“Pain and inflammation often go hand in hand because they occur in response to injury, infection, or certain medical conditions” The Clare Echo was told by Jennifer
injury regardless of cause, it triggers an inflammatory response.
Unfortunately this impedes oxygen delivery to cells causing hypoxic tissue injury at cellular level which causes delays in healing, increase in swelling and chronic pain.”
Anti-inflammatories and steroids drugs are routinely used for pain relief. Unfortunately the drugs only adresses symptoms temporarily which means many are dependent on long term prescriptions. In contrast, however, with hyperbaric oxygenation, it helps dramatic reductions in chronic inflammation and infection which is measurable by modern scientific before and after analysis of blood sample markers.
Hyperbaric oxygenation offers long-lasting benefits by:
· Reducing inflammation and infection by enhancing oxygen delivery under pressure to tissues, which aids in healing and pain relief.
· Stimulating tissue repair - The increased oxygen levels and pressure promote the production of growth factors, boosting the body’s natural ability to repair damaged tissues.
· Strengthening the im-
The other problem is that inflammatory proteins sensitises nerve endings, making them more responsive to pain signals. Additionally, the swelling and pressure
caused by inflammation can put pressure on surrounding nerves, also leading to pain.
mune system - Hyperbaric oxygenation enhances immune function, supporting the body’s defence against infections and further reducing inflammation. The modulatory effect hyperbaric oxygenation has on the immune system also means it can be very beneficial for those suffering with an auto-immune condition.
The science behind hyperbaric oxygenation stems from the universal gas laws. Oxygen under increased pressure becomes soluble in blood.
During hyperbaric oxygenation almost 100% oxygen is delivered which in turn dissolves into the plasma (liquid part of the blood). This process is also measurable and reverses hypoxic (shortage of oxygen) tissue injury at cellular level which reduces pain and inflammation.
OxyGeneration is a trusted provider of hyperbaric oxygenation services. With 5 years of clients sharing experiences, the proof of value is that
56% of new clients are direct referrals from other clients and word of mouth.
“It’s absolutely amazing to see people get such relief, some of whom have been suffering for years. Following their cycle of sessions most have also reported other benefits such as improved energy levels, improved sleep quality and improved skin health. Hyperbaric oxygenation really is such a valuable tool in helping people increase their health and quality of life.”
said Sinead Keaveney, Senior Clinic Executive at OxyGeneration in Galway. OxyGeneration allows you to experience a true healing journey. Don’t settle for masking symptoms, embrace the true power of hyperbaric oxygenation to eliminate the symptoms by reversing tissue damage. Under the supervision of your own doctor, one can say goodbye to reliance on anti-inflammatories or steroids and unlock the potential of hyperbaric oxygenation for
long-lasting pain relief and enhanced well-being.
With an extensive track record of five years, OxyGeneration has solidified its reputation as a leading provider of hyperbaric oxygenation services. It has a state-of-the-art chamber manufactured in the UK by industry leaders and approved by the British Standards Authority under EU regulations. OxyGeneration are an Irish Life Health approved provider of hyperbaric oxygenation. Policy holders can avail of full cover for a list of medical conditions such as non-healing wounds, post radiation injuries, bone infection, burns and many post plastic surgery issues.
Sessions of hyperbaric oxygenation runs 6 days a week at OxyGeneration with a choice of morning, afternoon and evening sessions available says Sinead Keaveney. Contact OxyGeneration on 091- 394444 or email info@oxygeneration.com to find out more.
Anne Mannion, Clifden – Helping Recovery from Cancer Treatments
I started going to OxyGeneration to treat pressure sores on my spine, which developed when I was getting chemotherapy. The Oxygenation therapy has accelerated wound healing by months and both pressure sores are nearly
gone. Another benefit I noticed after my first session was that my ‘chemo brain’ is gone - I feel like the chemo fog has lifted and I feel so much better cognitively and more engaged with the world, my daughters says ‘We got Mummy back’ as
my quality of life has greatly improved. I would highly recommend OxyGeneration to anyone who has been through chemotherapy.
**more testimonials over the page. See editorial by Stuart Holly.
HYPERBARIC Oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been around for more than 100 years. First introduced to treat decompression illness caused by deep sea diving, today people are turning to HBOT to treat wounds, sports injury, inflammation, circulation issues and disease.
In a bid to learn more about how HBOT works, The Clare Echo visited OxyGeneration on Merchant’s Road in Galway City. The treatment involves sitting in a compressed chamber for 80 minutes, where 2 ATA of pressure are generated while you breathe almost 100 per cent oxygen through your own dedicated oxygen mask.
It’s the combination of this increased levels of atmosphere and oxygen which helps to heal deep tissue wounds and treat a wide range of ailments and diseases from multiple sclerosis to brain injuries, while an increasing number of sportspeople from professional rugby to the world of GAA turn to HBOT.
OxyGeneration has been in existence for five years. Co-founder Brian Lynch, wanted to provide a state-of-the-art hyperbaric oxygen service in the West after seeing and using its benefits first-hand.
“I was injured in a hunting accident in 2015, I was almost killed,” Brian tells The Clare Echo, who broke his pelvis among other injuries after getting stuck under a fallen mare. “I was brought by helicopter to hospital and had surgery in casualty. Six months later I used the chamber in Dublin to heal the terrible wounds, the trauma of the injury.”
The hyperbaric chamber in Galway can accommodate 14 people per session. On The Clare Echo’s visit to the booked-out session last week, we were welcomed by the professional team and took advantage of the positive atmosphere by speaking to some people undergoing HBOT to learn about how it has impacted their lives.
Gerry McNamara from Scariff was referred to OxyGeneration by his plastic surgeon Barry O’Sulli-
so it ended up that it got infected with several things because the blood supply to the ankle isn’t good and there’s no muscle around it.
“After all the skin repairs, Mr O’Sullivan thought it would be a very good idea to have this pure oxygen.” Gerry is scheduled for 40 sessions of HBOT covered by ILH insurance and on his fourth day of treatment, he admits, “The colour seems to be getting better, and I feel good anyway.”
LONG COVID
John Gilleran, from Roscommon, told The Clare Echo that he uses the hyperbaric chamber twice a week to treat symptoms brought on by long Covid. “Even after one week, I noticed great improvement. We believe it’s long Covid. I’ve gone to four doctors and nobody can tell me it’s not long Covid. I suffer with chronic fatigue, burning eyes, difficulty sleeping, stuff like that.
“Even after the first session here, my wife said to me that I’m breathing better at night, I’d have been fighting for breathe she had noticed, and I would wake up with the burning sensation at 3 in the morning. It hasn’t happened since I started using this.”
Professor Jack Lambert, UCD School of Medicine, is an advocate of using HBOT to treat sufferers of long Covid.
“Very few treatments are available for long Covid, a condition that is thought to represent brain inflammation, hypoperfusion of the brain due to microclots, and certain autoimmune processes that are ongoing post COVID-19 infection.
“Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown in a number of similar neurological conditions to provide benefits to patients. Preliminary peer reviewed studies have been published showing the benefit of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Long Covid patients. Personal observations by myself on patients who have used HBOT who have suffered from LC have shown benefit from this therapy.”
Kate from Knocknacara tells The Clare Echo this is her ninth session of HBOT. “When I started here from Day 1 I had relief from the pain of arthritis in my hand and my knee. I suffer with fibromyalgia which is the main reason I came.
have. So it’s good for me, it works for me.
“If I continue to have the relief that I have I will definitely continue to do the sessions. I firmly believe in it now.”
Another person in the chamber was Adrian Gordon, from near Loughrea. “I have a rare condition of the spine. It escalated, all the discs are dying in my back and I have severe nerve damage done. It was after that I found out about OxyGeneration and I’ve been coming since.”
36-year old Adrian currently attends HBOT seven times a week and he admits that it has improved his quality of life. “The second day I came, I noticed my head was a lot clearer, I was getting more energy afterwards. I do start to feel I have more movement in my legs. I’ve noticed an awful difference and I do have a lot of respect for it. I have sleep apnea and it seems to have helped that too.
“I still suffer with chronic pain but it has made the day-to-day more bearable.”
Gina, from Castlebar suffers
since Monday and genuinely I’m surprised and delighted. Just to walk from here down the road a couple of hundred yards, I’d always find a little bit of tightness, but even coming across from the carpark this morning there’s no tightness.
“I’ve been in here twice a day since Monday. Loving it. And it helps my tennis elbow. I had awful pain driving, normally I can feel it and now it’s gone. It’s great.”
OxyGeneration founder Brian Lynch says that an increasing number of sports people are using the Chamber to help with recovery, and when asked about its benefits versus a cold chamber, he explains, “The cold chamber is great in their own way, it causes more oxygen to come to the tissue. But it doesn’t dissolve any more oxygen in the blood, it doesn’t get into the cells that are injured. The pressure is the trick here.”
seem to have improved since my time in the chamber.
Irish Life Health insurance members are able to claim on their health insurance policy for sessions of Hyperbaric Oxygenation for conditions such as arterial insufficiency; to prevent amputation; compromised skin grafts and flaps; radiation necrosis, myoradionecrosis, osteoradionecrosis and other soft tissue radiation necrosis; chronic refractory osteomyelitis; and thermal burns including second-and third-degree burns.
van, after undergoing an ankle operation which led to complications of the wounds. “The surgery went perfect but the wound broke down
“When I checked in I didn’t even mention the arthritis in my knee or my hand because I wasn’t even thinking about it but the first time I stood up off that chair I had no pain. I haven’t been here for 10 days and I could feel that the arthritis was giving me a bit of bother so I was hoping that when I came today that I would have the same relief as i had the first day, and I can wholeheartedly say that I
with childhood bronchitis and Emphysema. She says that she’s been surprised by how quickly she’s noticed results. “My chest seems to be improving. I didn’t think I’d get a result as quick but I’m surprised, I’m able to walk that little bit further and I’m finding a little bit better quality. I’m only here
“More and more athletes are using oxygenation to ensure that an athlete performs at their peak. Increased circulation and oxygenation of the blood can lead to improved physical performance, while the added oxygen levels in tissues and cells also provide more energy, significantly reducing post-performance fatigue,” he added.
While this writer is no athlete, a mild case of tennis elbow does
For more details, see www.OxyGeneration.com or contact 091 394444 for information.
ONGOING ACTIVITY in Clarecastle is “akin to gangland warfare” according to a local representative.
An Garda Síochána are continuing their investigations into an attempted shooting in Church Drive, Clarecastle on Saturday evening.
A shot was fired from a gun of a silver Audi aimed at a man who was outside his property alongside his wife at the time of the shooting. Non life-threatening injuries were sustained by the man who was taken to University Hospital Limerick for medical attention.
Action is needed in Clarecastle to stop similar
attacks occurring, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) warned. “It isn’t the first time there has been a disturbance at the property. Before Christmas there was another incident with more footage, there was a bang but we don’t know if there was a shooting”.
He is fearful an innocent party will be caught in the fire. “It is not fair on the neighbourhood, there are a lot of Council tenants tenants, a lot of people who have bought their house outright, it is a mix of families plus young and old people, it is just not right, people are living in fear of their lives”.
“This is akin to gangland warfare as opposed to your normal anti-social behaviour, I’m not resting easy on this and certainly the residents aren’t either”.
More on Page 6
Three charities received donations following a recent charity event held at Hotel Woodstock in Ennis earlier this year. The Irish Wheelchair Association, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association each received a cheque worth €1,744. The next charity concert will take place on Saturday 6th January 2024 in aid of The Mid West Cancer Foundation at Treacy’s Oakwood Hotel, Shannon. Pictured are (L-R): Elsie Clinton, Guide Dogs for the Blind; Noreen Fitzpatrick, Wheelchair Association; Noel Murphy Concert Director and Compere; Mary Kelly Guide Dogs for the Blind; Cara
GARDAÍ have set up an incident room at Ennis Garda Station as investigations continue into an attempted shooting in Clarecastle, the behaviour has been described as “akin to gangland warfare” by a local representative, writes Páraic McMahon.
On Saturday evening, a shot from a gun was fired from a silver Audi towards a man standing outside a house in Church Drive, Clarecastle alongside his wife. The incident occurred at approximately 6:35pm.
Members of the household first noticed a dark Nissan car acting suspiciously and this was followed by a silver Audi which came into the estate and its front seat passenger fired a shot towards the house, both cars then left the Clarecastle estate. Non life-threatening injuries were sustained by the man who was taken to UHL for medical attention. Anyone with any information in relation to this incident are being asked to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100.
Ongoing incidents in Clarecastle require action, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) stressed, stating that this isn’t the first disturbance at the property. “If the shot went astray who knows what might have happened, there was kids out playing and people making their way to mass, anything could have happened, the Gardaí are investigating what is going on, the Council are aware of it, I am in contact with Director of Social Development which is where housing comes under, I have contacted CEO of Clare County Council, I am calling for Clare County Council to take action, warning letters were issued, the procedures are there and I am calling for procedure to follow”. Cllr Murphy concluded, “This is akin to gangland warfare as opposed to your normal anti-social behaviour, I’m not resting easy on this and certainly the residents aren’t either”.
SERVING as Mayor of Clare has been “very fulfilling” and a “tremendous honour,” the outgoing Cathaoirleach has said while refuting claims the county’s first citizen tends to be shackled by senior management of Clare County Council.
Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) reflected on his 12 months in office during a lengthy interview with The Clare Echo held in the Mayor’s office of Clare County Council.
To be elected to the role brought immense pride to O’Brien. “It has been a very fulfilling year, a fantastic year, a tremendous honour and privilege, really honoured to be spend the last year as Mayor of Clare, I’m hoping I didn’t disappoint anybody and that I lived up to the expectations but it was a huge honour, a brilliant and fulfilling year”.
O’Brien was slow to list off achievements that were completed during this stint. “I’m in public life
for the betterment of my community and the communities I serve, sometimes we have politicians who hang their hat and say ‘I did this and I did that’, I’m not one of those and I believe that I don’t achieve without the health, cooperation and support of others, they are the words I would use, that goes for my 27 colleagues who sit on the Council and
have supported me by and large, the Executive and staff of Clare County Council”.
In his opening address as Cathaoirleach, Tony focused on projects like the Killaloe Bridge Crossing and Bypass, Shannon Heritage sites, Springfield Flood Defences, the County Development Plan, the N19 Shannon Airport Access Road and
O’CALLAGHANS MILLS native, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) is set to be elected Clare’s first citizen this Friday, writes Páraic McMahon
Joe will succeed fellow East Clare man Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) as Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council at Friday’s AGM which will be held in Áras Contae an Chláir.
Following the 2019 local elections, agreements were reached as part of the power-sharing arrangement in place among the elected members of the County Council whereby it was agreed that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael would both have two representatives serving as Mayor and one Independent during the five year term of the Council.
Cllr O’Brien, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) and Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) have all been in the role since this agreement, Cathal Crowe (FF) was the first Mayor following the local election with his ascension to Dáil Éireann seeing Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) fill the remainder of his term.
No opposition is expected to Cooney’s nom-
ination as it would be seen as putting the power-sharing arrangement in jeopardy.
A poll-topper in the Killaloe MD for local elections in 2009, 2014 and 2019, Cllr Cooney also secured the highest vote in the county of all Clare councillors for each of his three runs for public office.
During the current Council term, Cllr Cooney has been Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District, assuming the role in June 2021 for 12 months.
Cooney served as Chairman of Clare GAA from December 2015 to 2020. “I promised to work tirelessly for the greater good of Clare GAA. I can say without fear of contradiction that I have given everything that I had to give regardless of circumstances over those five years for the betterment of Clare GAA,” he stated when his term concluded in December 2020.
Since then, Joe has remained active in the GAA and has been elected Chairman of his local GAA club, O’Callaghans Mills.
the South Clare Strategic Development Zone. “I mentioned the Killaloe Bridge Crossing and Bypass, that has started, I say this in jest because I didn’t wave a magic wand and this happened but I did have a wish list as we all do, construction will be finished within two years. Shannon Heritage is a huge one, I pushed and worked hard on that but so did a whole lot of other people, I didn’t achieve it on my own and I’d never be bold enough to say that, it was terribly fulfilling that the deal happened during my term”.
“Springfield is done, I’m glad it has been done, the SDZ is ongoing at the moment, as late as last week we had a meeting, I’m positive that it is progressing in the right direction, there’s a buy-in from the planning section in Clare County Council and the University of Limerick and the Department of Local Government who designate these areas, I believe it will happen, it won’t happen in the lifetime of my Mayorship but it will happen and be
a hugely positive step forward. I’m disappointed that the wastewater treatment plant in Broadford hasn’t happened, I’m not playing politics on this, I’m of the opinion we will get Broadford in there as one of the towns that will be included in the pilot scheme, I’m confident of that but it has taken too long for my liking and everybody’s liking, this could have been done a lot faster”.
He continued, “The Budget was another and the County Development Plan was a huge one, we worked very hard and very long on that, with the cooperation of my fellow elected members and the staff in planning, it wasn’t everything we wanted and there’s still a few pieces in abeyance but to get that over the line to the best we could do for the people of Clare I’m hugely proud of that”.
For the full version of this interview, become a subscriber of The Clare Echo (clareecho.ie/subscribe).
CLARECASTLE will be welcoming everyone to the annual Clarecastle Regatta this Saturday from 2pm-6pm at the quay in the village. A full schedule of events and attractions for all ages will be happening throughout the day, starting off with the children’s fancy dress parade from the Clarecastle church car park at 1.45pm, proceeding down to the quay. There will be boat rides, kayaking, Zorbs
and other kiddies rides, children’s races, a full lineup of live music throughout the day, and competitions including best dressed lady, bonny baby, and best tart, and even a dog show. A full complement of food, drink and crafts stalls will keep everyone hydrated and full of energy, too.
Donal Carey, chair of the organising committee, remarked: “This is an event we all look forward to this time
of year. There are so many activities and fun for the whole family. We love welcoming everyone from outside the village to come and enjoy the day and see what Clarecastle has to offer.” Please check Clarecastle regatta on Facebook, Instagram or web (https://clarecastle.ie/regatta2023 ) for more details. We look forward to see you on Saturday in Clarecastle!
FINE GAEL representatives in Ennis could face potential sanctions if a reported contest for the Deputy Mayor in the Ennis Municipal District proceeds, writes Páraic McMahon.
Thursday’s AGM will see Cllr Pat Daly (FF) elected as the Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District but rising tensions among councillors have led to the potential of a contest for the role of Deputy Mayor.
Since the agreement of a power sharing arrangement in Clare County Council be tween Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Technical Group of Independents, the Green Party and Sinn Féin which sees a variety of roles shared among the twenty eight councillors, there has been no surprise contests when it comes to the AGM of the Council or any of the four Municipal District.
That is to be tested this week with Cllr Johnny Flynn’s (FG) nomination as Deputy Mayor set to be challenged by Cllr Ann Norton (IND). Cllr Flynn has the support of Cllr Pat Daly (FF) and Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) but his party colleagues Cllr Paul Mur phy (FG) and Cllr Mary Howard (FG) are undecided at the present moment.
Were the Fine Gael representatives to not support Cllr Flynn, it would send ructions through the party at a local lev el with one councillor telling The Clare Echo they could face disciplinary action.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr
Flynn detailed that it would be “very unexpected” if there was a contest against him for the Deputy Mayor’s role. “The agreement has stood that we would have a Fianna Fáil Mayor and a Fine Gael Deputy Mayor, there is nothing definite as to what will happen but it would be highly irregular if there was a contest”. He added, “I haven’t seen any written proposal or nobody has rang me to say they are proposing somebody else, the agreement has been honoured for the last five years”.
Recent exchanges in the Chamber over plans for Ennis 2040 were cited by Cllr Flynn as a reason his colleagues may oppose him. “The political climate in the Ennis MD is quite tense with the disagreement on the building on Abbey St car park and the proposed building on Francis St site unless it is connected to that and my opposition to those”. He claimed that the original date for the AGM was changed after it became known he could not attend the meeting in-person.
On Wednesday morning, Cllr Norton told The Clare Echo her health would determine if she opted to stand against Cllr Flynn for Deputy Mayor. “With the way I’m feeling at the minute, my life has always been health as the number one priority, whether it is me or Nicole I’ve always had that put forward, if I’m not well tomorrow I won’t be there”.
A CLARE man with a distinguished career in the medical field is to be honoured by Muintir an Chláir the Clare Association Dublin at its annual award presentation function.
Kilmaley born Professor Peter A. Daly has been named by the Association as its Clare Person of the Year for 2023 and will present him with his award at their annual function in the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon on September 2.
Also honoured will be Ennis native, Kieran Hanrahan, Irish traditional music player and RTÉ broadcaster. He has been named the association’s Hall of Fame person for 2023.
Professor Daly was born to Thomas Daly Kilmaley and Catherine (nee Mullins) from Monreel, Ennistymon in 1946. He received his early education at Kilmaley NS, the Con-
vent of Mercy NS, Ennis and Furglan NS. From 1959 to 1964, he attended St. Flannan’s College, Ennis.
He attended St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth for a year and then studied medicine at UCD from 1965 to 1971. One of his greatest achievements was to lead a small team of Irish researchers which contributed to the discovery of the BRCA2
cancer- predisposition gene. The 25th anniversary of that achievement was celebrated at St.James’ in November 2019 by the unveiling of a sculpture titled ‘Structural Symmetries’.
The Kilfenora Ceili Band will entertain guests at the Clare Association function in the Falls Hotel Ennistymon on September 2. Call Tom Conway (0864640085) for info.
HOME Trends, Parnell Street Ennis is well known for providing customers with top quality, great service and value for money on top quality furniture. Almost 10 years in their family run business, Home Trends are having a massive 3-day Clearance Stock Sale this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Prices are being slashed from normal retail prices for this once off event and items are being sold on a first-come first-served basis.
Among the items included in this clearance sale are sofa sets, sofa beds, arm chairs, dining sets, mattresses, beds, bedroom furniture, wardrobes, bunk beds, occasional chairs, coffee tables, mirrors, rugs, pictures and so much more.
All stock from the warehouse has been transferred to the main showroom and all stock must go to make way for new stock arriving.
Home Trends are having this fantastic Sale with special reductions on every piece of furniture in store and promises to be a fantastic opportunity to purchase yourself some real quality furniture or that luxurious mattress or bed at an absolute bargain.
Why not give your room a new look and treat yourself to quality, comfort and style with great savings on offer during this massive clearance sale. The store also has an online presence so customers now can engage with Home Trends in store or happily order from the comfort of their home www. hometrendsfurniture.ie
The experienced, friendly sales and delivery team at Home Trends will make the whole experience a pleasure for you.
Finbar, the owner says “This massive clearance sale is a great opportunity for those wanting to redecorate their house, rental property or add that something extra special while picking up a bargain.
“We offer customers in County Clare FREE DELIVERY and our delivery team will take away packaging FREE of charge. We also offer our customers a recycling service at a nominal fee if a customer needs a sofa or mattress taken away.”
This massive clearance Sale is now on and Sale must end this Saturday, 1st July at 6pm.
With many clearance lines, ex display models and with up to 50% off, early attendance will guarantee massive savings. Co-owners Finbar & Eileen are both looking to this exciting
event and seeing some new and old faces. Home Trends Parnell Street, Ennis – Eircode: V95ED79OPEN Mon-Sat 09:30am-06:00pm. Call (065)6797853. Check
out their website address - www.hometrendsfurniture.ie or email hometrendsennis@gmail.com or find them on Facebook or Instagram.
SIOBHÁN Mungovan has a knack for defying the odds and she’s nervously looking forward to giving her first TEDX talk this coming weekend, writes Páraic McMahon
Connolly native Siobhán has recently released her second book, ‘I Smiled Back The Story Nobody Knows’ and this will be among the items to be discussed when she makes her first journey to Rathoath this weekend.
Publicity in the aftermath of the book led to her getting the goal to fulfil the ambition of giving a TED Talk. “It’s been on my bucket list for years, anybody that knows TEDX knows the process around it is like a four leaf shamrock getting in, there’s a lot of shortlisting stages to get through with the publication of my second book the organisers in Rathoath had heard of me and I was contacted to know if I’d like to be a speaker so I jumped at the opportunity”.
‘Ideas worth spreading’ is the slogan of TED which posts international talks online for free. “The subject of the day is it takes a village, whatever your interpretation of is it takes a village is, our talk has to be written around that,” Siobhán explained on the topic for this weekend.
Born with spina bifida, Siobhán admitted that this brought with it “its own host of issues. I have kyphoscoliosis which is curvature from the front and the back, I also have
hydrocephalus which is a build-up of fluid in the brain, we all have fluid in the brain but I can’t get rid of mine so I have a shunt system to drain out the fluid, that is the reason as to why I do what I do, I want to share my story to people. I believe in society today that disabled people should be seen and heard, nobody is going to put Siobhán in the corner, I’m giving a voice to the people that may be a bit afraid to talk”.
Me and My Backbone, My Journey with Spina Bifida was her first book.
She told The Clare Echo, “The real meaning of the second book is how disabled women are seen in society, body confidence, we speak about relationships which is a very taboo subject in society, society believes disabled people shouldn’t be in a relationship because it is dangerous or madness, I do push against that and as you can see I push against a lot in society. Disabled people have a lot of love to give and to receive, I have a partner at the moment who hasn’t a disability, I do believe non-disabled people who get into relationships with disabled people have taken a lot of flak because they are automatically labelled for using that person, who is to say I am not using him”.
Growing up with her parents Noel and Geraldine along with her siblings Shane and Conor, Siobhán “never felt different. I went to main-
stream school and college, it wasn’t until I got older and I interacted with the disability community, maybe it is shameful for me that I never interacted with the disability community as an adolescent because I never felt different, now as an adult I’m looking at society thinking it is madness, because someone has a disability doesn’t mean we can’t do something, it means that we do things a little bit differently, I’m 4ft and I will never be 6ft but it doesn’t mean I can’t do things, I have a voice”.
At the age of nineteen, she was diagnosed with kidney failure, dialysis was for a long time a dreaded word in her vocabulary but it is something she is slowly accepting.
Putting the odds in her favour has seen Siobhán adapt a seize the day type of mindset. The TEDX Talk is one item from the bucket list to tick off but she’s been busy with the pen crossing off other targets including going on a motorbike ride for the first time in Lahinch and Inagh last week.
Tattooed onto her left hand is the signatures of her parents, getting inked up is another item ticked off the list. “You’re not the first to say they are scribbles. Another mad notion! It is from the bucket list again. I’ve my parents signatures, Noel and Geraldine, I’ve always wanted to get it, even though I always wanted to get one you would swear I was getting murdered the day I went it to do it, I was very dramatic”.
by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie
IMPROVEMENTS in the delivery of care at the emergency department in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) has been noted in HIQA’s latest report which also found that overcrowding continues to impact patient dignity and privacy.
HIQA carried out an unannounced risk-based inspection at UHL over two days in February, reviewing the quality and safety of services at its ED, as well as services in the wider hospital. This inspection followed a damning report in June of last year in which HIQA found several worrying factors which were contributing to overcrowding.
These included the huge demand for services exceeding ED capacity, insufficient nurse staffing levels impacting safe quality patient care, and patient dignity and privacy compromised in these conditions. All of these factors led to ineffective patient flow measures and prolonged waiting times contributing further to the overcrowding problems.
This latest inspection found that there had been an improvement in nurse staffing levels in
the ED compared to June 2022, along with enhanced consultant cover providing greater levels of onsite availability over each working day and throughout the week. The appointment of a senior manager to oversee the operational running of the hospital
to impact on the privacy and dignity of patients despite the best efforts of staff.
Elsewhere in the hospital, HIQA found that eight out of 11 national standards assessed were either compliant or substantially compliant with more private and
These include the building of one 96-bed block, and the planning of a second block, which should add significant inpatient bed capacity. The first of these is due to be ready in late 2024 or early 2025, with the second 96-bed block not intended to be open until 2027. HIQA also noted that recent improvements to the way work was organised in the ED and a commitment to utilise alternative care pathways, in particular for older patients who present at the ED.
has meant better decision making around shorter treatment times and lengths of stay for patients in the ED.
However, notwithstanding these improvements, HIQA says the ED remained very busy on the day of the inspection with 72 patients on trolleys and chairs awaiting an in patient bed. This level of overcrowding continues
Providing a welcoming environment with great value food championing local ingredients.
dignified patient care available outside the ED.
The report also highlighted that the hospital and the wider Health Service Executive fully acknowledged that improvement efforts to address ED overcrowding remains a work in progress, and additional measures are under way to improve the chronic congestion there.
Responding to the report, a spokeswoman for the Mid-West Hospital Campaign stated, “The report failed to examine the implementation of the long term measures committed to by UHL management in the 2022 report and by doing so has not reported on progress in relation to their commitment to explore a model 3 hospital for the region. It is therefore unsurprising that there was no meaningful improvement to the situation of overcrowding. There was also no improvement to the grading of the effectiveness of the management team in the ED standard 5.5 remaining at partially compliant”.
A traditional Irish pub that opens its doors onto the main town street of Ennis. Perfect for a pint, a bite to eat or traditional Irish music session..
Ideal for special occasions. The menu features traditional cuisine with a modern day creative twist.
HAMILTON Park in Kilkishen marks its centenary this weekend, noted as a beating heart in the East Clare village it will come to life with a number of events taking place, the highpoint being the FutureTicketing Clare Cup final between O’Callaghans Mills and Clooney/Quin on Sunday evening.
Pat O’Brien, a familiar voice on Scariff Bay Community Radio is the public relations officer for O’Callaghans Mills. He said, “The pitch is a central area for hurling in East Clare, it is probably one of the oldest hurling pitches, Newmarket was after it and Tulla”.
An official opening was held on June 28th 1923 with a big tournament played that had teams from all over. Munster Council Chairman, Ger Ryan will be on hand this Saturday to unveil a new plaque at the facility.
Matt Donovan is a former Chairman of the club. He said the improvements since that initial development have been very evident. “I’m here since 1972, the improvements that have gone on are unreal, Joe Cooney has spear headed most of it to be honest, it’s great to see where we are now”. In the past de-
cade, the development committee came together with plans to install a new gym, meeting room and hall which have proven very popular and have East Clare Fitness as tenants. A stand was constructed in 2002 with the car park also developed prior to COVID-19.
Indeed Joe Cooney has been a constant figure in the club’s development and he now serves in the role of Chairman. “In fairness to all
involved in Kilkishen there has been fantastic work done over the last 100 years, more so from the 70s on with major improvements taking place. “We’re all well aware them things wouldn’t have happened only for the great volunteers we had and also the demand out there for people to use the facilities. The facilities are up to a high standard, fantastic use is made of them, you could pass at half six in the morning and there is
a number of cars in the car park for people in using the gym or pitch”.
Cooney added, “It is hard to believe what has been achieved 100 years on, I remember when I started playing myself, Robert (Frost) was secretary at the time and had been for a good bit before that.
“I can remember an awful lot of underage teams togging out under a tree out on the field, I’m telling my age now but that’s the way it was,
what has developed since is unbelievable”.
Such conditions would seem alien to Killian Nugent who is the club’s senior goalkeeper and has an active role in field maintenance at Hamilton Park. “When I started out it was nearly a dance hall downstairs, two dressing rooms and shared showers, it is unbelievable compared to what it is now, we’ve upstairs a brand new meeting room, a gym, two massive dressing rooms, a massive hall, a kitchen, new handball alley, it’s brilliant”.
Nugent is part of the Mills side aiming to bridge a 28 year gap by winning the Clare Cup this Sunday against Clooney/Quin, a tie that is to be held in their own club grounds to mark the centenary, an agreement that was reached long before they qualified for the league decider. The Junior B League final will be held on Saturday evening at the grounds with the Mills meeting neighbours Tulla at 5:30pm.
Both games are among the many events planned for the Kilkishen facility this weekend. Secretary Patrick Hogan outlined.
Those involved with the Mills will hope this coming weekend adds a new chapter to their history by claiming the Clare Cup title.
ENNIS native, Bernárd Lynch has been bestowed with the highest honour that Clare County Council can bestow upon a citizen or group, a civic reception, writes Páraic McMahon
Bernárd’s work in fighting for equal rights for the LGBTQIA+ community and people with HIV/AIDS was applauded at a civic reception in Áras Contae an Chláir on Friday where balloons of all colour lit up the headquarters of the local authority.
Born in St Michael’s Villas, Ennis in 1947, Bernárd became the first Catholic priest in the world to have a civil partnership in 2006. Eleven years later, he married his partner Billy Desmond at The Armada Hotel in Spanish Point in what is believed to be the first gay marriage in Co Clare.
He was also the first the first priest of a mainline church to march publicly in London’s Pride Parade in 1992. That same year, he founded a support group for Catholic gay priests which still operates to the present day.
Lynch has worked for the rights of LGBTQIA+ people and people with HIV/AIDS for almost 50 years. He was honoured with the Magnus Hirschfeld Award 1988 for outstanding service to the cause of Irish LGBT civil rights.
In 2017, Bernárd received a proclamation from the New York City Council honouring his more than 40 years of service to the LGBT and AIDS communities in the city. He received Presidential Distinguished Service Awards for the Irish Abroad for 2019, in the Charitable Works category by President Michael D. Higgins.
While working in New York, Bernárd founded the first AIDS ministry and was drafted on to the Mayor of New York’s Task Force on AIDS. This was documented by Channel 4 U.K. in two documentaries: ‘AIDS: A Priest’s Testament’ in 1987; and ‘Soul Survivor’ in 1990.
As documented in the Channel 4 documentary, ‘A Priest on Trial’ in 1990, Bernárd’s support for LGBTQIA+ rights brought down on him a false prosecution perpetrated by Church and government officials, from which he won total exoneration and was declared “fiercely innocent” by Justice Burton Roberts in the Bronx Supreme Court on 21st April 1989.
Friday’s civic reception was attended by Bernárd’s family and friends who sat in the public gallery and also in the Council chamber. Nine elected members of the Council were present, namely, Mayor of Clare, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF), Cllr Paul Murphy (FG), Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF), Cllr Ann Norton (IND), Cllr Mary Howard (FG), Cllr Pat Burke (FG), Cllr Pat Daly (FF), Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) and Cllr Pat Hayes (FF). Apologies were received from Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG), Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) and Council Chief Executive, Pat Dowling for their absence.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (FG) issued his congratulations to Bernárd in a video message. “I would love to be there in person but it is not possible given the schedule this week,” he admitted. He lauded the “enormous contribution” made by the Clare man in standing up for the LGBTQIA+ community and thanked him for his work on HIV campaigns. “I am really glad Clare
County Council is having this celebration,” the Taoiseach commented.
Speaking at the civic reception, Cllr O’Brien hailed the “outstanding impact Bernárd has had on society from Co Clare to New York and far beyond that”. He noted the long list of accolades Bernárd has received in his lifetime and added, “I hope today will be remembered as a highlight for you with recognition from your home county”. The message from the Taoiseach “shows the esteem you are held in not just in Clare but nationally,” the Killaloe representative felt.
A proposal for the civic reception was tabled by Cllr Murphy in March. The Clarecastle man admitted, “I’ve been a member of Clare County Council since 2007, recognising the achievements of my first cousin Bernárd has been on my mind since but I didn’t want to abuse my position but a few things changed my mind”. Among these were the recognition from President Higgins in 2019 and ‘Falsely Accused’ a Clare FM documentary produced by Padraic Flaherty released in January 2023. “You are a perfect example of being a Lynch, a handsome fella, somewhat stubborn but a steely determination in advocating for the under privileged and those who need a helping hand,” he stated.
Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Colleran Molloy labelled Bernárd as “a hero”. She said, “you are clearly deserving of this civic honour, I applaud Paul for putting this forward, maybe he took too long but it got overwhelming support”.
An interview with Bernárd on Clare FM’s Morning Focus was also referenced by Cllr Norton, “it was wonderful to hear people congratulating you from all over the county”. She continued, “I admire your strength and determination, we wouldn’t have a country or world without people like you highlighting the differences that are within people”.
“It is very special to be here. You deserve this and so much more,” Cllr Howard outlined. “You came on my radar in the late 80s with Gay Byrne, you were so brave with the battle you were fighting”. The Ennis woman drew parallels with Bernárd and Princess Diana, “Your battle and journey reminded me a lot of Princess Diana, she helped people with AIDS but you were out on the beat ahead of her”.
Shannon based Cllr McGettigan described it as “an absolute honour to be here with you”. She added, “days like this make it more welcome for people” and she told the gathering that her son was transgender. “When you see the Pride flag flying outside you know you are home,” Donna observed.
Pictures of Elton John, Paul McCartney, President Higgins and Senator David Norris with Bernárd all appeared in a slideshow running throughout the reception and it was referenced by Cllr Daly who recounted that Bernárd once nicknamed him “The Bishop” but that it was clear from a young age which of them would enter the priesthood. “You could have taken the easy option and been parish priest of Whitegate or Killaloe but you went to New York City and took on the system, you were a brave man and ahead of your time,” he remarked.
by Páraic McMahon @clareecho.ieASTANDING ovation greeted Bernárd Lynch’s address at the headquarters of Clare County Council on Friday afternoon.
Ennis native Lynch, a human rights champion was honoured with a civic reception by the local authority.
There was total silence in Áras Contae an Chláir as Bernárd delivered a powerful speech touching on acceptance, injustice, honour and gratitude, urging people to never be bullied into silence or to be made a victim. He began by quoting the final line from WB Yeats’ ‘Remorse For Intemperate Speech’, “I carry from my mother’s womb, A fanatic heart”.
He said, “This honour conferred on me is not simply about me, it is about all women and men, the great diaspora who had to leave this beautiful land of ours because we did not fit in, we were but thankfully no longer are sexual outlaws, having been forced out of the country we live not for education or employment like thousands of my generation, simply and souly for being born gay or LGBT as God made us”.
When getting the highest honour that Clare County Council can bestow on a group or individual, Bernárd paid homage to the persons he assisted in New York City who were in their dying days and hours.
“I want to particularly honour today those with AIDS who left Ireland and could never come home even to die, I’m convinced that home is not a place after all but an irrevocable condition of the heart. As young gay boys we were often called sissies or being like a girl, this is a badge I now wear with honour, I want to do this with all women of Ireland, especially unmarried mothers and their infant children, they too were sexual outlaws”.
Acts of the past have affected us all, he maintained. “Everyone from the highest to the lowest is wounded, everyone is hurting and imperfect, there are moments in life when we barely get enough light to take the next step but we are only expected to take the step for which life has been given, there are moments in life and there needn’t be many and may not at the time seem too important, it can redeem and justify the bewilderment, investing us with the courage not just to endure but to profit from it, such experiences teach us the price of human connection”.
Taking on the system can always offer glimmers of hope, Bernárd stressed. “Each time a person stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the life of others or strikes out against injustice, they send a tiny ripple of hope, this ripple can become a spring, a river, an ocean sweeping down centuries of ignorance, bigotry and injustice, fado fado when I started out seeking justice, it seemed to me that I would have to bear in mind two paradigms intrinsically marked.
“The first was acceptance, acceptable totally and without rancour, of life as it is and people as they are, in life it goes without saying injustice is everywhere and common place in our world. Even though injustice is common place we must never take it or accept it as common place, we must fight all injustices”.
“A lot of hurt in life is caused by people not knowing, if we bring so much
courage to the world, the world must kill us in order to break us, the world breaks everybody, if we survive the brokenness we become strong in the broken places, we become compassionate, endlessly compassionate. In the war against AIDS, working with young men in New York City in their twenties, some younger, some older, many of them Irish, at least five from Ennis, not old enough to imagine their lives, never mind their thoughts, often abandoned by their own families, rejected by the church who blamed them for
their own illnesses, I and advocates knew if we kept faith in each other we would not be useless, we could do for others what had not been done for us, ‘it is not everyday that we are needed, not indeed that we were personally needed, others would have met the challenge equally well if not better’,” he added while quoting Samuel Beckett.
He told the civic reception, he is still determined to fight injustices. “We have kept our appointment with time, we are not saints, not at all but we have kept our appointment in time, the war is still in me and will be in me for as long as I live, for soldiers who have been bloodied, we cannot fit in”.
Bernárd recounted, “In the AIDS pandemic, we wanted everything and we had nothing, a God not over us but a God with us, our prayers catching fire in the action of love, let my
people free was our cry, it was an ancient cry of Moses to Faro, the cry of our mothers and fathers against the yolk of colonialism, of Daniel O’Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell who got up, stood up and stayed up against the might of the Empire given extension to the saying where Clare leads let Ireland follow, where Clare leads let the world follow”.
He continued, “The freedom I sought and I have now as a human being as a Clare man is in my blood, your blood, mental slavery ends where imagination begins, never ever be bullied into silence, never allow yourself to be made a victim, define yourself.
“As we know, every way holds the beauty of its curve to the retreat of the one that precedes it and so do I owe so much to so many who have gone before me, when we accept our limitations in ourselves and outside of ourselves we can do
something to change those limitations, we will not live forever, in this time we are free to do whatever we can, in accepting he worse we can do our best.
“My honour and intelligence told me that freedom not happiness is the precious stone, one cannot cling to happiness, Saoirse and freedom, lasting freedom like lasting love, friendship and justice is only possible through forgiveness, the weak can never forgive”.
Ireland today has “changed beyond recognition, this land of ours is a light to the whole world for LGBTQIA+ and others,” he noted.
“This is Pride month, a month where we as LGBTQIA+ celebrate our freedoms. Life is full of comings and goings, for everything we take with us, there is something we leave behind. I leave you with my profound gratitude,” Bernárd concluded.
SHANNON Airport has secured a new twice weekly service to Paris, writes Páraic McMahon.
Three months after Vueling scrapped its Shannon to Paris service which had been running for just under six months, Aer Lingus have announced a new twice weekly to the French capital and expect it will have high demand.
Operating twice weekly, the service will link Shannon to the world-renowned international hub of Charles de Gaulle. The new service will kick off from 22nd September this year and run until January 7th 2024 before taking a short break and recommencing on March 14th to October 29th 2024.
Passengers will fly on an Airbus A321neoLR, Aer Lingus’ most sustainable aircraft delivering up to 20% reduction in fuel burn and CO2 emissions and close to 50% reduction in noise footprint when compared to previous generation aircraft.
The A321neo LR also operates Aer Lingus’ transatlantic services from Shannon direct to both New York JFK and Boston. Boasting 184 seats including 16 fully lie-flat seats, customers have the option to experience Aer Lingus’ premium seating which is part of its business class offering when flying to North America.
Lynne Embleton, Aer Lingus Chief Executive said, “We are delighted to announce the launch of the Shannon – Paris Charles de Gaulle route with Shannon Airport, and are very much looking forward to welcoming thousands of passengers from the region onboard as they travel to one of the most popular European city destinations on the Aer Lingus network.
“We expect it to be a high-demand route
for passengers in the region, whether they are travelling for leisure, business or major sporting events, as is the case this autumn with Ireland competing in the Rugby World Cup.
Mary Considine, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group said, “Aer Lingus is a valued airline partner and we worked closely with them to secure this new service to Charles de Gaulle from Shannon, further demonstrating our commitment to expanding our European route network.
“This new service will be a major boost for Shannon, and we know it will be an extremely popular destination for leisure and business travellers. The service will be timed to allow for passengers travelling from Paris to connect onwards from Shannon to New York JFK and Boston via Aer Lingus.
“We look forward to seeing passengers from across the region and beyond availing of this new route, and we would welcome their continued support as ambassadors for our Shannon air services. The more people using our services, the more confidence it will give airlines to look at expansion, which result in days like today.”
The launch of this service is a perfect time for Rugby World Cup fans who will have easy access from Shannon to Paris for the competition. Paris, the City of Light, boasts iconic attractions that captivate visitors worldwide. The Eiffel Tower’s majestic silhouette, Notre-Dame Cathedral’s Gothic grandeur, and the Louvre Museum’s artistic treasures are timeless marvels. This is the first time in 12 years that Shannon will provide a service to Charles de Gaulle, which is one of Europe’s busiest airports serving 119 countries worldwide.
MALONEY HARDWARE would like to congratulate Mary Dougan on her recent retirement. Mary worked with Maloney Hardware for over 30 years and in that time proved to be an invaluable member of our team. In business for over 35 years, Maloney’s has relied greatly on its long serving members of staff such as Mary, and she will be greatly missed not only by all the staff but also by our many loyal customers.
With her vast amount of knowledge and her friendly smile Mary served the community of Shannon and the surrounding areas with great distinction until her retirement at the end of May.
Originally from Northern Ireland, Mary moved to Shannon with her sisters in the 1970s and has become a central part of the community living in Cronan. Manager of Maloney Hardware, Kevin Rowland spoke of the warmth Mary brought to their store in Shannon. “She was very friendly, she always greeted customers with a smile, she is very easy to talk to and chatty, she knew everyone and took an interest in their families and asked for people’s loved ones, she was very
sociable and a vital part of our team”.
Kevin who has been part of the staff for twenty five years admitted that Mary has been a loss to the family environment at Maloney Hardware. “She is a loss, she is very reliable, if you ever needed someone to fill in at short notice, she was always available and put herself forward to help out at holidays, she was excellent in that way and a real team player. Francis Maloney is the owner and his wife Geraldine is Mary’s sister, their sister Eilish Ward worked here since the shop opened and retired a few years ago”.
To mark Mary’s final day, she was presented with a bouquet of flowers. “Most of the people that have worked here have been here for a long time, Mary’s son works here, we’ve all worked here for a very long time, you get to know the customers and they get to know you, and those of us who are not related feel like part of the family.” Kevin said.
Francis, Geraldine and all the
staff past and present at Maloney Hardware would like to wish Mary a long and happy retirement and thank her for her many years of loyal and dedicated service.
Susanne O’Shea and Kevin Rowland with Mary Douganphoto by Joe Buckley
Francis Maloney with Mary Dougan
photo by Joe Buckley
AVOTE was required to defeat an amendment seeking the commencement of a public consultation process for the naming of the new County Library in Ennis, writes Páraic McMahon
The new library is set to open in the first quarter of 2024. The present library on Harmony Row is called de Valera public library and Fianna Fáil councillors are keen for the name to remain with the new building.
In a proposal by Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF), Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) and Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) before the June meeting of Clare County Council, they noted how historical names are attached to libraries in the county such as Sean Lemass (Shannon), William Smith O’Brien (Newmarket-on-Fergus) and Dr Patrick J. Hillery (Miltown Malbay) as they proposed the de Valera name be retained in the county town.
This proposal stemmed from an interaction at the May meeting where Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) told Cllr Colleran Molloy not to assume the new library would be named after the former President and Taoiseach.
She said, “It makes logical sense that new library will keep the de Valera name”. The Quin native added “I’d hate to think any opposition to this would be based on the unacceptable ethics to review our history”.
Cllr Ryan who helped to restore Dev’s Dodge car described the longest serving Taoiseach as “an absolute historian and a contributor to our life in Ireland. Love him or hate, he was a person that stood out”.
Decisions made in the 1970s to rename the library after de Valera should be respected, Cllr Hayes maintained, “It was a decision of the democratic process, we don’t need revisions to go back to what our history is. We owe it to the people of the past, we don’t need to rewrite history”.
Voicing opposition, Cllr Flynn remarked, “I want to make it clear that I will not be supporting it, I am not calling for a vote because of the numbers Fianna Fáil have and their sympathisers”. He noted, “All the names seem to be from the Fianna Fáil family or the Soldiers of Destiny as ye call yourselves”.
Shannon based Flynn admitted he was against naming
public buildings after individuals but added, “If Fianna Fáil are insisting on us naming it after somebody, my suggestion would be Sr Ethel Normoyle, a fabulous person, it’s people like that if we are forced to name buildings after, Sr Ethel would have done tremendous work and made a difference to the quality of lives of so many”.
De Valera’s name “is hugely important to the people of Clare,” Cllr Pat Daly (FF) insisted.
He said he had an association with Ennis since 1955 and that his grand-daughter Síle maintained this when she served as a Clare TD and Minister.
Similar calls to pause plans for naming the building were echoed by Cllr Paul Murphy (FG). “I’m always reluctant to name something after a person, by honouring one person you could be disrespecting another. I think public consultation is required, the library is a place of education so maybe naming it after Edna O’Brien one of our greatest writers would be more appropriate”.
An amendment was then put forward by Cllr Howard, Cllr Murphy and Cllr Flynn but was defeated 17-9.
From Clare to Hospice Jinja
Michael Maher and friends of Clare GAA organised a very successful raffle and hosted a recent dance in The Temple Gate raising a total of €4,300 with all funds raised going directly to Hospice Jinja, Uganda. Clare man John Conroy and a group of Clare people are due to volunteer in Uganda next month in special needs, primary school education and Hospice care . All flights and expenses are paid by the volunteers with all funds going directly to the projects on the ground. Since 2017 over 35 volunteers have joined John working on various projects in the Jinja District rasing €153,000. Pictured are (L-R) signed Clare jersey winner Amy Clancy, committee member Aoife Clancy, fundraiser organiser Michael Maher, committee member Michael O’Regan, prize winner Anne Hayes, Temple Gate representative Harriet and John Conroy from Hospice Jinja
QUIN TIDY TOWNS
THANK you to all of you who have sent donations to Quin Village Tidy Towns (QVTT) either througb our Facebook page, (http://gofund.me/0f4f09ea) or at the Post Office. This money is essential for the completion of work in the Fountain Area and for other projects going forward. Every euro helps.
The village is looking very colourful and well cared for by our many wonderful volunteers but unfortunately there’s an increase in the amount of litter around the village and down near the bottle bank area. During school holidays the young people spend more time around the centre and we appeal to all adults to remind them of the need for responsible behaviour around litter. Please use the bins and if you do see a piece on the ground, pick it up. There will be a general Litter Pick at 11am next Monday, July 3rd so please meet us at the Hall for gloves, bags etc. Thank you.
(Saving Per Set)
(MID RANGE) €145.00 (PREMIUM) €85.00 (MID RANGE) €120.00 (PREMIUM)
ONLY ONLY QUINN RD Ennis (Next to NCT) V95 KT38 T: 065-6844085 TULLA ROAD Ennis V95 HX38 T: 065-6898070
Rachel Porter @rachels_day_
Summer is finally here! It’s important to take care of our delicate skin while we are in the sun and Haven Pharmacy Holly Ennis have an extensive range of La Roche-Posay skincare in their derma centre making this super easy
La Roche-Posay Anthelios
UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid (€20.90) is the ultimate protection from UVB and ultra-long UVA. At SPF50+ this fluid gives high protection that is ultra resistant to water, sweat and sand. It can be applied under makeup as it’s invisible, light weight and non-greasy.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Anti-Shine Mist (€17.50) is a handbag staple! This SPF50+ mist is suitable for oily and blemish-prone skin with its light, fresh texture. The spray is easy to apply, quickly absorbed and delivers a double an-
ti-shine matte finish. The best part is that it can be worn under or ontop of make-up and can be re-applied throughout the day.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral One (€24) is a daily makeup in itself ! The lightweight formula contains mineral pigments, hyaluronic acid and glycerin, to hydrate the skin and provide up to 12hour mattifying makeup coverage. Its perfect for days where you are in a rush but still want to apply makeup and SPF!
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Age Correct SPF50 (€32) is a gorgeous daily facial sunscreen that not only smells and feels amazing on the skin but also helps to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles. This cream is suitable for sensitive skin.
Now we have the face covered let’s not forget about our bodies !
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Sun Protection Spray SPF 50+ (€24) is an easy-to-apply, lightweight, non-greasy formula and ensures a very high, broad UVA/ UVB protection with an optimal SPF of 50+. Its great to bring to the beach as its water resistant. Suitable for skin that is prone to sensitivity and sun-intolerance like me! It is just as important to take care of your skin post sun; La Roche-Posay Posthelios Gel (€18.50) is an ultra-hydrating after-sun gel that helps to soothe and moisturise the skin after long days outside having fun! Its easy to apply and melts into the skin giving instant relief. Call into Haven Pharmacy Ennis to get summer ready
Grace Murphy from Kilmihil on her horse Trooper at the Moreton Morrell equine collage in Birmingham where they competed for Ireland in the international Junior Tetrathlon on the June Bank Holiday weekend this year. Grace is a member of the Clare Pony Club
CLLR Ian Lynch (IND) has been elected as the Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District for the final year of the current Council term, writes Páraic McMahon.
It is the second time the Kilrush man will serve in the role, his previous stint was also approaching an election year after he was elected in June 2018 in advance of the 2019 local elections.
First elected to Clare County Council in 2014, Lynch received the unanimous backing of his colleagues at the AGM of the West Clare MD held in Áras Contae an Chláir on Thursday afternoon. He succeeds Cllr Shane Talty (FF) with Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) taking over from Lynch as Leas Cathaoirleach. Prior to his election to the Council, Lynch spent five years as a Kilrush Town Councillor prior to the scrapping of the Town Councils, initially elected as a Fine Gael representative. He was Mayor of Kilrush in 2013. He also contested the 2016 General Election.
Addressing the AGM, Cllr Lynch admitted, “It has been a really great team, we’ve worked well together and strategically we’ve tried to have this approach in how we spend money and move projects forward”.
Reflecting back on this term in the Council, he said health and housing stood out as the initial
FORMER President of Ireland, Mary McAleese unveiled a bronze bust of Michael Cusack at the birthplace of the GAA’s founder in Carron, writes Páraic McMahon
Dr McAleese was joined at the Michael Cusack Centre in the heart of the Burren by representatives of Clare GAA including Chief Operations Officer Deirdre Murphy, Munster GAA Chairman Ger Ryan, Clare County Council, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, elected members, and members of the local community.
Designed by Bray artist Paul Flynn, the Cusack Bronze Head Bust was donated to the Michael Cusack Centre by Mick McCarthy, a former pro- ducer of RTÉ’s ‘Up for the Match’ programme and a native of Parteen.
Mounted and inscribed to a plinth by Tubber-based Irish Natural Stone, the bust is available for public viewing at the visitor attraction which relates Cusack’s remarkable story through
an audio-visual exhibit set in the original Irish Famine era thatched cottage where he was born in September 1847. The unveiling of the Michael
McAleese said, “Who would have given tuppence for a child, any child born in Ireland in Black 47, the worst year of the Irish famine. Mass
focus “but then COVID was very turbulent and brought a lot of change into how we do things”.
He added, “We’re heading into the final year of this term, we’ve 12 months to go, remind everyone not to get too carried away with the electioneering, a lot of ye have your connections”.
This final year will be “challenging”, Lynch predicted. “We are struggling to get money for roads, the local, country roads and housing estates are not getting the mon-
We call that pathway the GAA and that child was Michael Cusack”.
“Through a unique meld of sport, community, culture and a fierce belief in unselfish service to the nation Cusack introduced Ireland to its best self and to the sheer sporting exuberance Gaelic games generate wherever in the world they are played. His legacy simply gets better year on year,” added Dr. McAleese.
Cllr. Ann Norton (IND), Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council commented, “Everything begins with an idea. Michael Cusack, through his promotion of Gaelic Games, established an Irish sporting and cultural institution”.
ey, we made a decision to increase the local property tax by 15% on condition that services wouldn’t drop but this year we’re seeing grass is not being cut, our next budget coming up to Christmas will be very important, we have to make sure we get our fair share”. Further development of the plan for West Clare as devised by councillors and local authority staff must get a renewed focus over the coming 12 months, Cllr Lynch maintained.
Cusack bust forms part of ‘Cusack 175’, a yearlong celebration of the Clare man’s love for education, Irish culture and sport that led to the foundation of the world’s largest amateur sporting organisation.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Dr. Mary
deaths and mass immigration left clouds of bleak depression and grief hanging over our country for generations. Yet in that very year a child was born here in Carron who would help our people at home and abroad navigate a remarkable pathway to hope and light.
Visitors to the Michael Cusack Centre more than doubled in 2022 with 4,100 visiting the attraction.
Education and community outreach programmes form a key part of the Michael Cusack Centre’s efforts to promote the GAA founder’s legacy.
le MACDARA Ó CONAOLA
An Clár as Gaeilge Teo
Togra Páirtnéireachta Forbairt Teanga Pobail do Chontae an Chláir
SPRAOI le Gaeilge will commence a 5-week Irish Language Summer course for adults on Wednesday the 5th of July in Cois na hAbhna. A choice of beginners or improvers classes with Inis Oírr na- tive, MacDara Ó Conaola, will run
from 11.30am – 12.30pm each Wednesday.
To book your place now or for further information please contact: spraoilegaeilge@gmail.com or call 085-1295594
Beidh FáilteRomhat!
Marty Morrissey officially launched the 34th issue of Simply Said, a collection of learner stories from Limerick and Clare ETB Co. Clare Core Skills, on Monday evening in Glór, Ennis. Over 220 people attended this now annual event, many were authors who had their work published for the first time. Visit www.fetchcourses.ie ito learn more about reading, writing, numeracy, or digital skills for adults, with venues in across the county.
Spreading
SOMEONE once said, “It’s a funny thing, Life. If you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it”.
houses. Our most precious commodities can’t be found at the bank. They can’t be ordered online. The truth is, they are on a very short list. Amongst our most precious commodities are our purpose, time, health, faith and our relationships.
most of what you have got. Difficult and painful experiences shape our lives and who we are and who we become, but they can also weigh us down. They prevent us from moving forward. Much of our progress in life relies on willpower and a healthy emotional state.
way that the journey is more important than the destination and that we should always strive to make the most of what we have got. So don’t ever be afraid to celebrate who you are. We are here to inspire one another, to help one another, to share with one another.
IS IAD Eamonn agus Geraldine Cotter as Inis, Co. an Chlár, a bheidh faoi chaibidil sa gclár seo. Sheinn agus thaistil an fliúiteadóir Eamonn Cotter leis na bannaí The Shaskeen agus Banna Céilí na Tulaí. Tá roinnt dlúthdhioscaí aonair taifeadta aige agus tá cáil mhór air mar gheall ar na feadóga adhmaid ceolchoirme traidisiúnta den scoth a dhéanann sé. Casann Geraldine Cotter an fheadóg stáin agus an pianó. Is múinteoir, taighdeoir agus léachtóir í freisin agus tá sí ina ball den Boruma Trio /
LEAN
Imeachtaí/Events:
‘’Sé Mo Laoch’’ casts an eye on the life and career of Co. Clare siblings Eamonn & Geraldine Cotter. Flute player Eamonn Cotter has played and toured with The Shaskeeen & The Tulla Céilí Bands. He has recorded a number of solo CDs and is renowned as a very fine maker of the traditional concert wooden flute. Geraldine Cotter is a tin whistle and piano player, teacher, researcher and lecturer. A member of the Boruma Trio she has also performed with The Tulla, Shaskeen and Kilfenora Ceili Bands.
ClárAsGaeilge, Twitter, Facebook agus Instagram.
• INIS – CAINT AGUS COMHRÁ, chuile Dé Luain ag 11am sa gCopper Jug, Dé Céadaoin ag 11am in Insomnia (Tesco), oíche Déardaoin sa Temple Gate (8pm), agus Dé Sathairn i nGlór, 11am-12pm
• RAIDIÓ CLARE FM - ‘’Cúl-chaint’’ le Domhnall Ó Loingsigh chuile mhaidin Dé Sathairn, 9am. Seol nuacht chuig: Donal@clare.fm
• INIS - Rith le Ruairí, chuile Dé Máirt ag 7.30pm, ag Local Motion, Sráid Uí Chonaill • CILL INÍNE BAOITH - Ciorcal Comhrá san XPO, chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 7.30pm
It is very apt in today’s world of looking after our health and our inner peace. Often we do not care about ourselves and do not live each moment to the best of our abilities. We settle for second best and don’t really live a life that is fully alive. If our inner heart has holes, we do not bother to refill them, thinking how does it matter? Who can see them?
The truth is your body can feel it and you know it matters and that your health is truly your wealth when all is said and done! Many times, we skip meals thinking it does not matter and you think I have more important things to do in life. Truth is, your body, mind and soul needs that nourishment. No one else is going to nourish your body, mind and soul but you! For the world to treat you well, you need to treat yourself well!
If you have no pride in yourself, chances are the world will look at you in the same way. Our lives are a large collection of single days one right after the other. The sun rises, sets, and rises again.
Our most precious commodities are not our smartphones, 3D TVs, brand new cars, or even our big and impressive
It is said that charity begins at home. We care for the less fortunate and the needy which is a great quality in any human being! But remember your mind, body and soul need you first. Be good to yourself, enjoy life to the fullest and make the most of what you have got. It is said that keep a clean home, nourish your body, pamper yourself and you will feel blessed! But, most of us do not invest time in ourselves. We are so absorbed by the outside world that we forget ourselves! Most of us feel it is a sheer waste of time to invest in oneself or say that being good to yourself is vanity! Well, overdoing it might be vanity but doing something you like once in a while is important to feel good, happy and satiated in life. Everything affects everything. The way you walk affects the way you talk. The way you dress affects the way you feel. The care you give to yourself will affect how you care about others. Nurturing and feeling good about yourself is the first step towards confidence
As your thought for the week, make the
There is a strong connection between physical and mental health and for these reasons it’s important to address mental health first. If you’re under immense stress and anxiety, your body and mind both require time to recover.
It’s best to rest, recover, refresh and slowly build back up your strength. Too often when we are suffering, we will focus only on physical remedies and can ignore our emotional mental health. Stigma about mental health represents a powerful obstacle toward recognizing the need for help.
Remember what you’re striving for and why it is important.
It’s OK to go to family, colleagues or friends for help and if need be real professional help. Find a friendly ear and share your worries and frustrations. Don’t be afraid to take time for yourself to recuperate and pamper yourself a bit.
For me I go spend time with God in nature or in a quiet peaceful setting in front of the blessed sacrament where I can offer up my prayers for support and guidance. For me, life is about experiences. We all have to dream, strive, and at times even fail before we can achieve success. Maybe we’ll discover along the
Treasure your life and the lives of those around you. We are all in this together and remember that everybody has something to offer. Indeed, most of us have many things to offer and, in a lot of cases, special expertise is not required. We are all capable of giving that which people need most of all now in our country and world: LOVE. Love translates into time, service and the sharing of oneself. The whole meaning of our lives is bound up with love.
We find happiness in loving others and being loved in return. All our experiences of love are experiences of God. And what really brings God’s love home to us and makes it real is the love of another human being.
Then we feel it and know it. After all, it is love that heals us, encourages us, frees us, makes us grow and it is love that makes life meaningful. You see all of us have the capacity, some more than others, to help the needy and treat them with love, compassion and respect and show them that there are people in our country and world willing to help them.
All that matters at the end of the day is how we Loved. Loved ourselves, Loved others and Loved our world!!
THIRTY bat, bird and bee boxes are being erected in the surrounding lands of the Shannon Campus to lend a hand to nature.
Renowned Environmentalist and Broadcaster, Éanna Ní Lamhna unveiled the nest boxes, the initiative is part of The Shannon Airport Group’s new Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).
They will be located at the Group’s Community Biodiversity Garden, in woodlands and other areas of suitable habitat across the campus.
Students from St John’s National School in Shannon received an educational workshop on flora and fauna from Éanna and guest speaker Philip Brennan, the Shannon Airport Ornithologist at the launch. Local community groups including Shannon Tidy Towns, Shannon Wetlands Community Group and the Men’s Shed were also in attendance.
The BAP, which is a key initiative of the Group’s Sustainability Strategy, aims to gather data of the biodiversity present across the Group’s lands and to protect and conserve it using the most
appropriate and eco-friendly methods available. It outlines a number of actions, which includes a “Low Mow” regime, pollinator friendly planting, woodland enhancement, monitoring habitat transition, and education, outreach, and engagement.
Sinead Murphy, Head of Sustainability at The Shannon Airport Group said, “We are proud to launch our Biodiversity Action Plan and take those necessary steps in the conservation and protection of our environment. Our mission for this plan is to become a biodiversity-friendly
l Pictured left: Shannon Airport Ornithologist Philip Brennan; Environmentalist and Broadcaster Éanna Ní Lámhna; Arek Gdulinski, Sustainability Specialist, Shannon Airport Group and Sinead Murphy, Head of Sustainability at Shannon Airport Group
Pictured below: Students from St John’s National School, Shannon, Katie Donnelly, Illia Novomlyntsev, and Dhanyashri Gomathiraja with Environmentalist and Broadcaster, Éanna Ní Lámhna Photos by Arthur Ellis
airport and business campus. We aim to protect, conserve, and enhance the valuable habitats and species present across The Shannon Airport Group lands.
“This includes not only the EU Natura 2000 sites designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA), and the nationally important proposed Natural
Heritage Area (pNHA), but also the undesignated sites which exist within the airport lands and commercial properties,” she added.
Launching the Biodiversity Action Plan, Éanna Ní Lamhna commented, “We all have a part to play. The simplest of environmental management changes can bring huge improvement in biodiversity. Here on the Shannon
campus, there is already the return of Marsh Orchids and Bee Orchids thanks to a low mow regime. It will get better and better as the Action plan is further rolled out”. Last year, the Group launched its Sustainability Strategy which acts as a blueprint to achieve a more sustainable future for the Group, its people, and the community.
SEWERAGE issues in housing estates in Ardnacrusha and Meelick are to be addressed, writes Páraic McMahon
€5,466,825 in funding has been confirmed under the Multi-Annual Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme.
Glen Abhainn in Meelick will benefit from €199,425; whilst the Ardnacrusha estates of Ballyglass, Castlebank, Lackyle Heights, Keelgrove and Parkroe Heights will share €5,267,400.
Work at Glen Abhainn can commence immediately while Ardnacrusha is likely to follow suit thereafter.
Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) who is a native of Meelick stated, “This funding will play a significant role in addressing historic sewerage issues plaguing the residents of these estates at long last”.
He explained, “When first built, these estates were all on a ‘package sewage treatment plant’ built by a developer more than 20 years ago. That developer has, of course, long gone and in the years that have passed, maintenance issues have cropped up that need to be addressed, and in the process of all this, residents have faced malodours and other related issues”.
Deputy Crowe added, “This funding will now ensure that Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water) will be the body responsible for the upkeep of the sewerage infrastructure here, thereby ending these issues. I’m confident that this will be of significant relief to the residents of these estates”.
l INFRASTRUCTURE: Ballyglass, Ardnacrusha
A STEADY withdrawal of services in rural towns and villages in recent years has contributed to growing levels of isolation in West Clare. Staff at the West Clare Family Resource Centre, acutely aware of this growing problem, have identified this as an area that must be addressed to ensure healthy communities continue to flourish in the area.
Morwenna Kersual, Over 55s Project Leader, has worked with the West Clare Family Resource Centre since 2017 and witnessed first-hand the impact that isolation is having on individuals in West Clare, particularly those in the older age category.
“Especially for the older people, isolation is a huge issue because in the last few years there’s been a withdrawal of services in rural towns such as banks, school closures, post offices and all that,” Morwenna tells The
Clare Echo. “So older people without access to transport can feel extremely isolated and can go days without talking to people and obviously they don’t have access to the services they should have access to, so there’s a huge impact on mental health and physical health, because they don’t get out much then.
“We’re trying to provide them with an outlet, something to keep them healthy mentally and physically.”
Some popular initiatives at the centre - which was established in 2000 - amongst the over 55s include a popular movie club which screens new releases for those who find it difficult to attend the cinema in Ennis; tea dances, a “huge hit” that takes place on the second Thursday of each month; mindfulness through arts; and ‘sit fit’, which is a series of chairbased exercises and games. “They nearly don’t come for the exercise even though they do obviously enjoy the mobility aspect, but it’s the social aspect they really en-
joy,” notes Morwenna. They have also partnered with Mowlam Nursing Home and separately Alone, and are currently looking for volunteers to visit elderly people in West Clare.
Morwenna continues, “We also link with the Alheimer Society of Ireland and we have a range of supports for people living with dementia and their family careers. We try put on courses and workshops to raise awareness around dementia and also support groups for the families. We have a monthly support group that meets on a Wednesday evening. Also in September we start a monthly drop-in clinic with a dementia advisor from the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, that’s for anyone concerned with dementia - it can be family carer, a person living with dementia, or a person who is concerned they might be showing signs of dementia.”
Pauline Burke, Community Development Worker at the West Clare Family Resource Centre, explains that
the service “really brings everyone together”.
“It fills gaps that other services might not be able provide. It also signposts to other services, as really a link and a base for people to come to and we can direct people in different ways. Our core value, particularly with over 55s, is combatting isolation. it’s bringing that community together and empowers it within itself because back here in West Clare we can be left without a lot of services and it’s trying to combat that and giving people the voice who may not get that voice. We’re trying our best to plug some of the voids that are here. Transport would definitely be a big issue as well.”
On that front, the West Clare Family Resource Centre is working with Local Link to try and improve routes between towns in West Clare while they deliver outreach programmes in Querrin and Kilkee “for people further back west, who don’t have a way of coming to Kilrush for activities”. This also incorporates facilitating
the Ukrainian community with knitting groups and yoga mornings, along with one-to-one services such as assisting individuals with tasks such as social welfare applications.
“From the cradle to the grave is the slogan in the family resource centre. So it’s collectively getting the community together and empowering them.”
Pauline is encouraging people in West Clare to keep an eye out for upcoming programmes which will commence in September, including Arts & Craft classes; confidence building courses; a knitting and crochet group which is open to any ability and age; a personal development group working around grief and managing stress and anxiety “which has become more common after Covid in particular among all age groups”.
The West Clare FRC also facilitates a parenting while separated programme; and a Rainbow programme to support children experiencing grief and parental sepa-
ration. The centre also runs low-cost counselling services for adults and children, along with play therapy for children. Plans are also in the pipeline for a women’s network.
Having taken over the delivery of the local food bank programme during Covid, the West Clare FRC is currently looking for volunteers to help once a month. Pauline stresses that the 11 staff at the West Clare FRC are eternally grateful to the community’s contribution, “I just want to thank all our participants, and a huge thank you to our volunteers as well because without the people we wouldn’t be here. Just a thank you to everyone.”
To get involved with the West Clare Family Resource Centre, or to be added to their monthly activity text group, call on 065 905 2173. For more information visit www.westclarefamilyresourcecentre.ie
THE launch of ‘Clare Business Excellence Awards 2023’ took place on Thursday, June 22, at a networking breakfast at Hotel Woodstock.
Hosted by Ennis Chamber, with Clare County Council as the main sponsor, this is the 13th running of Clare Business Excellence Awards.
Ennis Chamber President, Sheila Lynch commented, “Despite the obvious challenges around the costs of doing business, there is a renewed sense of optimism in the business community this year that is both positive and invigorating.
While we appreciate everyone is busy, and time is precious, we hope businesses will see the merits of making time to enter this year’s Clare Business Excellence Awards. Submissions can be made online on the homepage of Ennis Chamber website at www.ennischamber.ie The application forms are straightforward to ensure the awards are accessible to all. “
Cllr.Tony O’Brien, Cathaoirleach, Clare County Council, commented, “We are fortunate to have Clare Business Excellence Awards as a vehicle to celebrate the achievements of businesses in County Clare. It is fitting that Clare County Council has once again adopted a leadership role as main sponsor of these prestigious awards.”
Cllr. O’Brien added, “In sponsoring these awards, Clare County Council acknowledges and celebrates the contribution businesses make to the local economy across County Clare, providing employment and supporting our local communities.”
Pat Dowling, CEO, Clare County Council said, “Each year these awards shine a light on businesses that are
leaders within their own sectors, offering entrants the opportunity to benchmark their achievements against those of their peers. It is important for businesses to avail of the opportunity to celebrate their own success by entering these awards and in doing so to know that their submissions will be adjudicated by professional, independent adjudicators.”
Ennis Chamber has contracted SpotCheck, Northern Ireland, a business with an excellent reputation for thoroughness and fairness when it comes to adjudication. SpotCheck will adjudicate and will also directly issue a short benchmark report with constructive feedback, to all entrants.
Sheila Lynch concluded, “It goes without saying that it would not be possible to run these awards without the generous support of our sponsors. We thank Clare County Council as overall sponsor, and we also thank each of our category sponsors listed. With 12 business categories and a special category for ‘Best Voluntary/Community Group’, there is a category to suit all business types and every sector. I encourage businesses to enter and wish you the very best of luck.”
Businesses large and small across Clare are invited to enter Clare Business Excellence Awards.
Application forms available online: https://www.ennischamber.ie/services/ business-awards
lLOCAL ECONOMY: Pictured at the launch of the Clare Business Excellence Awards were (above left): Sheila Lynch, President Ennis Chamber, Pat Dowling CEO Clare County Council (main sponsors of Clare Business excellence Awards 2023) Trudy Ryan, Head of Banking Clare & Tipperary, Bank of Ireland, Cllr Tony O’Brien, Cathaoirleach Clare County Council (left): Caroline O’Connor CSGL – overall winners Clare Business Excellence Awards 2022, Erin Malone Ei Electronics – previous winners of Best Green & Sustainable Practices and CSR categories, and Denise O’Brien. Learning Solutions - finalists in Professional Services Excellence category CBEA 2022 (below): Padraic McElwee, LEO Clare, Sheila Lynch, President Ennis Chamber, Cllr Tony O’Brien Cathaoirleach Clare County Council and Stuart Holly, Clare Echo Editor Photos by Arthur Ellis
INDEPENDENT adjudicators, Spotcheck NI, will complete mystery visits and reviews for categories involving retail, hospitality, tourism and customer service. For categories depending on written submissions an independent expert panel has been established to adjudicate. Closing date for mystery visit categories (Hospitality, Retail, Customer Service Excellence/Tourism/ Best Place to Eat): August 10, 2023. Closing date (written submission categories): September 11, 2023. Finalists to be announced in October. A gala awards ceremony will take place in November.
l BEST GREEN & SUSTAINABLE PRACTICESSponsored by Rengen Power
l BEST MICRO BUSINESS (employing 10 people or less)
- Sponsored by Local Enterprise Office, Clare
l BEST SME IN CLARE (From 10 to 250 employees)Sponsored by Cup Print
l HEALTH & WELLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE - Sponsored by Essilor
l CLARE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES EXCELLENCE AWARD - Sponsored by Ennis Chamber
l BEST TOURISM EXPERIENCE - Sponsored by TUS
l BEST HOSPITALITY IN CLARE - Sponsored by Shannon
Group
l BEST PLACE TO EAT (2 x sub-categories; Best Restaurant and Best Bistro/Café) -
Sponsored by AIB
l BEST USE OF DIGITAL
MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA
Sponsored by The Clare Echo
l CLARE RETAILER OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by Clean Ireland Recycling
l CUSTOMER SERVICE
EXCELLENCE - Sponsored by McKeogh Gallagher Ryan
Accountants
l BEST VOLUNTARY/ COMMUNITY GROUP IN CLARE
- Sponsored by Vitalograph
l ‘CLARE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2023’ (Overall Winner)
- Sponsored by lead sponsorClare County Council
AN EVALUATION team from UNESCO on Monday concluded a five-day visit to Co Clare as part of a revalidation process for the Burren and Cliffs of Moher’s designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark, writes Páraic McMahon.
Headed by Dr. Babis Fassoulas of the University of Crete and Adina Popa of Hațeg Country UNESCO Global Geopark in Romania, the review team met with representatives of Clare County Council and the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, and local business and community representatives during their revalidation visit, which takes place every four years.
Led by Clare County Council, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark first achieved Global Geopark status in 2011 before the designation was fully incorporated by UNESCO in 2015 to become a UNESCO Global Geopark. Geopark status was retained following a similar revalidation visit in 2019, and officials are hoping that the Geopark will once again be successful this year.
Through its designation, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher region forms part of a global community of 195 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 48 countries that shares knowledge and expertise on heritage management
and sustainable development, leading to well-managed protected landscapes with preserved local heritage.
More than 1,300 jobs are sustained by businesses in the Burren Ecotourism Network, partners of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, while many more are directly dependent on the sustainability of employment in other sectors that are related to tourism.
Cllr. Tony O’Brien (FF), Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, said the Geopark plays a key role in ensuring tourism development across the Burren is delivered in a sustainable manner.
“The need to protect the Burren and to promote a prosperous local economy is a balancing act that requires the commitment and participation of many State Agencies working with the Geopark team and Clare County Council, the local business sector, wider community and other agencies at local and national level”.
He added, “I am confident the visiting UNESCO delegation will conclude that the Burren and Cliffs of Moher is a shining example within the Geopark network”.
A decision on the redesignation of UNESCO Global Geopark status for the Burren and Cliffs of Moher is expected later this year.
THE school holidays are only just starting, so it seems early to be talking about getting ready to go back to school in September. However, the start of the new school year can be a financially stressful time for families, especially during the current cost-of-living crisis. The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear (BTSCFA) scheme which is delivered by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) provides a once-off payment to eligible families of school going chil-
Clare Tourism DAC is a subsidiary company of Clare County Council that will oversee the management, development, and promotion of a portfolio of signature visitor attraction sites throughout County Clare. Clare Tourism is now seeking to hire the following experienced professionals with substantial skills in Sales and Marketing, and Digital Marketing campaigns.
Executive Full Time Permanent
The position of Sales and Marketing Executive is an exciting opportunity for an individual interested in playing a significant role within Clare Tourism. The successful applicant will report to the Sales and Marketing Manager within Clare Tourism East and work closely with the Senior and Business Unit Managers within Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Knappogue Castle, Craggaunowen – Bronze Age Park, Cliffs of Moher Gift Store and Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience (currently under development). The successful candidate will assist the Sales and Marketing Manager in overseeing all aspects of the day-to-day promotion of the services, brand and bookings of these iconic visitor attractions.
Full Time Permanent
The position of Digital Marketing Executive is an exciting opportunity to work with the Sales and Marketing Team Clare Tourism East in the digital marketing strategy and vision within Clare Tourism for Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Knappogue Castle, Craggaunowen – Bronze Age Park, Cliffs of Moher Gift Store and Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience and to develop these iconic visitor attractions brand values.
If you are interested in applying, or want to know more about an individual position, contact Máiréad in The Hr Suite on 066 7102887 or email your CV to jobs@thehrsuite.com
Closing date for applications Wednesday, 19th July 2023 at 5pm
dren to help with the cost of purchasing school uniforms.
You may qualify for a BSCFA payment,
• if you are getting a social welfare payment,
• if your income is below a certain threshold for your household size and
• if you have a child between 4 and 17, or between 18 and 22 attending a recognised second-level school.
This year the allowance paid for each eligible child aged between 4 and 11 is
€260, and for each eligible child aged between 12 and 22 is €385.
You can apply for a BSCFA payment between the 8th of June and the 30th of September, either online at MyWelfare.ie or by requesting a paper application form from the DSP.
According to Rachel Enright Information Officer with Shannon CIC “Many families will receive the BTSCFA in the week beginning 10th July”.
Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the below competition. Clare County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the area set out below from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.
Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 12 noon on Thursday 13th July 2023.
Application forms and further particulars may be obtained by requesting same from the Human Resources Department, Clare County Council at 065-6846520, via e-mail: recruitment@clarecoco.ie or can be downloaded from the following website: www.clarecoco.ie
Clare County Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the Community.
Garda vetting may apply prior to any appointment(s) that are made.
Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.
If you received the BSCFA payment in 2022 and there are no changes in your circumstances, you should receive the payment automatically. If you are going to be paid automatically, the DSP will notify you either on your MyWelfare account, or by post. If you did not receive a notification before the 8th of June 2023, you will need to re-apply.
In addition to this from September 2023 parents of children in primary and special schools do not have to pay a contribution fee towards schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks. The school will provide the free books on loan. Deirdre Power Development Manager for Citizens Information in County Clare welcomed the new support.
Information Officers in the Citizens Information Centres throughout County Clare are available to answer any queries you may have about the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, or any related questions. We are available from Monday to Friday, our centres are assisting clients with a drop in service, face to face appointments, by phone and email. We can be contacted at 0818 07 5260 and ennis@citinfo.ie or visit our website, www.citizensinformation.ie which is packed full of useful information.
Citizens Information Centres are funded by the Citizens Information Board. They provide a free, impartial and confidential information, advice and advocacy services to member of the public on a broad range of public and social services.
Clarecastle, Plate winners at the John West Féile na nGael National hurling finals, 2023 at the Connacht GAA Centre, Bekan, Co Mayo. Eighty club sides took part in the national finals across seven venues in Connacht. Sponsored for the eighth time by John West, it is one of the biggest underage sporting events on the continent. A hundred teams took part in John West Féile na nGael regional finals taking place at 13 venues across Ireland for teams outside the top division on the same day; (centre) two young fans supporting Newmarket on Fergus Camogie at the John West Féile na nGael National camogie finals; (below)the competing Newmarket on Fergus side
ON JULY 1st, Mary Immaculate College in Limerick will host the Munster round of the M.Donnelly Interprovincial Wheelchair Hurling Camogie League.
The four provinces will battle it out for league positions in an impressive sport that you have never experienced the likes of before. This electrifying event is open to everyone that starts at 10:30am with free accessible parking for all nearby.
Munster’s 20 player Junior panels will showcase their talents on the day alongside the current All-Ireland title holders the Munster Senior Wheelchair Hurling Camogie team in a series of high-energy matches that are sure to not disappoint.
Munster Wheelchair Hurling Camogie Club was founded over twelve years ago and has since become increasingly more successful. With players from Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and Kerry, the team is calling for anyone with a physical disability who, for whatever reason, cannot participate in an able-bodied sport to come join us on the day. The 6-a-side sport is made up of a goalie, 2 defenders, a midfielder and 2 forwards.
If you can push a wheelchair, grip a hurley and have a passion for GAA this is the sport for you. The GAA's motto is “#where we all belong” and alongside the support from Munster GAA, family and friends we want this sport to grow.
The Munster Senior and Junior panels train every Thursday in Bawnmore sports Complex in Limerick City, with the junior panel training from 6-7pm and the senior panel from 7-9pm. All equipment needed (helmet, hurley and sports wheelchair) is provided to all players. It's a great way for people to build up strength, it benefits both mind and body and it is the perfect place to meet new people in a positive environment.
All are welcome to come join us in Mary Immaculate College on the 1st of Just to experience this sport first hand.
For more information please contact: munsterwheelchairhurlingcamogieclub@ gmail. com
Dave Fitzgerald - Club Chairperson 083 - 816 8143
Facebook@munsterwheelchairhurlingandcamogiec lub Twitter@club_munster Munster Abu!!
ALL-IRELAND SENIOR HURLING QUARTER FINAL
Clare 5-26 Dublin 2-17
Venue: TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
Compiled by Páraic McMahon & Seamus Hayes
CLARE:
Frees for: 9 (2/7)
Wides: 15 (9/6)
Spread of scorers: 7
Scores from play: 5-21
Top scorer: Tony Kelly (3-04)
Bookings: Peter Duggan (39), Cian Nolan (62)
Own puckouts won: 22 from 31 (71%)
DUBLIN: Frees for: 16 (6/10)
Wides: 12 (9/3)
Spread of scorers: 7
Scores from play: 2-07
Top scorer: Cian O’Sullivan (0-11 10f)
Bookings: None
Own puckouts won: 26 from 46 (57%)
REFEREE: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)
“The big thing for us was that we felt we were going to play well, we thought we had a good bit of work done throughout the year. You always worry that you won’t get a performance, we felt that we were going to get a performance but then the question was how good were Dublin going to be. We felt we were going to be good, our lads worked hard and did well, maybe it was not a brilliant first quarter but after that the lads worked really well, worked really hard.
“Before half time was crucial, it gave us that bit of a cushion and forced them to come out a bit and attack a bit more. We are just delighted with the way the lads played. It was a great performance from us today, to put up that kind of a score is great for us.
“Every year you go, you learn. From our perspective maybe the Munster championship didn’t take as much out of us as it did before. We are a little bit more resilient as a bunch and probably a big stron-
ger personnel wise than we were last year. We had a lot of young lads on the panel last year and they are a little bit older now. They are pushing hard and trying to make the team rather than just been panel members this year.
“We just let the physios and the doctors do their jobs now, they have done a great job all year. We just hope that everyone will be right.
“John Conlon was a massive loss but Paul Flanagan came in and did a great job for us.
“He (Darragh Lohan) has been on the panel a
couple of years and he has been hurling well in training. It’s all very well to hurl well in training but you have to go out there and do it against a good opponent. Danny Sutcliffe is a good opponent and it is tough against those guys but that is what you are doing all the training for”.
“Kilkenny have so many players, so much quality, so much power, pace. Kilkenny are always primed, always the standard”.
“The goals midway through and towards the end of the first half were a killer. Three or four balls made a difference, their experience shone through, they were absolutely clinical when the opportunities presented. They are a top team and it was a big learning curve for us.
“Genuinely, coming down I thought we were in good shape and in decent position. It’s a hard one to take but look that’s the joys of it.
“The ambition is getting Dublin to play in these games and that is the only way you are going to get experience. Today is tough, it’s a hard one to take”.
by Derek Dormer news@clareecho.ie
FOR the first time in the Clare colours, Tony Kelly netted a hat-trick as back to back All-Ireland semi-final appearances were achieved.
Kelly scored 3-04 from play to earn the man of the match accolade in Clare’s comprehensive 5-26 2-17 win over Dublin in the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday.
Lessons were learned from last year’s quarter-final clash versus Wexford which came on the back of another provincial defeat where Clare produced a sluggish display. That was certainly rectified when they put the Dubs to the sword.
"We put a lot into the Munster Championship again and it was disappointing but we learned from last year when we were in the same position. It stood to us today. We were far better able to respond than 12 months ago,” Kelly said.
Clare’s captain explained, "Today was all about trying to perform well and get back to Dublin and thankfully we did that. We are delighted with the result and of course we are thrilled to be back in an All-Ireland semi-final. We can be happy with a
lot of our play but we still have stuff to work on. It was nip and tuck for probably the first 15 minutes or so”.
He revealed that the injury to John Conlon and the treatment he received on the pitch gave Clare a chance to reset. “When John went down it gave us a chance to come in and speak about what was going right and what wasn't. I think from that we got another goal and then our use of the ball got that bit better”.
Hitting five green flags is a big plus for Clare, the Ballyea sharpshooter said. “The wind was swirling all the time out there so we made a concerted effort to carry the ball in a bit more rather than shooting and I suppose that opened it up for us. The chances then came our way and we got the goals and historically we wouldn't be known for too many goals so that's another positive we can take into the All-Ireland semi-final.
“We created similar chances against Limerick but we didn't take them. With six or seven minutes to go in the Munster Final we felt we had the game there for the taking and we didn't convert our chances.
We spoke about it and worked on it for the last couple of weeks. Thankfully today our conversion rate was far more clinical.”
Getting a chance to atone for last July’s championship exit at the hands of Kilkenny is what lies ahead of Tony and the Clare team. “Regardless of who the opposition is our goal was to get back to Croke Park. We haven't been there enough as a group since a lot of us came onto the scene and we need that consistency as a county. You want to be at the business end every year. We feel it's two different seasons. We do feel we are in better shape than this time last year. We put an awful lot of work into last year's Munster Championship which we did this year too but we learned what worked and what didn't work so we are in a better place this time around”.
All four teams left standing are more than capable of winning the Liam McCarthy, the secondary school teacher maintained. “I don't think there's anything between the top teams to be fair. Everybody will have the mindset that they can win the semi-final and then win the All-Ireland and we are no different.”
LOSING the Munster senior hurling final for the second year in a row left “a sour taste” for David Fitzgerald and his Clare teammates but it hasn’t diluted their appetite for glory in the county colours.
Fitzgerald lining out as a key member of Clare’s middle third was very satisfied to get a chance to dust off the cobwebs and brush off the hangover of the one point provincial final loss to Limerick.
Clocking 5-26 served as a more than adequate response, he flagged. “It was good to get back out on the pitch to be honest. The Munster Final left a real sour taste in our mouth because we had the chances to win it. To go out there and put up that score on the same pitch was a positive response. We put in a decent performance, it wasn't perfect by any means but it was good enough to get the win and head to Croke Park which is the most important thing".
Sealing a trip to Jones Rd was their aim in bouncing back from that Limerick loss, he said. “Our one goal from that Munster Final was to get back to Croke Park and although we didn't achieve it that day we rectified it today and we are back where
we want to be. We know it'll be a mammoth task in two weeks time but we will recover this week and get down to preparations”.
Reflecting on their 2022 semi-final clash with Kilkenny, the Inagh/Kilnamona clubman said it was an occasion when a lot went against Clare, this included losing centre-back John Conlon to injury shortly before throw-in. “We feel good, we felt good last year too but things didn't go according to plan on the day. That's sport for you. Some days things just go against you and that was definitely one of those days. We will do everything in our power to get things right now though and have a
proper go at Kilkenny”.
Key to their 18 point quarter-final win over Dublin was the manner in which Clare took advantage of the breaks that fell their way, the All Star believed. “The goals were huge for us today and made the game very comfortable in the end. Dublin pressed us high up the field which suited us and any time we broke, we broke at pace and it opened up for us. We were able to take our chances when they presented themselves and that's something we didn't do the last day out so that was another pleasing aspect”.
Competition for places is noticeable within the panel according to the 2016 National Hurling League winner. “It was great to have Reidy back out there and in fairness to the whole squad they're all pushing for a starting jersey and that only makes the team stronger which in turn benefits all of us. Shan came on again and did the business. Training is going well and we are all looking forward to having a real go in two weeks time. We have to deliver a performance again and see where that takes us”.
by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie
SIX CLARE HURLERS have been named in the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Hurling Team of the Year while captain Eoghan Gunning (pictured, photo by Gerard O'Neill) has been named Hurler of the Year.
Brian O’Connell’s charges became the first Clare minor team to win provincial and All-Ireland titles in the one year with a series of impressive showings on their way to lifting the Irish Press Cup.
Eoghan Gunning (corner back), Ronan Keane (full back), Matthew O’Halloran (wing back), James Hegarty (centre back), Michael Collins (centre forward) and Marc O’Brien (full forward) have been included in the team of the year off the back of their displays this season which culminated in an All-Ireland final win over Galway on June 4th.
It is the second year in a row that Broadford’s Gunning has been named in the side. The Scariff Community College is one of the most exciting defenders to have emerged from the county and set the way as Clare captain, he was also named as man of the match in the All-Ireland final.
Killanena’s Keane may have had to go off injured before half-time in the Galway win but made his mark in the competition long before the conclusion with towering displays at number three throughout the Munster round-robin series.
Utility man O’Halloran lined out at wing-back and midfield for Clare before getting the nod to go to full-back
after Keane’s injury in the All-Ireland final. The Sixmilebridge teenager who is the son of two-time All-Ireland winner Michael chipped in with 0-02 in Clare’s Munster Final win over Cork.
St Flannan’s College student Hegarty may have missed Clare’s opening outing in the Munster championship but once he assumed his first starting role in the third round he quickly left his mark on proceedings at centre back. The Inagh/Kilnamona clubman excelled in every outing in the saffron and blue.
A glorious goal from Collins started off Clare’s championship bid in the rain in Shannon and scoring sprees remained constant from the Clonlara attacker for the duration of the campaign. He scored 0-06 from play in the Munster semi-final win over Limerick and 0-03 in the All-Ireland final win over Galway. Cratloe’s O’Brien completes the Clare contingent on the team of the year. He was the second highest scorer in the championship and finished off the year scoring 0-07 in the All-Ireland final.
Clare 2-09 Tyrone 3-06
Venue: Pearse Park, Longford
Compiled by Derek Dormer
CLARE: Frees for: 13 (5/8)
Wides: 9 (6/3)
Top scorer: Aisling Reidy
(1-1)
Scores from play: 2-8
Spread of scorers: 7
Bookings: None
Own kickouts won: 14 from 16 (87%)
TYRONE: Frees for: 21 (11/10)
Wides: 6 (3/3)
Top scorer: Emma Jane Gervin (2-0)
Scores from play: 2-3
Spread of scorers: 6
Bookings: None
Own kickouts won: 16 from 20 (80%)
REFEREE: Shane Curley (Galway)
"It's not easy to travel two and a half hours and play in a neutral ground. We started really slowly which was a surprise. We gifted them 1-2 early doors and we did show great character to claw our way back
into it but let's be honest about it we missed five glorious goal chances at the start of the second half and really should have won this game comfortably. Our decision making at the end also let us down.
CLARE’S senior camogie side welcome Cork to Ennis this weekend and their chances of progressing to the knockout stages lay firmly in their own hands.
With one win and one loss from two outings, John Carmody’s charges are in need of a second victory to advance to the quarter-finals.
Losing to Galway on a margin of 1-13 0-13 has given hope to the Clare camp that they are more than capable of matching Cork with the fact that it took extra time to separate the sides in last year’s Munster Final further evidence of the fine lines between the teams.
3pm is the throw-in time this Saturday in Cusack Park with the Clare side unlikely to show major chances from the starting fifteen which have been fielded in their encounters with Down and Galway.
Carmody is adamant there is very little between Clare and Cork. “Hopefully when Cork come with everything on the line we can get this crowd again. It’s a winner take all clash now against Cork and we need to look them in the eye and bring a performance. Galway beat Cork by three and beat us by three so there’s nothing between us”.
He added, “The last few years we’ve had to go to Cork so let’s welcome them to Ennis and have a right cut off them. There’s nothing to fear. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. It would be massive progress if we can make it to the knockout stages”.
Within the Cork camp, much of the focus has been dominated by it being the second fixture clash within a fortnight experienced by their dual players.
The Cork senior camogie squad and the Cork senior ladies football squad have come together to issue a joint-statement regarding yet another fixture clash. Libby Coppinger, Hannah Looney, Orlaith Cahalane and Aoife Healy are part of the camogie and ladies football panels with the Rebelettes but with the camogie game on in Ennis at 3pm and the ladies footballers playing Tipperary in Clonakilty at 2pm they will be forced to pick a code, yet again.
“There's a lot of stuff we'd be happy with but for such a dominant performance we really have to be more clinical. Our bench gave us a lift and they all contributed. Megan getting
the goal and Caoimhe Cahill brought great energy.
“We just need to cut out errors. We gave them oxygen and some of the mistakes were desperate but we won't hold
it against them. In fairness to those players they seldom make mistakes and it's better to make them today than in the knockout stages.
“We needed this battle as no
disrespect to Wicklow or Offaly but we cruised through those games. Today will stand to us. We are in a good place overall. I honestly believe we are the best team in the competition. We are aiming to go all the way. We just have to believe in ourselves. We have some outstanding footballers and each day we go out someone stands up and today it was Aisling Reidy.
“We will knuckle down now and wait to see who our opponents will be but the main thing is we will be at home. To be honest I don't care who we play because I believe we are the best team but it's easier not to be travelling. Hopefully we can perform to our optimum from here on in and we will be a force if we do”.
FIVE-STAR DISPLAY FROM BRECKAN'S YIELDS CHAMPIONSHIP GLORY U15B FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCAN FOR ROUND-UP
by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie
CLARE District Soccer League “is fighting a losing battle against mindless vandalism” with the actions blamed for delaying a number of projects planned for the County Grounds.
Officers have said costs of thousands of euro has been incurred by the CDSL as a result of vandalism at the County Grounds, Frank Healy Park in Doora.
In a “press release” which was ironically not issued to the local press, the CDSL detailed that it was “fighting a losing battle against mindless vandalism”.
Damage by way of holes in the fencing to Frank Healy Park was noticed by CDSL officials in the summer of 2022. “A door into a storage area of the dressing rooms was broken in; however, nothing appeared to have been taken, as there really isn’t anything there to take.
The committee, at this time, invested in a camera system in an effort to deter this unwanted activity”.
Not alone are the actions damaging the current facilities but also future plans for Frank Healy Park, the statement outlined. “In September, October and November the mail box on the exterior of the gate was vandalised and numerous important documents went missing pertaining to the planning application for the new suite of dressing rooms and to government grant applications. This caused delays in proceeding with a number of projects”.
All locks in Frank Healy Park were replaced in April “as the cameras were picking up images of what appeared to be youngsters, possibly teenagers, inside the grounds and around the building. In May, the cameras not yet a year in place, were vandalised and ripped down”.
This week, on Monday morning the home dressing room door was broken into.
“This is simply mindless vandalism as nothing of any significant value is kept in these buildings. They are dressing rooms and a small kitchen, noting more. There aren’t even biscuits stored on site”. Such actions are leaving a financial mark on the CDSL.
“The costs associated with this vandalism is amounting to thousands of Euros at this stage. It looks likely that anti vandal shutters may have to be invested in just to stop idiots breaking teak doors for their amusement. CDSL is a voluntary body catering for more than 1,000 adult grade players. Frank Healy Park is the Clare County Grounds which caters for up to 6,000 people of all ages playing soccer. The executive of CDSL is flat out trying to do all it needs to do without having to deal with this kind of stupidity”.
Shannon Golf Club:
There was a huge turnout for captain David Jones’ prize day where Bernard Fitzgibbon (24) emerged as the winner with 66.
Richard Tuite (12) was second and he also had 66 as had third placed Ignatius Cullen (19) with David Hope (22) in fourth spot with 67. Jamie Hodge (4) won the gross with 72. Category A was won by Colin Ryan (7) with 70, one better than Darragh Lohan (6) with Aidan Mannix (7) in third spot also with 71.
Michael Maxwell (12) won category B with 67 from Jim Fitzgerald (13) with Christopher Price (12) in third spot and they also had 67’s.
Kieran Carmody (22) won category C with 67 from Michael McInerney (19) with 67 and Paul McNamara (24) with 68. Brian Hassett (22) won the guests section with 34 points while Damian Lyne (10) won the junior with 77. Marlyn Kelly (25) won the ladies section with 21 points from Lynda Quinn(10) with 20 points and Carol Bagnall (12) also with 20 points.
Lady captain Debbie Reddan’s prize also attracted a huge entry last week when Pauline Nally (25) won with 71 nett from Ann Gordon (35) who had a similar score. Sandra Ferguson (24) was third with 72 with fourth spot filled by Margaret Ryan (33) with 72 while Connie Corry (20) was next with 73.
Michelle Pyke (8) won the gross with 86 while the category winners were Ellie Pyke (16) with 74, Jean Wason (24) with 77 and Maire O’Donnell (41) with 76. Ailish Sheehan won the past captain’s prize with 77.
Other winners included Rose Doyle (putting), Patricia Enright (front 9), Hilary Park (back 9), Margaret Hope (nearest the pin at the
4th), Noeleen Neylon (nearest the pin at the 12th), Jimmy Doyle (16) with 36 points (guests prize).
The lady captain’s prize to the men was won by Samuel Snyman (28) with 46 points from Alan Watson (26) with 44 points while Colm Hanley (2) won the gross with 36 points. The category winners were David Young (8) with 40 points, Alan Murphy (16) with 42 points and Albert Carew (19) with 41 points Dromoland Golf Club:
Jimmy McManus’ captain’s prize was played for at Dromoland Caastle golf club last weekend and resulted in victory for Eoin Heaney.
Bart O’Brien was second followed by Patrick Marnane, Chris O’Donovan, Ronan McCarthy, Dermot McMahon, Ciaran Gallagher, Billy O’Mahony and Cian Connellan.
Killian Howard won the gross while other prizewinners were Con Woods (past captain), Eamon Power (handicaps 22 and over), John O’Shaughnessy (front 9), Paddy Ryan (back 9), Sean McNamara (junior), Adam Merriman (student) and Peter Waldron (guest).
Alan White won the 9 hole competition with 23 points from Gordon Daffy with 20 with third spot filled by Darren Malone with 19 points.
The captain’s prize to the ladies was won by Michelle McCarthy with 70 nett from Maria Colfer with 71, Deirdre Cooney, also with 71 and Jean Colleran with 74. Leslie O’Flynn won the gross with 88 and also the prize for nearest the pin.
Siobhan Fitzpatrick won the long drive while the nines were won by Geraldine Ryan and Dorothy Brennan. The ladies 9 hole competition was won by Breda O’Donovan with 32 from Colette Maguire on 35
Ennis Golf Club: The Eileen Murphy greensomes stableford competition was won by Helen and Ann Gallery (22) with 45 points from Helen Hartnett and Mary
McMahon (25 with 42 points. In third place, also with 42 points were Flor Coffey and Peggy Costello (25).
The overall winner in the 9 hole competition was Attracta Williams (17) with 23 points. Mary McMahon (10) won division 1 with 15 points, Mary Woulfe (15) won division 2 with 19 points and Claire Kenneally (20) won division 3 with 18 points.
The senior ladies competition on June 6 was won by Mary Gardiner, Maeve O'Grady and Anne McMahon from Una 0'Reilly, Jean Moloney and Kathleen Pyne.
The June 1 competition was won by Bernie Brooks, Brid Cunningham and Margaret McEnery from Gert Finn, Mary Glynn and Anne McMahon. Ennis Revive Active team defeated Lahinch on Sunday as a result of which they are now in to the Munster area finals.
East Clare Golf Club: Last week’s ladies 18 hole stroke
competition at East Claare was a golfer of the year event and the overall winner was Noreen Doyle (22) with a nett 65.
The category winners were Evelyn Skehan (17) with a nett 73, Maureen Clune (32) with a nett 70 and Helen Downey( 34) with a nett 69.
The ladies Wednesday competition on June 21 was won by Jenny Ryan, Mary Farrell and Joan Kinsella from Mary Hogan and Maureen Clune with third spot filled by Marie A. Kelly, Phil Burke and Helen Conway.
The winner of the men’s open competition on Thursday was Stephen McNamara with 43 points from Colm Kelly with 42 points and Michael Hayes, also with 42 points.
Sunday’s men’s stableford competition was won by Liam O Connor with 46 points from Eddie Burke with 42 points and Brian Muldoon with 37 points.
The winners of the weekly senior men’s competition were Nick Ryan, Chris Davis and Michael Moloney from Danny Minogue, Seamus O Dwyer and John Torpey with third place filled by Brendan Moloney, Michael McNamara and Ted Harrington.
The men’s open competition continues on Thursdays while the mixed scramble is on Friday at 5.45p.m. Woodstock Golf Club:
Last week’s open singles at Woodstock was won by Brian O’Connell (34) with 44 points. He had one to spare over Gordon Nolan (37) from Achill Island golf club with Kieran Browne (25) from Slievenamon golf club in third spot with 41 points.
Entries are now being accepted for the inaugural Donal Kenny Perpetual Trophy Scratch matchplay. The competition is open to players with handicaps from 0 to 9 while category A juniors are also invited to play. The competition is being sponsored by K. Cunnane Painting Contractors Ltd.
The Ozone Fitness sponsored June medal was won by David Greene (18) with 65.
Category 1 was won by Michael Conroy (10) with 69 from Jason Considine (2) with 71 while the gross was won by Ross Kenny Jnr (+2) with 72.
Category 2 was won by Matt O'Brien (16) with 72 from Vincent McInerney (18) with 73. Category 3 was won by Ian Birchall (24) with 71.
Category A in the ladies monthly medal was won by Anne Marie Russell (0-20) with 77 nett while category B (21 and over ) was won by Ann Kilker with 64 nett.
The open singles continues on this Thursday while the senior, intermediate, junior and minor scratch will be played for this weekend.
The 146th Senior South of Ireland Open Tennis Championship was held at the Limerick Lawn Tennis Club over the last week.
Ennis Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club members were well represented at all grades with 43 members taking part in both singles and doubles in the week-long event.
On finals day, the club had an impressive showing with Ennis LTBC players reaching 9 finals.
The women's singles grade 4 (WS4) final was an all Ennis affair with Sarah Hoey coming out victorious defeating Dhanya Pillai. In the women's 5 events, Aislinn Dillon made to it to both singles and doubles finals (WS5 & WD5), claiming victory in the doubles with Dervilla Moloney.
In the men's, Shane O'Connor also made it two finals in the mens singles (MS5) and doubles (MD5) with his
partner Noel Brodie. Finally in the Grade 6 division Peter Wise made it to a hatrick of finals in the singles, mixed and men's double taking home two titles in the MD6 with his partner Barry Ward and in the MS6 singles. Barry Ward who also made it to two finals with two titles also won the mixed doubles 6 XD6 with his newly married bride Susan Gavin.
ENNIS RESULTS
MS2 Daniel Foran -Finalist
WS4 Sarah Hoey Winner -
Dhanya Pillai Finalistboth players from Ennis
WS5 Aislinn Dillon Finalist
WD5 Aislinn Dillon & Dervilla Moloney Winners
MS5 Shane O'Connor Finalist
MD5 Noel Brodie & Shane
O'Conner Finalists
MS6 Peter Wise Winner
XD6 Aideen Coates Farrell & Peter Wise Finalist - Susan Gavin & Barry Ward Winnersall from Ennis
MD6 Barry Ward & Peter Wise Winners
KILKEE’S Brendan Browne was celebrating as the Friday night feature was claimed by Glasheen Tiger in Galway.
The Final of the Support Our Sponsors S5 Sprint Stake was the feature on Friday night’s ten race card. As the traps rose for the final Bayview Fantasy and Glasheen Tiger were smartly into their stride and racing towards the opening bend the pair were three lengths clear. As the opening bend loomed, the Brendan Browne of Kilkee-owned Glasheen Tiger cut to the rails and took command. Racing around the crown of the home bend the lead was now four lengths over BayvIew Fantasy and striding up the straight the son of Wolfe and Glasheen Covid completed a kennel and litter double by three and a half lengths in 19.28.
The double was initiated in the S9 graded second contest as although well beaten on debut, the Brendan Browne owned Glasheen Mist made no mistake at the second time of asking as the daughter of Wolfe and Glasheen Covid proved two lengths to good for Creevy Hero in 19.85.
As the traps rose for the Novice 350 yards contest Serene Rolo was smartly into his stride in the centre and racing towards the opening bend he led from Annadown Ted with Kilwest Prince in third place along the rails. Rounding the bend the front pair ran a little wide thus allowing the Keating Syndicate of Ennis owned Kilwest Prince (Ballymac Bolger-Yahoo Katie) to slip through and lead off the home bend and proved a length too good for Annadown Ted in 19.90.
Racing to the opening bend in the A4 graded contest Abigails Logan, Bobtailbuttercup and Groves Joy disputed the lead with Cragbrien Sydney running right round the trio to join issue as they turned to run down the back straight. Off the home bend it was anyone’s race but the Martin Cronin and Robbie Markham of Ennis-owned Cragbrien Sydney (Droopys Sydney-Wishahowareyou) kept on to defeat Abigails Logan by half a length in 29.56.
In the A5 graded ninth contest Dennys Best and Astro Kevin disputed the early lead with Dennys Best taking a one length advantage but as the pair approached the penultimate bend Astro Kevin struck
the front as Springwell Kobe closed in third spot. Off the home bend though the Damien and Gary Pepper of Feakle owned Astro Kevin (Droopys Roddick-Teecee Clipper) kicked clear to defeat Dennys Best by four lengths in 29.40.
The chief supporting contest on Saturday’s Galway Card was the A2 graded ninth contest and from traps the Albert Mullins of Gort trained Ballyea Scrutiny trapped well to lead on the wide outside from Hillstreet Puma on his inner. Cutting to the rails at the turn the Noel Gavin of Ballyea owned son of Droopys Buick and Flandys Hawkeye opened up a three length advantage turning into the back straight. Striding out well at the head of affairs Ballyea Scrutiny exited the back straight in splendid isolation as he powered to a four length success in 29.08.
The Rachel Murray and Sean O’Riordan of Sixmilebridge owned Derra Bear registered his second career success in the A6 graded fifth contest coasting home seven and a half lengths clear of Like A Biscuit in 29.61.The Murray kennel double was completed in the A4 graded seventh contest as the Frank Sheahan of Ennis owned Ben N Marie proved two lengths too good for Peteles Angel in 29.32.
The eighth contest was an A3 graded affair and it became a match from the opening bend as Mounvoor Lad on the rails and Oaklands Lad in the wide outside disputed the lead. Racing along the back straight Mounvoor Lad led by over a length and from the three quarter mark the Feakle Five Syndicate owned son of Ballymac Best & Ridgedale Martha drew clear to score by four lengths in 29.10.
The opening contest of the night was an A7 graded 525 yards contest and having shown some promise on debut the Shane Flanagan of Ennis owned Rockmount Skiddo made no mistake at the second time of asking as he comfortably made all the running to defeat Brickhill Buster by five lengths in 29.37. Away smartly from his trap six berth the winner stretched its lead to over six lengths by halfway as the son of Droopys Jet and Rockmount Royce made the best of his way home.
Racing to the opening bend in the S3 graded sprint contest Room To Stop and Rockandrollmarty disputed the lead just ahead of Bark Wahlberg and Glynn-
Take Notice that we, Andy & Caroline McInerney, intend to apply for permission for development at this site 41 Ocean View, Lahinch, Co. Clare.
The development will consist of revisions to the previously approved grant of planning permission (ref P20390) for the construction of an extension to the front of existing dwelling together with all ancillary site development works and services.
The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours.
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 BALLYBEG, ENNIS CO. CLARE
Take notice that Cormac and Ruth O’Neill intend to apply to the Planning Authority for planning permission to construct a domestic garage along with ancillary site works to 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 and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application. Opening hours 9am to 4pm.
ABP-317090-23
Notice is hereby given that a Natura Impact Statement was received by Clare County Council on the 16th February, 2023 following a request for further information during the course of the application which is the subject of an appeal that was made to An Bord Pleanála against the decision made on the 21st April, 2023, by Clare County Council bearing the planning register reference number 22263, which decision was to grant permission to Darvin Trading Company Limited. The application to the planning authority was described as a development which will consist of the following:
(a) 16. No dwelling houses in total consisting of 2 No. detached two storey dwelling houses and 14 No. semi-detached two storey dwelling houses (b) all ancillary site development works and connections to public services at Ballylannidy, Ennis, Co. Clare.
The Natura Impact Statement may be inspected
Recent Deaths
O’Donnell (née Brody), Annie Caher, Clare
Sheedy (née Hayes), Frances Newmarket-on-fergus, Clare
Boland, Maura Spanish Point, Clare
Quinlan, John Quin, Clare
Sheehy, John (Jack) Ennis, Clare
and/or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council, Áras Contae an Cháir, Bóthar Nua, Inis, Contae an Chláir and/or An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1.
This notice is being published at the request of An Bord Pleanála.
Any person may make written submissions or observations to the Bord in relation to Natura Impact Statement within five weeks beginning on the date of publication of this notice. Any such submissions or observations must be accompanied by the statutory fee of €50, unless the submissions or observations are made by certain prescribed bodies or existing participants, and should be addressed to The Secretary, An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1.
CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL RUAN COMMONS TOWNLAND,RUAN, CO CLARE
NOL Developments Ltd wish to apply to the above named local authority for planning permission for
the development consisting of
(a) demolition of existing public house, residence and shed at the rear.
construction of
(b)1no. licensed premises/ restaurant to replace public house, with 2 bed apartment on first floor above
(c)5no. two storey 3 bed
terrace houses
(d)8no. single storey houses for the elderly
(e)1no. two storey assisted living apartments for people with disabilities
(f)1no. single storey 3 bed assisted living house for people with disabilities
(g)associated car parking area
(h)new vehicular and pedestrian access
(i)new connection to existing public water supply
(j)new connection to public sewer
(k)new stormwater drainage system
(l)on-site wastewater treatment unit and all ancillary site works at Ruan Commons Townland, Ruan, Co Clare
The housing aspects of the development will be for social housing to be provided by a disability, voluntary or co-operative housing body. The planning application may be inspected or pur-
Cree, Clare Dolan (née O’Neill), Mary Kildysart, Clare
Fitzgerald, Thomas Vincent Doolin, Clare
Keating, Séan Cross, Clare
Keating, Séan Kilbaha, Clare
chased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the office of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application
CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL NEW PIER, ROAD, BALLYVAUGHAN, CO.CLARE FURTHER INFORMATION / REVISED PLANS
PLANNING REF: P22/647 DEVELOPMENT DESCRIPTION:
(a) construct new single storey Clubhouse and Community recreation facility, (b) construct new vehicular and pedestrian site entrance and access road,
(c) install new wastewater treatment system, (d) minor modifications of public road, and all ancillary site works
Location: New Pier, Road, Ballyvaughan, Co.Clare.
Club have lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P22/647. 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 5 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority.
In Loving remembrance of Fionn, Knockanean, Ennis who died on 5th July 2021.
“Unable are the loved to die, For Love is immortality.” Emily Dickinson
Fionn’s anniversary Mass will be on Wed 5th July at 9.30am in Church of Our Lady, Roslevan.
Cahir, Frank Ennis, Clare
Davis, Frank Doolin, Clare
WALSH (née Brick), Ursula Clonlara, Clare
Cronin, Lorna Ballyvaughan, Clare
Tuohy (née Slattery), Cecilia Scariff, Clare
Guerin (née Kelly), Vivienne Ennis, Clare
Hogan, Anna T Newmarket-on-fergus, Clare
Mc Neill, Eamon Shannon, Clare
McCarthy (née Moloney), Madeleine Liscannor, Clare
McNulty, James
Malone, Michael (Mick) Inagh, Clare
Murillo Ruiz, Laura Ennis, Clare
Murphy, Fiona Clooney, Clare
Burke, Bobby Ennis, Clare
Corry, Matthew Ennis, Clare
Geraghty (née Doherty), Margaret (Peg) Ennis, Clare
Lawlor, Seán Clare
Ó Gríofa, Dr. Fionan Kilkee, Clare
Sexton, John Francis Mountshannon, Clare
Wright (née Keane), Margaret Kilrush, Clare
Managers required for Revington Foods Ltd to supervise staff and to manage our operations in Co.Clare, Ennis. Three positions; Fourty hours per week. Annual salary €33000/Hourly salary €15:87. Minimum one year experience required. Emailrevington@wardgrouplimited.com Mobile- 0894461284
Wender Painter 0894159009
If you are needing to paint your house or a commercial site, call or text Wender Painter & Decorator to get a quotation today. Excellent work with fair pricing.
PERSONAL ASSISTANT
Personal assistant / carer available in the home days /nights weekends phone 0868493832
THE MIRACLE PRAYER
Dear Heart of Jesus, In the past, I have asked for many favours. This time, I ask you This special favour.
(Mention Favour)
THE MIRACLE PRAYER
Dear Heart of Jesus, In the past, I have asked for many favours. This time, I ask you This special favour.
(Mention Favour)
Take it dear Heart of Jesus, And place it within Your own broken heart
Where your Father sees it, Then in His Merciful Eyes
THE MIRACLE PRAYER
Dear Heart of Jesus, In the past, I have asked for many favours. This time, I ask you
This special favour.
(Mention Favour)
Take it dear Heart of Jesus, And place it within Your own broken heart
Where your Father sees it, Then in His Merciful Eyes
It will become your favour Not mine. Amen.
Say this prayer for 3 days.
Promise Publication.
THE MIRACLE PRAYER
Dear Heart of Jesus, In the past, I have asked for many favours. This time, I ask you
This special favour.
(Mention Favour)
Take it dear Heart of Jesus, And place it within Your own broken heart
Where your Father sees it, Then in His Merciful Eyes
It will become your favour Not mine. Amen.
Say this prayer for 3 days.
THE MIRACLE PRAYER
Dear Heart of Jesus, In the past, I have asked for many favours.
This time, I ask you
This special favour.
(Mention Favour)
Take it dear Heart of Jesus, And place it within Your own broken heart
Where your Father sees it, Then in His Merciful Eyes
It will become your favour
Not mine. Amen.
1
Where in clare was not once part of the Gaeltacht?
Ennistimon, Lisdoonvarna, Feakle
2When was clare taken of the list for the Gaeltacht?
1956, 2001, 1952
7 During what festival was the “Club Leabhar Chill Mhíchíl” (Kilmihil irish Language Book Club) established?
Festival of Fun (FUF), Festival Pig Racing, It wasn’t established at a festival
3
Till what year was Clare covered by the Gaeltacht (Housing) Acts? 1962, 2001, 1989
4 Where is the Coiste Forbartha Gaeltachta Chontae an Chláir situated?
East Clare, South Clare, West Clare
5 How many all Irish Primary schools can be found in Clare?
2, 4, 7
6 How many all Irish secondary schools can found in Clare?
2, 4, 1
8
The last native Clare Irish speaker died on the early 1990’s, and his name was Seanchaí …… what?
Christopher Nugent, Paddy Pharaic Mhichil, Uilliam Ó Domhnaill (William Daniel)
9 We will try some translations now. What is the Irish for challenge?
Iarracht, Iarraidh, Dúshlán
10The Irish for environment is?
Timpeallacht, Macalla, Íomha
Can
. Garda missing in the background
. O’Neills missing on jersey
. Part of design missing on bottom of jersey (left)
. Lamp post missing in background
. White piece on ground missing
. Square logo part on denim missing
Bengal
Berlin
Germany
Hartford
Haven
Indies
Irian
Lothian
Midlands
Minster
Orange
Pakistan
Point
Prussia
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.
DOWN
1 Holiday (8)
2 Tell-tale (5)
4 Dynamo (anag) (6)
5 Broadcasting medium (5)
6 Ice-cream flavour (7)
7 Composition for two performers (4)
8 Dried plums (6)
13 Least expensive (8)
15 Design (7)
17 Charlatans (6)
18 Escargots (6)
20 Back tooth (5)
22 Tempest (5)
23 Bluish-white metal (4)
