The Clare Echo 28/03/24

TUNING UP FOR CHANGE

Is this the way to armadillos

l €137k spent by Council on cycle lanes

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE County Council spent €137,000 installing the controversial bollards and armadillos in Ennis, The Clare Echo can reveal. Introduced in 2019 as part of a new cycling scheme, the bollards and armadillos were aimed at protecting cyclists but have been panned by local residents and business owners. €137,000 exclusive of VAT was spent by the local authority on the scheme which is set to be amended resulting in the removal of the bollards and armadillos in

191 submissions on Oatfield Windfarm

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

AN BORD PLEANÁLA have received 191 submissions on Ørsted’s plans to construct 11 wind turbines in Oatfield.

In submission fees alone, An Bord Pleanála have obtained €9,550 regarding the development. The Broadford to Oatfield Windfarm Action Group had been formed in opposition to the project.

Broadford residents, Theresa and Patrick O’Connell have said they were incorrectly listed as an associate dwelling for the project which “has caused us a lot of anxiety and has caused upset

with our close neighbours as we have been blamed as signing up for this development. It is incredibly upsetting”.

Local primary school principal Aonghus O’Brien warned, “I am bringing to the board’s attention that if this project is allowed to proceed then the most vulnerable children in our community will have their school lives permanently changed for the worse”.

A decision on the case is due to be made by the planning authority by June 26th.

the near future.

“There was no need of them at all, we have no problem with a cycle lane but all the paraphernalia there was no need for it,” former Mayor of Ennis Tommy Brennan (IND) told The Clare Echo.

Discussion on the infrastructure always sets tempers flaring with Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) coming under fire when he criticised “licenses for life” and older drivers when debating the matter at the February sitting of the Ennis Municipal District.

More on page 6

l (L-R) Olivia, Josh and Rachel, students from Gaelcholáiste an Chláir and Ennis Community College, at the Young Social Innovators Speak Out event in Kilkenny with their project ‘Poverty is not sustainable’, a YSI initiative to eradicate poverty and support the most vulnerable and at risk in your community

Call: 065 - 6719021 36C

Email:

kieran@clareecho.ie

Investigation underway after Tiermaclane arson attack

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

GARDAÍ have confirmed an investigation is ongoing following a suspected arson attack in Tiermaclane.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána confirmed to The Clare Echo that it is investigating “an incident of criminal damage by fire which occurred at Tiermaclane, Ennis, Co. Clare on Sunday, 24th March 2024”.

According to Gardaí the incident occurred at approximately 11pm on Sunday night and investigations remain ongoing.

Machinery belonging to Patrick Kiloughery was burnt down in the arson attack and his yard has since been bordered up with fencing in the aftermath of the incident.

Kiloughery was one of two parties to submit an objection to a retention application from representatives of a local transport company for an existing commercial shed while also seeking permission for a new permeable surfaced vehicle parking area, ancillary access road, alterations to the existing site entrance and all associated site works and services.

Clare County Council refused the plans for the retention and development of new surface.

In an objection submitted on his behalf by chartered building surveyor Fergus Merriman, he flagged that the application was unsigned and that the site boundaries extend to areas of adjacent folios not currently in the applicants name. The site is

also the subject of an enforcement notice dated September 14th 2023, the enforce ment notice is undischarged.

It added, “Overall, the proposed reten tion and variations to the existing devel opment of a large scale commercial activ ity which generates considerable; traffic, noise, nuisance and environmental impacts is ill conceived, furthermore, it sig

Hospital chief returns from leave

CEO of UL Hospitals Group, Colette Cowan has made a surprise return from leave to resume her duties, writes Páraic McMahon

At the beginning of February on a week of further record overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), Ms Cowan went

l Colette Cowan

on temporary leave with senior staff at the hospital informed that she would be vacating on “leave period” but with no indication of why and for how long.

Attendees of Tuesday’s Regional Health Forum meeting were shocked to see the Galway woman sitting at the top table for the meeting in what was her first public appearance since going on leave. Sonya Cotter had served as Acting CEO during Cowan’s absence.

Neither the HSE or UL Hospitals Group could comment on the matter when contacted by The Clare Echo. A spokesperson for the HSE stated, “The HSE does not comment on staff matters”.

February saw UHL record its worst month on record for overcrowding. Figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) outlined that there was 2,247 patients waiting for a bed in the emergency department and various wards in the hospital last month.

Prior to Cowan’s temporary leave, Friends of Ennis Hospital had called on Clare’s Oireachtas members to summon UHL management before the Dáil to “explain why the increase in staffing has not resulted in a decrease in trolleys. We further call upon you to put a motion of no confidence in hospital management before the Dáil”.

Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) admitted that he was unaware of Ms Cowan’s return to

work and was first informed of it after speaking to a Fianna Fáil colleague who attended the Regional Health Forum.

Both Deputy Crowe and Senator Martin Conway (FG) are part of the Oireachtas Health Committee which is due to undertake a visit to UHL in the next fortnight.

“A huge amount of the work undertaken by our committee so far has centred on the inadequacies at UHL and I think it is now time that we visit the hospital in-person.

“As a Clare TD, I regularly am in contact with the hospital and I’ve been there many times, there are colleagues on our committee who are less familiar with the goings-on at UHL and for this reason I think it is important that they have eyes on what is happening there and the fact that so many people are being funnelled through one accident and emergency system.

“I would prefer if our visit was unannounced but unfortunately that is not how these things work and we have to get clearance from the HSE before the visit can happen, I hope it will be productive and I think the politicians from all parties need to have a deep understanding of the UHL situation and equally understand the fact that working our way out of the current problems of UHL will require investment and hopefully upgrading of other hospitals in the Mid-West region,” Deputy Crowe added.

191 submissions made over Oatfield wind farm

191 valid submissions have been made to An Bord Pleanála regarding Ørsted’s plans to construct 11 wind turbines in Oatfield, writes Páraic McMahon

A freedom of information request has revealed that a total of 191 valid submissions have been received by An Bord Pleanála prior to the deadline of February 19th for the Oatfield development.

To make a submission costs €50 so the planning authority have obtained €9,550 in relation to observations on this development alone.

An Bord Pleanála’s strategic infrastructure development (SID) team are handling the case, a spokesperson confirmed. The case is due to be decided by June 26th of this year.

Surveying for the project began in 2016, a spokesperson for Ørsted confirmed to The Clare Echo Ørsted prepared a comprehensive planning application for Oatfield Wind Farm to An Bord Pleanála for assessment which consisted of four parts, planning application documents, drawings, an environmental impact assessment, and a natura impact assessment and was submitted to the planning authority in December with a non-technical summary document of 70 pages.

All five elected members of the Killaloe Municipal District made a submission to the planning authority on the development.

Opposition to the project was also flagged by the board of trustees at Sunyata Buddhist Centre and the 12 O’Clock Hills & Recreational Project. Fáilte Ireland, Shannon Airport Authority, Air Nav Ireland and the Irish Aviation Authority

also made submissions.

Broadford residents, Theresa and Patrick O’Connell detailed how they were listed as an associate dwelling for the project. “This is incorrect, we have not given any consent for our land to be used for delivery, access routes, turbines, connection cables or any other component of this wind farm development. Ørsted naming us as an associated dwelling has caused us a lot of anxiety and has caused upset with our close neighbours as we have been blamed as signing up for this development. It is incredibly upsetting”.

pressed his worry on the impact of flicker and noise on their student population. There are 138 students and 17 staff at the primary school which has seven mainstream classes and one special class for children with autism. “In response to my concerns, last month I sought reassurances from Ørsted that the flicker and noise generated by the

school if this project proceeds to construction. I am bringing to the board’s attention that if this project is allowed to proceed then the most vulnerable children in our community will have their school lives permanently changed for the worse”. Autism spectrum disorder consultant, Dr Susan Crawford outlined, “As an autism and funda-

proposed wind farm would not impact the children in my school. The response I received from their portfolio department manager was wholly unsatisfactory”.

Principal of Broadford and Kilbane NS, Aonghus O’Brien ex-

O’Brien continued, “It is obvious that flicker and noise are going to become a permanent feature of life in Broadford village and in our

mental movement skill specialist I advocate daily for autistic children and adults to engage in quality movement programmes. Potential developments like these in such locations as Oatfield can negatively impact quality of life issues for the autistic community, its families and support networks. Hence, this de-

velopment should be rejected”.

Paul and Linda Maher based in Broadford detailed that they are not a family opposed to renewable energy. “Our primary observations and concerns in relation to the Orsted Oatfield windfarm relate specifically to the possible impact on our daughter Kate who suffers from cerebral palsy, quadriplegia, visual impairment and seizures”. Their submission included an attached letter from Kate’s paediatric team.

Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) in his submission stated, “the proposed turbines are absolutely incredible in size for such a rural setting. In my travels as a public representative I have seen wind developments with turbines of this scale but they tend to be located in remote unpopulated areas. East Clare is not such a location and the proposed site is wholly unsuitable from a visual and environmental viewpoint”.

Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) believed the height of the turbines were “excessive” and that there were “visually obtrusive”. He expressed his belief that the planning conditions of Slieve Callan were not properly monitored or enforced.

Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) warned of “traffic chaos” during the construction phase. “ Building turbines on blanket bogs and sensitive uplands can cause peat slides, this was seen in Galway in 2003 where a massive peat slide resulted in large scale pollution including killing fish. A huge fine was placed on the Irish state plus €15,000 for each day it continued to operate”.

lCONCERNS: Broadford to Oatfield Windfarm Action Group

Back to school with Ballyea and Specsavers

John O Farrell of Specsavers Ennis proudly presenting school bags to all the Ballyea Camogie underage girls

Supermac's to transform Tuamgraney site into Plaza

SUPERMAC’S have commenced the process of trying to hire staff after acquiring a prominent premises in East Clare, writes Páraic McMahon Head of Departments are to be recruited for Supermac’s as they begin plans to renovate what was Niland’s Gala Store and 24/7 service station in Tuamgraney and transform into one of their Plaza sites.

There was shock last September with the sudden closure of the service station which as first reported by The Clare Echo entered receivership.

Originally opened in the 1980s by Tommy Bleach, it was ran by the

Bleach family until the 1990s when it was sold to A&M retail stores. Galway based husband and wife, Mike and Amie Niland had owned the store for 11 years.

In November, the Plaza Group which owns Supermac’s acquired the property in an online auction for a fee of €820,000. The property was described as a “substantial forecourt in a high profile location”.

At its peak, the service station employed 22 people with a sit-down area for takeaway dinners, a service station, grocery store and off licence.

A definitive number on the amount of staff that will be employed in Tu-

amgraney under Supermac’s is unknown at this stage.

However the Plaza Group are hiring in the region of 12 jobs presently for Tuamgraney in roles such as site operations manager, store manager, assistant manager, supervisor, catering assistant, deli manager, deli cook, deli assistant, retail and forecourt manager, retail assistant manager, retail supervisor plus retail and forecourt assistant.

Niland’s had been a busy grocery outlet as well as a service station and it is anticipated with the retail unit of the Plaza will aid to accommodate local users in this capacity.

lCONTROVERSY: Traffic calming measures

€137k spent on armadillos

€137,000 was spent by Clare County Council when installing the controversial bollards and armadillos in Ennis as part of a new cycling scheme in 2019 which are to be removed in the near future, writes Páraic McMahon

Traffic calming measures introduced in August 2019 on the Clon Road in Ennis along College View, College Green and St Flannan’s Drive has been a controversial subject in the locality with strong opposition to the bollards and armadillos which surround the double cycle lanes.

Double cycle lanes linking St Flannan’s College and the Kilrush Rd surrounded by bollaerds and armadillos were provided under the scheme.

For the first time, Clare County Council have confirmed the spending associated with the installation of these traffic calming measures. Senior engineer with the Council, Seán Lenihan detailed that the cost of the cycle lane, bollards and armadillos amounted to €137,000 “exclusive of VAT”.

Lenihan stated, “The public will be aware that the Cycle scheme, following approval by the Members, was installed some years ago, in 2019, in the interests of providing safe cycle routes along Clon Road, College View, College Green, Clonroadbeg and Cahercalla”.

Differing views to the infrastructure was acknowledged by the Miltown Malbay native. “It is fair to say that there was a mixed reaction to the works with some finding the associated bollards and armadillos an inconvenience and distraction to the motorist. Regrettably, some were accidentally hit by vehicles and allegedly, some were deliberately interfered with which if true, thankfully didn’t result in a serious accident or injury to users of the road.

Maintenance and street cleaning

of same is carried out as part of the wider Municipal District Operation and Maintenance works”.

All bollards and armadillos will be removed in the future, he confirmed. “The current situation is that as part of the Ennis to Clarecastle cycle scheme presently being designed, it is envisaged that a new segregated cycle lane to current design standards will replace the existing situation on the ground. This will result in the removal of all bollards and armadillos once completed”.

Tommy Brennan who served as an elected member of Ennis Town Council for thirty five years and Clare County Council for twenty nine years has been a vocal critic of the bollards and armadillos since their installation. “I’m looking forward to the day when they are all removed,” he said.

On the spend of €137k by the Council, Tommy remarked, “I wouldn’t believe those figures” and pointed out that labour was not included by the local authority when collating the amount.

“In my view it was a waste of money, they put up electrified speeding signs and one of them hasn’t been lighting in the last 12 months,” Brennan stated. “There was no need of them at all, we have no problem with a cycle lane but all the paraphernalia there was no need for it. If you look from Clarecastle to Latoon there is a cycle lane all the side of the road but marked with yellow lines, there was no need for those bollards and armadillos to be put down, they serve no purpose whatsoever”.

A former Mayor of Ennis, Tommy confirmed that his house has yet to be visited by any canvassers or candidates running in the 2024 local elections. “They haven’t come here yet or be seen here since the bollards went down, I don’t know what reception they will get if they do decide to knock on the doors around here”.

Niland’s Gala Store

Sinn Féin announce Martina Cleary as Killaloe MD election candidate

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SINN FÉIN have scooped a strong first-time candidate to contest the local elections in the Killaloe Municipal District in the guise of founder of the Clare Pyrite Action Group, Dr Martina Cleary.

Party officials have been doing their utmost to stay tight-lipped on potential candidates in advance of the June 7th elections and Dr Cleary beat them to the post when announcing her candidacy in the end of an interview with Clare FM on Thursday. This announcement caught Sinn Féin officials on the hop who had not planned on confirming Cleary’s candidacy as of yet and it comes before nominations even opened. It is unclear if the Crusheen woman was rebuked by party officials for this. Dr Cleary had committed to do an interview with The Clare Echo on Tuesday morning but cancelled and has not been able to field requests since.

Although Dr Cleary announced she was the selected candidate, Munster Cúige of Sinn Féin issued correspondence that they would be selecting one local election candidate in the Killaloe Municipal District and that it had to be a female candidate with nominations opening on Monday March 25th at 7:30pm and closing on Saturday March 30th at 7:30pm.

In 2020, Martina founded the Clare Pyrite Action Group which

she has chaired since. She led the lobbying efforts that resulted in the inclusion of Clare and Limerick in a €2.7bn defective concrete blocks redress scheme.

Dr Cleary in a statement online announcing her candidacy outlined, “Among my top priorities will be continuing the fight to ensure homeowners in Clare impacted by Defective Concrete Products, have timely access to a working grant scheme to help rebuild their homes”.

She has flagged emigration as another key issue and referred to her time living in Finland for 13 years. “I was an economic migrant, I lived in Finland for 13 years and felt pushed out of my country, there were no options. Eventually I got a job in North Clare and was able to move back. Our young people deserve better than that, and we need them here to help to fix the problems we have whether it’s in health, housing, education or any of the other issues”.

Sinn Féin themselves have announced Martina as their candidate in a statement issued to local media. This PR piece also referenced her time as a union representative for 65 colleagues in second level education where she “secured €4.2 million to improve their pay and conditions. I’m very strongly committed to advocacy and helping people. Being involved in education and the arts, I’ve been involved in a lot

of community-based projects and groups, for example working with the elderly in the Kilkeady community, looking at memory, place and belonging. I worked with Clare Women’s Network on a community-based project on gender-based violence. I’m also a Teachers Union of Ireland rep in the Technological University of the Shannon, where I am a lecturer”.

According to the Sinn Féin statement, Martina said she “always supported Sinn Féin and I joined the party four years ago”. She added, “When the pyrite problem emerged, I had a certain amount of experience in how to lead a campaign, organise people and see a project through. But the first Irish politician I ever spoke to was Rose Conway Walsh, the Sinn Féin TD for Mayo and I was very inspired by her professionalism.

“When I spoke at the Oireachtas Committee hearings on pyrite, I was lucky to meet Eoin O’Broin, who is the most inspiring living politician in Ireland in my opinion and of course, Mary Lou McDonald. She visited Clare and spoke with homeowners and what inspired me was the accessibility of Sinn Féin politicians, how down to earth they are, their compassion and respect for people. When all the Mica / Pyrite campaigns were working on amendments, pre-legislative scrutiny and everythingthat was all Eoin O’Broin’s work”.

Cllr O’Gorman says Pyrite Chair ‘turning her back on the people she represents’ by running for Sinn Féin

A FORMER Mayor of Clare has said the founder of the Clare Pyrite Action Group is ‘turning her back on the people that she represents’ by running for Sinn Féin as a local election candidate, writes Páraic McMahon

Dr Martina Cleary (SF) has been announced as Sinn Féin’s candidate in the Killaloe Municipal District for the local elections. She founded the Clare Pyrite Action Group in 2020.

Cleary’s move under the Sinn Féin banner comes on the same week that a new political party which is campaigning for 100% redress for homes affected by defective blocks confirmed four candidates who will run in the local elections in Donegal. The 100% Redress party said its major focus is on “securing a genuine 100% redress scheme for all those affected by defective concrete products” but it will also be campaigning on housing, health and tourism.

After Martina announced her candidacy on social media, Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) commented, “I am very sorry to see you turning your back on the people that helped you and all the people that you represent” to which Cleary replied, “I’m

doing no such thing, I have no idea what you mean”.

When questioned by The Clare Echo on his comments Cllr O’Gorman explained, “I’d be of the belief that if she wanted to help the people that have pyrite in their homes then the best way wouldn’t be running for Sinn Féin. From talking and listening to Sinn Féin people that have left the party, they have said they can’t express their opinions and feelings, I’d be of the opinion that if she wants to do a job for the people that she is representing that she might not be able to do that as a Sinn Féin councillor”.

He said, “If the job that she wants to do is look after the pyrite plight I think either as an Independent candidate or a pyrite specialist candidate would be a better option”. He stressed that none of his views were personal against Martina.

On whether he would have criticised the move if she ran for Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael, Cllr O’Gorman stated, “really Fianna Fáil is Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael is Fine Gael, we do our own thing”.

Cratloe based O’Gorman voiced his disappointment with Dr Cleary’s interview on Clare FM discussing the pyrite redress scheme which

saw her announce her intention to contest the local elections and criticise sitting councillors. “I thought it was very disingenuous to do an interview on Clare FM and not give any praise to any councillor, we put in motions and organised workshop meetings, it was as if she was saying we have not represented the people. I’d be on the phone to tell people when these workshop meetings were on and I even brought one man to Ennis to get help filling out a form with his application. Listening to her interview it was as if councillors didn’t do a tap”.

“From my own point of view it was very disingenuous for people listening on Clare FM three months out for a local election that she would paint all councillors with the one brush that we didn’t do a tap, in fairness to the person interviewing her, he (Darragh Dolan) gave names of the people submitted that have submitted motions such as myself and Gerry Flynn,” O’Gorman concluded. Martina was not available for comment when contacted by The Clare Echo

lDISAPPOINTED: Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF)

lPYRITE: Dr Martina Cleay

Photo by Natasha Barton

Supporting Daffodil Day in Ruan Ruan Senior Ladies brightened up the March weather by supporting the Irish Cancer Society on Daffodil Day, outside the XL shop

Local election candidates criticise Ennis 2040 plans

TWO challenging candidates in the Ennis Municipal District for the local elections on June 7th have slammed the proposed plans for Abbey Street car park as part of the Ennis 2040 Strategy, writes Páraic McMahon

Hilary Tonge (SD) who is bidding to become the first Social Democrat councillor in Clare has expressed serious concern about Clare County Council’s use of Designated Activity Companies (DACs) to facilitate community development.

She called on the Council to halt all DAC projects until the DAC structure had been independently examined and further called on Cllr Mary Howard (FG), Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) and Cllr Ann Norton (IND) who sit on the board of Ennis 2040 DAC to clarify their positions. “If elected, I can guarantee the people of Ennis that I will not form part of a DAC or any other structure if I feel it might impair my capacity to perform my role as a councillor”.

Tonge added, “The Abbey Street proposals have raised questions about the functioning of DACs that are so serious they can really only be considered alarming. Is it appropriate for community land to be set aside for commercial development without prior community consent? Can sitting members of Clare County Council also sit on the board of a DAC without a conflict of inter-

ests? Who exactly is responsible for the DAC’s liabilities,” she questioned.

Hermitage based, Antoinette Bashua Baker (FF) who is running for Fianna Fáil said the plans for Abbey Street car park are at odds with the County Development and the KPMG Clare Retail Strategy 2023-2029. She claimed, “I have been told that the building is going here because the site is free. Hardly a sound town planning reasoning and completely at odds with the County Development Plan”.

Antoinette said, “I haven’t met many people who agree with building on Abbey Street carpark. Is it not time to listen to the businesspeople, their customers and the town users? Is it time to listen to the elderly and the disabled who need access to the centre of town? Yes, we want the town to develop, to grow, to evolve. Yes, we want to refurbish our vacant sites and upgrade our local amenities. But not at the expense of our existing carparks, our green spaces, civic spaces, and our business stakeholders”.

According to KPMG's Retail Strategy survey, 81% of participants identified car travel as their preferred mode of transport, underscoring the significance of parking for consumers. She questioned “will losing Abbey Street and Parnell carparks kill the town we are trying to fix?”

COO of Ennis 2040 DAC to be asked to appear before Council meeting

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CHIEF Operating Officer of the Ennis 2040 DAC, Kevin Corrigan has been requested to come before elected members of Clare County Council.

A commitment had previously been given by senior officials in the Council that the COO would give regular reports to elected members regarding the Ennis 2040 strategy.

At the June 2021 Council meeting, Chief Executive of the Council, Pat Dowling said the COO would report directly to him and also report to elected members.

Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) has tabled a proposal for the Council’s April meeting asking that the COO attend “to allay members concerns and to provide a detailed report on all expenditure since the formation of the Designated Activity Company together with

inter alia what steps are taken to protect the commercial footfall affecting existing retail units opposite both Abbey Street and Parnell Street carparks. In the interest of Compliance and Transparency please provide details the procedure used in appointing the current Board Of Directors”.

Elected members had flagged concern with The Clare Echo that the top brass of the local authority would organise a behind-closeddoors workshop with councillors and Corrigan which would preclude the attendance of the media.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr O’Callaghan expressed confidence that the COO would come before the May meeting after his proposal is discussed next month. “I am simply coming back to the minutes where it clearly stated that the officer would be brought into the Chamber, I’m now asking for that to be brought to the fore, I’m also asking for a de-

tailed breakdown of the €2.2m spent to date”. He said he could not see any reason why his proposal would not be put to the floor at next month’s meeting.

He added, “My concern from the very beginning has been on the lending, in a normal commercial sense you have to have some security and I don’t see that, if it’s a case where

we default, I can’t see any income coming from any assets, if it is a default then it is on the hook of Clare County Council at a loss of €10m and could that be recouped by the people with increase an increase on the local property tax”.

O’Callaghan said, “The problem I keep coming back to that is it is a highly speculative company, there’s references to other DACs which are a different operation because they are operational companies but to me this is a highly speculative property development company which I believe is high risk”.

“We know the public are not in favour of taking over the civic space at Abbey Street but we are still driving forward with this. I’ve not seen any feedback from the public consultation for these plans and I think the public are entitled to get some of that feedback,” he concluded.

l Kevin Corrigan Photo by Natasha Barton

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Judge jails balaclava covered knife wielding robber

A JUDGE has imposed a two year prison term on a balaclava-covered knife wielding robber after he made away with €265 in cash from a BoyleSports outlet on the eastern outskirts of Ennis, writes Gordon Deegan

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford imposed the two year prison term suspending the final 12 months on cocaine addict Dylan Considine Kelly (23) of no-fixed abode.

Mr Considine Kelly has been on remand in custody and Judge Comerford back-dated the sentence to October 27th last.

CCTV footage of the robbery was played to the court of Mr Considine Kelly entering the Boylesports outlet at Roslevan, Ennis at around 8pm on April 5th 2022 disguised wearing a balaclava and armed with a knife.

Judge Comerford said that Mr Considine Kelly - who pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery - was armed with a weapon “that had the potential to cause significant harm”.

Judge Comerford said that Mr Considine Kelly made “a very threatening gesture of attempting to jump over the counter”.

The traumatised manager at the Boylesports outlet on the evenng in question, Killian McDermott left his job the fol-

lowing week arising from the incident.

Judge Comerford said that it is understandable that Mr McDermott left his job after the robbery.

In his victim impact statement, Mr McDermott stated that the aftermath “left me with some fear and took some time for the fear to go away”.

Mr McDermott stated that on the evening he was “in a state of shock” but managed to keep his wits about him.

Mr Considine Kelly had no previous convictions for this type of criminal behaviour.

Counsel for Mr Considine Kelly, Patrick Whyms BL (instructed by solicitor, Daragh Hassett) said that his client carried out the crime to pay off a drugs debt.

Mr Whyms said that at the time Mr Considine Kelly was spending €500 per week to finance his cocaine addiction and his legitimate weekly income totalled €129.

Mr Whyms stated that Mr Considine Kelly indicated the night of the robbery he handed over the €265 to people he owed for drugs.

Det Sgt Noelle Bergin said that Mr Considine Kelly “doesn’t have a current address and his family have somewhat disowned him after trying for a number of years of trying to put him on the right path”.

Det Sgt Bergin said that a Roslevan householder found clothing discarded by Mr Considine Kelly in his garden and the clothing was tested by Gardai and Mr Considine Kelly's DNA was found on it.

Det Sgt Bergin said that at Garda interview, Mr Considine Kelly said that he felt terrible and sorry for his actions.

Det Sgt Bergin stated that Mr Considine Kelly was “very remorseful and couldn’t believe he could wave the knife like that and put the man in fear”.

Mr Whyms stated that Mr Considine Kelly’s descent into very poor behaviour was as a result of desperation for money for drugs.

Mr Whyms stated that on the day the accused has consumed three trays of benzodiazepines.

He said that Mr Considine Kelly’s motivations were from his financial difficulties from drug taking.

Mr Whyms said that his client “had no intention to harm anyone”.

Mr Whyms stated that his client is “very remorseful” and “is very sorry for what he has done”.

Activist group make ‘compelling case’

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ACTIVIST group, Friends of Ennis Hospital have said the newly appointed HSE Regional Executive Officer has acknowledged the ‘compelling case’ for the restoration of services in Co Clare.

In December, Sandra Broderick was appointed as the HSE’s first Regional Executive Officer to head the new health authority in the Mid-West.

On Friday, she held an online meeting with Friends of Ennis Hospital. The meeting was arranged by Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) with Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) among those attending online.

Topics discussed included Shannondoc, the shortage of GPs, the National Ambulance Service, the planned increase in hours for the MAU in Ennis and the current situation in UHL.

Friends of Ennis Hospital detailed that the closure of three emergency departments in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s in 2009 and the planned reconfiguration of services “has failed and we think that has been accepted by all concerned”.

A spokesperson for Friends of Ennis Hospital told The Clare Echo, “It was acknowledged at the meeting that the provision of an Emergency Department cannot be safely provided in a Model 2 hospital and there is neither the political will nor the finances available to upgrade all three hospitals to model 3 status. It has been our feeling for some

time that there exists a very real possibility that the HSE will have to provide a second emergency department in the Midwest region and we feel it is our duty and responsibility to the people of Clare to press for that facility in Ennis”.

During the meeting, Broderick acknowledged that the briefing document provided by the group makes a compelling case for the restoration of services in Co Clare.

She confirmed that the HSE have committed to review data available to see if there is a case for extending the opening hours of the local injury unit at Ennis hospital.

Feast of Easter family activities at Bunratty Castle and Craggaunowen

A COMPREHENSIVE Easter programme of family-friendly activities and entertainment for all ages have been announced for Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and Craggaunowen.

This Easter Bank Holiday weekend, the popular Clare visitor attractions will come alive with everything from circus acts to storytelling and train rides to living history re-enactments.

On Saturday, March 30th and Sunday, March 31st from 10.30am to 5pm, visitors to Bunratty will be greeted with treats from the Easter Bunny who will award a special prize to the person wearing the most creative Easter costume.

The Wobbly Circus will keep visitors entertained outside the Tea Rooms with a showcase of fire-juggling, unicycle and circus skills, while Garry Rossiter will be combining juggling, comedy, audience participation and danger through knife juggling, fire eating and stilt walking.

Origins of one thousand years of settlement at Bunratty Castle will be brought to life as members of the public get to witness a Norman encampment up close and personal, experience the sights, sounds and smells of Norman knights on campaign, and hear their stories of how they fought and sought to conquer

the island of Ireland.

Traditional skills of times gone past also will be on display. Visitors to the park will witness first-hand how farm tools are made and hear about the history of blacksmiths in Ireland and the important role they once played in the community. At 2pm each day, the Bean an Tí will showcase the art and traditions behind Irish baking as the aroma of freshly baked soda bread fills the interior of the Golden Vale Farmhouse.

There will be traditional Irish music sessions and Seanchaí Mickey Joe will entertain and enthralls visitors with tales, traditions and entertaining anecdotes in J.J. Corry’s Pub. Visitors also can hop on board The Bunratty Express and enjoy a magical train ride through the 26-acre folk park and woodland passing by the fairy village, the Georgian-era Bunratty House, Ardcroney Church, and paddocks that are home to Irish Red Deer and other native breeds.

The Easter Bunny takes the short hop from Bunratty to Craggaunowen where there will be further fun activities on Easter Monday from 1pm to 5pm. Entertainment, including puppet shows, magic tricks, dancing, will be provided by Konor the Clown, and stories of Irish mythology and bygone

days will be recounted by Caoimhin the Celt, Finegas the Druid and Seanchaí Mickey Joe in Craggaunowen Castle.Meanwhile, local craftsman Jack Pinson will present a traditional woodworking showcase in the ringfort where which he will demonstrate the ancient skill of timber craftwork on the traditional

pole lath. Adrienne O’Flynn, Sales and Marketing Manager for Clare Tourism East said, “Easter is always a special and busy time for Craggaunowen and Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, and this year we have put together an exciting entertainment programme for both attractions.

We look forward to welcoming people from near and far, particularly younger visitors looking to kickstart their mid-term break in style”.

See www.bunrattycastle.ie and www.craggaunowen.ie for Easter Event 2024 ticket details. Early booking is advised.

l HOPPY DAYS: Ollie and Billy Fitzgerald from Clarecastle pictured outside the Golden Vale Farmhouse at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park Photo by Brian Arthur

Quilty’s Joseph Woulfe phones Independent candidate in

In 2019, Joseph Woulfe almost defeated Cllr Ian Lynch when receiving more first preference votes. With LE24 beckoning, the Quilty man has thrown his hat back in the ring. Páraic McMahon reports.

JOSEPH WOULFE (IND) has confirmed he will be contesting the local elections in the Kilrush local electoral area as an Independent candidate.

Fixing the deteriorating road infrastructure has been flagged by Joe who said “some of the roads have potholes that are so big you could wash yourself in them, there’s some seriously big potholes that need to be tackled as soon as possible”.

Having contested the 2019 local election and 2020 General Election, the barber and farmer from Quilty is hoping it will be a case of third time lucky when he goes before the people of West Clare.

Indeed Woulfe’s showing in the 2019 local election almost saw him defeat the outgoing Cllr Ian Lynch (IND), he received more first preferences than Lynch but when it came to the sixth and final count he was behind both Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) and the Kilrush man neither of whom reached the quota of 1,530.

When it came to the 2020

General Election, he polled 1,218 first preferences and was eliminated on the fifth count with the bulk of his transfers assisting Michael McNamara TD (IND) and Violet Anne Wynne TD (IND) who was then flying under the Sinn Féin banner.

Before announcing his intention to run for the first time in an interview with The Clare Echo, Joseph had been canvassing on the quiet to gauge the temperature of the public in Seafield, Connolly, Inch and Kilmaley. “This time I went canvassing first to see what the vibe was, I didn’t make it public that I was running, I went canvassing and I met people in rural areas, people remembered me and wished me best of luck and said they would back me, from that standpoint I decided I’d go

full steam with it. People are active early with this election, with the weather being so bad I haven’t been out as much”.

He added, “The last time I had only canvassed for four weeks, it was very short. I thought perhaps other people would run in the area, I didn’t feel confident that I’d make an impression but when I got going I felt the momentum and the growth”.

“ Some of the roads have potholes so big you could wash yourself in them

Over the past five years, he has featured occasionally in the media, particularly when it comes to farming matters but he said he has been paying a close eye on matters locally. “I’ve kept up with what is happening on the locality, funnily enough people think I was elected and often contact me on housing, roads and footpaths, I help them

out if I can or I point them in the direction of the elected councillors. On the farming side of things, I’m still Chairman of the Beef Plan and

I’m promoting increasing the income for farmers and improving their livelihood and future generations of the enterprise which is worth

€300m to Clare”.

Momentum of the Beef Plan is not as strong as it was when he was last contesting an election “because the

Moroney resigns from Fianna Fáil to run for

PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

MATT MORONEY (IND IRE) has been confirmed as Independent Ireland’s first-ever candidate in Clare.

Broadford native Moroney has tendered his resignation from Fianna Fáil to contest the local elections for the new party founded by rural TDs Michael Collins (IND IRE), Richard O’Donoghue (IND IRE) and Michael Fitzmaurice (IND IRE).

Last June, Matt contested the selection convention for Fianna Fáil as they opted to go with the sitting trio of Cllr Pat Hayes (FF), Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) and Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF). Efforts to get added to the party ticket subsequent to this via party headquarters were unsuccessful despite additions of further candidates in the Ennis Municipal District and Shannon Municipal District where there had also been contests.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Matt explained, “Since the convention I was weigh-

ing up my options, I like the simple approach that comes with this party, the three lads who set it up are straight forward, they really want to make change and you know that from talking to them. There is no whip system in the party which allows candidates to remain fully independent on the issues that matter to them or they want to solve without a party dictating that you can do this or do that”.

Fianna Fáil did not want him as a representative, Matt felt. “Since day one and I announced I was contesting the convention I wasn’t wanted, the run-up to the convention and after convention there was a process called the NCC process to get added to the ticket, I knew it wasn’t going to happen and there was some political interference which didn’t help the situation. They didn’t want another candidate in the area which was clear, I thought it was unfair that the choice was taken from the people who wanted change and they are not happy with the way current things are, it was time to walk away then because it was no longer a party I could stand for”.

On the “political interference,” he said, “It

was probably politicians (not officers) and I don’t want to elaborate much into it, it is fairly clear from the public who has been behind the interference, it is in the past”.

Although he has tendered his resignation as a party member with Fianna Fáil, he has yet to receive a response from party headquarters.

Last month, Moroney had called for the Chairman of the Fianna Fáil Comhairle Dáil Ceantair in Clare, Mike Enright (FF) to step down over his comments towards the party’s only TD in Clare, Cathal Crowe (FF), “I think maybe it might be no harm if he went to Mothercare and got a soother it might help him a small bit”.

Matt admitted that if even a change in personnel may not have made him stay with the party. “To be honest it is hard to know, the organisation has gone stale in Co Clare, we’ve had no AGMs, any time a meeting has been looked for it has been ignored, it’s hard to stay in an organisation which won’t listen to its grassroots members, that’s why I decided to get out because it is going nowhere as a party and I’ve no ill-feeling towards it”.

A suckler farmer who works in the Arrabawn Co-op in Bridgetown, Matt said his initial aspiration to be a strong voice for Broadford on the Council remains. “That is still a main priority but also for the entire Killaloe MD, we can lose sight of things and see that there are bigger things happening in the area but lose sight of the small things ging on, a lot of the bigger things are coming from higher bodies than Clare County Council. I want to go to back to basics, listen to people on the ground and see what their issues are and solve them. I want councillors and TDs to hold monthly clinics to meet the people and have the answers before they meet them, we can’t hold our elected reps to account because we can’t get through to them”.

It won’t be his first time going up against Hayes, O’Callaghan and O’Brien and Matt is hopeful the bigger demographic as opposed to solely Fianna Fáil members can lead to a change in his fortunes. “The feedback I’m getting from people is very positive, if you look at the Independent Ireland website and the amount of people who have joined since the referenda, they’ve had enough and are

l Joseph Woulfe at the 2019 election count when he was eliminated on the fifth count

in to run as West Clare

price of meat has gone up,” he explained.

“Everyone doesn’t need a fireman unless you have a fire but in another sense. It

is stronger in the producer group where we’re exporting to Algeria, we’ve traded 50,000 cattle through the producer group, it has got stronger for raising money for farmers in sales but weaker in getting the better price for cattle because the better price can be had”.

Unlike the 2019 local elections, Joe will face increased competition in the parish of Kilmurry Ibrickane with both Michael Shannon (FF) and Therese Doohan (FG) also in the running .

“I can see Michael Shannon’s house from my place, he can see Therese Doohan’s from his place, that’s how close it is”. He said this was a repeat of the 2004 local elections when Shannon, Tim Donnellan (FG) and Christy Curtin (IND) were all in a similar radius.

Three Kilmurry Ibrickane candidates will have both a positive impact in terms of transfers but they will deprive votes off each other.

“It will have an effect, in another respect it will pool votes in this location, when I ran the last time, PJ Kelly (FF) and Bill Chambers (FF) were two strong candidates near to me, the distance to me and the set of people that could vote for me was a further distance. I imagine I can get number two votes off them and vice versa, it will pool votes and I will be transfer friendly,” Joe surmised.

Although he acknowledged to being of a similar “mindset” to Independent Ireland, he said he did not make approaches to express an interest in representing them.

On the issues raised during his early canvass, Joe outlined, “One thing that has come up an awful lot is the hospital and a lot of people are worried about it, it’s not really the job of a county councillor to be fixing the health system but it comes up a lot”.

He continued, “The roads are a big issue, road flooding and the water can’t move with drainage options and it can’t move as quick as it’s coming down”.

Working in both farming and as a barber in D’Barber Shop in Ennis has given Joe an appreciation of meeting and helping people. “The essence of my life has been meeting people, I work in service and retail industry, the buzz I get from this is meeting people and helping them out, working as a volunteer and farming representative is easy because I’ve always been doing it, you’re working with people and it suits me”.

Meanwhile, The Clare Echo understands that bookmaker Dinny Gould is weighing up his odds about running as an Independent candidate in the Kilrush local electoral area.

Independent Ireland

seeking change at local and national level”. He continued, “I am not directly pinpointing at the Killaloe local electoral area or taking a pop at them, I know they do some great work and people are looking that they want change from the ground up, that is the feeling on the ground, it boils over from a national level down to a local level rather than from a local level up”.

Having been three days on a trolley at University Hospital Limerick, Matt said he would be fighting for the reopening of the emergency department at Ennis Hospital. “I’ve been talking to staff and things are very bad, it is something we need not just from East Clare but for all of Clare. I collapsed in Ennis, I was two minutes away from Ennis Hospital but I still had to be brought into UHL by ambulance, I’ve been waiting for tests and it is no wonder the place is overcrowded”.

PICTURED: Deputy Cathal Crowe (FF) and Matt Moroney

The Italian Job: How the movie industry brought Enzo to Ennis

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

ENZO is a name synonymous with County Clareunlikely as that may seem - with no less than five food outlets established here under his name since 1980.

Many Clare romances of the 20th century began at the famous Paddy Con’s Hall in Ennis, now the site of Madden’s Furniture. When a young Italian caterer came to Ireland to work on a movie called Guns in the Heather, the legendary hall worked its magic by pairing him with Ennis woman Nuala Tuohy. Even the Italians couldn’t escape the romantic lure of an Irish dancehall.

The very next day, he brought Nuala to Liscannor where they picked up fresh lobster which they later shared at the West County Hotel. Thus, begins the story of Enzo D’Auria and County Clare.

Enzo (81) grew up on the famous Amalfi coast in a village called Ravello, near Minori. The family hillside home overlooked the Med- iterranean Sea, where Enzo

and his eight siblings would pick fresh fruit and vegetables from their garden, later helping his father to sell famous Amalfi lemons at the market in Rome. “We worked hard,” Enzo tells The Clare Echo. The D’Auria family was “very self-contained”, using their own produce and making their own olive oil, wine and salami. His mother was “an amazing cook, she could make a dinner out of nothing”.

“There were nine children in our family. I was in the middle. There were four girls and five boys, I was the oldest boy,” says Enzo of his very typical southern Italian family, his uncle serving as a Monsignor while his first cousin was a Poor Clare.

A love of gardening, growing and food would be a theme that continued through Enzo’s life and at the age of 18 without a word of English, he followed his older sisters to England where he worked in restaurants including La Dolce Vita in the West End, before being taken on by Cine Food, a catering company that worked exclusively on film sets.

For years to come, Enzo would cook for A-listers on some of the most widely known films in the world including Fiddler on the Roof, Ryan’s Daughter, The Catholic Man, the original Black Beauty, The Mackintosh Man, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Dr Zhivago, and The Wickerman.

Enzo says despite working alongside stars such as Martin Sheen, Britt Eckland, Donald Sutherland and Diane Cilento, to name a few, he was never starstruck. “It was a good job, I was there to work,” he says deadpan, admitting the only actor to leave a negative impression on him was the “very jealous” Peter Sellers.

It was a movie starring Kurt Russell called Guns In The Heather that would change the course of Enzo’s life forever. Filmed in County Clare, Enzo would meet his future wife Nuala here in 1968 and the pair were married within a year. “All the townspeople were taking part in it, it was a big deal. The locals all had jobs, driving or whatever, and local businesses were suppliers,” recalls Nuala.

Enzo would continue to work with Cine Foods for the next decade before settling down full-time in Ennis with his family in 1981.

Nuala explains, “Trofi and Lianda were born in London, and then he was getting tired of the film game, he was always travelling and he had a dream to open a restaurant or a takeaway so we said we’d try here. We started off in Lahinch and it grew from there.”

The family had five food outlets in total, building their business in Lahinch before expanding into Ennis where they opened locations in Abbey Street, Parnell Street, the Turnpike and O’Connell Street. Enzo was welcomed by the community with open arms. He recalls his first visit into the Halfway House pub and asking for the Italian liqueur Campari. Although Frank White didn’t have it in stock, he made sure it would be in there when Enzo returned for a scoop. It was this warmth that ensured by the time Italia ’90 came around, the Italian was shouting for Ireland when Toto Schillaci cruelly ended Ireland’s World Cup dreams.

Enzo and Nuala have four children, Trofi, Lianda, Olivia and Alfonso along with 12 grandchildren. Alfonso runs Enzo’s on Parnell Street, Trofi and her husband Paudie run Enzo’s on Abbey Street while Olivia is in Lahinch. Are they doing a good job?

“Just as good as Enzo,” laugh Nuala and Trofi in unison.

Italian heritage is of utmost importance to the D’Auria family. Their house is named San Trofimena and within it, the walls are adorned with pictures that serve as a reminder of their heritage. “We brought up an Italian family really,” admits Nuala, explaining how at Christmas they cook fish, meat, pastas and salad and celebrate La Bafana, which is a visit of ‘The Old Woman’ leaving gifts on the night of January 5. Last Saturday morning, Enzo was teaching his grandson to make vegetarian lasagne, and he nods with a smile that Italians “are better cooks than the Irish”.

‘Pappa’ Enzo was forced to retire from work over 20 years ago due to ill-health however today his passions in life are still food, growing fresh produce and gardening.

With the help of his grandson Robert and friend, fellow Italian Bill Sorcha, they tend to his greenhouse and polytunnel where kiwis, grapes, nectarines, peaches, tomatoes, lettuce, garlic, courgettes, onions, and berries all grow.

An extraordinary life he led, however it’s an ordinary message Enzo parts with when asked for advice for the next generation of young business people. “You gotta work hard. That’s all.”

l HOME GROWN: Enzo D’Auria tends his garden

Enzo and his wife Nuala

SHANNON NEWS

in association with

‘We’ll meet on our terms and not be dictated to’

COUNCILLORS in the Shannon Municipal District have said they “will not be dictated to by Shannon Chamber”, writes Páraic McMahon Shannon Chamber have sought a meeting with elected members of the Shannon Municipal District in advance of the local elections. In correspondence issued to the Shannon MD, Chief Executive of Shannon Chamber, Helen Downes explained that she was “instructed” to seek a meeting with elected members following a meeting of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “The purpose of this meeting is to discuss issues impacting Shannon that concern us and our members and for which we are seeking resolution”. Both Ms Downes and Shannon President Chamber, Eoin Gavin hold “regular update meetings” with the Council Chief Executive Pat Dowling and acting

senior executive officer in the Shannon MD, Anne Griffin. “Our board feel it is imperative that we meet directly with all elected members to reiterate the issues discussed at such meetings”.

She added, “this proposed meeting with Shannon Municipal District would take place in the Shannon Chamber boardroom in Shannon Airport house on a date and time that suits all parties. As Chambers Ireland will be launching its Local Government Manifesto 2024 in late March, I suggest an April date would be most appropriate, post Easter”.

“Once the meeting is confirmed, I can prepare an appropriate agenda,” Downes added.

A Shannon Stakeholders Group has recently been established by Shannon Chamber “to provide a platform for key stakeholders in Shannon to meet, discuss and share ideas on the betterment of

Shannon in all aspects of living, working and doing business”. The Council’s representative on this is Griffin while the Shannon Community Partnership which was formed last year are also represented.

Discussing the correspondence, Cathaoirleach of the Shannon MD, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) suggested it be held as a special or general meeting “as we do with other groups”.

“I am particularly worried that Shannon Chamber are straying into the mandate of elected members,” Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) commented. “I for one will not be dictated to by Shannon Chamber, they can follow the process of applying to meet us via standing orders like everyone else. We have a public mandate, they don’t,” he added.

Cllr McGettigan’s response that “they could meet us on our terms” was accepted by the members.

Smithstown contribution ‘needs to be recognised’

ORGANISING of a project

to recognise the economic importance of the Smithstown Industrial Estate to the region is to commence, writes Páraic McMahon

Officials in the Shannon Municipal District are to engage with colleagues in the Local Enterprise Office on an initiative to acknowledege the contribution of the industrial estate to the local economy.

This dialogue is to begin following a motion by Cllr John Crowe (FG) who appealed to the Shannon MD to lead a project “to recog-

nise the importance of the Smithstown Industrial Estate to both the Shannon and Mid-West region”.

He highlighted the “huge role” of Smithstown ‘in promoting employment and contributing to the economic success of the area’.

Acting senior executive officer in the Shannon MD, Anne Griffin acknowledged that Smithstown Industrial Estate is viewed “as a key enabler of economic activity for Clare and the wider region. Most of the companies located there are local indigenous businesses creat-

ing valued employment and many have been supported on their growth journey by the Local Enterprise Office. It is proposed to engage with various stakeholders including businesses located in Smithstown/East Park to establish a consensus around how to recognise the contribution those businesses make to our local economy”.

Speaking at the March meeting of the Shannon MD, Cllr Crowe referenced the “fantastic work” the Smithstown Industrial Estate has done for Shannon. “I am looking for some type of monument to recognise what they have done. It is hidden away and I’d like to recognise all the jobs which have been produced out of the area”.

Seconding the proposal, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) commented, “Smithstown makes a massive economic contribution to the area”.

Cathaoirleach of the Shannon MD, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) noted, “There’s loads of small local businesses who support local teams and groups” while Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) informed the meeting “it is where I started off my working life”.

St Caimin’s #ExploreEngineering

2000 school students attended the recent Explore Engineering Showcase in Shannon Airport. St Caimin’s were well represented at the event and 2nd year student Safa Ahmed was delighted to win a laptop. Pictured are Professor Ann Ledwith, UL, Safa Ahmed and Derval Glendon-Garry, Deputy Principal of St Caimin’s CS.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE: Smithstown Industrial Estate

Photo by Joe Buckley

Banner GAA to take on 140km charity cycle

ON THE eve of Clare’s second round tie against Cork in the Munster SHC, the Banner GAA, Ennis and Friends Charity Cycle 2024 will see cyclists pedal from Cusack Park to Cork City, writes Páraic McMahon

This will involve a mammoth 140km cycle in the one day for all involved in what will be the eighth charity cycle organised by the club. The founder of the inspired endeavour was the club secretary, Conall McNulty. He wanted to do something for the non-playing members of the club, which acted as a club fundraiser and also wanted the club to give something back to the community. Close to €45,000 has been raised for local charities since its inception while the club has also benefitted from the monies raised. Clare Cancer Support, Clare Crusaders and a youth mental health initiative being run by Clarecare

and Cahercalla Community Hospice & Nursing Home have been the charities to benefit as a result of the cycles to Kilkenny, Portlaoise, Cork, Waterford, Tullamore and on two occasions Thurles.

Bushy Park Addiction

Treatment Centre is the chosen charity from 2024 with organisers pointing out how it has treated people with addictions issues from all over Ireland. All the charities over the past seven years have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the sponsors, Cyclists, & the general public who

Notes

IBTS CLINIC

have donated funds to the Charity Cycle.

Cyclists involved train every Sunday morning throughout the year, departing Cusack Park at 09:00.

Over the years, the invitation to any leisure cyclist who wished to participate was extended to friends from neighbouring parishes. This year those friends include cyclists from Ballyea, Doora, Barefield, Inagh and Kilnamona.

An online fundraising page has been set up for the cycle where members of the public are invited to make contributions.

THE next Blood Donation Clinic will take place in The West County Hotel, Ennis on Thursday, April 4th, 2024. This event is crucial in replenishing our local blood supply and supporting those in need.

Comhaltas 2030 Prospectus to be launched at Cois na hAbhna next weekend

COIS na hAbhna in Ennis will be the venue for the regional launch of the Comhaltas 2030 Prospectus, on Friday April 5th at 8pm.

Entitled ‘Connecting Communities Through Culture’, the document details the significant contribution Comhaltas Ceolteoiri Éireann has made to the cultural life of the Island since its foundation and outlines a strategic road map for the future of our traditional arts.

Speaking at the national launch of the document at Fleadh Cheoil na Éireann 2023 in Mullingar, Iar-Uachtarán na hÉireann, Dr. Mary McAleese (inset) said, “ This new Comhaltas Prospectus promises us an exciting and ambitious future for Irish culture at home and abroad. Comhaltas knows our Irish cultural heritage intimately, like no other organisa tion.

Comhaltas did not come to draft this with a blank sheet of paper but with seventy years of serious investment in the pro motion and development of our heritage, whether through our language, music, dance, story telling, gatherings, mentoring, teaching, fleadhs, Comhaltas branches and the daily outreach to individuals and audiences across Ireland and

across the world. They have never faltered but have gathered momentum year after year.”

The regional launch is part of a number of free events planned throughout the year for Cois na hAbhna to introduce the Comhaltas Prospectus to the public. Titled ‘AISTEAR 2030’ these events will feature a series of concerts, lectures and archive nights showing the role Comhaltas plays in the cultural life of the community.

Friday night’s event will commence with a reception at 7.30pm, followed by the official launch of the Comhaltas 2030 Prospectus by the Pat Flanagan, National PRO of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by the award winning group ‘Binneas’, holders of the the All-Ireland Gael Linn Siansa title for 2023, with solo performances from Conor Parry and Elmer Clancy. Other acts will include the Croghan Greene Bennis Academy of Irish Dance, Kieran O’Loughlin with the Ceol sa Chistin group and the Francie Daly Set Dancers, All Ireland prizewinners at Fleadh Cheoil na Éireann 2023. This is a free event and all are welcome.

l EPIC JOURNEY: This year’s charity is Bushypark Treatment Centre

Shanaway Bistro officially opens as Hotel Woodstock begins investment plans

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

SHANAWAY Bistro has officially been launched at Hotel Woodstock, offering a traditional dining experience to the people of County Clare.

The newly refurbished Bistro overlooks the first hole at Woodstock Golf Club and is open to customers following a tasteful €300,000 investment by its popular co-owners Seán and Elaine Lally and Choice Hotel group.

Led by their “innovative” Head Chef Billy Butler and catering manager Jeff Howard, the team at Shanaway Bistro has developed a new menu to add to signature dishes such as the slow cooked featherblade of beef, which has gained a cult following at Hotel Woodstock. The bistro offers a traditional menu and a timely addition to the culinary scene in Ennis, with carvery lunch served all day Sunday along with dinner service every evening and breakfast 7 days a week.

Elaine told The Clare Echo that the owners are “very proud of” 100-person capacity Shanaway Bistro. “We’re providing that alternative food option in Ennis, and we're excited to also welcome parties and particularly family celebrations, something which is very important to us."

Speaking at the restaurant’s opening, Mayor of Clare, Cllr Joe Cooney commended Seán and Elaine Lally for their dedication to hospitality, local communities, tourism and employment in County Clare as he cut the ribbon on the Shanaway Bistro.

Recently, Hotel Woodstock was recognised as one of the best places to work in Ireland, ranking 22nd in the country and rating 91% for camaraderie in an independent survey of staff. Speaking at the Bistro’s official launch, Seán noted that their proudest achievement is employing 75 people locally, a team which includes their son Oisín, a graduate of Shannon College of Hotel Management, and daughter Caoimhe, a business graduate and Clare camogie star.

With the exception of the “Covid years”, Hotel Woodstock has increased its profits year-on-year and has now begun the process of reinvesting in the premises. The arrival of Shanaway Bistro will be followed in the next year by a full bar refurbishment, a courtyard upgrade, upgrades within the leisure centre and the addition of newly-fitted bedrooms to the hotel.

Speaking on Thursday evening, Seán thanked the people of Clare for their support in their eighth year of operating the popular wedding venue, before paying emotional tribute to his wife Elaine. He told the packed room that taking Elaine on as business partner at Hotel Woodstock is “the best decision I have ever made".

Seán and Elaine, widely renowned for being ever-present at the hotel, are excited to welcome customers from across the county to their newest offering, as they continue to grow their reputation as a premier family and community destination. “Community is a big, big thing for us. We’ve created relationships with GAA communities, we have customers from the cradle to the grave, people who have been married here and then have the christening, then the sister and brother will get married here,” Elaine added.

Shanaway Bistro is open for carvery lunch every Sunday from 12:30-5:30pm.

l FOODIE FEAST: Pictured at the launch of the Shanaway Bistro at Hotel Woodstock were (clockwise from top): Fiona Kelly with Oisin, Elaine, Sean and Caoimhe Lally; Michelle Lally; Caroline Rushe and Denise Quinn; Regina Fahy, Fiona Kelly, Antionette Kelly Maloney, Anne Marie Russell and John Maloney; Brid and Niamh Dilleen; Mayor of Clare Cllr Joe Cooney and Cllr Alan O’Callaghan

Photos by John O’Neill

l DEVELOPMENT: Athenry, Co Galway

Approval for 139 new homes in Athenry, Portumna & Tuam for €43.5m

has been re-

ceived by Galway County Council to build 139 new homes in Athenry, Portumna and Tuam, writes Páraic McMahon

On Monday, the local authority informed elected members that it has received approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to appoint multi-disciplinary design teams to advance five separate social housing projects. The approved projects are in addition to the 83 homes being delivered in four other housing developments in Ardrahan, Ballinasloe, Loughrea and Tuam, contracts for which were signed earlier this month.

Cllr Liam Carroll (FG), Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council said, “I very much welcome the progress being made under ‘Housing for All’ with the announcement of nine separate housing projects in recent weeks.

The delivery of a considerable number of new housing units in Athenry, Portumna in Tuam will greatly assist with meeting the increased demand for social housing and will help to reduce the housing waiting list in County Galway.”

Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council confirmed that the Local Authority will shortly begin preparation of a tender for the appointment of multi-disciplinary design teams for the newly approved housing developments.

“We are grateful to the Department for approving the advancement of these vitally important developments to design stage.

“With an estimated budget of almost €43.5m, these housing projects will provide much needed homes and will help to revitalise the communities in which they are being developed,” added Mr. Conneally.

Two sites in Athenry have

been earmarked for social housing with 11 units being developed at Cullairbaun and a further 30 units being developed at Gort Mhailor. 63 homes will be developed at Farrannamartin on the Galway Road in Tuam, while 24 units are earmarked for St. Joseph’s Road, Portumna and 11 units for St. Bridget’s Road, Portumna.

According to Michael Owens, Director of Services for Housing and Ukrainian Response, “With the exception of the project at St. Bridget’s Road in Portumna, the developments will be new builds on greenfield sites.

“The project at St. Bridget’s Road will see existing derelict properties being redeveloped for social housing. Some of the properties were in the ownership of Galway County Council while other properties have been acquired over recent years to facilitate the overall redevelopment”.

Galway Council to cut emissions by 51%

SUPPORTING the development of renewable energy projects, promoting a circular economy and reducing carbon emissions are amongst the key targets set out in the newly launched Galway County Council Climate Action Plan 20242029, writes Páraic McMahon

Considered a significant milestone in Galway County Council’s commitment to climate action, the five-year strategy has been developed following extensive consultation across the county over the past 18 months.

The Local Authority says the Plan provides a roadmap for adapting to weather hazards, such as coastal, river and surface water flooding, coastal erosion, heatwaves and drought, which are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity in line with global trends with a wide range of impacts for Co Galway.

A commitment by Galway County Council to reduce its emissions by 51 percent by 2030 and a policy to ensure new public housing and buildings incorporate the principles of climate action in terms of design, services and amenities is included in the Plan. Its vision around climate action in the areas of energy, built environment, transport, circular economy and land use is driven by individual actions.

Other actions include increasing investment in active travel facilities, encouraging local businesses to reduce waste and use sustainable packaging, supporting the retrofit of community buildings, introducing public water refill stations, and implementing and promoting sustainable land use practices to protect biodiversity and combat climate change.

Launching the Climate Action Plan at County Hall, Cllr Liam Carroll (FG),

Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council highlighted its potential benefits which he said, “extend far beyond emission reductions”.

Cllr Carroll added, “The implementation of the Plan will support investment in renewable energy, the circular economy and sustainable transportation, and will create new employment opportunities within the county that will foster economic growth and prosperity. The listening process involved in producing this strategy has helped to identify the goals our county must achieve if it is to make a positive and quantifiable contribution to national and global climate action efforts”.

Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council acknowledged the contributions made by elected members and staff of the Local Authority, as well as young people, community groups and local businesses across the County during the plan-making process. “The delivery of the actions will bring co-benefits such as increased energy security and improved public health and will support our vision of a climate-resilient, biodiversity rich and environmentally sustainable county”.

Eileen Ruane, Director of Services for Environment, Climate Change, ICT. Services and Human Resources said the number of applications received for the recently launched Community Climate Action Fund demonstrates that communities and not-for-profit organisations in the County are “eager to actively participate in building a more sustainable future.”

Copies of the Plan will be available at Galway County Library branches and at https://www.galway.ie/ClimateAction.

l TAKING ACTION: Cllr. Liam Carroll, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, pictured with Alánna O’Brien and Michelle Chiperi Aivazova of the Youth Work Ireland SAUTI-Youth Project at the launch of the Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 at County Hall alongside Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council (second row centre), and members of Galway County Council’s Climate Action Team

Photo by Boyd Challenger

Tributes paid to disability activist Thomas Connole

TRIBUTES have been paid to North Clare native, Thomas Connole following his recent death, writes Páraic McMahon.

A well-known disability activist, Thomas died on February 25th following a long illness, he is buried with his parents, as he wished, in Kilcorney Graveyard in the Burren.

He was born in Kilcorney in North Clare and due to blindness he was sent to Dublin to attend a residential school for the blind at the age of three, an experience which he found very difficult. When he finished school in 1992 he came back to Ennis to find work and live independently. He served for three years as the Chairperson of the Disabled People of Clare (D.P.O.C).

Thomas studied at third level and earned an honours degree in social science at the University of Limerick while also obtaining several diplomas at the University of Galway. For 30 years Thomas was also an active member of the GROW community, a peer support organisation for the promotion of mental health. Here he made lifelong friendships and was a valued support and inspiration to many. He was instrumental in getting the Grow program made available in Braille.

Corofin native Dermot Hayes first met Thomas when they were involved in the setting up of DPOC, their work helped it to become “a radical organisation” in the county “along with the ‘Centre for Independent Living’ which was a National Organisation. We campaigned for rights, not charity and promoted the independent living model. Choice was very important”.

Dermot told The Clare Echo, “More participation and inclusion was our goal. Our mantra was ‘Nothing about us without us’. We travelled regularly to Dublin and other counties meeting and supporting other similar groups. Also we visited the EU Parliament to lobby for Personal Assistance legislation

and funding. Thomas was very committed to our campaign”.

In the 1990s, Thomas got his own house in Ennis and a decade ago he got one of the first Personal Assistance packages via the HSE which enabled him to set up a company with the aid of the late Martin Naughton, his sister Teresa, her husband Raymond and two others. “This was a big breakthrough and was a huge success. It enabled him to employ his own PAs (personal assistants) which gave him more agency and control over his life,” Dermot reflected.

Hayes added, “Thomas was great company on a night out. He just loved to sing and his friends loved this about him. He joined the Ennis Gospel Choir with Fiona Walsh in 2008. He absolutely loved it and rarely missed a practice. Thomas was taken to their hearts as we saw on the day of the funeral mass where they sang some of his favourite songs like ‘’Something Inside so Strong’. Thomas’ sister Brid did a wonderful moving eulogy from the alter in Ennis Cathedral. In the latter days of his life a number of well-known singers and musicians came to visit him to sing and play music, among them was Tommy Fleming. His contribution to the disability movement over the last 30 years was huge.

Speaking at the launch of ‘We Are Human Too’, a book co-produced by the Clare Leader Forum, Gabriellla Hanrahan paid tribute to Thomas. “I hate speaking in public but when Ann Marie (Flanagan) asked me to do this I was really humbled by it”.

She noted that Thomas was laid to rest surrounded by loving family and devoted friends. She said there was an “emotional ambivalence” that had great joy in launching the book but also “immense sadness at laying to rest one of the brave warriors”.

Ennis native Gabriella knew Thomas for over 30 years, “he became one of the bravest and most fearless people I have known,”

she recounted. “Thomas’ weapon of choice in the war against the status quo was the roving mic, who hosted or the venue was never a barrier,” she quipped. In such instances, he became adept at raising his right hand to commandeer the microphone. “Thomas was more than an astute campaigner, he was a grounded, rounded human being, he loved every aspect of human life, he had a wicked sense of humour most particularly when he

‘A boom like a warning from the deep’

SINGER-SONGWRITER Dora

Gola will share her latest track, ‘Humble your Eyes’ with the world this Friday (March 29), writes Elaine Tubridy

The song “is a real musical kaleidoscope. Its lyrics are filled with jungle visions and spiritual epiphany. The choruses boom like a warning from the deep night of the jungle but are sung like a primordial prayer. This track will take you to the deepest and darkest parts of the jungle,” says Dora. Dora’s voice is sweet and lustrous. Tones of Bjork and Billie Eilish are evident. The song’s orchestral score climbs and descends like the amazonian vines never letting up, never resolving the unending quest to find life’s deepest answers in the dark embrace of the wild. This is the 7th single promoting the upcoming album “Dance With Danger. Dora will be opening for Daithi and Paul Noonan’s band ‘Houseplants’ in The Attic, Doolin, this Saturday night (March 30).She will also be taking on a Spring tour around Ireland for the month of April. Visit www.doragola.com for more.

greeted women”. His favourite song ‘Something Inside So Strong’ was sung at the launch by Jessica Coyle in his memory. According to Dermot, Thomas “will be sorely missed”. He saluted his comrade for his great work and said his memory would love in ‘We Are Human Too’ and also the film made by the Clare Leader Forum, ‘Disabled People of Clare 2002’ whichis available on YouTube.

Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the below competitions. Clare County Council will, following the interview process, form panels for the areas set out below from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.

• Executive Planner

Please complete online application form available on www.clarecoco.ie under Careers Section.

Closing date: 12 Noon Monday 22nd April 2024.

• Assistant Planner

Please complete online application form available on www.clarecoco.ie under Careers Section.

Closing date: 12 Noon Monday 22nd April 2024.

• Executive Architect

Please complete online application form available on www.clarecoco.ie under Careers Section.

Closing date: 12 Noon Wednesday 24th April 2024.

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

Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.

Steo Wall pays a visit to ancestral gigging spot of Johnny Doran

by Elaine Tubridy news@clareecho.ie

NORTH Clare musician Steo

Wall paid a visit to Ballynacally last weekend as this month’s featured guest of the Estuary Sessions.

Dublin-born Steo Wall is a direct descendant of Johnny Doran.

Johnny, as locals will know, was a Traveller and outstanding piper from Wicklow, who traveled the the country in the 1920s, staying and playing in small towns and villages throughout the land. He played in Ballynacally at the crossroads, at fairs, and sat on the stone provided outside what was George Chambers’ house. This stone, now a commemoration to Johnny, was unveiled there by George Chambers and the local Comhaltas Ceoltóirí group at the County Fleadh in Ballynacally in 1985. Johnny loved Clare particularly and had planned to settle down there when he retired.

A TG4 production crew also visited the village on Saturday afternoon, as they are documenting Steo’s journey.

“We are truly honored to have Steo perform in the village,” said a spokesperson for Ballynacally Development Association.

Case for public transport infrastructure in Kilmihil and Lissycasey put forward by local Councillors

PROVISION of better a bus shelter in Kilmihil and “safe bus stop” for Lissycasey has been sought by a West Clare representative, writes Páraic McMahon

Staff in the road design section of Clare County Council are to liaise with the National Transport Authority (NTA) on a request from Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) for a bus shelter in Kilmihil.

He also asked that discussions be had with the West Clare Municipal District, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the NTA and Bus Éireann on creating “an appropriate safe bus stop at Lissycasey”.

Senior executive engineer in the Physical Development section of the Council, Anne O’Sullivan stated that bus stops for Lissycasey on the N68 are under review by Bus Éireann who are are presently liaising with Clare County Council, TII and the NTA. “The Road Design Office will request information on the status of the review from Bus Eireann,” she stated.

Speaking on the need for a bus sheleter in Kilmihil at the March meeting of the West Clare MD, Cllr Murphy outlined that he was phoned by “an elderly lady who was drowned wet waiting for the bus, to me that is not good enough, there is massive investment gone into public transport yet here we are with a fine town with no bus shelter in the middle of it”.

Murphy continued, “I’ve seen the benefit of it in Kilkee, it has created a vibrant hub

in Kilkee which wasn’t there before, it was barren wasteland in the middle of an empty town but now it is used”.

“Lissycasey is a personal one,” he said of the request to have a safe bus stop. “A good few years my son was nearly killed by the lack of a bus stop in Lissycasey, getting off the school bus in the middle road, it is not wide enough or lit enough, it is not appropriate in this day and age, Lissycasey is a great hub so where is the facility inside in the middle of town, getting a response to that I’d welcome”. He added, “Just because it is where it is and has been for 50 years doesn’t mean it is the right location”.

Lissycasey representative, Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) thanked both the senior executive officer John O’Malley and senior executive engineer Alan Kennelly for visiting the location with him and examining “the difficulty we had with the existing bus stop by Fanny O’Deas”.

He explained, “we had looked at different sites, one close to the church and other to the creche, a position has been got so we’re into the final stages of it now. I hope a bit of common sense prevails, there is not a high usage of the bus in the area I must admit but even if only one person is using it then it should be there”.

Cathaoirleach of the West Clare MD, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) flagged that several spots along the N67 “could do with a bus stop”. He referenced Shaughnessy’s Cross as one example while acknowledging that some bus drivers have the discretion to stop there and allow passengers off.

In what was the first meeting of the West Clare MD since Lissycasey native Kelly announced he was to retire from politics, Cllr Shane Talty (FF) quipped of Murphy’s courage to table his first motion on Kelly’s home parish, “it is nice to the transition of responsibility for Lissycasey from one councillor to another”.

Kelly replied, “Cllr Murphy must have everything done in West Clare seeing as he’s moving onto Lissycasey”. He told the meeting that the cross by the bus stop is “a historical one” and includes a sign for Dublin.

l ESTUARY SESSIONS: Steo Wall is joined by a TG4 production crew at the Johnny Doran memorial

l ROAD SAFETY: The Cascades, Lissycasey

Lack of connectivity from heart of Tulla to GAA grounds 'a major issue'

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CONNECTIVITY and accessibility in Tulla has come under focus.

In the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029, there is an indication that “within the life of the plan it is an objective to prepare a Local Transport Plan for Tulla”. This aspiration was referenced by acting senior executive engineer in the Killaloe Municipal District, Declan Flanagan when responding to a motion from Cllr Pat Hayes (FF).

Hayes had sought a plan to connect Tulla to Dr Daly Park and O’Callaghan’s Funeral Undertakers both of which are located on the R352 which is one of the main regional roads in East Clare.

As part of this effort to “enhance safety and convenience for pedestrians and cyclists,” Hayes asked that a footpath be constructed connecting the heart of Tulla to Dr Daly Park and the funeral home, to install public lighting along the footpath to ensure safe passage, signage, crossing and adjustments to the existing road layout to accommodate the footpath and a review of the speed limit on the section of road.

Flanagan outlined that Clare County Council has undertaken several schemes to promote Active Travel in Tulla including links with the village to both the athletics track and the grounds of Tulla Utd. “A traffic calming scheme has also been delivered in 2023 adjacent to St. Mochulla's National School. These projects, delivered successfully by Killaloe MD, are all within the 50km/hr speed limit zones and within the settlement

boundary of the Tulla as set out in the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029”.

He acknowledged the County Development Plan aspires to create a local transport plan for Tulla and that sentiments from Cllr Hayes could be explored with the Council’s planning department.

Caution was advised by Flanagan on pedestrian safety. “In terms of the provision of a new public footpath crossing the R352 Strategic Regional Road to the GAA Grounds, Killaloe MD would have concerns particularly in relation to pedestrians, including children, crossing the heavily trafficked R352. Dr Daly Park is located in a rural area and within an 80km/hr speed limit”. He said a reduction in

the speed limit was “unlikely” to be approved.

Speaking at the March meeting of the Killaloe Muncipal District, Cllr Hayes stressed that it was “a major issue”. He continued, “As recently as St Patrick’s Day I was approached by a parent whose child had an incident on the main road. Like Crusheen, Tulla is expanding, it is situated on the main busy road but I think we have to start the process to find the formula to revise this”.

Volume on the road “is very high,” Hayes flagged. “We need to play our role as a local authority, I propose that we review the speed limits on this point where we submit a proposal to the Council to start a process of reducing the speed limit in these areas, while

we all want to go to Ennis quickly and get back fast but there is an amount of people on the road going to the funeral home and the grounds of Tulla GAA”.

“I’ve no problem supporting the motion but want to compliment Tulla GAA on the work they are doing, they have a traffic management plan in place. There was between 1500 to 2000 people at the All-Ireland schools final there last week, there was ten to twelve buses all parked in the grounds,” commented Cllr Joe Cooney (FG).

Previous requests to be upgrade the hard shoulders on both sides of the R352 have been raised by Cllr Cooney. “A footpath could prevent car parking but we have to think of the safety of the people coming up the road,” he added. “We have to think of parking restrictions and we don’t want to restrict them at the moment,” the Mayor of Clare said.

When the All-Ireland schools final was held in Tulla, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) was among those travelling in the vicinity. “There was some amount of traffic last Friday, it was wet and dangerous, it was well managed but you would be fearful,” he highlighted.

Nothing should happen without consulting both the GAA club and the funeral home owner, Cllr Hayes stressed. He noted that Clare GAA are also looking for a review of the speed limit further up the road by Caherlohan “which is another issue”.

Cllr Cooney told the meeting, “I have no problem seconding if that is what we need today. I would also ask for work on the hard shoulders”. Any reduction to the speed limit would be “fantastic”, he surmised.

RRDF application submitted for Scariff regeneration project Notes

CLARE County Council have submitted the application for RRDF funding for a town centre regeneration project in Scariff, writes Páraic McMahon

Development of a car park plus public realm works in the Market Square and the construction of a multi-service innovation and engagement hub are part of the Scariff Regeneration Project.

In November, councillors in the Killaloe MD agreed to the finalised application which had received 24 submissions from the public since consultation began in July. The project received an allocation of €524,000 in an application for the Rural Regeneration Development Fund in January 2022.

Senior planner with Clare County Council, Brian McCarthy confirmed that a “significant” RRDF application has been submitted by the local authority to the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Speeding from Mountshannon to Tuamgraney had been flagged by Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) with the senior planner advising that colleagues in the design team of the County Council were looking at “a variety of measures on traffic calming and increased mobility”. He said a finalised design would be prepared by the end of 2024 and would be delivered in tandem with the regeneration project for Scariff that will ‘enhance’ the market square.

Short-term measures need to be applied, Cllr Hayes stated. “I’m not happy we’re not doing something in the shortterm, put up road markings or something to improve the connectivity,” he replied.

At the March Killaloe MD meeting, Cllr Pat Burke (FG) asked the Council to upgrade or paint the road markings in the centre of Scariff “including the disabled driver space outside of Scariff Medical Centre”.

Acting senior executive engineer in the Killaloe MD, Declan Flanagan advised that the RRDF category 1 funding application is “for a significant town centre regeneration project which includes the upgrading of the public realm and car-parking provision in the town centre of Scariff. Subject to the receipt of RRDF funding, works will involve new road and footpath surfac es, enhancements to parking arrangements and layout and improvements to pedestrian and accessibility.

“It is also noted that Uisce Éireann also have been per mitted a Road Opening Li cense for the installa tion of new water mains from The Market Square junction with the R-461 Feakle Junc-

tion to Church Street. On both potential projects, line markings will be altered or changed. Whilst in general, there is merit in awaiting the completion of the public realm enhancements and water mains work prior to upgrading existing line markings, in the interim having regard to the medical and accessibility issues raised in this Notice of Motion, Killaloe MD will commit to line marking works adjacent to the medical centre and STOP text and line markings on approach roads at Market Square as soon as possible”.

Cllr Burke expressed his hope that the RRDF application would be successful. “The line markings are well worn, it is the centre of the town and where pedestrians are crossing, I was up there crossing the other day myself”.

Improving the line markings are “vitally important,” Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) stressed. “I did raise an issue when the supermarket in Tuamgraney closed a few months ago, it is not a public car park but is used a good bit,” he said of the further deficit of car parking in the locality. “Nilands is a big loss,” Cooney added.

LIVING WELL PROGRAMME

HSE Mid-West Community are running the ‘Living Well’ programme, a free of charge self-management programme for people with long term health conditions or their carers. The programme, which is ran in a relaxed and friendly manner, addresses topics such as fatigue, sleep, pain, stress, physical activity, healthy eating, difficult emotions, low mood, depression and general wellbeing. It takes place over 6 weeks, 2.5 hours per week with up to 15 people on the programme. A programme will commence in Raheen Community Hospital, Tuamgraney on Friday April 19th @ 10.30am to 1pm and continues to Friday May 24th inclusive. Prior registration is necessary, call Philip at 087 1799396 or Grace on 061 461362.

BEACH SIDE STORY

THE cast and crew for Sixmilebridge Youth Club are all set to entertain audiences with their upcoming performance of 'Beach Side Story', which takes to the stage over the next few days. The musical tells the tale of two friends (Brady and Mack) who are transported into the set of a 1960s film in which two rival groups of surfers and bikers contest a turf war over their favourite diner.

There will be three performances of ‘Beach Side Story’ in Sixmilebridge GAA Hall, with opening night next Wednesday 3rd April, followed by Thursday 4th and Saturday 6th. All three performances have a 7pm start. Tickets are available from local shops and cost €10. People are strongly advised to purchase their tickets in advance in order to avoid disappointment.

l Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) Photo by Eamon Ward

l Dr Daly Park

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A PREFERRED route for the Limerick to Scariff Greenway will be finalised in May.

Waterways Ireland, together with Clare County Council and Limerick City and County Council are working to develop a Limerick to Scariff Greenway which is expected to cover a distance of 43 kilometres. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and ESB are also involved in the project.

Identified as a signature project in the Shannon Tourism Masterplan, the proposed

greenway would provide a gateway to and from the heart of Limerick City to Lough Derg and the Shannon.

Subject to the selection of the preferred route, the proposed greenway would link Limerick City to Scariff with connections to nearby villages and towns such as Clonlara, O’Briensbridge, Killaloe, Ogonnolloe and Tuamgraney.

Western Regional Manager with Waterways Ireland, Brian Treacy briefed elected members of the Killaloe Municipal District last Wednesday on their progress to date. The

concept and feasibility of the project has been complete with Clandillon Civil Consulting have been appointed to conduct a feasibility and constraints study plus options selection.

A total of 158 submissions have been received since route options were publicly discussed, Treacy outlined.

“Each of those fed into analysis on each of the routes, we have an emerging preferred corridor and preferred route corridor report drafted and reviewed by the steering group,” he said. TII have undertaken a peer review with actions identified as part of this to be addressed over the next four to five weeks.

present this preferred route in Scariff, Killaloe and Limerick. These public consultation events are likely to be held in May. An option selection report and project appraisal report have to be completed plus a tender for phase three detailed design and environmental evaluation.

Cllr Pat Burke (FG) who tabled a motion to receive an update on the Greenway explained, “as a farmer myself and coincidentally farming on shores of Lough Derg by Dromaan Harbour I get calls from farmers either side of Killaloe on this project which led me to put down the motion”.

Primary constraints encountered to date include ecological issues along the River Shannon, Parteen Basin and Lough Derg which have resulted in ruling out the use of riverbanks and shorelines along the Greenway. ESB have flagged concerns in respect to maintenance that may be required for facilities they own.

Not having a link with Inis Cealtra remains an issue, Cllr Burke flagged. “The one thing I’ve always said about this project since it was mooted back in the day is that if somebody gets on a bike in Limerick and gets on a bike to Scariff and asks how to get Inis Cealtra, I think it is stopping short and that is a critical point”. He added, “It is a pity it hasn’t happened and why I don’t know”.

On the R463 “innovative thinking” is required to deal with a cross-section of constraints along roads and existing bridges, Brian flagged such as topography and a vertical gradient on the route between Killaloe and Tuamgraney. “We are trying our best to avoid using private land,” he stated.

Next steps to be undertaken by Waterways Ireland for the Greenway include addressing the additional information requested by TII, finalising the preferred emerging route corridor, holding public consultation evenings to

Momentum behind the project seems to be reducing, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) observed. “There was more momentum the last time you were here but you had to go back to the drawing board because Clonlara and the ESB delayed it in my view”.

Engagement with the farming community is key, he stressed, “I would encourage you to engage with farming bodies locally” and Cllr Burke reiterated this, “if you don’t engage with them they will engage with you”.

Burren Smokehouse invest €171k in equipment and energy efficiencies

A €171,000 investment in new equipment and energy efficiencies has been made by Burren Smokehouse, writes Páraic McMahon

Established by Swedish-born Birgitta Curtin and her Irish husband Peter in 1989, the business produces a variety of products including award-winning cold and hot smoked organic and wild salmon. They also sell popular smoked mackerel and smoked eel products.

Grant aid of €76,900 under the Brexit Processing Capital Support Scheme, recommended by the Seafood Taskforce established by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD (FF) supported the investment. Implemented by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the scheme is funded by the European Union under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.

An investment in machinery and solar panels has enhanced the Burren Smokehouse’s efficiency and digital capability, and has reduced its environmental impact.

Birgitta explained, “The grant aid has allowed us to invest, be more sustainable and to take opportunities to improve standards and reduce costs which is critical. New digital equipment, including a digital control panel for the fish smoker, has made processing easier for staff to manage, allowing for scannable stocktaking and integration of website orders”.

She added, “The grant aid really pushed us to take opportunities to make improvements that we otherwise might have held back on. Businesses like ours need to innovate on a continuous basis, but we also need to watch every cent.

The funding from the Brexit Adjust-

ment Reserve meant we were able to take opportunities to future proof our business, and keep efficiencies high, which is essential in an environment where costs are rising”.

Certified by Bord Bia Origin Green and Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark Burren Code of Practice, Birgitta stresses the commitment of The Burren Smokehouse to reducing its carbon footprint, something which has been helped by the investment in solar panels.

“We are delighted with the impact of the investment on our energy efficiencies. The investment has helped us see the light again after the impact of Brexit and Covid-19.

“Our energy bills have been reduced and we are playing our part in reducing our carbon footprint and our energy bills which is in line with our mission to be sustainable as possible”.

l SWEDISH FISH: Birgitta Hedin Curtin

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Go n-éirí an bóther leat – I wish you well, literally “may the road rise with you “

SPRING is in the air at last and Easter is upon us so it seems like the perfect time to have a look at fertility reflexology.

This specific area of reflexology is growing and more people are considering reflexology sessions as a support while they try to conceive.

There are many benefits for both women and men when they have fertility reflexology treatments, also known as reproductive reflexology, while trying to conceive.

It promotes general wellbeing, improves blood flow to the pelvic area, regulates hormones and the menstrual cycle, reduces pain in endometriosis and other issues, can improve sperm count and may increase rates of success in natural and assisted conception.

As I’ve mentioned in previous weeks, reflexology is a holistic treatment that has been around for almost 5,000 years and is a very grounding technique that involves applying pressure to reflex points in the foot that reflect or correspond to parts of the body through zones of energy.

It works by balancing the whole body mentally and physically and this could be a very welcome support during a fertility journey.

On this particular journey a number of lifestyle changes will enhance the possibility of success including diet, liaising with other health care professionals and learning how to manage stress.

Fertility reflexology offers a safe haven of support and treatments are tailored for the woman and the man depending on different factors.

Initially, in the woman’s case it’s about regulating the menstrual cycle and then aligning the treatments with the cycle using specific sequences to correspond with each of the four phases of a natural cycle.

Where there is a cycle longer than 28 days for example, the week two sequence is repeated to support the follicular phase.

In supporting men, reflexology can help improve sperm quality, count and motility.

Reviewing a more up-to-date semen analysis report is advised after a few treatments to watch out for any improvements.

With assisted conception protocols, treatments are tailored even more specifically in relation to each stage which includes support around egg retrieval times and transfer days.

lIN CHARGE: Green Party Representative Bridget Ginnity

Thought for the week: Embracing Love

Spreading the word of positivity

RONAN SCULLY

EACH Holy Week, I try to resist the temptation to rush too quickly to the joyful end of the week without first dwelling on Jesus’ suffering and the full meaning behind embracing Jesus’ cross of love. In his passion, Jesus’ sufferings were unequaled. For the Son of God offered himself as a sacrifice and a gift for all.

CARRYING OUR CROSS

Sometimes there is a lot on our plate. Sometimes it is just too much that we have to bear. It is then that we realize what Jesus meant when he said everybody has to carry or embrace his or her cross. During this Holy week, as we think about Easter and remember the Lord’s Resurrection with all the events leading up to it, we have to take time to intentionally think and feel, or we can easily miss what it’s all about.

As we think about the events of this Holy week so many years ago, there’s nothing more significant, even in all of history, than this, the Son of God taking upon Himself our humanity that He could assume our fallenness and heal our brokenness. He suffered throughout His life on earth to show us how to endure suffering and give meaning to our own suffering and death.

And then He accepted the suffering and death on the cross for us. And all this

He did out of love. Whatever crosses we carry in our lives, whatever hardships we face, we need to know that Jesus is walking in love with us. We are also called to carry His cross with Him, like Simon, the Cyrenian did in supporting Jesus on his way to Golgotha. Carrying or embracing the cross with Christ does not take away the pain or the fear or spare us the disappointments and losses in our lives, but it tells us that our pain is not the last word of the story. God will wipe away every tear. If we carry our cross with him, he will lead us with love to the resurrection. To embrace our own cross and follow Him, is to do the same. The crosses of life are inescapable. We can neither run nor hide from them; if we simply confront them relying on our own strength, we will find that we are weak. The Cross is a fact of life, and there is only one response that does not result in our being crushed: to embrace it in love with the love of our Lord, love of our neighbor including our enemies, and to suffer as co-redeemers with Him for ourselves and for all people.

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS

During this Holy Week, let us take the time to think on these things and all that Christ has done. Let’s reflect on God’s great love for us. It is because of this that we have hope. In essence, taking up our cross is an act of radical trust. A trust that God’s grace is sufficient to sustain us through every trial and tribulation. It’s a trust that the path of discipleship, though narrow and fraught

with challenges, ultimately leads to abundant life and eternal joy.

As the faithful accompany Jesus and Mary throughout Holy Week, they are showing us the meaning of love and Jesus love. Love means self-surrender. Love means handing over your whole self, everything you expect out of life, everything you want and have, all your actions and thoughts and putting it all in God’s hands, to do his will. So, if you feel the stirrings of Jesus’s call in your heart today, I invite you to heed his timeless invitation: “Take up your cross and follow me.”

Leave behind the burdens that weigh you down, and step boldly into the adventure of faith. For in losing our lives for the sake of Christ, we truly find them. Let us be guided by the acronym for CROSS. C- Care for one another with compassion. R- Redirect one’s life to the right path. O- Overcome temptations and offer all struggles to the Lord. SSanctify all actions to seek salvation. S- Serve God with one another and offer sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

As your thought for the week and as Easter Sunday approaches, we need to acknowledge that we are doing our best, from under the weight of all that’s wearing us down. We need now to turn our eyes and gaze to Jesus.

Think of Him on his Cross, overwhelmed physically, emotionally, spiritually and totally beaten. Think of Him with His eyes focused

upward, to the ultimate goal. Jesus is a perfect example of what to do when we feel beaten and bruised. It is a matter of fact that most of us are stuck, whether it be with a particular sin, difficulties in the Spiritual Life, or difficulties in the physical day-today life; and we sometimes lose hope in all of this. The events of Holy Week teach us that there is always hope!

The Cross is truly the throne of Love, Mercy and Hope. Without the action of Good Friday there could be no Easter Sunday and all that it brings. We are a people of the Resurrection, but for every Easter there has to be a Calvary.

Our faith, our hope and our salvation rest on the events of this week. So, if grace abounds, surely it abounds more abundantly during this most Holy of weeks. May we unite ourselves more closely with the crucified and Risen Lord over these days. May the Cross be our protection and blessing, and may the Resurrection be our new life, love and hope. And as we move towards Easter Sunday, let us try to remember all that Jesus went through.

That He prayed for the circumstances to change. And so can we. That He ministered to others in the midst of His suffering. And so can we. That He prayed for those who abused Him. And so can we. That He forgave those who did him harm. And so can we. That He rose from the grave, and brought victory and salvation to the world. So that we might have life, love and hope in the midst of our own suffering. In our weaknesses,

He is strong. In His miraculous resurrection, we have hope and love eternal. And, really, what else do we need? So rise up and never give up on yourself or on others because life is short and we all need a bit of a resurrection experience in our life no matter who we are now and then and when it happens everything falls into place.

So rise up and give your faith a chance this Easter whatever you believe that to be. The true greatness of human life rests not in power or riches but in the love of Jesus, a love which shares, which strives to be close to humanity, particularly those who suffer, and which gives itself to the service of the

Beannachtaí na Cásca oraibh

Macalla an Chláir

LE MACDARA Ó CONAOLA

DIA dhaoibh a Chairde. Tá súil agam go bhfuil sibh uilig go maith / Hi everybody. I hope youse are all well. Ní fada anois go mbeidh ‘’cead’’ agaibh milseáin a ithe aríst! / It won’t be long now until you ‘’allowed’’ to eat sweets again! Is gearr go mbeidh Coinín na Cásca ag fágáil uibheachaí Cásca i bhfolach ar fud na háite do na gasúir / The Easter Bunny will be here soon leaving Easter eggs hidden all over the place for the kids. Coinnigí súil amach don ghrian maidin Domhnach Cásca mar go ndeirtear go mbíonn sí ag damhsa sa spéir an mhaidin sin! / Keep an eye out for the sun on Easter Sunday morning as they say it dances in the sky! Ach ná breathnaigí díreach uirthi! / But don’t look directly at it!

Bígí i dteagmháil linn agus leanaigí ar Facebook agus Twitter muid ag: @macallaanchlair R-phost: macallaanchlair@gmail.com l Uainín

lThe Cross

other. Let me leave you with a famous prayer written by St. Charles de Foucauld called the Prayer of Abandonment which I love to pray each morning.

“Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures - I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands I commend my soul: I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands without reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father.

Amen”

Happy Easter

Imeachtaí/Events:

• 1ú Aibreán – Amadán Aibreán

• Clare FM - Cúl-chaint le Domhnall Ó Loingsigh chuile Dé Sathairn, ag 9am ar Clare FM

• CILL INÍNE BAOITHE - Ciorcal Comhrá san XPO, chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 7.30pm

• INIS – CAINT AGUS COMHRÁ, chuile Dé Luain ag 11am sa gCopper Jug, Dé Céadaoin ag 11am in O’Brien’s, oíche Déardaoin sa Temple Gate (8pm), agus Dé Sathairn i nGlór, 11am-12pm. Déan teagmháil leo ag: caintaguscomhra@outlook. com

• AN SCAIRBH – ‘’Lón i nGaeilge’’, 1-2pm, CHUILE DÉ MAIRT i gcaifé ‘’An Gáirdín’’, fáilte roimh chuile dhuine.

You will need

n 2 whole plaice or lemon sole skin off and roe removed (450500g) each

n 100g butter

n 1 tablespoon caper n 1 lemon n 1 tablespoon chopped parsley n 100g samphire n Cooked clams, mussels or brown shrimp (optional) n 4 tablespoon vegetable oil n 100g plain flour

Make sure to buy your fish fresh and from a local fish mongers. They can skin and prepare the fish for you

Method

1) Heat a large frying pan over a high heat with the vegetable oil that can hold one of the fish at a time.

2) Place the flour onto a large plate. Season the fish with salt and place in the flour and dust on either side removing any excess.

3) Place the fish in the frying pan and do not touch for the first minute. This will stop the fish from sticking.

4) Once the fish is nicely coloured, turn over and cook on the other side for two to three minutes.

5) Transfer the fish into a baking tray and do the same with the second fish.

6)In the same pan, add the butter and move the pan letting the butter form and turn slightly brown. When the butter becomes lightly brown, add the lemon juice and remove from the heat.

7) Add in the samphire, chopped parsley, capers and shellfish if using.

8) Finish cooking the fish in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 5 to 6 minutes.

9) When serving, gently pour over the warm sauce and enjoy.

Blooming in a garden near you

NOW that Spring is in full swing, we have a lot of colour popping up as you walk or drive around. This week, I thought I would share some insight into the plants that are blooming.

The cherry blossom is just magnificent. It can be as a beautiful showpiece in the garden this time of year, and we have a lovely selection available.

The most common variety is the Kanzan, with its beautiful pink flowers that usual-

ly bloom from March onward into April. The Amanogawa is another lovely option, a narrow columnar deciduous tree perfect for small gardens and stunning when in full bloom.

The weeping cherry is also suitable for small gardens, and there are so many available, you’re spoiled for choice.

We also have some shrubs flowering at the moment.

Forsythia, for example, has vibrant yellow

flowers that appear in early spring along its bare branches, making for another show-stopping addition and it grows well in any garden. Ribes, a flowering currant, features lovely reddish-pink tu bular flowers in spring and is a really nice vibrant shrub to have at this time of year.

Magnolias are also in

full bloom, offering yet another showstopper. The colors vary from purple to pink and white. Some varieties include Magnolia Susan, Magnolia Soulangeana, and Stellata, with quite a few options available in stock.

The gardens are really coming alive, so I hope you’re getting inspired by all the vibrant colors or enjoying the spectacle from the comfort of your own home.

Clare Garden Festival launches 10 year Seed Share milestone

APRIL is Garden Festival month in Clare – And this year is going to be the 10 years anniversary of the popular annual festival!

Every year around 3000 people come to Ennis Showgrounds to enjoy a huge garden fair, expert garden talks, entertainment for young and old, great food and crafts on Sunday, the 28th April this year. Of course there will be plenty of celebratory highlights this year which will be announced over the coming weeks.

For starters, the festival organisers are bringing back the much-loved Seed & Garden Share which last took place in 2018 at Ennis Showgrounds on 30th March

3-5pm. Here anything that's garden-related goes - Share your Seed & Seedlings, Barter your Garden Books or Trade your Garden Tools. The event is free and open to everyone. People with large amounts of items to share can contact the organisers to arrange by emailing info@ claregardenfestival.com .

Looking ahead to the big festival day as usual on the last Sunday in April, the focus will be on gardening demonstrations and masterclasses with the theme ‘Food from the Garden’ which are running in addition to the popular indoor expert talks. There will be 3 Masterclasses this year, 4 Demonstrations and 2 Workshops

for young and old. The full programme will be released shortly.

Clare Garden Festival is running in partnership with Co Clare Agricultural Show Society and is held annually at Ennis Showgrounds this year on Sunday, 28th April. The festival is proudly supported by Fruithill Farm, Bord Bia, Clare County Council, Healthy Clare, Visit Caherhurley Nursery, The Clare Echo, Ennis Municipal District, Pobal and LCDC.

For more information see our website www.claregardenfestival.com and for regular update join us on Facebook or Instagram @ claregardenfestival.

ADVERTORIAL

The role of local authority in Irish life

WE’VE been whipping up terrible controversy here in Ennis in the past few months. As we all know, the County Council, acting through a specially created company, is proposing to construct a building on the Abbey Street Car Park.

There’s a lot of opposition to the plan. Businesses are concerned about a reduction in parking spaces; Ennis lovers worry about the loss of a cherished community area; others are troubled about the fact that the project involves the transfer of public lands to private hands. All those who oppose the idea are of the view that they weren’t fully consulted, but the local authority claims it met its obligations in this regard.

And now communications have broken down.

The issue under discussion – the proposed new building – is an important one in its own right. But the dispute points to an even deeper problem which is present in Irish life: the cultural gulf that exists between Irish communities and their local authorities.

The Irish local authority has always occupied

an ambiguous position. The constitution merely ‘recognises’ local government as a ‘forum’ for discussion. Over the years various pieces of legislation have granted local authorities an assortment of powers but never a clear identity. It’s not unfair to say that, for many, local government in 2024 is somehow analogous to that of the Catholic hierarchy forty years ago: it demands to be respected without necessarily earning that respect and it often holds the community to standards it’s not prepared to meet itself. Furthermore, there’s a tendency to impose plans regardless of what people think, like the one to build on the Abbey Street Car Park. Things in Ireland have changed in the past forty years. Many Irish people have lived in other countries and are familiar with how things are administered abroad. Many more have gained similar experience through working for large, Irish based multinationals. The presence of the EU is apparent everywhere in our daily life. The way we do business with each other has improved. We’ve become (exceptions granted) more even tempered. We are reasonable. When

important information needs to be imparted we try to do it in a structured and impartial way.

However, this mode of commerce doesn’t always apply when the local authority is involved. Whenever our dealings include county hall, we have a tendency to revert to how things used to be forty years ago. Decisions are made without structure or clarity and the dynamic of our corporate relations is often characterised by fear and guilt. It’s Ireland – and County Clare – at its least pleasant.

The local authority system needs to change to reflect the type of society that we’ve become. Local government must shake off its similarity to the unfortunate structures of the past and reform itself as an instrument of modern, sophisticated democracy. It must learn to listen but remain anonymous; to act efficiently but invisibly; to be structured yet considerate; in short, to become Irish in the contemporary sense of the word.

lTIME FOR CHANGE: Social Democrats

Representative Hilary Tonge

Last night we had another full moon, the first one in the spring season and we were able to feel a touch of confusion or messy energy in the last day or two.

Don’t worry, I am not transforming my articles into astrology topics, but I am trying to make a point that we are on a planet that rotates around the Sun and spins around its own axis and that creates seasons and cycles, and we are living them and by them every day of our lives. Because we belong to this beautiful Earth, we have our roots in its evolution, and we are totally dependent on this beautiful Nature. As much as the current world wants us to ignore our origins in the hope of fitting in a culture of globalisation and digitalisation that serves well capitalism, we can’t really ignore our human design if we want to be healthy and happy.

Therefore, we can’t ignore the seasons and when it comes to food it is even more important. Recently, in my practice I had a very disappointed mom when she heard me that I said strawberries are not a healthy choice because she was so happy to report that her daughter is making at least one good choice when it comes to food, as she loves strawberries. And I could nearly

hear the surprise screaming in her head: what???? Yes, fresh strawber-

ries out of season are not a healthy food. They can be as organic as the producers want to list on the label on their packaging and grown on artificial clean soil in a green house,

but as long as they are not from the garden, outside, they are forced to grow for the sake of commercial profit. I would encourage anytime to choose a clean, artisan strawberry gem made with little to no, artificial preservatives and using

fruits in season as an alternative to strawberries in the winter. It is much more nutritious than something that is grown against the nature’s cycle.

If we ignore the seasons and we go by what global economy is feeding us, we will end up being victims of the global pandemic of metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases and mental health mess. I am not saying to ignore the progress and to resist the change towards progress, but we have to make a conscious decision when it comes to our own bodies and what we feed ourselves with.

We are heading towards the summer season, and this beautiful island Eire that we are living in, gifts us with so many amazing resources when it comes to fresh food. If your current circumstances don’t allow you to grow your own fruits and vegetables, please reach out to local producers instead of picking your food from the supermarket all the time. If we plan ahead and make better choices when it comes to what we put on our plates, and in our bodies, in the long term we save so much money and we gain our valuable health. It is such a myth that we choose to believe that local, artisan, organic and seasonal

food is more expensive. It is, when you buy once off, and when you are not consistent. But please do a test, go for seasonal and local ingredients for a month, and I will promise you will feel much better, you will feel less tired, you will feel more energetic, you will need less supplements and less medication in long term, and you will be able to save money because you are going to eat less and gain more energy because the ingredients are nourishing and not emptied of nutrients.

Because I know how important it is to feel supported and not alone when we make these decisions, I decided to team up with a local and very passionate wholefoods Chef, Tanya Ranalow and we designed a day masterclass that provides you with the knowledge and inspiration in building your own seasonal meal plan, all the recipes and suggestions and healthy eating strategies in implementing it by cooking some of the meals together. We have few places left for our next Cooking for Life Masterclass, and we invite you to enjoy a beautiful day together with like-minded people in state of the art BIA Innovator Campus in Athenry. Please reach out on info@ authentichealth.ie to book your spot before they are sold out.

lStrawberries

Role of video surveillance in public spaces

IN AN era where safety concerns are paramount, video surveillance has emerged as an indispensable tool for ensuring security in public spaces.

From bustling city streets to serene parks, surveillance cameras serve as vigilant guardians, deterring crime and enhancing safety for residents and visitors alike. In this article, we explore the myriad benefits of video surveillance in public spaces, highlighting its role in crime prevention, emergency response, and community policing.

CRIME PREVENTION AND DETERRENCE

The presence of surveillance cameras in public spaces acts as a powerful deterrent against criminal activities. Research has consistently shown that the visibility of cameras reduces the likelihood of crimes such as theft, vandalism, and assault. Criminals are less likely to engage in unlawful behavior when they know they are being monitored, leading to safer environments for everyone.

CREATING SECURE CITIES

The concept of Safe City projects emerged in response to the growing complexities of urban security challenges. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and increasing crime rates necessitated

innovative approaches to maintain law and order, protect citizens, and safeguard critical infrastructure. Safe City projects aim to leverage technology and data-driven solutions to create safer and more resilient urban environments.

Cities around the world have embraced video surveillance as a cornerstone of their Safe City strategies, implementing innovative projects to enhance public safety and security. One notable example is the “CitySafe” initiative in London, United Kingdom, which involves the deployment of a vast network of surveillance cameras equipped with advanced analytics capabilities. These cameras enable authorities to monitor crowds, detect suspicious behavior, and respond to emer-

gencies in real-time, contributing to a significant reduction in crime rates across the city.

In Singapore, the “Safe City Test Bed” project utilizes video analytics and artificial intelligence to enhance security in public spaces. Surveillance cameras equipped with facial recognition technology and behavioral analytics algorithms enable authorities to identify potential security threats and track suspicious individuals in crowded areas such as shopping malls and transportation hubs.

SUPPORT FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE

In emergency situations such as accidents, natural disasters, or acts of terrorism, video surveillance plays a critical role in supporting emergency response efforts. Surveillance cameras provide real-time situational awareness to first responders, enabling them to assess the scope of the emergency and allocate resources effectively. This rapid response can help mitigate the impact of emergencies and save lives.

Moreover, surveillance footage serves as valuable documentation for post-incident analysis and investigation. By capturing the sequence of events leading up to an emergency, cameras provide valuable insights into the causes and contributing factors, enabling authorities to learn from the incident and im-

plement preventive measures for the future.

COMMUNITY POLICING AND PUBLIC TRUST

Video surveillance fosters a sense of security and reassurance among members of the community, enhancing trust in law enforcement agencies and local authorities. When individuals feel safe in their surroundings, they are more likely to engage in community activities, support local businesses, and contribute to the overall well-being of the neighborhood.

Furthermore, surveillance cameras serve as force multipliers for law enforcement agencies, allowing them to extend their reach and effectiveness in crime prevention and detection. By leveraging technology to augment traditional policing methods, authorities can optimize resource allocation and focus their efforts on areas with the highest security risks.

In conclusion, video surveillance plays a crucial role in ensuring safety and security in public spaces, offering numerous benefits in terms of crime prevention, emergency response, and community policing. By leveraging the power of surveillance technology, authorities can create safer environments for residents and visitors, fostering a sense of security and well-being within the community.

IMAGINE stepping into a realm where cutting-edge medical treatments intertwine seamlessly with heartfelt care and community support. This is the essence of OxyGeneration, leaders of innovation and compassion in the realm of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBOT).

So, what is Hyperbaric Oxygenation? Hyperbaric oxygenation involves breathing high levels of oxygen in a pressurised environment. Within this controlled environment, the body absorbs higher levels of oxygen, igniting a cascade of healing responses. This heightened oxygen concentration stimulates the release of growth factors and stem cells, promoting tissue repair, reducing inflammation, and enhancing overall healing. OxyGeneration harnesses this therapeutic potential to foster accelerated healing and enhanced overall well-being.

What sets OxyGeneration apart is not just its advanced treatment methods but also its remarkable staff and community-focused approach. Stepping into the clinic, one is greeted by a display of

thank-you cards, a testament to the exceptional care provided by the staff. The clinic offers a supportive environment where clients can connect with others facing similar health challenges. With a chamber accommodating up to 14 seats, clients need not undergo sessions alone. This communal setting allows individuals to share their experiences and stories, providing encouragement and solidarity along their healing journey.

The modulatory effects of HBOT on the immune system, its ability to reduce inflammation and pain, and its non-hormonal, non-steroidal approach make it an attractive treatment option for various conditions. The testimonials speak volumes: pain melts away, cognitive clarity emerges, and energy levels soar. From easing chronic pain to addressing neurological disorders, the possibilities are as boundless as the healing oxygen within the chamber. At OxyGeneration, it's not just about receiving treatment; it's about becoming part of a supportive community where healing

happens together. With a blend of advanced therapy, compassionate care, and a nurturing environment, OxyGeneration sets the standard

for holistic healing and community support. Additionally, it's worth noting that Irish Life health insurance recog-

nises the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygenation and covers sessions for a variety of conditions. As trailblazers in healthcare coverage, Irish Life health insurance policyholders have access to this remarkable treatment, further exemplifying their commitment to prioritising the well-being of their members.

Notably, Irish Life health has expanded the list of medical conditions for which they provide coverage this year, demonstrating their dedication to staying at the forefront of medical advancements and ensuring comprehensive care for their policyholders.

To embark on your journey towards better health and well-being, consider booking a consultation with Jennifer to discuss if HBOT is the right fit for you. You can reach out to Jennifer by contacting 091394444 or emailing info@oxygeneration.com. The amazing team at OxyGeneration are here to help and look forward to introducing you to the many benefits of hyperbaric oxygenation.

lBREATHE DEEP: Hyperbaric Chamber

ON MY podcast called EXTRAordinary Women, which has launched in the last couple of months, I had the pleasure of interviewing a lady named Shelley Svoren from the United States. Shelley had worked at the most senior levels in corporate finance and within the aviation sector throughout her career. In recent years she has launched her own company called Infinite Branches, where she continues to work in the investment sector with a vast range of clients.

During our interview Shelley shared some golden nuggets of information relating to always having your own personal board of direc-

tors. By this she meant, as an entrepreneur you won’t have the luxury of having a formal, paid board of directors, but that you do need to seek out people whom you trust who can play these parts when you need them.

This innovative approach involves assembling a group of trusted advisors who provide guidance, support, and expertise to help entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of running a business effectively.

In this week’s article I look at what is needed when building your own ‘board of directors’ whether you are a solopreneur or an own-

er of a small business. Here are some points to consider if you’re thinking of broadening your support network:

1. Think of it as an investment in the future success of the business: Entrepreneurs are often faced with a myriad of decisions ranging from strategic planning to operational execution. Having a ‘Personal Board of Directors’ can provide invaluable insights and perspectives that can help entrepreneurs make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

2. You will benefit from having diverse perspectives and expertise:

One of the key benefits of having a ‘Personal Board of Directors’ is access to diverse perspectives and expertise. Whether it’s financial management, marketing strategies, or industry-specific trends, having a diverse board can provide entrepreneurs with a well-rounded view of their business landscape.

3. No person is an island! You will need mentorship and guidance: Experienced advisors can serve as mentors to entrepreneurs, providing valuable advice, coaching, and support as they navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. This mentorship can be instrumental in helping entrepreneurs develop their leadership skills, expand their networks, and overcome

obstacles on their path to success.

4. Personal-accountability and strategic planning:

As an entrepreneur it is very easy to get distracted by the next shiny object. A ‘Personal Board of Directors’ can also help entrepreneurs stay accountable and focused on their strategic goals. This accountability mechanism can be crucial in maintaining momentum, fostering discipline, and driving strategic planning efforts for long-term growth.

When looking to enlist support, you should consider the following five steps:

1. Identify Potential Advisors: Look for individuals who have the knowledge and experience you need and who have overcome obstacles similar to those you face.

2. Choose Wisely: Select advisors who know more than you in areas where you need guidance and support. Consider a mix of peers, senior professionals, and mentees to provide diverse perspectives.

3. Build Relationships: Establish genuine connections with potential board members by offering support and showing respect for their perspectives and opinions.

4. Communicate Your Needs: Clearly explain why you want their assistance, what their involvement will entail, and how their expertise can benefit you.

5. Offer Value: Show your appreciation by offering support in return, whether it’s sharing your expertise,

making introductions, or providing assistance in areas where you excel.

Finally, it is crucial to have a balance of “challengers” and “cheerleaders” on your board, ensuring that there is a mix of perspectives and support mechanisms. Sometimes your friends and family will tell you ‘You’re doing great’ but they may not know what pitfalls to avoid.

For me personally, as my business evolves from year to year, having a strong support system in the form of a ‘Personal Board of Directors’ can be a game-changer for aspiring and established entrepreneurs alike. I have found the Local Enterprise Office a great starting point and always a huge source of support. Along with this I have friends in business, who are around 10 years down the road ahead of me, and I look to them for advice every once in a while. When you ask for advice, you must be prepared to listen!

By following these steps and approaches, you can effectively attract individuals to join your ‘Personal Board of Directors’ as an entrepreneur, creating a supportive network of advisors to help you navigate challenges and drive your professional growth.

Why not have a listen to the EXTRAordinary Women podcast with Shelley Svoren. You will find the current episodes on YouTube, Spotify and on our website www.obrienlearningsolutions.ie

Newmarket-on-Fergus native Marie appointed CEO of Platform94

NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS woman

Marie Donnellan has been appointed as the CEO of the Galway innovation hub, Platform94, writes Páraic McMahon.

After a combined tenure of nearly 15 years at EY Ireland, where she was first a senior auditor and more recently a director, Marie was announced as the CEO last week and took over the role on Thursday.

Up until May of last year, Platform94 was known as the Galway Technology Centre. The rebrand aimed to reflect the centre’s new vision, and the fact it now caters to the entire western region, and not just Galway.

Since 1994, Platform 94 has supported over 300 companies, facilitated 3,000 jobs, and generated €1.3 billion in value for the West.

A chartered accountant by background, Marie has spent the last number of years working with companies and entrepreneurs in the Mid-West, West and North-West of Ireland. Other than EY, she also had a brief stint at Apple as a financial analyst in 2013-14. In 2013, she was the Rose of Clare and made it all the way to the Dome in Tralee.

She said, “When it comes to business

expansion, we should always be looking through an international lens. Ireland has a world-leading ecosystem for fostering innovation and providing support for startup entrepreneurs. However, when it comes to supporting established innovative businesses to scale internationally, I believe there is a gap in the ecosystem, especially at a regional level”.

Marie added, “At Platform94, we will strive to address that gap, providing businesses with a suite of international scaling support services, regardless of where their business is physically located. I look forward to helping businesses from all over the region, not only in identifying growth opportunities, but in recognising and addressing both internal and external barriers to growth”.

Her appointment comes just weeks after Platform94, previously the Galway Technology Centre, celebrated its 30th anniversary and underwent a €5.2m expansion that saw the size of its Galway headquarters increase to 66,000 sq ft across four floors.

“Entrepreneurship can be a lonely place. At Platform94, our highly talented team can provide those all-important

links, helping businesses and key stakeholders to collaborate, and giving businesses the ideal platform for international growth,” Donnellan added.

Owned by Galway Chamber and WestBIC, the hub was originally set up in 1994 to facilitate emerging ICT businesses in the west as they grew their operations. It works closely with local start-ups and scale-ups as well as other business support organisations based in the west, such as the Portershed, ITAG and CREW.

Currently a team of six, the centre last year launched their International Scaleup Programme to increase the number of successful Irish-founded companies overseas.

Platform94 Chair, David Hickey noted that Marie has “vast experience and a proven track record”. He said, “Her extensive strategic leadership, together with her financial and business development experience in a global-centric environment, will be of massive benefit. We look forward to seeing her lead Platform94 to expand its regional and national scale-up offerings, and to reach new heights in the international technology landscape over the coming years”.

'We have to be happy with the performance but it's onto the next hurdle now as we've a busy few weeks ahead'

ALLIANZ NHL SEMI-FINAL

Clare 1-24 Tipperary 2-13

Venue: Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Portlaoise

Compiled by Eoin Brennan

STORY OF THE GAME

CLARE Frees for: 15 (7/8)

Wides: 12 (5/7)

Scores from play: 1-14

Spread of scorers: 10

Top scorer: Aidan McCarthy (0-8, 6f's, '65)

Bookings: None

Own puckouts won: 24 out of 33 (73%)

REFEREE: Liam Gordon (Galway)

“

TIPPERARY

Frees for: 17 (10/7)

Wides: 18 (7/11)

Scores from play: 2-7

Spread of scorers: 8

Top scorer: Jason Forde (0-6, 5f's)

Bookings: None

Own puckouts won: 24 out of 37 (65%)

MANAGER COMMENT

Brian Lohan, Clare manager

“We showed good touches, great enthusiasm, started really well and took on the game so overall we’re very pleased with the lads.

“We did fall asleep for the first five minutes of the second half but again we responded really well so we couldn’t be happier with the guys, their attitude and what they give to the game.

“I mean they’re all working really hard as a group so really happy with the players and the result.

“You’d have to say that it was unusual to look up at the scoreboard and see eight points to nil against Tipp but from our perspective we were delighted with that start as it was a great early cushion for us.

“We have to be happy with the performance but it’s onto the next hurdle now as we’ve a busy few weeks ahead. We’ve a big panel, they are all training very hard and equally all want to play so it’s a great time of the year to be an inter-county hurter getting these big matches.

“The final is something to look forward to now in two weeks time. It’s been a while since we’ve been in a league final so it’s good for the group and hopefully good for our development”.

Thurles set as venue for league final

CONSECUTIVE CLARE CUP WINS FOR INAMONA, FEAKLE, DOORA/ BAREFIELD & CLARECASTLE

Clare minors set out targets ahead of championship opener

by Séamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles will host the NHL final between Clare and Kilkenny.

A 7:15pm throw-in has been confirmed by the GAA for the league decider on Saturday April 6th.

Manager Brian Lohan will be bidding to win his first piece of silverware as Clare manager. They contested the 2020 league final against Limerick in a tie that doubled up as the Munster SHC quarter-final.

League glory was last achieved by Clare in 2016 while both Clare and Kilkenny last met in the league final back in 1995 when Lohan himself was a vital pillar of Ger Loughnane’s side.

It remains to be seen if Lohan and his management will be tempted to give Shane O’Donnell his first apby Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE DROP DOWN TO DIVISION 1B

The Clare Minor's will begin their challenge for Munster minor football honours at Páirc Naomh Mhuire in Quilty on Tuesday evening next when they entertain the Déise County, Waterford (throw in at 7p.m.)

Clare Minor Football Team manager Dermot Coughlan heads up a management team which includes Lissycasy’s Joe Hayes (coach), Banner’s Pat McMahon (coach), Liscannor’s T.J. Carey (selector), Kilmurry Ibrickane’s Martin Cahill (selector), Kilrush Shamrocks’ Dermot O’Mahoney (selector), Kilmurry Ibrickane’s Peter O’Dwyer (goalkeeping coach), Derry O’Donoghue (video analysis), and Derrick Morris (S&C coach).

Former Clare keeper Hayes was part of Colm Collins’ senior management in his final season in charge, last year.

Tuesday’s game will be the first of three on successive Tuesdays in phase one of the competition. In round two on April 9th Clare will travel to Rathkeale to play Limerick while a week later it will be back to Quilty to face Tipperary. The top two after the round robin games will contest the phase 1 final with the winners of that going into the provincial semi-final.

“This year there is a change in format with the provincial finalists (8 teams) forming tier 1. The new tiered system will see Munster with one team in tier two and this will be the winner of phase 1. The proposal to introduce the tiered competition was well supported by the counties. It provides extra games and it’s all about development”, Clare manager Coughlan explained.

The tiered All-Ireland series will be

over an eight-week period from mid May to the start of July. Tier 2 will take place between May 25 and June 15 while tier 3 will run from May 18 to June 8.

The Clare Minor's have been working hard since the beginning of the year in preparation for this campaign. The squad includes eight players that played last year. They are Eoin Byrne (St. Breckan’s), Aaron Killeen, Conor Hill, Diarmuid McMahon (all Lissycasey), Diarmuid Boyle, the team captain from Doora/Barefield; Dara Townsend, Shane O’Connell (both Cooraclare) and David Cahill (Clooney/Quin).

“The aim is to get out of the group and into the Munster semi-final, something we didn’t achieve last year. Our loss to Limerick in a tie played at Miltown proved costly. The lads have been working hard and we have played a lot of quality games,” Dermot added.

l Diarmuid Ryan earned man of the match & scored 0-1 for the Banner

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

l Clare Management Team - (left-right) Dermot Mahony, Derry O'Donoghue, TJ Carey, Dermot Coughlan (Manager), Joe hayes, Peter O'Dwyer, Pat McMahon, Martin Cahill, and Derek Morris.

l St. Joseph's Doora/Bareifield;s Diarmuid Boyle will captain the Clare Minor Footballers for 2024.

'We need to learn from it and that is the level we need to get to' - Fitzgerald states post Down loss

ALLIANZ NFL DIVISION 3 ROUND 7

Clare 1-10 Down 3-15

Venue: Páirc Esler, Newry

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

STORY OF THE GAME

CLARE Frees for: 10 (7/3)

Wides: 7 (3/4)

Scores from play: 1-5

Spread of scorers: 7

Top scorer: Ciarán Downes (0-4, 3f's)

Bookings: Ciarán Downes (54)

Black Cards: None

Own kickouts won: 15 out of 24 (63%)

REFEREE: David Coldrick (Meath)

DOWN Frees for: 7 (4/3)

Wides: 6 (3/3)

Scores from play: 2-11

Spread of scorers: 7

Top scorer: Ceilum Dohety & Danny Magill (1-2) & Pat Havern (0-5, 4f's)

Bookings: John McGovern (27)

Own kickouts won: 15 out of 18 (83%)

MANAGER COMMENT “

Mark Fitzgerald, Clare manager

“It was a fair reflection of the way we played but I don’t think it was a fair reflection of where we are as a group, it is disappointing because we didn’t really play at all, even when we got the goal it didn’t seem to kick us into life. We were poor in the first half and we were fortunate to go in only three points down at half-time but we were poor all over the pitch at times”.

“I think Down brought a level of ferocity that we hadn’t seen all year, we spoke about that during the week, they are a really good side, I think we didn’t have a go and that is the most disappointing thing, you don’t mind being beaten if you play well but we didn’t have a go”.

“We will learn from it and we’re not going to let it define us, we need to learn from it and that is the level we need to get to”.

Tipperary topple Clare U20s in a two point victory in Quilty

MUNSTER U20FC PHASE 1 ROUND 2

Clare 1-6 Tipperary1-8

Venue: Pairc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

STORY 0F THE GAME

CLARE Frees for: 13 (5/8)

Wides: 9 (7/2)

Scores from play: 1-4

Spread of scorers: 5

Top Scorer: Aaron Kelly (1-0)

Bookings: None

Own Kickouts Won: 11 out of 13 (85%)

TIPPERARY Frees for: 11 (6/5)

Wides: 4 (1/3)

Scores from play: 1-5

Spread of scorers: 5

Top Scorer: Orrin Jones (1-4, f)

Bookings: None

Own Kickouts Won: 13 out of 16 (81%)

REFEREE: Donnacha O'Callaghan (Limerick)

PLAYER WATCH

Minutes played: 55

Possessions: 14

Passess: 12

Hand Pass: 10

Foot Pass: 2

Turnovers for/

against: None

Tackles: 2

Frees Won: 0

Frees Lost: 2

Lanigan looks to the bright side as Clare's league campaign ends

by Páraic McMahon

WITHIN THE space of twelve months, Ronan Lanigan has gone from a starting debutant for the Clare senior footballers to one of their main leaders.

When Clare began their 2023 league campaign with a late win over Louth in the first round, Ronan Lanigan made his starting debut for the county at corner back.

Although Clare suffered relegation, Lanigan that both he and fellow Éire Óg man Manus Doherty were formidable options in the corner.

Following the conclusion of last year’s campaign, the departure of manager Colm Collins and twelve of last year’s panel, it meant Mark Fitzgerald’s first year in charge was certainly going to be fresh.

Such a high turnover has resulted in new leaders coming to the fore in the saffron and blue, Lanigan a physiotherapist with Excel Physio was chief among them. With captain Cillian Brennan ruled out through injury, he also assumed the full-back role.

Minutes

Passess: 6 (4/2)

Short Pass: 6 (4/2)

Long Pass: 0

Hand Pass: 6 (4/2)

Foot Pass: 0

Turnovers for: 1 (0/1)

against: 1 (0/1)

Tackles: 3 (1/2)

Frees Won: 1 (0/1)

Reflecting on the league campaign, Ronan said, “I take huge positives out of, lads have really stepped up, you see Brian McNamara is a huge player for us in his first year on the team and everyone else. We’re young, we’re learning the whole time”.

He maintained there were more positives than negatives to their league run. “We’re looking forward to building on it and going again”.

Though there are optimistic notes to take, Clare did fall short in their bid for promotion after suffering defeats to Westmeath in the second round and a heavy loss to Down on Sunday. “We knew Down were going to be a very good side, they should have been out of Division 3 for the last two years nearly so we knew they were going to be a step up alright but we prepared for them but we need to up our game again for the championship,” the Ennis man stated.

Clare struggled to implement their game-plan as they had set out to do. “Executing our game plan that didn’t fall for us today but we’re going to go reset. We’re happy with how we did, people were saying we were going to go down and we love hearing that, we’re going to use that as fuel to keep going in championship”.

l Stephen Ryan struggles to escape the tackle.

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

paraic@clareecho.ie

Shannon Golf Club is Flying High

by PÁDRAIG MCGRATH

SHANNON GOLF CLUB is located adjacent to Shannon Airport, is truly one of Irelands finest parkland golf courses.

The vision to set up a golf course at Shannon came from Dr. William Flynn who became the local Medical Officer at Shannon Airport in 1947. He was an avid golfer who regularly played at Ennis and Lahinch Golf Club. Shortly after his arrival into Shannon, the now famous Shannon Industrial Estate had begun development which led to an influx of foreign companies and workers to flock into the Shannon region. Dr. Flynn saw a huge opening to setup a golf club in Shannon with this new influx of workers from all over the world arriving into the Shannon. There

were very few activities around for these workers around that time except for a local tennis club.

The warm welcome you get from Shannon Golf Club begins from the moment you arrive on site in the car park. Member tying their shoes in the car park always have a smile and a warm welcome when they see a visitor arriving. Once you enter the pro shop Artie Pyke one of Ireland's long standing, well know PGA Golf Professionals and his team are always a delight to meet and browse through his vast array of equipment in his very well stocked pro shop.

The course itself I rate as one of the toughest courses around especially if you play from the back tees. Not only do you have to be a long hitter but also accurate. Shaping shots is also of the utmost importance and you need to be

able to hit fades and draws on a lot of different tee shots.

Finally, no clubhouse would be complete without some wholesome food and at Shannon GC they deliver nothing but the best. Wholesome good food is all you will receive at this club.. You always see great support from the local airport workers dining here and it's no wonder I've never had anything but a memorable meal in the clubhouse and it's a credit to the Gihan's catering team.

If you've not played much at Shannon, I highly recommend booking a tee time this year. Pop into Artie in plenty of time and make sure to use their incredible practice facilities before your round and have a bite to eat you won't regret dining before and after your round. It's truly and unforgettable day out.

Croke & O'Looney win in Ennis & Woodstock

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

ENNIS GOLF CLUB

Fergal Croke won the men’s fourball competition in Ennis Golf Club over the weekend while Ronan O’Looney won the club singles in Woodstock.

The closing date for entries to the men’s matchplay competitions (Cyril Walshe cup, Knox Cup and Koley Cup) is this Sunday, March 31.

WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB

Ronan O'Looney (8) won the club singles at Woodstock at the weekend from Pat O'Brien (13), both scoring 32 points. In third spot was Pat Solon (13) with 30 points.

The team of 2 Texas scramble was won by Joe Barry and Lorcan Clancy (Team handicap 7) with 37 points.

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB

Siobhan Shanahan with 30 points was the winner of the 14 hole stableford competition ats East Clare last week.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB

Week 8 in the Johnson’s Bar Spring series at Kilrush was won by Dominic Enright (8) with 28 points. He had won to spare over Tom G Smyth Snr (14) with tshird spot filled by Terry O'Hare (8) with 27 points.

DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB

The St Patrick’s weekend club mixed 4-person scramble at Dromoland was won by Lady captain Jean Colleran, Brian Sheedy, Eamonn Power and Robert Bailey on 58.7. In second place were Mark Reynolds, Cathy Casey, Gordon Daffy and Doreatha Madden with 59.2 followed by Paul Morrissey, Maria Colfer, Tony Byrne and Hugh Colleran with 60.1.

Scoil Mhuire Lahinch’s girls retain the Marion Keane Trophy

by Bryan Curry news@clareecho.ie

Inagh Community Centre was the venue on Wednesday 20th March last for the concluding round of The Marion Keane Basketball Tournament 2024 for girls. This Tournament has been held annually since 2005 as a way of honouring the memory of the late Marion Keane; a lady who left this world far too soon but a person who left a significant legacy in her wake; founded upon her awareness of the importance of encouraging young people to participate in and enjoy sport. Since its inception, the tournament has served to open up basketball to a completely new audience of girls and boys in primary schools across County Clare and has been a key factor in the growing levels of interest and participation among young people in the game of basketball right around the county. This year’s tournament began in late January with 15 groups made up of 54 girls teams from across the length and breadth of the county.

Before the action commenced on Wednesday morning, an open draw saw Moveen drawn to face St.

Finnachta’s in the opening semi-final. This meant it was Caherea National School versus Scoil Mhuire Lahinch in the second semi-final. Both semi-finals; played over 4 five minute quarters, were keenly contested. In the opening match, a momentum shift in the final quarter saw St. Finnachta’s come out on top on a 24-15 scoreline against a Moveen side who had fought valiantly to drag themselves back into contention with an excellent 3rd quarter performance. The 2nd semi-final was equally entertaining and hard fought. Just as in the first match, a strong final quarter performance saw Scoil Mhuire Lahinch find an extra gear to claim a te point victory (24-14) and a coveted place in the final.After a short interval match between the girls of Caherea and Moveen, it was over to the girls of Sixmilebridge and Lahinch to serve up the final battle. It was clear however that they were up against a skillful St. Finnachta’s side determined to create their own piece of history and who were capable of scoring themselves when opportunities presented themselves. With little between the sides at the half way point, the girls from

Lahinch hit top form in the two remaining quarters and a combination of improved shot selection coupled with strong defensive work saw them bring the Marion Keane Trophy back to the North of Clare for the second successive year on a 25-15 scoreline, much to the delight of their coaches, teachers, parents and wider school community.

There is no doubt but that Marion Keane, would have been hugely proud of the performances witnessed on the day by the girls of these 4 schools and there is little doubt either but that the sky is the limit for these girls and indeed all the other girls and boys who have lit up the basketball courts around County Clare since January. They have all represented their schools and communities with great distinction and pride in Tournament 2024. Long may they continue to do so.

Scoil Mhuire Lahinch Panel (Including First Reserve): Elodie Blount, Melissa Callinan, Isabella McCarthy, Emily Rice, Sinéad McMahon, Rebecca McCarthy, Rosalie Mantoan, Leah O’ Connor, Ciara Duffy, Niamh O’ Connor, Una Casey, Hayley Blount, Molly Mae Skajarowski.

Succesful weekend for Ennis RFC as senior women thump Dolphin RFC

by Dearbhla Perry news@clareecho.ie

U14 BOYS PAN MUNSTER

QUARTER-FINAL: ENNIS RFC

12 – 0 NENAGH ORMAND RFC

Ennis progressed to the Pan Munster semi-final after a 12 – 0 win against Nenagh Ormand on Sunday.

Ennis dominated the tackle area but unfortunately played in the wrong parts of the field. Then just before halftime, Alex Pelczar managed to score a try, which was converted by captain Steven O’Neill.

Nenagh Ormand began the second half by playing in Ennis’ half but were no match for their relentless defending. Nenagh managed to create one opportunity to score a try throughout the game. O’Neill led from the front and finished in the corner with only two minutes left of the game, bringing the final score to 12 – 0.

Ennis’ team included Shaun Woods, Seán Peoples, Josh O’Halloran, Oisín Egan, Sam Kelly, Reece Yeung, Cillian Sullivan, Christopher Rynne, Conor Owens, Alex Pelczar, Ronan Donlan, Cormac Dinan, Luke O’Connor, Fionn Molony, Donal Garvey, Alan English, Conor Quinn, DD Corry, Colm Griffin, Ronan O’Leary, and Steven O’Neill (captain).

SENIOR WOMEN’S LEAGUE: ENNIS/KILRUSH RFC 55 - 10 DOLPHIN RFC

The The Ennis/Kilrush Women’s senior team continue their fight to be league champions with a strong 55 – 10 win over an outmatched Dolphin side.

Nell Walsh of the Ennis U18 team made her senior debut as a replace ment second row in this game.

Ennis/Kilrush started well with Dolphin being pinned back in their own 22 due to opening defensive pressure. Captain Michaela Glynn opened the scoring by touching down to the right of the posts, without a conversion. Another score quickly followed as fullback Sarah Coote touched down to the left of the posts from a well-worked backs move, without a conversion. The Clare women kept the pressure up with another try, number eight Aoibheann Hahessy, who snatched the ball at the halfway line and broke the line to carry it in under the posts for a brilliant solo score, converted by Glynn. They managed to score again after a clearance kick by Glynn resulted in a missed catch, allowing wing Ailish Dunne to capitalize catching the ball on the

bounce over a Dolphin player. She then ran it in for a score to the right of the posts, without a conversion. Dolphin came back with a score of their own following a good break down the wing, no conversion.

Centre Aoibheann O’Loughlin added another score after Ennis/ Kilrush took advantage of a fastball to the backline to touch down to the left of the posts, without a conversion. The first half’s score of 34 - 5 came after second-row Laura Cooney carried the ball over, with the conversion added by Glynn.

The home team started the second half just as well as the first with an excellent return by flanker Amy Flavin. Burke took a superb line on a pass to carry the ball under the posts for a try, converted by Glynn. Dolphin added their own score in the second half without a conversion. However, the rest of the half belonged to the Clare women with a further score added by centre Megan O’Connor from a tap-and-go penalty near the Dolphin’s ten. She showed a good turn of pace to carry the ball under the posts for a try,

converted by Glynn. Burke, who began playing on the wing, carried over after a series of quick passes and touched down near the posts, converted by O’Connor, to finish the game with 55 – 10.

The Ennis/Kilrush women will face their final league match, which doubles as the semi-final of the division one cup, against Shannon RFC in Coonagh next bank holiday Monday.

Fixtures:

U14 Girls Blitz: Friday 29th March; Kick-off at 2:30pm in Coonagh.

U7 Blitz: Saturday 30th March; Kick-off at 10am in Lisdoonvarna.

U8 Blitz: Saturday 30th March; Kick-off at 10am in Lisdoonvarna.

U12 Blitz: Saturday 3oth March; Kick-off at 12pm in Lisdoonvarna.

U16 Boys North Munster Cup: Ennis V St. Senan's; Sunday 31st March; Kick-off at 12pm in Drumbiggle.

U18 Girls Plate Competition Final: Ennis V Shannon; Monday 1st April; Kick-off at 11:30am in Coonagh.

Senior Women's Competition League/Division One Cup Final: Ennis V Shannon; Monday 1st April; Kick-off at 1pm in Coonagh.

Hot Wood wins stake final for Cratloe's Pat Carey

by Michael Maher news@clareecho.ie

CRATLOE’s Pat Carey was in the winners enclosure in Galway when Hot Wood won the final of the Time No Backgraders A3 525 Stake which was the feature contest on Friday night’s eleven race programme. The opening contest of the night was an A4 graded 525 yards contest and approaching the opening bend Courancove Peg and Dynamic Josie disputed the lead towards the inside as Paradise Scott showed pace out wide. Rounding the bend the Saran Meade of Miltown Malbay owned Paradise Scott ran right round the wide outside to assume command of proceedings and at halfway his lead was over four lengths. Continuing to extend the advantage the son of Dromana Bucko and Paradise Asia turned for home all alone to score by ten and three quarter lengths from Dynamic Josie in 28.95.

Handler Sean Meade of Miltown Malbay was back in the winners enclosure after the second semi-final of the W.G.O.B.A. Easter Dual Stake where French Fearless and Hollywell Cookie were both away well in the cen-

tre of the track with Hollywell Cookie holding a narrow advantage rounding the opening bend with Valinor in third place.

In the concluding A4 graded 525 contest on Thursday night’s card Wilbrook Sydney and Astro Podge disputed the lead on the run towards the opening bend rounding which Astro Podge tracked well and led by two lengths entering the back straight. The order remained unchanged racing along the back straight until Wilbrook Sydney went for a run on the leaders inner at the third bend and although Astro Dodge briefly shut the door Wilbrook Sydney struck the front entering the home straight the Martin Meaney of Cooraclare owned Wilbrook Sydney drew clear to score by the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge kennel by two and a half lengths form Killaspic Sunset in 29.88.

The S4 graded sprint contest was dominated by the litter brothers Ballyea Jet and Burnpark Jaytee from traps one and two with the Albert Mullins trained Ballyea Jet proving the stronger by two and a half lengths in 18.01. The sons of Jaytee Jet an Seekers Vision were away well and were closely attended to by Drombeg Star and Five Alley Din approaching the opening bend.

l Ennis/Kilrush’s women defend as a unit on their try line as Dolphin seek a score.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

DRUMULLAN, KILMURRY, SIXMILEBRIDGE, CO.

CLARE

I Christopher Flynn, intend to apply for retention permission for development on this site at Drumullan, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, V95W958. The development will consist of: Retention of a domestic garage & Retention of alterations to existing dwelling house’s front elevation and roof. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee, not exceeding the resonable cost of making a copy, at the office of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of a fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submission or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Signed:

Pat Kelly, Chartered Building Surveyors, Unit 10, Shannon Business Centre, Shannon, Co. Clare V14 K448 (Agent)

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

DRUMMIN, MILTOWN MALBAY

Take notice that Patrick and Mary-Ruth Breen intend to apply for planning permission for development at the above address.

The development consists of a dwelling house, garage, access road, a proprietary wastewater treatment system and associated site works.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BAUNKYLE HOUSE, BAUNKYLE, COROFIN, CO.CLARE.

I, Brian Keane, wish to apply to the above named local authority for planning permission for the construction of (a)10no. Glamping pods, (b) 1no. Short term rental chalet, (c)19no parking bays for short term stay camper vans, (d) new car park, (e) Renovation of existing hay barn to accommodate reception, communal shower and toilet facilities and recreation room, (f) new connection to public sewer, (g) upgrading of existing vehicular access, (h) ground

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mounted solar PV panels, (i) modifications to existing entrance gate, and all associated site works at Baunkyle House, Baunkyle, Corofin, Co.Clare.

The proposed works are within the curtilage of a protected structure (RPS No 530)

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CLAREABBEY, CLARECASTLE, CO.

CLARE.

Take note that Oct Part Enterprises ltd is applying to Clare County Council for planning permission to construct a two storey dwelling house, including all ancillary site works at the above address.

That the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the pre-

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS PLANNING REF: P23/480

Development Description:

The construction of a new dwelling house and garage complete with a new entrance, sewage treatment system and ancillary works

Location: Carrowfree, Killimer, Co Clare Take notice that Eoin Grogan has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P23/480. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

KNOCKNAHOON, KILMURRY MC MAHON, CO CLARE V15K656

Take notice that Elaine Melican intends to apply for retention permission for the following: 1. The porch and sunroom extensions onto the existing dwelling, 2. The renovation of the original cottage on site into a self contained one bedroomed unit, for the ancillary enjoyment of the occupants of the main dwelling & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLYCUNNEEN, NEWMARKET-ONFERGUS, CO. CLARE. V95 N2N1

Take Notice that I, Gary Haynes intend to apply to Clare County Council for Permission to Demolish existing substandard Garage and Permission for the Construction of a Domestic Garage and

Store including ancillary site works at above address.

The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or Observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

BALLYMALEY, ENNIS, CO. CLARE. V95 X4K7

Take Notice that I, Jack Wall O Reilly intend to apply to Clare County Council for Permission for the Installation of a Modular Home to be used as Ancillary Living Accommodation with connection to existing wastewater treatment system including ancillary site works at above address.

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

PRAYER

THE MIRACLE PRAYER

Dear Heart of Jesus, In the past, I have asked for many favours. This time, I ask you

This special favour. (Mention Favour)

Take it dear Heart of Jesus, And place it within

Your own broken heart

Where your Father sees it, Then in His Merciful Eyes It will become your favour

Not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer for 3 days.

Promise publication. N.H

be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

NUTFIELD, BAREFIELD CO CLARE

Take Notice that Emer Sexton and Garry Lynch intend to apply to the planning authority for Planning Permission for development at Nutfield, Barefield Co. Clare. The proposed development will consist of the construction of a single storey dwelling house, wastewater treatment system, percolation area, well, upgrades to existing entrance and all ancillary site works.

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

MASSAGE

The Clare Echo Quiz

1Which secondary school in Clare did presenter Marty Morrisey study at?

a. St. Flannan’s College

b. Rice College

c. Gaelcholáiste an Chláir

2In what year did Marty Morrisey join Clare FM as News Editor?

a. 1986

b. 1989

c. 1996

3Clare journalist Brian O’ Connell released a _____ called ‘The Personals.’

a. Documentary

b. Podcast

c. Book

4Brian O’ Connell now works as a full-time reporter for?

a. The Irish Times

b. The BBC

c. RTE

5When did Rosita Boland win the award for ‘Journalist of the Year’?

a. 2009

b. 2012

c. 2018

6At which prestigious American University did Rosita Boland achieve a fellowship from?

a. MIT

b. Harvard

c. University of Berkeley

7Ger Colleran formerly held the position of editor of which national newspaper in Ireland?

a. The Irish Daily Star

b. The Irish Sun

c. The Evening Herald

8RTÉ Sport’s Marie Crowe is a sister in law of which two former Clare hurlers?

a. Alan Markham and Tony Griffin

b. Brendan Bugler and Diarmuid McMahon

c. Colin Ryan and Cian Dillon

9Rachael English, an author and journalist with Morning Ireland is from which Clare town?

a. Ennistymon

b. Kilrush

c. Shannon

10Freelance reporter Eoin Brennan a weekly contributor to The Clare Echo is known by what nickname.

a. Asicss

b. Boots

c. Crocks

QUESTION

10. Boots

9. Shannon

8. Brendan Bugler and Diarmuid McMahon

7. The Irish Daily Star

6. Harvard

Spot the Difference

Can you spot the 7 differences

Last weeks answers

. Sliotar missing

. Number 3 missing

. Line on pitche missing

. Centre og a missing on sign

ANSWERS

5. 2018

4. RTE

3. Book

2. 1989

1. St. Flannan’s College

. tape on hurley missing

. Nike symbol missing on spectator in background

. Stripes on limerick players shorts missing

l

2 : In what year did Marty Morrisey join Clare FM as News Editor?

Best Daily Word

Search

Best Daily Word Search: 27 June 2019

Tea

WORD SEARCH

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Darjeeling

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Darjeeling

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Pot

The Clare Echo Crossword

Steep Sugar

Tea bag

Tisane

1

2

4 Looking-glass (6)

5 Mad (5)

6 Credit (7)

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7 Multi-national

8 Container for

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