barack Obama Plaza in Money gall. It is the fourth application the

fast-food chain made for a plaza in the Banner County.

A service station building with convenience shop, food court, staff facilities, canopy, fuel facili ties, parking and circulation space, children’s play area, picnic area and access provision will all be constructed as part of the plans.

Works also include infrastruc tural works, public lighting, signage, landscaping, internal

fencing, electrical substation, 16 electric car charging points, roof mounted solar panels, storm wa ter runoff, petrol interceptors and attenuation system, on-site waste water treatment plant, pumping station and connection to public foul sewer, drainage improvement works, underground fuel stor age tanks, rain water harvesting system, connection to public wa ter supply, underground storage

tanks for fire-fighting purposes, underground rain water harvest ing tanks, works to improve visi bility at access point, upgrade to adjacent roundabout and ancillary works.

Supermac's first lodged plans for the motorway plaza in Clare in January 2016. Another application was marred in controversy when it emerged in 2018 that bogus letters of support were submitted to the local authority. Plans were with drawn following a request for fur ther information. Fresh proposals were submitted in the winter of 2020 with planning granted by Clare County Council that De cember, subject to 25 conditions.

A month later, three appeals were lodged with An Bord Pleaná la by local businesses. They includ ed the operator of the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis, Duesbury Ltd, Ry an’s Centra, Ennis, Mill Road Mo tors, Ennis, Claureen Service Sta tion, Ennis and Clarke’s Daybreak Supermarket and Petrol Station, Crusheen in one appeal along with appeals by Maxol Ltd and long

time opponent of the plan and lo cal landowner, Shane Brigdale.

Local businesses argued that the “excessive scale” of the devel opment would have a “significant negative impact” on Ennis, Clare castle and Crusheen. Among oth er submissions, Michael Duffy, chartered civil engineer, argued that the plans would increase traf fic hazards and take business from Ennis among other items.

Mr Brigdale successfully op posed the Supermac’s plan at the appeals board previously. In his objection against the new plan, Mr Brigdale claims to have a right of way across the site which he uses on a daily basis to access his lands.

Prior to starting the develop ment, a contribution of €48,408.80 is to be paid to Clare County Council in respect of public infra structure and facilities benefiting development in the area.

A special development contribu tion of €35,000 is also to be paid to the council towards the improve ment and maintenance of public infrastructure.

lDEVELOPMENT: An artist's impression of the plaza

T T H E A R M A D A

F E S T I V E F U N & F U N K F R I D A Y S R E C O N N E C T W I T H Y O U R T E A M C H R I S T M A S C A T C H U P S A F T E R N O O N T E A I N S P A N I S H P O I N T H O U S E

E W Y E A R

Minister insists rural Clare 'doesn't need a padlock'

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

for Housing, Darra gh O’Brien (FF), pictured right, has defended progress on the addition of waste water treatment plants across the county.

The Clare Echo understands that Broadford and Cooraclare are the submissions from the county in a €50m national pilot sewerage scheme.

While it is welcome news for Broadford and Cooraclare, it is of little consolation to the remaining 50 towns and villages across Clare without wastewater treatment plants. The knock-on effect of that from the County Development Plan is that the areas will be de zoned for housing and a bleak pic ture for the future of rural Clare.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Minister O’Brien stated, “There’s no padlock on rural Clare I can assure you”. He added, “Firstly

you’ve got to look at the nation al situation, we’ve provided Irish Water with the largest capital budget they’ve ever had to deliv er schemes and they are making progress. In relation to the un served villages scheme, that is a scheme that I brought forward, we put that scheme out there and have received applications including from Clare that are being as sessed. I met with residents in Broadford when I was here last year, I know there’s a number of schemes, I want to get this up and running whilst

we’re doing the bigger work”.

“If you look at what else we’ve done to support people in towns and villages right across the coun try no less so in Clare bringing forward the Croí Cónaithe grant scheme, there is €50,000 grants for people to do up properties that are vacant and derelict, we have very significant interest in Co Clare in that,” the Minister added.

applications in from Clare, they are being assessed right now and I had the fortune of meeting res

idents and listening to them last year, I’d like to be able to see that through”.

THE POWER OF MACRAMINISTER

Feedback from the housing sec tion of Clare County Council to the Minister has been positive. “They have been doing well on the buy and renew piece and tak ing other derelict properties and getting them back into use for social housing.

"Things are moving here in Clare, it’s not fixed and it doesn’t get fixed overnight, I know you know that, certainly in relation to villages and settlements that don’t have waste water treatment we need to grasp the nettle on that and I’ve done that, we’ve received

lWELL DESERVED: Congratulations to local woman Caitríona Power who has won the Macra National Leader of the Year Competition! Caitríona is the chairperson of Ennis and Clare Macra and received the award for her hard work, determination and motivation in her role as chairperson over the last year. Well done Caitríona!

Five star Dromoland to double revenues in 2022

by GORDON DEEGAN

REVENUES

at the com pany that operates the five star Dromoland Castle are set to double this year on the back of record average room rates.

According to long-serving Gen eral Manager at Dromoland Cas tle, Mark Nolan the business has performed ‘strongly’ in 2022 and was able to achieve record average room rates of €700 in July.

Mr Nolan was commenting on new accounts which show that Dromoland Castle Holdings Ltd last year recorded pre-tax profits of €891,242 and this followed a pretax loss of €3.3 million during the first year of the pandemic in 2020.

The business - which also op erates the Inn at Dromoland - re turned to profit after revenues increased by 68 per cent from

€7.23 million to €12.16 million. The hotel re-opened to guests on June 2nd 2021 after a Covid-19 enforced closure for the first five months of the year.

Chief Financial Officer, Joe Hughes said that the projected doubling in revenues this year is based on 12 months of operations and a strong return by US visitors.

Mr Hughes said that last year Government Covid-19 wage sup port subsidies were very import ant to the business. He said: “They were of tremendous support and crucial in allowing us to retain our staff last year.

Mr Nolan said that 60 per cent of hotel visitors this year have been US guests as US visitors have returned to near pre-pandemic numbers.

Last year, the business was boosted by ‘staycationers’ with most Irish people choosing to hol iday at home.

Mr Nolan said that the Irish guest was prepared to pay high room rates as long as they believed they were getting good value.

The accounts show that the busi ness recorded operating profits of €1.27 million only after receiving ‘other operating income’ of €6.08 million which was made up of Government grants receivable of €6.08m and this followed €2.34m received under that heading in 2020.

Mr Hughes said that €4.96 mil lion of the €6.08 million in Gov ernment grants last year were Covid-19 wage support subsidy scheme payments.

The profit last year takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of €2.5 million.

Mr Nolan said that 2023 “is looking good” but like all hotel businesses is facing challenges such as inflation, soaring energy costs and the increase in VAT next

March.

Mr Nolan said that the hotel is doing its best to make the hotel in dustry attractive to people and has in place a Learning and Develop ment Manager to ensure that staff members up-skill while at work.

He said: “We believe that this is very important and that staff mem bers are given the time away from the job to develop their career.”

Mr Nolan said that the hotel continues to invest in the resort and the The hotel’s capital expen diture this year was €4 million and last year €750,000.

The hotel staged the Women’s Irish Open this year with around 25,000 spectators coming to Dro moland over the four days in Sep tember and Mr Hughes said that the spend was over €1.5m by the hotel on the event.

Mr Nolan said that the hotel re corded a loss on holding the event which featured one of Ireland’s

most successful sports personali ties, Leona Maguire. He said: “On its first year back after 10 years, it was unlikely to break even in the first year.”

Mr Nolan said that the hotel is talking to the various stakeholders on staging the event at Dromoland next year.

He said: “We learned a lot on how to stage the event this year be tween getting sponsors on board and signing contracts.”

At the end of last December, the group’s shareholder funds totalled €20.7 million while its cash funds increased from €3.5 million to €6.07 million.

Revenue from rooms last year more than doubled from €2.87 million to €5.8 million while food and drink revenues increased from €3.09 million to €4.67 million.

Numbers employed last year surge from 179 to 315 as staff costs totalled €8.24m.

lRESORT: Dromoland Castle Golf Club Photo by Brian Morrisson

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'We're not poodles' - Kelly questions legality of CDP

April, I cannot formally support what is going ahead here today”.

MCMAHON

CLARE’S

most experi enced councillor has questioned the legality of the County Devel opment Plan.

At a special meeting in the past week, councillors voted to approve the Draft County Development Plan which will now go on public display for a period of four weeks after it is published in November. Elected representatives have thus far attended workshops totalling between 30 and 40 hours in prepa ration of the statutory document. 105 valid submissions have been received to date for the County Development Plan.

Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) was the sole representative at the special meet ing to raise concerns with the pro cess. “I don’t wish to be divisive in any way, having indicated I’m tak ing a stand on amendments next

Legal advice had been sought by the Lissycasey representative “on the presumed legality/constitu tionality of the proposal in County Development Plan to control de velopment by the imposition of an allocation of population process”.

He made that request at the Sep tember meeting of the Council but has been left without a reply from the County Solicitor. “I think it is wrong, it is definitely morally wrong, I’m not sure if it is legally wrong, Chief Executive said he would get the opinion but he didn’t get it, we may be passing a process which may be legally questioned. It is deeply regrettable that the County Solicitor couldn’t find his way here.

Mayor of Clare, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) explained, “It is re grettable that the legal information you’ve been looking for hasn’t been forthcoming. We endeavoured to have the County Solicitor here but unfortunately he wasn’t available”.

Jacqueline O’Brien

In October, Kelly proposed “that landowners who possess a Depart ment of Agriculture herd number be recognised as and treated as farmers in the County Develop ment Plan”. Cllr Pat Burke (FG)

advised the meeting that it was not passed unanimously as suggested by his colleague.

Referring to this, Director of Economic Development, Liam Conneally said councillors had to

be “careful not to conflate the stat utory process involved in a County Development Plan and a notice of motion. It was set out clearly by the Chief Executive that you can’t preadopt questions at a separate stat utory meeting. You have not fet tered yourself with adoption”. He committed to sharing legal advice on population allocations with councillors “as soon as I get it”.

“We’ve been told we’ve to agree with the unknown,” Cllr Kelly re sponded. “The motion did not try to supplement the role of the County Development Plan, it was a declaration of policy, I stated my position at the last meeting, I’ve no reason to change it. I don’t remem ber the Chief Executive saying it was in conflict if it was going to happen, the only conflict was ref erenced by Mr Conneally, I’m dis appointed he questioned the rights of members to question the resolu tion. We’re not poodles, we might be expected to do certain things but the days of woof woof and bow wow are gone”.

lCONCERNS: Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) Photo by Eamon Ward

Heritage staff to hold protest

SHANNON

Heritage workers are to stage a protest this Friday in Bunratty amid ongoing frustration on the transfer of tourism sites in the county, writes Páraic McMahon

The protest aims to high light their continued an noyance at the failure of Government Departments, Clare County Council and the Shannon Airport Group to come to a deal on the fu ture of the sites and to ask questions on where their future lies. SIPTU has ac cussed the

Government of making ’empty promises’ following an omission in funding for the transfer of the manage ment of Knappogue Castle, Cragaunowen, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and a retail outlet at the Cliffs of Moher to Clare County Council in this year’s Bud get. While negotiations con tinue, the Government’s ap parent reluctance to provide €15m in funding is a major stumbling block.

Political representatives have informed workers that the matter is now with the Department of Hous ing, Local Government and Heritage.

“I want to see a resolu tion to it that gives certain ty to staff and ensures the sites themselves are secured in a sustainable way. I can tell you I’m not bouncing it from pillar to post, the situa tion that arose was not of my making either but I’m cer tainly focused on assisting with a solution to it”.

lBunratty Castle

Speaking to The Clare Echo in En nis on Monday, Minister for Local Government, Dar ragh O’Brien (FF) insisted he was not letting the issue bounce around different Depart ments.

Resolutions have not been reached on the financial as pects, he confirmed. “We need to make sure whatever transfer arrangements are in place are robust and are sus tainable, there’s a financial element to it that needs to be worked through but I’ve been engaging with Clare County Council in a posi tive way, Shannon Airport Group themselves and they need to have a role in that, I understand the frustrations, we’ve had former Shannon Heritage sites in my own constituency when the ar rangements came to an end that we had to look for solu tions”.

€40m social housing officially opened

FOUR

new social housing develop ments were formally opened by the Minister for Housing, Local Gov ernment and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien (FF) across Clare on Mon day, writes Páraic McMahon

With a total approved budget of €40m, the developments in Miltown Malbay, Tulla and two in Ennis (Ashline and Lifford) will pro vide 153 new homes through a combination of direct build and turnkey development schemes, funded by the Department as part of the Government’s Housing for All plan.

A mix of one, two, three and four-bed

room dwellings featuring high-specification finishes with an emphasis on energy effi ciency form part of the developments.

Clare County Council’s Director of Social Development, Anne Haugh outlined how the local authority was on course to exceed its target under Housing for All. For the pe riod 2022 to 2026, the Council was set a tar get of delivering 833 units and for this year the local authority proposes exceeding its targets by up to 60 units. “The planning and delivery of social housing in the county has been ramped up significantly over the past number of years," she said.

lNEW HOMES: Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Tony O’Brien, Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien TD, Anne Haugh, Director of Social Development, and Pat Dowling, Chief Executive, Clare County Council Photo by Eamon Ward

SHANNON NEWS

in association with

State of the art R&D lab put to the test by Ei

A NEW state of the art re search and development (R&D) laboratory has been commissioned by Ei Elec tronics at its Shannon-based headquarters, writes Páraic McMahon

In the new lab, an expe rienced 30-strong team of engineers are served. They come from a range of disci plines including chemistry, physics, electrical and elec tronic design, mechanical and industrial design. The evolution of the Company’s product offering to include solutions for the Connected Home and IOT space has seen experts related to em bedded, cloud & App soft

ware development, as well as machine learning / AI and data analytics join the team.

Commenting on the commissioning of the new laboratory, Mike Keegan, Head of R&D stated, “This state-of-the art laboratory, its equipment and its peo ple enable us to remain at the very forefront of prod uct development. Crucially for us and our customers it will result in reduced prod uct development cycles, and more rigorous testing capa bilities, leading to improved product quality”.

Officially opened by An Taoiseach, Micheál Mar tin (FF) in March of this

year, the new Headquar ters Building on the exist ing Ei Campus comprises a 10,000m2 facility and in cludes significant additional manufacturing capacity in addition to the Research and Development laboratory.

With a turnover in 2021 of €320m, and 1,250 employ ees worldwide, Ei Electron ics commands a leadership position globally as a man ufacturer of residential fire and carbon monoxide de tection products. Ei is 100% Irish-owned and is in exis tence for over 55 years. Over 30 years ago it became a fully-fledged Irish Company after a management buy-out.

Niall Maloney heading for Shannon Airport's departures lounge

NIALL

Maloney is stepping down from his role as Opera tions and Commercial Direc tor of Shannon Airport.

Limerick native Maloney has called time on his 41 year connection to Shannon Airport and will soon conclude working in Co Clare. He had been responsi ble for the day to day running of the airport, security, engineering plus fire and rescue services. His father had worked at Shannon Airport before him.

He held his current role since July 2020 having previously been Airport Operations Director for seven years, Head of Opera tions for five years and Deputy Head of Air port Operations for six years.

Maloney began working at the Airport in July 1981 serving as a clerical officer with Aer Rianta, climbing the ranks to become Airport Property and Systems Manager un til he became a member of staff with Shan

non Airport Authority DAC.

Among the initiatives, Niall played a part in rolling out at Shannon Airport were the Aviation Gallery put together by Mike Kelly and the purpose built autism sensory room. He was also tasked with overseeing the visits of high-profile guests such as US Presidents, diplomats and celebrities.

Shannon Airport Group have announced Laois native Niall Kearns will succeed Malo ney as Operations and Commercial Direc tor.

A senior executive with over 18 years’ ex perience, has held a variety of operational and commercial roles. He has already joined the Shannon Group from Eirtech Aviation Services, a leading global aircraft service provider based in Shannon with whom he was Chief Commercial Officer.

He joined Eirtech in 2013, developed a global commercial team and led the global expansion of the company with airlines and leasing companies until his departure this year. Prior to this, Mr Kearns worked in the Kemmy Business School in UL, and in sales and business process improvement roles in Dell, he has lived in Limerick for 22 years.

lSTEPPING DOWN: Operations and Commercial Director of Shannon Airport Niall Maloney

'Boutique capital' to host fashion and wellness extravaganza

EXPERIENCE

Ennis will stage a fashion and wellness extravaganza on Saturday 5 November, writes Elaine Tubridy

The jam-packed event is set to put the fun back into the traditional shop ping experience while also honing in on the importance of women’s hormonal and sexual health.

Rosemarie Noone, Experience Ennis, said, “Ennis has an impressive range of indepen dent shops offering all sorts of everything - you just can't beat a day strolling through the streets and checking out the town's many treasure troves. There’s no doubt, the way people shop has changed in the last two years, but people are realising how much they have missed out on shopping in person, trying things on and getting that one-on-one advice. Women are excited about getting dressed up again and being seen. This experi ence is all about giving them the inspiration, tools and confidence to be fabulous again.”

Known as the 'Boutique Capital of Ireland', Ennis has long held a reputation as a shop pers' paradise. Putting itself firmly back on the map, the fashion and wellness experience will shine a spotlight on how women can feel and look fabulous with a number of fash ion shows, talks, demos and a lively Sex and

Wellness panel discussion.

The event will kick off at 11am with brunch in The Monks' Society (formerly Cloisters Restaurant). This will be followed by a fash ion show where broadcaster Lorraine Keane and stylist Laura Jordan will discuss the latest trends and style tips and introduce highlights of the season from over 16 local boutiques.

Visitors can enjoy a wide range of events, entertainment and promotions taking place in boutiques throughout the town. The itin erary includes a Body Confidence Workshop, four mini fashion shows, styling workshops, and lots more.

The day will be wrapped up with a ‘Sex and Wellness’ panel discussion in the Old Ground Hotel from 5pm to 7pm. Lorraine Keane will host the high profile panel of experts who in clude writer and broadcaster Barbara Scully; Dr Mary Ryan, Consultant Endocrinologist in the Bons Secours; Dr Maire Finn, GP who is focused on Women's health and wellbeing; and Grace Alice O'Shea, sex and intimacy expert. The lively and informative discussion will focus on women's hormone health and sexual wellbeing. Wine and Canapés will be served.

Tickets for the Fashion Brunch at the Monk’s Society and the Sex and Wellness event are available on Eventbrite.

WAVES OF COLOUR AT SWEET N GREEN CAFE

lSTUNNING: Next up in Sweet n Green's art exhibition series is Joseph Kelly. Joseph is a visual artist and painter located in Ennis co Clare and a graduate of Limerick School of Art and Design in 2016. Joseph’s works are created using traditional and modern techniques separately in order to create his works. The separate techniques he practices are: En plein air (creating works onsite using various materials, under specific time periods in and exposed to his environment) and Studio based (photographic, drawing, en plein air combined). The works created demonstrate the differences in techniques and style of painting, and both offer an insight into how the different brush strokes and mark making are used to build paintings, and show the variety of technique.

Notes

THE Dulick Centre and Clare Lead er Forum will host a Halloween fan cy dress party on Friday, October 28 11.30am - 2pm at Cois na hAbhna, Gort Road, Ennis. Fancy dress com petition and goody bags. Entry €5.

BEIDH preab-Ghaeltacht (Pop-Up Gaeltacht) Oíche Shamhna ar siúl i dTigh Chiaráin (Ciarán's) ar Shráid Proinsias in Inis, Co. an Chláir, Dé hAoine an 28ú Deireadh Fómhair ag 9pm. Beidh duaiseanna le buachtáil ar an oíche.

Duais don fheisteas Oíche Shamh na (Fancy Dress) is fearr ina measc! Beidh ceol agus amhráin ann!

THE story of Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance voyage in music, words and pictures is coming to glor on November 12th, 2022. Performed by Brian Hughes, the County Kildare Orchestra and John McKenna. Visit glor.ie for tickets.

ENNIS Players’ Annual Supper The atre is back at the Old Ground Ho tel. This year’s productions include: Elysium Nevada by Barry McKin ley; Trapped, by Barry Wosods and Where there’s a will by Tony Layton. Taking place between November 21 and 24. Tickets €22 (€20 and €2 booking fee) on sale now from glór.

lCATWALK: A host of fashion showes are lined up

East

Clare Joint exhibition raising funds to help Ukrainian soldiers

by SIOMHA PERILL

CLONLARA’s

Gráinne Moloney

has teamed up with Ukrainian artist, Yeni for a joint exhibition of paintings now on display at Clare Museum.

“My interests generally are in rural Ireland. I’m inspired by the colours, the landscape, the people, and the way of life,” Gráinne told The Clare Echo Gráinne grew up in Clonlara on a busy farm. Following her completion of prima ry school, Gráinne attended Laurel Hill Secondary School Limerick. Here, it was a teacher, Ursula O’Meara, who sug gested she should attend The Crawford College of Art & Design in Cork. “She re ally supported me and encouraged me to pursue art after school”.

She graduated with a first-class honour and was invited to Winchester School of Art in England, where she completed her Master’s degree in fine art. She returned to Cork where she taught art in Cross haven Secondary School, and later, returned home to Clare where she has her own studio in Bridgetown. “For a few years, I wasn’t in the position to do a lot of artworks with a young family”.

As her children grew up, Gráinne found

more time to delve back into art. She cur rently teaches art to local primary school children after school and in camps she usually runs over the holidays. Three of her local art students have been selected for the Zurich Young Portrait Prize 2022, which opens next month in the National Gallery in Dublin.

During lockdown, Gráinne joined a Facebook group called Keeping Hens in Ireland. It was here she came across the most beautiful photograph of a young girl, Kayla, holding her hen. “Immediate ly I wanted to paint her”. Once complet ed, Gráinne entered the Zurich Portrait Prize Competition 2021, something she had no previous experience in. Gráinne traced Kayla’s family and received per mission to enter the piece.

Girl with Hen was selected for the Zu rich Portrait Prize. The painting stayed in the National Gallery in Dublin for nine months before being moved to the Craw ford Gallery. Following the Zurich Por trait Prize, Gráinne wished to display her work in her home county. She contacted the Arts Office and was offered a spot, paired with Yeni, originally from Ukraine. “It seems to be a very good pairing. I look forward to meeting her someday and to meeting Kayla.”

Gráinne and Yeni’s joint exhibition wll

be displayed in the Clare Museum, En nis until November 11th, 2022. All funds raised will be donated to Ukraine, to help treat and support wounded soldiers.

Inspirational Donnacha to cut long locks for charity

by ELAINE TUBRIDY

AFTER growing his hair for three years, Whitegate youngster Donna cha Hayes is about to donate his long locks to the Rapunzel Foundation.

In 2019 after seeing a video of a young girl who had lost her hair due to cancer treatment and was wait ing on her wig, Donnacha asked his mom and dad if he could grow his own hair long enough to donate to charity. His hair is now long enough and the plan is that he will cut it over the Halloween break 2022.

Donnacha decided that along with cutting his hair for Rapunzel that he was also going to fundraise. When asked what charities he wanted to pick he decided that he would like to help charities that help children like him. He chose the Children’s Grief Project and the Dyslexia Association of Ireland. He picked the Dyslexia Association because he has dyslex ia and dyspraxia and he thinks that other children who don’t get as much help as him would benefit from it.

He picked the Children’s grief project because his brother Ultan died when he was just two years old. His 10 year old brother Oisin found it difficult and the Children’s Grief Project helped him to understand the loss of Ultan. Donnacha's go fundme page: https://www.gofund me.com/f/donnachas-hair-chop-forchildren

lLOCAL ARTIST: Gráinne Moloney with her painting, 'Girl with hen'

Donnacha Hayes

Davy

The Town Hall Bistro

The Poets Corner Bar

The Brendan O’Regan Restaurant

West

'Students witnessing cyberbullying'

CHILDREN'S Fancy Dress Compe tition & Halloween Party at the Es tuary Way Café in Ballynacally Vil lage, in aid of Kildysart Currach Club Wheelchair Accessible Boat Project, this Sunday, 30th October 2022, from 2pm-5pm (costume entries in by 4.15pm). No entry fee and com plimentary refreshments. Donations to above project greatly appreciated. Special guest judge with a prize of €50 Smyths Toys Voucher for the best costume. Lots of fun & games & cake decorating with spooky spot prizes & scary sticky sweets too.

THE final local live music perfor mance will be held in Teach Ceoil on this Friday, October 28th. Music by Atlantic sound with a starting time of 9p.m. Admission free and all are invited to attend.

on social media per day. Only one person responded that they spend less than 30 minutes on social media per day, the recom mended amount.

The survey was carried out to see how social media influenc es the lives of young students in Clare.

of night.

"Consequently students are arriving into schools, on a daily basis tired, emotional and having great difficulty concentrating on their work”.

Less than a third of respon dents agreed with the suggestion that social media profiles should be linked to passports as a meth od of ensuring all accounts are identified with an individual.

Interestingly, 65 per cent be lieve social media improves their lives however half admitted they believe life was easier for pre vious generations who grew up without social media, with re spondents noting subjects such as phone addiction and cyber bullying.

IRISH Water and Clare County Council are replacing 1,300m of wa termains in Doonbeg, starting next week. The works will also involve laying new water service connec tions from the public water main in the road to property boundaries and connecting it to water supply. Works will take place on N67 from Milltown Road to Killard Road and is expected to be completed by mid-December.

by ZOE HOWELL

concerns it may be causing sleep deprivation.

Among its findings; 60% of people said that they have wit nessed bullying on social media; the most common social media platform that bullying was wit nessed on was TikTok; the ma jority of students (65 per cent) have accounts on more than six social media platforms, the most used being TikTok; one in four students said that they have felt pressured by social media to look/ act a certain way; 0% of people said that they believe a person’s online profile, such as Instagram or VSCO, is an honest representation of their lives.

Commenting on the findings, Ms King admitted that young people must be educated on the potential dangers of social media and bullying.

Echo

MANY

County Clare students are spend ing more than five hours a day on social media - leading to

A sample survey carried out with 20 transition year students in St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Spanish Point found that 30 per cent of students spend 5+ hours

Guidance Counsellor at St. Joseph’s Spanish Point, LyzAnne King, voiced concern at the amount of time being spent by students on social media saying it is surprising as when “one logs a student’s study/homework time, meals, and extra curricular activ ities etc these five hours must certainly seep into the late hours

“I am disappointed that young people would get enjoyment from seeing others being treated badly and made fun of.

"This is something we need to educate our young people on, to always be kind and treat each other with respect.”

Safety audits delay touch on 'planned obsolescence'

FAILURE to complete safety audits along one of the main axis points to West Clare is part of a “planned ob solescence,” an elect ed representative has claimed, writes Páraic McMahon

Transport Infra structure Ireland (TII) were requested by Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) to complete a safety audit on sections of the N68 between Lis sycasey and Knocker ra Cross “to include all junctions, road surface and any other safety concerns”.

Senior executive engineer in Clare County Council’s road design section, John Gannon stated that they had yet to con firm when the work is scheduled to be car ried out.

Based on this, Cllr Keating felt there was an implication the safety audit had been

completed. Howev er, senior executive engineer Alan Ken neally responded to say no confirmation had been given on the 2022 audits. “We all know the N68 could be enhanced, that’s a different days work and a far bigger piece of work”.

Part of the Cranny junction was labelled by Cllr Keating as “deadly”. He added, “This is a great op portunity to do some thing about it. There seems to be funds there for everything. We did get a second helping along the way, there is no point waiting until summer time”.

Kilrush based, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) said safety audits had been done but specific ar eas like Shaughnessy’s Cross had to be com pleted. He recalled, “Cranny Cross has

been on the monthly management report for a long time, it’s coming and coming and then it’s Christ mas. We all know the N68 needs to be done up but they responded to Deputy Wynne say ing it was okay, I think PJ has from Ennis to Lissycasey sorted but the rest needs work”.

Speaking at a meet ing of the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) commented, “I’ve been around the block for quite a while and I’m convinced this is part of planned obso lescence of West Clare, I’m not cynical but this is what’s happen ing”. He stated, “There was always little prob lems, land owner ship for re-alignment hadn’t been sorted, I’m disappointed but there’s a certain inev itability about what’s happening”.

(left)

media

North Clare

Clare priest’s murder recounted in new book

by ZOE HOWELL

INAN interview with Pat O’Looney, author of ‘A Zealous Priest’, he states that without people like Fr Michael Griffin, “we wouldn’t be where we are today”.

Fr Griffin was a former cu rate of the Ennistymon par ish, who was murdered by members of the Crown forc es during the War of Inde pendence, on November 14, 1920. He was abducted from his home in Galway and shot in the head at Lenaboy Castle by the auxiliaries. He was found six days later in a shallow grave in a bog near Barna.

Fr Griffin was a wellknown figure in the Ennisty mon area where he would visit parishioners on his motorbike, a gift he received for his ordination. From Co rofin, he came from a family with very strong Republican beliefs, especially his father.

He was known to have very strong republican views but never stated them in public.

The cause of his death arose from an incorrect be lief by the Crown forces that he had administered the last rights for a man named Patrick Joyce, a spy who had given a list of names of people who were vol unteers in the Connemara area. This was not the case as a priest from Mayo came from across Lough Corrib to administer the last rights to Patrick. These rumours about Fr Griffin made him a target which eventually led to his murder. He was the first of three priests to be killed in a six month period.

“He was one of a band of people that I believe who gave a good part of his life to the struggle for inde pendence,” commented Pat O’Looney. Pat wrote the book A Zealous Priest for the centenary of Fr Griffin’s death in October of 2020.

Keane's Matchmaker heads for Lisdoonvarna

LISDOONVARNA is noted as the home of the matchmaking festival and also the resi dence of the county’s most popular version of cupid, Willie Daly, writes Páraic McMa hon

There always seems to be a matchmaking connection with Lisdoonvarna and so it is apt that The Matchmaker starring Jon Ken ny and Norma Sheahan is heading for The Pavilion on Saturday November 5th. Direct ed by the accredited Michael Scott, his pro

duction of John B Keane’s dramatic comedy opened in January 2021, going on to tour the country and sell out the Edinburgh Festival become a video and DVD with Sony, a BBC Radio Series, and play ‘off Broadway’.

Sheahan and Kenny will be treading the boards of The Pavilion with what is expected to be an electric performance. Organised by Lisdoonvarna Fáilte, the show serves as a fundraiser for community facilities. Tickets are available on https://lisdoonvarnafailte.ie.

Cycling & pedestrian links can dilute rat runs

INVESTMENT in main roads plus the creation of a cycling and walking lane between Lisdoonvarna and Doolin can help to discour age rat runs, local repre sentatives have suggested, writes Páraic McMahon

Calls for the completion of a feasibility study on the prospect of linking the North Clare settlements “as part of mobility planning in the area” were made by Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) at a recent sitting of the West Clare Municipal District.

Senior executive engineer,

Enda MacNamara cautioned that “significant studies and surveys would be required to assess possible routes over a 7km distance between the two settlements”. He said the area office would assess the extent of works required for a cycling and pedestri an lane. “A funding source would then need to be iden tified in order to proceed,” he flagged.

Infrastructure like this can help to boost the West Clare Greenway, Cllr Garri hy believed. “It is one of the most trafficked areas in the

country, as the Director said it’s about prioritisation, it’s about safe mobility. You will discourage rat runs and use of unsuitable runs when you invest in the main roads,” he stated.

“Compatible connections between small communi ties, parking issues and con gestion can be alleviated by linkages and it can have an exponential benefit to the economic viability and sus tainability of these towns. I hope these type of initiatives would also be prioritised,” he added.

For years, Pat was aware of the priest who had Clare connections who was shot but it wasn’t until he moved to Loughrea in the ‘70s that he started to learn more about the story. In 2019, he did a local history course and as part of his course work, chose to write about a book he found that was published in 1995 by Can on Padraic O’Laoi, a former parish priest of Ennistymon. He was left with a lot more information that he didn’t use.

“My course tutor suggest ed to me that maybe I write a book on it, seeing as the centenary was coming up”. In just three weeks after the book was published, it was sold out.

On October 24 at 8pm in Ennistymon, Pat held a lecture as part of the North Clare Historical Society lec ture series. He covered var ious topics surrounding the death of Fr Griffin.

NotesX-PO is delighted to welcome Co. Clare’s Field Monument Advisor Elaine Lynch for our first X-PO Her itage Talk of the 2022/23 season. Elaine will talk about the recent com munity excavation of a hut at Lismo her, near Noughaval, in the Burren. The talk will give a background to the archaeology of the area, the processes involved in an excavation, along with preliminary findings and artefacts which were uncovered from the ex cavation.

This was a community excavation which included volunteers from the Burren Conservation volunteers. It was funded by the Royal Irish Acade my. The talk will take place onThurs day 10 November at 8pm.

X-PO is a not-for-profit space where all our events are free, ensuring that X-PO is open and accessible to all. All welcome!

COME join us in X-PO for a Board Games Night, taking place from 7-9pm on Tuesday 1st November. Bring along a board game to play or join in with a game that is going on.

X-PO's new book club will be meet ing at 7:30pm Thursday 3rd No vember to discuss Ronan Hession's 'Leonard and Hungry Paul'.

lVICTIM: Fr Michael Griffin

GREEN CLARE

Warning issued over illegal waste disposal at Halloween

CLARECounty Council and Clare County Fire and Rescue Service are urging members of the public and businesses not to supply any waste material to persons who do not hold a valid waste collection permit.

The call comes in advance of the Hallow een period, which traditionally has been used by some people to illegally dispose of waste material on bonfires.

The uncontrolled burning of waste, partic ularly in bonfires, is illegal and releases tox ic pollutants into the air, which are known to be damaging to our health and environ ment. Burning of waste in this manner is il legal under the Air Pollution Act, 1987, and the Waste Management Acts, 1996-2008. Allowing unpermitted waste collectors to remove waste is an offence and could incur a fine of up to €5,000.

Bonfires are often built close to houses and other property, presenting risks to per sonal safety and property.

Adrian Kelly, Chief Fire Officer, Clare County Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Hal loween is one the busiest times of the year for the fire services and responding to bon fire call outs creates a strain on existing re sources. I would like people to be aware of the fire safety hazards that arise from illegal bonfires, where the burning of highly com bustible materials may lead to serious inju

ries or death.”

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

Members of the public are also advised not to buy, use, or supply fireworks. Illegal fireworks may be manufactured without safety standards and can cause serious dam age to users, particularly children. Parents should monitor their children and ensure they do not play with fireworks. Through out the country, every year, children end up tragically injured and often scarred for life, after using illegal fireworks.

In the period before and during Hallow een, Clare County Council and Clare Coun ty Fire and Rescue Service will be assisted by An Garda Síochána to closely monitor the situation around the county. Clare County Council Environmental Enforcement Team and Municipal District staff are vigilant in keeping an eye out for stockpiled bonfire material. Clare County Council endeavours to collect this waste where possible.

The uncontrolled burning of waste in a bonfire is an illegal, costly, and dangerous practice.

Maria Carey, Executive Engineer, Clare County Council, said: “Businesses and

members of the public are requested to de sist from supplying any waste material to persons who do not have a valid waste col lection permit. Dealing with waste material on any other basis is an offence and can re sult in prosecution.

“There are significant risks arising from such bonfires, including the illegal nature of the activity, the adverse effects on the mem bers of the local community, not to mention

the negative effects on the general environ ment.”

If you see material such as pallets, tyres, old furniture and/or other combustible ma terials or waste being hoarded in advance of Halloween, we encourage you to contact Clare County Council’s waste enforcement section by email at enviroff@clarecoco.ie, by phone at 065-6846331, or visit www.clare coco.ie.

Moneypoint coal usage up by eight per cent this year

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

ANINCREASE of eight per cent in the amount of elec tricity generated by coal so far this year at Moneypoint has been recorded.

A monthly report on electricity gen eration in Ireland is produced by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ire land (SEAI). For the period from Janu ary to September of 2021, the SEAI re port that 1,919 GWh of electricity was produced from coal. Electricity gener ation from coal for all of 2021 totalled

2,781GWh. The September 2022 figure is not available yet but from January to August 2022, 1,783 GWh of electricity was produced from coal. In compari son the January to August 2021 figure was 1,645 GWh.Moneypoint is cur rently Ireland’s only coal fuelled power plant in operation.

Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) in a parliamentary question to Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan (GP) asked for detail on “the amount (GWh) of electricity produced from coal at Moneypoint power station in the period January to September 2021,

all of 2021, and the nine-month period from January to September 2022”. Minister Ryan referred to the SEAI report which outlined an eight percent increase in electricity generation from goal at Moneypoint. He stated, “In line with the Governments policy state ment on security of electricity supply published in November 2021 it is ap propriate that existing conventional electricity generation capacity, includ ing existing coal fired electricity gen eration, should be retained until new conventional electricity generation ca pacity is developed in order to ensure security of electricity supply”.

lELECTRICITY: Moneypoint power station

Galaxy of Occupations for glór this Mid-Term break

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

AHIGH-EN

ERGY dance show is take place in glór this Wednes day during the Mid-Term break.

Described as an exciting, energetic and exhilarating performance, The Galaxy of Occupations heads for Ennis this coming Wednes day (November 2nd) with forty five minute shows at 10:30am and 12:30pm with tickets costing €8.

It is a new production by Carlow based chore ographer and dance artist Róisín Whelan inspired by a children’s poem by author and teacher Áine Murray.

Presented in Róisín’s signa ture faced-paced, narrative dance style, audiences can expect a visual and imagi native feast for the senses.

Aimed at 6 – 10-year olds, the show features original sound score by composer Aoife Kavanagh and costumes by designer Claire Smyth.

The Galaxy of Occupa tions premiered at Tipper ary Dance International Festival in October and is being performed as part of a national tour of schools, libraries and theatres in Dublin, Ennis, Carlow and Kilkenny.

Commissioned by Tip perary Dance and a Pro duction Commission from Dublin City Council Cre ative Hubs.

Research and develop ment for this production was funded by an Arts Council of Ireland Dance Bursary Award, 2020 and supported by Tipperary Dance Fellowship 2020.

Spooky Halloween Happenings in Clare

Halloween is here. A time for fun, scares, and treats! Here are some suggestions of things to do, from fun events for all the family to downright scary ones. Take your pick!

Ennis International Fantastic FilmFest (EIFF) Ireland’s first film festival to celebrate Fantastic genre films (Horror, SciFi and Fantasy). It is happening in Ennis from October 28 to 30 and is not to be missed. They even have their own festival beer – a blood orange infused ale, of course! Book online at www. EnnisInternationalFantasticFilmFest.com

Burren Winterage Festival Weekend

Burren Winterage Festival Weekend takes place from October 26 to 30 and celebrates the Burren’s farming heritage. It is a brilliant festival, with events from talks and farm walks, to food fayres, tastings, community cattle drives, storytelling, nature writing for children and more. Check out www.burrenwinterage.com

Halloween Darkness Walk at 12 O’Clock Hills

The 12 O’Clock Hills Halloween Walk takes place on Saturday, October 29. Meet at 7.45 pm in Belvoir (main) car park, and the walk starts at 8.00 pm sharp. Back by 10.00 pm. Wet gear, warm clothes, walking boots, and torches are essential. Adult supervision is required for children. Chocolate surprises along the way. Prizes for best Halloween costumes. The event is weather permitting! Check Facebook!

Halloween at Moher Farm Moher Farm is open on Monday, October 31, from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm. Magic show and balloon modelling at 2.00 pm. Admission applies.

Wicked great tours at Doolin Cave

Doolin Cave has wicked great tours of the cave from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm on Sunday, October 30. There is a free treat for those who attend the cave tour in fancy dress. Book online.

Celebrate Halloween at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park

At Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, you can experience a traditional Irish Samhain (Halloween) from Saturday, October 29 to Wednesday, November 2 - with a few twists from time-travelling characters specially arrived to add to the haunting!

Spooky season at the Cliffs of Moher It’s the spooky season at the Cliffs of Moher from October 29 to 31. The fun-

filled family days will feature a treasure hunt for the kids with clues leading them to five on-site locations. The days will also feature spooky stories from long ago within the cavern-like visitor centre. Arrive in Halloween fancy dress and be in with a chance to win a prize. Book online.

Free storytelling at Vandeleur Walled Garden

Vandeleur Walled Garden has a FREE storytelling event on Saturday, October 29, at 11.30 am. Martha Begley Schade will read from her Merlin Woods Series, Galway Fairytales: Nurturing Children’s Wellbeing through Stories. Her books will also be for sale on the day.

Free nature activities at Dromore Woods

Dromore Woods will have free nature activities from 29 to October 31. This includes arts and craft sessions, presentations on Dromore’s creepy crawlies, learn about Dromore Castle’s ghost and how to brew the ultimate witches potion! Check them out on Facebook.

Crafty Fun in the Burren National Park

You can enjoy some crafty fun, and wondrous wanderings in the Burren National Park from October 29 to 31. There are weird and wonderful nature displays in their ‘Museum of Curiosities’ at the Information Point in Corofin. Plus, arts and crafts for kids and various guided walks. Check out www.BurrenNationalPark.ie

Halloween aerial and fire spectacular in the Burren Watch Fidget Feet aerial dance theatre fly through the sky as witches, daughters of darkness, ghosts’ n ghouls 40 meters high on Friday, October 28, at 7.00 pm! The FREE outdoor show presented by Clare Arts Office takes place at Michael Cusacks GAA Club, Gortaclare, Bellharbour, Co. Clare, H91 E1H5. Dress for all weather, bring camping chairs if you like, parking on-site, and toilets available.

Samhain Puca Storytelling Festival

Enjoy a great day out on Sunday, October 30, from 2.00 to 4.00 pm at the Michael Cusack Centre, Carron. The day includes storytelling, face painting, fancy dress, trick or treat, and more. Tickets are available at the centre.

Important: Times and details can change, and be subject to weather. It is always advisable to check before visiting to avoid disappointment.

Bunratty Castle

Build your values wisely

way to end a dedicated career. When the carpen ter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house.

Thought for the week

FORthe last cou ple of months of working in Africa on and off I have been finding nour ishment for my life and soul in my local church and in some churches in Africa.

I have also thought while there that our world at the moment seems to be con stantly evolving and taking new forms and it has been somewhat overwhelm ing especially with wars, droughts, famines, home lessness and climate change trying to make sense of this thing called life. One of the things that rarely changes in this world though and what can provide a guiding light for us throughout our life is our core values.

Your Life Values?

One of the best things I've read in a long time was the shortest speech from Bryan G Dyson who was a CEO of one of the world's biggest companies: “Imag ine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them – Work, Family, Health, Friends and Spirit and you’re keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls – Fam ily, Health, Friends and Spirit– are made of glass. If you drop one of these; they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for it.

Work efficiently during office hours and leave on time. Give the required time to your family, friends and have proper rest. Value has a value only if its value is valued.” Your values inform your thoughts, decisions, and actions and help you align your career or life path to what’s im portant to you.

They’re the essential foundation in finding your life purpose, because they remind us and others who

we truly are. Who we’re meant to be. What gift we’re meant to share with the world. So make sure as much as possible that your values are valued by you and everyone you meet.

So what Values will matter?

How will the value of your days be measured or valued? What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave. What will matter is not your success, but your sig nificance. What will matter is about what you learned as well as what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity, compas sion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not your competence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many felt good when they were around you and how you served them. What will matter is not your mem ories, but the memories that live in those who loved you.

As usual a story from my Nana Scully's prayer book may help...

Build Values Wisely

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family. He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire. They could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go & asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor.

The carpenter said yes, but over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materi als. It was an unfortunate

Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said, “This is your house… my gift to you.” The carpenter was shocked! What a shame!

If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently. But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Someone once said, “Life is a do-it-yourself project.” Your attitude, and the choices you make to day, help build the “house” you will live in tomorrow. Therefore, Build wisely.

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, reflect and pray on your values and maybe the following loving poem by Jenny Crespo might help called, 'Cherish Time.'

"Time, such a precious word. It gives us the gift of moments. Moments so beautiful that change our lives forever. But those moments turn into memories that can never be recaptured. We are left with footprints in our minds and in our hearts. Longing to recapture time, hoping it will last forever.

To be left with the reality of the passing of time; So precious and so fleeting.

We can't bring it back or relive. Only be grateful that it happened. So cherish and value every moment, never taking anything for granted, Because some day, that will be the moment you'll want to relive. Love and value with all your heart. Let your loved ones know how much you care. Smile even when you want to cry. Live life to the fullest, Because you never know when your time will pass with the wind."

CLASSIC APPLE TARTE TATIN

Kearney Cooks

ILOVE

a good tart.

I love them all, rhubarb, bakewells, custard etc. However the tart that I love the most, is a Classic French Tarte Tatin. Basically it's an upside down apple tart that's cooked in caramel, and what's not to love about that.

The one thing you really need to have for this dish is a frying pan that can go in an oven. Also, this is the type of dish that needs a small bit of practice as people commonly under estimate how far to bring their caramel when they are doing it.

So if it doesn't work out or look too good the first time, don't be despondent, pick yourself up, give yourself a pat on the back for trying and then give it another go. I used whiskey in this recipe, but brandy

or bourbon work great too, or if you're teetotal then you can use honey or water.

As usual I will fire a how to video for this recipe up on my Instagram at the weekend, just search for @ kearneycooks. Now, time to focus on our tart!

YOU WILL NEED:

• 6 small eating apples

• A sheet of puff pastry

• 150g caster sugar

• 100ml whiskey

• 50g butter, cubed

Step One

Preheat your oven to 190 celsius. Peel and core your apples and then slice them in half and set them aside in a pot of water. Put an ovenproof pan on a medium heat and add the sugar and whiskey. Let the sugar dissolve and cook until the mixture forms a caramel. Try not to touch the caramel as it will give

you a horrendous burn.

Step Two

Once the caramel is a lovely golden brown add in your apples. Add the knobs of butter and cover with the puff pastry that you will have cut into a circle thats slightly bigger then your pan. Bung that into the oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown.

Step Three

Get yourself a serving plate or a board that's bigger than your pan. Put the board or plate on top of the pan, then quickly and carefully flip it over onto the plate or board. Leave it aside for a few minutes, so the caramel can cool down, then divvy it up and serve with an absolute tonne of ice cream or custard.

AND RECRUITMENT

CONTACT US WE’RE ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM #CE

BELLEZIA celebrate 20 years in business

STUART HOLLY

BELLEZIA

Skin Care Centre in En nis is celebrating 20 years of serv ing the people of Clare.

Happily based at 40-42 O’Con nell Street for two decades beside neighbours Paul Martyn Hair Studio, Belle zia is locally owned and was established by experienced beauty therapist Patricia Davis. A native of Labasheeda and living in Lis sycasey, Patricia employs a dedicated team of therapists including Olivia Garry, Teresa Garrihy and Carolyn O’Neill, who between

them have over 25 years’ service at Bellezia.

Bellezia are stockists of Guinot and Derm alogica. They offer a wide range of skin and hair removal services including electrolysis, a permanent hair removal solution in which they specialise. Patricia and her team also provide salon treatments such as facials, lash lifts, tinting, manicures, pedicures and waxing. To celebrate 20 years, Bellezia are currently giving customers a special gift of a free eye lifting treatment with every 1 hour Hydradermic Youth Facial Treatment.

Patricia’s business has remained resilient over the years having experienced a reces sion along with the uncertainty of Covid-19. A mother of three, she admits being a busi ness owner, working therapist and mother

poses challenges however she notes, “I love my work”. Acknowledging her staff, Patricia continues, “We’ve been in the same location for 20 years, and we’re lucky to have a very loyal clientele, they are like friends at this stage and it makes the job all the more en joyable. Over 20 years, there’s always some thing coming at you,” she laughs, adding, “but we’ve been really lucky with staff. My staff and the loyal customers, they make the place what it is.”

Reflecting on two decades in business, she adds, “I can’t believe it’s 20 years, the time has flown despite the challenges along the way but overall, it’s been great.”

For enquiries or to make an appointment, call 065 686 4696.

lBELLEZIA

Halloween experience at the Cliffs

lCliffs of Moher

Retained

via e-mail: recruitment@clarecoco.ie or can be downloaded from the following website: www.clarecoco.ie

Clare County Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the Community.

Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.

SOMETHING’S

brewing,

and it’s going to be ghoul ishly fun… Cliffs of Moher Experience have a wicked weekend of spooktacular Halloween activities planned for all monsters big and small! The visi tor centre will be adorned in Hal loween decorations from Saturday 29th – Monday 31st October 2022. Witching hour will begin at 8am until 7pm, with activities running throughout the day.

Staff will be telling tales of long ago and spooky stories from the Cliffs of Moher Experience with in the visitor centre. Anyone who arrives in Halloween fancy dress will be in with a chance of winning some scarily good spot prizes. On arrival, all children will also receive a Treasure Hunt with clues leading them to five locations on site.

Visitors to Ireland’s most popular natural attraction also will be able to enjoy a menu filled with locally sourced produce. The Cliffs View Café and Puffins Nest Café, both located within the visitor centre, will be offering visitors Halloween Muffins, & Treats, as well as Pump kin Soup.

Ms. Geraldine Enright, Director of the Cliffs of Moher Experience invites anyone thinking of coming along next weekend to download the new Cliffs of Moher Experience app in advance of their visit. With free Wi-Fi available throughout the main visitor centre building and viewing platforms, visitors will be able to access a range of informa tion about the Cliffs via their smart phone on the day.

The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Expe rience is a signature discovery point on Fáilte Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, a main Geosite of the Bur ren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, a Special Protec tion Area (SPA) for Birds and Wild life and is a wholly owned tourism asset of Clare County Council. Visit www.cliffsofmoher.ie for more de tails.

LEO hosts largest ever female enterprise event

ONTHURSDAY, 13th October, Local En terprise Office Clare (LEO Clare), in con junction with LEO Tipperary and LEO Limerick formed part of Ireland’s largest ever female enterprise event. The focus of the full day programme at The Cashel Palace Hotel, located at the foot of the spectacular Rock of Cashel, was on female entrepre neurship and attracted extensive media attention. Across the con ference, 140 attendees networked, engaged with leading industry ex perts and acquired valuable knowl edge about the extensive range of supports available from LEO.

Padraic McElwee, Head of En terprise said “National Womens Enterprise Day (NWED) is an ideal opportunity for female entre preneurs to gain valuable tips for business and make new contacts. It’s also refreshing to see everyone back in the room and networking face to face.”

He further outlined LEO’S remit which includes - grant supports, mentorship and training for eli

gible businesses, with a focus on micro-businesses with less than 10 employees and a turnover of less than 2 million.

Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English, addressed the gather ing via video link. The event MC was former RTE broadcaster, award-winning journalist and communications expert, Ciana Campbell and the keynote speaker was GP, broadcaster, award win ning columnist and presenter of Newstalk Breakfast, Dr. Ciara Kel ly. One of the major employers in Cashel, Waystone, a global leader in institutional governance, risk, administration and compliance services to the asset management industry, was represented by As sociate Director, Aislinn O’Keeffe.

Reinforcing the importance of LEO was a panel of expert speak ers who outlined the role that LEO has played in their development. The panel included Aoibhín Gar rihy & Sharon Connellan, Found ers, BEO Wellness, Geraldine Jones, Founder, Skin Formulas and Mary Kearney, Founder, Kearney’s

Home Baking - all spoke about is sues affecting women in business and the importance of achieving a good work and homelife balance - the trending hashtag was #ourfu tureourway.

Local Enterprise Offices, in con junction with Enterprise Ireland co-ordinate cohesive development

for SME’s and micro enterprises.

LEO Clare, Clare County Council provides a “First Stop Shop”, rang ing from advice on setting up a business, through to the provision of support and grants for feasibility studies, provision of financial sup port for the establishment of new businesses or expansion of existing

ones and the provision of training and mentoring.

Female entrepreneurs who pos sess a budding idea or wish to ex pand their existing business were strongly encouraged, throughout the event, to utilize the vital exper tise of LEO. www.localenterprise.

ie/clare

Human Resources Business Partner

HOW TO APPLY / FURTHER INFORMATION:

If you are interested in applying or wish to obtain further information about the position, contact Máiréad in The Hr Suite on 066 7102887 or email your CV to jobs@thehrsuite.com.

The closing date for applications is Friday, 25th November 2022, at 5 p.m.

The successful candidate will report to the Group HR Manager and will be responsible for delivering high quality Human Resources support to Clare Tourism DAC visitor attractions and sites.

Clare Tourism DAC is a subsidiary company of Clare County Council that will oversee the management, development, and promotion of a portfolio of signature visitor attractions and sites throughout Clare.

lNETWORKING: (l-r) Aoibhín Garrihy & Sharon Connellan – BEO Wellness, Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council Cllr. Ann Norton, Chantell Keane & Danielle Kenneally – Wix & Wax, Sinéad Dixon-Slattery & Michelle Guthrie - LEO Clare

Spanish tour guides 'blown away' by Cliffs of Moher

TWELVE

Spanish travel agents explored Clare and Ireland last week as guests of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.

The travel agents work with Special Tours, one of the largest traditional tour operators in Spain.

The group’s action-packed itinerary included a visit to Hazel Mountain Chocolate, the Cliffs of Moher and an overnight stay in the Temple Gate Hotel.

Spain is the fifth-largest market for overseas tourism to the island of Ireland. In 2019, we

welcomed 431,000 Spanish visitors to our shores; revenue generated by Spanish visitors that year was €218 million.

Susan Bolger, Tourism Ireland’s Manager Spain, said: “We were delighted to invite this group of Spanish travel agents to explore Clare and Ireland last week. There really is no substitute for being able to come here and experience what Ireland has to offer at first-hand.

"Our aim is that when they return home, the travel agents will be even more enthusiastic about the destination, helping to secure a greater share of their business for Ireland in 2023 and beyond.

“Spain is an important market for tourism to Ireland and fact-finding visits like this are a key element of the work that Tourism Ireland undertakes with the important travel trade in Spain.”

ELAINE

lWILD ATLANTIC: Pictured are the Spanish travel agents with Cristina Espejo, Tourism Ireland (front, right), at the Cliffs of Moher

Champions Ballyea refuse to say die

PRIDEWAS etched across the face of Robbie Hogan as he watched his Bal lyea charges claim a fourth Clare SHC title, writes Derek Dormer Elation was in the air as Ballyea hit the final four scores of Sunday’s decider to come from three points behind to win their second successive title by the smallest of margins.

Outnumbered in the stands, it didn’t deter the Bally boys. “It's unbelievable to win another one, it's a parish and a community that wins not just the 15 or 20 lads playing today. Our supporters were incredible, yes they were outnumbered but you wouldn't have guessed it with the noise they created”.

Momentum was on Éire Óg’s side as the tie progressed into the dying moments but Hogan was assured that Ballyea had the capability to find a way, given their track record of fighting till the bitter end.

“There's great comfort in certainty and one thing is certain with this bunch of lads and that's their never say die attitude. Their willingness to work, to keep going no matter what is incredible. It was like an arm wrestle in the end and we just turned over ball when the need was the greatest. We're all in this together, everybody works so hard and hard work gets its rewards”.

Few moments typified this workrate better than Tony Kelly’s hook on sixty one minutes, he dispossessed Shane O’Donnell, starting the move which ended with Cathal O’Connor’s equaliser. “We all know what Tony can do but the courage, effort and endeavour to track back and put in that hook sums up the man. He then had the trust in his teammate Cathal O'Connor who banged over an incredible equaliser. Cathal would have been disappointed not to start but he was there at the finish and he finished that team score in style. I'll definitely hear about it off Cathal tonight,” Hogan commented.

SCAN HERE FOR

REPORT

There was the potential for the game to end in controversial circumstances with Éire Óg taking the lead following a Gavin Cooney effort that was given as a point when it didn’t go between the posts. “If we had been beaten by a point it would have been really hard to take. We have no control over decisions on the day and I'd love to see the free count but in the end, we got over the line. We showed mental strength to recover from three down and to take that score that wasn't on the chin and keep fighting. We are not good for people’s heart in one way always just getting over the line but our mental strength is a positive for anyone out there. We just never give in,” a smiling Robbie added.

FACTFILE

BALLYEA

Frees for: 12 (5/7)

Wides: 9 (6/3)

Spread of scorers: 5 Scores from play: 2-07

Top scorer: Niall Deasy (1-06 6f)

Bookings: Paul Flanagan (32), Cathal O’Connor (43), James Murphy (50), Own puckouts won: 10 from 23 (44%)

ÉIRE ÓG

Frees for: 14 (9/5)

Wides: 6 (2/4) Spread of scorers: 6 Scores from play: 1-06

Top scorer: Danny Russell (0-11 9f 1’65)

Bookings: Oran Cahill (62) Own puckouts won: 15 from 25 (60%)

REFEREE: Jarlath Donnellan (Wolfe Tones)

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

(clockwise from top left) James Murphy raises aloft the Canon Hamilton; Niall Deasy sticks the sliotar to the net; Gavin Cooney is tackled by Jack Browne

Photos by Gerard O’Neill

(left) Adrian O’Brien and Bran don O’Connell celebrate

Photo by Ruth Griffin

Brennan basks in latest glory

GARY Brennan has seen a lot in his sporting career in both football and hurling representing club and county, writes Derek Dormer Sunday’s smash and grab job against Éire Óg had the St Flannan’s school teacher catching his breath as Ballyea recorded back to back Clare SHC titles for the first time in their history.

His goddaughter Saoirse was among the first on the field of Cusack Park to celebrate with him after Jarlath Donnellan blew the final whistle.

Ballyea’s resilience in clawing their way back from three points down with fifty eight minutes on the clock even surprised Gary. "In the name of God how did we win that game. I honestly don't know how we won. It was lost, it was all over really. Three points down with only minutes left. I just don’t know how we summoned the strength to see it out. These lads are just incredible".

Often it is moments of pure skill and magic that can define a game but the former Clare senior football cap tain felt on this occasion it all boiled down to a moment espousing tremendous workrate.

"We've always said if we stay in the game we have a chance to win. We didn't get the breaks but we just kept battling.When the need was the greatest we had the greatest. What Tony did out there with that hook, that was the winning of it. If he doesn't make that intervention I've no doubt that Éire Óg would have won. The man just does it at both ends and we are lucky to have him."

He told The Clare Echo, “Éire Óg battled all the way through, they never let up and for large spells looked like they were going to win but we just kept going and it's unbelievable for the community to win another Can on Hamilton”.

Unsurprisingly, Gary stayed modest when discussing his own contribution. “Myself I was just happy to contrib ute something out there. I think I got a block in near the end but honestly I'm just jumping on the bandwagon. I wasn't in a position to help out all year and only came in when the football was over but what a bandwagon to be on".

Heartbreak for Shannon's Éire Óg

by DEREK DORMER

A HEARTBROKEN Matt

Shannon believes Éire Óg left a senior hurling championship behind them.

Éire Óg lost Sunday’s Clare SHC final to Ballyea by a sin gle point, having led by three points with 58 minutes on the clock.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Matt said the outcome was “heart-breaking to be honest about it”. He added, “It's really tough to take as we were in con trol for the majority of that sec ond half. We just didn't kick on and get that fourth point when we really should have. Credit to Ballyea, they came back at us and hats off to the. We gifted them a soft goal at the start of the second half but we fought our way back and we took over. We just didn't see the game out”.

Conceding a goal at the start of each half dented the Ennis side’s charge. Shannon felt the concession of “soft goals” all year had been a problem for them. “We wouldn't have been happy with our overall perfor mance in that first half. We've had problems all year conced ing goals and the bottom line is you can't concede soft goals es pecially against top opposition”.

Knowing how to see games out stood as a key lesson that Éire Óg must get to grips with, Matt stated in the aftermath of their county final loss. “You can't fault our lads for the effort they have given. They are an in credible bunch but we need to learn to see games out. When you're in a winning position you have to finish the game out. Ballyea have been here before and done it. They know how to

win. When you get to the last two teams out of 18 you must win it. We had the chance today and like Inagh/Kilnamona last year we didn't take it. You have to win when you are given the opportunity”.

While he believes the last free awarded to Niall Deasy to send Ballyea one point clear was soft, the Corofin native had no qualms with the performance of match official, Jarlath Don nellan. “The last free was awful soft but in fairness the ref had a very good game. I'm often giv ing refs earache but he was very fair and we did have a chance to level it in the end but we really should have been out of sight at that stage. We weren't and it's just heart-breaking for every one".

PICTURED: Matt Shannon Photo by Gerard O'Neill

l CELEBRATIONS: (clockwise from above) Cathal O’Connor is congratulated by Robbie Hogan; Tony Griffin and his nephew Iarla share a treasured moment together following Ballyea's win; Tony Kelly poses with his niece at the final whistle; winning captain, James Murphy delivers his speech in Cusack park Photos by Gerard O'Neill

CLARE INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

'Subs gave the Parish final push'

MICHAEL GUILFOYLE, ST JOSEPH’S DOORABAREFIELD MANAGER:

“Relief, it’s the only thing I have is relief. There was a savage effort put in by both teams there, I believe the legs in the end that we brought on were the difference in bring ing us over the line, Senan Crosbie, Donal O’Halloran, Mossy Hehir, Cian Lahiffe who ended up marking Davy McInerney, these guys have come in and they are honest guys.

"We lost a couple of Cup matches, you know the ones, it was character building, we knew we had to extract every little bit out of people, that’s what we did and I’m so de lighted for them, it’s important they move on and see where we go. Two weeks time is the Munster club someone told me, I said ‘great, good luck and we’ll see what happens”.

“Last year was so tough to take but that’s life, we were so determined to get back here today and people had said it’s hard to get back and it was but we’ve got a resilience in ourselves, we just dragged it out of ourselves in the last couple of games.

"The Corofin game was so hard physically on us and them because they struggled a bit in the football because of it, we recovered a bit, we had injuries even though people told me I was talking rubbish about it but we recovered as best we could. There was guys disappointed today that didn’t get on from the start but they took it like men.

“I’ve got to give credit to Oisin O’Brien, we had Shane Dowling last year and he brought in a pattern of play to us which proved a bit difficult for a while, maybe we didn’t carry it out to nth degree but today and since Oisin came in we drove it on, we were making sure that everyone was part of it and nobody was giving an inch, that shone in extra time, we

didn’t give in, we brought on legs and it was the difference in the end”.

seven or eight great scoring chances which were points that would have made a huge difference if we were to have got them, it was something we were conscious of coming into the game, we worked hard on it but we

FACTFILE

DOORA/BAREFIELD

Frees for: 11 (4/6/7/0)

Wides: 14 (6/4/2/2)

Spread of scorers: 9 Scores from play: 0-18

Top scorer: David Conroy (0-11 5f)

Bookings: N/A

Own puckouts won: 20 from 34 (59%)

TULLA

Frees for: 10 (2/4/1/3)

Wides: 18 (6/7/3/2)

Spread of scorers: 7 From play: 1-08

Top scorer: Sean Withycombe (0-08 5f 2’65)

Bookings: Conor Murphy (32), David McInerney (52). Own puckouts won: 22 from 37 (59%)

REFEREE: Kevin Corry (Sixmilebridge)

just didn’t get it right on the day. We fought hard and right till the end, there was only a puck of the ball in it for a lot of extra time here.

“I thought we started well and hurled good all the way through but you have to show your dominance on the board when you have it but we didn’t do that and I think we paid the price for that.

“We missed a penalty which was a big let off, that’s sport and that’s the way it is, Sean Withycombe had a great game outside of it but these things happen.

“I thought our subs made a huge contri bution when they came in, we changed it up and it worked for us but it just wasn’t good enough on the day.

“It was a huge learning curve for a lot of these guys, they now know what it takes to win an intermediate championship, I would expect that they would respond to that and work harder again next year to try get back to the final next year, we have a lot of young players, five of the starting team are U21, it’s a huge learning curve for them”.

JIM MCINERNEY, TULLA MANAGER:

“I think we had a lot of missed chances in the normal game, we missed a penalty and

l A DAY TO REMEMBER: The Hannan twins, Tom and Jack get acquainted with the Paddy Browne Cup Photos by Gerard O'Neill

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

St Joseph's Doora-Barefield

Tulla

Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

l CELEBRATIONS: (left) Daragh Corry wins the ball from Jack Hannan and (above) Michael Guilfoyle embraces his son Brian (left) as Sean Conroy celebrates with Oisin O’Brien & Aaron Landy

Photos by Gerard O'Neill

Race begins for U21 hurling glory

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

TWENTY

six teams will set out this weekend in search of under 21 hurl ing championship hon ours.

The competition is divided into four divisions with ten teams in each of the A and B grades while the C championship is divided into two groups of six with second teams from six clubs competing for the C 2 title.

Participating teams will have a second chance as first round los ers will be in action again in two weeks time challenging for a place in the play offs.

In recent times there has been much debate in relation to age grades. At inter county level, the competition has been changed to under 20. Earlier this year Clare clubs opted for an under 19 com petition but many clubs then with drew because of demands on their players from their adult club teams and from their college teams while the proximity of second and third level exams also had a big bearing on the withdrawal of many teams.

Not everybody is happy with the timing of this competition but the demand

was strong and while there are sure to be teething difficulties over the coming weeks due to clashes with football and college competi

tions, the expectation is for some lively contests.

In the minor A final of 2019, Corofin/Ruan defeated Clarecastle and they renew rivalry this Sunday in the opening round. Four players who were key to their minor suc cess of the amalagamation will be absent this week due to injury, Kil lian O’Connor, Conor Leen, Marc O’Loughlin and Shane Punch.

Clarecastle will also be missing a key player in Cian Galvin who is ruled out due to injury. They will be looking to Oisin Casey, James Doherty, Darragh Healy and Rory O’Connell to lead their challenge in a tie that will be played at Ruan.

Another of the fancied sides, Scariff/Ogonnelloe travel to Tub ber this Saturday to take on the Crusheen/Tubber combination. Senior inter county panellists Mark Rodgers and Patrick Crotty will be in the East Clare side’s line up along with Patrick Ryan and Kee lan Hartigan and they will carry the favourites tag against the home side who will be looking to Senan Dunford, Pappy Taaffe and Oisin O’Donnell to lead their challenge.

Last year’s beaten finalists New market-on-Fergus will have home advantage against their neigh bours the quietly fancied Clooney/ Quin, recently crowned under 17 A champions and this game is ex pected to attract a big attendance to Fr. Murphy Memorial Park on

Saturday afternoon.

Sixmilebridge will enjoy home advantage at O’Garney Park on Saturday for their meeting with St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield who are expected to include some of the panel which helped them to win the intermediate title last week.

Another team that many believe will be challenging strongly for this title is Clonlara who will have Dylan McMahon, Aidan Moriarty, Seimi Gully and Colm O’Meara available. They face Inagh/Kilna mona on Friday evening next un der lights at Shannon and the mid Clare outfit will have Josh and Kee lan Guyler, Sean Rynne and Con ner Hegarty in their line up.

The clash of Wolfe Tones and Broadford at Shannon on this Thursday evening gets the B title race underway. East Clare neigh bours Bodyke and Feakle/Killane na will meet at Bodyke on Satur day and on the same afternoon Ballyea will enjoy home advantage against Tulla. Neighbours Éire Óg and Kilmaley will meet un der lights on Wednesday evening while Crusheen will travel to Kil laloe to take on Smith O’Briens on Bank holiday Monday.

Inagh/Kilnamona, Corofin/ Ruan, Sixmilebridge, Éire Óg, St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Scar iff/Ogonnelloe all have second teams competing and they will battle it out for the C 2 title.

Intermediate glory for Clarecastle/Ballyea

CLARECASTLE/ BALLYEA were crowned county in termediate camogie champions defeating Tulla 2-11 0-10 on Sunday morning in O’Garney Park, Six milebridge. It took a replay to separate the sides with Clarecastle/Bal lyea considerably upping their game to nullify the key threats of their opposing team.

Emma O’Connell,

Doireann Murphy and Amie Wiley were among the stand out players for the winners. It marked a unique double for both clubs, Ballyea were crowned Clare SHC champions lat er that evening while a day previous Tulla lost out in the Clare IHC final.

Tulla will represent the county in the Mun ster competition as Clarecastle/Ballyea are an amalgamation.

Patrick Crotty will be a key part of the Scariff/Ogonnelloe attack

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

All photos by Chris Copley

Stiff opening test for Clare Youths

by SEAMUS HAYES

CLARE begin their challenge for inter league youths soccer honours on this Satur day evening when they entertain Limerick at

the semi-final but COVID-19 disrupted the conclusion of the campaign.

In preparation for this campaign, the management have seen “seventy or so play ers and we have whittled the panel down to twenty five having played five friendlies and held many training sessions”, Ruairi told The Clare Echo

The Clare manager read ily acknowledges that his charges “face a stiff test. We are up against it as Lim erick are always strong at this level as they have a lot of big clubs from which to select their squad. We are focussing on this game and we would love to see big support at the venue to cheer the lads on on Satur day evening”.

Frank Healy Park at 7.30p.m.

In his third season as team manager, Ruai ri Price is looking forward to the campaign. Darren Keane (Bridge United) is the assis tant manager and the team is coached by Denis Hynes.

Appointed to the position in 2019, his first season in the role with Clare reaching

The other team in this group is Galway whom Clare will travel to play next month. “For now our total focus is on Saturday’s game. As I’ve said, we face a stiff challenge but the lads have worked hard and we are looking forward to the chal lenge”

Clare are captained by Moher Celtic’s Joe Hanrahan and the squad includes five mem bers from Tulla United, arguably Clare’s strongest club at this level at present. They provide goalkeeper Simon Kilker and de

fender Adam McNamara.

Incidentally eight clubs are represented on the Clare panel which comprises Hubert Kantecki, Ben McDonough, Leon Whyte, Matthew Conway (all Avenue United); Si mon Kilker, Adam McNamara, Eoin Has sett, James Wallace, Rian McMahon (all Tulla United); Aodh O’Donnell (Shannon Town), Cian Austin, Jack O’Halloran, Luc

Fitpatrick, Darragh Hayes(all Bridge United) Ziggy Wall, Donal Óg Harrington(Shannon Hibs), Eoin McGillick (Newmarket Celtic), Cormac Byrne, Julian Heaney, Cathal How ard (Bridge Celtic), Seanie McMahon, Joe Hanrahan (Moher Celtic).

PICTURED: Avenue’s Ben McDonough is part of the Clare Youths side Photograph: Natasha Barton

Considine scores top spot in Hampers comp

by SEAMUS HAYES

ENNIS GOLF CLUB:

The men’s hampers competition, sponsored by Ryan’s Centra, Ennis, attracted a big entry at Ennis at the weekend.

David Considine (14) emerged in top spot with 43 points and he won by three from Evan Lewis (18). Enda Burns(20) was in third spot with 39 points followed by Andrew Turner (17) with 39, Tommy Heath (29) with 39, Flan Downes (14) with 38 points, Fergal Croke (18) with 38 points, Mark Geraghty (10) with 37 points and Fergus O’Brien (18) with 37 points. Martin Moran (3) won the gross with 32 points. Friday’s open singles was won by Senan Ryan (9) with 36 points.

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB:

Last week’s ladies competition at East Clare was won by Phil Burke, Mary Hogan and Nancy Starr from Marie A. Kelly, Tricia Kerr and Mary Farrell.

The senior men’s competition on Tuesday last was won by Noel Earley, Ted Harrington and Jim Willis from John Farrell, Brendan Mo loney and Jim Bradley with third spot filled by Terry Coughlan, Chris Davis and Ger O Brien.

The mixed scramble continues every Friday morning at 10am

LAHINCH GOLF CLUB:

The annual winter maintenance programme has commenced on both courses at Lahinch and work will continue over the winter months.

In addition to this programme of work and under the supervision of course architect, Dr Martin Hawtree, course development work will commence on 1 November. The main focus of work will be concentrated on realigning the 17th hole to address ongoing concerns due to its close proximity to the Liscannor road.

While this work is taking place, holes 15, 16 and 17 will close for play as it will not be possi ble to route golfers around the work area safely while heavy machinery is in use. It is also pro posed to close the 8th hole during this time to allow some rest.

From Tuesday November 1, winter playing conditions will be in place along with the 14hole course. On the Old Course, the temporary course will be holes 1 to 7A; holes 9 to 14 and hole 18. The ladies and men’s committees have re-indexed the holes to reflect these changes. All 18 holes will be in play on the Castle Course.

On this Friday October 28, the annual Mass for deceased members will take place in the clubhouse commencing at 7.30pm.

On the following night, Saturday October 29, the ladies and men’s committees are organis ing a ‘Club Night’ to celebrate the success of the ladies senior cup team, winners of their third All-Ireland title in September and the men’s senior cup team which brought home a men’s Munster pennant to the club for the first time since 1984.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB:

The men’s 18 hole singles stableford com petition at Kilrush at the weekend was won

by Noel Thornton (16) with 39 points. In sec ond place was Mark Shannon (4) and he also scored 39 points with Sean Lyons (17) in third spot with 38 points,

DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB: Brian O’Sullivan was the winner of the men’s 18 hole stableford competition at Dromoland with 43 points.

He had three to spare over Cathal Boyce with David O’Brien, also with 40 points, in third spot. Enda Heneghan won the gross while the win ner in the 22 and over handicap category was Evan O’Mara with 39 points.

Joan Ryan was the ladies 18 hole winner with 32 points while the 9 hole winner was Niamh McDermott with 21 points.

Jack Devitt of Ennis Dons who won the Div 2 League Cup final

Photo by Natasha Barton / CDSL

Clare lifesavers impress at World Championships

NINEathletes from Clare have returned home follow ing a successful outing representing Team Ire land at the World Life saving Championships in Italy.

Team Ireland had 24 athletes from across the country compete in Ric cone, Italy, nine of whom were selected from Co Clare.

It was a gruelling week of competing with three days on the beach and three days in the pool.

Oisín O’Grady, Elin Blake, Ferdia Hayes, Hugh Cronin and Lea na Liddane made up the Clare athletes represent ing the Irish Youth team.

Leana, who just turned 16, came home with a world silver medal and first Europeans over the finish line in board rescue in an impressive outing in which she made finals in

all her beach events to be ranked 10th in the worlds in the ocean swim, 12th in board, 12th in flags,

9th in Taplin, 9th in mixed taplin with Ferdia, and 9th in the rescue tube with Elin Blake.

Ferdia and Oisín fin ished in 5th in worlds in their board rescue and were the first Europe

an team over the finish line. Oisín also made it through to finals in board, coming in 11th. Ferdia made finals in the ocean man and the ocean swim. The Irish youth male and female relay teams also made B Finals in the Pool.

The open Irish team consisted off Tommy Noonan, Dylan O Brien, Aoife Madigan, Hannah Garrigan and Leah Mc Mahon. Both Noonan and O’Brien were part off the Irish relay team that went on to break multiple Irish records and make the B Finals in the pool while the ladies teams also made B Final. The seniors then took to the beach where the Clare athletes made A Finals in the ocean swim, ocean man , oceanwoman and the girls came second in the B final sprint race.

Ennis Town darts league kicks off

THE Ennis Town Darts League com menced this Tuesday and consists of 16 teams.

The defending champions are the for midable Nora Culligans B/W who are captained by Cliff Mann along with expe rienced inter county players such as Ste phen Tuohy, Dylan Sinclair and Derek Moynihan.

O’Keefe’s last year’s beaten finalists will serve as their main threats once again, they are captained by inter coun ty player Ian Cullinan. The newly formed team The Aylmers who have a wealth of talent in Jamie Coughlan, Ian McCarthy and John Cahill are also tipped to con tend for honours.

The format of this season’s compe tition is that there will be two groups of eight teams Division 1 and 2. Each team will play each other home and away in fourteen weeks of league action before we reach the knockout stages.

For the knockout stages, the top four teams in Division 1 will play off for the A League title (semi-finals & final). The bottom 4 teams in Division 1 along with the top four teams in Division 2 will play off for the B League title (quarter-fi nals,semi-finals & final). The bottom four teams in Division 2 will play off for the C League title (semi-finals & final)

Any enquiries to ennistowndart sleague@gmail.com

Memorable night for Brownes

by MICHAEL MAHER

THE Quin duo of Frank and Mary Browne –who are celebrating their 50th wedding an niversary this week – had another reason for cheer in Limerick last Thursday when their kennel charges and litter brothers Mine Cluas and Ireland's Call recorded a nice double. First in the winner’s enclosure was Mine Cluas, a son of Velvet John Joe and Mine Velvet, who stopped the clock in 29.33 to record career success number 8 and the double was completed by Irelands Call in race 8 with his 29.99 effort for an A6 contest.

The Banner contingent got off to a flying start as race one went the way of Snuggie Rosie for Newmarket-on-Fergus’s Breda Casey who landed the spoils in the open ing A5 contest in 29.45 – it was career win number 7 for this daughter of Paddys Mag ic and Miles Girl.

The fastest run of the evening was recorded by the Donie Duggan of Tul la-trained Amys Jack with a 29.01 victory, owned by Peter Russell from Shannon, this son of Skywalker Rafa and Notimetotalk re corded career win number three.

In the 350 yards contest, A S2 event, Bogroad Star came up trumps for Cath al Meaney, from Tullabrack, Kilrush – a daughter of Ballymac Best and Prawn Star, she recorded her fourth career win in a smart 19.17.

The finale of the evening – The Slan Abhaile A7 – proved successful for the Brickhill Boys Syndicate from Cratloe un der the stewardship of Pat Carey with Short Again who led from trap line to win com fortably in 29.43 – this was a first career success for this son of Laughil Blake and Lemaneigh Breda.

The five first round heats of the Liam Brussells Memorial A4 525 Yards Stake

formed the spine of Saturday night's ten race card in Galway with the A1 graded ninth contest over 525 yards the top grad ed contest.

As the traps rose for the top graded con test all six runners were away on terms with Clonfert Cutie showing the best early pace to lead from Marlay Star and Speedie Syd. Approaching the penultimate corner the Padraig Fannin & Leo Kelly of Ennis owned Speedie Syd began to bridge the gap and tracking well around the home bend the son of Droopys Sydney & Urban Time came through to win going away by a length and a half from Clonfert Cutie in 28.84.

In the opening heat of the Liam Brussells Stake Malbay Theo led entering the back straight where he was tracked through by the red jacketed Tadhgs First who was within a length of the leader approaching halfway. Racing around the penultimate bend though the Master Tadhg Ward of Spanchill owned Tadghs First (Kinloch Brae-Brookvile Dash) went on and she quickly asserted to score by a length and a half from Tiger Queen in 29.76.

In the Novice 525 yards contest Clooney Sydney (Droopys Sydney & Astro Abby), owned by Martin Williams of Clooney and trained by Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge had three & half lengths to spare at the line in 29.51.

In race 2 on Thursday in this A8 graded contest Treanmanagh Bee (Belles Direc tion-Jaytee Jade) owned by Margaret Ru ane & Marie O’Donoghue of Gort stayed in well top score by a length and three parts in 30.04.

The Sean Meade of Miltown Malbay owned Paradise Andorra made it two wins from four career starts in race 4 for this S5 graded contest in 19.24.

l (back L-R) Hannah Garrigan, Elin Blake, Tommy Nunan, Hugh Cronin, Oisin O'Grady, Ferdia Hayes; (front L-R) Leah McMahon, Aoife Madigan, Leana Lid dane (Missing - Dylan O'Brien)

Tight bond in Éire Óg between codes

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

THEYwere credited as the platform for driving better standards within Éire Óg and now the senior foot ballers find themselves 60 minutes away from retaining the Jack Daly.

All can change in the blink of an eye when it comes to sport, having been so close to re cording a first senior double in Clare since Cratloe in 2014, Éire Óg’s hurlers suffered a heartbreaking one point defeat to Ballyea.

It means the double dream is burst but in no way has it dampened the focus of Paul Madden (pictured) and the Éire Óg foot ballers aspiring to win back to back senior championships. It was done by Ennis Faughs in 1947 and 1948 while the Ennis Dalcassian did both a three-in-a-row and a two-in-arow from 1909 to 1914.

Paul Madden experienced the joy of man aging the Townies to Clare SFC glory last season but it was no overnight success, hav ing felt the pain of four successive quarter-fi nal exits. “Every club manager will tell you at the start of the year that getting to a county final is what you dream of doing, we spent enough years being knocked out in earlier stages not too dissimilar to the trajectory of the hurlers.”

Beating Sunday’s opponents Ennistymon in last year’s quarter-final was “a watershed

moment in the belief of the group,” he ad mitted. “Obviously in my inner thoughts I was desperate to go a step further for two reasons, one I’m absolutely a 150 million percent an Éire Óg man whether it’s camo gie, ladies football, hurling or football I always want Éire Óg to win and from that perspective I wanted to get over the quar ter-final, but really because I knew there was a group of players there that had the poten tial and that was a word that really grated with me for years in Éire Óg, the notion we had potential and it was labelled to us, po tential is no good unless you achieve some thing with it.”

Madden may be the current face of man agement when it comes to football in Éire Óg but the hotelier is quick to mention the “brilliant lads” involved in football in the club such as James Hanrahan, Alan Malone, Cathal Shannon, Stephen McNamara, Brian Howard Maurice Walsh, Donal Ó hÁiniféin, Pat Fitzpatrick (RIP), Eugene McNamara (RIP), “Those guys did so much and didn’t get any rewards”.

No specific work was done on psychology within the group to deal with the setbacks of years gone, instead players realised that big opportunities don’t come around every day. “There’s a serious bond between the hurlers and footballers, I know there’s a crossover,

we do all our S&C work together, all our fit ness together, there’s a great bond and as a collective sometimes players can realise we need to step up or it will be gone, we’ll be sitting in a pub in Ennis talking about all this potential we had. There was no need to bring in outside psychology support, half the times we’d have needed psychology for our psychologists coming in to the group, to be fair it was really driven by the lads”.

Helping this bond is the close relationship between Paul and the Éire Óg senior hurling manager, Matt Shannon who he is contact with more than some of his own football management. “I think the players feed off that, if you have a train track that splits you will bring some players one way and some players another, the whole thing will break down and if you talk to the foot ball-only lads they will say that the synergy is huge and that is really important, we feed off each other, it’s the same jersey it’s just worn by different lads occasionally”.

Former Limerick footballer Se anie Buckley joined as senior football coach last year, making an immedi ate impact. Strong

emphasis has been placed on defence since Buckley’s arrival. “Most of our defensive work starts at the other end of the pitch, you make it harder for other teams to come out with the ball, it really is the mantra for me and the management for years”.

For Sunday’s battle, they wear the favour ites tag. “We’ll focus on ourselves, one snip pet I’ve noticed in the last few weeks is that Ennistymon have gone in against favourites in at least two if not three of their rounds so far this year, they’ve beat St Breckan’s in a quarter-final and rightfully so, they beat Kilmurry Ibrickane who are always in the mix to contend and win championships, they beat both of those, playing favourites isn’t going to phase Ennistymon”.

More players have tasted champion ship action this year under Madden with Oran Cahill, Niall O’Donohue, Gavin D’Auria, Dean D’Auria and Ultan Shei ls all making appearances from the bench. “You’ve got to trust lads, if they go well and are working hard at train ing and in an environment where com petition, hard work and ferocity is key at training then when it comes to the day of a game there’s no point them sitting up be hind you, you’ve got to use them”.

Maguire appointed to officiate county final

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

SHANNON’s Chris Maguire is to refereeSunday’s Clare SFC final between Éire Ógand Ennistymon. Reigning champions ÉireÓg will meet Ennistymon in the decider which has a confirmed start time of 2pm.

Following a meeting of Clare GAA’s CCCC, it was announced that Wolfe Tones clubman Chris Maguire will be the man in the middle for the fixture. It means that two Shannon referees have been tasked with handling both senior county finals in the one year following Jarlath Donnellan refereeingBallyea’s one point win over Éire Óg.

A referee since 2013, Chris will be refer eeing his second Clare SFC football final this weekend, he was the match official for the 2019 decider which saw Kilmurry Ibrick ane managed by Aiden Moloney defeat then champions St Joseph’s Miltown.

2019 was also his first year officiating at both codes. A year previous he joined the provincial gaelic football panel for referees a year previous.

Maguire is currently a member of the na tional referee’s panel and took charge of games in Division 4 of the Allianz National Football League.

Thus far in this year’s campaign, he has been in charge of Ennistymon’s group games with Doonbeg and Kilmurry Ibrickane plus Éire Óg’s first round tie against St Breckan’s.

Earlier this year, Maguire was referee for the Munster senior club final between Aus tin Stacks and St Finbarr’s, he also did the quarter-final meeting of The Nire versus Newcastlewest. He was also in charge of this year’s Munster U20 football final which saw Kerry overcome Cork 1-11 0-07.

PICTURED: Chris Maguire

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Éire Óg are my people - we want to win this for the town, says O’Neill

by DEREK DORMER

FARaway hills are always greener and while time playing club football in Dublin aided Darren O’Neill’s growth, it also fortified his passion for his native Éire Óg.

Darren O’Neill is a powerful athlete, a player who has that most important of abilities and that is securing primary possession. On Sunday, O’Neill will be playing his third Clare SFC Final and he feels that all the sacrifices he has made will be rewarded once he walks behind The Tulla Pipe Band in Cu sack Park.

He told The Clare Echo, “It’ll be a massive occasion, so looking for ward to it. Let’s be honest, county finals don’t come around that of ten. Last year was unforgettable, one of the best moments in life. Af ter the whole pandemic, to see the crowd, to hear the support, it made the hair stand up at the back of my neck. All my family, friends, cous ins were down and the smile on my face walking behind the band was huge. Looking into the crowd at my fiancée was just amazing”.

After the disappointment of losing the 2014 final to Cratloe, O’Neill headed for the capital, transferring to Naomh Olaf. “I was young, really raw and if I’m hon est a bit of a hot head. Going to Dublin was the making of me both physically and mentally. It made me grow up, become a man. I was only 23 arriving there and I wasn’t anywhere near the maturity levels required to be successful. Naomh Olaf is a fantastic club. In Dublin you either sink or swim, the club football games there are just fre netic with a huge physicality. With so many teams you are basically playing matches all year round. I learned an awful lot about my self up there. It most certainly put

me in the right place. Physically I became more powerful but even more so mentally I became tough er. I am so grateful for my time there. It put me in the right place to come back home to the town I love and help my teammates and friends.”

Darren’s journey has not been plain sailing and he has suffered more than most when it comes to injuries. ”I’ve suffered some real ly bad injuries over the years. I’ve

broken both collar bones, had my cruciate done. I’ve had so many surgeries on both knees I’ve ac tually lost count and I’ve broken both legs.”

Given the setbacks endured, did the prospect of quitting ever en ter his head? “Injuries are part of sport and as I said being in Dublin for years matured me mentally so I don’t let them get me down. I nev er feel sorry for myself but it does make me embrace every moment.

Every second I have that Éire Óg jersey on it makes it all worthwhile”.

Commitment levels are con stantly on the rise when it comes to club teams, let alone inter-county sides. No price can be put on the events missed in pursuit of glory but the success achieved is invalu able, he said.

“In my opinion the top club sides do as much preparation as intercounty teams. We have gym sessions, running sessions, recov

ery sessions, we have to follow a diet, follow a program and for me I do it to the letter of the law.

“All these people that Paul brings in are professionals, this is their area of expertise so I just do as they say. It can be tough missing out on stags, weddings, parties and so on. Social gatherings have to be planned. I’m extremely lucky I’ve a fantastic fiancée Emma who comes from a GAA family. She is so sup portive which makes it easier and then sure when you walk behind that band, what a feeling, the adren aline rush and then to actually lift Jack Daly makes it all the sweeter. Once you lift that cup nothing gone before regarding sacrifice matters. It’s just the most incredible feeling, winning with your own”.

Ennistymon’s attitude has been their most impressive trait for Clare midfielder Darren. “En nistymon are a powerful fast well organised unit. They’ve been un derdogs in the majority of games they’ve played and they wear that tag so well. They never give up. They will be a huge test for us. We will have to put in a full 60 minute performance. It’s really hard to get a full 60 minute performance as most teams have purple patches in games but we have to try to play for every one of those minutes be cause if we don’t we know Ennisty mon will. Good teams win one title, great teams win two and the best teams win more. We have to try become one of the best teams and Sunday is another step in the right direction.”

Going to Dublin helped O’Neill with his maturity and developing as a footballer but it has also strength ened his love of Éire Óg and Ennis.

“I love this club, playing here since I was a teenager and when I went to Dublin I always knew I’d come back here. The people are my peo ple. We all love the town and we want to win for the town”.

l Darren O’Neill driving on Éire Óg

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

‘My relatives would rather I wore black and white - but I’m a townie’

by DEREK DORMER

HEHAS the pedigree and Mark McInerney is adamant both he and his teammates have the hunger to match it when it comes to their bid to retain the Jack Daly.

Mark McInerney is an incredible young talent. Only 21 years old on Sunday, he will be aiming to win back to back senior football cham pionships. He is part of a lethal full forward line that includes captain Gavin Cooney and Philip Talty. He comes from a huge footballing pedigree with his father one of Clare’s greatest ever players. Both he and Gavin share the freetaking duties.

Sharing the frees mantle doesn’t add any pressure, he admitted.

“With the frees to be honest I don’t. I believe if you stick to your rou tine, whether it’s off my hands and it’s six steps back followed by three bounces, or on the ground where I take six steps back and six to the side, it’s all about that routine. If you do what you’ve done countless times at training then you should

just slot them over.”

Similarly the McInerney name hasn’t added any burden, with his father Francis a positive influence.

“With my father, he’s been a great

support to me but he will also al ways be given me advice like ‘keep your head down more before you kick’ or ‘you should have taken more steps to the side on that one

because the angle was tougher’”.

Mark’s father played his club ca reer with Doonbeg, while the Éire Óg corner forward leaves no doubt about his respect for the Magpies, he unequivocally states that he himself is a Townie. “I’m a Townie, we have a family WhatsApp group and we have great craic and banter on it. I know all my relatives would rather I had a black and white jer sey on but banter aside they, like my father, always give me great support. Even last year we played Doonbeg in the group stage and I converted a free with my cousin Evie in the stands and she applaud ed me. Well she got some slagging off her friends and in the family chat group,” he says laughing.

On facing Ennistymon, he fol lows the standard lines of praising the opposition but to his credit he gives insight into how his team will prepare for the challenge. “En nistymon are a serious team, they are in this final on merit, they’ve beaten St Breckan’s and Kilmur ry Ibrickane so that is serious form coming into a final. They are strong, powerful, well organised

and have seriously good players.

“We know they will pack the de fence with plenty of players behind the ball. It will be tough with no space but you have to be patient. You must keep going and when the opportunity arrives you must take it. It’s from a kick out that a blanket defence is most vulnerable, we have to press those kickouts, push right up on them and force turnovers.”

Last year’s breakthrough has whetted Mark’s appetite for more success. “As champions you have a different mindset about winning. You just want it more and more. I’ve a picture on my phone of us all marching behind the pipe band and I love looking at it. It brings back all those wonderful memo ries. You want to play again and again on those big days but you also want to win again. If you per form you tend to win. It’s all about doing the basics and doing them well like the coaches have drilled into us. Paul Madden always says it’s about the next 60 minutes and we have to work harder than who ever we are playing. Do that and the result usually follows”.

l Mark McInerney on the attack for Éire Óg

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Youth not diluting Manus Doherty’sdetermination

by DEREK DORMER

WHENÉire Óg claimed the Jack Daly in 2021, Manus Doherty was among their stand out players, it led to a breakthrough with the Clare senior footballers and the defender is in tent to collect another senior title this coming weekend.

Manus Doherty is a serious young player for both club and coun ty but meet him in the flesh and a laid-back individual is quickly ev ident. Nothing seems to faze him off the back of an incredible twelve months on the field.

“To be fair it has been an unbelievable twelve months, firstly with the club and then the coun ty. Playing for Paul Mad den gave me a chance to get in with Colm Collins and Clare and I haven’t looked back since. I’ve a Jack Daly won, played in front of big crowds and I’ve not only tasted Croke Park but have tasted win ning in Croke Park with Clare. All these things make you want success even more and I’m just delighted that I chose gaelic football (over soccer)”

Manus was always set for stardom in some manner, an All-Ireland winning accordion play er he represented Clare Youths in soccer nar rowly losing an All-Ire land semi-final. He credits one man in par ticular for his decision to solely opt for football.

“We are a great club, a proud dual club and

it’s great to see the suc cess of the hurlers. We all support each other. Paul and Mattie know what they’re doing. There’s so many games that recovery sessions are massive and vital to all of us. I take my hat off to the dual players. They are an inspiration. I played everything and anything growing up but mainly soccer with Av enue and hurling andfootball with Éire Óg. It was tough playing all three but then I met Michael Neylon and got involved with the Clare Under 20s. To be hon est Mikey had a serious impact on me. He is a fantastic football man and I made the deci sion to just concentrate on football after my

time with him and by God it has paid off,” he says with a huge smile across his face.

Éire Óg are improv ing all the time, Manus feels and he himself admits to being far more comfortable and confident than he did a year ago. “Strength and conditioning is a huge part of the game now.

I’ve been lucky that I met Rob Mulcahy with the Clare set up. He is a super coach and he gives us all programs to follow. It has made such a difference to my game. The gym ses sions we do give us that extra power to shake a tackle. The condition ing gives us the pace and stamina needed to be bombing up and

drive on with Éire

Quickly after this comment, he jokes that he had a McDonalds after the semi-final win over Corofin but opted not to disclose this to Paul Madden.

Dealing with the fa vourites tag has also not fazed the Clare cor ner back. “Ennistymon are a serious team and have taken big scalps along the way. They are a fit powerful unit. Yes, we will be favourites be cause we are the cham pions but that won’t matter once the ball is thrown in. Last year was amazing. I mean lads go their whole lives looking to win a county title, the older lads lost quarter final after quar ter final and I won it at 20 but that just means I want another one at 21”. Asked whether he will collect title number two, Manus’ response with a huge grin is an emphatic “of course”.

influence as coach is helping the Ennis club’s continued im provement, Manus felt. “We’ve had twelve more months of unbelievable training. Seanie Buck ley is a top coach. His knowledge of the game is amazing and training sessions are brilliant. We never do the same drills, it’s always fresh and he has drills for every skill set required. Factor in the lads that are with the county and all that you learn there and I definitely feel we are a better team but that’s what you have to do. You have to improve because the chasing pack certainly will”.

PICTURED: Éire Óg’s Manus Doherty works the ball up field from defence

down the field but I’ve also learned that diet is

so important and often overlooked”.

Seanie Buckley’s

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Football the tie that bonds Rouine clan

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

WITHno less than 10 of the Rouine clan forming part of the Ennistymon panel, to call it a family affair for the football-mad North Clare crew is certainly an understatement. Five Rouine families are represented on the panel bidding to claim the Jack Daly for the first time in the club’s history. Jack Lynch and Joe Arkins are the only surviving members of the Kilfenora side to win the Clare SFC in 1950 and are the last living men to win such medals with a North Clare side. How they’d love to see drought end this weekend. Key to such an outcome would be the showing of the Rouines who will take up a multitude of positions within Mark Shanah an’s Ennistymon side.

Brendan ‘Beano’ Rouine was part of the Clare side to win the Munster SFC in 1992 when he had the distinction of captaining his county. With a solid audition for a role on ‘Who Do You Think You Are’, he broke down the lineage. “Ann Vaughan, who is Ann Rouine, she’d be the eldest and has sons Ciaran and Oisín on the panel. You have John Rouine who has Eoin, Éanna and Dara involved in the panel and John is married to O’Gormans from Liscannor, great football people. Sean Rouine is a son of Michael and his mom is Sheehy from Kerry.

“You’ve Joey playing on the team and Danny on the panel, their dad is Joe Joe who won a senior championship medal with Mil town Malbay in 1990 and his heritage would also have the McCormacks from Kilfenora with Mikey McCormack winning a senior championship in 1950 would be his gran dad. Ciaran McMahon who is Murty’s son, his granduncle from Kilfenora was also part of that 1950 team. We’ve Cillian and Brendy who are my sons and their mom is Murphy from Tulla who’s brother Mike was captain when they won the senior hurling champi onship in 2007. There’s other brothers play ing on the second and third team from all the families. There’s championship medals in North Clare, we’re just trying to bridge a gap, we’re not trying to create history, we just want to bridge a gap”. Unsurprisingly, tracing is a strong part of the family’s heritage.

Joining The Clare Echo in The Falls Hotel to look ahead to Sunday’s final are Beano, Joey, Ciaran, Sean, Cillian and Eoin. A 220 kw turbine provides the 145 bedroom En nistymon hotel with 100 per cent of its pow er - between them, the Rouines have grins

capable of lighting up one of the hotel rooms.

Which of the Rouine cousins is the best footballer is the first soft question lobbed in the direction of Beano. “As Fr Ted would say ‘that would be an ecumenical matter’,” comes the response. Ascertaining who is the most stylish footballer brings no joy but there’s more certainty on who comes out trumps in the fashion stakes, “our first cousin Mikie is a barber, he’s more stylish than all of us,” Sean outlines. That Sean went straight to Flana gan’s in Lahinch after their quarter-final win in his full kit as opposed to having a change of clothes demonstrated a thirst rather than a lack of fashion, Cillian empathised.

Eoin is unable to pick out one of his cous ins as the worst sledger of the lot, Sean a pos sible contender in this category outlined with a smile, “We’re football people, we play a nice brand of football”. Equally tough to call for Joey is which of his relations is the best craic, “it’s too tough to call” which prompts Beano to advise him to say the McCormacks, “it’s like the deaf dog, it’s hard to call” and Eoin to put up the cause for the collective, “we’re all good craic”.

Currently a final year psychology student at NUIG, Eoin appeared to be fighting a los ing battle when suggesting his social life was

the least active. Were he to head out in Gal way, which Rouine would be the best com pany, “I try to stay away from the nights out. I’d be the one getting the call, we haven’t been going out much at all”. Looks come from left and right which question his statement, “I haven’t gone out,” he protested. His cousins are quick to pinpoint him as the one with the biggest temper, “everyone has their mo ments,” comes the response.

After a two-and-a-half year stint in Aus tralia, Joey returned to North Clare and to the Ennistymon defence. Though he says he was “enjoying the sunshine” down under, “it’s good to come back home to the family and to the football.”

Football is the strongest bond between them. “At all the occasions, it’s all we talk about, if there’s a 50th it’s always overshad owed by football talk, a recent match or an upcoming match, it’s all football,” Sean says.

This year Cillian was a regular starter at corner back for Colm Collins’ county side. He had additional company to and from training with Brendy joining the panel for the first time but the younger brother wouldn’t be one for looking to Cillian for advice, “He wouldn’t listen to me anyway”. Inter-county experience is not new to the family with Eoin

a former Clare U20 captain while Cillian and Brendy have captained the county minors.

In the eyes of Cillian, Ennistymon have been lucky in 2022 compared with previous campaigns. “We barely got over St Breck an’s, it came down to the two last frees, you couldn’t write what happened against Kilmurry Ibrickane, we maybe got even more luck,” Cillian reflects. Joey who works at Lahinch Golf Club along with Ciaran adds, “we’ve battled hard in all the games, we’ve a game plan and we’ve stuck together, it seems to have worked so far, they are all hard earned, you need a bit of luck but a lot of effort goes in”.

Now a selector having served for close to a decade as chairman, Beano doesn’t believe there was too much different about this year’s approach. “We’ve had brilliant managements over the last couple of years, we’re so blessed to be in a county final this year, it’s brilliant for the parish and the community of people, the squad and management”.

When Ennistymon faced St Joseph’s Mil town in the 2018 decider, Joey wore number six, Sean was one of the youngest players to feature while Ciaran was sub goalkeeper, “I’ve put away the gloves and retired from the goals since, I was outfield with our in termediates this year”. Sean has moved from defence to attack but also as one of the more experienced players of the present squad.

Recently qualified as a primary school teacher, Cillian’s expertise is highly rated by his county teammates currently studying at Mary Immaculate College. He’s substituting in a number of schools across Clare and is very satisfied with the career, noting “I’m definitely enjoying it and it is good for the football, I haven’t missed any trainings now because of it thank God”.

Of the Rouine contingent, Sean is the only one working in Ennis through his role as a personal trainer at Hustle Fitness. Not one to venture around the town, he admitted, “I like to keep a low profile”.

For the week ahead, they won’t change their routine with Beano hinting The Clare Echo won’t be digested until after the game. Whether it be player, chairman, senior selec tor or intermediate manager his involvement is at the heart of the club but is he a better chairman or selector is the question direct ed to his son Cillian, “that would be another ecumenical matter, I won’t dig that hole for myself,” is the reply.

Just like Beano, his sons and nephews serve as a strong beating heart pumping through the Ennistymon club.

l Sean Rouine, Joey Rouine, Brendan Rouine, Ciaran Vaughan, Cillian Rouine, and Eoin Rouine

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Injury doesn’t dilute

Hehir’s title ambitions

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

INJURIES have been an unfortunate constant of En nistymon’s memorable run to a first Clare SFC final since 2018 and regrettably for Kevin Hehir, he’s been the latest addition to their long list of casualties.

Without defensive duo Darragh Conneely, a former Clare U20 defender, and Sean O’Driscoll, the cap tain of the club side which contested the 2018 decider, midfielder Cathal Malone has been out of action since the knockout stages while fitness doubts hang over the lively Diarmuid Fahy.

Kevin Hehir is the latest injury headache for Mark Shanahan and a knee injury sustained in the semi-final win over Kilmurry Ibrickane will keep him sidelined for a lengthy spell.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Hehir recounted his struggles with injury throughout the year. “It had been giving me a bit of both er throughout the year but I was diagnosed with de generative tendonitis in the knee. I had looked after it well and rehabbed through out the year. The funny thing is... before the Kilmur ry Ibrickane game, it felt per fect. It was the best it had been all year so then wheth er it was a freak movement or something, nonetheless it went and gave way from un derneath me and that was that unfortunately.”

Undoubtedly it’s a case of “mixed emotions” for the Inagh/Kilnamona hurler as he watches his side pre pare for a county final. “I will do my best now. If the lads want any help leading up to the final I’ll be there for them, it’s mixed emotions but at the end of the day it’s all about the team.”

A member of the Ennisty mon senior panel since he turned 18, Hehir has been with the club since U11. His introduction at half-time in their third round game with Doonbeg plus the position al switch of David Fitzger ald to midfield was a major turning point in the game and subsequently their sea son ensuring they topped the group. Again introduced at half-time in the quarter-fi nal win over St Breckan’s, Kevin was rewarded with a starting jersey in the last four tie against Kilmurry Ibrickane before injury end ed his game on 23 minutes.

In his view, Ennistymon have upped their game at the back this season. “Defensively I think we’ve

been unbelievably sound this year, I don’t know what we’ve conceded in normal times in most games, I don’t think we’ve conceded more than 1-10, we’re very sound at the back and we’re also comfortable at holding onto possession.

“We’re using our patience to try create scoring oppor tunities as opposed to forc ing them, the two lads Mark and Ger have brought that in from the start of the year.”

Last year he got to experi ence the buzz of county final day but on the hurling field.

“The one thing I’ve learned is how fast they go, the build-up for them is the long thing, once you’re out there it’s over in like two minutes. The main thing is while you’re out there for the hour to put your head down, work hard and things will go your way, don’t let it pass you by.”

When it comes to football, he faces off with many of his hurling teammates, it’s something that isn’t too dif ficult, he said. “It can be but once you take the field it’s who you’re representing on the day. Inagh/Kilnamona is where I’m from and it will always be my home parish and my number one team but once I’m playing with Ennistymon that goes out the window and it’s Ennisty mon who I’m representing and who I want to win, you’ll do anything then for En nistymon to win on the day.”

Just because he hurls with the McCarthy broth ers, Aidan and Jason, doesn’t mean he minces his words when they square off against them in meetings with Kilmurry Ibrickane. “I’m sure now if Aidan heard we were going easy on him then he wouldn’t be one bit happy and Jason wouldn’t be hap py either, they are the same with us, they are serious competitors and don’t want

anyone going easy on them and we don’t want anyone going easy on us”.

Not alone has injury scuppered his chance of featuring this weekend but it has also derailed the travel ling plans of the Inagh man.

“The last couple of weeks I always had it in my mind to go. I finished up working in Dublin, I was working with Shareridge and then in the last couple of weeks I was labouring away with two fellas from Inagh, Dermot Lynch and Johnny Cider, the plan was to work with them for a couple of weeks and then go travelling but that has been put on hold.”

Some would say picking up the knee injury was a drastic way to avoid spend ing time overseas with freelance reporter Jamesy McConigley. “That’s it,” he confessed with a roaring laugh, “he’d only burn the head off me out there so I’d have to stay away from him”.

It brings us to the burning question that has presum ably been often discussed at The Good House, who is the biggest media icon attached to the Inagh/Kilnamona club, Jamesy or Nicholas Rynne of Raidio Corca Baiscinn.

“They’re both stalwarts at their profession but I sup pose you’d have to tip Nich olas for his in-depth analysis on the day, he’s always the first at the scene of any in cident to get his in-depth scoop so you’ve to give him the plaudits for that”.

Rynne’s promptness to the scene saw him help to accompany both Hehir and Jason from Cusack Park via stretchers for their respec tive injuries. “He’s always in the thick of it,” Kevin ob served”. Hehir himself would only love to be in the thick of the action this weekend but instead will have to settle for a role in the stands.

Victory would send Healy to LaLa Land

AN EXPERIENCED head, Lawrence Healy will relish the chance to feature on county final day if given the opportunity, writes Páraic McMahon.

It’s arguably one of the most underrated tweets relating to Co Clare but it was com posed by Mr Healy. When commenting on the RTÉ drama, Smother which is of course shot predominantly in Lahinch, Ennisty mon, Fanore and Doolin, he quipped that “Ennis is the Yabbie Creek” of the show.

Yabbie Creek to those not enriched by a Home and Away experience is of course the neighbouring commercial hub to Summer Bay. Based on this logic, Sunday’s county final pits the boys of Summer Bay (Ennisty mon) versus Yabbie Creek (Éire Óg), who Alf Stewart is supporting to claim the Jack Daly remains unclear.

Back in August 2000, Lawrence made his senior championship debut for Ennistymon against Doonbeg in Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty. The tie finished 1-07 0-03 in favour of Doonbeg, Francis McInerney scored 1-04 for Doonbeg on that day and his son Mark could cross paths with Healy on Sunday. Also in that year, Éire Óg claimed the Clare SFC then captained by Peter Cosgrove who is a current selector with the Ennis club.

Nicknamed Lala, the defender recalls that at the time of his breakthrough there was no round robin format or back doors and sev eral of his current teammates were not even born when he made his debut. His role as a maths and physics teacher at Ennistymon CBS ensures there is no difficulty bridging generational gaps.

“Last year I would have been teaching five of the lads who have broke through to the senior team now. I think it does help to keep me current, I would have built up a relation ship with them in the school and then to be playing with them is a novelty I guess for me and them, I think it’s a good thing”. Wing back Liam Cotter and the attacking trio of Brendy Rouine, Sean Rynne and Josh Guyler were in his maths class last year along with Corofin’s Marc O’Loughlin who was a reg ular at corner back for his club. “Brian Mc Namara is doing his Leaving Cert, he came on to make his debut the last day and played very well, he’s a great option for us.”

There was never extra liberties for him when marking students in training but is

he Lala or Mr Healy during pitch sessions. “That’s a tricky one, they probably call me Lala anyway in the school, the Mr Healy goes pretty quickly. It’s unbelievable how fast they have transitioned from schools football to senior football, they are a credit to the club,” he replied.

Eighteen years after making his senior de but, Lala first got a taste of county final day and to be replicating this experience is a real treat. He told The Clare Echo, “Getting to the final in 2018 we might have thought we’d get back there the following year or 2020 but it hasn’t happened, we’ve had three years without getting there so we really have to ap preciate it as we know how hard it is to get to a final, hopefully it might be a factor to help us go the extra step.”

There are lessons to learn from their 0-14 0-08 loss against St Joseph’s Miltown. “I think we turned up in 2018 and played well in the first half but maybe we didn’t take a couple of chances that came our way, I think this time round if we get chances against Éire Óg I think we really need to take them.”

A cool figure, Healy was part of the Clare defence for nine seasons before calling time on his inter-county career in January 2015. Surprisingly the end of normal time in the semi-final win over Kilmurry Ibrickane was his first championship appearance for the seniors this year. Up to then, he had been a central cog for the intermediates as they reached the semi final. Reaching the last four represented a “great” campaign for the intermediates which he notes “has helped build a good bond between us”.

When they reached the 2018 county final, Lala had pinpointed their quarter-final win over Éire Óg that year as one of his most memorable sporting moments. To defeat them this weekend on the big day would surpass it all. “We played Éire Óg last year in the quarter-final and we played them in our run to the final in 2018. This will be our third big game with them in the latter stages of championship, we know each other pret ty well but we wouldn’t be classed as two of the traditional teams to meet in a county fi nal but we still have a healthy rivalry. They will be definitely going in as favourites so I guess the pressure is on them, we don’t feel any pressure and are happy to be going in as underdogs.”

l Kevin Hehir offloads the ball under pressure from Aidan McCarthy Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Expert preview: Eoin Cleary

Eoin Cleary, Clare senior football captain and St Joseph’s Miltown footballer:

“Eire Og have really shown their experience through out this championship and this was shown in the way they managed the game against us They put a few love ly move together in the second half to be fairly comprehensive winners in the end. They have some real ly good young players, a good coach and they have stepped it up notch this year”.

“Look at any Clare minor or under 20 team in past two or three years, they have been domi nated by Ennistymon players. They got to the final in 2018 and are there again now. There are only three or four from that team starting which will tell you the young talent they have in the club. Kilmurry Ibrickane will be disappointed how semi-final played out but Ennisty mon stayed in there and got the rub of the green”.

“Brendy Rouine is a real class act with a great future. They have plenty of real ly talented young fellas such as Brendy’s brother Cillian, Ci aran McMahon and Diar muid Fahy to mention a few”.

“All clubs knew going into this campaign that Éire Óg would be the team to beat. Based on the way they are playing and the way they have managed their campaign, they are the favourites. Coro fin gave them a good game for a lot of their semi-final but other than that they have been relative ly comfortable winners in a lot of their games. Hopefully it will be a good game and that Ennistymon will rise to the challenge”.

Expert preview: Keelan Sexton

Keelan Sexton, Clare and Kilmurry Ibrickane forward:

“Éire Óg had a shaky start and were rusty against Kilmaley in the opening round and lost. They’ve slowly progressed since and that came with hurling, they didn’t have a full panel with football and inter-county commit ments but they have progressed to be the team with the most gains this year.

Éire Óg warrant the favourites tag. Being champions hasn’t phased them at all. They have got better. I saw them against Clondegad and they were very impressive. Their backline looks to be the launch pad”.

Both finalists are similar in that they are very reliant on building from the back. Ennistymon area bit like Éire Óg from lastyear. Éire Óg have ex panded this year. A strong backline is a massive ad vantage. It’s going to be an interesting game, it will be a game of chess in which a goal either

way will be a massive advantage. It won’t be a very high scoring game. Ennistymon have a strong backline and when they have possession, they are not afraid to go back to their goalie, there is no panic. It has got them to a county final, there will be no com plaints from them”.

Ennistymon know their system and theyknow how they want to play. Éire Óg proba bly have the better balanced team with a really potent attack. Defensively Ennistymon will be strong but they will have to break the twelve or thirteen point barrier if they want

Verdict: Éire Óg

Expert preview: David Tubridy

David Tubridy, Clare and Doonbeg senior footballer:

“Éire Óg are entitled to be favourites, they have been best team in the last two years and they don’t seem to be slowing down this year. You have to make them favourites.

Ennistymon have been get ting the results and have had that bit of luck on their side. Anything can happen on the day.

Paul Madden will have them grounded and will have them ready as they chase a second successive title. En nistymon have had a lot of success at underage, they have been playing division 1 foot ball since they were under 10, there are a lot of players there with a lot of success. That will stand to them and it did in the last few games. They have found a way to win and Ger Quinlan and Beano and co have done a lot of work.

Éire Óg are a step ahead of everybody in Clare at the moment. They have a lot of danger men up front, Gavin Cooney and Mark McIner ney have been putting up big scores.

Verdict: Éire Óg

Expert preview: Cathal O’Connor

“It is hard to look past Eire Og for the football title. They have built on last year, they look to be a step ahead but Ennisty mon, to be fair, have a rigid system and there is no reason why they can’t throw a spanner on the works. Last year’s winwas a monkey off the back of Éire Óg.

The defeat in the hurling could drive them on, nobody wants to be on the team to lose two in a week. I believe they had a get together on Monday night. Last week is marked now and they will be fairly focused on Sunday’s game. They have a seriously experienced group, they will be able to move on and take on the challenge.

You have to play what works, En nistymon wont make any apologies for their style once they keep winning, you play to your strengths. No one in En nistymon will complain if it’s a low scor ing game if they win by a point. They have done brilliantly at underage level, they have a serious crop of players, they just need to get over the line and make the breakthrough at senior. They will be up against it on Sunday but. Final day can go either way. Hopefully it will be a good game”.

It’s a two horse race and we don’t

know what kind of a day it will be. It takes a good team to knock out Kilmurry and Ennistymon are there on merit”.

Verdict: Éire Óg

Cathal O’Connor, Clare senior footbal ler and Coolmeen midfielder:

CONOR O’HALLORAN DANNY GRIFFIN

DARREN O’NEILL

ANDREW McELWEE

CATHAL LYNCH CIARAN RUSSELL

CONALL Ó hÁINIFÉIN

EOIN GUILFOYLE

DAVID McNAMARA DEAN D’AURIA

ÉINNE O’CONNOR

AARON FITZGERALD AIDAN McGRATH

ALAN O’NEILL

O’NEILL

MANUS DOHERTY MARK McINERNEY

NIALL McMAHON

JARLATH COLLINS

GRAHAM GLYNN

IKEM UGWUERU JAMES LYNE

PHILIP TALTYNIALL O’DONOHUE ORAN CAHILL PEADAR O’KEEFFE

GAVIN COONEY GAVIN D’AURIA GEAROID COLLINS

LUKE MOORE

RONAN LANIGAN

PERRILL

SHANE DANIELS

SHEILS

CILLIAN ROUINE

CONOR GALLAGHER DANNY ROUINE

CATHAL McCONIGLEY CATHAL O’REILLY CIARAN McMAHON

CIARAN VAUGHAN

DAVID FITZGERALD

DARA ROUINE

DARRAGH CONNEELY

DARREN McNAMARA

ADAM RALPH BRENDY ROUINE

BRIAN McNAMARA

JOSH VAUGHAN

KEELAN GUYLER

KEVIN HEHIR

JOHN MURPHY

EOIN ROUINE

JOE DOWLING JOEY ROUINE

NIALL CANAVAN

KILLIAN MALONE LAWRENCE HEALY LIAM COTTER

DAVID McNAMARA DIARMUID FAHY ÉANNA ROUINE

JOSH GUYLER

NOEL SEXTON

OISIN VAUGHAN RYAN BARRY

SEAN O’DRISCOLL

SEAN ROUINE

SEAN RYNNE

TIERNAN HOGAN

Siomha

PLANNING

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL MAIGH DARA AND BALLYHANNON NORTH, QUIN, CO.CLARE

Take notice that Abbey View, Quinn Property Developments Ltd. in tends to apply to Clare County Council for planning permission as follows -

a) To construct 8 No. semi-detached dwelling houses (16 houses in to tal)

b) To amend access road and ancillary services permitted under plan ning ref P16/630 c) To provide temporary access road from from public only in order to prevent machinery and builder providers access ing the site via the exist ing Maigh Dara housing estate

The planning applica tion 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.

A submission or observa tion in relation to the ap plication may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the pre scribed fee within the pe riod of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DREWSBOROUGH,

SCARIFF, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Michael & Joanne Scanlan intend to apply to the planning authority for (a) reten tion permission for an existing extension to the rear of an existing dwell ing and (b) permission to construct a new extension to the rear of the same ex isting dwelling along with ancillary works at the above address. The plan ning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of mak ing 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 be ginning on the date of re ceipt by the planning au thority of the application.

CLARE CO COUNCIL CAHERADERRY, LAHINCH, CO CLARE

Permission is sought to construct a dwelling house, effluent treatment system, adjustment of ex isting vehicular entrance.

Permission is further sought for Change of Use of existing derelict Herdsman Hut to remote (domestic) workspace including all ancillary site works and services at above address. Applicant: Deirdre O’Donoghue

The planning applica tion may be inspected,

or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the plan ning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or ob servation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee with in the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLYCASHEN, KILNABOY, CO.CLARE

We, Neill Killeen & Linda Mc Mahon, wish to apply to the above named local authority for planning permission to construct a new detached single sto rey dwelling house, new site entrance, wastewater treatment system, per colation area, detached domestic garage and all ancillary site works at Ballycashen, Kilnaboy, Co.Clare

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL NO 19, WOODMOUNT, ENNISTYMON, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Paul Conway Architects, Knockbrack, Ennisty mon intend to apply to the Planning Authority of Clare County Council on behalf of Alan Ryder for planning permission for develop ment at No 19, Wood mount, Ennistymon, Co. Clare. The development will consist of the reten tion of a two storey rear extension, being 19.5sqM to ground floor, and 19.5sqM to first floor, total 39sqM and replace ment grey colour win dows with site works and alterations to services.

That the planning appli cation 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 five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL NO. 35 OCEAN VIEW, LAHINCH, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Brian Foudy & Associates Ltd of Osprey House,

Carmody Street, Ennis, Co. Clare 065 6893565 www.foudyconsulting.ie. intend to apply to the planning authority on behalf of Conor Flynn for permission to construct an extension to existing dwelling together with all ancillary site develop ment works and services at the above address. The planning applica tion may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the plan ning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or obser vation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee with in the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, TOOREEN, MILTOWN MALBAY, CO. CLARE. Take notice that C. Cur tin intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to construct a dwelling house, garage and proprietary waste water treatment system along with ancillary site works at the above ad dress.

That the planning appli cation may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the plan ning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or

observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee with in the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL ST. MARTINS, KILKEE ROAD, KILRUSH, CO.

CLARE

Take notice that Eleanor & Patrick Fitzmau rice are applying to Clare County Council for plan ning permission to carry out alterations and exten sion to an existing dwell ing house, removal of part of the front bound ary wall to facilitate safe parking, along with all associated works at the above address. The plan ning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of mak ing a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee with in the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL UNIT 2, BURLINGTON BUSINESS PARK, GILLOGUE, CO.

CLARE D94EYK6

The Irish Aerial Creation

Centre CLG is applying for retention for the sub division of the industrial building, the retention of its use as a training and education centre for ae rial dancing and the con struction of a three storey internal partition and insulating of the build ing fabric located at Unit 2, Burlington Business Park, Gillogue, Co. Clare D94EYK6. The planning application may be in spected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of mak ing a copy, at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to Clare Coun ty Council in writing on payment of the pre scribed fee within the pe riod of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the appli cation.

Clare Echo Quiz

By Siomha Perill, St Joseph’s Secondary School, Tulla

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

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