The Clare Echo 28/04/22

065 671 9021

clareecho.ie

APR 28 2022

€1.5m to fix Bunratty roof, says Council

PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

F

UNDS OF €15M have been requested from the Government

by Clare County Council as part of a transfer of Shannon Heritage operated tourism sites.

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Knappogue Castle, Crauggownen and a retail outlet at the Cliffs of Moher had all been operated by Shannon Heritage but the Council have been requested to take over ownership by the Government.

Details of the negotiations between the local authority and the Government were outlined to county council-

lors at a behind closed doors briefing on Monday. €5m has been sought by the Council for the first year of running the sites with an approximate €3m per year needed subsequently for three years.

This is to cover an estimated €1.5m repair of the roof at Bunratty Castle, provisions for the 150 Shannon Heritage staff that would be added to the Council’s payroll and additional repairs to enable a full revamp.

“Clare County Council are willing to go on the dancefloor and dance if we’re let. It’s about saving jobs and protecting tourism and heritage in the county,” Director of Rural Development, Leonard Cleary remarked of the task at hand.

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Two year old, Sam Brennan from Purcell Park in Shannon on the little garda motorbike crosses the finishing line at the Odd Socks Cycle in Shannon

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Index NEWS

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

LOS PADDY RETURNS WITH MORE TUNES

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ENTERTAINMENT

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GREEN PAGE

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COLUMNISTS

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RECRUITMENT

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GARDENING

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SPORT

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

NEWSDESK

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

SALES

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

SESSION: Los Paddy Continental Clare returns this May bringing Irish and Latin music and dance to communities across the county.

Among the venues they took by storm in last year’s run was outside the offices of The Clare Echo, the video of which is available to view on our social media channels with Lenka Fairy dancing at Abbey St car park in the heart of Ennis accompanied by music from Paddy de las Pampas, Sean Murphy and Adam Shapiro. Part of the Clare Local Live Scheme, the project is supported by Clare Arts Office, Clare County Council and The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and is part of the Clare Local Live scheme. Paddy Mulcahy also known as Paddy de las Pampas told The Clare Echo that a new feature of this year’s show is ‘County Clare World Wide’ which includes live web concerts emanating from locations of interest all around the county.

"We love the fun and energy of these shows and interaction with the public and look forward to playing for people all over Clare in a relaxed and accessible manner,” Paddy added.

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THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

Crowe reports Clare has among highest amount of displaced Ukrainians 'sinister' online video

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

C

OUNTY CLARE has one of the highest residents of displaced Ukrainians in the country.

More than 25,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived into Ireland since the war in Ukraine began at the end of February. Clare accounts for an approximate 3,000 of this total number.

Tuesday’s meeting of the Rural Development SPC of Clare County Council heard that the amount of Ukrainians now based in Co Clare is over 3000.

2000 of these are primarily living in hotels, community centres and pledged houses while a further 1000 travelled to Clare independently and are staying with friends and family. The vast majority are living in hotels funded by International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS).

Service provision for the refugees is at “a very basic stage” with accommodation, food and shelter provided, Director of Rural Development with Clare County Council, Leonard Cleary outlined. Securing wrap-around services is the next step, he advised.

He acknowledged the “huge community and voluntary response” by groups on the ground “well versed in responding to the needs” of people.

Lisdoonvarna’s population has doubled following the arrival of well over

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

PEACE: Refugees based in Lisdoonvarna

1000 Ukrainians. Ennis, Shannon, Kilkee, Flagmount, O’Briensbridge, Fanore, Ennistymon, Lahinch, Liscannor and Newmarket-on-Fergus have also welcomed refugees.

“We’re trying to get the agencies to work together to deliver the wraparound services, we weren’t expecting this, we haven’t the capacity to switch on this for an additional 3000 residents,” Cleary stressed.

The community and voluntary effort coupled with the stretch on agencies experienced over the past two months cannot be sustained, “we can’t burn out volunteers or staff or we will have none left”.

Cleary was confident a structured sys-

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tem would be put in place imminently.

The efforts to date must be commended, he said.

“It is quite a challenge, it is hugely emotive, we all want to play our part in the humanitarian crisis that it is. We need a balanced service approach, this not a six to twelve week operation, it is minimum two years but more likely a long-term role.

Clare has one of the highest residents of Ukrainians in the country bar Dublin, that is testament to the response”.

Environment and conservation representative, Anny Wise flagged the opportunity posed by the crisis to deal with vacant properties.

CLARE TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) has made a complaint to Gardaí over a “sinister” video online which features the politician and the sound of a gunshot.

On Monday, Deputy Crowe made a complaint at Ennis Garda Station regarding a four minute video which was branded by its anonymous narrator as a “warning” on “woke” commentary.

The video includes a clip of the Meelick native speaking in the Dáil about hate legislation where he criticises the Irish Freedom Party and it concludes with the sound of a gunshot.

Chairperson of the Irish Freedom Party, Michael Leahy previously accused Deputy Crowe of abusing Dáil privilege to criticise the party and noted that his comments on March 9th came one week after an objection was submitted to Clare County Council by Leahy an Ennis-based architect on behalf of Matthew Broggy relating to the TD’s application for a 236 sq metre home four-bedroom dwelling house in Cratloe.

Speaking in the Dáil, Crowe remarked that the party uses “hate messaging” and has no elected mandate.

He stated, “Any form of rallying people or inciting hatred in that regard is also a form of illegality."

“In particular, I thought the gunshot at the end of the video is quite sinister,” Deputy Crowe continued.

An Garda Síochána have confirmed “enquires are ongoing” into the report received by Deputy Crowe on Monday.

TDs confront minister over ban on selling turf RELATIONS between Government parties are disintegrating over a proposed ban on the sale of turf, writes Pár aic McMahon.

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan (GP) has been warned by coalition colleagues that the plan to ban the sale of turf could bring down the Government. Minister Ryan came under pressure in a series of meetings on Tues-

day whereby he was shouted down and heckled by some Fine Gael TDs. At an hour-long meeting, Clare TD, Joe Carey (FG) confronted Minister Ryan and asked whether he had ever “saved” turf – the practice of turning turf to dry it – to which Mr Ryan said he had not. It was among a number of sharp exchanges at the engagement between the Green Party leader and Fine Gael backbenchers.

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FIRED UP: Tensions are rising in the Dáil

Minister Ryan insisted he had brought money and jobs to rural Ireland and said the Government’s plans to restrict turf sales was a matter of public health.

Speaking subsequently, Deputy Carey felt the meeting was “unsatisfactory” in that it was “very short”. The Clarecaste native admitted he hasn’t seen the details on the regulations and didn’t accept the figures of 1300 deaths per annum and associated illnesses from air pollution. “We’re just not happy with what’s being proposed and how it’s been done. We need to reach an agreement on it and there isn’t agreement on it. We had a robust exchange of views and we explained to him that we don’t support his initiative and we wanted it changed,” Carey stated.

Carey added, “There’s very strong feelings on this, it is coming at the worst possible time, we have soaring energy costs, that situation may well get even worse this winter with the lack of availability of oil and gas, the prices associated with those”.

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THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

Record overcrowding at UHL 'beyond belief' PÁRAIC MCMAHON

R

paraic@clareecho.ie

ECORD overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick has further brought into question the standard of health services across the Mid-West.

On Thursday last, 126 patients were waiting on trolleys in beds and in wards at UHL, the highest number ever recorded in the past sixteen years since the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation began its Trolley Watch list in 2006. Tallies of 100 in March and February were the previous records.

High levels of overcrowding continued with 111 patients on trolleys on Wednesday morning, 65 of those in the Emergency Department. The figure is the highest in the country and is 46 more than its nearest equivalent.

In 2017, UHL opened a €24m emergency department over three times the size of the ED it replaced. In addition a 60 bed modular unit was opened last year also designed to increase capacity at the hospital, but neither of these improvements have delivered a reduction in pressure at the emergency department, which is one of the busiest in the country seeing a throughput of over 65,000 patients a year.

Representatives of the INMO have described conditions at UHL as dangerous.

INMO Assistant Director of Industrial Relations Mary Fogarty said the record number of patients on trolleys at UHL means the bed management system there is completely broken, and has been allowed to fester for far too long. She stated, "We need to see the emergency plan activated for the hospital today and a public announcement of same.

Hospital management need to urgently stop admitting patients for elective care as there are no beds within the hospital which is

€15m package sought for Shannon Heritage sites

completely congested”.

Fogarty added, "Senior HSE management and Minister Donnelly need to urgently act on what is a chaotic situation for the people of the Mid West. The complete mismanagement is unacceptable and is having real consequences on the health outcomes of patients.

Members of the Mid-West Hospital Campaign have expressed their frustration. “Last week Clare councillors abandoned their commitment to support an Emergency Department for Clare. We will be highlighting this situation again at the Regional Health Forum on May 22nd,” a spokesperson confirmed.

Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) said token measures to try improve conditions at UHL have had little or no impact. She labelled the figure of 126 as “beyond belief and truly scandalous”. She commented, “The government is clearly to blame as they have ignored the concerns of the staff and campaigners

Lisdoonvarna murder accused returned for trial

by GORDON DEEGAN

Bunratty Castle Photo by Paschal Brooks UP TO €15m is being sought from the Government by Clare County Council if it is to take charge of the Shannon Heritage tourism sites in the county, writes Páraic McMahon.

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Knappogue Castle, Crauggownen and a retail outlet at the Cliffs of Moher had all been operated

by Shannon Heritage, they could fall under the auspices if negotiations between the Council and the Government are successful.

The Old Ground Hotel hosted a behind closed doors briefing between elected representatives and senior Council officials on Monday. Here it was outlined that the local authority is seeking €5m for the first year of running the sites with

an approximate €3m per year needed subsequently for three years.

Costs include an estimated €1.5m repair of the roof at Bunratty Castle, provisions for the 150 Shannon Heritage staff that would be added to the Council’s payroll, repairs to the roofs of the cottages, disintegration of footpaths and attempts to modernise the tourism sites.

The capital supports would allow for the essential repairs and further projects to enable a full revamp.

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the Rural Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), Leonard Cleary updated members.

He advised them that the Cabinet has asked Clare County Council to work with Shannon Group and Shan-

non Heritage on the possible transfer of the three tourism sites and the retail outlet.

“We had to carry out due diligence, we had to look under the bonnet and do an NCT on each of the castles, we know now the investment required,” Cleary stated. He said what happens next is a decision for Government regarding “iconic” tourism sites in the country. “Clare County Council is up for it, Clare County Council are willing to go on the dancefloor and dance if we’re let.

It’s about saving jobs and protecting tourism and heritage in the county”. The Director of Rural Development expected that by the next meeting of the SPC meeting in the summer they would be in “transition phase”.

for years and failed to act in any meaningful way to address this crisis. These are incredible numbers when you consider the research report by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in Britain, which noted that there is, on average, one excess death for every 67 patients forced to linger in an emergency department for 8 to 12 hours”.

“It is an absolute disgrace that the situation has been allowed to get this bad, and another mess Fine Gael have caused after their 11 years in government. The Taoiseach and the Minister for Health have washed their hands of this crisis and failed to take any meaningful actions to deal with the trolley crisis at UHL. Patients are being packed into this hospital like sardines, and nurses and doctors are being forced to treat sick patients on corridors and work in a very dangerously overcrowded environment. A number of staff have work-related stress and it is impossible for them to deliver the proper care people deserve,” she added.

A 32-YEAR old man charged with the murder of Lisdoonvarna pensioner, John (Jack) O’Neill was today returned for trial to the Central Criminal Court.

At Ennis District Court, the Book of Evidence in the case against Thomas Lorigan of no fixed abode was served.Formerly of Ennistymon in north Clare, Mr Lorigan is charged with the murder of grand-father, Mr O’Neill (79) at St Brendan’s Rd, Lisdoonvarna at an unknown time on the 6th/7th of January.When arrested and charged on January 8th with the alleged murder, Mr Lorigan said ‘no comment’.

Mr Lorigan wore a white face mask in court today and was flanked by two prison officers for the hearing.Mr Lorigan secured bail in the High Court on March 3rd but has been unable to meet bail conditions set

down by the High Court and remains on remand in custody.

Sgt Aiden Lonergan said that the State application was to return Mr Lorigan for trial to the present sittings of the Central Criminal Court.

In court on Wednesday, Mr Lorigan also spoke ‘yes’ when given the alibi warning by Judge Colm Roberts.Judge Roberts told Mr Lorigan that if an alibi formed any party of his defence he had 14 days in which to provide details to the State.

Solicitor for Mr Lorigan, Darragh Hassett said that given the gravity of the charge, he would be applying for the legal aid certificate to be extended to cover a senior counsel and a junior counsel to also represent Mr Lorgian in the Central Criminal Court.

The deceased in the case, father-of-two John O’Neill had only recently lost his wife, Christine and ran a B&B in Lisdoonvarna.

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

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THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

Govt called on to ban 'Z' Women suffering from

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

ELECTED representatives in Clare have called on the Minister for Justice to propose legislation criminalising the use of the ‘Z’ symbol.

At the April meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) proposed a motion which was passed with-

out objection that urged Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee (FG) to introduce legislation criminalising the use of the ‘Z’ symbol “as a way to publicly support Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

'Z’ means Russian war crimes, bombed out cities, thousands of murdered

WAR: A Russian 'Z' symbol on a fairy door in Ballybeg

Ukrainians. Public support of this barbarism must be forbidden”.

Speaking at the meeting, she referenced the plea from Ukraine Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kubela seeking the support of jurisdictions across the world in criminalising the use of the symbol.

“Since the invasion by Russia of the independent sovereign state of Ukraine, I have been astonished to see the ‘Z’ symbol appear in my own backyard, appearing on fairy doors on the trees in Ballybeg woods, and on the Clareabbey Bridge Wall,” she admitted.

She added, “We Irish all too well appreciate war and peace. The Good Friday Agreement 24th anniversary is a stark reminder that peace & democracy cannot be taken for granted. That freedom is anything but free.

"The massacres exposed in Bucha (and likely to be replicated in many other locations in Ukraine) did not happen in one day.

For many years, Russian propaganda has been inciting hatred, dehumanizing Ukrainians, nurturing Russian superiority, and laying ground for these atrocities”.

'gynaecology crisis'

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

W

OMEN in Clare are suffering from “a crisis” in gynaecology waiting lists which are the second longest in the country.

Average wait times for an outpatient gynaecology appointment at Ennis Hospital is close to one year and five months, second only to Tallagh Hospital nationwide, according to latest figures.

Waiting times at University Hospital Limerick average out at 291 days. 599 women are currently waiting for such appointments in Ennis, along with a further 1,455 at UHL. In a joint motion before Clare County Council, Cllr Mary Howard (FG), Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF), Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) and Cllr Liam Grant (GP) called on the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly (FF) to approve and allocate funding for both equipment and the recruitment of appropriate personnel for the Gynaecology Department in Ennis.

Speaking at the April meeting of the Council, Cllr Howard commended Clare FM’s Rebecca O’Sullivan for highlighting the matter.

“It is clear that there is a very concerning ongoing crisis in our gynaecology waiting lists which has been continuing for far too long. Behind every number is a woman anxiously waiting for healthcare that she needs.

"Delayed appointments lead to delayed care, which can in turn lead to delayed diagnoses and delayed treatment.

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"This is unacceptable. Women deserve better,” she stated.

A plan must be published to reduce the waiting lists by the Minister, the Ennis representative argued.

“A gynae appointment isn’t sought on a whim. It is because of need for medical care, often for conditions that are debilitating, such as abnormal bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and prolapse. Behind these numbers there are 30,805 women stressed and anxious waiting for healthcare. These women may be mothers, they may be trying to start a family. Their voices need to be heard”.

Ireland’s health service has been “historically pitted” against women, Cllr Howard lamented.

“Ireland’s history in validating and prioritising women’s health is disproportionately lacking with the scandals of the past century sadly emphasising the fragmented connection.

"As women, the Irish health service has been historically pitted against us, our minds and our bodies, leaving us undervalued, ignored and sometimes dead”.

The former Mayor of Clare concluded, “Are women, simply, taken less seriously when it comes to their health? Or is there something else at play?

"I can’t think of a single male health scandal.

Women feel unheard and dismissed when it comes to health! Please remember this is not a ‘woman’s problem’, these women are our sisters, wives, girlfriends, partners, mothers and it is often left to the men to pick up the pieces after”.

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THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

Shannon spur and more Ennis services key to new strategy PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

M

ORE frequent train services on the Ennis line and a rail spur to Shannon Airport are among the aspects taking prominence in the revised draft Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (LSMATS).

Published on Tuesday by the National Transport Authority, the revised LSMATS has included new proposals for investment in rail including increased train services on the Ennis line, additional stations at Moyross, dual tracking of the line from Limerick Junction to Colbert and an upgrade of Colbert Station.

In addition, a detailed Study to determine future investment in rail infrastructure and commuter services in the Limerick area is to be undertaken. Options around investment in improving existing infrastructure and investment in new infrastructure will be examined in detail, including a future rail line to Shannon Airport, the re-use of the Foynes and Mungret lines plus future stations at appropriate location. The NTA intends to finalise the LSMATS and commence its implementation in 2022 once the current period of consultation expires on June 10th 2022. The preparation of the Shannon Local Transport Plan to be

Photo by John Mangan led by Clare County Council and the development of an investment programme for rail in association with Iarnród Éireann are aspects of the implementation plan.

In recent weeks, the matter of a rail spur was highlighted by Clare TD, Joe Carey (FG) in a parliamentary question to Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan (GP).

Healing support for those who have been affected by suicide CLARE Suicide Bereavement Support will hold a Healing Programme for family members, relatives and friends whose lives have been affected by suicide. The Programme will begin on Thursday May 12th. at 7.30pm at the Clare S.B.S. premises, Innovation House, (near Liddys), Roslevan Centre, Tulla Rd. Ennis. The programme will continue each Thursday for eight consecutive weeks.

The aims of the Healing Programme are: 1. To help adults who have experienced a death by suicide to find healing and support in a safe and caring environment.

2. To provide an opportunity to meet others who have experienced loss through a death by suicide.

3. To provide healing through talking and listening in small groups. Mutual help is received and given through sharing.

In addition to the Healing Programme Clare S.B.S

volunteers respond to approaches made by a bereaved family or individual and can arrange to meet them in the family home or in their premises at Roslevan, Ennis. All meetings are conducted in complete confidence and are free of charge.

The aim of the individual or group approach is to help people talk about their loss and the whole process of bereavement. There is no set formula for a bereaved person’s feelings or reactions. Different people react in different ways and in different order.

There can often be a sense of confusion and aloneness. While neighbours and friends can be very helpful at the time of the death and funeral, there can later be silence about the event partly because people are not sure what to say or are afraid of saying the wrong thing. The bereaved person needs to talk about how she or he feels but is hesitant in case others are getting tired of listening or may have inad-

vertently made an unhelpful response. Through talking and sharing in a safe environment the pain is eased and healing is allowed to begin.

A spokesperson for Clare S.B.S said “If you have experienced a death by suicide either in your family or that of a friend please feel free to come along to the Healing Programme on May 12th.

The death may have been recently or a long time ago.

In whichever situation you are very welcome.

An appointment is not required. All our Support Workers are trained for this work and some have themselves been bereaved. If you require further information, regarding individual, or family support or the Healing Programme phone or text the support co-ordinator at 086-0565373 or 0873698315 or leave a message and the co-ordinator will get back to you.”

Visit www.claresuicidebereavementsupport.com for more information.

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

Séamus from Cooraclare: The One That Saved Us All Niamh Uí Bhriain pays tribute her late father, Séamus Mac Mathúna.

T

HE fiddle maestro, Ben Lennon, was about to start a recital for Craobh Naithí in Dublin several years ago when he saw my Dad smiling a welcome for him from the audience. "There's Séamus Mac Mathúna," he said, smiling back. 'The one that saved us all'.

Some months later, sitting in O'Loughlin's in Milltown Malbay, I asked Ben what he meant. He reminded me that, even within his lifetime, our magnificent traditional music was not always appreciated or respected as it should have been, and when he was a young man, musicians felt that disrespect keenly. They also feared the music would fade away, dimmed, forgotten even, by a rush to elevate what was new and gaudy and shiny - that something infinitely more magical and profound gifted to us by our ancient and majestic past would be drowned out.

He was right of course. The hungry 30s, and the Dance Halls Act, and the drift away from the land, the language, and the traditions that were unique to Ireland, might have meant the death of the living treasure that is our music. Instead, a small handful of rare people, people of great vision and energy and dedication, ensured not just its survival, but its elevation.

People like your father gave us back that respect, Ben Lennon told me. With Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann he "brought musicians together, into a wonderful big family," he said. "And he was a shining light in Comhaltas." As was often also said of Séan Ó Riada, he raised up the music - and raised up too, the then almost unknown musical virtuosos playing in farmhouses and kitchens in Clare and right throughout the country who captured the magic of Ireland's music anew from the rocks and the air, conduits and weavers for the music of their ancestors. He understood that they were a seam of treasure golden, enriching all our lives.

The heartbeat of music My Dad was born in Cooraclare, where the heartbeat of music is strong, and he remained all his life a Clare man to the marrow. He grew up in the locality of musical masters like Elizabeth Crotty, Patrick Kelly, Willie Clancy, Jack Mulkere, Junior Crehan and Peadar O'Loughlin, and he learned his songs as a child in the family home and from an aunt's neighbour, Joe Cooney. The sound of the Clare battering set, the memory of hobnails striking lightning in splancs from the floor, drove the rhythm of his musicality for more than 60 years ag déanamh cheoil.

His cousin, Michael McMahon gave him his first feadóg stáin, and taught him his first tune. It was a rapid progression from there.

It was in his local school that he learned Gaeilge, and that was an awakening, a stirring of the recognition that these sounds are deep within our DNA, in our collective memories, as remnants that shape not just ourselves but our identity. Those sounds and cadences were reflected in our music too, for those looking to its heart, for its poetry and passion. Dad saw that in the language and the ancient airs and the marches and the splendid songs were the sounds of Ireland's

magnificent Gaelic heritage - a chroí 's a anam, ár ndúchas is ár n-oidhreacht - and he resolved this could not be lost. His frequent collaborator in collecting, Tom Davis, once said that to hear Darach Ó Catháin sing was to forget that we had ever lost our freedom.

It was what his fellow Clare man Tony McMahon called 'that strong, lonely call', and Dad thought of it as the pulse of our people.

He became a key figure in what was a golden time of extraordinary revival and renewal for Irish music, first with Seán Reid and Bridie and Martin Byrnes and the stalwarts of Ennis Comhaltas, ansin le Conradh na Gaeilge i gCúil Aodha, and then as Timire Cheoil in Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann.

He worked to found and grow some of the

and the legacy he has left behind him. He was striving, as Pearse wrote, for the dream that was built in the heart and that only the heart could hold.

It might have been why, above all else, he loved the uniquely beautiful sound of seannós. "Chuir sé faoi draíocht mé," he said. It put me under a spell. In my mother he found his anam cara, his soulmate in music and all things. In fifty years of marriage they sang together very often, it was always glorious.

He understood too, the historical importance of our great songs, what they captured, the stories and the passions they revealed.

And he kept them alive by bringing others to the same understanding. I was told at his wake by an old friend that it was only when

l GOOD COMPANY: Séamus MacMathúna with Peter O' Loughlin and Robbie McMahon

most important events and developments in the world of traditional music, including the Fleadh Cheoil, Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, Scoil Éigse, Fleadh Nua, Na Píobairí Uileann, the Comhaltas Tours, and much more. He was an important collector with thousands of priceless recordings in the Comhaltas Archives of famed musicians and singers. Songs and styles that might otherwise have been lost were gathered from people like Michael Flanagan in Inagh, and Peaití Thadhg Pheig in Cúil Aodha. My father saw these people, and their ability and tremendous talent, as sources of great beauty and riches, to know and to honour and to cherish.

He produced albums of some of the greats of tradition including Tommy Peoples, Bobby Casey, Tom Phaidín Tom and more, and was instrumental in publishing seminal guides and collections on traditional singing, and regional styles. Collections like 'Traditional songs and singers' and' Ceol an Chláir,' have been used by teachers and musicians and singers for generations now.

Dad was a musician, a singer, a collector, a composer, a producer, and a teacher, and we have been reminded hundreds of times since his passing of his passion as a teacher

he heard Dad singing Rosc Catha na Mumhan and Mo Ghile Mear that he understood they were a battle cry.

No time for dinner People loved to watch him sing, because the whole performance was imbued with his love of the songs. He famously sang every song with his entire body: his shoulders moving, hands outstretched, feet sometimes breaking into a battering dance. There was heart and soul in every rendition.

They loved him too. “He’s some man, your Dad,” they’d say. “And he can set a room on fire.” He lit up our music, illuminated it with his passion. And he made it a joyful celebration. His bright blue eyes would dazzle at the delight at meeting old kindred friends: the musicians of the legendary all-night sessions in the Ship Inn or Dan Connells or the Queens Hotel. No time for dinner, maybe not for breakfast either.

A chara mór, Antóin Mac Gabhann, spoke about Dad’s remarkable memory, and his impressive knowledge of all things musical, at a ceremony where he received an award from Comhaltas at the Fleadh in Sligo one year.“Séamus always reminded me of the Village School Master in Goldsmith’s poem”

he said: “And the more we gazed, the more our wonder grew. That one small head could hold all that he knew.”

In 2017, his old friend, the mighty flute player Mick O’Connor, curated a tribute for Dad at the Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy.

The place was thronged. Tony McMahon, who we sadly lost last year, had a special message for him: “Séamus,” he said. “You have a heart as big as County Clare.”

He wrote many important songs too: of historical events, of local happenings, for the courage of his brother-in-law Larry, for his friends. And, above all, for his beloved Clare hurlers that won the crown on All Ireland day in '95 after a lifetime of waiting. As he sang in 'Come on the Banner', there were no cows milked for a week or two. He was mightily proud that in Jimmy Smyth's marvellous collection of GAA songs, three of his compositions were featured.

He went to God without pain or suffering and for that we will be forever grateful, and grateful too that we were able to keep him at home where he was happiest, so that he died with his family and surrounded by our love.

Home where he had cake and laughter and music and lots of songs. Where we could bring him for a walk, with the dog running by the chair and a child holding his hand. Where the grandchildren could gather in gangs and play the tunes he liked best.

Where we could put the new baby into the bed next to him so that they could admire each other. Where Raidió na Gaeltachta was always on, and where we could pick one of thousands of CDs or books to read or play for him, all inscribed with notes to Séamus: with thanks, or appreciation, or admiration.

He was always the musician’s friend, the champion of traditional singers, a keeper of the sacred flame.

I’ve lost track of how many people told me that his boundless encouragement and persuasion meant they stayed at the music, or discovered more about its depth, or overcame their hesitancy as performers.

His friends would send videos on WhatsApp saying hello and sending a tune or recalling stories from their madcap times.

We’ll never be able to thank them enough for their kindness. Míle buíochas díbh. Their affection shone out from the small screen. It was lovely to see his reaction, all smiles.

We'd share those memories very often, near the end, sitting around his bed: of all eleven of us piled in the van set for adventure, often with a few neighbours and a scatter of dogs for good measure. He’d play the tin whistle and drive the van with his elbows. The hitchhikers we’d pick up would nearly have a stroke at the sight of it. RTÉ once caught a shot of him playing tunes while elbow-driving around College Green.

They used to run it before the news in the 70s, I’m told.

Dad will have been welcomed with open arms by his beloved family and by all the friends and musical companions who loved him and went before him to that great session i bParthas Dé, where his merry soul will not be diminished. His life was rich with musical treasure, but to us he was the greatest treasure of all.

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

COVID-19 Vaccines

SECOND COVID-19 BOOSTER VACCINE

FOR PEOPLE AGED 65 OR OVER AND PEOPLE WITH A WEAK IMMUNE SYSTEM If you’re aged 65 or older, or you have a weak immune system, you can get your second booster from a HSE vaccination centre. In the coming weeks, you will also be able to get your second booster from a participating GP or Pharmacy.

Book your appointment on hse.ie For an appointment at a HSE vaccination centre, book online at hse.ie Why get a second COVID-19 booster vaccine?

The protection from your previous booster vaccine may weaken over time.

Getting your second booster will give you better protection from serious illness and make it less likely that you would need hospital treatment for COVID-19.

When should I get my second booster?

Get your second booster at least four months after your first booster. You can check the date of your last booster on your digital COVID cert.

If you’ve had COVID-19 since you got your first booster, wait four months before getting your second booster.

What if I haven’t had my first booster yet?

If you haven’t had your first booster yet, you can make an appointment at a HSE vaccination centre on hse.ie

#ForUsAll

For more information visit hse.ie or call our team in HSELive 1800 700 700

NEWS

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THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

in association with

A Ukrainian perspective – life in Ennis Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Yurchuk writes for The Clare Echo in an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at life for refugees fleeing war in their country.

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by VIKTORIIA YURCHUK

KRAINIAN refugees began to settle in Ennis four weeks ago, mostly made up of women and children aged from six months to age 18. There are more than 100 people in Auburn Lodge Hotel now, many of whom do not speak English.

I am here with my toddler daughter and my mother, while my husband and father are with the Ukrainian armed forces. It is a typical scenario for people staying in the Auburn Lodge.

Each family lives in a room and has good living conditions and are fed three times a day. Volunteers from Clare Immigrant Support Centre along with other Ennis residents have brought many things and necessary items for the children, including bicycles. But the main thing for them is obtaining a PPSN (Personal Public Service number) which is vital to securing so-

cial welfare benefits, public services and information in Ireland.

Most people have fled fighting and they don’t have a home anymore. So they need financial support now.

Volunteers are helping with PPSN, work and English courses for them. Some Ukrainians already have jobs or are attending courses while their kids are in local schools such as Ennis Educate together, where 45 Ukrainian children attend.

Julia, a Ukrainian hotel resident, explains, “[Local] people who live near the hotel, they took us and children to the Intreo centre to complete the [PPSN] paperwork because the road from the hotel to the town centre is 40 minutes on foot and it is difficult for children to walk. Irish people have been so welcoming to us”.

Orla Ní Eíli from Clare Immigrant Support Centre says the refugees are concerned about their future in

Ireland, and anxious about the uncertainty of how long they may be forced to be away from their native country.

There is also emotional turmoil as refugees contend with relatives and friends’ lives under threat at home.

Tamila, who is from Chernihiv in the north of Ukraine, explains, “We are glad that we don’t hear the alarm on the street and sleep peacefully at night, and our children are safe. But there, at home, our husbands and relatives remained. We are afraid for them”.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Clare Local Development Company organized a celebration for the Ukrainians people who celebrate Easter on April 24, including sweets, art, facepainting, dance and music. More than 50 people came to the event. Irish and Ukrainians came together to sing the Ukrainian national anthem and volunteers distributed chocolate eggs to all the children.

€10m expansion to create 200 new jobs

by PÁRAIC McMAHON BASED in Ennis since 1974, Vitalograph have said its clinical trial solutions have doubled in the last two years which has prompted the decision to open new sites at Engine Innovate Building, Limerick and the Clare Technology Park, Ennis. The firm is a global leader in respiratory diagnostics and delivers clinical trials to pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

Currently manufacturing out of the Gort Rd Business Park, the existing plant is to undergo an investment to bring the production of its consumables from Asia to Ireland to achieve efficiencies of scale, increase the stability in their supply line and reduce the overall carbon footprint of these essential medical accessories. Recruitment for the roles is underway and they will be in the areas of data analysis, site support services, software engineering and IT support.

CEO at Vitalograph, Frank Keane stated that the investment and expansion plans “reflects our pioneering spirit as we continue to embrace new opportunities for Vitalograph and play a significant role in improving patient lives. Effective respiratory diagnostics

tools underline and enable a proactive approach to healthcare. Through our innovation and dedication, we have become an important catalyst behind the efficacy of the respiratory therapies being developed by the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies and I would like to acknowledge the contribution our staff have made to our ongoing success”.

He added, “We’re excited to open new offices in Limerick and Ennis. This gives us an opportunity to leverage the diverse talent pool in the mid-west region as we deliver on our purpose of making a real impact on the management of respiratory disease. We are grateful to Enterprise Ireland for their ongoing support, and we look forward to growing our workforce in Ennis and Limerick into the future”.

Speaking at the announcement on Monday morning, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Patrick O’Donovan (FG) commented, “It’s great to see Vitalograph, having established a base in Ennis in 1974, continuing to grow and develop its operations and expand its mandate, creating more than 200 new jobs in the next two years.”

REFUGEE: (above) Viktoriia Yurchuk and (right) toddler Maya watches on as Los Paddys play for Ukrainian refugees

Photos by Viktoriia Yurchuk

NEWS 13

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

SHANNON NEWS in association with

Ryanair partner close Odd Socks Cycle to creating 200 jobs pedals forward in

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by PÁRAIC McMAHON

P TO 200 new jobs are close to being secured in Shannon.

In what is a new deal between Ryanair and Shannon Group, a hangar that was previously occupied by Lufthansa is now set to come back into use and bring with it between 150 to 200 jobs in the areas of aircraft maintenance and repair.

Both parties are very close to signing a deal to transfer the use of the hangar. Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance, whose only client is Ryanair, is poised to open the facility.

The Scottish jet maintenance firm currently employs about 500 people at Prestwick and a further 1,300 at locations elsewhere in Europe.

Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) was hopeful an injection in income would result for

Shannon Airport. “Ryanair and Shannon Airport look set to strike a deal whereby Ryanair will establish an aircraft maintenance and repair hub in Shannon. This move could result in up to 200 new highly-skilled jobs and also provide a very welcome income for the airport,” he stated.

At the beginning of the month, Atlantic Aviation Group (AAG) formally marked the integration of the operations of the former Lufthansa Technik facility in Shannon.

The move saw AAG’s workforce increase by nearly 70%, with more than 300 workers joining AAG’s existing staff of 436 based in both Shannon and the UK. AAG announced that it had acquired the Lufthansa Technik Shannon business from the company’s German parent Lufthansa Technik (AG) in October 2021 and saw it add a second hangar to its collection at Shannon Airport.

improving services

FLAG DAY: Ailbhe and Sinead Murray with their mother Louise Craig (centre) of the Photo by Joe Buckley key organisers of Sunday’s cycle

PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

OVER 200 cyclists saddled up in Shannon for the ‘Odd Socks Cycle’ in aid of the Clare branch of Down Syndrome Ireland.

Shannon Cycling Club were responsible for organising the event on Sunday (April 24th) with Shannon Leisure Centre serving as the starting point.

Aoibhin Garrihy had the task of picking the spot prize winners for the best odd socks while the Ennis based co-founder of Beo

Wellness was kept busy conversing with the many members of Down Syndrome Clare who came to support the event.

202 cyclists rolled out on Sunday and the choice between the 50km route from Shannon to Quin onto Fenloe and back by Newmarket-on-Fergus while the 100km trek carried onto Broadford and back.

Members of the organising committee including Louise Craig, John Ryan,

Neil Gillespie, Pat O’Grady, Pat Ryan and the cycling club were very pleased with the success.

A monster raffle in conjunction with the Odd Socks cycle will be held on April 30th and tickets can be purchased for this online via Down Syndrome Clare Facebook page.

Funds raised will help to pay for essential therapies for the 85 Down Syndrome Clare members here in Clare like speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, swimming, and thereauptic horse riding.

14 NEWS

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

Anticipation & excitement Newmarket-on-Fergus PÁRAIC MCMAHON

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paraic@clareecho.ie

 HORSING AROUND: (Photo from 2019 show) Up and over at the scenic venue

Photo by Michael O'Brien

EWMARKET-ON-FERGUS’ Agricultural Show makes its awaited return to the Dromoland Estate this Sunday.

After a two year absence, the show returns for its 39th run from 9am on Sunday and it promises to have something to cater for all interests.

Show jumping, cattle showing, show horses, a dog show, vintage machinery, trade stands and a bake off are among the various activities running across the day.

Sarah Lynch is Chairperson of the Agricultural Show committee for the past two years but Sunday will be her first show in the role. “The nerves are setting in with only so many days left,” she admitted.

It is nothing new to see the Lynch’s from Latoon heavily involved in the show with Sarah’s father Pat involved since the early days while her mother Ida has also been to the fore. “It’s great to be involved in local events, it is only for a couple weeks of the year. Life is very busy as anyone knows who

is involved in an event like this, it is great to be able to keep up the family traditions,” Sarah reflected. She continued, “It’s a part of my life for as long as I can remember, my parents were very involved in young horse shows for a very young time, for the Bank Holiday Sunday we’ve always been roped into doing something for the whole family”.

Certain to be a talking point this year is the return of the bake-off which has five different classes – young baker, best decorated cupcakes, apple tart, brown bread and scones.

Sarah and Ann Willis of The Castle Eatery and Café in Clarecastle will serve as the judges. “I would come from a family where my mother has baked and taught us how to bake from a very young age, they did it when I was very young, I felt after lockdown so many families and people got into baking, I said it would be a new attraction especially for kids. Children love baking with their family, it is something different to bring in”.

One of the most popular events is the dog show, of which there are a total of 19 classes.

“It is always very well supported, it always gets a huge interest on the day, it is a huge family spectacle. This year we’re doing a Cora Chaitlín Canine 2022 which puts any-

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

builds for return of Agricultural Show one with an address in Newmarket-on-Fergus in their own competition, it is in memory of Jackie and Mary Greene, he was very much involved in the show and was an animal lover”.

Eighteen to 20 classes are anticipated for the cattle show. The showjumping is noted for being the first show of the year, its setting on grass rather than sand adds to the eager-

NEWS 15

ness of spectators.

Quick to acknowledge the support of their sponsors and the committee, Sarah is hopeful that the regular crowd of 1000 plus will once again flock to show. Jane O'Leary, Fiona Duggan, Aileen Kilmartin, Lorraine Melican, Trish Hassett, Marcus Creaven and Conor Wixted are among some of the many persons involved in running the shows.

 CLARE FAIR: (Photos from 2019 show) James McNamara in the best gromed dog section being presented with his rosette, from Tiernan O'Neil Photo by Michael O'Brien

16 OUT & ABOUT

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

SCARIFF BAY ALL STARS ALL STAR camogie winners for the past two seasons were honoured in Scariff over the weekend.

Running since 2019, the Scariff Bay Community Radio Clare Camogie All Star Awards acknowledge the top players in the Clare senior camogie championship as voted by the managers of the respective teams.

Scariff Community College was the venue for the ceremony where the All Stars of the past two seasons were presented with their accolades. Clare Camogie Chairman, Joe O’Donnell and PRO, Brid MacNamara were among those in attendance.

Former Scariff Community College principal John S. Kelly who is part of the Scariff Bay Community Radio steering group presented the awards to the chosen camogie players.

The 2021 All Star team was first announced in The Clare Echo. County and Munster champions, Scariff/Ogonnelloe lead the way with seven representatives on the team followed by beaten finalists Truagh/Clonlara with three, 2020 winners Inagh/Kilnamona and reigning Senior B champions Feakle/Killanena have two players each selected with semi-finalists Kilkishen/Bodyke earning one spot on the side.

Joint captain of the Scariff/Ogonnelloe side, Amy Barrett was named as the Player of the Year for 2021, the previous year’s winner had previously been announced as Clare Hehir of Inagh/Kilnamona.

A nice tribute to the Scariff Bay’s coverage of camogie was recently issued

by Scariff/Ogonnelloe who included the community radio station’s logo and emblem as the main feature of their away jersey.

l WELL DESERVED: (clockwise from top left): Amy Barrett pictured with her award outside Scariff Community College; A content John S. Kelly at the Scariff Bay Community Radio Clare Camogie All Stars; Clare Camogie PRO, Brid MacNamara and Chairman, Joe O’Donnell keep a close eye on proceedings; Scariff/Ogonnelloe duo Amy Barrett and Ciara Doyle listening attentively at the All Star Awards; Clare and Feakle/Killanena midfielder Zi Yan Spillane with her accolade; Mairead Scanlan, joint captain of the county and provincial champions, Scariff/Ogonnelloe takes the tough questions

Photos by Ruth Griffin

Community KILFENORA

CONTACT

NEWSDESK 065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

NOTES MACRA - TABLE QUIZ CLARE Macra na Feirme will hold a table quiz on Friday 29th April in The Grove Bar, Ennis at 9pm. The quiz will be in aid of three charities Munster Macra members will cycle from Mizen to Malin Head for; Make the Moove, The Irish Cancer Society and Embrace Farm. €20 per table of 4. Raffle on the night. All are welcome. Follow Clare Macra on Facebook and Instagram for more information.

COROFIN - FESTIVAL OF FINN ON THIS Friday night April 29 at 8.30 pm Cumann Staire is Dúchais Chora Finne, in conjunction with Corofin’s May Bank Holiday Festival of Finn, will present the extraordinary story of the four O’Higgins brothers of North Clare, all of whom participated as soldiers in the First World War. The story will be presented by Dermot Hayes. The narration of this story will take place in the main hall in Corofin in order to afford ample social distancing for all and mask wearing will be encouraged on the night. All are very welcome to this very special event which launches the May Bank Holiday Festival of Finn.

ENNISTYMON - LIME AND EARTH MORTARS COURSE EÓIN Madigan of Madigan Traditional Masonry will be launching the first of a series of traditional craft training workshops on Friday the 29th April at Hometree Charity, Ardnaculla, Ennistymon. The first workshop will focus on lime and earth mortars used to conserve our built heritage.Courses are aimed at homeowners, masons wishing to upskill, conservation professionals, community groups and students.Cost of course is €100 which includes refreshments and light lunch.

Contact details: madigantraditionalmasonry@gmail.com or phone 085-7679753 for booking details and further information.

l JIG TIME: A Junior workshop with Josephine Marsh (accordion) and Paula O'Regan (fiddle) in full swing at the Kilfenora Traditional Music Festival over the weekend Photo by Andy Lambert

KILRUSH - LECTURE The Kilrush and District Historical Society April lecture will take place at 8pm Irish Summer Time on Tuesday, 26 April 2022 in the Teach Ceoil.The lecture, entitled Surveillance of and violence against women during the War of Independence; case studies from Co Clare, will be delived by Dr. Mary McAuliffe.

Mary is a historian and Director of the Gender Studies Programme at University College Dublin and holds a Ph.D. from the School of History and Humanities, Trinity College Dublin.As COVID-19 remains prevalent, those attending are encouraged to sanitise hands, wear masks and social distance.

COLUMNIST 17

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

Rachels Must Haves !

Style, Beauty and Lifestlye

Rachel Porter

@rachels_day_

These are my absolute must-have in skincare available from Haven Pharmacy Holly’s large range of Clarins products available in store now.

Lip Comfort Oil – what I love most about this lip oil is its non-sticky texture! It leaves the lips feeling nourished whilst also giving a gorgeous pink hue. This oil includes Clarins new Organic Sweetbriar Rose oil which comforts and visibly plumps the lips – it’s a must for the summer.

40

€

34

50

€

28

Self Tan – Clarins self-tanning drops are designed to be mixed with any moisturiser to create a radiant, even, made-to-measure tan. They give a gorgeous glow to the skin and can be used on face and body. The fact that the depth of tan be easily customized by adding more or less drops makes this product suitable for anyone. It can be used as a top up mid week to ensure you get the most out of your tan.

Exfoliating Body Scrub – When you are ready to re set your tan this product is perfect to be used to get off those stubborn parts (elbows and knees I am looking at you!). This product gently smoothes away dry cells, flakes, and impurities while nourishing and softening skin.. Oh, and did I mention is smells Devine.

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22

UV Plus sunscreen – Speaking of summer.. I have been using Clarins Oil-free, daily multi-protection sunscreen with broad spectrum SPF 50 under makeup to ensure my skin is protected from UV rays. The oil-free formula means it can be worn under makeup seamlessly or on its own without leaving the skin looking shiny.

Supra Lift & Curl Mascara – I haven’t received as many compliments on my lashes as I have when wearing this mascara! It adds length I didn’t think was possible without clumping. What I love most is there is no under eye wear off even after a full day of wearing.

€

€

€

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Body Firming Cream - The perfect end to any skin care routine is a deeply hydrating body moisturiser. This cream has a rich melting texture infused with Organic Shea Butter and Organic Aloe Vera extract which delivers continuous hydration to keep skin smooth.

I usually put it on before bed and wake up with lovely soft skin.

It’s worth noting that Haven Pharmacy Holly’s is running a Clarins promotion until Saturday (April 30) – if you buy two Clarins products (one must be a moisturiser or serum), you can pick four free items from a range of 10, so pop in for a look!

Eoin Neylon

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

Turf ban will eventually be ‘absolute’

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HERE is nothing quite like it; a day spent in the bog saving turf. As a young lad, there were a good few scorching summer days spent back at the uncle’s bog sodding and stacking in order to get it dried for the Winter.

These were days spent with cousins and uncles and granduncles along with neighbours which gave these occasions a great community sense in my memory. Admittedly, it’s a long while since I spent a summer’s day doing this, but there have been a few bagging and packing in the interim. Likewise, as a member of the Lions Club of Ennis, the annual fuel appeal sees members of the club chopping and bagging logs from kindly donated felled trees.

These are dried and bagged by members before being distributed just after Christmas each year to those in need. Having been involved in these operations, you do get a real sense of how important solid fuel still is in places like Clare to this day.

Nevertheless, it is still true to say that pollution from the burning of solid fuels is a large contribution to climate change, the negative effects of which are all too evident on the peoples of Clare regardless of where, north, south, east, west or central you happen to live.

The recurring flooding issues are proving extremely costly to our way of life and our shared prosperity.

That is one of the main reason the Government have been making moves to ban the commercial production of turf. To clarify, this does not incorporate the

domestic or community cutting of turf as outlined above, but the large-scale manufacture, typically seen in the midlands mainly.

Eamon Ryan has been leading the charge on this, being a key policy promise the Green Party made before the last election. This has been met with much consternation, especially amongst rural TDs. At a meeting of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, to which Ryan was invited, many TDs, including Clare’s Joe Carey, grilled the Green Party leader on the plans. It was described as a tense meeting with emotions running high Make no mistake about it, we do need to act fast to counter climate change to mitigate against future detrimental effects it will have on our communities.

However, the rush to ban said solid fuels, even if just at a commercial level for now, is seen as being too much too soon.

There are many homes around the country which depend solely on solid fuels for heat, and even some for cooking. Until such a time that these people have been transferred to an alternate fuel source, the argument is that these people run the risk of being left, literally, in the cold as we strive forward to a greener future.

There is more than good merit to this argument. The idea that people, mainly in the west of Ireland, are still so dependent on solid fuels is alien to urban dwellers in this day and age. Whereas they are cutting their gas connections and oil burners for solar panel and air to water heat pumps, these technologies are still all too rare throughout the rest of the country. They

are getting more and more popular, especially in new builds, but there remains a large number of homes which are badly in need of retrofitting. Banning turf cutting is something we absolutely will have to do, and starting with the commercial sector is the obvious route to doing that.

But make no mistake, the ban will, eventually, become absolute. Days saving turf with the extended family will become a thing of the past for better or worse.

That said, it is the Government’s duty to ensure that such a move away from solid fuel burning is done in an equitable, inclusive and fair way that doesn’t leave communities behind.

The idea that all those who are still reliant on turf for their heating can be catered for via locally produced turf by a neighbour within the community flies in the face of logic.

If that was the case, then the commercial production of turf would have ceased a long time ago as economically unviable. TDs like Joe Carey are right to be vexed. The Green agenda is a noble one; that to save the planet from the careless actions of humanity as we literally burn through our natural resources. Nevertheless, as all too often seen with noble agendas, there are consequences to these actions which are not well thought through.

The excitement to build a better world overriding the idea that many people are not yet equipped to live in said new society. Until such a time there is a concrete plan of action in motion to help people alternate their fuel source, Government need to rethink their timelines.

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THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

Burren documentary reconnects families

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by PÁRAIC McMAHON

NORTH Clare family from both sides of the Atlantic will be reunited next week in Doolin for the Ireland premiere of an award-winning documentary about their family history.

Hotel Doolin hosts the premiere of Burren Girl which highlights the story of a traditional Gaelic clan of the Burren, the O’Dubhdaboreinn.

It follows the quest of Irish American Rita Davern as she searches ancient records and wanders the Burren connecting with farm families, friends and distant relations to learn more about the land and people her grandmother left behind in 1887.

Rita who produced and directed the film, said: “I am excited to bring this film back home to the Burren, where the my family’s story began more than 1200 years ago. Twelve people from the extended Davern branch, and a few filmmakers will also come over from Minnesota for the premiere. They are excited to finally meet the Davoren’s they encountered in the film. Our ancestors

who left, and those who stayed, will be on all of our minds. I think they would be very pleased that this reunion is happening.”

Forty years ago, curiosity about her ancestors led Rita to travel to the Burren from her home in the US. The title refers to Rita’s grandmother Anne, who at 19 travelled from her home near Lahinch to America with her sisters. She and her younger sister settled in Minnesota and married two brothers, William and John (also Daverns) who were distant cousins. Two generations later, Anne’s story was forgotten, although a street and a house in St. Paul still carry the family name.

“I wanted to learn more about what happened to my family, particularly Anne, who died a year before I was born. I hoped that by learning something about her life I could understand something important about mine. I especially wanted to understand why she left. What were the forces pushing her away from that farm near Lahinch, where her family lived for several hundred years?”

In 2015, encouraged by her niece

Maria, Rita began the film, despite having no previous filmmaking experience. “I started taking film classes to learn things like how to light and shoot an effective interview.

Thankfully I met some talented filmmakers willing to teach me”.

What started off as one film became two, both of which were released during the pandemic; ‘Stories I Didn’t Know,’ which follows the Minnesota strand of her family story, was released in April 2020 and has been shown on PBS – U.S. public television. The second film, ‘Burren Girl’ was released in September of that year.

In both films, Rita questions what impact emigration/immigration has on descendants and why it is important to unearth the past. Rita’s own journey attests to the value of learning about homeland and history.

The premier also serves as a fundraiser for Burrenbeo Trust with patrons encouraged to make a donation to the charity. It takes place at 8pm on May 4th in Hotel Doolin.

Visit tickettailor.com/events/burrenbeotrust/680859 to book a ticket.

FILM: Burren Girl

Cultural evening of solidarity between Ireland and Ukraine planned for Cois na hAbhna PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

A CULTURAL evening between Ireland and Ukraine takes place this Saturday at Cois na hAbhna in Ennis.

Clare has been to the forefront in welcoming displaced Ukrainians by offering them peace and security following the trauma and suffering they have endured in their native country at the hands of the Russians.

As part of the welcome, the Comhaltas resource centre in conjunction with Ireland Poland Ukraine Refugee Relief (IPURR), will host an Ireland-Ukraine cultural event in Cois na hAbhna, Gort Road on Saturday May 7th at 8.00pm.

This event will feature musicians, singers and dancers from Clare and from amongst the Ukrainians who have recently come to Clare.

Mícheál Ó Riabhaigh is among the organisers, he said, “It will be an opportunity for us to share and appreciate our cultural traditions, and to demonstrate our solidarity”.

Among the Clare performers will be Joan Hanrahan, the Lyons’ Aisling, Seán and Ann, Oliver O’Connell and friends, young musicians from Clarecastle Ballyea Comhaltas and a number of dancers.

They will be joined by pianist and singer Kseniya Doroshenko and Ukrainian musicians, singers and dancers currently staying in Ennis and North Clare.

Admission to the concert is free and people will be able to donate to the work of the IPURR if they wish.

Sat 7TH May | 8pm

Venue: Cois na hAbhna, Ennis Voluntary Contributions will go to Ireland Poland Ukraine Refugee Relief

Kseniya Doroshenko

COUNTY CLARE’S TRADITIONAL MUSIC ARTISTS WILL BE JOINED BY SINGERS AND DANCERS FROM UKRAINE FOR THIS UNIQUE FUND RAISING EVENT

FEATURES 19

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

GREEN CLARE

Lahinch Leisure Centre among the most green & sustainable

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

NEWLY renovated leisure centre in North-West Clare claims to be among the most green and sustainable facilities of its type in the country.

Lahinch Leisure Centre reopened to the public on Friday (April 22nd) following conclusion of a €6m refurbishment which took over two and a half years to complete and includes the provision of 120 solar panels on the roof of the building.

During this time, there was a strong shift from use of fossil fuels to sustainable energy in the facility, General Manager Eoin Conlon explained. “We put a lot of emphasis on the development on energy management systems, we’ve transitioned from a heavy fossil fuel system and really developed the sustainable side of things.

“We’ve 120 solar panels, we also burn wood pellets so there isn’t oil burners, we’ve two wood pellet boilers and also have geo-thermal heat pumps, we’ve gone completely away from the fossil fuel area and to sustainable energy”.

He outlined, “all of the VA2 systems are developed by recycling plastic bottles, the VA2 systems would be again on that sus-

tainable aspect of it, there’s been fabulous work done by Tipp Energy and Kelly’s RAC in developing those systems. We’re very excited to be able to do that in this day and age to develop something where our carbon footprint is lessened”.

While unsure on the exact amount of plastic bottles used, Eoin said their presence was critical to the development. “The VA2 system is made up of a sock almost and the air is filtered through the sock, all the air is pushed out through this sock, the material in it was developed through the recycling of plastic bottles, it is not a plastic aspect, it was developed through recycling those bottles”.

According to the Doora native, the location of the centre directly opposite the sea underlines the importance of the climate to the people in the area. “For the area we’re in with the sea and the environment around us, it is something that people are very aware of and we’ve really concentrated on that”.

Having previously held similar roles in Limerick and Killaloe, Eoin was adamant that Lahinch Leisure Centre could now class itself as one of the most green and sustainable leisure centres on the island of Ireland.

“I would imagine we would have developed a lot of the systems on that basis, we would have been leading in that. Tipp Energy and the SEAI have been auditing the leisure centre recently in terms of that, they have been extremely happy with how the results have

 Staff members Judit Pilisi (Duty Manager), Dervlla Considine (Duty Manager), Eoin Conlon (General Manager), and Jamie Fitzgibbon (Supervisor) at the newly opened Lahich Leisure Centre Photo by Natasha Barton

gone. We have 120 solar panels on the roof so you can see exactly how we’re using the energy which is available at reception to see, you can see the amount of kilowatts per hour that we initiate with the solar panels. With the wood pellets, it is another sustainable product and the heat pumps are geo-thermal so the heat is coming from the earth. We are one of the leading leisure centres in the country with regards to sustainability”.

Pool temperatures will be maintained by geo-thermal energy, he stated. “The wood

pellet burner would do the heating system for the facility itself like the heat from the VA2 system which pumps in the hot air when needed, the solar panels on a good day will be generating 90 percent if not more of our own electricity through the solar panels, on a dull day we might need a little back up from the grid but generally speaking we might even be in excess for most of the summer generating our own electricity through solar panels and possibly adding back to the grid”.

20 COLUMNIST

Love heals

RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

H

AVE you ever felt broken?

Kintsugi in Japenese culture is the art of repairing something that has been broken with gold, with the understanding that the object is more beautiful because it has been broken.

Like the art of kintsugi, God repairs the brokenness in our lives and makes us more beautiful through the process. My daughter Mia broke her leg and knee a few years ago when she was 12 years old.

It happened accidentally while playing tag rugby.

The scream that followed is still fresh in my mind almost 4 years later. The doctor wrapped her full leg after her serious operation in a bright red cast, and for a few weeks she took it easy, allowing herself to heal. But before too long, she was back out and about on crutches trying to keep fit with determination, her leg still wrapped inside its cast.

Within months after the cast had come off and the long road of physio had begun, she was back on her bicycle, cycling hard with her once-broken leg. When my wife and I first saw her on her bicycle, we gasped and ran towards her, certain she couldn’t withstand the movement. But she did.

Her leg was strong and solid, and she was smiling.

That which was once broken was now healed. The funny thing about healing is that something healed still holds the memory of its former brokenness. I still have a nasty scar of my own that serves as a reminder of a sports injury I experienced decades ago.

The pain will always be part of my memory, but healing has taken its place.

Through Jesus Christ, we can experience physical, emotional and spiritual healing.

And though the pain may still be a part of our memory, Revelation 21:4 says that one day, “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” . What a beautiful

reminder that we should never be ashamed of our own brokenness and healing, because it is through that very brokenness and healing that we can encourage others.

It is Love

In the Christian spiritual tradition the foundation of this courage to face our brokenness is a simple one. It is Love. In the First Letter of St John, God is described as being made of Love. St. John also goes on to say “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear...” Knowing ourselves completely and truly loved is the foundation of feeling safe, of feeling strong enough to face the worst both in and around ourselves.

This love is tough, challenging, inspiring, powerful, accepting, and complete. It doesn’t come with conditions and we cannot do anything to deserve it or earn it because it is freely given by Good and is absolute. When Jesus was asked the most important law, or commandment, within his tradition he responded with a simple answer: “Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind” and “love your neighbour as you love yourself.” It is in knowing ourselves loved

by God, and loving God in return, we are told, that we find a love for ourselves which can then open up to our neighbour whomever they shall be. In having the security of God’s love, we are able to move beyond fear, prejudice, brokenness, emptyness, and judgement, into a place of liberation, faith, forgiveness, healing and wholeness. If that seems all a bit abstract, there are ways in which to connect with that force of love which can build up our sense of being loved.

Jesus talks of needing to spend time in prayer, and often spent time alone in meditation and stillness.

He also talks of being part of a community of love, of people committed to finding the love of God together and sharing that

with the world.

The Church that followed hasn’t always lived up to that ideal, but that still remains the ideal, and the principle of finding community, sharing hopes, fears, forgiveness, mercy and healing, should still be at the heart of any spiritual community.

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, always remember that some of the most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known brokenness, known rejection, known abandonment, known homelessness, known illness, known suffering, known hurt, known unemployment, known loneliness, known struggle, known grief, known asylum, known hunger and thirst, known addiction, known abuse, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.

These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, mercy, forgiveness, gentleness, and a deep loving concern.

Beautiful people do not just happen. So look on everyone with compassion as we don’t know what other people are living through.

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.

A prayer poem by Deborah Ann that I love to pray when feeling broken and that helps me goes as follows, “God keeps doing wonders, with broken hearts. He can still heal and mend all the injured parts. But, you must give Him your heart as it breaks each little piece of it and all the little flakes. God can perform miracles, on hearts that are damaged.

He can undo the impact where grief has ravaged.

But, you must go to Him, with a heart surrendered so He can do the repairs without being hindered. God continues to do wonders, miracles He still performs for the heart that is broken He mercifully transforms!

As Psalm 147:3 says “He healeth the broken in heart,and bindeth up their wounds.”

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

SUPER EASY VEGGIE BURGER Kearney Cooks

I

GOT asked during the week for a veggie burger recipe by a friend. I thought I would also share it here with the readers of The Clare Echo.

Now I try and eat meat free a couple of days a week. It’s good for the environment, and the wallet as I find veggie dinners are usually very affordable. I also love a good homemade burger as you can pack them full of spices and flavour. The below recipe is fantastic to use with your favourite spices as the beans and potatoes tend to work well with most spices and herbs. So you can vary up the flavour as you like.

Keep an eye out for the Instructional video which will be put up on Instagram @ kearneycooks at the weekend.

YOU WILL NEED • 1 jar of cannelini beans, strained and washed • 1 cooked potato (about 300 g) leftover mash can be used as well • 50g breadcrumbs • 1 finely diced red onion • 15g finely chopped chilli pepper • 1/2 tsp paprika • 1/2 tsp cumin • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika • 1/2 tsp garlic salt • 1/2 tsp tumeric • 20ml of rapeseed oil • Salt and pepper to season Step One Lob all your ingredients into a bowl and mash everything together either with a hand masher or a food processor.

Step Two Form the mix into four patties and dust them with flour before sitting them onto a plate and leaving them in the fridge for an hour to firm up.

Step Three Fry your patties for a few minutes on each side. Serve them up on a burger bun with some relish, tomatoes and lettuce.

Tuck in!

Enjoy

Steve K

RECRUITMENT 21

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

BUSINESS AND RECRUITMENT

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

Aviation needs an 'All-Ireland' approach

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST INVITED

Recent queues at Dublin Airport

Photo by RTE

Following the publication of the Clare Tourism Strategy 2030 and the Fáilte Ireland’s Visitor Experience Development Plan (VEDP)

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL Invites Expressions of Interest from Landowners to sell site(s) in any of the 4 towns as marked on map suitable for the development of 1 or more

PARK & RIDE FACILITY PÁRAIC MCMAHON

O

paraic@clareecho.ie

KEY CRITERIA 1. Regular shaped site comprising circa 7.17 acres

to 9.64 acres.

2. Ideal site must be accessible to and from a

National Primary Route.

3. Site must be located within or adjacent to the

Development Plan Area.

4. The topography of the subject site must lend itself

to development.

5. The site will be purchased with vacant possession.

The closing date for submission: 16th May, 2022.

ENQUIRIES TO Ben Fitzgerald q +353 61 318 770 E ben@ppg.ie

Find out more online at www.clarecoco.ie www.ppg.ie This advertisement is for information purposes only and does not constitute or form part of any commitment to purchase by Clare County Council.

FFICIALS in the Department of Transport need to compel the daa to partner with airports in the regions to solve its capacity crisis and to ensure that passenger delays are avoided, Limerick Chamber have said.

Latest advice from the daa for passengers flying out of Dublin Airport is to arrive two and a half hours before the departure of short-haul flights to Europe and the UK. The recommendation for long-haul passengers is up to three and a half hours. Passengers flying on short-haul flights taking off after 08.30 are advised not to arrive at the airport any earlier than 06.00.

CEO of Limerick Chamber, Dee Ryan has said that the problems at Dublin Airport can be relieved by transferring certain flights to Shannon, Cork, Ireland West (Knock) and Kerry airports, all of which have significant spare capacity, particularly as the COVID recovery in airports outside the capital is happening at a much slower pace.

Ms Ryan said that the capacity issues at Dublin demonstrate yet again the need for an urgent overhaul of aviation policy and have reaffirmed concerns that Dublin Airport would leave others in its slipstream in the aviation COVID recovery. Aviation policy needs to have an all-Ireland approach as distinct from a Dublin Airport centric one, she said.

“Dublin Airport’s problems are not good for passengers, for Dublin Airport or our tourism reputation. There is an obvious solution here and that is to make use of the spare capacity of airports in other regions.

If Dublin Airport won’t do this, the Department of Transport should step in and compel it to open conversations with Shannon, Cork, Knock and Kerry airports with a view to using their spare capacity. Not one of those airports are near capacity at present,” she stated.

A complete review of aviation policy is needed, she said. “We are not suggesting a short-term fix here but a meaningful look at services coming into and out of Ireland and being more strategic as to what airports are used for what flights. It’s an all-Ireland solution that we need to create, as distinct from a single or Dublin Airport centric one, which we currently have.”

Diverting flights would be a better outcome for passengers, she argued.

“Diverting some services to Shannon, Cork, Knock and Kerry airports may inconvenience travellers originating in Dublin or with Dublin as their destination, but is not nearly as inconvenient as horrendously long queues and inadequate parking options currently being experienced in Dublin. A shuttle bus service could be provided to take crew and affected passengers down the motorway.

"Besides, we know that approximately half of those travellers are already coming from places outside of Dublin for their flights in the first instance. With enough notice, they could adjust plans”.

22 RECRUITMENT

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

€16m to solve Ballycar flooding

W

ORKS TO ALLEVIATE historic flooding along the Ballycar railway line are estimated to cost €16m, writes Páraic McMahon.

1826 is said to be the first instance of flooding occurring at Ballycar with regular occurrences impacting on rail commuters.

RPS Consulting in May 2019 were appointed to develop a solution to the regular flooding problems at Ballycar which was closed for 110 days in 2014 and 140 a year later. In 2020, rail commuters must had to travel by bus from Sixmilebridge to Ennis due to the flooding at Ballycar.

In November 2018, Clare County Council, Irish Rail and the Office of Public Works (OPW) agreed to work in conjunction with one another to fix flooding at Ballycar.

The Clare Echo has learned that a solution has jointly been agreed

by Iarnród Éireann, Clare County Council, the OPW, Geological Survey of Ireland and National Parks and Wildlife Service, which has been costed at approximately €16m. Engagement is ongoing with relevant Government departments to identify a funding source for these works.

Meanwhile, in the past week some rail users availing of services from Limerick to Galway had to stand up and others were left with

no option but to sit on the floor for the course of their journey, this occurred on the day of Ed Sheeran’s concert in Croke Park.

Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) believed it strengthened the case for increased investment along the line including an expansion of services at the Sixmilebridge railway station. “It is further evidence of the success of Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor. The services pictured were at different times and on one occasion passengers joining at Ennis could not get seats. Although this is an intercity service only twopiece trains are in service with ICR railcars only operating on a limited number of services”.

He continued, “Despite being operated with two less trains per day than promised in the business case, the line carried 531,000 passengers in 2019 and is the fastest growing rail route in the country”.

A spokesperson for Iarnród Éireann said they were not seeing “significant issues” of overcrowding on the Galway to Limerick route and flagged that spare seats were available when passengers opted to sit on the ground. “At the very busiest times, there can be minor capacity issues but overall we are satisfied that service capacities are meeting demand on this route”.

The spokesperson also confirmed, “there are no plans at present to open a station at Crusheen”.

RECRUITMENT 23

24

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

‘Time to plant’ as bedding plants come into season, say Keanes STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

K

EANE’S Garden Centre has over 50 years of expertise in gardening. Set on over 10 acres in Kilcolgan, the family-run business started by Martin Joe & Mary-Teresa Keane is now run by son Kevin.

With more than 10 staff, Kevin notes that many customers are unaware of the comprehensive nature of the business. It includes the garden centre which is set over one acre, along with three acres of bare root trees, an acre of hedging, a huge range of polytunnels, composts, pottery and more.

“It would be pretty comprehensive, it covers all gardening needs. Many garden centres look after BBQs, furniture, we specialise in plants,” explains Kevin.

Now is prime time for garden cen-

tres across the region as we enter the “main growing season”. “Your summer bedding plants are just coming into season now so it’s time to get them in. You’ll have lovely flowers in your garden, pots, window boxes and hanging baskets from now until October,” says Kevin, adding that now is also the time to sow vegetables. He warns, “Weeds are starting to flourish now as well and now is the time to get on top of that before they start seeding.”

Kevin acknowledges an increased interest in gardening resulted from previous lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, which has continued steadily this year. There are five horticulturalists working at Keane’s and Kevin notes that visitors looking for specialised advise should come in the morning when “it’s a little bit quieter and the horticulturalists have more time to give advice”. “That’s part of the value we give. If you’re speaking to anyone here it’s a horticulturalist so you’re getting qualified advice.”

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

25

26

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

Curraghchase Garden Centre offers a unique café experience only 20 minutes from Limerick

A

S perennials start to become flush with colour and summer bedding becomes a priority again, pay us a visit and our resident horticulturalists will be glad to help you with their expert advice. We carry a wonderful range of exceptional plants, trees and shrubs, complete with a full compliment of garden care products to help you bring summer vitality and richness to your garden.

To complete your visit, why not relax for a while in the unique experience that is The Potting Shed Café. Whether it’s a hearty breakfast or a delicious lunch, a tasty treat or a freshly-made coffee, The Potting Shed has something for you. We’re open from 9.30am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Stop by before work for coffees and crepes or meet some friends for a catch-up over lunch. Our menu is available to view and order ahead at www.curraghchasegardencentre.ie. We’re looking forward to seeing you!

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27

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

Gardening In Coastal Conditions

L

IVING BY THE COAST can mean enjoying beautiful sea views, lovely landscapes, beautiful sunsets but can offer some quite challenging gardening conditions - strong salt laden winds and not much in the way of shelter can mean it’s important to carefully select plants that are suited to your area. Depending on your location - be it right on the seafront, a few miles inland, coastal sheltered or coastal exposed, choosing the plants that do best for your conditions is important. Seaside locations can have the advantage of not suffering hard frost and can have a longer growing season and plenty of good light to encourage the right plants to grow.

When planning gardens in coastal areas there is a need to strike a balance between providing shelter and some windbreak and at the same time not blocking the panoramic sea views. If your garden is particularly exposed, there’s a good range of robust trees and shrubs that can be planted to serve as a windbreak for the rest of the garden, filtering out strong salty winds and opening up your planting choices, once the shelter becomes somewhat established. Using windbreak netting can be of great benefit to help plants establish, planting shrubs closely so that they can protect each other and looking around the area to see what is growing well can offer a great guide of what to grow, avoiding expensive mistakes.

I’ve put together a few tried and tested trees and shrubs that are worth considering for an exposed or coastal garden; Trees that can provide shelter include the flowering Hawthorn tree, Crateagus Paul’s Scarlet - beautiful, double pink flowers in May and ornamental berries, or “Haws” in autumn and winter and a lovely autumn leaf colour - so lots of seasons of interest and suited for exposed mlocations - Other trees worth considering include Scots Pine, Hornbeam mand Alder. Make sure you use a strong stake and a proper tree tie to keep your trees supported and use a quality compost to give them the best start possible For shrubs, one of my favorite shrubs are Pittosporum, they can be grown as a dense hedge to block out winds, or can be grown as part of a mixed shrub border - they’re evergreen, beautiful foliage and some will have scented flowers - Pittosporum Silver Queen has beautiful variegated leaves that are popular for flower arranging - and probably prefers coastal sheltered conditions.

Escallonia shrubs are a popular, evergreen flowering shrubs suited for coastal growing - Escallonia Gold Brian is one of my favorite shrubs - golden foliage with pink red flowers in late Summer - easy to grow - reaches a height of about 3 and a half to 4 feet Phormiums are an excellent choice for windy coastal sites, great in beds or containers with lots of different varieties and colours to choose from - they have strap

like or sword shaped leaves - you’ll see large varieties growing along promenades around the coast - Phormium ‘Platt’s Black’ mhas dark purple, almost black foliage and a very compact habit. Height and Spread of around 60cm x 90cm and Phormium ‘Maori Queen’ has bronze green leaves growing to about 3 feet tall.

For perennials that suit coastal areas, Eryngiums or Sea Holly make a great addition - they have thistle like flowers that last well when cut, and make a wonderful cut flower, both in fresh and dried arrangements. It’s perfect for growing at the front of a herbaceous border and great for attracting bees and butterflies.

Red Hot Pokers or Kniphofia are another great perennial for seaside areas adding a good blast of colourful exotic looking flowers - lots of new varieties available some suited for containers - with a range of heights from 9 or 10 inches to 6 feet tall.

Nepta or Catmint and Agapanthus are two other great perennials worth considering.

For colourful annuals that are great in beds or containers you can grow calendulas - sometimes called pot marigolds - these flower for ages - yellow and orange flowers that are edible Snap Dragons or antirrhinums are real easy to grow - cottage garden style plants They come in a range of different colours and heights and are suited to a range of situations - they’ll flower from June to October and suited to coastal areas.

Most grasses will do very well in coastal areas - Pennisetum, Stipa Pony tails, Festucas and miscanthus are amongst loads to choose from and suited to beds or containers.

There’s lots more to choose from - this is just a selection - remember to check what’s growing well in your area as an indication and if you need any help or advice call into Keanes Garden Centre and we’ll look after you.

A Few Jobs for the Week Ahead As the weather warms up, slugs and snails become very active on damp nights and they can cause severe damage as new leaves come through the soil and especially on small new plants. Organic slug pellets are effective and readily available.

Feed all your flowering shrubs and roses - Osmo pro Bloom - will give some great results. Onion setts, shallots and seed potatoes can be sown for some great homegrown flavour Treat the lawn for moss - if it’s bad use a liquid treatment first and follow up with a granulated feed and weed shortly afterwards.

Article courtesy of Keane’s Garden Centre, Kilcolgan, Galway.

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THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

6 Tips On How To Keep Grass Green

A

LUSH, verdant grass is the glue that holds a garden together.

Some lawn owners believe that once their grass begins to look boring, there is no turning back.

However, you’ll be relieved to learn that all it requires is some tender loving care.

We’ve prepared some helpful lawn care advice to assist you. If you follow our advice on how to maintain grass green, you’ll soon have a lush, green lawn that will make your neighbours jealous.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Because some suggestions call for the use of tools, be sure you’re familiar with how to handle them, please be the mind full of DIY Safety Tips. Use caution when applying grass feed and fertiliser.

YELLOW PATCHES

Mowing more regularly but with a higher blade setting can help to eliminate yellow areas. You won’t be able to chop off too much of the grass this way.

If the veins (at the bottom) of your grass blades are becoming yellow, you may have an iron shortage. A spray-on liquid iron supplement can help with this.

When fertiliser is applied incorrectly, what was once healthy, green grass might turn yellow. If you’ve over-applied it, just vigorously water the area to wash any remaining fertilizer into the soil.

REGULAR TREATMENT IS REQUIRED

To get a clean cut, make sure your lawn is somewhat dry before mowing. To avoid letting your grass grow out, keep your mower blades maintained and mow little and frequently. When this happens, you run the danger of removing too many leaf

blades at once, reducing your lawn’s capacity to produce food.

You lose your green grass during the winter months. On those cold, crisp days, instead of putting your lawn mower away for months, give it a quick cut.

Mowers with a mulching plug will finely chop the clippings and then return them to the grass as a useful fertiliser.

TO AVOID MOSS, AERATE AND SCARIFY THE AREA.

Two further vital processes in maintaining green grass are aeration and scarification.

Aeration is the process of creating tiny channels in the soil that allow air to flow, reducing compaction, and allowing water, air, and nutrients to reach the roots.

Late spring or early autumn is typically the best time to aerate your lawn (when your grass is growing).

Avoid mid-summer or extremely dry circumstances on your lawn, since you don’t want the newly opened soil to dry out.

Scarification is necessary to keep the lawn from becoming overly thick, which can lead to serious moss issues.

Simply raking or combing to remove the dead organic materials that create the thatch layer will keep you on top of things.

Grass care tip: Both of these methods will make your lawn appear a bit worse for wear, but don’t worry; it will recover and contribute to the overall health of your green lawn.

ents at different periods of the year.

A high nitrogen feed, for example, is best administered in the spring and summer to boost growth. A high potash feed, on the other hand, is best provided in the autumn to assist in strengthening the grass roots in preparation for the winter.

Tips for lawn care: Read the directions for each fertilizer so you know how to use it and get the most out of it.

KEEP YOUR GARDEN HYDRATED

A healthy, well-kept green grass will not require much watering, but nature occasionally requires assistance. Sprinklers are convenient and available with a variety of settings to choose from.

Water your lawn early in the mornings and late at night when the temps are cooler, since the grass will absorb more water.

GRASS SEED AND LAWN FOOD

Spread grass feed all over your lawn if it appears thin or barren in most spots (but don’t apply too much). To avoid the seeds from being damaged by the sun and birds from eating them, spread grass seed over exposed areas and cover them gently with straw.

That concludes our lawn-care advice on how to keep grass green. If you want to go even farther, check out our tips for removing moss and weeds from your lawn.

FEED YOUR GRASS WITH A FERTILISER

Everyone with a green lawn will follow a seasonal fertiliser feeding schedule, since your grass will require various nutri-

Article courtesy of Keane’s Garden Centre, Kilcolgan, Galway.

28-04-22

Clare Echo THE

pg 29

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

MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP, ROUND 1: CLARE 3-21 TIPPERARY 2-16 AT SEMPLE STADIUM, THURLES

Lohan full of praise for under-radar Clare team

BRIAN LOHAN, CLARE SENIOR HURLING MANAGER: “I’m delighted with the win, coming down here is a hard place to come and I’m delighted with our display particularly in the first half, there was loads of errors we made in the second half but the first half was good.

“They are a good bunch of guys with good spirit in the team, they work hard, they’ve worked hard all year but probably don’t get the plaudits but they have been working hard for the last while, those kind of performances don’t just happen, you have to have the work done.

“We needed a couple of scores, there was a period when we struck three in a row, that was a big difference to give us a bit of breathing space for the last 10 or 15 minutes, if you were looking at it clinically, we didn’t protect the lead as well as we could so we would have to improve.”

“The worry we had coming into it was that they would get a jump on us at the start, that was the fear that they were up to the pace of Munster championship, we were hoping they wouldn’t get a jump on us and we wouldn’t be chasing the game, it worked in our favour”.

“In the second half, you would have to say Tipp dominated the half-back line and we struggled to win any sort of ball for long periods of the second half, that’s an area we have to work on.

COLM BONNAR, TIPPERARY SENIOR HURLING MANAGER: “They seemed to cut us open very quickly once they got a run and they opened it. Now, Hogie (Brian Hogan) made two tremendous saves off two of the shots and normally if you get some kind of luck, you deflect it over the bar, you deflect it wide or someone comes in. It was just the story of the day.

“They were just so quick on top of everything, in that first kind of 20-25 minutes. It made us look a bit flat footed. That’s something we have to revisit. You know, we had chances as well.

“Those three goals really pushed the game to a place where we didn’t think we would be. We just need to be more clinical. They have to be a bit more authoritative when taking on those shots on. That will come.”

PLAYER WATCH: RYAN TAYLOR Minutes Played: 74 Possessions: 10 (5/5) Passes: 4 (2/2) Long Pass: 1 (0/1) Short Pass: 3 (2/1) Hand Pass: 1 (1/0) Hurley Pass: 3 (1/2) Shots: 4 (3/1) Scores: 0-02 (1/1) Wides: 2 (2/0) Hooks: 0 Blocks: 0 Tackles: 3 (3/0) Turn Overs For: 1 (1/0)

Against: 2 (0/2) Frees For: 1 (0/1) Frees Against: 0 Photo by Gerard O’Neill

MUNSTER MINOR HURLING CHAMP’SHIP QF: CLARE 2-31 KERRY 0-07 AT SIXMILEBRIDGE

Clare sink Kerry BRIAN O’CONNELL, CLARE MINOR MANAGER:

Shane O’Donnell leaps into the air above Ronan Maher as Tony Kelly watches on Photo by Gerard O’Neill

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

REFEREE: James Owens (Wexford)

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

CLARE: Frees for: 10 (7/3) Wides: 13 (8/5) Spread of scorers: 10 Scores from play: 2-16 Top scorer: Tony Kelly (1-07 5f 1’Pen) Bookings: Conor Cleary (25) Own puckouts won: 19 from 34 (56%)

TIPPERARY: Frees for: 14 (6/8) Wides: 16 (8/8) Spread of scorers: 7 Scores from play: 2-09 Top scorer: Jason Forde (0-07 4f 2’65) Bookings: Cathal Barrett (54) Own puckouts won: 18 from 37 (49%)

“I said that we needed to focus on ourselves and keep improving so we’re extremely happy to be preparing for a semi-final now. We’ve set our standards and not only tried to maintain those standards but push them higher where we can so tonight was extremely pleasing. It was probably a big score in the end but we’ve loads to work on still as we had a lot of wides and weren’t very clinical in front of goal so you’ll always have something to work on.”

“This is the stage that we wanted to get to from the outset so we’re SCAN HERE FOR looking forward to play- MATCH REPORT ing the semi-final and I’m excited now that it’s Cork we’re playing.

Some of these lads have a little bit of a point to prove after last year so we’ll look forward to going down there next Tuesday.”

CLARE Frees For: 16 (7/9) Wides: 19 (11/8) Scores from Play: 2-17 Spread of Scorers: 8 Top Scorer: Oisin Whelan (1-12 10f) Own Puck-Outs won: 11 from 13 (85%)

KERRY Frees For: 11 (6/5) Wides: 6 (5/1) Scores from Play: 0-2 Spread of Scorers: 2 Top Scorers: Sean McElligott (0-5 5f) Own Puck-Outs won: 28 from 51 (55%)

REFEREE: Alan Tierney (Tipperary)

Putting halt to Cork pace key

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

CORK’s pace will be the main area of focus for Clare as Brian Lohan’s side look to record their second win in Semple Stadium in this year’s Munster SHC. Clare began with a bang defeating Tipperary 3-21 to 2-16 and they now face a Cork side beaten in their last two outings comprehensively to Waterford in the Allianz National Hurling League final and also to Limerick in their only game to date in

this year’s championship.

Speaking ahead of the test this Sunday at 2pm in Semple Stadium, Brian Lohan observed, “Cork do love Thurles, Cork are a good team, they’ve serious pace all over the field”.

Short turnarounds once they apply to all teams are not a major concern for the Shannon man. “I don’t mind the quick turnaround so long as everyone else is on the same boat, you get your games and you get your break, every team has a break of two matches, it

is the same for everybody”.

Shane Meehan (hamstring) will be hopeful of being in contention for this weekend’s clash, the Banner attacker was moments away from making his debut when a niggling injury reared its head again with management making the wise call not to risk the Mary I student when this became apparent. The quintet of Mark Rodgers, Aidan McCarthy, David Reidy, Aron Shanagher and Patrick O’Connor will be unavailable.

Both Clare and Cork crossed swords in last year’s championship with a late Patrick Collins save denying Tony Kelly from sending Lohan’s side through to the All-Ireland quarter-finals. “Everyone knows the pace of the Cork team, they’ve really exceptional forwards and ball players all over the field, that is another challenge,” the 2015 Fitzgibbon Cup winning manager commented.

James Organ keeps all eyes on the sliotar Photo by Gerard O’Neill

28-04-22

pg 30

Banner aiming for sixth Treaty victory in succession

C

by EOIN BRENNAN

LARE have never lost to Limerick in the championship under Colm Collins despite four consecutive provincial meetings between 2015-18. It’s an enviable record that the Banner cannot boast against any other county as not since 2009 have the Shannonside derby honours gone to the Treaty County.

However, as Clare bid for a sixth successive victory over their nearest neighbours, there is a more anxious feel to this fixture as Limerick enter in perhaps their best form to date, having stormed to promotion from Division 3 last month.

Not since 2007 have Billy Lee’s side played their trade in the second tier and ore

significantly it’s the first time in five years that Clare and Limerick are on an even keel in terms of their National League status heading into championship.

With only a kick of the ball separating the sides in four of the last five championship meetings, Limerick’s momentum presents a heightened challenge that will need to be quashed as early as possible on Saturday evening.

After all, with the stars aligning in the draw to ensure that Cork and Kerry clashed in the opposite side of the draw, Clare can’t afford to pass up another rare opportunity at reaching a first Munster Final since 2012.

For all the strides made under Cratloe clubman Collins to catapult the Banner from languishing in Divi-

Keelan Sexton appears to have lost his fitness battle ahead of the crunch tie in Ennis Photo by Gerard O’Neill

sion 4 to the most consistent side in Division 2 not to mention contenting an All-Ireland Quarter-Final in Croke Park in 2016 along with touching distance of the Super 8’s in 2019, a Munster title or even a final place has eluded Clare, something which should be

Footballers close to full strength

CLARE’s senior footballers have close to a full panel to pick from ahead of Saturday’s Munster quarter-final with Limerick, writes Páraic McMahon.

Colm Collins’ charges welcome Limerick to Cusack Park in what will be the county’s first championship meeting since 2018.

Experienced defenders, Sean Collins and Kevin Harnett missed the entirety of Clare’s league campaign through groin and ankle injuries respectively. The duo have returned to full-contact training in the month since Clare’s eight point final round win over Down.

A hamstring injury put a small dampener on what had been a very impressive debut league for Éire Óg’s Manus Doherty. The corner back started all but one of Clare’s seven NFL encounters with the injury forcing him off in their one-point loss to Meath.

Full-back Cillian Brennan also sustained a hamstring injury in the Meath loss, the Clondegad clubman enjoyed his best league campaign in the Clare jersey this year and has also recovered to press for inclusion in the last line of defence alongside Doherty.

Podge Collins is also back in the mix after hobbling off in Clare’s away defeat to Galway. The Cratloe attacker’s workrate is a vital pillar to Clare’s effective manner of turning over possession and putting together counter attacks at speed.

Though expected to be available for selection, the fitness of Cathal O’Connor is to be monitored at training sessions in advance of Saturday. Alan Sweeney is unlikely to be in the reckoning on account of a shoulder injury.

Ex Clare minor captain, Dermot Coughlan who in recent seasons has suffered two cruciate ligament injuries and a broken ankle has returned to action with his club Kilmurry Ibrickane in the Cusack Cup in what is a big plus. The Mary Immaculate College student will have to clock up some more gametime before he comes back into contention for the county side where he will once again act as a valuable option for attack.

Clare boss, Collins confirmed to The Clare Echo that the trio of Brennan, Manus and Podge have overcome their injuries and are fit for selection. The Cratloe clubman observed that the various injuries highlight the importance of the panel, “It is the nature of championship that every team is going to be down a couple of players, it is to be expected, it is part and parcel of it. We’ve a big panel of players training hard together and they are putting in a major effort to make themselves available for the county”.

rectified this summer.

The last time this opportunity presented itself was in 2020, with Clare’s hopes crushingly dashed at the very first hurdle when blitzed by a Tipperary side that would pour salt in the wound by soaring to a first provincial senior crown in

85 years.

Tipperary have never reached those heights since while Waterford have made any major strides in the intervening period either so Limerick present the biggest current threat to Clare’s progression on Saturday evening.

What has impacted Clare most in the last few National League outings was an incremental build up of injuries that threatened to derail their championship challenge.

The ten strong casualty list that included both of Collins’ sons Sean and Podge has predominantly lessened ahead of Saturday’s derby opener but worryingly top-scorer Keelan Sexton appears to have lost the race against time.

It does open the door for other to put their hands up

though as the Banner arguably have a strong bench to be able to influence matters when required.

While Limerick undoubtedly possess the greater momentum and have been developing consistently under Billy Lee who is now in his sixth term in charge, they have yet to beat Kerry, Cork or Clare in their championship quest and consequently will be gunning to rectify that on Saturday evening.

Clare haven’t themselves won’t a provincial match since 2019 but their six year stint in Division 2 has more than prepared them for any excepted ambush. Indeed, that experience could be crucial in another inch-tight ground war with Limerick in which the Banner will require the boost of home advantage to get them over the line once more.

Ladies begin with a win in Connacht championship Clare 1-14 Leitrim 1-07 Venue: Bornacoola GAA , Dromod

LIFE in the Connacht Ladies Football intermediate championship began on a winning note for Evan Talty’s Clare.

Last year, Clare suffered a costly 4-07 2-09 defeat at the hands of Leitrim in the championship but they were by far the dominant side on Sunday to begin with a win their first of the year and a much needed boost following their relegation to Division 3 of the National League.

From the off, Clare were on top and outmatched their opponents with the speed at which they carried and moved the ball.

A superior middle third ensured Clare rarely let their opponents inside their own half with Sinead Considine, Aisling Reidy and Laurie Ryan ruling supreme. The shooting of Fidelma Marrinan and Niamh O’Dea ensured their account was kept ticking over.

Roisin McHugh finished to the net for Leitrim following a Leah Fox pass, the move occurring moments after Clare spurned a goal chance of their own. At half-time, the gap was still comfortable with the visitors 0-11 1-02 ahead notching four points without reply before the break.

Aided by a deflection, Fidelma Marrinan finished a well-

Clare’s Fidelma Marrinan with Leitrim’s Clare Owens Burren Eye Photography worked Banner move to the net to effectively end the contest early in the second half.

While they would arguably claim provincial success in Connacht, Clare are ineligible from competing in the decider, their move from Munster stems from the fact that they are the only intermediate side in their own province. They will face Sligo and Roscommon in the coming weeks.

Scorers Clare: Fidelma Marrinan 1-5; Niamh O’Dea 0-7, 1f; Grainne Nolan 0-2, 1f; Catriona Callinan, Chloe Moloney (f) & Amy Sexton 0-1 each

Scorers Leitrim: Scorers: Roisin McHugh 1-0; Michelle Guckian 0-3, 3f; Shaylyn Ward 0-1 Clare: Micaela Glynn, Orla Devitt, Tara Kelly, Grainne Harvey, Siofra Ni Chonaill, Laurie Ryan, Amy Sexton; Aisling Reidy, Sinead Considine, Catriona Callinan, Rebecca Doohan, Chloe Moloney, Niamh O’Dea, Fidelma Marrina, Grainne Nolan. Subs: Emma McMahon & Lauren Griffin for Callinan & Sexton (47), Cliodhna Blake & Ailish Kenny for Doohan & Moloney (50) Leitrim: MIchelle Monaghan, Eimhin Quinn, Ailish Cornyn, Siobhan McCartan, Marina Grey, Clare Owens, Siobhan McCartan, Megan McGovern, Elise Bruen, Shaylyn Ward, Michelle Guckian, Siomha Quinn, Roisin McHugh, Leah Fox, Niamh Tighe. Subs: Carla Le Guen for Grey (21), Mary Alice Maguire for E Quinn (28); Bronagh O’Rourke for S Quinn (29); Aisling Quinn for Bruen (50); Vivienne Egan for Fox (53) Referee: Kevin Corcoran (Mayo)

pg 31

28-04-22

Ninth season ‘wasn’t the plan’ for Collins

by PÁRAIC McMAHON A NINTH Championship season begins for Colm Collins as Clare senior football manager this Saturday and he’s determined that it will be a memorable one.

It’s the familiar territory of Cusack Park in Ennis as Clare host Limerick with the prize of a Munster SFC semi-final against either Tipperary or Waterford on offer.

Saturday’s clash will be the fifth championship meeting between the sides during Collins’ tenure with Clare emerging victorious in each of their encounters in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 on margins of two points, three points, one point and twelve points respectively.

Limerick’s rise under Billy Lee from Division 4 to lining out in Division 2 of the Allianz National Football League is similar to that of Collins with Clare. “They’ve done brilliantly, they’ve got great results and are deservedly in Division 2 next year, they are a formidable outfit, we need to be at our best to beat them but what other way would you want it in championship,” the Kilmihil native outlined.

Managing Clare for nine years at senior level was never part of the plan, Collins admitted. “A ninth championship season was

something that wasn’t in the longterm plan, it is a long time but it has been very enjoyable. When you’re dealing with such a great bunch of lads it makes the job very easy. It is a tribute to them that we’re still around, if they weren’t such a brilliant bunch of lads, we probably wouldn’t be still with them”.

Under his watch, the standing of Clare football has risen, success in climbing to the second tier in the NFL is a highpoint so too the 2016 run which included championship wins over Sligo, Laois and Roscommon resulting in the county’s first All-Ireland SFC appearance.

They have created memories to cherish but Colm is anxious that the bank is added to courtesy of the 2022 championship.

“We could do with a really good run in the championship though.

We would love a good run in the Munster championship which we haven’t really had in that time”.

Since the 3-16 0-13 Munster final defeat to Cork in 2012, Clare’s senior footballers have not contested a provincial final.

They were managed by Micheál McDermott on that occasion, he might not vocalise it but one can sense Collins is eager to lead the Banner to a Munster Final appearance, anything is possible

from there.

Munster Finals are not in Clare’s line of vision presently though with all focus on Limerick. For only the second time in Colm’s senior tenure, they have avoided Kerry in their side of the provincial draw, this last happened in 2020 and what followed was one of the more disappointing displays of the Collins era when a three point loss to Tipperary ended their season at a sopping Semple Stadium.

“We’ve avoided that side of the draw this year, I’m very conscious that all teams on our sides fancy their chances of progressing. There is nothing guaranteed here, we’re playing a team on Saturday who will be playing in Division 2 next year, they are a good side and have put in a lot of work,” Colm told The Clare Echo.

When he addressed the senior panel at one of his first meetings in the winter of 2013, Collins spoke of his goal to see Clare become one of the top twelve teams in Ireland. On where the county currently ranks, he replied, “We’re hovering around there but we’re getting greedy and we want to push on further”.

PICTURED: Colm Collins

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

EXPERT VIEW: Clare can’t look past Limerick challenge

Compiled by Seamus Hayes

football is a massive advantage for any team, it’s a massive plus. His record is second to none.

“I don’t think Colm (Collins) will take Limerick for granted and he won’t be looking past this game. He will have Clare fully tuned in and focussed. Limerick have a lot coming to the table and Clare will have to be fully tuned in”.

“You would hope that having the game in Cusack Park will be a help, Clare will be hoping to get a good crowd to the park. Home advantage is always a plus. It’s easier when you train there.

You do have your bearings a lot faster and it helps, where you are going to shoot from, with kick outs”.

MARTIN DALY, MUNSTER SFC WINNER (pictured) “We had this carrot a couple of years ago and we didn’t take it. Tipperary did and they won the title. I believe that if we had met Cork that year we would have won. I’m hoping that Clare will have learned from that disappointment and that they will be more primed.

Maybe Tipperary were a lot better that we gave them credit for but we didn’t play to our league performance on that

occasion.

“This is a great opportunity and we are lucky to have home advantage. We are an established Division 2 team and keeping our status keeps momentum and keeps spirits high. Now we have Limerick come up from 4 to 3 and from 3 to 2 and that brings a lot to the camp.

They have a very good S&C coach in Adrian O’Brien. They are putting a lot more into football now. Having Paul Kinnerk in the background in Limerick

BARRY KEATING, EX CLARE DEFENDER: “There is a lot of expectation. Colm (Collins) is there a long time and he has been unfortunate in the fact that Clare have almost always come up against Kerry in the championship. Because of this year’s draw there is anticipation and, fingers crossed, we are hitting form. The banana skin would be Limerick, Clare have had a great league. We started well, finished strongly, hopefully we can get off to a good start in the championship.

“Every player is always told to concentrate on the next game. For the lads that

are there for a while, there is a huge incentive to get to a Munster final, which is a fantastic occasion. We are probably the most established team in division 2.

We are probably a bit off the top 4 or 5 teams but on a given day we can put it up to them.

“All involved will be hoping to get a good start, it’s important to get a touch early and get an early score. If we do that and get three or four ahead we can then push on. The last time we met them we scraped over the line. It will be important to establish superiority early on. The big result over the weekend was Galway beating Mayo, we didn’t play well against Galway but we started like a house on fire. We have played against these teams that have put up big performances.

“The hurlers had a good win over Tipperary in their first round. There is momentum in the county. Lads are chomping at the bit. Hopefully there will be a big crowd at the game. Limerick, Waterford, Tipperary, like ourselves will all fancy their chances. When the draw was made they all fancied having a crack at getting through to the final.

Limerick won’t have any worries about Clare, they will concentrate on their own game. If we play to our potential we should win”.

28-04-22 MUNSTER MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP, ROUND 2: LIMERICK 2-08 CLARE 0-09 AT MICK NEVILLE PARK, RATHKEALE

Minors need Tipp result compiled by Páraic McMahon

DERMOT COUGHLAN, CLARE MINOR FOOTBALL MANAGER:

“We have to beat Tipperary next Thursday if we are to advance in the championship. It’s a home game for us and we have to throw everything at it. Unfortunately we picked up a couple of injuries tonight and we have to look at it but it’s next Thursday and we have to get a result to continue.

“They got the two goals and it was 2-2 to them after 10 or 12 minutes.

We were playing catch up for the rest of the game. They ran at us, they cut through us early on, we were switched off really.

“Fair play to the lads in the second half, they settled and took the game to them. At that stage they had 12 or 13 behind the ball and we had to work the ball in closer to get scores and we found it hard but the effort was definitely in the second half.

“Should we beat Tipperary it will probably be three teams on 4 points each and then it will be down to score difference. Look, we have to get out and look at getting a result.

There is a big improvement needed on tonight’s performance.

“We have no complaints with the performance in the second half.

That’s what you expect from a Clare team. They took the game to Limerick...They (Limerick) were able to close it out, they had the bodies. All they had to do was not to concede goals and that is what they did.”

Ronan Kilroy closes in on Michael Kilbridge

LIMERICK; Frees For: 18 (8/10 Wides: 8 (1/7) 45s: 2 Spread of scorers: 7 Scores from play: 2-5 Top scorer: Bobby Smith (1-01) Bookings: Michael

IT TOOK two attempts to finalise pairings in the Clare SFC with eagerly awaited pairings across six club championships confirmed this week, writes Páraic McMahon.

Chairman of Clare GAA, Kieran Keating and Vice Chairman Michael O’Connor officiated at Monday’s draw for the Clare SHC, SFC, IHC, IFC and Junior A championships.

However the draw for the SFC was ruled “out of order” following an error whereby stipulations that the group with two seeded teams would be Group 1 were not followed.

Group 1: St Breckan’s Éire Óg Corofin St Joseph’s Miltown Western Gaels Group 2 Lissycasey Kilmihil St Joseph’s Doora/ Barefield Cratloe Group 3 Kilmurry Ibrickane Doonbeg Ennistymon Clondegad

CLARE SHC

Group 1: Newmarket-on-Fergus Feakle Whitegate Clonlara Sixmilebridge Group 2: Ballyea Clarecastle Broadford Cratloe O’Callaghan’s Mills Group 3: Éire Óg Kilmaley Scariff

Camogie stands to gain from historic billing

by SEAMUS HAYES

Kilbridge (13); Aidan O’Shea 914) CLARE Frees for: 20 (11/9) Wides: 9 (6/3) 45s: 1 Spread of scorers: 6 Scores from play: 0-4 Top scorer: Cathal

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Talty (0-02 2f), Sean McMahon (0-02 2f), Darren Keane (0-02) Bookings: Tadhg Lysaght (6); Jake Garry (42) REFEREE: Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry)

GAA officials overcome blunder to finalise club championship draws

CLARE SFC

pg 32

Keating in an email to clubs on Tuesday morning acknowledged his error. Ironically it was O’Garney Park in Sixmilebridge, not noted as a football stronghold than hosted the redraw where competitive pairings once again emerged in the race for the Jack Daly.

Reigning champions Éire Óg and last year’s semi-finalists St Breckans had been drawn together initially and like two magnets they were pulled out in the same group again. This time they are joined by St Joseph’s Miltown, Corofin and Western Gaels.

Clooney-Quin Group 4: Inagh-Kilnamona Crusheen Smith O’Briens Wolfe Tones

CLARE IFC:

Group 1: Kildysart Coolmeen Naomh Eoin Kilrush Shamrocks Group 2: Kilfenora Ennistymon Banner Cooraclare

Group 3: O’Curry’s Michael Cusack’s Wolfe Tones Shannon Gaels

CLARE IHC

Group 1: St Joseph’s Doora/ Barefield Tubber Killanena Newmarket-on-Fergus O’Callaghan’s Mills Group 2: Ruan Sixmilebridge

Reigning Clare SHC champions Ballyea have been paired alongside neighbours Clarecastle, 2020 finalists O’Callaghans Mills, 2014 champions Cratloe and Broadford.

Sixmilebridge will face neighbours on either side of the O’Garney River when they meet Clonlara and Newmarket-on-Fergus in Group 1 which is arguably the most competitive with Clare Cup title holders Feakle and Terence Fahy’s Whitegate also hopeful of progressing to the knockout stages.

Parteen Clonlara Corofin Group 3 Tulla Ogonnelloe Inagh/Kilnamona Bodyke

CLARE JNR A F’BALL CHAMP’: Group 1: Cratloe St Joseph’s Miltown Lissycasey Clondegad Group 2: Ballyvaughan

Killimer St Joseph’s Doora/ Barefield Liscannor Group 3: Kilmurry Ibrickane Parteen Doonbeg Éire Óg Group 4 Clooney-Quin St Breckan’s St Senan’s Kilkee

JNR A HURLING CHAMP’: Group 1: Clooney-Quin

Banner Cratloe Kilmaley Group 2: St Joseph’s Doora/ Barefield Ennistymon Broadford Scariff Group 3: Crusheen Éire Óg Ballyea Clarecastle

IN A historic double-header, Clare’s senior camogie team travel to FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday to face Tipperary in the semi-final of the Munster championship before Clare’s senior hurlers face Cork.

This will be the first of two meetings of the teams in the coming weeks as they will also meet in the All-Ireland series.

Sunday’s fixture is one that team joint manager Conor Dolan is eagerly looking forward to. “While we are preparing and building for the All-Ireland campaign, we want to give Munster a good rattle. We will know more about where we are at after Sunday”, he told The Clare Echo.

Last weekend, the Clare Junior side which are under the same management progressed in their provincial championship recording a 0-13 0-09 win over Tipperary at The Ragg.

He was hopeful Clare supporters would arrive on time to support the camogie team this weekend. “It’s great for the girls to be playing in Semple Stadium. This is where we want to be. Hopefully there will be a big Clare following and that those travelling to Thurles for the Clare v Cork senior hurling game will arrive at the stadium in time to support the camogie team”.

In camogie the Provincial and All-Ireland championships are separate competitions. “Our All-Ireland campaign will begin in a few weeks time and the opening game will also be against Tipperary. A week after that we will be away to Cork and we will then have three home games against Wexford, Dublin and Waterford”, explained the Clare mentor.

Defender Alannah Ryan is doubtful for Sunday’s game but there is good news for Clare in that Niamh O’Dea has recovered from the injury which saw her miss most of the early season activity. The joint team captain played part of challenge game against Kilkenny last week and it is expected that she will lead the attack this week.

Sunday’s game is a tough challenge for us. Tipperary have contested the last four All-Ireland semi-finals and recently they provided stiff opposition for league champions Galway in the league semi-final.

Clare will be looking to goalkeeper Doireann Murphy, defenders Clare Hehir, Chloe Morey, Aoife Keane and further afield they are expected to include the Daly sisters, Linda and Susan, Niamh O’Dea, Eimear Kelly and Aine O’Loughlin to give them an edge.

pg 33

28-04-22

Big entries at East Clare event

by SEAMUS HAYES

Shannon Olympic goalkeeper, Zslot Lakos saves a penalty from Gary Leahy

Photo by Joe Buckley

Ennis Town reach Munster u19 final

by SEAMUS HAYES AWAY GLORY FOR TOWN

Tramore 4 Ennis Town 5 Venue: Ozier Park, Waterford

Ennis Town travelled to Ozier Park in Waterford on Sunday and scored an impressive win over a fancied Tramore outfit in the semi-final of the Munster U19 cup.

In the final they will take on Midleton who had a 1-0 win over Tulla United at Frank Healy Park, Doora on Saturday last. The final will be played on Friday May 27and that fixture will take place at Turner’s Cross.

Ennis Town raced into a 3-0 lead with goals from Michael Mongans, Dean Hegarty from the penalty spot and Joe Campbell.

Campbell also had a first half goal disallowed before the home side pulled back to leave the score at 3-1 at half time.

Ennis Town restored their three goal advantage early in the second half when Robbie Gormley scored.

Tramore made it 4-2 but Joe Campbell struck again to put three between the sides for the third time.

The winners defence excelled throughout which was key to this victory.

In the other semi-final, Tulla United went down to Midleton at Doora on Saturday, the visitors scoring the game’s only goal from a free with 15 minutes remaining.

Ennis Town: Conor Meaney; Conal Meade, Sean Perrill, Mikey Kelleher, Johnston Munumkum, Yasher Alieu, Luke Pyne, Dean Hegarty, Robbie Gormley, Joe Campbell, Michael Mongons. Subs; Jack Kelleher for Pyne; Ian McGuane for Campbell; Evan White for Mongans; Chibby King for Gormley.

PREMIER LEAGUE CELTIC REMAIN IN TOP SPOT Bridge United A 0 Newmarket Celtic A 1 Venue: Sixmilebridge

Title holders Newmarket Celtic maintained their position at the top of the premier league table with this victory over neighbours Bridge United A on Sunday.

The all important goal came midway through the first half through Davis McCarthy who picked up an injury shortly after which forced him out of the game

Newmarket Celtic A: Shane Cusack; David O’Grady, Darren Cullinan, Paddy Purcell, Stephen Kelly; Conor McDaid, Gearoid Ryan, David McCarthy Eoin Hayes, Daithi O’Connell, Ronan McCormack Subs; Eoin Kelly for McCarthy(inj), Tadhg Noonan for O’Connell; Cathal Hayes for McDaid; Ciaran McCoy for O’Brien Bridge United; Paul Tuohy; Dan Larkin, Michael Carr, Alan Mulready, Liam Buckley; Jonathan Downes, Jason Whyte, Stevie Stewart, Paul Corry; Adam Fitzpatrick, Brian Corry; Subs: Ronan Tuohy for B. Corry (inj); Conor Deasy for Stewart; Adam Murphy-Black for Downes.

AWAY GLORY FOR TOWN

Lifford 2 Sporting Ennistymon 1

Goals from Ethan Cronin and Dylan Ryan helped Lifford to this victory by the odd goal in three over Sporting Ennistymon on Sunday.

Nna scored the Sporting goal shortly after Sean McConigley saw his penalty rebound off the upright.

Lifford; Rhys Phillips; Eddie Killeen, John Maher, Darragh Kerins, Ethan Cronin; Guillermo, Dan Daly, Paul Martyn Gary McNaboe, Nathan Rezende, Keith Shea Subs; Eoin Walsh for Shea; Michael Junaid for Killeen; Zac Guilfoyle for Rezende; Dean Ryan for McNaboe; Niall Guinnane for Daly; Sporting Ennistymon; Joe Gallagher; Shane Kearney, Jamesie McConigley, Jack O’Dea, Ciaran McMahon; Kieran Monaghan, Cathal McConigley Michael Leigh, Darren McNamara; Nna, Sean McConigley. Subs; Chris O’Keeffe for Monaghan; Cian Shannon for McNamara

SPOILS SHARED IN SHANNON Shannon Hibs 1 Shannon Olympic 1

Shannon neighbours, Hibs and Olympic, shared the spoils when they met in this premier league tie on Sunday. Gary Leahy scored for Hibs while Olympic’s goal came straight from a corner from Sean McDonald. The result relegates the Aaron Leahy managed Hibs.

Shannon Hibs; Damien Casey; Ciaran McKee, Bobby O’Connell, Julien Woods, Gary Leahy; Darragh McDade, Pa Devanney, Zygge Wall, Stephen McInerney, Dean Devanney, Billy Connors Subs; Mikey Wall for McInerney; Jack Hannah for McDade; Trevor O’Donnell for Zygge Wall; Cian Mason for McKee Shannon Olympic; Zolt Lagos; Benjamin Cantillon, Rob Clair, Dan Clair, Pa Madden; Dean Power, Sean McDonald, Ciaran Keane, Piotr Kaluza, Declan Mcdonald, Mateusz Chelminiak. Subs; Rachid Amallah for Dean Power; Ray Quig-

ley for Piotr Kaluza

SHANNON TOWN IN CONTROL Shannon Town 3 Mountshannon Celtic 0

Shannon town A scored a comfortable win over Mountshannon Celtic on Sunday. The winners led 2-0 at the interval with goals from Brian Monaghan and Jack Ryan and Ben O’Neill struck for their third in the second half.

Shannon Town; Darren Whelan; Fionn McInerney, Colum Treacy, Darren Griffin, Brian Monahan, Cody Waller, Jack Kelly, Ben O’Neill, Ciaran Hackett, Colin Scanlan, Jack Ryan;Subs; Josh Lindsay for Waller; Liam Boland for Monahan; Brian O’Connor for O’Neill; Christopher Dunning for Scanlan; Charlie Morrisan for Ryan Mountshannon Celtic: Andy O’Dwyer; Ben Harrington, Oran Scanlan, Michael Barrett, Niall Dear; Martin Cunningham, John Scanlan, Luke Sugrue, Ethan Madden, William Glass, Simon Ball

CUP QUARTER FINALS The race for the Banner Flooring Clare cup has reached the quarter final stage and all four ties are scheduled for this Sunday, Holders Newmarket Celtic A will entertain Kilkishen Celtic at 11am, same as the clash of Ennis neighbours Avenue United A and Ennis Town which takes place at Roslevan. Avenue will carry the favourites tag but they are sure to be wary of the challenge which their Ennis neighbours will pose.

The remaining tie will see Lifford with home advantage against Tulla United and this will also kick off at 11am.

The Shannon derby clash of ShannonTown B and Shannon Hibs is sure to arouse a lot of interest and this tie kicks off at 2.30p.m..

PROMOTED Rhine Rovers and Connolly Celtic will both play in the first division next season. Rhine had a 1-1 draw with Kilkishen at the weekend and this was enough to see them crowned division 2 champions. Connolly played a 1-1 draw with Corofin Harps and this sees the Connolly outfit promoted as runners up in division 2.

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB East Clare golf club hosted an open team of three competition over the Easter weekend. In the ladies section the winners, with 87 points, were the Loughrea team of Marie Healy, Mary Kilray and Geraldine Shaw from the East Clare team of Evelyn and Noreen Skehan and Mary Farrell who had 80 points.

In the men’s section, the winners on a countback were Kieran Kennedy, John Duffy and Ger Crotty with 94 points from Paul Madden, Enda Donnellan and Tony Dugan, also 94 points, In third spot, a point back, were Paul Elliot, Shane Chaplin and Russ Trow.

In the mixed, the winners with 94 points, were Kieran and Nadine Fox and Ger Crotty from Teddy O’Hanlon, John G and Noreen Doyle with 82 points.

Last week’s ladies 28 hole stroke competition was won by Loretto O’Donnell with a nett 67. The category 1 winner was Marie Donnellan with nett 80. Category 2 was won by Catherine Murphy with a nett 73 while category 3 winner was Mary Farrell (nett 78).

In the senior men’s competition the winners were Ailbe McDonnell, Brian Corry and Brendan Moloney from Batt Skehan, Michael Drew and Kevin Grimes. In the ladies Wednesday’s golf the winning team comprised Nancy Starr, Connie McKenna and Mary Bugler.

The club will host an open team of 2 champagne scramble this May Bank holiday weekend from Friday May 29 to Monday May 2. The event is open to men, ladies and mixed teams.

WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB: Last week’s club singles was won by Michael Coughlan (24) with 45 points from Vinny McInerney (23) with a similar score. Colm O’Callaghan (13) won category 1 with 40 points. Category 2 was won

by Michael Talty (14) with a similar score while Ross Kenny (22) won category 3 with 38 points, Aidan Mulcahy (10) won the gross with 31 points.

The winners of the Easter Monday scramble were Paul Moynihan, Tom Kelleher, Shane O’Donnell and Podge Collins with 56.4nett.

The April medal will be played for on this Saturday and Sunday and this is a stroke event.

In the recent ladies 9 hole competition, the winner was Mary Morgan with 54 points. Last week’s 18 hole stableford competition winner was Mary Howard (33) with 38 points.

The open singles winner last week was John Baker (29) with 46 points from Andrew Kenny (11) with 40 points. Tony Cleary (+1) won the gross with 39 points while the category winners were Eoghan O’Loughlin (9) with 40 points, Michael Liddane (13) with 38 points and Paul O’Shea (26) with 39 points.

In the club singles Johnny Clune (12) won with 42 points from Raymond Grogan (26) with 41 points and John Baker (27) with 42 points. Tony Cleary (+1) won the gross with 37 points while the category winners were John O’Connor (10) with 38 points, Cathal Clune (18) with 40 points and Padraig O’Connor (26) with 41 points.

The club’s Barton shield team defeated Shannon in Shannon. The team was Tony Cleary and Jason Considine who won 5 up. Ross Kenny Jnr and Brian Gilligan who were all square on the 15th which left Woodstock winning overall by 5 holes. Woodstock

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will now play Lahinch on a date to be confirmed.

The senior cup team of Tony Cleary, Ross Kenny Jnr, Jason Considine, Brian Gilligan and Nicky Ryan will play East Clare at East Clare this Friday at 4pm.

The April medal will be played for on Saturday and Sunday. Entries are now being taken for the AMR Shanaway Cup fourball betterball matchplay.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB: The men’s competition at Kilrush at the weekend was for the Clare Oil prize and it was won by David Abbott (15) with 39 points. In second place was Brian Scanlan (10) with a similar score while Joe Chambers (15) was third with 38 points.

Category 1 was won by Terry O’Hare (13) with 38 points. The winner of category 2 was Andrew Egan (18) with 38 points while Matt Fitzpatrick (22) won caategory 3, also with 38 points.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB: In the ladies silver medal stroke competition at Ennis, an 18 hole stroke competition, the winner was Ann O’Loughlin (18) with 79 from Kitty Morris (15) with 80 with third spot filled by Patricia Moroney (18), also with 80. In the bronze section the winner was Mary McMahon (25) with 75 from Kathleen Frehill (39) with 77 with third spot filled by Ann Pyne Gallery (29), also with 77.

The 9 hole stableford winner was Bridie Keane (17) with 15 points from Carmel Cummins (21) also with 15 points.

The Friday open singles winner was Patricia Moroney (21) with 39 oints from Della Burns (20) with 38 points.

The Duggan cup, a golfer of the year event v par, sponsored by EBS, Ennis was won by James Casey (19) with a score of +4 from Eamonn Kelly (23) with +3. William Donnellan (25) was third with +3 . Dermot Doheny (4) won the gross with -6. The category winners were Martin O’Neill (8) with level par, Sean Rynne (10) with -1 and Peter Quinn (19) with level par.

The same golfer of the year format as applied in 2021 will be used this year and the competition is again sponsored by Jim Casey. The defending champion is Ian Myatt.

The winner of the Friday open singles was Loretto O’Donnell (27) from East Clare with 41 points. Barry Ward (23) was second with a similar score with Martin Moroney (16) in third spot with 37 points. TJ Scanlan (9) won the gross with 28 points.

In the Tuesday fourball, Tony Lawlor and Gerry O’Connor were the winners with 35 points from Andrew McGloin and Tommy Heath with a similar score. PJ Hehir and Joe O’Connor were third with 31 points.

DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB: The competition for men at the weekend was a club foursomes which was won by Eamon Power and Niall Geraghty with 40 points. In second place with 39 points were Vincent Sherlock and John Hayes. In the ladies Nolan fourball competition on Sunday the winners were Gabriele Gilna and Patricia O’Brien with 43 points. They were one ahead of Niamh and Saibh McDermott.

The ladies 9 hole competition was won by Cora O’Toole with 19 points from Katrina O’Neill with 17 and Joan Ryan with 16.

28-04-22

All-Ireland glory for Mongan ENNISTYMON’s Michael Mongan won the Boys 48kg All-Ireland Championship Final at the National Stadium in Dublin on Sunday.

In what was Michael’s first year of championship action, he secured county, provincial and national honours. The Munster championship saw him overcome a tough south

paw opponent.

For the All-Ireland series, Michael stopped his first opponent with a second round TKO and overcome his toughest opponent, Christy Joyce (Olympic L) in the final winning by unanimous decision.

The North Clare boxer is a member of the Rathkeale club.

Members of the Commons-Seven Syndicate of Clarecastle Photo: Brendan Gleeson

Speedie Syd & Cheero land spoils in Limerick

by MICHAEL MAHER

Limerick Track hosted its biggest meeting of the year on Friday night last with the Final of the Con & Ann Kirby Stake down for decision worth €80,000 to the winner which went to the Graham Holland trained Sword Rex. While the Banner County had no representative in this final they had a number on winners on the night.

The final of the €1.500 to the winner Limerick & Clare GOBA A3/A4 525 was race three on the card and there was a shock as 12/1 shot Speedie Syd landed the spoils. Owned by Padraig Fannin of Ennis, Speedie Syd missed the kick from trap four but he showed sizzling pace down the far straight to nip up the inside of the well-supported Slippery Joe in trap one.

From here, the May 20’ son of Droopys Sydney and Urban Time pressed home his advantage around the bottom two bends as he stayed on well to cross the line two lengths clear of Slippery Joe in second. The time was 29.11.

The night got off to a flying start as Cheero (Droopys Jet - Cats Belle) won the Mister Donovan 600 at a canter. Racing from trap six for the Commons-Seven Syndicate of Clarecastle, the Matthew Harte trained 9/4 shot drew clear of his rivals down the back straight and he pressed home his advantage in the closing stages to win by seven and a half lengths from Toolmaker Beach in second. The time was a rapid 32.41.

Race two was the Synchronised A2 525 and this was landed by Finnure Storm for trainer Denis O’Malley. Owned by the Finnure-Storm-Syndicate of Mullagh, Finnure Storm broke smartly from his inside draw in two and he led Boomin Staker into the opening corner. Nip and tuck down the back, the son of Shaneboy Spencer and Brickfield Roxy maintained a good gallop and he pulled clear late in the closing stages to cross the line three and a half lengths clear of Loxley in second. The time

for the 10/3 shot was 29.16.

The chief supporting contest at the Galway Track on last Saturday night was the A3 graded eighth over 525 yards where less than two lengths covered the field approaching the opening bend. At the bend, Pats Best Girl took a length out of her rivals and turning down the back she led Dynamic Diva by two lengths.

Racing past the halfway mark Dynamic Diva began to close on the leader and approaching the third bend the Kieran and Bridget Nugent of Ballyea owned daughter of Ballymac Best & Dynamic Cool Sky took command of the contest and she stayed on well to defeat Pats Best Girl by a length and a half in a career best 29 .22.

Racing opened with an A3 graded 525 yards contest and from traps Astro Podge, Danmar Corona and Banter Blitz were all away well with the Madden-Pepper Syndicate of Feakle owned Astro Podge showing the best pace to lead by over a length rounding the opening bend from Danmar Corona along the rails.

Turning down the back Astro Podge really lengthened his stride and approaching the third bend the son of Ballymac Best & Dynamic Cool Sky led by over four lengths and although Danmar Corona stayed on well again in the straight, the Donal Duggan of Tulla trained Astro Podge was still a length and a half to the good in 29.30.

In the early strides of race two for of this S6 graded sprint contest Killanin Vic and Bumblebee Dylan were both smartly into their strides with John Boy Dylan prominent towards the inner as they raced towards the opening bend.

Approaching the turn, the Sean Conlon owned Bumblebee Dylan kicked on and cutting towards the rails opened up a three length advantage on his rivals. On straightening for home John Boy Dylan went clear second but the Stephen Murray trained Bumblebee Dylan eased home a length and a half to the good in 19.39.

pg 34

Second Division title a ‘shambles of a situation’

CONTROVERSY HAS ENGULFED Clare soccer following the awarding of the Brian Pyne Tiles Second Division title to Rhine Rovers.

Both Rhine Rovers and Connolly Celtic were in contention for the league title but a ruling has ended up determining that Rhine are the champions. Both clubs have secured promotion to the First Division for next season.

This follows Manus Celtic giving a second walkover of the season. As per Rule 47 (d) of the CDSL Rulebook, “Should a club or team fail to fulfil one fixture in the league season three points shall be awarded to the team who was given the walkover. Should that same club or team fail to fulfil a second fixture at any stage in the season, and is sanctioned under rule 47(c), its’ record for that season shall be expunged and ALL remaining teams in the division shall be awarded six points regardless of whether they have played that team or not”. The rule was brought into force three to four seasons ago according to CDSL officials.

Subsequent to Manus’ elimination and the distribution of their points, Rhine leapfrogged Connolly Celtic who still had a game in hand. Connolly Celtic had previously beaten Manus so it was Rhine Rovers who gained from Manus’ demise.

Had Connolly won their two remaining games, they would have been crowned league winners.

Clubs attended a meeting on Monday evening at Treacy’s West County Hotel with Rhine Rovers and Fixtures Secretary, Brendan Browne absent from the gathering.

Prior to weekend games, Rhine were aware Manus would give a walkover but this information was not passed onto Connolly who received an update via Facebook on Sunday evening. Adding to the annoyance experienced by Connolly towards the CDSL was the fact the league trophy was presented to Rhine on Sunday by PRO, Jim Madden following their 1-1 draw with Kilkishen Celtic.

Officials in the CDSL have admitted there was a “communications problem” regarding the handling of the matter.

In an online post, Kieran Dillon who has been involved with Conolly Celtic for twenty five years remarked, “I can honestly say this is the biggest shambles of a situation I’ve ever come across”. He said “a very sour taste” has been left with how events have played out. He said they were not contacted by any CDSL official on the matter.

“The rule is a complete joke and it makes a mockery of the whole season”.

Manager of Manus Celtic, Trevor Considine said they made attempts since Tuesday of last week to move the fixture set for Sunday, “It was a game for absolutely nothing but the committee decided instead of having a game for nothing being moved or scrapped because a team was struggling they wanted to give the league to Rhine and fold Manus Celtic”. He admitted that he was unaware of the ruling regarding two walkovers. “Something really stinks about all this if you ask me it was a game for nothing why cause all this hassle just scrap the game let the two top teams play”.

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OBITUARIES

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

Recent Deaths

Acknowledgment

Cooney (née Considine), Eileen Inch, Clare Date of Death: Monday, 25th April 2022

O’Donohue, John Fountain, Clare Date of Death: Saturday, 23rd of April 2022

Moroney (née Donlon), Frances Newmarket-on-Fergus, Clare Date of Death: Thursday, 21st of April 2022

O’Sullivan (née Sinden), Mary Rose (Roro) Caherdavin, Limerick Date of Death: Monday, 25th April 2022

Connolly, Patrick (Paddy) Ballyvaughan, Clare Date of Death: Friday, 22nd of April 2022

Murphy, Michael Ruan, Clare Date of Death: Thursday, 21st of April 2022

Clohessy, Bridget Lissycasey, Clare Date of Death: Monday, 25th April 2022 Hartigan (née Marshall), Margaret Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Sunday, 24th of April 2022 Healy, Seamus Bodyke Clare Date of Death: Sunday, 24th of April 2022 Byrnes (née Corbett), Gertie Ennis Clare Date of Death: Saturday, 23rd of April 2022 Duggan, Sean Kilrush, Clare Date of Death: Saturday, 23rd of April 2022

Conway (née Brennan), Mary Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Friday, 22nd of April 2022

Obituaries

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First 100 words €40

Kelly, John Doonbeg, Clare Date of Death: Friday, 22nd of April 2022

Between 100-200 words €60 200 + words on request

Mc Carthy (née Cahill), Mary Crusheen, Clare Date of Death: Friday, 22nd of April 2022

Up to 80 words + Photo

Purtill, Mary Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Friday, 22nd of April 2022 Shannon, Gerry Lissycasey, Clare Date of Death: Friday, 22nd of April 2022 McInerney, John Joe Kilnamona, Clare Date of Death: Thursday, 21st of April 2022

35

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MARTIN TUBRIDY DROMELIHY WEST, CREE, KILRUSH, CO CLARE Passed away March 19 2022 Martin’s brother James (Jim), his sister-in-law Margaret, his niece Elaine and his nephews Seamus and Andrew wish to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who supported us in our recent sad loss of Martin.

We would like to sincerely thank our family, neighbours and friends for all their help during the funeral and since then. We especially want to thank the members of the Emergency Services who so promptly attended to Martin on March 18 and for all the kindness they showed us at this time. Thank you to Fr Tony Casey PP Cooraclare for his kindness and support. Sincere thanks to those who carried out a guard of honour when Martin’s remains were leaving his residence. Thanks to the ladies who received Martin at St Senan’s Church, Cooraclare on the evening of his removal, to the choir and musicians for their beautiful singing and music at Martin’s funeral Mass. Thanks to Frank O’Dea Undertakers and our neighbours and friends who prepared Martin’s final resting place. It would be impossible to thank everyone individually, so please accept this as an expression of our sincere gratitude to you all.

Months Mind Mass on Saturday, April 30 2022, at 8pm at St Mary’s Church, Cree, Co Clare.

PLANNING CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL LISSYCASEY, ENNIS, CO. CLARE FURTHER INFORMATION/REVISED PLANS Planning Reference: P 21 / 1249 Development Description: Retention permission for the demolition of a derelict building and planning permission to construct a new dwelling house, private garage and carport, new entrance, sewerage treatment facilities and all associated works at Lissycasey, Ennis, Co. Clare.

Location: Lissycasey, Ennis, Co. Clare.

Take notice that Deirdre & Declan Donnelly have lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P 21 / 1249. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road,

Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DRUMELLIHY, CREE, CO. CLARE Take notice that P. Neenan intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to retain existing ground floor structures Ref P04/869, and to complete dwelling, garage, septic tank, foul sewerage treatment system & percolation area at the above address.

The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at

the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CLOONAMIRRAN, MOUNTSHANNON, CO. CLARE Take notice that Frank O’Brien intends to apply for retention permission for development at Cloonamirran, Mountshannon, Co. Clare. The development consists of retention of: (a) extensions/modifications to existing house, (b) enclo-

sure/modification of existing shed (c) retention of existing garden shed.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CLOGHAUNDINE, LISCANNOR, CO. CLARE Take notice that P. Sexton intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to retain existing dwelling house, Ref No P98/1246, at the above address.

The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at

the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL SRANAGALLOON, CRUSHEEN, CO. CLARE FURTHER INFORMATION – NATURA IMPACT STATEMENT Planning Ref: P21-1333 Date planning application Received: 15/12/2021 Development Description: the construction of a new dwelling house and garage complete with

a new entrance, sewage treatment system and ancillary works.

Location of Development: Sranagalloon, Crusheen, Co. Clare Take notice that following a requirement of the Planning Authority, Cian Dillon will be lodging a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) in respect of planning application P211333. This NIS will be available for inspection or purchase, at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the NIS may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee €20.00 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the Natura Impact Statement and a copy of this public notice.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KILBANE,

BROADFORD, CO. CLARE I, Neil Skehan, am applying to the above authority for permission for the following development on property at Kilbane, Broadford, Co Clare: Permission for detached single storey dwelling, detached domestic garage, onsite wastewater treatment system and percolation area, bored well, connection to necessary services, new entrance together with all associated ancillary and incidental site works The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

continues page 37

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PLANNING Continued from pg 35 CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL MERTON SQUARE, KILKEE UPPER, KILKEE, CO. CLARE We, Olympia Hall Building Management Company Ltd., are applying to the above authority for permission for the following development on property at Olympia Hall Apartments, Merton Square, Kilkee Upper, Kilkee, Co Clare: Permission for the following works to apartments 3 & 4 (first floor); construction of balconies, replacement of existing windows with sliding glass doors, together with all associated ancillary and incidental site works The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KILMACDUANE EAST, COORACLARE, CO. CLARE Take notice that Dervla Lillis and Jeff McDonald intend to apply for Permission to construct a dwellinghouse, vehicular entrance, driveway, wastewater treatment system, private well connection to services, and ancillary site works at Kilmacduane East, Cooraclare Co. Clare This planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the

date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLYNOTE WEST, KILRUSH, CO. CLARE Take notice that Paddy Keane & Louise Neylon are applying to Clare County Council for planning permission to construct a dwelling house, garage, access road linking to an existing private entrance onto the public road, new sewerage treatment system and percolation area along with all other necessary 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 Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the

authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BREAFFA WEST, LISSYCASEY, CO. CLARE Take notice that Colm & Róisín McSweeney are applying to Clare County Council for planning permission to construct a new dwelling house, new entrance and access road, private garage and install a new wastewater treatment system along with all associated works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KNOCKLISCRANE, MILTOWN MALBAY, CO. CLARE Take notice that Finbar & Patricia O’Grady are applying to Clare County Council for planning permission to carry out alterations and to extend and refurbish an existing dwelling along with all associated works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KILCORNEY, NOUGHAVAL, CO. CLARE FURTHER INFOR-

MATION/REVISED PLANS Planning Reference: P21-894 Development Description: permission for development, the development consists of the construction of a dwelling house, waste water treatment system with percolation area to replace existing mobile home on site and associated site works.

Location: Kilcorney, Noughaval, Co. Clare.

Take notice that John Davoren have lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P21-894. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning

authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

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PUZZLEPAGE

THURSDAY, APR 21 2022

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES APRIL 28th

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How to play

Gluck

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

ANSWERS 2

7

1

9

3

4

8

4

7

6

1

8

5

2

9

3

6 5

3

9

1

8

6

4

4 3 7

9

5

2

8

2

1

4

3 6

9 5

7

5 9 2 1 3 7 4

9

7

1 4

5 8

1/1

3

6

7 5

9 2

6

1

8

9/23/21, 12:57 PM

Holst

8

2

Haydn

3

Handel

4

Grieg

8

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

6

HOW TO PLAY

6

Elgar

4

6

Wagner

2

8

4

8

2

1

2

2

7

7

5

Dukas

4

7

1

Delius

Verdi

6

9

7

Copland

Satie

5

7

Chopin

Rossini

3

9

Brahms

8

Ravel

8

7

5

Bizet

Orff

4

1/1

Beethoven

5

3

Mozart

Mahler

5

2

4

Bartok

Barber

9

1

Liszt

How to play

Bach

SUDOKU

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

WORD SEARCH

9/23/21, 12:57 PM

The Clare Echo Crossword

1/1

Daily Quick Crossword: 23 September 2021, 9/23/2021 Michael Curl

A M B L

E

19

E S

14

R

1

20

15

E

18

O

T U P N

I

L

E

G A T H E R

16

17

R T E

V

E

E A

P

2

22

R

12

D E E P E S L

21

P

P

O R D E A L

S 8

I

C H A R M

E

T A T

G E

11 9

E

E D

D 3

E

L

I

4

T

P R

I

10

E

S P O T 5

13

X C Y

P L

6

T

E S S 7

Michael Curl

Daily Quick Crossword: 23 September 2021, 9/23/2021

Supporting Journalism in Clare

M

Visit clareecho.ie/subscribe to find out more

y late ofound ive

23

T

27

Help support us by subscribing

trial g area ble red veness t roken hallied us

I

25

A

26

25

P

24

A

23

24

22

R

21

L

20

T

19

E

18

T

17

I

16

B R

15

G R E E N

14

nce fuel rm one inscription f Hades t owing of a film

13

T R U E

12

27

11

CROSSWORD ANSWERS C

10

1 Lineage 2 Occurrence 4 Engine fuel 5 Lukewarm 6 Tombstone inscription 7 River of Hades 8 Autocrat 13 First showing of a film 15 Storm 17 Polar region 18 Fit for eating 20 Jousting weapon 22 Change 23 Old

L

9

1 Entreaty 3 Immaculate 9 Most profound 10 Expensive 11 Arise 12 Severe trial 14 Housing area 16 Assemble 19 Sauntered 21 Attractiveness 24 Verdant 25 Easily broken 26 Shilly-shallied 27 Veracious

DOWN

C

8

ACROSS

T H E R E D

7

S

6

I

5

E

4

D

3

26

2

gion ating g weapon

1

QUIZ 39

THURSDAY, APR 28 2022

The Clare Echo Quiz MAURA O’CONNELL

3

Maura performed in a band called Tumbleweed with which Clare musician?

Nonie Lynch Tom Lenihan Mike Hanrahan

4

Where in Clare did Maura go to secondary school?

Kilrush Kilmihil Spanish Point

5

In which city did Maura perform her first gig with De Dannan?

London New York Sydney

6

7

How many times has Maura been nominated for a Grammy?

Once Twice Thrice

8

Maura was cast by Martin Scorsese for which film?

Shutter Island The Departed Gangs of New York

9

Which of these is not a Maura O’Connell song?

Feet of a Dancer Never Be The Sun Guns of Love

10

Which city does Maura now reside?

Galway Rio de Janeiro Nashville

In what year did Maura record her first solo album

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

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

l Maura was cast by Martin Scorsese for which film?

ANSWERS

6. 1983 7. Twice 8. Gangs of New York 9. Never Be The Sun 10.Nashville

2

Her family owned what type of shop?

Fish Shop Sweet Shop Shoe Shop

1983 1987 1991 1983

Ennis Fish Shop Mike Hanrahan Spanish Point New York

Where in Clare is singer Maura O’Connell from Crusheen Ennis Fanore

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1

Last weeks Answers . logo missing on boot . Stripe missing on sleeve of Calre player . Gumshield different colour . Stripe missing on Kerry shorts

. Kerry crest missing . Stripe missing on gloves . GAA missing on ball

Ronan Kilroy Clare v Limerick Minor Football Photo by Gerard O’Neill