The Clare Echo 30/03/23

€10m megahome hits Clare market

by

A WEST Clare megahome has gone on the market for almost €10m - however the property market is finally showing welcome signs of simmering.

Dunmore Bay & Horse Island on the Loop Head Peninsula is positioned on a 60 acre clifftop site with panoramic views of Loop Head Lighthouse, Kerry Head and the Slieve Mish Mountains.

It is the third most expensive

house on the Irish market presently, being valued at €9.75m.

Located near Kilbaha Bay, the mansion has a deep water mooring and a marked helicopter pad for those who want an alternative mode of transport to the motor vehicle. An adjacent private island is included in the sale of the 1,160sq m property. A businessman from the United States who currently resides in Switzerland is understood to be the owner of the house.

SAINTS GO MARCHING IN

Joint selling agents are Cormac O’Sullivan of Ennis-based DNG O’Sullivan Hurley and David Ashmore of Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty. It comes as house prices nationwide have shown signs of steadying. The average price of a second-hand, three-bed semi in Clare rose by just 2% in the past year, according to the latest national survey by Real Estate Alliance.

PICTURED: The home comes equipped with an indoor swimming pool

FULL STORY pg 8

Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

l Fearghal Lawlor with his partner Leanne Boyle and their son Theo celebrating St Senan’s derby win over Ennis RFC at the weekend

Photo by Joe Buckley

Camera Club get the right shot

CLARE Camera Club snapped up two awards from the Southern Association of Camera Clubs (SACC).

Formed four years ago, the Clare Camera Club which has 25 members presently were the toast of Cork recently as their work was acknowledged by the SACC. The Camera Club is affiliated with the Irish Photographic Federation (IPF) and the SACC.

Competitions and regional qualifying rounds of the IPF are organised by the SACC. Clubs in the south of Ireland were recently invited to enter submissions for two competitions, one for large clubs (Cup) and one for small clubs (shield). In their entry for the shield, Clare Camera Club submitted 10 colour photos and 10 photos in black and white.

“To our surprise, we won both,” treasurer of the Camera Club, Gerard O’Neill admitted. Kilmihil native Gerard whose work features in The Clare Echo weekly, travelled to Cork for their presentation from the SACC alongside chairman Michael Kearney, secretary Michael O’Brien and committee member Thomas O’Flynn.

All four had work included in the submission along with fellow members, Beata Rosik and Joe Aherne.

Photographs that formed part of the application included animals, nature, sporting duels and life during lockdown.

Since the establishment of The Clare Echo five years ago, the photography of members of The Camera Club has enriched the pages of our paper both in print and online, most notably the contributions of O’Neill, John Mangan and the late Martin Connolly.

18 month wait for psychiatric appointments for children

WAITING times of close to two years are being experienced by Clare children attempting to access psychiatrist help in the Mid-West region, writes Páraic McMahon

Speaking in the Dáil on Tuesday, Violet-Anne Wynne (IND) referenced a constituent by the name of John from Killaloe who has an 11 year old daughter called Livvy who is autistic and has a moderate learning disability, she was described as the TD as “suicidal” and having “multiple violent outbursts” daily.

Deputy Wynne highlighted the difficulties within the family, “At the start of the year, her behaviour took a downward spiral. She has been suspended from school, and attacks John, his partner, and her two brothers daily. Worse than that, she has recently started to say ‘I want to die’ during these meltdowns.

She was seeing a psychiatrist in UHL who has now left, and she is waiting for 18 months for a new appointment.

After bringing his daughter to CAMHS, John was told it was “not the place for autistic children” and no private psychiatrists were recommended.

“There is no psychiatrist for children with disabilities in the entire Mid-West. There’s a Dublin-based locum who’s here every six weeks and his office can’t confirm when she’ll be seen and will not prioritise her,” Deputy Wynne stated.

Minister of State at the Department of Health, Mary Butler (FF) advised the Clare TD that she could not comment on a specific case but was happy to speak with her about the matter offline.

Relying on one locum coming down from Dublin for one

day’s clinic every six weeks “is quite simply a disgrace” for the Mid-West region, Deputy Wynne commented.

“The vacancy here represents another massive gap in access to healthcare across the MidWest and speaks to the heart of just how the recruitment and retention crisis across the public service is hurting families and communities all across Ireland but some more than others.

“Due to the fact that we have only A&E in the region, it effects the ancillary services that we are entitled to like the amount of NCHDs.

“As the only region with one Model 4 hospital, we are only entitled to NCHDs to service that hospital, meaning any consultant psychiatrist working in this region would be doing disproportionately more than in any other part of the country”.

lSAY CHEESE: From left: Ger O’Halloran, Secretary SACC, Michael O’Brien, Michael Kearney, Thomas O’Flynn & Gerard O’Neill by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

Penchant for contractors criticised while budget being impacted by inflation

HIRING contractors instead of utilising internal staff of Clare County Council needs to be dealt with, a Shannon councillor has said, writes Páraic McMahon

An over-reliance on contractors is seeping into the local authority, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) believed.

Speaking at a meeting of the Shannon Municipal District on Tuesday morning, Cllr Flynn expressed his view that the Council can make better use of resources and public expenditure.

He stated, “I don’t think we’re getting value for money in relation to the contractors we are using, we’ve highly skilled people in Clare County Council and I can’t understand why we’re relying on contractors so much. If you

sent the Chief Executive into a shed of spanners, he’d come out with a contractor”.

Meanwhile, the Schedule of Municipal District works has been adopted by each of the four MDs in the county.

Clare’s total funding allocation for the road network this year is €52,053,750, an overall increase in the region of €3m. The fund comprises of allocations from the Department of Transport (€38,784,600), Transport Infrastructure Ireland (€5,869,840), National Transport Authority (€4,500,000), own resources (€1,801,400), Department of Rural and Community Development (€597,910) and Irish Public Bodies (€500,000). There is a 15.2% increase in the funding from own re-

‘Tell the Govt a place called West Clare exists’

sources compared with 2022 however funds from IPB and the NTA have dropped by 17% and 15% respectively.

Financial aid for non-national roads is up 15.2% but funding for national roads is down 2%.

Lahinch based Cllr Liam Grant (GP) felt inflation would have an impact, “the budget is greater but I’d worry the level of work done won’t be”. Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) gave a similar viewpoint, “It’s one thing to talk about the increase in money but every conversation I’ve had points to a decrease in the work being done”.

Anger was voiced by Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) over the fact that the West Clare MD was receiving eight percent of the €4.5m in Active Travel funding. “It is disgusting, it is just disgusting that this should happen, all of the investment well the greater part is in one part of the county, we’ve only got the pittance in West Clare, pay the diesel and we’ll pay for the potholes”. The Active Travel allocation left Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) “very disappointed”.

Challenges lay ahead, warned Cllr Shane Talty (FF), “We are welcoming the increase but the upkeep in maintenance of existing road network. Ennistymon is covering under 24km in 2023, in 2022 the same money was covering 20km, we can only spend under the headings and categories but the bread and butter issue of maintaining the existing road network is going to be a challenge”.

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE’S Oireachtas members have been warned they will get “roasted” by the public when they go canvassing for the next General Election.

Strong words of warning were issued by county councillors in the West Clare Municipal District to Oireachtas members who attended a briefing with them on Monday morning. It followed the adoption of the Schedule of Municipal District Works (SMDW), focusing on the amount of road works set to be undertaken in the area over the coming year.

Addressing the Oireachtas members, Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) remarked, “I’d tell the TDs and Senators go back to Dáil Éireann and tell them a part of Clare called West Clare exists”. He encouraged them to bring down the influential civil servants for a weekend to get a look of the place. “TDs get off your asses and saddle your horses,” the Lissycasey representative added.

Officials picking areas to focus on for the SMDW “are doing the loaves and the fishes,” Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) maintained. “We’ve national elected representatives who are supposed to represent the county, we’ll be facing a General Election some time down the track and our national politicians will be roasted down the door, I can tell you our national politicians will get it with both barrels”.

Deputy Cathal Crowe (FF) responded, “It is always a good exercise to get us in

so we can hear what’s going on and so that councillors can say some home truths”. He said they could revert to Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers (FF) to try secure additional funds for the West Clare MD.

A meeting between the county’s Oireachtas members, Chambers and a delegation from the West Clare MD was suggested by Senator Timmy Dooley (FF). There needs to be a “more formalised structure of engagement” between Oireacthas members and councillors, Senator Martin Conway (FG) said as he noted the last similar engagement held was in 2019. Securing a supplementary allocation with amounts “ring-fenced for North and West Clare” would be a positive outcome of a meeting with the Junior Minister, he believed.

Violet Anne Wynne TD (IND) said she was keen to be allowed attend more meetings of the West Clare MD into the future. She outlined that the cost of running a vehicle was “hugely expensive” in rural Ireland presently and carrying out works to repair roads in the county needed to reflect this.

Going to meet the Junior Minister is welcome but more research must be done, Cllr Kelly insisted. “If we could say to ourselves there is an exchange rate between euro and talk then we’d have no shortage of money, none whatsoever but the people of today aren’t prepared to accept excuses, they want reasons”.

Holly’s Pharmacy, 23 Abbey Street, Ennis, Co.Clare

lWARNING: Doughmore beach, Doonbeg Photo by Arthur Ellis

lVALUE FOR MONEY: Cllr Gerry Flynn Photo by Eamon Ward

‘Pre-qualifier rules or higher objection costs needed in Irish planning system’

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

PRE-QUALIFIER rules need to be introduced for persons wishing to object to planning applications or else an increased fee for objections, a Clare TD has argued.

Clare projects have been held up by objectors based outside the county, Cathal Crowe TD (FF) said. He has previously remarked that individuals should not be entitled to object if they are not living in the county of the proposed development.

Elaborating on these comments, the Meelick native outlined, “I’ve made that suggestion several times and it was primarily thinking of projects like the Killaloe Bridge Crossing, the Clonlara flood defences and the coastal erosion wall at Doonbeg, they are three important projects and were all held up at the planning objection phase by people not living in the county. I think there should be some pre-qualifier rules for people who wish to object, you should be living in the county or someway impacted by the planning situation”.

He continued, “I’ve suggested several times in Government that we have pre-qualifier rules, maybe we should increase the fee for certain planning applications, for example if someone wanted to object

to the flood defences in Clonlara or the Killaloe Bridge Crossing for €20 they can delay the project for several years, it did happen”.

“If a neighbour wants to object to a project they are undertaking I think it should be accessible, I still think €20 is quite low because an individual trying to build a house has to spend thousands in terms of engineering and architectural work but yet the objector pays €20, I think if an objection is to be serious when it’s a multi-million euro project I think the objection fee should

be higher, that way you will really weed out the people who are genuinely concerned versus those who for €20 want to make a bit of noise,” Crowe commented.

In January, plans for the construction of a permanent family home in Cratloe for Deputy Crowe and his family were deemed to be withdrawn by Clare County Council after he decided not to respond to a Further Information Request from the planning authority within six months.

Crowe was requested to submit a

site layout plan with a slope of 1:8 or less as per the EPA guidelines and was advised it may be necessary to carry out revised percolation tests and a trial hole evaluation. He was also asked to clarify the source of the proposed water supply to serve the dwelling.

When asked by The Clare Echo if his planning application could not be advanced in order to progress such legislation, Deputy Crowe responded, “I’m not commenting on that today. It’s a family matter”.

He clarified, “My comments and proposals which I’ve made across several years are in relation to the Killaloe Bridge Crossing, Clonlara flood defences that we should have a way for having those properly and fairly assessed without having them delayed at the planning phase. If you were living beside the Killaloe Bridge Crossing of course you could have a litany of legitimate concerns and you should have a mechanism to object but if you were living on the opposite side of the country, I don’t see why you should have a right to object in the first place. I have never in my wildest dreams looked at a project in Dublin and said I must object to that living in my home in Co Clare, I don’t see how the reverse of that could work.

“I haven’t yet studied other coun-

tries but I’d be surprised if in other EU countries they would allow someone from the south of Spain to object to a project in Madrid, I don’t know if it works like that. Now that we’ve a shortage of houses coming on stream, now that we have key projects delayed in the country I think we now have Ministers saying we need a way of short circuiting this planning process, of course you have to protect one’s rights to object but also it should be on reasonable grounds and I think some pre-qualifying grounds should be there as well”.

Crowe confirmed that he has objected to planning developments. “I’ve objected to a windfarm development in Bridgetown (Fahybeg). If developed, they will be the largest wind turbines in Ireland.

“We all embrace renewable energy but some parts of the county have seen a proliferation of turbines, I said to people in the room that night that if the turbines were smaller then maybe I would not have shown up at their meeting but I would share their concerns, they are iron giants springing out of the ground, there are many reasons I have concerns, I objected and paid €20 out of my own pocket. If my proposal were to come to pass I would have to pay more and I would gladly pay more”.

lCathal Crowe TD (FF)

Photo by Natasha Barton

Minister needs to ‘get up off his backside’ and deal with wastewater infrastructure

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CONFIDENCE has been voiced by a Government representative that both Broadford and Cooraclare fit the criteria to be included in a €20m pilot wastewater scheme.

In Clare 52 towns and villages are without adequate wastewater treatment and are hindered from the development of future housing schemes as a result.

It is hoped that there will be good news for two of these villages. Both Broadford and Cooraclare were included in an official application by Clare County Council in September to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for inclusion in a €50m scheme for essential sewage infrastructure.

There has been much frustration since September with both communities anxiously awaiting an update. Clare TD, Joe Carey (FG) told The Clare Echo in February was due by the end of the month while Minister Darragh O’Brien (FF) had previously indicated they were working to a timeframe of December 2022.

Cllr Bill Chambers (FF) raised the matter at a briefing of the West Clare Municipal District on Monday where an invite was attended to all Clare’s Oireachtas members

and was accepted by Cathal Crowe TD (FF), Violet Anne Wynne TD (IND), Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) and Senator Martin Conway (FG).

Deputy Crowe stated that an assessment of all projects would be completed within the next six to eight weeks.

Confidence was voiced by Senator Dooley that both villages would be successful. He said between 13 to 15 projects were submitted to the Department, “it is my understanding that only seven or eight of them

were viable, the expectation would be that a good few of those could get underway this year.

“Discussions are ongoing with the EPA to make sure they are fit for purpose, I am confident that both Broadford and Cooraclare meet those standards, I’d be surprised and disappointed if they are not in the mix”.

At this month’s meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) sought “an immediate update” from Minister O’Brien on the status of the applications, no such update

has been received as of this week. Sending Ministers in the direction of Broadford and Cooraclare for St Patrick’s Day would have given a clear picture of the difficulties faced in either village, he said, “We have Ministers jetting out, I’ve no problem with that because they’re fighting for our country but it is a pity one or two could not have jetted out this way”.

“Rural communities are dying on their feet,” Cllr Cooney stated. “Communities are getting frustrated, it is not good enough,” he remarked of the ongoing wait. Mayor of Clare, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) felt “the people and the communities were well represented in the County Development Plan by the members”.

Ongoing delays were a source of frustration for Cllr Pat Burke (FG).

“We had plenty of debate about this before at MD level, it is 12 months since Broadford were promised a scheme, it is so frustrating for communities. If there is money put aside for a pilot scheme, get on with the bloody thing, what is the Minister waiting on, what is the delay?

“The work that communities have put in to bring this to where it is now and we’re still sitting here in the middle of March waiting. For God’s sake, the Minister and the Department need to get up off their backside and get on with this”.

Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling admitted they had expected an outcome by March.

l Cooraclare

l Broadford

Kilbaha mansion on sale for €9.75m

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A WEST Clare property has gone on the market for a sum of €9.75m.

Dunmore Bay & Horse Island is located in the Loop Head Peninsula is positioned on a 60 acre clifftop site with panoramic views of Loop Head Lighthouse, Kerry Head and the Slieve Mish Mountains.

It is the third most expensive house on the Irish market presently, topping the bill is the €12.5m Censure House in Howth, Co Dublin which is followed by the €9.85m attached to Bushey Park in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, the mansion belonging to singer Chris de Burgh.

Located near Kilbaha Bay, the mansion has deep water mooring, two pubs and a restaurant. The village of Carrigaholt is a 17 minute drive while Kilrush and Kilkee are approximately a half hour’s drive away. If boat or car is the preferred mode of transport, a marked helicopter pad offers the alternative of air access.

An adjacent private island is included in the sale of the 1,160sqm property. A businessman from the United States who currently resides in Switzerland is understood to be the owner of the house.

The house was developed on the site of a former cottage with the majority of works completed within the last two years by an array of professionals and skilled craftsmen sourced both locally and from overseas. Joint selling agents David Ashmore of Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty and Cormac O’Sullivan of Ennis-based DNG O’Sul-

livan Hurley have described the fusion of design within the home as “intoxicating” and advised, “achieving building consent in such a position is exceedingly unique and an increasingly unlikely feat”. The Irish Times acknowledge that the residence “may not have universal appeal”.

There are four bedrooms, four bathrooms and three reception rooms within the house, complemented by a walk-in wardrobe and dressingroom adjoining the main bedroom, a wine cellar, a glass elevator, and an indoor swimming pool that opens out to a large patio terrace and “champagne room” and changing rooms. It is surrounded by a large enclosed courtyard. A land bridge links the island and there is a small beach within the private bay.

Within the home is a classical design of ornately decorative ceiling cornices replete with gold gilding, a well-executed cantilever stone staircase with elegantly brass coated balustrades and the incorporation of original and exquisite Bossi chimneypieces blended with clean contemporary architectural design.

The stair hall extends over three floors and features a remarkable cantilever stone staircase and accesses a glass elevator lift. A study on the upper floor accesses a large roof terrace and links to the rooftop reception room, both having glorious ocean views.

The pool room on the lower level opens out onto a large patio terrace and is augmented by a luxurious ‘Champagne Room’ and changing rooms.

The courtyard can be accessed directly from the house, the south patio terrace or the parking courtyard. It includes a curve-fronted garden room, a lily pond and rose beds. The integral garaging can accommodate up to four cars and link to a fuel store and into the axial hall linking to the stair hall, elevator lift and kitchen.

Meanwhile, the average price of a second-hand, three-bed semi in Clare rose by two per cent in the past year, according to the latest

national survey by Real Estate Alliance. Three-bed semi-detached home values in the county remained at €230,000 during the first three months of 2023.

Across Co Clare, first-time buyers made up 55 per cent of the market during Q1, with five per cent coming from buyers moving out of cities. The average time taken to complete a sale in the county has not changed since the last quarter of 2022 and remains at 10 weeks, the survey shows.

Liam Browne of REA Paddy Browne in Ennis stated, “The market conditions remain positive, with shortage of stock in sales and rentals significant factors. Major incentives are required to retain and attract private investors into the rental market”.

Across the rest of Ireland, the actual selling price of a three-bedroomed semi-detached rose by 0.6 per cent over the past three months to €293,343 – representing an annual increase of 5.3 per cent.

lNICE DIGS: Dunmore Bay comes with its own private island

Heritage sites re-open for Summer seaon

Locals and visitors alike are invited to “step into our story” as a number of the national landmarks across Clare and the Mid-West that the OPW holds in trust for the nation reopen for the season. The OPW Heritage Card also offers visitors unlimited access to the over 45 historic sites and visitor attractions for a year, offering great savings and value for money to anyone wanting to learn about Ireland’s cultural heritage. On the first Wednesday of every month, visitors and families can enjoy free admission to Ennis Friary. Established in the 13th century, the Friary was once renowned across Europe as a centre of learning. A wonderful historic attraction, visitors can view various 15th and 16th-century sculptures, the figure of St. Francis displaying the stigmata, the McMahon tomb and more

HSE officials urged to review hospital

by Páraic McMahon @clareecho.ie

HSE OFFICIALS have been urged to review arrangements at Ennis Hospital including identifying a greenfield site to allow for further development.

Local representatives unanimously supported a proposal before this month’s sitting of Clare County Council which called on the HSE to upgrade Ennis hospital to a level three hospital “with appropriate bed capacity and skill mix to alleviate pressure” on University Hospital Limerick (UHL).

Proposed by Cllr Pat Daly (FF) and cosigned by 10 fellow councillors, the motion wanted a review of operations at Ennis Hospital by the HSE to “look at all possibilities currently available in the greater Ennis area including a green field site that might give further options in future years”.

Recognition from within the HSE on “how much of an asset Ennis is to the Mid-West region,” is lacking according to Cllr Daly. He informed the meeting he had been a frequent visitor to UHL since Christmas with medical issues, “I have seen first-hand once a patient gets into the system the quality of care is first class and as good as what is in the country”.

He said, “the closing down of the A&Es in Ennis and Nenagh didn’t work in 2009 and it still doesn’t work now”.

Importance of finding a greenfield site was stressed by Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG). “Housing and health are two major issues facing our county, we’ve made great progress

in the housing section,” he claimed. “We talk about 2040, we should be talking about 2030 and identifying a greenfield site for a new hospital. I hope the local authority and our Oireachtas members work together to find a greenfield site”.

Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) maintained, “We’ve been going round and round on ways to improve our hospital, we’ve a growing county and an ambitious county, we know that in this part of the country we’re not getting the same standard of care. What’s really the issue is the blockages that continue to persist. We need to review the decisions made in 2009, it has clearly been a mistake”. There is no choice but for changes to be made, Cllr Shane Talty (FF) insisted. “It is quite clear that the centre of excellence model has failed completely, the decision has proven to be an error. The minor injury clinic in Ennis is a fantastic service. We cannot be left relying on a hospital in Limerick that is clearly unfit for purpose”.

Conditions at UHL are “completely unhealthy,” Cllr Mary Howard (FG) commented as she pointed to overcrowding figures which results in patients “outside bathrooms and fire doors”.

Events at UHL have been “tragic,” Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) stated, “This is people’s lives we’re talking about and they should be entitled to basic services”. He questioned if the people of the Mid-West were getting “equal rights”.

Crowe apologises for 'centre of death' comments

CLARE TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) has apologised to members of the public that have taken offence with him calling University Hospital Limerick (UHL) as a centre of death while he has said the reopening of an accident and emergency unit in either Ennis or Nenagh is key to easing overcrowding at UHL, writes Páraic McMahon

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Deputy Crowe expressed his view that the 2009 decision to shut the A&Es in Ennis and Nenagh has proven to be a mistake. “I’m very clear with regards to the public hospitals of this region that the 2009 reconfiguration decision was absolutely wrong and it was even more wrong in 2013. Minister Mary Harney at the time proclaimed that this would lead to a centre of excellence, it hasn’t. I think it is wrong that 14 years later that people medically and politically are saying we’re working towards something, I don’t think it washes anymore.

“In that sense, the 2009 decision was a major let down for Ennis, Nenagh and Limerick, my own party were in power at the time, it was a colossal mistake, it has put staff under savage

pressure and it hasn’t led to any significant improvement in patient care, unfortunately we’ve seen some people become very unwell while in hospital, some have even died on trolleys in hospital”.

Sixmilebridge parish priest, Fr Harry Bohan criticised Deputy Crowe from the altar in January after he called UHL “a centre of death”, a quote which was later used as the headline on the front page of The Clare Champion “As often happens in the media a segment of what I said was represented, it doesn’t reflect my entire contribution. What I actually said was that I’d been thinking about the very tragic deaths we’ve had in UHL, I won’t name them but we’ve had some tragic deaths.

“I was making the point at an Oireachtas Health Committee that some people have brought loved ones to hospital and for them it became a centre for some families, it wasn’t meant to cause hurt or pain, I was echoing the point that some families have lost loved ones in there, that is no reflection or criticism of the nursing staff, my own mother was a nurse there, I hold them in the highest esteem.

“It is stating the fact that

if you funnel half a million people through one accident and emergency department and have them waiting on trolleys sometimes for two or three days, it does compromise the level of healthcare, I stated those words, I wasn’t aware of Fr Bohan’s comments, he didn’t mention it to me when I met him a week or two ago, my comments weren’t intended to cause any upset, I’d ask people to listen to the full contribution because I was making the point about families losing loved ones on trolleys”.

The Clare Echo then pointed out the journalist behind the article Dan Danaher didn’t misquote the TD to which he responded, “There was more. There was a sentence after it”.

“I would apologise if it caused offence to anybody, it was meant to represent the crisis situation at UHL and how it manifested for some families, they brought loved ones to the hospital who were on trolleys, I was trying to reflect that point, if my choice of words caused offence then I duly apologise.

“The intent of what I was trying to represent as the county’s only TD on the Oireachtas Committee”.

Photo by Eamon Ward

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Planning refused for 557ft tall Cahermurphy wind farm

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

THE impact on the protected bird, the Hen Harrier, has helped put pay to plans for a contentious 10 turbine wind farm for west Clare.

This follows An Bord Pleanála refusing planning permission to the 557 ft tall wind farm eight km from the west Clare coastline.

As part of the proposal by MCRE Windfarm Ltd for the project at Cahermurphy near the west Clare village of Kilmihil, it proposed to remove 63 hectares of breeding and foraging area suitable for the Hen Harrier (inset).

The appeals board has ruled that when taken in conjunction with other wind farms in the area, the wind-farm would result in unacceptable cumulative adverse ornithological impacts and for the Hen Harrier in particular.

The board made this a reason for refusal after its inspector in the case, Kevin Moore concluded that the proposed development would have significant adverse impacts on the ornithological importance of the area by way of collision, mortality, disturbance and displacement of protected bird species.

Blanket bog is the dominant soil type at the site and the appeals board also refused planning permission as it was not satisfied that it had sufficient evidence that the proposed re-

positories of peat to be generated during the excavation for the planned wind-farm would be effective in the safe storage of significant volumes of peat.

The decision by the board upholds a planning refusal issued by Clare County Council almost two years ago on April 9th 2021 and ends a planning battle with locals after plans were first lodged in September 2020.

The Cahermurphy Wind Farm No II Op position Group led the local opposition and one of those to ob ject was west Clare based Booker Prize long-listed and in ternational best sell ing author, Niall Wil liams.

Dublin native, Niall Wil liams was long listed for the prestigious Booker Prize in 2014 for his ‘History of

the Rain’ novel.

Mr Williams moved to Kiltumper with his wife, Christine Breen in the 1980s and in their ‘strong’ objection lodged with the Council

against the plan, they stated: “People live in this landscape and we believe this development and others like it, will ultimately lead to the depopulation of the region in favour of the wind industry, a situation which the planners will not only have overseen, but stewarded into being”.

A two turbine windfarm for a site close to the couple’s home received the green light in 2010 from An Bord Pleanala. In their objection against the current plan, they stated that they live within 500 metres of the constructed wind-farm and “what we can attest to is that in the year in which we have been living next to the erection and the commission of two turbines, the noise pollution is almost constant”.

They stated, “When the wind is coming towards us, we cannot open our bedroom window at night without hearing the constant thump or stand at the kitchen window without seeing the blades spinning.

They stated, “So called wind-farms destroy habitats, not only for birds”.

They contended that exploitation of the landscape feels targeted and sacrificed to the erection of wind turbines.

In their direct plea to planners, they stated that “we would ask you to strongly consider what is being allowed to happen in mid-west Clare and to assess it if it is in the best needs of the people who are living there”.

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) lodged with the application stated that the proposed project will create 72 jobs and that over the lifetime of the wind-farm, a Community Benefit fund of €5.6m will be made available.

The EIS stated that the proposed wind energy development is critical to helping Ireland address a number of challenges as well as addressing the country’s over-dependence on imported fossil fuels.

The EIS stated the site of the proposed development is located within an area designated in the Clare County Development Plan, 2017-2023 as ‘Strategic’ for wind energy development.

by the

banking authority and supervised by the

Increasing amount of drunk & drug drivers

MORE motorists are going behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, new figures show, writes Páraic McMahon.

There has been a 28 per cent increase in the amount of instances where drivers in Clare have been detected under the influence.

From January to December 2022, a total of 139 drivers were caught by Gardaí having had either alcohol or drugs in their system whilst behind the wheel. The equivalent figure for the same period in 2021 was 109.

Chief Superintendent in the Clare/Tipperary Garda Division, Colm O’Sullivan stated, “Driving under the influence a couple of years ago we looked at this as being a drunk driver, in the last number of years we have another issue of drug driving. Just because you’ve gone out at night and had three or four pints doesn’t mean you are safe to drive the following morning”.

Gardaí have recorded a reduction in road accidents causing serious injury in the county. There was 25 serious road accidents in the county from January to December 2021 while the number dropped to 16 for the following year. Less than 10 fatal accidents have occurred on Clare roads for each year but increased from two to five.

Almost 20 per cent of an increase has been observed in the amount of Clare drivers taking to the road without insurance. 166 drivers were caught without insurance in 2022 compared with 139 in 2021, a jump of 19 per cent.

A total of 4,123 fixed penalty charges were issued by Gardaí in Clare in 2022, a reduction

of 11 per cent compared with the 4,627 instances in 2021.

Speaking at a meeting of the Clare Joint Policing Committee, Chief Supt O’Sullivan said speeding, use of mobile phones and intoxicated substances were factors behind the serious road accidents.

He cautioned, “penalty points do build up very quickly, people will lose their licence if they reach 12 penalty points. There have been life changing consequences for people involved in incidents for driving under the influence”.

Persons convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are automatically fined and disqualified from driving for a set period of time.

Repeated or serious breaches may result in a prison sentence. The main legislation dealing with road safety is the Road Traffic Act 1961.

With the introduction of the 2006 Road Traffic Act, Gardaí were given the power to breathalyse any driver stopped at a mandatory alcohol checkpoint without the need to form any opinion in relation to the driver of the vehicle.

This law has been updated and modernised regularly over the years.

The ability to breathalyse any driver is commonly known as random breath testing. Since 26th October 2018, under the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2018, drivers who previously got three penalty points for certain drink driving offences will now be disqualified from driving for 3 months instead.

Alcohol fuelling public order offences

ALCOHOL is fuelling public order incidents in the county, the Chief Superintendent has warned, writes Páraic McMahon Assaults causing harm and minor assaults reported to An Garda Síochána rose in Co Clare last year while less public order offences were recorded.

Six more assaults causing harm were dealt with by Gardaí in Clare last year,

the number rising from 60 in 2021 to 66 in 2022.

264 instances of minor assault were reported to the authorities for 2022 compared with the figure of 251 for the year previous.

Public order offences decreased from 224 in 2021 to 203 last year equating at 21 percent.

Chief Superintendent in the Clare/Tipperary Garda Division, Colm O’Sullivan

Down Syndrome Day at the Inn at Dromoland

The Inn at Dromoland was rocking to the beats of Mikey O’Keeffe and the odd socks brigade in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day. Down Syndrome Clare branch exciting plans include the hiring of a dedicated administrative person to support the running of the branch, the upcoming Odd Socks and Tour de Munster charity cycles, a member survey and the creation of a medium term road map for the branch. One very important area for the development of the branch in Clare includes the promotion of increased employment opportunities for members in the county. The branch is now actively looking for employers to provide circa 4 hours a week of employment to some of its adult membership. Email downsyndromeclare@gmail.com or make a donation at www.idonate.ie/cause/dsclare”

outlined, “A lot of these incidents from the night-time economy when people are out and alcohol is again brought into it. We know that people’s mental capacity is affected when they are drinking”.

O’Sullivan added, “A lot of these incidents are happening on the Thursday or Friday evening and into the weekend”.

Ennis reps to request €25m plans for Abbey

by Páraic McMahon @clareecho.ie

PLANS FOR A €25m development in Abbey Street car park and the construction of a temporary car park in Francis Street costing €1m need to be paused, new proposals to go before the Ennis Municipal District will argue.

On Tuesday, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG), Cllr Pat Daly (FF) and Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) will lodge a proposal before the Ennis MD requesting the Ennis 2040 DAC to pause their plans for the Abbey Street carpark redevelopment.

This will be debated by Ennis councillors next week while the April meeting of Clare County Council was due to hold a vote on the proposed €1.1m transfer to Ennis 2040 DAC for the Francis St development. The Clare Echo understands that this vote has been delayed as senior officials in the local authority want to discuss the Ennis 2040 strategy with elected members behind closed doors before putting the matter to the floor at the May meeting.

Listed as the first project in the strategy’s programme of town centre transformational sites, the Abbey St proposal will consist of a large retail and office development in the town centre with extensive landscaping and high-quality public realm. It aspires to create over 100 permanent jobs when completed, create a town centre footfall of 20,000 weekly shoppers and add 200 jobs during construction.

A deficit in car parking spaces has long been espoused by elected representatives. As far back as 2003 in advance of the Ennis Town and Environs Development Plan, officials within Ennis Town Council undertook a car park study which concluded that the town centre was “operating at under-capacity in the region of 1,000 spaces”.

In an analysis of car parking within Ennis from 2008-2018, it was outlined that Abbey Street car park accounted for the biggest source of revenue for the local authority on parking fees within the county town.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr Flynn stressed the need to pause the plans. “There is a risk of a loss of jobs and businesses closing. The Abbey Street car park has been used for the Christmas market, for events like the Fleadh, homecomings for victorious hurling teams, we need it is a civic space so the idea of spending €1m on a temporary car park to replace that in Francis Street the feedback I’m getting is that the public don’t want it, they want Abbey Street left alone and predominantly housing to be put into the Francis Street site”.

According to Cllr Flynn, the car parking spaces in Abbey Street “bring in somewhere between a quarter to a third of a million euro annually in car parking fees which is crucial for running the town and the Municipal District. The revenue for parking in Francis Street was only one hundredth of that, people won’t park that far away and do short-stay parking”.

Removal of such funds is something the Council cannot afford to do, he said. “It will take away from running services like providing valuable services like providing housing, the upkeep of existing housing stock, I believe the Francis Street site is a fantastic site and it could be really well developed. Instead of 45 apartments you could have twice that number from tall buildings to lower cottages on Francis Street, retain those and upgrade them, you could have a mix of sheltered accommodation for people who wish to retire or older people, affordable housing for people who want to get on the market, social housing and some private, you could get a proper mix in there and have ninety housing units on the site which would regenerate that area and bring people back into that area”.

He added, “Ennis 2040 was drawn up at a time when it was envisaged and dreamt up at a time when there was low interest rates, all the economies in Europe and worldwide were flying it, now we have Ukrainian war, interest rates rocketing and a cost of living crisis, I don’t believe spending up to €25m building a new building in Abbey Street makes sense at all, similarly below in Parnell Street they shouldn’t be proposing to build on top of the taxi rank. The Ennis 2040 plan is very important, we need a vision for the future but it needs to be flexible to change with local, regional and international circumstances, the plan itself in Action 25 recognises the importance of short stay car parking in the town centre, it talks about the increased population expected, I believe the building on the car parks is contrary to its own action plan which is about improving and enhancing parking in the town centre”.

In a statement to The Clare Echo, Chief Operating Officer with Ennis 2040 DAC, Kevin Corrigan detailed that the strategy was completed in 2021 by international experts on behalf of Clare County Council “after two years of study, analysis and extensive stakeholder consultations with local representatives, local communities, and businesses. Ennis 2040 was endorsed by Ennis Municipal District and Clare County Councillors in 2021 and recently the transformational sites were included in the Clare County Development Plan 2023 - 2029 which was adopted unanimously by Clare County Council”.

The Poet's Corner Bar is 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.

The Town Hall Bistro

Providing a welcoming environment with great value food championing local ingredients.

The Brendan O'Regan Restaurant is ideal for special occasions. The menu features traditional cuisine with a modern day creative twist.

Regardless of activities within the Council Chamber, he said they were focused on making the strategy a success. “Ennis 2040 D.A.C. is focussed on implementing the Ennis 2040 Economic & Spatial Strategy to deliver major investment and employment while also delivering on the vision of a vibrant and sustainable Ennis Town Centre for future generations living, working, shopping and visiting the town”.

The Poets Corner Bar

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..

The Brendan O’Regan Restaurant

Ideal for special occasions. The menu features traditional cuisine with a modern day creative twist.

l

DEVELOPMENT: Abbey St Car Park proposal

Street be paused

Pilot plan to bring Ennis town properties back into residential use proposed

A PILOT PLAN to increase the amount of families living in Ennis town centre has been proposed, writes Páraic McMahon.

Ennis Town Centre has been suggested as a suitable focus for a government pilot project to bring buildings back into residential use by Clare TD Michael McNamara (IND).

Deputy McNamara aired his views with the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar (FG) in Dáil Éireann on Tuesday. The Scariff native said that many business premises which once had families living over them now lie empty over ground level for a variety of reasons including particularly building regulations and insurance costs.

He stated, “Ennis, like other market towns in Clare and like market towns all over the country, has streets full of fine old buildings where there is a retail unit at ground level and in many but not all cases, they are vacant over ground level. A century ago, there were families living in them. I don’t underestimate the difficulty of converting those back into residential use. There are regulations, there are issues around financing, but it would offer many benefits not just in housing, but also benefits for the environment and for society”.

tion hosted annually in Italy, had highlighted how market towns could be reinvigorated, Deputy McNamara told the Dáil. He asked the Taoiseach to consider a pilot project to bring properties in market towns back into residential use.

proposal will consist of a large retail and office development in the town centre

‘Don’t get on with demo of Francis Street cottages’ says Tánaiste

PLANS to demolish six Ennis houses are at odds with the Housing for All Strategy, the Tánaiste has said, writes Páraic McMahon

As part of the Ennis 2040 Strategy, it is proposed to demolish six houses on Francis Street to facilitate the construction of a temporary car park at a cost of €1.1m.

Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) who has emerged as a strong opponent to the Francis Street plans highlighted the matter in Dáil Éireann.

“The Tánaiste said the solution to the housing crisis is the provision of more accommodation. He also said that everyone in this House wants to do the right thing regardless of what they view the right thing is. I agree with him on both counts.

“Clare County Council recently purchased six houses on Francis Street in Ennis.

“It is proposed to transfer them to a company whol-

ly owned by Clare County Council, Ennis 2040 DAC, and they are to be knocked down.

“Some of the six houses were very recently lived in. They are in various states of repair. Some would require substantial work and others less substantial works. It is proposed to turn the site into a temporary carpark until such time as it will be determined what will be done with the site.

“There is talk of a mixeduse development, whatever that is. There is no firm decision on how many residential units, if any, will be there. Does the Tánaiste agree that is not the right thing to do with housing stock in a county town in the midst of a housing crisis? If he does, will the Government do something about it,” McNamara asked.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin (FF) said he would ask Minister for Local Government, Darragh O’Brien (FF) to engage with Clare County

Council on the matter.

He stated, “I have sympathy with the position that the Deputy is presenting. As part of the Housing For All plan, we have made it very clear that all state agencies must be involved in resolving the housing crisis. I have had similar conversations in my own Department where properties were going to be demolished and I said, ‘No, they are not going to be demolished’.

“There has to be a mindset change in terms of the crisis. I do not know the full background to this and I do not want to be unfair to the council or anyone else but, generally, we should be making those houses fit for habitation and we should allocate them because development of the kind the Deputy mentioned will take a long time. The idea that we would demolish houses for a carpark is something that, at first glance, I would have a problem with,” the Cork native added.

Irish architects who attended the Venice Biennale, an international cultural exhibi-

“It sounds like a good idea to me,” the Taoiseach responded before adding that he would follow up with Deputy McNamara on the proposal. “I’ve already seen around the country a number of buildings brought back into use for residential form, a number of pubs that have been turned into residential accommodation, office blocks in this city that have been turned into residential accommodation”. McNamara has recently expressed his opposition to plans to demolish cottages in Francis Street to construct a €1m temporary car park. “It would be crazy to see diggers knocking houses in Ennis town centre that were used and can still be used to accommodate families during the worst housing crisis in the history of this county. While I accept there is a shortage of available public parking in parts of Ennis town, Francis Street is one of the few areas where there already is plenty of on-street carparking with additional spaces provided at the nearby Cloister/GAA car park”.

l Michael McNamara (IND)

St Francis Credit Union sponsor @newmarketceltic

April is a big month for @newmarketceltic with some massive games for the club coming up in the coming weeks and St. Francis Credit Union are delighted to support them by sponsoring new match balls.

Newmarket Celtic face Ballynanty Rovers of Limerick in the semi-final of the FAI Junior Cup in Frank Healy Park, Ennis on Sunday, April 2. They are then away to Skerries in the FAI Senior Cup the following weekend, followed by the semifinal of the Munster Junior Cup when they are away to Fairview Rangers of Limerick on April 16 in Jackman Park. Best of luck to Newmarket Celtic in the coming weeks, flying the Clare flag high.

Pictured is Dave Noble, Lending and Business Development Officer with St. Francis Credit Union presenting a match ball to Eoin Hayes, Team Captain along with fellow players, David McCarthy and David O’Grady.

Public invited to have their say on new LEADER Plan

CLARE Local Development Company (CLDC) is inviting people from local communities to have their say and help shape the new LEADER plan for Co. Clare, and to discuss how other CLDC programmes can address community needs in the county.

A series of public meetings will be held in eight locations around the county in April. CLDC encourages anyone with views and ideas to come along, get involved in the discussion, and have their voice heard. The new LEADER programme will open for business late in 2023 after a five-year LEADER Plan has been agreed for the county.

CLDC Chairman, Mike Hogan, wants to hear from people on the ground. “These are the people who can tell us what they need from LEADER and the other supports that CLDC has to offer to local communities,” he said.

CLDC has delivered LEADER for 31 years in Clare, and also delivers the social inclusion programme SICAP, the Rural Social Scheme, Tús, Rural Walks Scheme, Ukrainian Re-

sponse, Roma and Traveller projects, community childcare, Local Area Employment Service and the SEAI Sustainable Energy Communities project.

“These public meetings with CLDC staff and Board members are a great opportunity to influence the shape of LEADER and CLDC for the next five years,” added Mike Hogan. “With a smaller LEADER budget and growing demand from communities, we need to decide how LEADER and CLDC can be most effective at supporting communities and the rural economy through challenging times.”

The public consultation meetings will take place from 7 - 8.30 p.m. in the following locations: Kilfenora (April 4th), Miltown Malbay (April 5th), Clarecastle (April 18th), Kilkee (April 19th), Corofin (April 20th), Sixmilebridge (April 25th), Labasheeda (April 26th) and Tulla (April 27th). An online consultation event will take place on May 3rd.

See www.CLDC.ie, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Email leader@cldc.ie for more information.

Clare Garden Festival goes Urban & Wild at Showgrounds

CLARE Garden Festival wants to inspire Everyone to grow and garden Everywhere –in 2023 this message will be at the core of the festival with its Urban & Wild Gardening theme for the 30th April at Ennis Showgrounds.

“At this year’s festival, we plan to offer a trail of Urban Farming inspirations in the form of displays – including a Rain Garden designed by Clare Water Expert Feidhlim Harty – as well as talks and demonstrations by exciting local and national Expert gardeners.” Said festival manager Carmen Cronin. “Whether it’s a few herbs in your kitchen window or a small army of pots in the back garden, you can enjoy growing your favourite plants and veggies in the smallest of spaces.”

Supporting this message are Clare County Council’s Healthy Clare, Climate Action and Heritage Office. “Over the next 3 years we are developing a ‘Community Food and Health’ initiative for County Clare. The project aims to improve health and wellbeing by building capacity in Clare for growing, cooking and eating well,” said Healthy Clare Coordinator Dena McGrath.

She continued explaining the “significance of including an Urban Farming/Growing Trail in this year’s Garden Festival - an exciting, practical feature that highlights the accessibility of healthy food when growing your own. I’m really looking forward to exploring this on the day and adopting some new growing skills too.”

The festival will be back with an impres-

sive range Garden Experts speaking on its main stage all-day supported by demonstrations in several areas all over the grounds.

As usual there will be music, food and children’s entertainment and of course the festival’s popular Garden, Plant, Craft & Food Fair with over 60 stalls from all over Ireland.

Clare Garden Festival is running in partnership with Co Clare Agricultural Show Society and is held annually at Ennis Show-

grounds this year on Sunday, 30th April. The festival is proudly supported by Fruithill Farm, Clare County Council, Healthy Clare, Burren Smokehouse, Visit Caherhurley Nursery, Clare Echo, Ennis Municipal District, Pobal, LCDC and Mast Insurances. For more information see our website www. claregardenfestival.com and for regular update join us on Facebook @claregardenfestival.

l GET GROWING: Birgitta Hedin-Curtin of Burren Smokehouse, Healthy Clare Coordinator Dena McGrath, Master Gardener and Stage Host Jo Newton and Festival manager Carmen Cronin

SHANNON NEWS

in association with

Teachers and students face off

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

TEACHERS and students lined out against each other in a charity camogie match at St Caimin’s Community School on Wednesday.

Over €6,000 has been raised in the space of a week for the ACT for Meningitis. The cause is very dear to the hearts of the school community following the sudden death of Leaving Certificate student, Aoife Johnston from meningitis in December. What started as an initial idea to create some fun for Leaving Certificate students in their final weeks in the Shannon school evolved into a way to remember Aoife and also generate a sense of excitement throughout the corridors. St Caimin’s principal Alan Cunningham told The Clare Echo, “It was never supposed to be a fundraiser, it was the camogie crew like Sharon Bul-

fin, Tara O’Loughlin, Carol O’Leary and Chloe Morey who were trying to organise something for the craic

for the Leaving Certs before they went and it developed”.

Christmas led into “a tough Jan-

uary” for the town of Shannon following Aoife’s death, he admitted. “It’s been tough, it’s something which takes time and it is taking time, there’s been a few more deaths since with Luke Shea, he was gone from the school three years but was still well remembered, Conor Loughnane was another past pupil who we taught”.

Anticipation for the game generated “craic and excitement” within the school, he said. “Out of nothing it has raised over €6000 which is good going,” the Shannon man outlined. Cunningham who has represented his county at all levels on the hurling field, is currently part of the management team with the all-conquering Limerick senior hurlers. This week, he took charge of the student team while ex Clare footballer and Clare Echo columnist Ger Keane was given the unenviable task of trying to keep the teachers in check.

Player profiles of the staff have piqued the interest of students according to SEN co-ordinator Sharon Bulfin. “You have students asking if we’re match ready, they’re mentioning the profile, it’s generating conversations and from a student that you wouldn’t expect to say something, they are looking forward to seeing us in a different light, they are used to seeing likes of Carol, Niamh or Chloe in action for inter-county but this is a chance for us to get involved”.

“We’re looking at well-being and how events in life affect everybody, it is important that this event is seen in a positive light and that we do justice to Aoife, her family and be mindful of them, we hope that it’s a nice celebration,” Sharon added.

Lessons were put on standby as experienced referee Kevin Walsh is called upon to throw in the sliotar for Wednesday’s game.

step’ airport could see Greenway rival Camino

SHANNON needs to be treated as “the first step” and destination for constructing greenways in the county, a community representative has argued, writes Páraic McMahon

In February, a total of €2.1m in funding for greenway projects in the county was announced with a link from Shannon through Bunratty and Sixmilebridge to join the Limerick Greenway allocated €300,000.

The Limerick to Scariff Greenway was granted €780,000 in the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) grant allocations.

A total of €950,000 was set aside for the West Clare Railway Greenway, this is divided among the four sections, namely Kilrush to Kilkee (€500,000), Ennis to Ennistymon (€300,000), Ennistymon to Miltown Malbay (€100,000) and Miltown Malbay to Moyasta (€50,000).

Niamh O’Callaghan of Love Shannon felt insufficient emphasis has been placed on Shannon’s potential to bring in more visitors to the Greenways.

“For myself I feel like we’re putting what should be the first step last, it is the link to

Shannon Airport.

“This is money that comes into every inch of this county and it is so incredibly important, that it got €300,000 is insignificant”.

She cited the Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways which flagged that “the development of flood defence schemes offers the potential to develop both pathways and cycle ways in the delivery of the scheme defences”.

This potential was not maximised in potential according to Niamh.

“The flood defences were raised in Shannon but there was no greenway put on top, this is not about Shannon, it’s about the aspect of bringing in people and having a greenway to rival the Camino Way”.

Passengers can fly direct to Shannon Airport and then hop onto a greenway if the plans are better aligned, O’Callaghan maintained.

“Without putting this first, the other pieces won’t be seen as clearly and the revenue that could be generated from the greenways of Ireland is a no brainer, there is nowhere else in the world

can you get off your plane and onto a bike to a greenway”.

Clare’s EuroVelo cycling routes need to be signposted better, she added.

“I know they are not the bread and butter but there is a lot of money to be made from cyclists”.

Speaking at a sitting of the Rural Development Strategic Policy Committee, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) remarked, “We’re far behind in this county on greenways.

“I appreciate plans are going ahead but we need to get some open at some stage soon”.

Director of Rural Development in Clare County Council, Leonard Cleary said they would arrange for the project management office to address an SPC meeting “to give us a vision on Greenways”.

He continued, “The grant funding will give a significant boost to the design phase, there is number of public consultation events taking place on the Ennis to Ennistymon route, the IFA have asked us to invest time on listening to landowners on the ground”.

‘First

lCLASH: Roisin O’Grady, Emma Crowe, Caroline O’Connell and Olivia Phelan Photo by Joe Buckley

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€600k spent on remedial works at Cappahard

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

AN APPROXIMATE

€600,000 has been spent by the local authority on remedial works at Cappahard Estate in Ennis.

As approved at the March meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Clare County Council have declared the roads within the Cappahard estate as public roads.

It includes the road from the junctions with the public roads (R352) and L-8563 to all terminal points within the estate, serving the following houses 5-8 Cappahard, 1-29

The Woods, 1-8 The Green, 1-16

The Close, 1-12 The Drive, 1-18 The Lane, 1-65 Ballymoneen, 1-10 Glen View Road, 1-18 Glen View Close, 1-16 Green View, 1-40 Fergus View, 1-32 Waterside.

Administrative officer in the planning department of the Council, Kieran O’Donnell stated that Irish Water was consulted and had no objections to the proposed taking in charge in case of the developments connected to public water and wastewater infrastructure. He added, “The Council is satisfied that the road is of general public utility and has considered the financial implications for the road’s authority of the proposed declaration”.

Over the past nine months, there

has been “a substantial program of remedial works” completed in the area, O’Donnell outlined. “In advance of the main contract works, a number of minor contracts were awarded in order to substantiate the Council’s claim on the bonds. These contracts were to carry out an audit of the pump station, a full audit of manhole surveys and the water network and a full survey and audit of the foul and surface water sewers networks in the development and the combined costs of these contracts was €20,000”.

Two separate contracts were also awarded for the upgrade of the public lighting (€38,000) and the installation of stone name plaques in the estate (€18,000).

P.S. Carmody Ltd was award ed the main contracts for an approximate contract provided for substan tial improvements to the water services network, surface wa ter network, pump station, foot paths, pavement works, green areas and planting.

In total the Coun cil has spent approximate ly €600,000 on remedial works to this estate. “The values of

the bonds claimed were €520,000 and the balance of the works were funded by the Planning Department,” O’Donnell advised.

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) who requested a progress report, recalled that the Cappahard estate “was built during the building boom, significant work was undertaken in 2008 and 2009 before Clare County Council took over the estate”. He said that councillors lobbied for a roundabout from 2011 and he recounted that he relayed this at a meeting with former Clare TD, Pat Breen (FG) and ex Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe (FG) which helped to secure funds for the roundabout. He praised the planning department for their continued efforts. “At least 20m of green area on either side of the distributor road should be taken in,” Flynn suggested. Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) seconded his motion.

Club Women’s Network meet & greet

The Club Women’s Network held a meet and greet coffee morning for local entrepreneurs in The Temple Gate Hotel on March 22nd. The event was hosted by Club founder Sian Horn and network member Fiona Brennan both of whom run successful coaching and mentoring businesses. The Club is a national network aimed particularly at supporting female founded businesses and runs a number of online courses each month for. Pictured are Annabel McMahon, Joanna Byrne and Joanne Burke

Notes

BLOOD DONATION CLINIC

A blood donation clinic will be held at the West County Hotel Ennis. Monday 4th & Tuesday 5th April, 16:45 - 20:00. Please phone 1800 222 111 for an appointment.

lCllr Johnny Flynn Photo by Eamon Ward

Fishermen will be consulted before any improvements to Carrigaholt pier

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

LOCAL Fishermen will be among those consulted if the outside pier at Carrigaholt is to undergo improvement works.

Officials in Clare County Council were pressed by Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) to give a commitment towards making improvements at the outside pier in Carrigaholt. West Clare Municipal District senior executive engineer, Alan Kennelly outlined that the Council had been successful with recent

applications to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) securing funding from the piers and harbours fund plus the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme (BALAMI).

Two projects at the inside pier in Carrigaholt were completed in recent years, he stated.

Funds will be made to both schemes for improvements to the outside pier, Kenneally confirmed. “Proposed improvements would have to be agreed with the local fishermen and other pier users prior to a funding application,” he added.

Public Consultation Day

KILKEE COMMUNITY CENTRE

THURSDAY 13TH APRIL 2pm to 8pm

Speaking at the March sitting of the West Clare MD, Cllr Murphy commented, “Some repair works needs to be undertaken as a matter of some urgency, the pier is not in danger of falling down but they are crucial to its long-time viability”.

Replicating works at Cappa is what Carrigaholt needs “to make it safe, the steps are lethal on the pier,” Cllr Murphy maintained. “Fishermen need safe access up and down the steps. The floating platform is very important. This is a piece of the train with offshore renewables coming”.

Senior executive officer, John O’Malley was confident the Department would revert with another proposal next year.

“There are discussions over it, there was a good bundle of money over it, there may be a third call,” Kenneally advised of BALAMI. “It is important we’re shovel ready for next year,” O’Malley replied. “If it has to be done in phased way that is fine,” said Murphy.

Seconding the call for works, Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) stated, “There was plans drawn up to extend the pier. The Simply Blue project seems to be coming closer, it may be an opportunity to use the area as a depot. Carrigaholt is crying out for improvement on infrastructure not to mention sewerage but we won’t go down that road, we’ll stay by the water”.

Director of Service in Rural Development, Leonard Cleary said the Municipal District and his Directorate would “try and progress it”.

Members of the public and businesses are invited to attend a Public Consultation Day where they can view the Preferred Fluvial Flood Relief Option for Kilkee. This will give the public the opportunity to comment on the preferred option being considered and return any comments to the design team

Presentations from the project team will be held at 4pm and 6pm

JBA Consulting, OPW and Clare County Council will be present.

www.kilkeefrs.ie

In association with:

Extra lighting can rid Kilrush of 'dingy look'

LACK of lighting is giving a “dingy” look to Kilrush Town, writes Páraic McMahon

A full lighting survey is to be undertaken in Kilrush Town under the public lighting energy efficiency project.

Senior executive engineer in the roads and transpor tation department of Clare County Council, Anne O’Sullivan confirmed that the “indicative start” for sur vey works to commence are in September of this year.

Kilrush based Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) issued the appeal for a street lighting illumina tion survey “notwithstanding the issue around ornamental

street lighting”. Conducting the piece of research would “establish if the required illumination has been achieved and where it is not, a strategy is developed to ensure appropriate illumination levels”.

Ornamental lights can pose difficulties for local authority crews, Cllr Lynch acknowledged.

“In winter if you go down Henry Street, it looks like the place is closed. It is tough enough on businesses, we don’t need people to think it is dingy. Henry Street is the main street of the town, it needs additional lights,” he added. Lynch’s request was seconded by Cllr Bill Chambers (FF).

lCarrigaholt

Cliffs of Moher Cycle Challenge returns

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

OVER 1000 cyclists will pedal into Ennistymon for the tenth anniversary of the Cliffs of Moher Cycle Challenge.

Cyclists will be able to take in the fantastic scenery of North Clare beginning in Ennistymon to Lahinch up by the Cliffs of Moher through Doolin and on by Fanore to Ballyvaughan up the famous Corker and Corkscrew hills and back to Ennistymon via Lisdoonvarna.

Once again, this year the cycle is sold out with participants coming from all over Ireland and abroad strengthening its status as one of the top leisure cycling events in Ireland.

It is one of the top five charity cycles in the country.

Since its inception this cycle has raised over €150,000 for voluntary organisations

and charities. The event is capped at 1,000 participants and is supported by 140 volunteers, it is worth in the region of €250,000 annually to north Clare hospitality sector at an off peak weekend towards the start of the tourism season.

Founded over a decade ago, Riverside Cycling Club is the

main driver behind the cycle.

Riverside Cycling Club Ennistymon is affiliated with Cycling Ireland and has 40 adult male and female members of varying age and ability. The club arranges Sunday morning spins out of Ennistymon and Lahinch on a variety of routes to North, West and East Clare.

Sky’s the limit in Lisdoonvarna

Trainee Pilot Marco White dropped in to his native Lisdoonvarna along with Senior Pilot Donal Loughnane to give free flights over the Burren to eight draw winners from Ukraine who are living in Lisdoonvarna. With 45 hours of flying under his belt, Marco will graduate as a private helicopter pilot with his Private Pilot’s Licence PPL (H) in May/June from the National Flight Centre in Dublin, once he has passed his final exams.The next step will be to train for his commercial pilot’s licence - CLP (H) which requires a total of 155 hours in the sky.

are the first to take to the air,

Sister Act to bring a holy show to Scariff

AHOLY show is promised in Scariff as the East Clare Musicial Society bring their own version of Sister Act to the stage, writes

Páraic McMahon

Across four nights (April 6th-9th), the East Clare Musical Society will kick start Easter celebrations by taking on Sister Act at Scariff Com-

munity College.

Oliver was the last full musical performed by the group and it was a sellout. At either side of COVID-19 lockdowns, the society gave two separate productions of A Night at the Musicals – Cabaret.

Sarah Allen is director and choreographer of the production. She has been producing, choreograph-

ing and directing musicals in Limerick, Tipperary, Clare and Cork for over 10 years. The qualified music and maths teacher has performed with Limerick Musical Society, Cecilians Musical Society, Shannon Musical Society, MIDAS (Mary Immaculate Dramatic Arts Society) and MUSE Productions. She also performed in the Irish Amateur Pre-

mieres of Shrek the Musical, and, Legally Blonde the Musical, the latter for which she won the Spirit of AIMS award along with the Delta Nu Sextet at the Association of Irish Musical Society Awards.

John O’Brien is once again musical director for the production. A former teacher in Scariff Community College where he developed a music department, John has led the way with his love of musical theatre, bringing so many future stars of the stage and screen along with him. A Choir master, an organist, a piano player of renown and the musical director on so many of the hit shows of the East Clare Musical Society, of which he is now chairperson.

Flagmount’s Sinéad O’Callaghan stars in the lead role of Deloris Van Cartier in what is her first big role on stage. She first fell in love with musical theatre when she saw the local group’s production of All Shook Up in 2011. Since then, Sinéad has been part of the chorus for Scariff Community College’s production of Grease and three East Clare Musical Society productions.

Scariff teacher Caoimhe Treacy plays the role of Mother Superior. Tuamgraney’s Edel O’Grady is Sr Mary Patrick and Feakle gospel singer Breandán Baguio who has been performing musicals since 1996 plays Sr Mary Lazarus.

Grace Guilfoyle, a Leaving Certificate student at Scariff Community College is Sr Mary Robert. Her classmate Ethan Doyle is also part of the cast along with fifth year stu-

dents Rhys McNamara and Fionn O’Sullivan.

Long-serving members Micheál Tuohy and Ger Treacy play Monsignor O’Hara and Curtis Jackson respectively. Conor McGrath, Melanie Brown and Veronique Brand take to the stage as Eddie Souther, Sr Mary Martin of Tours and Sr Mary Theresa.

Kévín Saude of the Killaloe Male Voice Choir plays TJ with Laura Dolan (Michelle) and Flagmount’s Louise O’Callaghan (Tina) completing the cast.

Transition year, fifth year and Leaving Certificate students from Scariff Community College make up the chorus of East Clare Musical Society which is also made up of students from Raheen Woods Steiner School.

PRO of the society, Eoin O’Hagan said, “We are delighted to be returning to the stage with Sister Act as this comedy drama, filled with laughter and song, will keep our loyal musical theatre audiences entranced from the first note to the last bow”. He added, “If the rehearsals are anything to go by it will be a hilarious, music, song and dance filled, up out of your seat boogying night out, for all the family.”

Tickets for the production are only available online via buytickets. at/eastclaremusicalsociety. No tickets can be obtained at local shops or outlets.

lSADDLE UP: Cliffs of Moher Cycle Challenge

l RAISE YOUR VOICE: Conor Mc Grath, Sinéad O’Callaghan, Ethan Doyle, Caoimhe Treacy and Michéal Tuohy are cast members in The East Clare Musical Society’s production of Sister Act which runs from 6th to the 9th

in Scariff Community College

Photo by Eoin O’Hagan

East Clare

Pictured

Tania Deineko and Veronika Rakatina (front) with Senior Pilot Donal Loughnane, Oksana Meshyna, Alona Husachenko and Trainee Pilot Marco White

Photo by Eamon Ward

GREEN CLARE

‘Act now for the common good and generations to come’

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

COMPANIES attached to Shannon Chamber were encouraged to act for the common good now and generations to come by becoming more environmentally conscious.

Chief Executive of An Post, David McRedmond was the guest speaker at the Shannon Chamber luncheon held in Dromoland Castle Hotel on Wednesday last. He spoke of An Post’s current transformation programme which commenced in 2016.

A renewed sense of purpose throughout the organisation enabled An Post become the first major company in Ireland to eliminate the gender pay gap, the first postal service in the world to attain zero emission delivery status in all major cities – Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Kilkenny, and the first company in Ireland to trial the use of HVO (Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil) for fleet fuel, he said.

Speaking at the lunch, he stated that An Post centred on gaining wins in two or three sustainable development areas. Having already reduced its carbon emissions by 36 per cent, against a target of 50 per cent by 2025, he noted that while achieving net zero carbon emissions from its own operations will

be difficult, it is achievable.

When it comes to a journey of sustainability, companies should just do it and lead with big steps, he urged and to think of their company’s purpose and soul and to act for the common good now and for generations to come.

“Big goals matter. It will be impossible to attain net zero unless we move faster in terms of carbon reduction,” MacRedmond remarked.

When asked which top tip he would give to companies as a target for the next six months, he replied, “Focus on your procurement strategies to ensure that your suppliers are committed to the same sustainability goals as your company”.

He added, “publicise your achievements; don’t keep your fire under a bushel”. An Post’s latest initiative, which is testing carbon eating paint for all its post boxes was also referenced.

Shannon Chamber organised the event as part of an overall drive to encourage companies to focus on sustainability. The event was supported by AIB, Clare County Council and Shannon Chamber Skillnet.

President of Shannon Chamber, Eoin Gavin commented, “One of the Chamber’s key objectives over the next three years will be to collaborate on promoting sustainabil-

ity and renewable energy. We have pledged to do this in a number of ways but particularly through creating a platform to brainstorm and undertake initiatives that can enable Shannon and the region to play a meaningful role in Ireland attaining its national targets.

“We also want to work towards positioning Shannon and the region as an exemplar contributor to sustainable development and we have already taken the initial steps to deliver on this by setting up a Sustainability Task Force. Shannon has a reputation for delivering ‘Firsts’ and we would like to able to deliver another First for Shannon.

That’s the goal of the Sustainability Task Force,” he added.

l THINK GREEN: An Post Chief Executive David McRedmond

Photo by Eamon Ward

l SUSTAINABILITY: Shannon Chamber President Eoin Gavin, Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes and An Post Chief Executive David McRedmond

Photo by Eamon Ward

Ennis National School approved for ‘Safe Routes to School’ Active Travel funding

ENNIS National School has been chosen as a successful candidate for Active Travel funding this year, writes Páraic McMahon.

An Taisce have included Ennis National School in the ‘Safe Routes to School’ programme for 2023 with this nod prompting Clare County Council to successfully seek funding from the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Active Travel programme.

Acting senior executive engineer with responsibility for Active Travel with the Council, Conor McDonagh explained that the Safe Routes to School programme “aims to provide measures to improve walking, cycling and wheeling routes to schools to increase the numbers of staff, parents and pupils choosing an Active Travel means of getting to and from school”.

He added, “Funding has been

made available within the 2023 Active Travel budget to advance the project through the design and statutory processes phase. Additional funding will then be sought from the NTA to enter into the construction phase of the project”.

Both Cllr Pat Daly (FF) and Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) requested an upgrade to the laneway from the Ashline social housing development to the school grounds. “Many hundreds of children and parents walk to school on a daily basis,” Daly flagged while Colleran Molloy described it as being “in very poor condition”.

McDonagh confirmed, “An upgrade of the existing laneway will certainly form part” of the Active Travel scheme.

Speaking at the March meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Daly outlined, “A huge amount of parents and grand-parents includ-

ing myself and children use this footpath and it’s not up to standard”.

Quin native Colleran Molloy who is Mayor of the Ennis MD stated, “Hopefully there won’t be a major injury until it is resolved. It is absolutely atrocious the amount of litter there, I would have filled at least two bags of rubbish”.

Volunteers from Ennis Tidy Towns have resumed their group get-togethers, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) responded. She told the meeting she raised the matter in October following the beginning of the school term.

Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) was confident the work would be completed, “I know it is going to be done, the lane is there, the surface just has to be done, even tar would make a fantastic difference”. Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) added, “Due recognition should be given” of the efforts to complete the work.

l SCHOOL RUN: Ennis National School

Ennis Voices for Austism reliant on donations in providing sensory friendly activities for children with autism

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

AN ENNIS group continues to set the way through their organisation of sensory friendly activities for children with autism.

This Sunday (April 2nd) is National Autism Day.

Ennis Voices for Autism (EVA) is a support group for parents of children with autism and the group has a membership of over one hundred families, drawn from all over Clare. EVA organises sensory friendly activities for kids with autism.

According to the group secretary Gearoid Mannion, “a group of parents came together and formed the group in January 2012. Initially it was to have regular meetings to provide each other with support and advice but over the years our main purpose has become the provision of sensory-friendly activities for children with Autism across Clare”.

Gearoid explained, “We are not a registered charity, but we have had the same committee since the day we started. We are all parents of children with autism”.

Committee chairman is journalist Dan Danaher, the treasurer is Liam

Miniter, Gearoid Mannion is the secretary and the committee also includes Laura Lyons, Lourda Doyle and Michelle Mannion.

The sensory friendly activities organised by EVA include one-to-one swimming lessons; therapeutic horse-riding; dedicated free-play sessions at Ennis gymnastics club; cycle lessons in association with Cycle Safe Ireland; bowling at the PLANET Leisure Centre, Showgrounds, Ennis; summer camps in association with Clare Sports Partnership and the GAA; surfing lessons in Spanish Point; kids club activities in Barneys/ Kidz fun club, Gort Rd (for younger kids); boat trips to Scattery Island and also with Doolin Ferries and Sensory-friendly Cinema screenings in Ennis and Limerick. Most of these activities are provided free of charge.

“We have even organised a series of scuba diving lessons, not for everyone as you can imagine, but a few of our children successfully took part in it in Lahinch. This is something they could never have done without our contacts and the amazing co-operation of the folks

in Lahinch”, Gearoid explained.

“We also provide a number of national schools across Clare with funding to assist them in the running of the ‘July Provision’ programme for special needs children. We have offered advice in relation to the re-development of playgrounds, to make them more sensory friendly, and we advised Shannon Airport in the provision of the Sensory Room in their departures area”, according to the EVA secretary.

Ennis native Gearoid added, “We do not charge our parent members any membership fees and we do not ask them to fundraise. We rely on donations and the occasional grant to provide these activities”.

The group organises occasion guest speakers, events which are held at the Temple Gate hotel in Ennis.

Further information can be found on Facebook at EVA Ennis while the group also runs an EVA Parents WhatsApp group.

Healthy Clare Coordinator

Dena Mc Grath

Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare healthyclare@clarecoco.ie 087 987 8785

Facebook: www.facebook.com/eva.clare.5/

Email: ennisvoicesforautism@gmail.com

Contact Number: 086 812 0055

HSE Health and Wellbeing have launched a new podcast series and you are invited to tune in. This series appeals to anyone interested in health and wellbeing from both a personal and professional point of view. The podcast includes interviews and insights on the work underway by the HSE Health and Wellbeing and their many partners to deliver on the Healthy Ireland ambition of supporting, protecting, and empowering individuals, families, and their communities to achieve their full health potential.

Episode 1 Sláintecare Healthy Communities

Episode 2 Health and Wellbeing in the GAA

Episode 3 Tobacco Free Ireland

Episode 4 Men’s Health

Episode 5 Living Well Programme

Episode 6 Alcohol Action Ireland

To find out more about the HSE’s New Health and Wellbeing Podcast please visit www.hse.ie/eng/about/ who/healthwellbeing/hse-talking-health-and-wellbeingpodcast/podcast.html or www.youtube.com/@HSEHealthandWellbeing

Deirdre Coleman Interior Designer

Designing interiors for health and wellbeing

UR HOMES and how they are designed in terms of functionality and aesthetics have a pivotal influence on our health and wellbeing. We all crave a home that is an oasis from life’s hectic pace and our needs and what we demand from our homes have sharply evolved in a post-pandemic world. Our perceptions of our homes has also changed - with our home design needing to fulfil multiple functions - a place to retreat at the end of the day, a place to work from home as needed and a place to entertain and connect with family and friends. The fallout from Covid-19 intensified our craving for nature and the outdoors and the restorative properties of nature and awareness of its benefits is transforming design for both commercial and residential properties.

A well designed space undoubtedly leads to a healthier lifestyle and a happier life. The creation of a happy home that allows us to relax, unwind, rejuvenate and flourish are not things we often consider when we sit down with our builder, architect or interior designer to plan our spaces. We focus solely on the aesthetics and the cost with little consideration for the impact on our mood and our overall wellbeing and happiness. Wellness-focused design involves lighting, materials, air, and sound quality, neutral colour palettes, biophilic design (connecting architecture and nature), greenery, and outdoor-indoor space integration—to name just a few key design areas.

Natural light and wellbeing

Natural light is what controls our biological clock, driving hormone production to make us awake during the day and ready to rest as the night comes. Natural light affects sleep quality, mental balance and mood. In practice, exposure to quality daylight has been shown to improve concentration, performance and mood in both children and adults.

Designing for wellness at home means creating spaces that are good for physical and mental health. It incorporates everything from improving air quality to using textures, materials, colours, shapes and furniture layouts that ease anxiety and make us feel closer to nature. We can also “nudge” healthy behaviour like cooking more at home through good design that encourages us to do more of what’s

Ogood for us.

Social connection improves wellbeing

Would you be healthier in a well designed home that is flooded with natural light with dedicated spaces to relax, unwind and connect with nature and where you are more inclined to socialise with friends and family? Undoubtedly. Social connection improves physical health and mental and emotional well-being. We all think we know how to take good are of ourselves: eat your veggies, work out and try to get enough sleep. But how many of us know that social connection is just as critical? One landmark study showed that lack of social connection is a greater detriment to health than obesity, smoking and high blood pressure.

On the other hand, strong social connection: – leads to a 50% increased chance of longevity – strengthens your immune system (research by Steve Cole shows that genes impacted by loneliness also code for immune function and inflammation) – helps you recover from disease faster – may even lengthen your life! People who feel more connected to others have lower levels of anxiety and depression. We can manipulate our surroundings to make us feel good and to improve our happiness and wellbeing, right down to the selection of a curved sofa for more intimate connection and conversation with our loved ones. Can we design for happiness? Philosopher Alain de Botton’s book “The Architecture of Happiness” was a popular exploration of design and emotion. “One of the great, but often unmentioned, causes of both happiness and misery is the quality of our environment,” de Botton wrote. Searching for more health and happiness? Thankfully, there’s one area in your life where you can create and control it— your home.

Home Staging: The Essential Guide to Getting Higher Offers Faster

In an Insta-perfect world, branding matters and how you present your home on the internet when selling will directly impact whether you’re going to capture the eye of increasingly discerning buyers. If you want to sell your home quickly and optimise the sale price then presenting your home at its best is a no-brainer. Many of the properties being advertised on platforms such as daft.ie and MyHome.ie

lack any kind of wow factor with poor quality photography and dated decor. The photos used to market a property have a direct impact on footfall, says Cormac O’Sullivan of DNG O’Sullivan Hurley. “First impressions count and we know from experience that professional photography and how your home is presented is absolutely crucial to securing a quick sale and maximising viewings”, he says.

“We’re using video tours online to market properties and we encourage the use of a pro-

7 Expert Staging Secrets (And 3 Mistakes to Avoid)

1Think like a buyer: What do people look for in a home? Bright, spacious, uncluttered and up-to-date homes that people can readily visualise themselves living in is what gives a property stand-out appeal. Walk through the property or enlist an unbiased friend to do so on your behalf and write out a check list of improvements that could be made to make your home more attractive.

2First impressions count: You can give your home curb appeal at low cost.

One of the most cost-effective ways to improve any home’s façade is to pressure wash. What people see as they enter will determine whether potential buyers will view your home as well maintained. Paint your front door considered colour and upgrade your door furniture. Window glass should sparkle to entice buyers, and cleaning it will keep the inside of your home as light-filled as possible, too. Ensure your driveways are pristine, lawns are manicured and edged and flowerbeds are weed-free and colourful. Add two planters to your entrance to create symmetry.

3Paint, paint, then paint

some more: Fresh paint is the cheapest and most effective way of enhancing the saleability of a home. Bold paint colours or wild wall coverings can distract potential buyers and they may miss out on the important architectural details of the house. They also cannot visualise themselves living there if they don’t agree with the paint colour. Play safe and go neutral to appeal to the broadest group of buyers. The aim is to reflect light and make the space appear larger. Every home has different light, different floors, different greenery outside, and each room has a different aspect, all of which can affect

how colours present themselves. I tend to stick to one off-white colour and use it throughout the property to create consistency and uniformi-

Deirdre Coleman Interior Designer

fessional photographer and staging. There’s no doubt that properties with stand-out images get far more traction online, better footfall and ultimately, they attract a higher offer value, sometimes as much as 10%”.

Presenting your home to attract the right potential buyer can be somewhat of an art form and many people don’t always get it right. The kitchen and bathrooms in a home must be reflective of the overall value of a house, so if you’re selling at the higher end

5Know Your Market: Tailor your styling to suit your buyer. Are your looking to appeal to young families?

Extra bedrooms in your house should be staged as children’s rooms, keeping the colour scheme neutral. The goal is to help buyers

of the market and your kitchen is dated and stale, it can deter people. So how much should you invest to ensure a return and a positive outcome? It very much depends, but I would advise homeowners to invest between 0.5 per cent and 2 per cent of their asking price on the presentation and staging of their property. Anything more than that is moving into full renovation territory.

6Learn the fundamentals of lighting layering: Proper light layering – blending ambient, task and accent lighting – helps bring a room to life. Using multiple light sources allows for a smooth transition from a bright room used to work from home in the daytime to a sophisticated space for entertaining in the evening, or watching a movie. Altogether, ambient, task and accent lighting create a visually and functionally balanced room. Create wow features where none exist with rechargeable wall lights to highlight artwork. Make sure all lights including lamps are on when viewing the property to create a cosy vibe. Simple and cheap drum shades can be used to update stale light fixtures. For a fresh, new look

form a home from a blank canvas to a luxe interior. Use plants, flowers, greenery in oversized vases to recreate boutique hotel luxury in your home. Style bedside tables, kitchen islands and coffee tables like a pro using books and accessories. Dress couches with seasonally appropriate cushions and throws and dress beds with simple, crisp, white linen, adding drama and colour with throws and cushions. A designer tip is to turn down the duvet and double it back on itself to add height and a luxe feel.

ty. I like Colortrend as it’s Irish and is easy to work with for non-pro fessionals. Shell Cove is a good neutral with a hint of taupe. If you want to inject some personality with deeper colours then choose a toilet or a contrasting kitchen island and keep the rest neutral and inoffen sive. For outside, I swear by Mucky Swan, from the Colourtrend Weather Collection – it’s the perfect greige colour that exudes warmth even on the dullest day. It looks even smarter with classic white window sills and plinths. For your front door, draw inspiration from nature with colours such as sage and leafy greens as well as sky blues to create a grounded and calm entrance for your home.

imagine their own children in them. Smaller nooks and alcoves can be fitted with a desk which can double as a work from home office. An outdoor patio with garden furniture and BBQ will also appeal to young families.

Styled for success: Styling is probably the most underrated tool in the interior design arsenal as it can trans-

Avoid: 1

Nasty Smells: Buyers notice everything including pet smells and stale odours so invest in a professional clean, right down to the oven, the skirting boards and the shower heads. Use scented candles and reed diffusers to add sensory appeal to your sales pitch.

4

Update Your Kitchen: Have your kitchen professionally cleaned and remove all clutter from work surfaces. Transform with paint. Freshen up cabinets with new hardware. Replace dated splash backs and change out your countertops for a more up-to-date look. Replace a dated light fixture with a statement light to add visual interest and a modern look.

2

DIY Disasters: Now is not the time to flex your DIY muscles as poor workmanship can be off-putting to potential buyers. Fresh paint is a wasted investment if buyers can see where you took a coffee break mid-painting session. Unless you’re talented with a paintbrush, hire professional help and save your energy for the house move.

Dimly-Lit Rooms: Dark rooms are unappealing. An insider trick is to replace curtain poles and place them as wide and as high as possible and push back curtains to maximise natural light and make the ceilings appear taller. Replace doors with doors with glass panels where natural lighting is particularly poor.

3

Having

at

Diploma in Interior Design (Rhodec International) and set up her own practice. With an interest in designing for wellness, Deirdre is putting her considerable wealth of experience in self-care, health and wellbeing to design homes that make people feel their best selves.

Self.ly Interior Design offers one hour online design consultations, room designs and full house designs customised to your needs. We also offer property staging and showhouse design focused on wellbeing and hybrid working. For more information and design inspiration, follow us on Instagram: @Self_ly Tel: 086 3868058

Email: selflydesign@gmail.com

Self.ly Interior Design based in Ennis, Co. Clare is focused on wellness interior design, creating spaces that enhance our wellbeing. Interior Designer, Deirdre Coleman, is passionate about designing for the wellness of her clients and focuses on delivering restorative spaces that positively impact on health and wellbeing.

studied

DCU where she obtained an honours degree in Marketing & Languages, Deirdre got a

3 Designer Tricks to Make a Room Look Expensive

1

Add panelling: Add beading or wall panelling to create architectural detail in a hallway, sitting room or bedroom. This is a cheap but remarkably effective way of adding a sophisticated look to a bland space.

2

Incorporate a rug: They add texture, warmth, colour and style. Rugs make any room look put together and intentional just ensure they’re sized correctly as small rugs can cheapen a room scheme.

3

Accessorise: Showcase an oversized vase with greenery or foraged branches. Add a large vase, the kind and scale you see at hotels and restaurants. On a kitchen island or on a round table, this can add splendour and drama.

€4.6m in funding for Shannon Airport as passenger numbers rise

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SHANNON Airport has received a boost under the Regional Airports Programme while passenger numbers are showing a strong increase.

An allocation of capital funding to the tune of €4,623,486 is to be announced by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers (FF) during a visit to Shannon this Thursday.

Of this €4m, a total of €2,250,000 is for an airfield rehabilitation project, the continuation of airbridge replacement programme has been granted €1,368,750, there is €450,000 for the continuation of the water supply system upgrade, €396,000 for security screening upgrades and €158,736 for the replacement of four airport vehicles with electric vehicles. Plans to spend €22m on three new airbridges were announced by Shannon Airport management, the funding will allow for these to continue.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Clare TD Cathal Crowe (FF) expressed confidence that the funding would encourage more airlines to choose to operate out of Shannon. “This funding has stood Shannon well in recent years and I’m confident that Shannon will once again be high up in the list of funding recipients. It is important that going forward we ensure that Shannon is eligible for this funding stream every year and that this isn’t just linked to the number of passengers flying in and out of the airport in a particular season. Shannon Airport is going much better than many would have expected at this time and it is very much back on a growth

trajectory”.

Figures published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that passengers travelling through Shannon during January and February of this year is a significant hike on

pre-pandemic figures.

In January, the number of people travelling through Shannon Airport was up by 21 per cent compared to January 2019, and was 22 per cent higher when compared to the same

period in 2020. In February, passenger numbers were up by 17 per cent compared to the same month in 2019, and 12 per cent when compared to February 2020. The total increase in passenger traffic for both months combined versus the same period in 2019 is 19 per cent, and 17 per cent on 2020 figures.

Five new services took off from Shannon in the space of 24 hours marking the start of its summer schedule at the weekend. A total of 33 destinations to 11 different countries are included in Shannon’s summer schedule. Over the weekend, the very first Ryanair flights to Naples, Porto, Béziers, Newcastle and Liverpool took to the skies.

CEO of the Shannon Airport Group, Mary Considine stated, “We are expecting a busy summer with services to 33 destinations on over 280 weekly flights. Our summer schedule includes increased frequency on 11 services providing over 370,000 extra seats”.

She added, “We are looking forward to welcoming passengers from across the country as they enjoy the ease of travelling through Shannon Airport. Due to our state-of-the-art seamless security screening system, which eliminates the need to remove liquids and electronics from your cabin bag, the average journey time from the carpark to the gate is less than 15 minutes. This, along with our US preclearance facility, our age friendly status and our sensory room, provides a hassle-free journey for our passengers, as they set off on those well-deserved breaks”.

Last year, Shannon Airport welcomed over 1.51 million passengers to the airport, a 300 per cent increase on 2021 figures, and an 88 per cent recovery of 2019 passenger levels.

Limerick Council to begin work on Greenway Hub

LIMERICK City and County Council has announced the restoration of a historic 19th century railway goods shed at Rathkeale on Limerick Greenway as the centre piece of a new visitor facilities project, writes Elaine

Tubridy

The historic railway building was constructed circa 1860-1870 as part of the Limerick to Tralee railway line. Once restored and repurposed, the railway goods

shed at Rathkeale will provide visitors to Limerick Greenway, the scenic 40km walking and cycling route in the West Limerick countryside, with new recreational facilities that have been planned with universal access to the fore.

Limerick Greenway’s visitor numbers increased by 52% year on year, in July to October 2022 compared with the same period in the previous year. To date, more

than 1 million visits have been recorded for Limerick Greenway.

The railway goods shed in Rathkeale will accommodate bike hire and new visitor facilities including toilets. A public realm area around the building will provide recreational space for locals, Greenway users and visitors to the town alike, featuring picnic benches for gatherings, a water point and a bike repair stand.

l SUMMER FUN: Celebrating the launch of Shannon’s Summer Schedule ’23 are Sean Óg Casey (7), Ríadh Casey(2) and Síomha Casey (5) Photo by Brian Arthur

Tailte

Clárúchán, Luacháil, Suirbhéireacht Registration, Valuation, Surveying

Clare students set for Croke Park Enterprise National Finals

Local Enterprise Office Clare have announced that teenage entrepreneurs from St. John Bosco Community College, Kildysart will represent Clare at this year’s Student Enterprise Programme National Finals on Friday 5th May.

The Finals make a return to Croke Park for the first time since 2019.

The students in the senior category all took part in the Clare Senior Final on 22nd March 2023 which was held at the West County Hotel, Ennis.

The enterprise education initiative, funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities throughout the country, saw over 25,000 students from just under 500 secondary schools across the country take part in 2021 / 2022. The programme supports students to create, design and market their own business, all with the hope of reaching the National Finals.

In the Senior Category, the enterprise representing Clare at the National Finals is OCM Light Bars from St. John Bosco Community College, Kildysart with students Darragh O'Callaghan and Evan Moloney.

Special guests at the Clare Final included Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Ann Norton. Judges on the day included Siobhan Mulcahy, Arts Officer Clare County Council, Paul Coffey Accountant, Claire Bannon of INDIGIO and Michelle Guthrie of Local Enterprise Office Clare.

The trophy was commissioned from Conor

Murray of Kilkee Forge.

Speaking at the county final, Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise said “Once again, our student enterprise programme has highlighted the entrepreneurial talent Clare has among our young population. It is pleasing to see the encouragement and support these young entrepreneurs get from their teachers and their parents. Hopefully many will consider starting their own business in the future and creating new jobs in our towns and villages.”

Cllr Ann Norton, Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, commented on the valuable contribution of teachers in this programme. Cllr Norton said: “Mini enterprises displaying here today require great work and effort and it is a credit to all the teachers and schools who have taken part. The students are also a credit to their parents, teachers and schools.”

The local students will be competing against hundreds of other student entrepreneurs from all over Ireland at the Student Enterprise Programme National Finals, taking place at Croke Park in Dublin on the 5th May. Since the Student Enterprise Programme began in 2003, over 350,000 students have taken part, learning key skills on how to create a business idea, start a business and grow a business.

The Student Enterprise Programme also has new range of online resources for 2022 / 2023 at www.StudentEnterprise.ie, which will feature regular blogs and houses a full

Resilience Healthcare Announces creation of over 170 new jobs

Resilience Healthcare, a leading Irish provider of Health and Social care services, has just announced they will be creating an additional 170 jobs this year across both their Nursing and Social Care divisions.

The company, headquartered in Ennis, Co Clare, has already experienced tremendous growth over the past few years, having gone from 181 employees in 2016, to a team of over 700 employees in 2023. The demand for Resilience Healthcare to provide new services continues and with that comes today’s announcement of over 170 jobs.

This is a Nationwide recruitment drive by Resilience Healthcare. Their Social Care division provides day services, outreach, and residential care, while their Nursing Division provides hospital level care in peoples own homes. Resilience Healthcare is committed to ensuring that both the people they support and their employees realise their full potential. They provide industry leading career progression opportunities, and employees are valued and shown appreciation in meaningful ways.

“At Resilience Healthcare, we have a world-class career progression plan for our employees as well ensuring our employees know they are valued in their roles. We recognise that our front-

line workers are the backbone of our organisation, providing vital care and support to some of the most vulnerable members of our society,” said Laura Keane, CEO of Resilience Healthcare.

Fully funded Career Change Resilience Healthcare has also recently launched a retrain campaign for individuals who have no previous Social Care experience.

The campaign aims to address the shortage of qualified Support Workers in the industry by providing training and development opportunities for those interested in pursuing a career in Social Care.

“We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to develop their skills and pursue a rewarding career. Our retrain campaign provides a fully funded pathway to qualify in the Health and Social Care sector for those who may not have considered it before. We believe that it will encourage more people to consider a career in this sector. Our goal is to attract and retain the best talent within the Social Care sector,” added Laura.

To apply for a position in Resilience Healthcare or for more information on the re-train campaign , visit www.resilience.ie or contact careers@resilience.

l ROAD TO CROKER: Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Ann Norton, Clare LEO Head of Enterprise Padraic McElwee and Senior Winner OCM Light Bars St. John Bosco Community College Kildysart

range of Student Enterprise resources for students and teachers. Further information on the Student Enterprise Programme is available from www. studententerprise.ie and by searching #studententerprise on social media.

St Caimin’s Eimear Explores Engineering in Shannon

Pictured are Principal of St.Caimins Community School Alan Cunningham, Explore Engineering winner Eimear Peacock and Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s Sarah Noonan. The Explore Engineering Showcase 2023 was held at Shannon Airport recently. Explore Engineering is an industry led initiative which has support of the education and training providers in the region. It covers the Mid-West region of Ireland. The primary goal of Explore Engineering is to the increase the quality and quantity of engineering talent (apprentices, technicians and engineers) available in the region. The annual showcase is a key event to highlight the array of opportunities within the sector. Eimear was thrilled to learn he had won a grand prize.

“We are delighted to announce the winners of our competition” said Sarah Noonan, Guidance Counsellor with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board “We had a great turnout at the event and we are pleased to announce our competition winners, we would like to thank everyone who attended and took part in the competition and helped the make the showcase event such a success.”

The showcase continues to be an annual event and demonstrates the collaboration between industry and education providers in providing information on career paths to engineering. For more information, contact Sarah Noonan of the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board by e-mail: sarah.noonan@lcetb.ie or call 061-578100.

TUS Social Care Work programmes approved by CORU

All Social Care Work programmes at Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) have been approved by CORU, the national multi-profession health regulator, writes Elaine Tubridy

This ensures that the university’s social care graduates will be eligible for registration with the new Social Care Workers Register which comes into being this November.

Social Care Work is in the process of becoming a regulated profession for the first time. The title Social Care Worker will become a protected title and can only be used by persons registered with the Social Care Workers Registration Board. As a result of graduating with a

CORU approved degree, TUS Social Care Work graduates can apply for entry to the Social Care Workers Register, becoming registered Social Care Workers.

Welcoming the approval of all TUS Social Care Work programmes President of TUS Professor Vincent Cunnane said, “Social Care Workers have always been frontline workers and were essential personnel during the pandemic. It is only fitting that this profession is now recognised through the Social Care Workers Register. However, as with any profession professional standards must be set and adhered to, and TUS is proud to be at the forefront of training Social Care Workers to these

high standards. CORU approval also recognises the quality of education our social care graduates have received, which is a further seal of approval of our legacy as well as our future potential in this important area.”

Dr Maura Clancy, Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, TUS Midwest said, “This is an essential and worthy pronouncement for TUS Social Care Work programmes. It is a proud day for all concerned, an affirmation of the standard of education on offer and the quality of our TUS Social Care work graduates. It secures the provision of high caliber employees for the health and social care sector in

the wide region we serve. TUS delivers CORU-approved Social Care Work programmes on its Ennis, Thurles, Moylish and Athlone campuses.

Dr Clancy added, “This approval is great news for our students, our graduates and our programmes. Social Care work involves working with the most vulnerable people in our society, it is right and fitting that our graduates will have professional recognition as they traverse their social care work careers. The need to continue and grow the pipeline of social care workers is well documented. For example, in the period between 2015 and 2019, TUSLA experienced a 30% increase in re-

ferrals, but only a 1% increase in the social care workforce.”

Commenting on the announcement, Dr Melinda Gushwa, Head of Department, Applied Social Sciences at TUS said, “Social care workers hold the fabric of society together. They hear those who have not been heard, they care for those who have not been seen and give voice to the voiceless. With CORU approval, our students are now eligible to move forward with title recognition. TUS graduates have been leading the way in social care work in the region for more than 20 years. It’s exciting to see the ways in which our next generation of graduates will make their impact on the profession.”

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.

• HERITAGE OFFICER PANEL, 2023

Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Monday 17th April, 2023.

Application forms and further particulars may be obtained by requesting same from the Human Resources Department, Clare County Council at 065-6846250, via e-mail: recruitment@clarecoco.ie or can be downloaded from the following website: www.clarecoco.ie

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

Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.

Dr Caroline Cullen, Regional Chief Officer, Tusla Mid-West said, “On behalf of Tusla – Child and Family Agency, I wish to extend congratulations to TUS on gaining accreditation of their Social Care Degree with CORU. Social Care work plays an instrumental role in supporting children and families in our society. We look forward to supporting future Social Care workers in their chosen career path and will continue to provide professional social care placements for undergraduates and career opportunities for graduates from TUS in the Mid-West region.”

CORU was set up as the regulator for health and social care professionals under The Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. CORU’s role is to protect the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professionals.

Photo by Brian Arthur

le MACDARA

Ó CONAOLA Macalla an Chláir

An Clár as Gaeilge Teo

Togra Páirtnéireachta Forbairt Teanga Pobail do Chontae an Chláir

Amadán Aibreán!

April Fools’!

DIA dhaoibh a Chairde!

Tá súil agam go bhfuil sibh uilig go maith / Hi everybody. I hope youse are all well. Nach deas fad a fheiceáil ag teacht ar na trathnóntacha / How nice it is to see a stretch in the evenings. Ní fada go mbeidh boladh breá na mbeárbaiciúnna agus an féar nua-ghearrtha

san aer / It won’t be long until we get the lovely smells of barbecues and freshly cut grass in the air. Agus Lá na nAmadán buailte linn, Dé Céadaoin seo chugainn, bígí san airdeall ar ghleacaithe agus iad ag iarraidh amadáin a dhéanamh dhíbh! / With April Fools’ Day upon us, next Wednesday, be aware of tricksters and them wanting to fool youse!

Shannon Airport Group raise €70,000 for charity

Staff at the Shannon Airport Group have come up trumps for two worthy causes after raising €70,000 through a series of charity initiatives. This week, the Group’s Charity Committee proudly handed over €35,000 each to Sláinte an Chláir (Clare Cancer Support) and Children’s Health Foundation. Pictured are (back row) Emily Brown, Aoife

Thought for the week: End racism

Spreading the word of positivity

RONAN SCULLY

Irish classes after Easter – sign up now

AN CLÁR as Gaeilge will commence Irish classes in Cois na hAbhna after Easter, tar éis na Cásca. A 6-week programme at beginners/entry level, or at intermediate/improvers level. Beidh fáilte romhaibh!

To reserve a place and register, please contact us at: Fón:

Imeachtaí/Events:

065-6864474; e-mail/r-phost: anclarasgaeilge@gmail.com

Lean ar na meáin-shóisialta muid ag @ClárAsGaeilge, Twitter, Facebook agus Instagram.

Go dtí an tseachtain seo chugainn, bígí ag caint i nGaeilge le chéile!

• Comóradh Phádraig Ó Cadhla, ag Scoil Náisiúnta Thuaim Gréine, Dé hAoine, 31ú Márta, 10.30 am

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

• Ciorcal Comhrá san XPO, i gCill Iníne Baoith, chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 7.30pm

• Rith le Ruairí, chuile Dé Máirt ag 7.30pm, ag Local Motion, 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, Inis, 11am-12pm

• Scéalta agus Rannta le Chéile, Déardaoin 6ú Aibreán, i Leabharlann DeValera, Inis, ó 11.00 – 11.30am, Saor in aisce / Free of charge

LENT as we know is a time to draw near to the Lord, who is rich in mercy and seeks to heal us of the wounds of sin and division. A sin that continues to wound and divide our society, our country and our world is racism. God made all humanity in his image, and calls for us all to oppose racism of any kind. As the World observed the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recently on March 21 and as the Government launched its national action plan to tackle racism in response to evidence of what the plan describes as “the persistence of racial discrimination across many spheres of life”, myself and my family would like to strongly condemn any form of racism.

SEEN FIRSTHAND

Over the years, I have travelled around our world and our country quite a lot especially with work. In that time, I have seen and heard of many acts of racism committed against coloured people especially black and brown people and people of different ethnic

minorities, from children right up to adults. Now, I have to ask myself a question: As a dad of two amazing beautiful children of colour, why haven’t I done more to try to end this, especially when we as a family have experienced it for ourselves firsthand? We must all stand up for those who are persecuted in our country and in our world. We must listen to those who are harmed and stand with them and protect them. I am moved to hear so many speak of how they need to be more than not racist, but to be actively anti-racist. In a world battling war, hate and ugliness, especially these last few years, we have all realised how much stronger we are, when we work together.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

As your thought for the week, remember that the signs of this time are asking us to wake up, to stand up and to speak up when we see racism. This is how we love our neighbor as ourselves. This is how we act like Jesus. This is how we do justice and love goodness (Micah 6:8). To address racism, we need to recognize two things: that it exists in a variety of forms, some more subtle and others more obvious and that there is something

we can do about it. We must confront the issue with the conviction that in some personal ways we can help to resolve it. The sin of racism is evil and needs to be wiped out. The need to condemn, and combat, the demonic ideologies of white supremacy, neo-Nazism and racism has become especially urgent at this time. Our efforts must be constantly led and accompanied by prayer, but they must also include concrete action and a need to call more and pray more to the Divine Physician, Christ the Lord, to heal the wounds of racism throughout our land and throughout our world. I pray that you the reader will join me in striving for the end of racism in all its forms, that we may walk together humbly with God and with all of our brothers and sisters in a renewed unity.

Let me finish with this personal prayer to end Racism. “Have mercy on me, O Lord. I have blinded my eyes. In spite of the clear evidence of deeply embedded racism all around me, I have looked the other way. Too many have died. Too many have suffered. Too many have been locked out and cast aside. Too many indignities. Too many injustices. And still I looked the other way. Have mercy on me, O

Lord. I have hardened my heart. Believing the lie that people of colour have the same opportunities as whites, I could not allow myself to admit that my life was shaped as much by racism as theirs—mine to benefit and theirs to harm. But it was and it is and it will continue to be. I have cared too little. I have grieved too little. Have mercy on me, O Lord. I have silenced my tongue. My voice has not been raised in prophetic rebuke and anger. My feet have not stepped out for justice alongside those who have more courage than I. And in my silence I am an accomplice to bigotry. Forgive me, O Lord. I have sinned against you and against those who suffer the evil of racism. Indifference has smothered my soul and snuffed out fleeting impulses for reconciliation. I ask for your forgiveness and I will appropriately seek their forgiveness. Empower me, O Lord. I need your strength to step beyond blindness, indifference and fear; to step toward those whom I have sinned against. I make no grandiose promises or plans today for I know how easily these can be made and forgotten. But this I know. I cannot be the same. And I will not. Amen!

McLoughlin, Tim Ryan, Pamela Brooks, Melissa Lalor, Arek Gdulinski with (front row) Rita Meehan, Chair of Sláinte an Chláir Theresa Murrihy, Corporate Partnerships Executive of Children’s Health Foundation Oisin Fahy and Deirdre Whitney

Photo by Brian Arthur

l Joker

Wondering what’s within Beckman Coulter? Take a closer look

LOCATED at Lismeehan, O’Callaghan’s Mills, Beckman Coulter employs more than 550 people, making it one of the largest employers in the region.

The site at Lismeehan was constructed in 1987, but for more than 80 years Beckman Coulter Diagnostics has been dedicated to advancing and optimizing the laboratory to move science and healthcare forward - Beckman Coulter is building a culture that celebrates backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of all our associates. This is a company that is invested in its people, providing opportunities to build a meaningful career, be creative, and try new things with the support they need to be successful.

Part of the Fortune 500 listed Danaher Corporation headquartered in California, it is a diagnostics company whose products are found in hospitals, laboratories and GP surgeries worldwide. The company’s vision is to relentlessly reimagine healthcare, one diagnosis at a time and it is very proud of its contribution to the Irish economy nationally, regionally and more locally in East Clare.

Joan Russell is a Senior Operations Manager, originally commencing with the company in 2007 as a Manufacturing Biochemist, Joan progressed through various roles in Manufacturing and Technical Operations before moving to her current role where she is

responsible for the Immunoassay (IA) Value Stream in Clare.

Joan is passionate about people and enjoys working in an innovative business where people can come to work being their authentic selves. Having recently joined a Panel Discussion hosted onsite at Beckman Coulter, Joan shared her favourite quote from Henry Ford “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right,”.

“It’s all about mindset. Having a positive outlook determines how your day goes. If you get out of bed thinking it’s not going to be a good day, it won’t be and vice versa, if you get up thinking it’s going to be a great day, it will be. We are so fortunate to have so many positive minded people working in my team and in the broader Beckman Coulter family” said Joan.

Beckman Coulter has a vibrant DE&I Committee onsite, who recently hosted Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrating all things Irish through music, dance and song. The company is fortunate to have many talented musicians and stepping up to provide entertainment were Mike Minihan, Claire Murray, Noretta Clifford, Anne Marie Cahir, Rachael McNamara, Lourda Killeen and Marguerite Deignan stepped up the mark performing. No doubt they were spirited on by enthusiastic DE&I Committee members Amelia Molloy, Bushra Ali and Keith Lynch. As part of the cele-

brations, over €1,700 was raised through employee donations for Jersey Day in aid of the Irish Motor Neurone Association, a charity near and dear to employees’ hearts.

The company recently announced a new policy to support staff undergoing fertility treatment. The measure, which extends to staff whose partners are undergoing fertility treatment, is available to all employees (male and female) and provides up to five days paid leave a year.

Tom Finnegan is Senior Manager, Engineering with responsibility for Engineering, Facilities and EHS. As part of Tom’s remit, he has an ongoing focus on sustainability. With a vision to advance healthcare for everyone, Beckman Coulter’s commitment to ‘Cohabiting with the environment’ with a fourpronged initiative centred on, water optimisation, renewable energy, Co2 emission reduction, and environmental practices, saw it stand out to win the Sustainable Medtech Company of the Year Award at the Irish Medtech Association’s Awards in 2022. The Company was also name with the Best Talent Strategy in Medtech.

Tom Finnegan is very proud of hist team’s commitment to supporting sustainability initiatives onsite, “We are fortunate to have a really unique site, situated on an 80-hectare farm. We have many sustainable initiatives embedded over the years such as woodchip burners supplying heat to the building, sourced from our own forestry, a wormery for waste water & effluent treatment, bee-hives located adjacent to sycamore and horse chestnut trees for spring pollen and a wild flower meadow which is currently being re-planted”.

In the same year, Beckman Coulter won the Most Effective Employee Engagement Strategy at the HR and Leadership Awards 2022 at Clontarf Castle.

David O’Sullivan, Senior Director and Site Lead said: “We have a hugely talented, diverse and highly engaged team here in Clare. The ongoing investment in the site is a great endorsement from Danaher in what we are doing here. We are driven to relentlessly reimagine

healthcare through development and launch of innovative technologies and diagnostic R&D and manufacture, an example of this is the work we are doing on our Blood Virus Project where we are launching an initial panel of 12 assays. These initiatives require our employees to have a high degree of skill and experience to actively contribute to the development process, problem solving and lead in all aspects of their projects.

The focus is now very firmly on

the future and consolidating the company’s position as a key employer in the Mid-West region, with the offer of great career progression opportunities.

There are currently open opportunities for Science, IT, Manufacturing and Operations, Supply Chain and Logistics, Quality and Regulatory Affairs.

Visit the Danaher website https:// jobs.danaher.com/ to search for jobs available in Ireland with Beckman Coulter Diagnostics.

POP UP Gaeltacht: (left to right): Michelle Harris, Mike Minihan, Deirdre Lawless, Noretta Clifford, Marguerite Deignan

(left to right): Claire McInerney, Anne Marie Cahir, Mike Minihan, Noretta Clifford, Amelia Molloy, Rachael McNamara

Joan Russell: Senior Manager, Production Operations (IA Value Stream)

Powering potential from Ireland’s midwest

TTM Healthcare Solutions is Ireland’s leading healthcare solutions specialist on a unique journey of growth, development, and success. Since 2002 we’ve been changing the face of healthcare recruitment with a true focus on people and their potential.

Through our ‘never stand still’ approach we’re meeting our clients’ evolving needs in dynamic and innovative ways, while our unique culture means we’re recognised as a company that people want to be a part of, and which invests in each person’s own growth journey. We’re proud to be building a distinctive and compelling story here in the West of Ireland - home-grown, world-class and globally-recognised.

A GLOBAL SUCCESS STORY

TTM was founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Brian Crowley with the phone book, a telephone, and a mission to ‘Enhance the Quality of People’s. In 2022 we celebrated our 20th year in business, and today we are globally recognised as a leading provider of specialist healthcare solutions serving the public, private and voluntary sectors. We cover all grades and specialties, from doctors to healthcare assistants - and we send 3,200 healthcare professionals to work in flexible frontline and support service roles every week. We also place 3,600 permanent roles annually and employ 140 people from our HQ in Ennis, with offices in Dublin, Manchester, South Africa, India and the Philippines.

ALWAYS EVOLVING

Our deep sectoral knowledge of healthcare means we understand the unique challenges our customers face and how we can make a difference. More than ever, our partners are focused on developing smarter processes to deliver better patient and service-user outcomes. So as our partners’ needs have grown more complex, we have reimagined our business model and

expanded our services to suit. Far from being a ‘recruitment partner’, we have diversified to include:

• Healthcare Workforce Solutions - traditional and project-based recruitment services for short-term, contract and permanent talent.

• International Workforce Solutions - providing a gateway to a wealth of talent from abroad.

• Healthcare Process Outsourcing (HPO) - supporting our partners’ internal processes and teams to help them become more agile, responding to changing requirements at speed.

‘Our deep market insights and our ability to make the complex simpler, allows us to create tailored solutions to support our partners internal processes and teams. We have added value to the core of our recruitment business by getting ahead of customer and candidates’ needs - innovating and driving evolution.’

Paula McDonnell – TTM CEO A PEOPLE-DRIVEN CULTURE TTM is more than a company, it’s an energy felt when you walk through the door. A key ingredient to this is our unique people-driven culture which focuses on employee growth and opportunity. We are committed to helping every TTM team member ‘Realise their Potential’ and believe that if a person is in the right place, with the right support, training and career planning - potential can be unlocked and unlimited. Our numbers back this up:

• 24% of our people received promotions in 2022.

• 77% of our leadership team comes from within.

• 56% of our current internal workforce has been with us for three years or more, and 36% for five or more years.

• 50% of our leadership team is women, and of this number, 78% are working mothers.

So, how do we nurture growth?

We Develop Personalised Progression Paths and Learning Plans

We look after, promote, and progress our own staff through strong career planning and achievement recognition. We collaborate with each person to make sure they have a clear progression path within the business, supported by a Personal Learning Plan. Our people always know what the next goal is.

We Provide World-Class Training and Coaching

Every team member knows that if they are invested and committed – we will give them all the support they need to progress. Ranging from sales and technical skills training to behavioural development coaching, our training programmes are world class, while we also focus on leadership development to actively create our future business leaders.

We Pay for Degree Studies

We support and pay for team members to study for the new BA (Hons) Degree in Recruitment Practice. Introduced by the Employment and Recruitment Fed-

eration (ERF) in partnership with the National College of Ireland, this degree course gives important new recognition to recruitment as a career.

HARNESSING INTERNATIONALISATION AND TECHNOLOGY

As we have diversified our solutions, so have we invested significantly in technology. In 2022 we acquired ROTA - the Workforce Management platform that connects our work force with shifts. To leverage international scale, we acquired a majority stake in leading international workforce solutions provider MMA Healthcare Resourcing.

SUSTAINABILITY IN ACTION

Our company is committed to a vision of 3X10X: to be THREE Times the Size, with TEN Times the Positive Impact. We are ONLY interested in sustainable growth and our goal is always to be purposeful, commercially sound, AND positively impactful.

In 2022 we were the first company in our sector to be awarded the Social Value Quality Mark Level 1 from Social Value Quality Mark CIC. This underscores our standing as a values-led business and reflects our determination to work with employees, partners, talent, and broader community to deliver bestin-class solutions that demonstrate Social Value at every opportunity.

We have a very active CSR committee which feeds into achieving our positive impact targets and is working on various fundraising events for 2023. This year, we are supporting Ennis Clare Haven and Sláinte An Chláir. Nationally, we support our legacy charities by holding set events each year:

Christmas Jumper Day for CF Ireland, Daffodil Day for Irish Cancer Society and October Breakfast for Breast Cancer Ireland.

To further support sustainability, we have taken membership with Grown Forest - supporting their nature reserve and planting native trees in Ireland for each new person joining our internal team.

We encourage and empower our people to support our sustainability goals with six paid volunteering days annually, to dedicate to a cause of their choice. .

AWARD-WINNING

Our clients and talent know they are working with an award-winning company. In 2022 alone we won the Best Client Service Award and the Most Effective Compliance Operation at the Recruiter Awards. At the Employment and Recruitment Federation (ERF) Awards, we won the Large Agency of the Year Award, Best in Practice (Healthcare) Award and Recruitment Consultant of the Year Award - Temporary. We were also awarded Deloitte Best Managed Company status for the eleventh consecutive year.

TTM believes great companies are those who know their purpose, and we’ve stayed true to ours, helping others to ‘Realise Potential’ at every level. In the past year, almost a quarter of our team has either moved up to a more senior position or moved to another internal team to gain experience - reaching new goals, improving their salaries and embracing a wealth of experiences.

“As an organisation in the Midwest, we strongly believe in fostering a culture where people can grow WITHIN the company. We want people to stay, to invest in themselves and in the company, to build successful careers without having to move away.”

Samantha Slattery - Senior HR Business Partner.

Make our success story, yours. If you’re passionate about Realising Potential and want to journey with us, find out more at www.ttmhealthcare.ie/join-our-tribe

Paula McDonnell, CEO of TTM Healthcare Solutions, Ireland’s leading healthcare talent management and healthcare solutions specialist, headquartered in Ennis.

TTM won three esteemed National Recruitment Awards at the Employment and Recruitment Federation of Ireland 2022 Awards. Including the top award for Large Agency of the Year and the prestigious accolade of Best in PracticeHealthcare.

Milestone Anniversaries for Ei in Shannon

60 Years Manufacturing in Shannon, and 35 Years as an Irish Company

Ei Electronics ‘EI’ has been a bedrock in the Shannon Free Zone since the early 1960s, and this year is celebrating key Milestone Anniversaries; 60 Years

Manufacturing in Shannon, and 35 Years as a fully-fledged Irish Company. For anyone not already acquainted with this unique Irish success story, the

Company www.eielectronics.com commands a leadership position globally as a manufacturer of residential fire and carbon monoxide detection products for the residential sector.

Over half a century ago, in 1963, General Electric (USA) established a fledgling Irish manufacturing operation in Shannon; the EI or ‘Emerald Isle’ Company as it was originally known. 25 years later in 1988 following a Management Buyout of GE’s Irish interests in Shannon, led by the then MD, Michael ‘Mick’ Guinee and other members of his team, Ei Electronics as we know it today was born.

Thirty five years on, Guinee goes to great lengths to highlight the role many generations have played in the Ei success story. “Very few Companies have a longevity to equal that of Ei. It is tribute to the resilience and skill of generations of people. As employees we all feel great pride in the continued

success of this Company and its contribution to the region over many years.”

The motivation at the time of the MBO in 1988 was to maintain valuable manufacturing jobs in Shannon, and build a successful and sustainable international business. Although now a global operation, to this day the strategy is to maintain 100% of manufacturing in Shannon. In 2022 a staggering 13 million smoke and carbon monoxide alarms were manufactured on the original site in the SFZ.

Guinee continues; “Our business has grown and evolved significantly over the last 35 years. We now have a global customer base, and we have 1,250 employees worldwide.

That said, we have remained true to our roots, with a culture of long service, integrity and respect for the employee at the heart of everything we do.”

As part of the Anniversary Celebrations, the Management of Ei Electronics has announced plans for an Open Day to be held on September 17th. The Open Day will involve an invitation to all employees - past and present, their families, customers, suppliers, members of the local community, local schools, etc. to

come together and celebrate these milestone anniversaries of Ei’s presence in Shannon.

Commenting further, Co-founder and Operations Director Jim Duignan said, “Our success is a tribute to the dedication of very many people over several decades. We are particularly proud of the fact that over the years we have made a valuable contribution to our local community and this region, making it a better place to live and work for the current and future generations.”

The celebration will be a great occasion to catch up with old friends, view the technology, and meet the people that have made Ei a world leader in its field over 6 decades.

How the Ei Company HQ in Shannon looked in the 1960s.

The iconic new Ei Headquarters Building, opened by Taoiseach Micheál Martin in 2022

The original ‘Class of 1988’ pictured at their 20-year service awards celebration in 2008. 22 of this group are still employed in Ei today.

Minister Coveney opens Digital Manufacturing Ireland, a new world-class facility

MINISTER SIMON COVENEY TD has today, Monday 27th March 2023, officially opened Digital Manufacturing Ireland (DMI). Located in the IDA Ireland National Technology Park in Limerick, DMI is the national centre of excellence designed to support Irish based manufacturers, both multi-national businesses and SMEs, to access, partner and accelerate their adoption of transformative digital technologies and to drive their future competitiveness.

Digital Manufacturing Ireland (DMI) is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

Joining Minister Coveney at the event was IDA’s Interim CEO Mary Buckley and the Board and Management of Digital Manufacturing Ireland, along with members of the manufacturing and business community. DMI boasts a unique technology offering in the form of a fully representative end to end Physical and Digital Production Line with digital twin capabilities designed to provide DMI clients with access to the latest digital technologies, expertise and deployment support in a real-world manufacturing environment. Industry led, and resourced to solve manufacturing industry challenges, DMI will be instrumental in ensuring the future resilience and competitiveness of Irish-based manufacturing.

Speaking at the event, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD said: “I am delighted to join the Digital Manufacturing Ireland Board, IDA Ireland, and industry representatives at the launch today. DMI is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland and will play a pivotal role in advancing the future competitiveness of the manufactur-

ing sector as well as supporting the delivery of Ireland’s Industry 4.0 Strategy 2020 – 2025.

Over 270,000 are employed across MNCs and SMEs in manufacturing in Ireland and are developing and producing world leading products for global supply. As the world’s supply chains continue to be disrupted, competitiveness challenges prevail and international competition for investment intensifies, it has never been more important for Ireland to invest in the future of its core manufacturing capability. Digital Manufacturing

Ireland will support Ireland’s manufacturing base in remaining at the forefront of digital transformation and ensure that Ireland is recognised internationally as having a vibrant, collaborative, competitive and digitally enabled industry base.

This is directly in line with Government’s goal to ensure Ireland remains resilient, competitive and absolutely ready to win the next wave of manufacturing investment”

Mary Buckley, Interim CEO of IDA Ireland said: “Enhancing Ireland’s manufacturing capability is a strategic national priority and a

core component of the transformation agenda within IDA Ireland’s Strategy - Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021-2024. Engaging with industry, we recognise the challenges facing companies as they balance the need to drive competitiveness with the disruption and opportunities around new technologies. DMI will ensure that Irish based manufacturers have access to the infrastructure, technology and skills to help them solve real issues and to kickstart and continue to drive their digital transformation journeys”.

Lionel Alexander, Chairperson of Digital Manufacturing Ireland Board said: “We are delighted to have officially opened our worldclass facility today alongside IDA Ireland and the Irish Government. The manufacturing sector in Ireland, from medtech and biopharma to food and drink and engineering, is a key contributor to Ireland’s economic resilience and ongoing economic success. After the unprecedented global disruption of the last 24-months, now more than ever, it is critical for our manufacturing sector to deploy the new technologies and tools to serve the drive for innovation and ultimately business differentiation.

“We are committed to supporting all manufacturers regardless of their size or level of technological maturity in their transformation journey, right across their manufacturing value chain, through collaborations and partnerships. We will provide a platform to test and create new technologies and use-cases

in an industry environment, but also provide the necessary training and capabilities among the Irish workforce to effectively compete by being digital-first.”

Digital Manufacturing Ireland has also announced a new strategic partnership with global Medical Technologies company Edwards Life Sciences to focus on digital transformation across its sites in Limerick and Clare.

Andrew Walls, Plant General Manager of Edwards LifeSciences in Limerick said, “Edwards Lifesciences is proud to be partnering with Digital Manufacturing Ireland, to support the development and delivery of Edwards digital transformation programme. We will collectively be working across the three pillars of Technology, Human Centric Manufacturing and Supply chain operations in order to advance the digital capabilities of our operations and workforce.”

Digital Manufacturing Ireland, Limerick

Element Six – A jewel in the Shannon Free Zone

Element Six (E6) is a global leader in the design, development and production of synthetic diamond and tungsten carbide super materials and part of the De Beers Group. Having celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in 2021, E6 is no doubt a jewel in the Shannon Free Zone, with an enduring commitment to talent and innovation within the Mid-West region.

Established in 1961, the Element Six facility in Shannon develops and manufactures synthetic diamond solutions that successfully address a variety of technical challenges across different applications.

Element Six’s super material are used in a wide range of areas across multiple industries, including manufacturing and precision machining in the Automotive and Consumer Electronics industries, cutting and drilling in the Oil & Gas industry, and in components for Mining, Road & Wear applications.

Furthermore, E6 leverages the extreme properties of synthetic diamond to open up new possibilities in areas such as quantum optics, acoustics, power transmission, water treatment, thermal management, and sensors.

Over the next three years Element Six

will continue to invest in its cutting-edge, patented technologies across its global sites; this will also pave the way for the Shannon facility’s future, improving its overall operational efficiency and capabilities.

Earlier this year, Element Six appointed Siobhán Duffy as the new CEO for the company. The announcement was received with particular pride by the local Shannon site colleagues, in recognition of the milestone’s importance on several levels: Siobhán is, in fact, the first female and Irish CEO in the 77-year long history of Element Six.

Siobhán joined E6 in 1989 as a Quali-

ty Engineer and over her 30 years in the company, she held a number of senior management positions. Under her stewardship, the Innovation teams at Element Six accelerated the company’s journey towards new applications and technologies, leading to significant milestones in

established industries, as well as important developments in new areas of emerging technologies.

E6’s mission is to deliver competitive advantage through innovation, and as part of its growth journey, new job opportunities are always available across a range of areas, from Engineering, Finance, HR, Customer Service, Supply Chain to Production. For instance, the E6 Engineering teams are constantly striving to enhance the company’s product offering, strengthening its solid patent portfolio, and pioneering new cutting-edge technologies that ultimately deliver better performance and reliability. Some of the

areas our teams focus on include:

• Powder processing

• Freeze granulation.

• Diamond synthesis – High pressure, high temperature method

• Diamond processing

• Laser technology / processing

• Acid treatment

• Product development

• Process transfers

For those interested in joining a dynamic company, offering a variety of rewarding career opportunities, immersed in a vibrant work environment, Element Six is the ideal option to consider.

E6 is proud of its long-standing history in Shannon, a history made of manufacturing excellence and diamond innovation, none of which could be achieved without our passionate, talented teams. In addition to fostering development opportunities at all levels, including apprenticeships, graduate training, studies in STEM, educational assistance, our E6 teams benefit from a range of on-site wellness initiatives, such as Shannon’s own E6 Wellness room and soon to be completed gym.

For further information on current vacancies reach out to Gráinne.Hurley@e6.com

Vitalograph – growing with Ennis

VITALOGRAPH has had a base in Ennis, County Clare since 1974. What started out as a modest outfit, has grown to become the global company you see today. It has expanded its footprint, products, services, and employs a talented workforce of 430 people worldwide, 270 of whom work in Ennis and Limerick, where an office was opened in 2022.

Vitalograph produces medical devices that help clinicians detect, diagnose and manage respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis. The

sumables like BVFs (bacterial viral filters) which provide a critical layer of safety to patients and healthcare professionals during testing. Recently, Vitalograph unveiled its complex respiratory solutions for PFT (pulmonary function testing), aimed at the global secondary care market. In the burgeoning clinical trial side of the business, a team of data analysts are playing a key role in enabling pharmaceutical companies to develop new therapies for chronic cough.

Vitalograph employees have a wide range of skills and experience. We spoke with two of the team in Ennis to find out about their roles and what it is like working at Vitalograph.

Production Operator, Sean Chambers, from Cooraclare is responsible for producing a vital part used in the V-Core flowheads that Vitalograph makes, the Fleisch pneumotachograph.

“I walked through the doors in March 1989. I did three weeks of work through a FÁS course initially. I worked in what was then called the machine shop, where we manufactured everything by hand. It was my first time in a factory. I was awed by the whole setup!”

at Vitalograph is contentment at work. You get to know everyone: engineers, software developers, hardware, production, sales, dough analysts. We’re all feeding into building medical devices that make patients’ lives better.

At Vitalograph, people are supported and encouraged to develop their skills and experience. For many, it is not just a job, but an opportunity to grow in a direction that really excites and motivates them.

R&D and manufacturing facility in Ennis is responsible for Vitalograph’s world-renowned range of spirometers for respiratory function testing, a key indicator of overall good health. Also, it produces con-

“What I do now is I assemble all the Fleisch elements which are in 80% of the devices we produce. I was made permanent in July 1991. All in all, it’s been very good. I’ve made friends along the way. One of the main reasons I like working

One of Vitalograph’s engineering managers, Enda Kelly, from Kilshanny said: “I came in as a Mechanical / Design Engineer. I became Project Manager, then Principal Engineer amongst various other roles over the years. I never joined Vitalograph to get to a certain level; all I wanted to do was design and develop new products that are commercially successful. When I started in 2002, we hadn’t brought out new products for a number of years, but then we invested heavily in R&D and so a lot of new products have come along as a re-

sult. A few years ago, we started to develop our VitaloPFT Series, which is very exciting and very different to what we would have done in the past. It really allows us to get our teeth into something very new.”

For engineering graduates, Enda shared some career advice: “Departments in Vitalograph are getting bigger now so there are opportunities for a wide range of disciplines. Try and get in with smaller MedTech companies like Vitalograph

Thank you

For helping Vitalograph continuously improve the lives of people living with respiratory conditions.

where you’ll get experience and exposure to different sides of engineering. We design everything in-house from initial concept to final product. Industrial design, mechanical, electronic, firmware, software and post engineers - it’s all done here, with the help of our 3D / CAD packages and prototyping facilities. With bigger companies you tend to be doing one job, so you might not have as much creative freedom to problem solve.”

County Clare is home to Vitalograph’s main R&D and manufacturing operations since 1974, and has seen the company grow to become the manufacturer with the largest array of respiratory diagnostic solutions in the world. A talented local workforce and a superbly supportive business environment have been key to enabling Vitalograph’s success. For that, we’d like to thank all our employees, past and present, as well as the local community here in Clare. Together with you, we look forward to the next exciting chapter of our growth in Ireland’s Mid-West.

Sean Chambers Vitalograph

Enda Kelly discusses PFT with Laura Collins and with distributor Anrdeis Shiburi

Shannon Free Zone a global industry leader

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SHANNON MAY NOT BE one of the biggest towns in the world but in an economic development sense, it is truly a giant.

With a population in the region of 10,000, Shannon is considered globally to be a tiny town but it is famous and highly respected in the history of economic development. It is widely considered the first modern ‘special economic zone’ (SEZ).

Its industrial estate known as the Shannon Free Zone is a 2.5km stretch of land that was carved out and given to foreign investors in the late 1950s, an audacious attempt to attract investment in exchange for tax holidays, tariff reductions and other incentives.

One of the key pillars behind its development was Dr Brendan O’Regan, a man ahead of his time who is still regarded as one of the country’s greatest innovators.

Back in the 1940s, most transatlantic flights would arrive in Europe and refuel at Shannon Airport before continuing onto their final destination. Within decades aerospace technology had improved and planes were able to fly longer distances. With the increasing use of jet engines in civilian aircraft,

there was no longer any need to stop in Shannon, and the town was on the brink economic collapse.

O’Regan who established the world’s first duty free shop at Shannon Airport in 1947, infamously said Shannon would have to “pull the airplanes out of the sky”. He then proposed creating a small zone just outside the airport where foreign investors could be free of onerous regulations and taxation from the central government in Dublin.

Companies in the Free Zone were offered tax breaks and exemptions on value-added tax on imported goods and goods used for the production of exports. Corporate taxes were also cut. Grants were offered to companies to support research and development in the zone. Over the years, companies including Zimmer, and subsidiaries of DeBeers, GE, Intel and Lufthansa set up shop there. Despite this influx, the population of Shannon never ballooned as it has in other SEZs around the world, as many skilled workers ended up commuting from nearby cities such as Limerick and Galway.

Setting the Shannon way has been an example for others to follow and it has been heralded as an example behind China’s economic

development.

When Wen Jiabao visited Shannon in 2005, The Guardian reported that it was “like a religious pilgrimage for the then Chinese premier and arguably the world’s second most powerful man. He was the latest in a long line of high-level Chinese dignitaries to come and pay their respects to the site on the west coast of Ireland where they believe China’s rise to superpower status really began”.

In 2019, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, LI Yong told a meeting at Ei Electronics that China’s economic development was inspired by the innovation and enterprise witnessed by delegations visiting Shannon. “Shannon Free Zone holds a special significance in the history of industrial development. It is a place that not only changed the development path of your own region here in Ireland, but many other regions around the world.

The former Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Finance of China stat-

ed that Shannon was the location “where a great turning point in global industrial development occurred, and indeed at a place that was a catalyst for change in my own country”.

O’Regan’s vision indeed left an impact on Yong, “I came across a quote from Mr. O’ Regan which I found very telling. He once said that ‘the needs of the Third World what we now call the developing world are so great and growing at such a pace that we in Ireland cannot be content to rest on what is

being achieved by these methods alone’. I think it says something about the spirit of the Irish people. Having spread his innovations around the world, helping to boost the economies of many countries in need, he was not content to rest, but knew that there was always more that could be done to help. Ireland has always worked with this spirit of determination in its international development aid work and has shown it will continue to do so into the future”.

Helping employees reach their

ing-edge technology, innovation and continuous improvement. The company uses integrated digital and robotic technologies that leverage data, data analytics and artificial intelligence.

THE COMPANY WORLDWIDE

Founded in 1927, Zimmer Biomet is a global medical technology leader with a comprehensive product portfolio designed to maximize mobility and improve health. With over 17,000 people around the world, the company has operations in more than 25 countries and sells products in more than 100 countries.

THE ZIMMER BIOMET MISSION

To alleviate pain and improve the quality of life for people around the world.

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS IN SHANNON

Employing over 800 people in Ireland, the company has two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, located in Shannon, Co Clare and Oranmore, Co Galway, which support the global market. Established in 2008, the Shannon site is now celebrating fifteen years of growth in Ireland with a highly trained workforce living in the surrounding area.

A STORY OF GROWTH AND SUCCESS

The Ireland operations are heavily focused around the use of lead-

“Our team is at the heart of our success,” said David Keane, Site Director, Zimmer Biomet Ireland & UK. “I am proud to say that our operations in Ireland are the standard bearers for the global operations network. We have had a very positive experience of doing business in Ireland. Indeed, we have experienced continued growth in our operations here over the last eighteen months and look to the future with confidence.”

TRANSFORMING PATIENTS’ LIVES

Both Irish sites specialise in manufacturing orthopaedic implants for knee replacements.

Shannon manufactures the femur, one of the three components required for knee replacement surgery with the other two components produced in Galway. Reflecting on the growth of the Ireland operations, Mike O’Malley, Snr Manufacturing Manager said, “It’s great to be part of an organisation, positively impacting so many people’s lives around the world.”

SARAH RADFORD: “THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE AMAZING”

Originally from Clooney, Sarah now lives in Ennis. In September 2020, Sarah decided to join Zimmer Biomet as a Product Builder. At that point, Sarah had already enrolled in a Diploma in Science and Technology at NUI Galway, a broad course, which covered areas such a product development, production, quality and management. She worked while completing her college course part-time and has since continued to study for a degree, which is set to finish this May.

Sarah believes that her technical qualifications helped fast forward her career as she was promoted to a Quality Tech role, just one year after joining. This was followed by yet another promotion in December 2022, when she was appointed Associate Regulatory Affairs Specialist. In this role, Sarah helps manage any changes to medical devices to ensure compliance with standards, while also providing regulatory advice for any team members initiating engineering and production projects.

When asked if she would recommend Zimmer Biomet as a place to work, Sarah is emphatic in her response, pointing to the fact that she has been promoted twice over a two-and-a-half year period. She says, “If you are ambitious and a good worker, you can really advance your career.”

According to Sarah, the benefits and career development opportunities are amazing. She has participated in a wide range of courses, ranging from technical writing, risk management, Lean and Six Sigma in addition to application training in Excel and PowerPoint. Sarah enjoys the gym onsite and regular company events throughout the year, while also referring to her pride in Zimmer Biomet’s work in the community.

The Zimmer Biomet facility in Shannon

Sarah Radford- Assoc Regulatory Affairs Specialist

full potential at Zimmer Biomet

full potential at Zimmer Biomet

STEPHEN MCLOUGHLIN: “EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT”

Originally from Offaly but now living in Shannon, Stephen joined Zimmer Biomet in 2011 as a Manufacturing Operator. With an interest in mechanics, Stephen decided to study aircraft maintenance after leaving school. He had just completed his studies when he heard from friends that Zimmer Biomet was hiring and that it was a great place to work.

For the next five years, Stephen worked in different areas of the Shannon site, gaining invaluable experience across a range of product lines. He was then promoted to Production Technical Lead, where he worked with the company’s MES systems and was responsible for machine maintenance, ensuring that Manufacturing Operators had all the tools they required.

In October 2017, Stephen was once again promoted to Production Supervisor of the Cleanroom, where he now has twenty-six operators and a Technical Lead reporting to him. The clean room washes the manufactured products before they are transferred to the pack room and sealed prior to shipment. Stephen also serves on the Sports and Social Committee and is actively engaged in driving the company’s volunteering and fundraising CSR work in the community.

HELPING EMPLOYEES REACH THEIR POTENTIAL

Zimmer Biomet is committed to helping each and every one of its employees reach their full potential in a supportive and friendly atmosphere with a strong focus on people development and further education.

“While we are constantly looking to attract high calibre candidates across all disciplines, I am delighted to say that many of our employees who joined us at the outset have significantly advanced their careers with us over the last fifteen years,” said Breeda Kissane, Human Resources Director.

In addition to a wealth of on-the-job training opportunities and a mentorship programme, Zimmer Biomet also supports its employees to continue their education at institutions such as the University of Limerick, TUS Midwest, NUI Galway and the Atlantic Technology University Galway & Sligo.

GIVING BACK TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

The company takes a similar, proactive approach to the local community. Zimmer Biomet plays an active role in Shannon Chamber of Commerce and collaborated recently with the Chamber in hosting a Women’s Inspired Network (WIN) event, attended by people from both the company and the broader business community.

As part of the companies guiding principles “Give back to our communities and people in need” the company is committed to giving back to local causes through donations and employee volunteering with a strong focus on building healthy communities, supporting sick children in Ireland, advancing STEM education and raising environmental awareness. Charities supported include Milford Hospice, Galway Hospice and BUMBLEance, a national charity devoted to transporting extremely ill children or children with life limiting illnesses to their hospital appointments.

Zimmer Biomet and its employees also regularly raise funds for charity events such as Daffodil Day and Darkness into Light, while also marking key dates like Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and International Women’s Day in March.

SUITABILITY

Zimmer Biomet is committed to enhancing our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosures over time. As part of this commitment work is currently under way in both the Shannon and Oranmore sites to install over 4,000 solar panels. Both sites are certified to the Environmental Management System ISO 14001:2015 and Occupational Health and Safety System ISO 45001:2018.

MENTORING AT LOCAL SCHOOLS

Likewise, employees are actively involved in giving back to the local community with many volunteering to mentor pupils at local schools through Junior Achievement.

For example, more than 350 children in twelve primary schools across Clare, Galway, Limerick and Tipperary have learned about biodiversity and how to reduce waste, reuse and recycle, thanks to an environmental initiative run by the company as part of the Junior Achievement outreach programme. Under this initiative, dubbed Keen to Keep it Green, the company donated trees and wildflowers and its employees, visited schools to plant trees, wildflowers and run litter clean-ups.

ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME FOR THE CHILDREN OF EMPLOYEEs

In 2021, with the goal of encouraging a new generation to enjoy

According to Stephen, “Every day is different. Over the last twelve years, Zimmer Biomet has given me opportunities above and beyond my wildest expectations. I have completed numerous courses to upskill, ranging from technical content to coaching and interview competency training. With the company’s support, I have completed a BA degree in Management at UL and am currently studying for a Six Sigma Green Belt at Sligo IT. I also enjoy the support of a mentor, who has helped me advance.”

“This is not a job – it’s a career. The benefits are fantastic and you have a massive opportunity to improve people’s lives, advance your career and give back to the local community. Zimmer Biomet has really invested in me and my decision to join has been literally life changing.”

a career in STEAM, Zimmer Biomet launched an annual scholarship award programme focused on supporting the children or dependents of its employees in both Shannon and Galway.

To date, 13 students have benefitted from the programme. In addition to paying third-level fees for the academic year, Zimmer Biomet provides participants with opportunities to participate in a summer placement programme to gain hands-on work experience. The Scholars also enjoy peer groups, mentorship and career workshops.

Congratulating the group at a recent recognition ceremony, David Keane said, “This award programme is designed to identify and nurture young talent. We value our team members and the communities within which we operate. We know that they are an important part of our ongoing success in Ireland. This is about paying it forward and building a strong pipeline of talent for the future.”

A GREAT PLACE TO WORK

Zimmer Biomet is a company that values the well-being of its employees and their families. In addition to an onsite gym, regular draws and an active Sports and Social Club, the company hosts an annual Family Day and

Kiddies’ Christmas Party, where employees are invited to bring their families along to enjoy food and fun activities together.

A REWARDING CAREER

Zimmer Biomet is currently recruiting Product Builders at their Shannon and Oranmore facilities. Previous manufacturing or trade experience, while advantageous, is not essential as full training is provided.

Initially, these are 11-month contracts with Zimmer Biomet’s partner, CareerWise Recruitment. Zimmer Biomet offers a very competitive package once team members are converted.

This is a great opportunity to become part of a company with a heritage of leadership, a focus on the future and a global presence in an exciting and rewarding medical field.

If you are interested in applying for a product builder role please email: productbuilders@careerwise.ie

MEET THE TEAM

Interested in learning more? Come along to our open event on 20th April from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm at the company’s operations, Building 2, Shannon Industrial Estate East. All are welcome!

Michael O’Malley- Snr Manufacturing Manager

David Keane - Site Director, Zimmer Biomet Ireland & UK

LinkedIn Scholarship 2022

Steven Mcloughlin- Production Supervisor

Limerick test a 'reality check'

MUNSTER MINOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Limerick 2-20 Clare 0-22

Venue: TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick

Compiled by Eoin Brennan

MANAGER COMMENT “

Brian O'Connell, Clare:

"It’s best to put it down to experience. Off the back of an impressive opening performance against Tipperary seven days earlier, the reality check of having to chase hosts Limerick for a full hour certainly proved a thoroughly frustrating experience in the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Tuesday evening.

third placed teams playing a semi-final, it kind of gives you scope to have an off-day and we certainly had an off-day today.

STORY OF THE GAME

LIMERICK

Wides: 8 (5/3)

Spread of scorers: 8

Scores from play: 2-10

Top scorer: Darren Collopy (0-10 9f)

REFEREE: Barry Judge (Sligo)

CLARE

Wides: 9 (4/5)

Spread of scorers: 8

Scores from play: 0-14

Top scorer: Marc O’Brien (0-08 7f)

Perversely, Clare’s razor-sharp touch, movement and scoring prowess in atrocious weather against Tipp had rather deserted them when conditions appeared much more ideal, a crucial factor that saw a determined Limerick punish almost every indiscretion whether through indiscipline or poor decision-making.

Loose touches that one might have got away with against lesser opposition were magnified on Tuesday, a harsh lesson for Clare to learn that nothing less than their best will be sufficient to remain in the hunt for provincial silverware.

“We were very flat right throughout the first half and really lucky to only be four points down by [half-time], outlined Manager Brian O’Connell afterwards. "In the second half, we managed to bring it back to a point but that second goal they got kind of killed our momentum a little bit. I said beforehand that the way the championship is modelled with the second and

Despite not reaching anywhere near the heights of the previous week’s display, Clare did manage to hang on to Limerick’s coattails though as they reduced a merited six point gap to just four by the break and even after conceding a second sucker-punch goal in the 36th minute to fall seven in arrears, the Banner arguably produced their best period of the hour to hit seven of the next eight points at 2-14 to 0-19.

"There aren’t too many positives to take from the game but the one major one we’ll take is that attitude they showed in the second half. They really dug deep, we got some fresh legs on that did well such as Harry Doherty and Emmet [Mulcahy] at midfield to make a difference.

“Unfortunately, the damage was really done in the first half. We had our chances but they did manage to keep us at arm’s length.

Having emptied their tank to even get back within striking distance of their hosts, Clare simply couldn’t sustain that level of intensity for the remainder as Limerick fired the next four points to put the result beyond any doubt.

“I thought Limerick were full value for their win, they played very well and will be hard beaten

in this championship. As for ourselves, we have to learn from this. if we can get back hurling the way we know this group can, then hopefully we’ll get another chance and it can be another long year.”

Clare to appeal Fitzgerald suspension

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE GAA are to appeal the decision of the Central Hearings Committee to uphold David Fitzgerald’s proposed one match suspension.

Brian Lohan and his senior hurling management together with County Board officials will make renewed efforts to get Fitzgerald cleared of his one match ban so that he can be available to play in Clare’s opening round of the Munster senior hurling championship against Tip-

perary on April 23rd.

A red card was issued to the Inagh/Kilnamona clubman in the closing stages of Clare’s last outing in the Allianz National Hurling League against Cork. The tie was effectively a dead rubber for the Banner but it could come at some cost if the All Star is not cleared and misses out on what will be a key encounter in their championship bid.

He received a red card from Waterford match official Thomas Walsh following an incident with Cork defender Robert Downey. Walsh reported the UL

graduate for striking with the hand “with minimal force” and a one-match ban was subsequently imposed.

This decision was appealed by Clare GAA to the Central Hearings Committee (CHC) who last week found the infraction to be proven and ruled that Fitzgerald would have to serve the ban and miss the Tipperary clash.

The Clare Echo understands that Clare GAA are to bring their case before the Central Appeals Committee. While there is the possibility that they may

BRIDGE, INAGH-KILNAMONA BEGIN WITH VICTORIES

CLARE CUP ROUND-UP

also uphold the decision, there is also a risk that a lengthier suspension could be dished out.

Prior to Clare’s U20 hurlers taking on Tipperary in Cusack Park, Lohan was involved in discussions with Clare GAA Head of Operations, Deirdre Murphy and they were later joined by highly respected administrator Simon Moroney, the former CEO of Munster Council. Murphy is understood to have made the initial appeal before the CHC.

l Robert O’Farrell knocks Clare captain Eoghan Gunning

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Sixmilebridge’s Shane Golden

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Clare lads 'refused to give in' to salvage late Tipperary draw

MUNSTER U20 HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP, RD1

Clare 0-20 Tipperary 0-20

Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

STORY OF THE GAME

CLARE

Frees for: 11 (6/5)

Wides: 9 (5/4)

Spread of scorers: 9

Scores from play: 0-15

Top scorer: Keith Smyth (005 4f)

Bookings: Niall O’Farrell (36), Keith Smyth (62)

Own puckouts won: 16 from 28 (57%)

Eamonn Stapleton (Limerick)

TIPPERARY:

Frees for: 15 (9/6)

Wides: 8 (2/6)

Spread of scorers: 9

Scores from play: 0-12

Top scorer: Stephen Ferncombe (0-10 8f)

Bookings: Peter McGarry (33), Jack Leamy (63)

Own puckouts won: 19 from 29 (66%)

MANAGER COMMENT “

“We’d be very proud of the way they represented us today and represented the group, they played phases of very good hurling and of course we’re very lucky to get a result at the end.

“The first day out is a voyage of discovery in any competition, a new team, a new competition, challenge matches in reality are Micky Mouse exercises in many ways, you don’t discover what’s under the bonnet until it’s fully tested in a Munster championship match, we’d be delighted with the showings from our players today.

“We found character and lads who were refusing to give in when it was going against them in the second half, they refused to give in when they fell behind in injury time.

“It was déjà vu to last year, we went behind in injury time last year in both rounds of the championship and we were very determined but can you only be determined about it, we wanted to see out the games this year, we asked the players to see out the games in their entirety and in fairness to them they did that. With 34 and a half minutes played, they went behind, four minutes of injury time, Tipperary jumped up and thought they had the victory but we went down the field and equalised.

“It’s a result, we didn’t get results last year, we got performances but we got no result, we got a performance this year and a result with it, it is a starting point. Limerick were victorious by four points so we’re going into the Gaelic Grounds and it’s a great challenge to be facing

for our group, they are Munster champions and are at the top of the tree as regards hurling so we’re looking forward to get in there.

“We went 0-16 0-13 behind in the second half and we were grabbling for air, there was a slight breeze in it and Patrick (Crotty) came through with a few massive scores to keep us alive, in the game, going down the stretch and finally in the end he got a great point to draw the match. Oisin O’Donnell got a great score which was a pure tonic before he was replaced. Niall O’Farrell was on ball from the first minute.

“You’re always hoping for progressions and advancement, it won’t go in a straight line for players, there was huge learnings for the standards of all of our players, there was lads struggling in stages for that match. There’s a huge progression for everybody in our unit coming out of that match today. We will reboot and we will be very happy with them and go again.

“We have a bench, we have a lot of lads who didn’t make the 24 today who are real quality hurlers, don’t be surprised if you see some of those having a big impact in the competition when it goes on in three weeks time, that’s the reality, we have depth and a lot of players of an even standard, that is why it is cutthroat, it’s very hard to make the 24 and you can go throw a blanket over a lot of lads from there up as far as the end of our extended panel, it’s important when people do come on that they make an impact because we expect them to”.

l STRENGTH OF CHARACTER: Oisín O'Donnell fends off the challenge of a Tipperary defender

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Terence Fahy, Clare:

Result 'not important' for Collins

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIV 2, RD 7

Clare 2-18 Limerick 0-09

Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

MANAGER COMMENT “

Colm Collins, Clare:

“It was a disappointing league, we initially started well and played good football without getting results. We had a very disappointing display in the second half against Cork and Derry, it’s nice to get a win on board today and get an opportunity to use players and a lot of them grabbed it to be fair to them.

“The result wasn’t important today, what was important was to give these lads a chance and see how they get on, that was all, the only game we’re thinking about is Cork and that was before today, it’s the most unusual thing in our game to be playing a match and looking towards the next match.

“They are a great crowd of lads and they are very disappointed with the finish of the league, the second half display against Cork and the Derry display was abysmal altogether, they were anxious to get back up and the horse and put up a good display, today they did that.

“There’s no doubt but (the Meath and Kildare games) that’s where we should have got our points, we could quite easily have been coming in today and we wouldn’t have been flattered with having eight points and going for ten today. The game I’d be most sad over, even though the Dublin and

Kildare game were lost with the last play of the game but the Meath game was the one we really should have won but that’s all history now and we’ve to concentrate on championship. There is only one thing that matters now and that is getting a win against Cork.

“It was a terrible run, initially at the start of it you were consoled by the fact we were playing really good football but the last two games that wasn’t the case, against Derry especially it was not good, it’s nice to see them back today and playing the football they are able to play, hopefully we can add that to championship.

“It is what it is. We’ll be playing for every two weeks from now until July I’d say, that’s the way it is and we’ve to get on with it and deal with what’s there. My own feeling is there was nothing wrong with the split season if managers adhered to the two week rule for clubs, I don’t think you had any problems then but this is the way it is now but I think it is a very hard ask, a fella gets an injury now and he could miss two of the most important games of the year because they are compressed down on top of each."

MANAGER COMMENT “

Mark Fitzgerald, Limerick:

“We’ve one or two challenge matches lined up and we’ll await the winner of Clare and Cork.

“It is an exceptionally competitive level when you consider Dublin, Derry and Louth but Clare are up there seven years, you see what they are capable of and they were still relegated which just goes to show the

STORY OF THE GAME

brilliant job they have done.

“We were hoping to end the league on a positive and see where that took us, ultimately it was another game so you don’t have to go looking for another challenge match. We know the quality Clare are at, we’re under no illusions the task ahead of us whether we play Clare or Cork in four weeks' time."

CLARE Frees for: 5 (2/3)

Wides: 7 (3/4)

Spread of scorers: 8

Scores from play: 2-16

Top scorer: Mark McInerney (1-03 1f)

Bookings: Aaron Griffin (42),

Own kickouts won: 17 from 22 (77%

REFEREE: Barry Judge (Sligo)

LIMERICK

Frees for: 6 (4/2)

Wides: 13 (6/7)

Spread of scorers: 4

Scores from play: 0-07

Top scorer: James Naughton (0-05 2f)

Black Card: Peter Nash (71)

Red Card: Adrian Enright (48)

Own kickouts won: 21 from 27 (77%)

O'Dea to miss Munster quarter-final

CIAN O’DEA is to miss Clare’s potentially season defining Munster senior football quarter-final against Cork, writes Páraic McMahon Having suffered relegation to Division 3 of the Allianz National Football League, Clare’s footballers need to advance to the Munster Final if they are to compete in this year’s All-Ireland senior football championship, failure to do so will see them line out in the Tailteann Cup.

Clare welcome Cork to Cusack Park on April 9th with the winner setting up a Munster semi-final clash with Limerick a fortnight later. The Leesiders enjoyed a 3-10 1-08 when the counties met in round five of the National Football League on March 5th which was also the day when O’Dea was forced off with injury.

On that occasion, O’Dea tore ligaments in the back of his knee

which led to him being aided off the field by team doctor, Connolly native Dr Claire McMahon and Ennis based neuro muscular therapist Conor Stack.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Clare manager Colm Collins confirmed they will not be able to call on the Kilfenora defender for the crunch tie with Cork. “The only one definitely out is Cian O’Dea, he’s ligaments torn in the back of his knee so he is definitely going to be out”.

An away trip to Derry this month marked the first time that O’Dea was omitted from the starting Clare in the National Football League since he made his championship debut in 2016. For the seven seasons that the Banner County consolidated their status in Division 2, Cian was a central figure and one of the side’s top performers.

His absence from the half-back

line will come as a blow given the influence of the Éire Óg hurler in launching Clare counter-at-

tacks. Ciaran Russell’s showing at the weekend may tempt management to trial the Garda in a simi-

lar attacking half-back role for the championship.

Corofin’s Jamie Malone normally a regular in the county’s half-forward line, impressed at centre back in Clare’s facile final round win over Limerick on Sunday and certainly put his hand up for inclusion in this line of the field for the Cork game.

Cillian Rouine’s return from injury also provides another option to Collins and his management in defence where Cillian Brennan will wear number three.

Dermot Coughlan who started in all but one game for Clare during the Allianz NFL was wearing a protective boot in Cusack Park on Sunday while midfielder Darren O’Neill has been sidelined with a broken thumb which he sustained in the first round against Louth.

Collins told The Clare Echo that the duo will be available for selection for the Munster quarter-final.

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

l CONVINCING VICTORY: Ikem Ugwueru sidesteps his way out of the Clare defence

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

'Clare stood up to Dublin test'

VERY IRISH NATIONAL CAMOGIE LEAGUE

Clare 1-10 Dublin 1-10

Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

Compiled by Seamus Hayes

STORY OF THE GAME

CLARE

Frees For: 23 (10/13)

Wides: 8 (6/2)

Scores from play: 1-2

Spread of scorers: 5

Top scorer: Lorna McNamara (0-07 7f)

Bookings: Niamh O’Dea (26)

DUBLIN

Frees For: 12 (6/6)

Wides: 6 (2/4)

Scores from play: 1-5

Spread of scorers: 3

Top scorer: Aisling O’Neill (1-04 1f)

Bookings: Katie Kilcommins (52) Eve O’Brien (61)

REFEREE: John Dermody (Westmeath)

MANAGER COMMENT “

“We needed a performance after last week. Let’s be honest Dublin are probably ranked five in the country going on last year’s championship performances and we are ranked down at 11 or 12. At the start of this year’s league campaign we would have been everybody’s favourite for the drop. We always knew it was going to come down to this game. Dublin are a good side and Aisling O’Neill is one of the top players in the country as you saw there today. In fairness to Susan Daly, she did a good job and she stuck to her task.

“We are delighted with the character shown by the girls. We went ahead and Dublin came back and scored a goal and a point. We could have buckled but we didn’t. I thought we finished strong and we held on by the skin of our teeth but we held on. It’s great now to be looking forward to Division 1 camogie again next year against the top sides in the country. We need to be in this mix more often. We have had an up and down league, we are not going to hide away from it. We blooded a lot of players and we strengthened the panel.

“Our number one goal at the start of the year was to stay in this division. Our next goal and our focus now is on

the game against Limerick in the Munster championship semi-final. We want to be in Thurles on May 14 in the Munster final. We have work to do but the girls are going to do the work and we will have a cut off it. We were tested mentally today and we stood up to it, that’s the pleasing thing. The mental side of it is huge. I said to the girls before

we started today that this is what we are going to face for the rest of the year now, do or die games where you are going to have to eek out a result.

“Today will stand to us. There were loads of mistakes in the game and there is a huge amount we have to work on but we finished strong."

John Carmody, Clare:

l TIGHT BATTLE: Becky Foley under pressure to get the sliotar away

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Ladies qualify for league final and keep promotion bid alive

LADIES NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 3

Clare 7-15 Longford 2-03 Venue: Emmet Park, Killoe by Páraic McMahon

CLARE’S LADIES FOOTBALLERS have qualified for the Division 3 National League final and are sixty minutes away from promotion.

Kildare stand in Clare’s way of securing promotion to Division 2 with their return of seven goals seeing them storm through the challenge of Longford on Sunday.

Prior to the game, Wayne Freeman’s side were situated in fourth spot on the table, they produced a very clinical display which not alone pushed them into the league final but also relegated Longford.

Dominant in attack and defence, Clare kept their opponents scoreless for the entire opening half and had built up a tally of 5-06. Aisling Reidy raided for the first goal within two minutes with Áine Keane, Chloe Moloney, Fidelma Marrinan and Lizzy Roche also raising green flags.

Cliodhna Blake and Eimear Keane scored the goals for Clare

in the second half and they were denied two more with Longford keeper Riane McGrath producing a couple of fine saves. Longford were reduced to 14 players when Katie Crawford received a sin-bin yellow card in the 55th minute

CLARE: Amy Lenihan, Aine Keane, Siofra Ni Chonaill, Grainne Harvey, Louise Griffin, Caoimhe Harvey, Sinead Considine, Aisling Reidy, Chloe Moloney, Eimear Keane, Fidelma Marrinan, Amy Sexton, Lizzy Roche, Cliodhna Blake, Ciara McCarthy.

Subs used: Orla Devitt, Megan Downes and Emma Healy.

LONGFORD: Ruth Jones, Shauna McCormack, Grace Kenny, Emma Doris, Caoimhe McCormack, Maria Kelleher, Hannah Glennon, Grace Shannon (1-1), Ella O’Reilly, Caoimhe Lohan, Katelyn McKeon, Clodagh Lohan, Edel Sheehy, Ella Duggan, Ellie Lynn.

Subs:- Riane McGrath for R Jones (halftime), Kate Shannon (0-2, frees) for E Sheehy (half-time), Teni Alaba for G Kenny (half-time), Katie Crawford for K McKeon (half-time), Aisling Cosgrove (1-0, penalty) for E Duggan (half-time), Aoife O’Brien for E Lynn (half-time), Ellen Byrne for Shauna McCormack (40 mins).

Senan's claim spoils over Ennis in Junior Plate derby

St Senan’s RFC 20

Ennis RFC 13

Venue: Jimmy Slattery Park, Shannon ST SENAN’S earned the bragging rights in the local derby with Ennis RFC on Sunday but more importantly secured a place in the Munster Junior Plate final.

Declan Rowe led the way for St Senan’s contributing all but one score for the Shannon side as they produced a strong second half to see off Ennis RFC with a spirited display.

Rowe slotted over a penalty with ten minutes gone to settle the

hosts. He helped them into a state of euphoria when getting over the line for the first try of the contest and slotting the conversion inside the opening 20 minutes.

Ennis regrouped and found themselves on level terms by the halftime whistle. Captain Cian Guilfoyle

Munster outing for Lisdoonvarna

capitalised for their only try of the afternoon with the subsequent conversion from Oisin Mangan splitting the posts.

Mangan stepped up with a penalty to level matters and keep both sides on equal terms as they retreated to the solitude of the dressing rooms at half-time.

When the need was greatest, St Senan’s could count on their experienced players with Rowe continuing to set the way while hooker Fearghal Lawlor got over for what would become the all-important try, this and Rowe’s conversion ultimately is what separated the sides.

Scorers St Senan’s RFC:

Tries: Declan Rowe x1, Fearghal Lawlor x1

Conversions: Declan Rowe x2

Penalties: Declan Rowe x2

Scorers Ennis RFC:

Tries: Cian Guilfoyle x1

Conversion: Oisin Mangan x1

Penalties: Oisin Mangan x2

St Senan’s RFC: St Senan’s RFC: Craig Riordan, Conor Ferns, Brian Collins, Aidan McMahon, Darragh McCoy, Declan Rowe, Jordan Duggan, David Webb, Fearghal Lawlor, Stephen McMahon, Niall Mallon, Féidhlim Barry, Wellies, Declan Collins, Ruan Rooker. Ennis RFC: Colm Kearney, Cian Guilfoyle, David Reynolds, Ben Quinn, Jack Scahill, Oisin Mangan, Calum Barrett, Ruairí Quinlan, Brendan Cleland, Frank Coffey, Matt Mc- Namara, Cormac Browne, Osgár Ó Gormáin, MJ Malone, David Flynn. Subs: Oisin Madigan for Calum Barret, Ciaran McManus for Malone, Enda Galvin for Coffey

paraic@clareecho.ie

l Lizzy Roche in action for Clare

Burren Eye Photography

l Youngsters from Lisdoonvarna RFC's U11s line out at Thomond Park at half time of the Munster v Glasgow Warriors game on Saturday

l Declan Rowe kicked two conversions and two penalties for Senans Photo by Joe Buckley

Newmarket keen to embrace FAI Junior Cup semi-final as they sweat on injuries

A MOMENTOUS occassion for Clare soccer awaits this weekend with the hosting of the FAI Junior Cup semi-final with Newmarket Celtic hopeful the entire county will be in their corner.

Newmarket Celtic will use Frank Healy Park as their home setting this Sunday when they welcome Ballynanty Rovers across the border.

The county grounds hosts the tie as McDonough Memorial Park did not meet all the FAI’s criteria required to act as the venue for the last four clash.

It’s five years since Celtic reached this stage of the competition, they lost out to Pike Rovers with Ennis duo Steven McGann and Paddy O’Malley lined out for the Limerick club.

Within the Newmarket ranks, Shane Cusack, David McCarthy, Eoin Hayes and Stephen Kelly are the survivors while both Paddy Purcell and Eoin O’Brien who started in defence on that occasion have moved into management.

Up to four Celtic players are understood to be major doubts for the clash with Ballynanty, their fitness is going to be closely monitored up until Sunday’s kickoff time of 2pm.

Purcell confirmed that they are monitoring injuries and will be holding off on naming their starting eleven as a result.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the county’s Oscar Traynor winning captain outlined the test they are expecting from their Limerick opponents on Sunday. “We know their calibre, we’ve watched them a few times, we know a lot of their players from over the years, they are a good experienced team with young players coming through, they are playing in competitive league so we’re under no illusions as to the task we’re facing this weekend”.

Balla have the final of the FAI Junior Cip on three previous occasions, losing to Whitehall Rangers (1976), St Francis (1982) and St Michael’s (2014).

Managed by Dave Dunphy, they advanced to the semi-finals this season after defeating Killarney Celtic on penalties (5-4).

Embracing the occasion is key according to Purcell. “We’re hoping that people come out and support us and Clare soccer, it’s home advantage in terms of being in the county, we play in Frank Healy Park a few times a season all going well, what you want is a good support for us and the group and a lot of supporters to make it a good occasion to represent the county in terms of playing in an FAI semi-final.

"We’d be hoping for an atmosphere similar to the quarter-final, people showing up to support us is what makes people want to play the game”.

GOLF: Winter league concludes at East Clare

by Seamus Hayes

sports reporter

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB

The Winter league at East Clare concluded last week with victory going to Team A with 182 points. The members of the winning team are Martin, Barney and Mark McInerney, Colm Kelly, Mary Farrell and Breda Reid.

Team F comprising Teddy O’Hanlon, Duffy, John G. Doyle, Sean Kelliher, Noreen Doyle and Ursula Hogan won the shield with 177 points.

The novice winners with 172 points were team 1 which included Kieran Kennedy, Tony Duggan, Damien Keniry, Martin Breen, Helen Downey and Helen Ahern.

Winners of the ladies Wednesday competition on March 22 were Joan Kinsella, Connie McKenna and Mary Brennan from Mary Farrell, Mary Stack and Eileen Donnellan with third place filled by

Kay Grimes, Breda Reid and Phil Burke.

The Clare Haven team of three 14 hole scramble was won by Eileen Donnellan, Joan Kinsella and Siobhan Shanahan from Marie Donnellan, Tricia Nash and Eileen Donnellan with third spot filled by Noreen Doyle, Helen Downey and Margaret Lynch.

The last Friday morning scramble will take place on this Friday, March 31 at 10am.

East Clare Ladies club are having an Easter Open Team of 3 from April 7 to 10. (Good Friday to Easter Monday). Mixed, Ladies and Men's teams are welcome and to book a tee time phone 061-921322

Last week’s senior men’s competition at East Clare was won by Ger Shortt, Chris Davis and Kevin Wallis. In second place were Pat McNamara, Nick Ryan and Terry Coughlan with third spot filled by Michael Moloney, Willie Roche and John Nihill

WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB:

The Spring league continued at the weekend when the format was a modified team of four played over 15 holes.

The winners with 83 points were Ray, Edward and Stephen Casey and Frank McEnery and they are the current league leaders, eight points ahead of their nearest challengers They had three to spare over Ross and Jack Darmody, Colm O'Callaghan and John Brennan with Paddy Meehan, Richard Pyne, Brian Kilker and Eugene Conroy, also with 80 points, in third place.

The league continues this weekend when the format will be singles. On completion of this competition the semi-final lineup will be finalised when first will play fourth and second will play third in a matchplay format consisting of 1 pairing of foursomes and 1 pairing of fourball betterball. The Foursomes will play first followed by

the fourball betterball. All matches must complete 18 holes as aggregate scoring will be used. In the event of a tie the fourball will continue until a result is reached.

The club singles competition at Woodstock at the weekend was played over 15 holes and was won by Padraig O’Connor with 35 points. Adrian Kearney was second with 33 points followed by Tom O’Donoghue with 32 points There will also be a club singles this weekeend.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB: Michael Shannon Senior (17) was the winner of the weekend singles at Kilrush with 29 points. He had two to spare over Sean Moran (15) with Dominic Enright (9) a point further back in third spot with 26 points which was also the total returned by Eoin Fitzgerald (9) and Brian Scanlan (6).

DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB: Dermot O'Neill with 44 points

was the winner of the singles competition at Dromoland at the weekend. He had three to spare over Tom O’Sullivan with Denis Mulqueen, also with 41 points, in third spot. Adam Merriman was next with 40 points while David O’Brien won the gross with 35 points.

The Winter league was won by Brian Arthur, John McDermott, John O'Neill and John Canny from Willie Fuller, Paul English, John Murphy and James Purcell.

In third place were Ryan Enright, Ben O'Halloran, Shane Ryan and Darragh McCoy followed by Enda Finnucane, David Browne, Damien Finnerty and Cathal Turner.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB:

The winner of the men’s singles at Ennis at the weekend was John McInerney with 44 points from Oliver O’Loughlin with 41, Philip Brigdale with 40 and Tommy Stack with 39.

Ronan Herbert won the gross with 32 points while Mark Geraghty

with 37 points won division 1, Damian Pilkington with 39 points won division 2 and Con Daly with 39 points won division 3.

The winner of the Lions and Cubs outing at Ennis last Wednesday were Claire Kennelly, Pat Leacy and Mary McMahon with 44.

In last week’s senior ladies competition the winners were Betty O'Reilly, Mary McMahon and Bernie Brooks from Mary Glynn, Joan Murphy, Margaret Flanagan and Ann White.

GORT GOLF CLUB:

The competition at Gort at the weekend was an 18 hole singles stableford and David Quirke (2) won category 1 with 41 points.

The category 2 winner was Stephen Dervan (14) with 38 points, Tom Coatello (19) won category 3 with 44 points and Cyril Doherty (23)) was the category 4 winner with 47 points.

l Newmarket Celtic goalkeeper Shane Cusack

Photo by Oliver Fitzpatrick

Lahinch NS claims Marion Keane title

LAHINCH National School captured their first Marion Keane primary school girls basketball title this week, writes Páraic McMahon

A thrilling one point victory saw Lahinch NS dethrone reigning champions Knockanean National School.

In what was an entertaining contest held on Tuesday morning, Knockanean led all the way until the final seconds where they pipped from the free throw line by an outstanding basket from Elodie Blount.

Inagh National School hosted the tournament which is now in its nineteenth year.

At the semi-final stage, Lahinch defeated Kilkishen N.S. whilst Knockanean accounted for Lissycasey N.S.

Melissa Callinan from Lahinch was chosen as the tournament MVP and received a presentation from competition coordinator, Tanya Carroll.

Proceedings concluded on the day with Marion's dad, Dan, presenting the cup to Lahinch captain, Ava Linnane.

WEAR YOUR JERSEY & GO GREYHOUND RACING

Dillon Quirke Foundation

Opening round of Con & Annie Kirby gets underway

by MICHAEL MAHER

THE eagerly anticipated opening round of the 2023 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial took centre stage at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday Night last and it certainly didn’t disappoint with a number of top-class performances on show.

This was the tenth hosting of the Con and Anne Kirby Memorial Stake at the Track with 72 greyhounds starting in the first round on the night for what is one of the world’s richest juvenile events in the world.

What makes this prestigious contest that is kindly sponsored by JP and Nooreen McManus unique is its partnership with Limerick GAA and the prize fund that the McManus family have put in place for the GAA clubs of Limerick, each of the starting greyhounds will be allocated a nominated hurling, football, camogie, ladies football or handball team and the overall winning greyhound will earn its club a jackpot of €10,000.

A twelve race card greeted patrons at the same venue on Thursday night last where there was further training success for Myles Cummins of Newmarket-on-Fergus, he recorded a quick fire double with litter brothers Two Pints and Snuggie Jasper. Owned by the Duggan brothers from Quin, Seamus and Aiden, Two Pints who is a son of Paddys Magic and Miles Girl, recorded a personal best to land a sixth career win in 29.03, Snuggie Jasper finished strongly in an A2 contest to land the spoils in 29.32 to record his fourth career success.

The opening contest of the evening went to Malabar Jack for the Clarecastle pairing of Terry Moloney and young Damien Reidy who recorded his first career win, a son of Ballymac Anton and Cabra Laura, he finished well to claim the honours in 29.74.

Portdrine Magic made no mistake for Cratloe’s Liam Carroll with a 29.33 victory for an A3 contest, this was this son of Clonbrien Hero and Clona Lass third career win.

The journey back to Cooraclare was a

sweet one of Ann and John Carey after Gower Pam entered the winners enclosure for a seventh time with her 29.91 victory, Pam is a daughter of Droopys Roddick and Clounanna Pam.

Last Thursday night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium was headlined by the A2 garden ninth contest over 525 yards and from traps Mounvoor Lad led in the centre of the track and racing towards the opening bend he led form Pats Angela. The contest was in little doubt form an early stage as the Damien & Gary Pepper of Feakle owned Astro Kevin(Droopys Roddick-Teecee Clipper) made all to defeat Annadown Loki by five and a half lengths in 29.36. The winner trapped well in company with Annadown Loki and Larchill Echo but rounding the opening bend the winner opened up a two length advantage along the inner. Racing down the back Astro Kevin extended his advantage to over three lengths a lead he gradually extended from the crown of the home bend to the line.

Friday night’s card at the College Road venue was headlined by the Final of the Galway Greyhound Stadium A3 525 Yards Stake which carried a winner prize of €4000 supported by a high quality A1 525 with the First Round Heats of The Ann Cheevers Memorial A5 Stake dominating the remainder of the race card.

In the opening heat of The Ann Cheevers Memorial Stake all six runners were away on terms with Shesanicelady just holding a narrow advantage along the inner as they rounded the opening bend. Turning down the back Shesanicelady held a two length advantage over Menmal King with Rockmount Mia beginning to make progress from rear as the leaders neared the third bend. Between the final two bends the pack began to close on Shesanicelady and off the home bend the Shane Flanagan of Rockmount, Ennis owned Rockmount Mia (Droopys Jet-Rockmount Royce) sweet down the wide outside to lead close home and score by half a length in 29.89.

2nd Round

l Lahinch NS players celebrate their win against Knockanean NS

Photos by Natasha Barton

PLANNING

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DRUMQUIN BAREFIELD.

CO CLARE

Take notice that Anne Sexton intends to apply to Clare County Council for planning permission to construct a single dwelling house, garage, connection to the public water and waste-water systems and all ancillary site works at the above address. This planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the planning authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLYCAR, NEWMARKET-ONFERGUS, CO CLARE

We, Edel Quinn & Keith Larkin intend to apply to the above named authority for planning permission for development at this site at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare V95 A3Y4. The development will consist of the demolition of eastern two-storey side extension, the partial demolition of western conservatory and the erection of replacement single and two-storey side extensions, internal alterations including minor reconfiguration, replacement of exterior windows and doors, exterior repairs and all associated site works at Ballycar Station House, a protected structure (RPS No:642). The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public

opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DÚN NA COILLE, MOUNTIVERS, SIXMILEBRIDGE, CO CLARE

We, LPN Construction (Holding Ltd.), am applying to the above authority for permission for the following development on property at Dún na Coille, Mountivers, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare: Permission for the change of approved house type on site no.7 (P18-519 Refers), together with all associated ancillary and incidental site works. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS PLANNING REF: NO. 22/796

Development Description:

1. The construction of 15 No residential dwellings comprising 11 No 4 bed detached dwelling houses, 1 No x 3 bed detached dwelling house, 2 No x 2 Bed and 1 No x 3 Bed terraced dwelling houses

2. All associated infrastructure and services including 1 No vehicular access point onto Holland Drive, 1 No

pedestrian access points onto Lower Quay, parking, lighting, amenity open space, boundary walls, drainage and all ancillary works.

Location:

Housing Development at lands (0.9322 hectares) bounded by Lower Quay and Holland Drive, Liscannor, Co Clare

Take notice that “Yellow Bay Limited” has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application Planning Ref. No. 22/796. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

2 WOODFIELD DRIVE, KILLIMER ROAD, KILRUSH, CO. CLARE, V15P786

Take note that Alan and Claire Madigan intends to apply to Clare County Council for Planning Permission to extend the existing dwelling house, including part demolition of same at the above address with all necessary ancillary 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 five 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 mrefuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CARROWNAKILLY NEWMARKET-ONFERGUS CO. CLARE

Take Notice that We Kieran Corbett & Ciara Mc Cormac intend to apply to Clare County Council For Permission for the Construction of a Dwellinghouse & Proprietary Waste Treatment Plant & to utilise existing entrance to access site & for permission for the demolition of existing agricultural building and all ancillary site works at above address The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co.Clare during it’s public opening hours. A submission or Observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. Please send copies & receipt to; Newmarket Architectural and Planning Services Loughash, Newmarket-on-fergus, Co. Clare.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

1 AHERN TERRACE, CARMODY ST, ENNIS, CO. CLARE.

I, Daniel Doran, wish to apply to the above named local authority for planning permis-

sion for the construction of a first floor extension over an existing single storey extension to the rear of an existing dwelling, modifications to the elevations of the existing extension and dwelling and all ancillary site works The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the 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, 6 COIS CUAINE, ABBEY WEST, BELLHARBOUR, CO CLARE

Take notice that S. Moss intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission for the following a) new single storey extension b) add/alter windows to her existing dwelling house along with associated site works at the above address. That the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, CULLENAGH, LABASHEEDA, CO. CLARE

Take notice that L. & M. Casey intend to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to construct a dwelling house, shed and pro-

prietary waste water treatment system along with ancillary site works at the above address. That the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the nauthority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLYCASHEN, KILNABOY, CO.CLARE

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

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL TULLAGOWER, COORACLARE, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Andrew O’Neill & Elizabeth Herron are applying to Clare County Council for planning permission to refurbish, alter and extend an existing dwelling

house along with all associated works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL ARDCLOONY, KILLALOE

Take notice that I, Brian Whelan, intend to apply for planning permission for a development at Ardcloony, Killaloe, Co. Clare. The development will consist of a new single storey dwelling house and a new waste water treatment system and a bored well water supply and a new vehicular and pedestrian entrance onto the public road and all associated site works. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application 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

PRINTING

JOBS

Managers required for Shannagh Foods Ltd to supervise staff and to manage the unit operations. We are based in County Clare,Ennis. Nine positions; Fourty hours per week.

Annual salary €33000/- Hourly salary €15:87. Minimum one year experience required.

Email- shannagh@wardgrouplimited. com

Mobile- 0894461284

Managers required for Jmm Dominos Ltd to manage the unit operations. We are based in County Clare, Ennis. Ten positions; Fourty hours per week. Annual salary €33000/- Hourly salary €15:87/-. Minimum one year experience required.

Email- jmm@wardgrouplimited.com

Mobile- 0894461284

Managers required for Revington Foods Ltd to supervise staff and to manage our operations. We are based in County Clare, Ennis. Five positions; Fourty hours per week.

Annual salary €33000/- Hourly salary €15:87. Minimum one year experience required.

Email- revington@wardgrouplimited. com

Mobile- 0894461284

FOR SALE

Anniversaries

APOSTLE CHINWE OBADEYI (2ND ANNIVERSARY)

In loving memory of Apostle Chinwe Obadeyi whose 2nd Anniversary occurs tomorrow, Friday 31st March, 2023.

You are missed each and every day, for you were SOMEONE SPECIAL, who meant more than words can say. You touched countless lives in your lifetime, and even after your death, you live on through your good deeds. Death takes the body. God takes the soul. Our minds hold the memories. Our Hearts keep the love. Our faith lets us know we will meet again.

In life we loved you dearly, and in death we love you still.

Gone From our homes, but not from our hearts. So dearly loved to be forgotten. You remain forever in our hearts.

Fondly remembered always by her loving husband - Albert, her children - Jemima, Emmanuel, Naomi, Tochukwu and Zaneta, her Sister - Edith, her brothers - Prosper, Daniel, Ferguson, Victor/Racheal, Philip and their families, friends and entire congregation of Foundation Ministries Worldwide.

Celebration of Life/Night of Praise tomorrow, Friday 31st March, 2023 at 6pm in Foundation Ministries Church Auditorium, Unit 6 Elevation Business Park, Clonroad, Ennis. Co Clare.

Prayer

THE MIRACLE PRAYER

Dear Heart of Jesus, In the past, I have asked for many favours. This time, I ask you This special favour. (Mention Favour) Take it dear Heart of Jesus, And place it within Your own broken heart Where your Father sees it, Then in His Merciful Eyes

It will become your favour

Not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for 3 days. Promise Publication. MC

THE MIRACLE PRAYER

Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the sea, help me and show me you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth! I humbly beseech from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There are none who can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3x).

Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3x). Amen

Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days and then you must publish it and it will be granted to you.

Thanksgiving to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Mount Carmel for having granted my petition. NH

The Clare Echo Quiz

KILKEE QUIZ

1 Kilkee is located on what bay?

• Moore Bay

• The Bay of Bengal

• Guantánamo Bay

2Kilkee is home to the last remaining church of what religion in county Clare.

• Baptist

• Born again

• Methodist

3Kilkee was once named the premier bathing spot in what was then The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on the front page of what London based magazine?

• The Illustrated London News

• The London Magazine

• Time Out

4In 1836 a ship on its way from Liverpool to what US city sank drowning everyone aboard after being blown into a bay near Bishops Island, Kilkee?

• New York

• New Orleans

• Boston

5Kilkee was once the honeymoon destination of famous English writer Charlotte Brontë and her husband and poet Aubrey Thomas de Vere. Charlotte Brontë is best known for writing what classic novel?

• Jane Eyre

• Wuthering Heights

• Middlemarch

6Alfred, Lord Tennyson is another famous visitor to Kilkee. What is Alfred, Lord Tennyson famous for?

• Writing poetry

• Acting

• Boxing

7What famous revolutionary visited Kilkee in 1962

• Leon Trotsky

• Mahatma Gandhi

• Che Guevara

8Kilkee is home to a statue of what former academy award nominated actor

• Richard Harris

• Stephen Rea

• Liam Neeson

9That statue was unveiled in Kilkee in 2006 by what famous actor who once called the cliff walk in Kilkee “The finest public walk in the world”

• Matt Damon

• Russel Crowe

• George Clooney

10

What famous 20th century explorer and filmmaker called Kilkee the best place in Europe for diving and one of the top five in the world?

• Jacques Cousteau

• David Attenborough

• Bear Grylls

Spot the Difference

Can you spot the 7 differences

Last weeks answers

. K&K logo missing (in background)

. St Patricks Day missing on hat

. Window missing (background)

. Shamrock missing on hat

. S missing on jumper

. A missing on jumper (middle)

. String from hoodie missing (right)

Féidhlim Barry clenches the ball for St Senans v Ennis RFC

Photo by Joe Buckley

1. Moore Bay

2. Methodiste

3. The Illustrated London News

4 New Orleans

5. Jane Eyre

6. Writing poetry

7. Che Guevara

8. Richard Harris s

9. Russel Crowe

10 Jacques Cousteau

lQUESTION 8: Kilkee is home to a statue of what former academy award nominated actor

speeds, large game screen, less-intrusive ads, and more. We hope these upgrades make your experience even better

Best Daily Word Search

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES Mar 30th

Best Daily Word Search: 24 June 2020

WORD SEARCH

Agra

Ahmadabad

Bangalore

Bhopal

Chandigarh

Chennai

Cochin

Delhi

Gwalior

Hyderabad

Imphal

Indore

Jaipur

Kanpur

Kolkata

Lucknow

Mumbai

Mysore

The Clare Echo Crossword

ACROSS

1 Snared (7)

5 Accommodation for prisoners (5)

Nagpur

Pondicherry

Pune

Shillong

Simla

Srinagar

Surat

Vadodara

HOW TO PLAY

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

DOWN

1 Lingered (7)

2 Hawaiian greeting (5)

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

8 Spacious (5)

9 Modest bet (7)

https://puzzles.bestforpuzzles.com/games/best-daily-word-search/#!202006

10 Novel by Sir Walter Scott (7)

11 Edible fish (5)

12 Portray (6)

14 One of the planets (6)

18 Wash vigorously (5)

20 As a group (2,5)

22 Jiffy (7)

23 Respond (5)

24 Red, in heraldry (5)

25 Cajole (7)

3 Clairvoyant (7)

4 Disagree (6)

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5 Container for condiments (5)

6 Disappointed (3,4)

7 Swagger (5)

13 Sunshade (7)

15 Regret (7)

16 Emblem of royalty (7)

17 Confer, impart (6)

18 Item of playground equipment (5)

19 Alloy of copper