Clare echo april 19

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editor@clareecho.ie

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Parents rally together for injured Zara ELAINE TUBRIDY

A

news@clareecho.ie

One of Ennis’s well-known residents enjoys the view from her home on the

Project1_Layout 18/04/2018 14:58 Page 1 Club Bridge 1

Photo by John Mangan

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19 Apr 2018

GROUP of Clare parents have rallied around a young girl who was involved in an unfortunate accident which has had life-changing consequences.

A fundraising concert has been organised by parents of Zara Cronin’s schoolfriends to help raise money for her extensive treatment.

Last December, 10-year-old Zara was involved in a minor collision while running, however she suffered a dreaded outcome by dislocating her C1 and C2 joints. The situation was exacerbated by an underlying genetic condition.

Zara, who is now in a wheelchair, had to wear a halo brace and had four

screws inserted into her skull to keep her head in place.

Zara is waiting to start therapy in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire and must travel to London for a specialist MRI to assess the damage. Mum Ann Marie says it’s vital that Zara gets the necessary treatment.

FULL STORY PAGE 6

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

Index FRONT PAGE STORY

4

HARTY ON FODDER

8

FEATURE: PAGE 17-26

Home & DIY in Co Clare

10

DOG SHELTER BIRTHDAY BASH

12-13

HOME & DIY

17-26

RUN CLARE PICS

34

GOLF

35

CLASSIFIEDS

Inside The Clare Echo

36-37

GET IN TOUCH

NEWS: PAGE 7

Happy go very lucky

Meet the two Clare residents who say their change in outlook on life has helped them to win thousands of euros worth in prizes

This week we have a special guide on Home & DIY options in Clare. Check out our tips on home improvement and garden landscape, while our advertisers are on hand to let you know where the first place to look is

BUSINESS: PAGE 12-13

Home is where the heart is...

Home Gallery interior store is celebrating its landmark 10-year anniversary in Ennis with a massive sale. We meet Home Gallery owner Des Curley and his staff in this week’s Business Feature

RECEPTION

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NOTES Telephone: 065 671 9021 Email: elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

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Email: ciara.farrell@clareecho.ie ger.naughton@clareecho.ie

PLACE AN

ADVERT To learn how we can promote your business call us on 065 671 9021 or email ciara.farrell@clareecho.ie.

l GOING ALL THE WAY: The Ennis U16 side celebrate scoring a try in their All-Ireland Club semi-final win against Ballinasloe on Saturday. Ennis will take on Tullow RFC in the All-Ireland final in Mullingar Photo by Helen McQuillan

ATT plan to double STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

U

.S based Aerospace Asset Trading (ATT) has opened its European base at Shannon Free Zone, employing a team of six. Aerospace Parts Trading Ireland Ltd plans to provide full component, parts and repair management support for commercial passenger and cargo aircraft operators and their respective engines and major asset components.

AAT was formed in 2013 as a commercial engine parts trading company. Commenting on their European expansion, Steven Polederos, Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Asset Trading, LLC said: “Shannon Free Zone is a perfect location from which we can run our European distribution centre. It will bolster our global footprint and further enhances our com-

plete global coverage, partnerships and support to the aviation world.

The opening of our Shannon facility represents a major expansion of our company.

“Our location next to Shannon International Airport is ideal as it allows us essential connectivity to European markets and beyond.

“We are starting our operation with six people but are confident that we will expand rapidly and expect to double this over the next two years.”

Welcoming ATT to Shannon, Ray O’Driscoll, Managing Director, Shannon Commercial Properties said: “[ATT’s] decision to locate in the Shannon International Aviation Services Centre further supports our investment strategy and they are a welcome addition to our growing cluster of aviation companies which now numbers over 60.”

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

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NEWS

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

ELAINE TUBRIDY

Despite unfortunate accident leaving 10-year-old in a wheelchair with huge medical bills, Zara's strength of spirit shines strongest

6

Zara shows true bravery news@clareecho.ie

J

UST a few short months ago Zara Cronin was your average kid, involved in as many sports and activities as her mam Ann Marie could bring her to.

She especially loved Irish dancing, camogie and gymnastics.

On December 4, Ann Marie got the phone call that every parent dreads; Zara had had an accident.

A minor collision combined with an underlying condition dislocated Zara’s C1 and C2 joints.

Essentially, Zara’s head came away from her neck.

“To have an accident like this, she was like someone who was in an accident or was dropped off a cliff. She was running in the yard and her head was turned back and she ran into someone. It shouldn’t have caused this type of injury,” Ann Marie said.

Zara was admitted to Galway Regional Hospital, where she had to have halo traction to stop her injury getting worse.

Halo traction involves tying the head on to the top of the bed to pull the head up and stop it compressing the spinal cord so the injury doesn’t get worse.

After two weeks, Zara had a halo brace fitted, which meant that she had to have four screws inserted into her skull to keep her head in place.

“She’s actually very, very good in fairness.

She’s so brave and she’s smiling with the halo brace stuck on to her skull. She’s been amazing. I don’t know would I have coped as well myself in that situation,” Ann Marie added.

Zara has since had the halo brace removed and has moved to wearing a hard plastic collar, but it is only the start of her journey to recovery.

She was recently diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos syndrome, a genetic connective tissue disorder caused by faulty collagen.

It results in complications ranging from mildly loose joints to life-threatening complications.

Zara is currently in a wheelchair and is waiting to start therapy in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.

She needs to travel to London for a specialist MRI to assess the damage.

“If she doesn’t get treatment abroad, this will come off again. The same thing will happen and she will not be so lucky the next time. She’s not paralysed, even though she has a spinal cord injury, but we’re hoping with the proper rehabilitation that she will get up and walk some bit,” Ann Marie added.

Zara has already missed out on six months of school and it looks like she will no longer be able to enjoy her favourite activities.

Most of the children diagnosed with this condition need to have their C1 to C7 neck joints fused to provide more stability and prevent injury.

Eventually Zara will need the same treatment, which costs up to €100,000.

Ann Marie is very unhappy that the treatment Zara needs will not be at least partly paid for by the HSE. “It’s awful that you’re dealing with a sick child and you still have to come up with all the money yourself to go abroad which is very sad that the HSE can’t fund some of it, the fact that l CHALLENGES: Zara Cronin from Dysart wearing her halo they haven’t the treatbrace which is helping to keep her upper spine in place ment here for them,” Ann Marie added.

“We had a couple of parties and there were Ann Marie has had to take time off work bouncy castles. Me and you might not think that’s a big thing but for a child of 10 years of to look after Zara, which doesn’t help with age, that’s their whole life, that’s a huge thing paying for the expensive treatment.

“I’m a single parent so it’s quite difficult. for a child.

“Even if she was up and walking, she will I’m waiting for the carers allowance to come never be able to go on a bouncy castle or on through and that takes months. I’m very a trampoline or do the gymnastics or Irish lucky that I have great family and friends dancing. She will never be able to do any of that do support us and have supported us that again. That’s the hardest part for her. all along,” Ann Marie said, who also stressed She is missing out on her childhood in that how thankful she is to the parents of Zara’s schoolfriends who have rallied around to sense,” Ann Marie said.

In spite of all of the difficulties she has organise a fundraiser to help pay for her extensive treatment. faced, Zara doesn’t let it get her down.

Twice Shy will hold a special concert in She loves getting out and about and catching up on all of the news when visi- Treacy’s West County Hotel, Ennis on Friday, May 4, 2018. tors come to see her.

The band will be followed by a late night “She likes to get out and about and meet people, or else visitors to call and see her. DJ and tickets costing €20 are available from She’s not one to sit at home feeling sorry for Treacy’s West County Hotel, Donnelan’s herself, she doesn’t thank God, she’s very Centra, Lynch’s Centra, Minehan’s Centra and online at www.fundraiserforzara.com. good that way,” Ann Marie said.

l RESPECT: Christy Hickey, Airport Police salutes after placing a wreath at the 70th anniversary in Drumcliff cemetary of the Pan American "Empress of the Skies" crash at Rineanna in 1948 in which 30 people died Photo by Eamon Ward

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

Lucky couple win 114 comps ELAINE TUBRIDY news@clareecho.ie

E

NNIS couple Marina Murphy and Faye Bradley have won 114 competitions and counting over the last year.

It all started when Marina tried to convince Faye that the laws of attraction were real and positive thinking could bring great things into their lives.

Faye thought this idea was nonsense and she wanted to prove Marina wrong, so she decided to try to create tangible evidence of the laws of attraction at work.

They created vision boards as well as practising mindfulness, affirmations and gratitude.

“I was trying to attract the competition wins. I was trying to visualise how you would behave if you won a competition. So I just visualised myself and Marina jumping up and down,” Faye said.

Within a week of doing these things, the competition wins started rolling in.

The pair have won food hampers, flight vouchers, x-box gear, x-box games, vouchers including a €100 Boots voucher and a €150 Easons voucher, One for All vouchers, lots of movie merchandise and tickets to lots of movie premieres.

They were treated to a VIP experiences at the National Lottery Headquarters and the Ireland’s Got Talent finals.

Faye even got to meet one of her heroes, Ireland’s Got Talent judge Michelle Visage.

Marina and Faye enter between 2 and 15 competitions a day and have an average of two wins a week.

“There’s people out there that have been [successful] but they dedicate their whole day to it and they haven’t had as many wins as we have had,” Faye added.

They successful couple now want to pay it forward and have set up a Facebook page to help inspire others.

“People are feeling inspired to take on this positive mind set and it’s wonderful to be in this position to help inspire people to better their lives in some way,” Faye said.

Check out their Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/ ourattractioninaction/

NEWS 7

l LIVING THE DREAM: Faye (right) with Ireland’s Got Talent judge Michelle Visage and (inset) with her partner Marina

Fleadh Cheoil ‘18 THE Clare County Fleadh 2018 will be held in Ennis in June. The dancing takes place in Cois na hAbhna on June 16/17 while the remaining music, singing and Comhra Gaeilge competitions take place at St Flannan’s College , on June 23 and 24.

Entry forms are now available to download on www.clarecomhaltas.net and only official Clare forms will be accepted.

There are six forms which have details of fees.

The Closing date is May 4. Branch mem-

bers must enter through their branch secretary while non members must enter through the County Secretary, Anne Hayes, Lissycasey, Ennis, Co Clare 0872663718.

For 2018 a new competition has been addedfor people with intellectual needs, to play a tune, sing a song, or tell a story. This Competitor may have a musician playing with them and the competition will be called Cairde Ceoil.

The final closing date for Comhaltas membership is April 30.

8

NEWS

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

Dr Harty calls for urgent action on fodder crisis

ELAINE TUBRIDY

C

news@clareecho.ie

LARE’S Independent TD Dr Michael Harty has called on Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to be more proactive in dealing with future fodder crises.

He appealed to the Minister to set up a national farm emergency group that would include the Minister, Teagasc, Met Éireann and the major farming organisations and co-operatives in order to anticipate problems.

“It is too late for this year but for next year and the year after, it is very important. Climate change is here to stay. Long wet winters are going to be the norm rather than the exception.

“We have to anticipate that there will be fodder crises. We may even have to change farming practices and look at stocking numbers and the way in which we feed cattle in the future,” Dr Harty said.

Dr Harty commended Shannon Airport for their efforts in helping

farmers to deal with the fodder crisis by offering to harvest their 400 acre site, yielding a total of 1,500 to 2,000 bales.

“Shannon Airport is a community-based airport and it should be recognised for what it is about to do for the farming community,” he added.

He believes that farmers should not be required to pay upfront for the cost of transporting the fodder.

He suggested that an adequate and easily accessible hardship fund should be put in place for farmers.

“It is also important that low-interest loans, or the facility for such loans, should be made available to farmers in the context of feeding their animals,” Dr Harty said.

Dr Harty pointed out that farmers and families are under huge mental stress and that this needs to be recognised.

l NATIONAL RECOGNITION: At the National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards 2018 in Monaghan, L-R; Karen Fennessy, Clare County Council Age Friendly Development Officer; Councillor Tom McNamara, Mayor of Clare; Mary Ita Griffin, Kilmaley Daycare and Health Centre; and Eilish Neylon Kilmaley Voluntary Housing Association.

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

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10 NEWS

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

Dog shelter is ‘satifsactory’ ELAINE TUBRIDY

C

news@clareecho.ie

LARE County Council have said that they are satisfied with the level of care that animals are receiving at Ennis Dog Shelter.

The statement is a response to a request for information from Fine Gael Councillor Johnny Flynn, following recent public scrutiny of the facility.

“The kennels are currently being checked twice weekly and have been found to be kept in a satisfactory condition and no animal welfare issues have been identified,” Clare County Council Director of Physical Development Carmel Kirby said.

Cllr Flynn confirmed that he was contacted about the public concerns and subsequently visited the kennels twice.

“The facilities were being improved all the time. There was improved bedding, improved heating and kennelling and I met with the administrative officer in Clare County Council,” he said.

The number of dogs put to sleep at Ennis Dog Shelter have reduced dramatically over the last couple of years.

Almost 130 dogs were put to sleep in 2016, 19 were put to sleep last year and only one dog has been put to sleep so far this year.

“I saw that dog. It was a big, very aggressive dog that actually had attacked an elderly man in North Clare, so that dog wasn’t fit to be back out in the public,” Cllr Flynn said.

The 2018 programme of works being implemented at Ennis Dog Shelter incorporates general maintenance, minor upgrade works and additional storage.

The existing building is adequate for the purpose for which it was developed, according to Clare County Council.

Ennis Dog Shelter is managed and operated by a private company, Midland Animal Care Ltd. on behalf of Clare County Council.

“I have asked that a new contract for a tender is going to be drawn up this autumn for a public tendering process and have asked that within that contract a volunteering programme would be included in it,” Cllr Flynn added.

l ROCK THE BOAT: Failte Ireland’s Geraldine Larner with overseas buyers on a trip to Scattery Island with Irene Hamilton of Scattery Island Tours Photo by Eamon Ward

70 passenger ferry for Scattery SIX times as many tourists can now experience the hidden gem that is Scattery Island as Scattery Island Tours has secured a new 70 passenger ship for its daily trips to the monastic island.

Following on the success of its first season which saw a significant growth in visitor numbers, the company has invested in a larger ferry, having run a 12 passenger boat last year.

The new catamaran ferry, named “An Breandàn” represents a further investment in tourism in West Clare and reflects the growing interest in Island visits by both domestic and international tourists.

Scattery Island Tours was founded by Irene Hamilton in May 2017. Ms Hamilton has close ties to the island as her father, Brendan Griffin was born and grew up there.

This emerging new tourist destination saw over 300 per cent growth in visitor numbers last year and following its recent award as Ireland’s European Destination of Excellence for 2017, the numbers are

expected to continue to grow significantly over the coming years.

Last week, the new ship had its inaugural sailing to the island with representatives from Fàilte Ireland and a group of International Tour Operators.

Commenting on the new vessel, Irene Hamilton said “This new ferry will ensure that we can manage growing visitor numbers over the coming years and continue to position Kilrush and West Clare as a family friendly tourist destination, for both domestic and international tourists, further enhancing the development of the local economy. The vessel was partially funded by the LEADER grant tourism programme and we are very grateful for the support received from LEADER aided by the Clare Local Development Company (CLDC)”.

Scattery Island will commence its scheduled service to the island from Sunday, April 29 and full details on the summer schedule can be found on their website www.scatteryislandtours.com.

Dr Aine Cregan, Mary Imaculate College, reading to children at Scoil Chríost Rí as part of the ‘Spring into Story-time’ campaign

Photo by Eamon Ward

Page-turner at Scoil Chríost Rí

CLARE County Library has embarked on an exciting new initiative with Scoil Chríost Rí in Cloughleigh, focusing on family learning that brings parents, children, teachers, storytellers and librarians together to improve oral language and communication skills.

The initiative is being undertaken as part of the ‘Spring into Story-time’ campaign which sees a range of story-time events for children being delivered in over 300 libraries throughout Ireland this April. Partnering with the Clare Family Learning Coordinator of Clare Adult Basic Education Service, LCETB, and with the Home School Liaison Co-ordinator of Scoil Chríost Rí, Cloughleigh, the programme of storytime sessions got underway on Tuesday and will run over six weeks.

At the end of the six weeks parents and children along with teachers, librarians and Clare’s Family Learning Co-ordinator will come together at a celebratory event at deValera Library Ennis. For further details contact Clare County Library Tel: 065 6899083.

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

Incinerator fears STUART HOLLY

S

editor@clareecho.ie

SINN Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada has spoken out to reassure communities in Clare that the fight against the Castlemungret incinerator is not over.

The Ireland South MEP made the comments after it was announced that An Bord Pleanála had granted planning permission effectively allowing Irish cement to burn hazardous materials at

their site in the town.

“Obviously, I'm deeply disappointed at the result and would have serious questions about how they came to this conclusion,” she said.

“It was quite clear that the town was dead set against the idea.

Thousands turned out for protests against it. Every Sinn Féin councillor opposed the plans, our TDs spoke out against it, I myself raised the issue in Europe and made a submission at the oral hearing for the plans.

“The matter, however, is far

NEWS 11

Actress Gough wins second Olivier gong

from over. The issue now goes to the EPA and we will be standing with the community to help them make their case against the incinerator as clearly and resolutely as possible.

“I would appeal to the people of the wider mid-west region to also support this campaign.

“This is not just an issue for one town. Studies have shown that emissions from such plants have up to a 30 kilometre emission zone. This is something the entire region should be concerned about.” l AWARD WINNER: Denise starring in Angels in America which won her the award of Best Supporting Actress THE legacy of the super talented Ennis based Gough family continues as Denise has just landed her second Olivier Award.

Denise was given the best supporting actress award for her role as Harper Pitt in Angels in America, a play by Tony Kushner currently showing in Broadway.

The play is a complex, often metaphorical, examination of AIDS and homosexuality in America in the 1980s.

A quarter of a century after it

first appeared on stage, the play has been brought back to life by director Marianne Elliott.

The play is divided into two parts; Millennium Approaches and Perestroika.

Denise previously won an Olivier Award best actress for her role in Duncan Macmillan’s People, Places and Things.

The play tells the story of Emma’s addiction problem and her journey through rehab.

RECRUITMENT CONTACT US FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM #CE

12 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

BUSINESS PROFILE

Perfect 10 from CONTACT US WE’RE ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM #CE

Home Gallery holds huge sale to celebrate 10 years

lLANDMARK YEAR: Des Curley says he’s had a really positive reaction from the public in Clare and their support has helped his business succeed, which opened as the recession kicked into gear. (above) Des is pictured in the Home Gallery showroom, located on the Kilrush Road, which stocks sofas, armchairs, dining furniture and more.

ELAINE TUBRIDY news@clareecho.ie

I

T TAKES guts to open a home interior store at the beginning of a property crash, but Home Gallery did just that and has come out smiling at the other side.

“The day we opened, the news headline that day was ‘It’s official, we’re in recession’ but we kept going and we opened.

“We had a very positive reaction from the very first day and the people of Clare were so supportive of us and got behind us and we have grown from strength to strength every year,” Des said.

Des and his business partner Annette spotted a gap in the market for an interior store that not only offered essential bulky furniture, but also the equally important finishing touches.

To celebrate a decade in business, Home Gallery is holding a massive sale as a thank you to all of his loyal customers, starting this Thursday.

There will be some serious bargains, from

half price sofas to 35-60 per cent off bed-linen and 30-50 per cent off home accessories.

The Home Gallery Ennis team, made up of Des, Simona, Elaine, Brendan and Esther, pride themselves on their outstanding customer service.

“The staff are highly trained, they have a lot of experience of putting schemes together. So if someone is wondering how to put a room together and they’re a bit confused as to whether this would work or that would work, come in and we can give you the time and spend a bit of time with you and help you,” Des added.

Home Gallery offers an unmatched selection of products, which will allow every customer to create the perfect look for their space, with free parking as an added bonus.

Home Gallery stock sofas, armchairs, dining furniture, occasional pieces, coffee tables, lighting, artwork, chandeliers and a huge selection of bed linen among other pieces.

Customers have been known to drool over the bed linen selection, which features offerings from Holly Willoughby, Catherine Lansfield and Karl Lagerfeld.

Home Gallery has also recently added a rug gallery with over 100 styles to choose from and even more on the way.

“People in Ireland are very proud of their

houses and we spend a lot of time at home in the evenings on the long nights so we like to have our spaces comfortable and we like to have our own bit of personality in the spaces we live in,” Des added.

When Des and Annette opened the store 10 years ago, the home interior trends tended to move more slowly than the fashion world.

This is no longer true and interior trends are now on a par with their fashion counterparts.

Des loves staying on top of the latest styles and always ensures his customers are bang on trend.

Des explains masculine colours like grey, teal and navy have been the dominant hues for the last couple of years.

Though they are great base colours to work with, Des believes that injecting a burst of colour is key to creating positive vibes in your home.

“I do believe people react to different colours. Colour makes them happier, people do respond to it. There’s a psychological aspect to colour and I think it’s very important to have colour in your house. Adding some colourful cushions, a rug or picture is very important and easy to achieve,” Des said.

“The biggest trend at the moment is combining charcoals and greys with blush pink,

mauve and also combining dark greys with yellows and mustard,” Des added.

Des is very conscious of the fact that the local community has been very good to his business and he wants to make sure that he gives back as much as he can.

Home Gallery often supports local charity events by offering prizes, lending furniture and offering sponsorship.

“It’s very important. We rely on the local community to support us. We support them as well where we can,” Des added.

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

BUSINESS 13

BUSINESS PROFILE

Home Gallery

lWINNING FORMULA: Home Gallery proprietor Des Curley at his showroom in Ennis with staff members Simona Marcinauskyte (left) and Elaine Galvin; (above and right) shots from around the stunningly beautiful Home Gallery showroom

14 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

RECRUITMENT/APPOINTMENTS

Deli Manager/Cook Required – Gort, Co. Galway We are now seeking to recruit a Full Time experienced Deli Manager/Cook to join the team at our Deli Manager/Cook Required – Gort, Co. Galway Service Station in Gort, Co. Galway We are now seeking to recruit a Full Time experienced Deli Manager/Cook to join the team at our Service Station in Gort, Co. Galway

Key Responsibilities

• To work the daily operations in the kitchen (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Chilled Products);

To manage deli displays in a fresh and appetising manner, maintaining high quality standards, service and food consistency; Key• Responsibilities •• To a high quality, effective manner,Lunch, ensuring the department meets projected targets; To prepare work thefood dailyinoperations in thecost kitchen (Breakfast, Dinner, Chilled Products); •• To of stock, prioritising stock control; To oversee manage ordering deli displays in a fresh and appetising manner, maintaining high quality standards, service and food consistency; •• To accordance HACCP legislation; To operate prepare the foodDeli in aenvironment high quality,incost effective with manner, ensuring the department meets projected targets; Effectively rosters; •• To oversee manage orderingstaff of stock, prioritising stock control; •• To andDeli motivate a team in of accordance staff, ensuring Training & Development is ongoing; To manage operate the environment withtheir HACCP legislation; •• To ensure that the highest standard of customer care is provided at all times; Effectively manage staff rosters;

• To manage and motivate a team of staff, ensuring their Training & Development is ongoing; Requirements • To ensure the highest standardinnovative of customerindividual care is provided at allplayer; times; Must be a that committed, enthusiastic, and a team

• Must be a proven leader with 2-3 years experience of managing a team; Requirements

•• AMust qualification in Professional Cookery/Culinary arts would advantage; be a committed, enthusiastic, innovative individual andbea an team player; ‘Hands-on’ Chef with the with ability oversee a busy operation; •• Must be a proven leader 2-3toyears experience of managing a team; •• Excellent Customer Service ability and Communication Skills;be an advantage; A qualification in Professional Cookery/Culinary arts would

• ‘Hands-on’ Chef with the abilityatoCompetitive oversee a busyRemuneration operation; The company is offering Package, Sociable working hours and Career • Excellent Customer Service ability and Communication Skills; Opportunities Progression

The company is offering a Competitive Remuneration Package, Sociable working hours and Career Email an up-to-date CV Opportunities and Cover Letter to: bconnell@corriboil.com Progression

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Entertainment

GLÓR EXHIBITION IS OFF THE CUFFE

T

APR 24/25 @ GLÓR

HE National Gallery of Ireland will partner with glór on Tuesday and Wednesday April 24/25, to bring visuals of their newest exhibition, Emil Nolde: Colour is Life beyond the gallery walls and into the community.

NOLDE: In the Community Programme sees selected art centres throughout Ireland participate in a series of free illustrated talks on Emil Nolde’s life and work. glór will present a talk for post-primary students on Tuesday 24 April at 11am and an evening adults’ talk on Wednesday 25 at 7.30pm. The talk will introduce audiences to the man and his art: his techniques, his motivations and the historical context of his work.

Aimed at a general audience with broad interests in art and history, the

talks are free and will last 60 minutes, including time for questions and informal discussion. Please pre-book with glór on 065 6843103.

The talks in glór will be delivered

by Helen Monaghan. Helen is a Freelance Tutor with the National Gallery of Ireland.

Emil Nolde: Colour is Life is a major exhibition of work by the pioneering German Expressionist painter, Emil Nolde (1867-1956), currently on show at the National Gallery of Ireland until 10 June 2018.

The show is a collaboration between the National Gallery of Ireland, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Emil Nolde Foundation in Seebüll. Tickets are priced from €5.

For information contact glór at 065 6845 370 or gallery@glor.ie.

lICONIC: Visitors view Emil Nolde’s Large Poppies in the National Gallery of Ireland. Emil’s visuals will be on display in glór from April 24 Photo © Fennell

TAKE A ‘PUNT’ ON ONE-MAN PLAY AT KILKEE’S CULTÚRLANN SWEENEY HONEST Arts are bringing their one man play ‘Punt’ to Cultúrlann Sweeney Kilkee on Saturday 21st April at 8pm. Tickets €15 and €13 for seniors. Book on 065 9060769 or online at www.culturlannsweeney.ie The play was written and directed by Tara Doolan and written and performed by Pius McGrath. It is the story of the gambling culture, following one man on the slippery slope to rock bottom after a lifetime of small bets, race meetings, online gauntlets, high stakes card games and the unspoken challenges that go with a life of ‘investing’ in chance. Suitable for ages 12+ Honest Arts were Winners of ‘The Cutting Edge Artist Award’ at the Toronto Fringe Festival 2015 with Set Designer Mario Beck being nominated for Best Set Design at the Irish Times Theatre Awards 2014 Honest Arts toured to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2013 with their first original production ‘The MidKnight Cowboy’ which received rave reviews and was also performed on Broadway in New York as part of the United Solo Theatre Festival 2013

Keane leads bonanza of music at Falls for Trad West Weekend APR 20-22 @ FALLS HOTEL

lWEEKEND OF FUN: Sean Keane will be at The Falls Hotel this weekend with his five-piece band for the Trad West Weekend. Concerts take place across the weekend in Ennistymon Photo: seankeane.com

TRAD music comes alive for all ages at the Trad West Weekend in The Falls Hotel & Spa in Ennistymon on April 20 – 22. This weekend promises to be a celebration of the strong tradition of traditional music in the county.

The enigmatic Sean Keane with his five piece band will perform on Friday night at 8pm. The wonderful Ennistymon Comhaltas group will warm up the crowd from 7pm. Tickets are €25 and are available from the hotel reception. A late night bar session with Brian Donnellan, Cathal Corbett and Mark Burke, will keep the entertainment going after the concert.

On Saturday afternoon between 2 and 4, there is a fantastic free Trad for Teens workshop with Sharon Howley and Francis Cunningham, all young budding trad musicians are welcome to this session with two outstanding musicians.

That evening, from 6 – 8, there will be an evening seisiun with David Crowe, Brian Donnellan, Cathal Corbett and friends. Later that

night, from 9pm, there is a concert with the very talented Antoin MacGabhann and members of his family, along with Stephen Doherty and David Doocey, the O’Loughlin brothers, Brian, Keith and Conor, the Donnellan family, Munster champion set dancers and much more. Tickets for this concert are €15 and will be available on the night.

On Sunday afternoon, the ‘Three in a row, All Ireland Champions’ Shandrum Ceili Band will bring the weekend to a crescendo with a ceili from 2-5 – bring your dancing shoes!

The weekend will wind down (slightly) with a session in the Dylan Thomas Bar with David Doocey, Stephen Doherty, Brian Donnellan, David Crowe, Mark Burke and more This promises to be a wonderful weekend of trad music, musicians are welcome to join in with any of the bar sessions. For more information, please ring 065 7071004 or visit fallshotel. ie.

16 COLUMNIST

Caroline Bourke

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

MAKE-UP AND STYLE

TOP TIPS FOR ANTI-AGEING

I

THINK it's safe to say that we love our beauty treatments in Ireland. It's also probably true to say that most women of a certain age have definitely contemplated Botox at some stage.

It's a sign of the times, and Botox seems to be the remedy of choice for people who are looking for an easy way to take the years off.

However, it is important to remember that there are other anti-ageing treatments available along with Botox.

For instance, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles can be lessened by choosing to eat a healthy diet, by drinking two litres of water a day, by exercising regularly to reduce stress and worry and by sticking to the rules. You can also take the years off with the Guinot Hydradermie facial if the rules just aren't your thing and if Botox doesn't float your boat.

I recently started having Guinot Hydradermie sessions in Sam McCauley's and wanted to review the treatment for you all, as I have found it is amazing for refining and purifying the skin.

THE TREATMENT Hydradermie promises to deliver a healthy and balanced complexion by deep-cleansing, oxygenating and regenerating the skin. Regular treatments deliver immediate and lasting results. They moisturise dry skin, reduce breakouts in oily skin, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles in mature skin.

The facial uses Guinot's Hydraderm machine combined with plant extracts and massage to restore the skin's natural beauty. Tailored products are specially chosen by the therapist in order to treat specific conditions such as dehydration, pigmentation and ageing. Double ionisation penetrates the active ingredients deep into the skin for optimal results.

The skin is gently cleansed and exfoliated and specifically chosen gels are applied while a mild galvanic current helps the active ingredients to penetrate collagen deep into the skin, to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

High frequency action is then used to eliminate impurities from the skin. The treatment finishes with a soothing mask and then the delicate eye area and the face and neck are moisturised.

MY EXPERIENCE There is a lot to the facial and it is a real pamper experience that will leave you thoroughly relaxed and with beautiful skin.

Regular treatments offer immediate and lasting results. I have completed three sessions so far and am halfway through my course of treatments. I can honestly say that I would recommend the facial to everybody who is struggling with choosing an anti-ageing treatment or for anybody who is searching for a great facial as part of their monthly skincare routine.

I have noticed a marked improvement in the condition of my skin from the specialized Guinot massage treatment. My skin is lifted and taut and my fine lines and wrinkles have definitely diminished significantly. My skin also looks plumper and hydrated and it is crystal clear. I also used to experience puffiness around my eyes prior to the facials, but now my eye area is smooth and decongested. And I no longer experience sinus problems.

WHO IS IT FOR? While I use the Guinot Hydradermie Age Logic to suit my own specific skincare requirements, the treatment can be tailored for all skin types. It can give bridesto-be amazing glowing skin and is great for anybody with acne or anybody whose skin needs a little pick-me-up.

The treatment prevents break outs by cleansing and toning the skin, facial muscles are worked out to ensure that slack skin becomes firm and taut and any puffiness in the eye area is reduced significantly. Basically it delivers on all that you would want from a facial and can offer you some some fantastic anti-ageing properties without being an invasive and potentially harmful treatment.

You can choose which facial would best suit you on the Sam McCauley website or call into your local Sam McCauley chemist and discuss your skincare needs with one of their friendly advisors.

Have any of you tried the facial? Let me know on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. x Caroline

lRESTORATIVE Guinot facial products

Elegance and class with Kontour kitchens

K

ONTOUR is a fully Irish owned company based in Ennis. Co Clare and they specialise in the field of bespoke Kitchens and Cabinets serving the greater Munster area.

Together the directors Barry Meehan and Dave Gannon have over 35 years of knowledge of kitchen design from working both at home and abroad.

Kontour are designers, project managers and installers of bespoke kitchens with a wide range of styles from traditional to contemporary to modern. They supply a choice of high end kitchen appliances from world leading brands.

Their team are fully trained to help you make the most appropriate choice for your needs. Kontour offer a complete design service.

It’s not just the kitchen cabinetry design and functionality that is considered, but every aspect of the room, from light to any possible structural improvements. They can advise on everything from counter tops to lighting to flooring choices, and everything in between! All designs are created by Kon-

l STUNNING: Kantour, based on the Gort Road, use 35 years of experience to design a bespoke kitchen like seen in the above pictures tour in collaboration with the client. Kontour project management the entire process and will only sign off on a job when everything is 100 per cent complete.

They will engage with the tiler, electrician and all tradesmen necessary to complete your dream kitchen. Their showrooms are

located on the Gort Road, Ennis and are easily accessible from Limerick or Galway. Free parking is available.

For more information, phone 086 194 1857 or email info@kontour.ie.

You’ll be floored

by Ennis Carpets

BASED in the Quin Road Business Park, Ennis Carpets have been in the flooring business for the past 45 years.

They have the biggest offering of carpets, wood and vinyl and will soon expand their operation to a larger store.

Ennis Carpets cater for every price range from the top designer names to the lower end of the market, with the lowest prices guaranteed.

Pat and his team stock the best brands in the business, including Ulster, Brintons, Cavalier, Axminster, Cormar, Nourison, Hugh and Mackay, Abingdon, Westex and Lano.

Ennis Carpets have a huge selection of laminate and engineered flooring products from top brands such as Quickstep, Balterio, Egger, Elka and Boen.

Pat also offers luxury design flooring from Karndean and Quickstep. Ennis Carpets carry a huge selection of polyester carpets, which are more resilient, soft and now more at a more accessible price point than ever.

Ennis Carpets have an expert carpet fitting team, which includes Shane Meehan and Martin O’Grady.

Some of the team are second generation fitters, which makes them the leaders in their field.

Flanagan family keeping it clean in Clare since 1992 IT’S that time of year when home-owners take stock of their own patch and the traditional ‘Spring Clean’ begin in earnest.

And while there’s much that you can control, like the dusting, hoovering and window cleaning, sometimes a professional is required to go the extra mile to make your home shine like a palace.

That’s where the family-run services of Rainbow Cleaning come in, who also cater for commercial customers.

Ennis native Shane Flanagan, whose business is based in Westgate Business Park, explains, “My family and myself have been in the cleaning business since 1992 so you could say we know a thing or two.

“I myself found a passion for floors quite a few years ago. More specifically, with cleaning and restoring them. There’s great satisfaction from giving an old floor new life and seeing my customers happy.”

Rainbow Cleaning Services offer a wide range of floor cleaning services from carpet, tile, marble and stone, vinyl and wood and Shane explains that even concrete floors can

have that shine back again.

“We are specialists in what we do trained and certified in all areas and fully insured.”

Mr Flanagan adds that Rainbow Cleaning sets itseld apart from their competitors by catering for all floors - “that means you only have one team to call”.

He continues, “We can offer bespoke maintenance plans for the commercial and private sectors. In some cases we are already scheduled throughout the year, so no need to keep looking for numbers and leaving it off until it’s too late, we are calling you!”

Rainbow Cleaning offer their services to a wide range of businesses all around County Clare and Munster from the accommodation industry, motor, medical and have even worked on our very own cathedral in the heart of Ennis. Everyone has a floor and they all need care.

“We have also recently taken to social media for offers so check-in regularly and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to find out about what’s happening what we’re up to.”

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

ADVERTISEMENT 21

Stoves: Keep up with servicing

The experts at Fairgreen Stoves explain why you should do a yearly spot check

E

VERYONE loves a good stove. When it is fitted correctly and the right fuels are used, people often refer to it as ‘the best investment they have ever made in their house’. Another one we hear a lot is, ‘we should have done it years ago!’.

Maintenance of your stove is very important. A visual check can tell a good story in itself.

There is a lot of heat produced in the stove, and it should be checked annually for: • Ropes • Protection plates • Handle function The ropes seal between the door and the stove (pictured below), ensur-

service to secure any slack.

CHIMNEY CLEANING Removing the soot and tar from your chimney helps to prevent chimney fires. It is recommended to clean your chimney once a year. If you are burning turf or wet fuel, it may to be done twice a year.

During normal use, the stove naturally creates soot in the chimney. The picture, shows a liner that has blocked after ONE YEAR of running a stove with WET FUEL, at a SLOW RATE. This is an extreme example, but it does happen.

The warranty on a stove is only valid if you get your stove serviced annually, with a service record to detail

l DON’T GET BURNED: (top left) the rope seal; (left) a worn rope and (above) blocked liner

ing that it is air tight.

You also have ropes behind the glass, cushioning against the metal. If your ropes are frayed or worn (as above) they let in excessive air, over-running your stove which will cause damage, heat loss and fuel waste. The ropes are usually changed at one to two years intervals.

The protection plates on a non-boiler stove are behind, at the side and above the fire-box.

Boiler stove protection plates depend on where the boiler is located. If they start to warp, or break apart, they need to be replaced.

The handle for the door latch should be secure, keeping the stove air tight.

This may need adjustment during the

what work was completed.

Stoves are a great addition to any house, and used properly, and serviced annually, provide an efficient and safe source of heating.

OUR SERVICING Due to high demand, we have had to curtail servicing to what we sell.

There is one month waiting time, and is not available during peak fitting times in the Winter.

Please call the shop to arrange during the Summer months, ready for the next Heating Season 065 6797453.

Brian Pyne Tiles & Bathware VISIT OUR SHOWROOM

BRIAN PYNE TILES & BATHWARE HAVE OFFERS ON ALL TO SEE OUR FULL RANGE OF TILES & BATHWARE TILES, BATHROOM ACCESSORIES JUST FOR YOU

CALL IN AND SEE OUR MODERN TILED SHOWROOM , WE OFFER YOU A FREE IN-HOUSE DESIGN SERVICE FREE PERSONAL DELIVERY TO YOUR DOOR FREE MEASURING SERVICE FREE PARKING

Unit 4, Westgate Business Park, Ennis, Co. Clare Tel: 065 689 2488 Email: bptiles@eircom.net OPENING TIMES: MONDAY - FRIDAY 9AM-6PM & SATURDAY 9AM - 5.30PM

Make the most of your garden WHEN choosing a patio, it’s best to consider where you will be able to make the most of your outdoor space. Is it better to have it at the end of the garden, where the sun hits just right? Or would you prefer to have it closer to the house for ease of access to the kitchen on those summer barbeque evenings?

Again, preparation is key. Make sure your patio foundation is even and free from tree stumps and other debris. Nearby trees could damage your patio in years to come as they grow. Are there water pipes or electricity cables that you might need access to in future?

There are a wide variety of paving options out there. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles, but consider that the patio will be in place for a long time,

so it might be best to stick with a simple design (like pictured below).

Safety is paramount. If you plan on using your paved area at night, think about putting in some extra lighting. This will also add to the chilled out atmosphere. You also need to consider who will be using the space. Does it need to be wheelchair accessible? Non-slip paving tiles are also probably a good idea, given the climate we live in.

It’s a good idea to draw a scaled plan of your new patio. This will help both you and the shop assistant to visualise the space.

It’s also a good plan to take some pictures of your outside space, as this will give the shop assistant a better idea of the area you have to work with.

Lastly, sit back, relax and enjoy!

l END RESULT: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles before starting work

What colour should I use when freshly painting my room?

LOOKING to get the best out of your paint?

Well then there are a few things to think about.

Consider the level of activity in the space.

Kitchen? Good sitting room? Kid’s playroom? How much is the room going to be used? Does it need to be easily cleanable?

Matte paint gives a high quality, luxurious finish, but it is easily marked, so is not ideal for anywhere with a lot of traffic.

Satin finish paint is somewhere between a matte and gloss paint and gives a soft sheen.

It’s ideal for regular cleaning, but avoid putting it on walls with imperfections as the

shine will highlight them.

While there is nothing better than a burst of colour to bring life to a room, it’s better to stick to neutral colours for large spaces.

While that fuchsia pink might look great in the paint can, it could be a bit overpowering when applied to your entire bedroom. Steer towards creams, off whites, eggshell and ivory, or even a light grey. Then you will have free reign with accessories. Use cushions, curtains, rugs, throws and artwork to create a kaleidoscope of colour.

If you plan on painting yourself rather than hiring someone to do it for you, there are a few things you need to consider. Make sure you have all of the equipment you need before you start. Invest in a roller and the right size brushes for the job. There is no point in spending a fortune on paint if your brushes will not do it justice. Cover the furniture and floors with sheets and put on clothes that you do not plan to wear again, or get yourself a dust suit (think CSI).

Remember, make sure you have enough time to paint the wall. Start in a corner and keep going until you reach the other corner.

If you stop in the middle of a wall, it will be visible when the paint dries.

A Supreme service for roofing SUPREME Roofing are registered roofing contractors who have been serving customers for over 30 years in all areas of Clare. The team are widely regarded as one of the top roofing contractors in Clare and Munster.

They can offer Free Roofing surveys, free quotes and roofing contractor guarantees. With over 30 years’ experience in roofing, all manner of flat roof repairs will be undertaken including specialist repairs to chimney flashing. They use Paralon

Roofing products for high quality waterproofing.

They run a highly professional service and undertake all manner of domestic roofing, commercial roofing jobs, including insurance work, grant work, roof repairs, gutters, fascia, down pipes etc. We are approved by the council for grant work.

Supreme can offer advice on all aspects of roofing and the best roofing materials.

Supreme Roofing have a large client base and is an accredited member of CIF.

Health and Safety is a major priority. All roofers are trained to the highest standard and hold safe passes, skills cards, manual handling certificates. They are fully insured and are C2 registered. All our projects are supervised personally by our experienced foremen.

From repairs to new construction, Supreme Roofing is here for you.

Contact James on 085 193 2901 or 061 579 335.

Online at supremeroofingandguttering.com/.

Know your budget when carrying out renovations

A

NYONE who has ever watched Room to Improve will know that it is almost impossible to stay within the planned budget.

It’s not always the contractor’s fault; the nature of home improvements means that unexpected obstacles will always crop up when you start to strip back the walls, whether it’s dry rot, or electricity wires that need replacing or a dodgy roof beam.

So keep a contingency fund handy. Plan to go over budget by 15 to 20 per cent and don’t be tempted to spend it until you are totally sure you can afford it.

Although it’s vital to keep control of the costs, it’s also equally important to remember that if something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

It’s best to get quotes from three different builders, but it’s not always better to go with the cheapest option.

The experience of the contractor and

l PREPARATION: Be prepared to go over your budget by up to 20 per cent

the quality of their work is more important. Sub-standard work and materials could end up costing more in the long run if the work has to be re-done.

Keep an eye out for key pieces if there is something in particular you want.

Go to show rooms and ask if there are show pieces or pieces with minor defects available.

Hire a carpenter and ask them to transform the piece into your dream creation. The result could be even better and more cost effective than buying a bespoke piece off the shelf.

There is a phrase that every building contractor hates and you should learn to hate it too. Provisional costings are something that should be avoided at all costs (pardon the pun).

Make sure you take all of the costs into account including all of the materials needed to complete the job.

It’s best to make sure you have a very detailed plan in place before you start.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK 27

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

Ronan Scully

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Author spreading the word of positivity

Praying for peace in our world

‘No God, no peace.

Know God, know peace’

O

NE OF my most abiding wishes and prayers that I say daily is that, “we all live in peace

together.”

I light one of my daily candles for that prayer to come true constantly. We have seen what peace can do for people in Northern Ireland.

But you only have to watch the news or read the papers to find conflict and suffering in every corner of our world and especially in Syria at this present time.

Look also what has happened recently in France, Turkey, Iraq, South Sudan, America, Mali, Yemen and Libya to name a few of the obvious ones that have been shown by the various media’s.

The causes may seem complex, but I believe the root of much of it is one group trying to impose its will on another.

The motives may be political, religious, greed or racism, but it amounts to the same thing. One group sees itself as ‘right’ and others as ‘wrong’.

Religion and politics are often used to justify such claims.

Another thing I often think to myself that it is ironic that the objective of war is to create Peace!

In order to have a better more peaceful world we must learn to think of the globe as a whole.

Our world leaders need to be

PEACEFUL LIFE: In the midst of what life deals us, we can remain steadfast and strong by living a peace-filled life which comes down to a choice

more selfless and sacrificing.

Only by having a universal, peaceful and spiritual vision can we bring positive change into the political and world field.

A person who is really interested in making positive changes will never resort to violence to effect political reform. The approach has to be nonviolent and peaceful. Anything achieved through violence will not last long; it will leave an enemy sitting somewhere plotting against you. If instead, you make a friend, you need not be afraid of the other person; and he or she need not be afraid of you.

Permanent peace can never be achieved by violent means.

Remember, there is no power

higher than love. Hatred breeds hatred; violence breeds violence. If we sincerely want world peace, we have to depend on our soul force, not on anything else.

When our efforts fail, when we have nothing else, then we think of a Higher Power and turn to that force.

And that is what soul force is; that is what prayer is all about.

Mahatma Gandhi was a great example of this principle. He demonstrated that, by being a peaceful activist and trusting in soul power, one could liberate an entire country. That is how India gained her independence.

Mahatma Gandhi, U Thant, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Eleanor Roosevelt, and others were great humanitarians in public life. We need more people like these to lead and inspire.

AGREE TO DISAGREE

WAR: Hatred breeds hatred; violence breeds violence

It seems to me that the only way we will ever achieve a peaceful world is if we resist the urge to impose our beliefs on someone who does not want to share them.

We must accept everyone’s right to follow their own path but also keeping in mind with rights and freedoms comes responsibilities.

We must accept that all life matters and that all life is sacred.

We must accept that there will always be those who hold different beliefs and follow different paths to our own. Learn to respect people ‘as they are’ and put differences aside. ‘Agree to disagree’.

This does not mean we cannot state our views or that people must be held responsible for their actions.

With rights comes responsibilities for those rights and freedoms. But it does mean I will not impose anything on anyone who is not interested and it means that I can accept, respect and share with those who hold different beliefs from me without feeling the need to impose my ideas upon them. This world can be a dark place as we have seen over the past year or so.

News reports of shootings, innocent lives being lost too soon, terrorist attacks, so many children’s lives lost needlessly, unrest, racism and struggle are constant reminders that we live in uncertain and evil times.

Many times we wonder, is finding peace in the midst of all this even possible? One quote reminds us, “Peace. It doesn’t

mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” Another says, “No God, no peace. Know God, know peace.” And both are true.

Without knowing the perfect peace and calm assurance of God Himself in this crazy, mixed up and sometimes very evil world, we will live forever struggling to gain control, always finding ourselves in the inner battle with stress, anxiety and evil.

Yet focusing on God’s words can bring life to our souls, no matter what swirls around us on any given day. He is able to bring security, so we’re not overcome with fear, or find ourselves sinking down into a pit of worry and despair. He’s the answer to our place of refuge. We can never fully escape all the mess this world may bring to our lives or our way at times. We sometimes live in a fallen, broken and evil place.

But in the midst of what life deals us, we can remain steadfast and strong by living a peacefilled life which comes down to a choice. Choosing to come to God in prayer and to believe that He’s always with us and in control, choosing to set our thoughts on those things that are good, kind, just, caring, loving, forgiving, merciful, true and right.

God reminds us in His word that peace will not naturally just come our way, He tells us to, “seek peace and pursue it,” Ps. 34:14. You see the peace God offers is vastly different from getting away from it all on holidays and escaping our environment and place of work. It’s lasting.

Confident. Real. Breathing deep reassurance in the midst of all that we face whether it is past, present, or future.

Rising up against the fear that would seek to choke our lives.

Bringing comfort and freedom.

God’s words give strength, purpose and grace. They alone are what can bring inner calm at times to a whirlwind crazy mindless and evil world.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

As your thought for the week, look at ways you can bring real, lasting and genuine peace into your own life and the lives of those around you.

28 COMMUNITY

Community

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

WEST/NORTH CLARE LISSYCASEY TRACTOR RUN The 5th Annual Tractor, Vintage Car and Truck Run takes place on Sunday, April 22 from Lissycasey to Cranny. This annual fundraiser is the brainchild of Lissycasey men Brian Sexton and Marty Meaney. Over the years they have fundraised for many causes including Building of Hope and Lissycasey Creche.

This year there is a newly formed committee to assist Brian and Marty and we have decided the beneficiaries are Clare Suicide Bereavement Support, Brothers of Charity Streetwise and Lissycasey Community Playground.

Each year the Tractor, Vintage Car and Truck Run has grown in popularity. The vehicles start arriving at the Community Car Park behind the Playground from 12 noon after they’ve had their shower. There really is a great effort made to showcase the gleaming tractors, cars and trucks! The families love to walk up and view them before the take off at 1.30. The best spot to watch the departure is definitely within the Playground.

The route is down thru’ Breaffa and onto Cranny where there is refreshments for everyone.

Provided by locals which ensures the costs are kept to a minimum. The highlight of the day is the Children’s Tractor Run downhill from Cranny National School.

After they depart Cranny, everyone drops their vehicles home and return to Fanny O’Deas for music by Patrick Roche. The spot prizes will be given out here as well as the announcement of the winners of the fun games.

As the event has grown, we have some additional entertainment providing great competition amongst the locals including the Digger and Duck and this year we’ve added “Hang Tough”. Nothing like a bit of local rivalry and fun to get everyone out on Sunday, April 22.

Entry is €20 and everyone who enters has a chance to win some amazing prizes sponsored by local businesses and individuals. There will also be a raffle.

This Tractor, Vintage Car and Truck Run is vital, like all fundraisers, to help small groups to thrive and continue to support their local community. Knowing that all money raised stays within the county is the added bonus.

KDHS NOTICE The Kilrush and District Historical Society monthly lecture in the Teach Ceoil on Grace Street at 8pm on Tuesday 24 April is entitled “Seeking ‘the security of greener pastures’: Irish Republicans in America during the Interwar Years” and will be given by Dr Gavin Wilk.

Gavin’s lecture will discuss the emigration of IRA members to the US during the 1920s and offer insight into their lives and roles in US-based Irish republican activism. Using a variety of historical and genealogical sources, a number of interesting emigration stories will be described. Details about West Clare republicans will also be revealed.

KDHS lectures are free to members, €5 for non-members. New members are welcome.

RAIDÍO CORCA BAISCINN The AGM for Raidío Corca Baiscinn (RCB) takes place on 09 May 2018 at 7pm in Kilkee Community Centre. All members are welcome to attend. In order to have a vote you must be a member for 6 months. New members are

l KEEP IT CLEAN: Ennis Tidy Towns annual An Taisce Spring Clean event took place on Saturday, April 14. 22 bags of litter were collected on the day. Thanks to all the people who helped out on the day including the staff of McDonalds, members of Eire Og GAA Club and the Lions Club. More groups will be getting involved in the coming weeks. Ennis Tidy Towns will meet in Abbey Street car park at 7.30pm every Monday evening from April 23 on. Join us if you can and help us clean, paint, tidy, weed or anything else that needs doing to enhance our town. We would also like to hear from people or groups who would like to partner on larger projects. Contact through Facebook or info@ennistidytowns.com

very welcome and can sign up on the night.

ENNIS WANT TO PRACTICE YOUR CÚPLA FOCAL? Ciorcal Cainte (Conversation circle) Dé Máirt 24 Aibreán ag 11 am The Food Emporium, Sráid, Phroinisas, trasna ó Clare FM. Bígí Linn!

Tuilleadh eolais ó: anclarasgaeilge@gmail. com. Má tá treoir uait ar an lá glaoigh ar 0876390496/087-2117395.

If you need directions on the day ring 0876390496/087-2117395.

ENNIS TOASTMASTERS The Toastmasters’ next gathering will take place on Tuesday April 24 from 8pm at Temple Gate where those present will enjoy speeches, topics and evaluations. Visitors welcome.

POETRY DAY IRELAND The finals of the EVERY CHILD A POET contest for primary children will take place at the Education Centre on Kilrush Road, Ennis from 4pm on Thursday April 26. The children will read their poems and prizes will be presented by Tom McNamara, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council. The individual winner will receive a painting by leading Clare-based artist Benoni, based upon the theme of his or her poem.

CLARE ROOTS SOCIETY MEETING Old Ground Hotel, 8pm Thursday April 19 How THE ESB brought electricity to everyone, Presented By Brian McMahon, Manager of ESB Archives The talk will be on how ESB brought electricity to everyone, everywhere in Ireland through the Shannon Scheme of the 1920s/30s and later in the 1940s to 1960s with the Rural Electrification Scheme. It will feature Ennis and its surrounding areas. The talk will be accompanied by stunning photographs and video clips.

Brian McMahon is a manager at ESB Archives, and has worked with ESB for 39 years.

ADVICE/OPINION 29

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

Sheila Lynch Solicitor

Eoin Neylon

Legal Matters

Buying your first home?

BUYING your first home is a very exciting time but it can also be very stressful. A house is probably the most expensive thing you will ever buy so it is important to be fully informed about what’s involved in the process and to be ready.

The first step is to determine your budget. If you require a mortgage to fund the property purchase it is important that you obtain pre-approval from your lender before shopping for a home, as this will dictate what your budget will be.

Consider the ‘costs’ of purchase. These include surveyor’s fees, solicitor’s fees, Property Registration Authority fees and stamp duty (currently 1% of the purchase price). If you are purchasing a property in need of renovation or refurbishment you should also consider those additional costs.

Arrange for your engineer to conduct a full structural and boundary survey and to conduct planning enquiries regarding the property before you sign contracts for sale to purchase.

Your solicitor will advise you on title to the property which may be freehold or leasehold. Apartments are held under a leasehold title and there will be a management company in place which looks after the common areas of the apartment complex, which you will have to become a member of, and also pay an annual charge for services (e.g. refuse, insurance, lighting repairs/ maintenance etc). You should enquire about the annual charge and ascertain if all apartment owners are making the required contributions and if the management company is being operated effectively and efficiently. Your solicitor should be able to assist you with these enquiries.

Property can be offered for sale

by Private Treaty or by Public Auction.

• In a sale by Private Treaty, once you have agreed to buy a particular

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property, the auctioneer will request payment of a booking deposit, generally in the region of €5,00015,000. This deposit is refundable at any stage prior to signing of Contracts for Sale. Your solicitor will review the property title and planning documentation and advise you of any problems or title defects before proceeding to sign. On signing of Contracts, you must pay over to the Vendor 10% of the purchase price (taking into account the booking deposit paid to the auctioneer). You must also agree a sale closing date which is included in the Contract.

• If you purchase a property at public auction you must sign the Contracts for Sale at the auction and pay 10% of the purchase price and agree the vendor’s closing date for sale. Therefore, it is essential that you have available funds to purchase the property and that your solicitor reviews title and planning documentation and you are fully advised prior to auction. By doing your ‘homework’ you can avoid costly surprises that can arise after auction.

The time scale in a property purchase can vary depending on circumstances. A normal time scale would be about six to eight weeks. If you are obtaining a mortgage it is important to liaise with your lender to ensure you have complied with all their requirements, e.g. mortgage protection insurance, house insurance, independent property valuation etc to facilitate the drawdown of your loan funds.

This article does not constitute legal advice. For further info, contact Cashin & Associates Solicitors, 3 Francis Street, Ennis, Co. Clare. Tel: 065 6840060.

Email: slynch@cashinlaw.com

6

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

‘Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam’ - P.H. Pearse

I

T’S a quote that almost all of us have heard before; A country without a language is a country without a soul. Irish language enthusiasts are quick to belt it out during debates on the future of our mother tongue. But where is the language in the national psyche? According to the 2016 census, 39.8 per cent of the people of Ireland claim to speak some level of Irish. Co Clare, at 45.6 per cent, comes second only to Galway’s 49 per cent in the same national survey of speakers.

But where are all these Gaeilgeoirí? Well, sadly, the same census results also show that only 1.7 per cent of the population speak Irish daily outside of any form of education with only 17.4 per cent speaking it with any regularity outside the education system.

Some might be surprised to know that a significant part of West Clare was an official Gaeltacht up until the 1960s. This meant that my parents were officially born in the Gaeltacht.

Whereas I’d have a decent level of Irish, I certainly would not call myself fluent. With the removal of the official status went the grants for promotion of the language which were available to our westerner Gaeilgeoirí. Their removal saw a loss in one of the key incentives that saw Irish used daily and, as such, fluent speakers became more and more used to using English as a default so as to avoid offending any non-speakers.

Recent times though have seen some attitudes change. The number of Irish speakers has continued to fall; however, the rate of this fall has been greatly reduced over the past 20 years. This is thanks in no small part to various campaigns to modernise the language. The launch of TG4 has proven a massive help with marvel-

lous sports coverage and major children’s TV shows and films being screened exclusively through Irish.

This has helped to change the image of Irish as an old monolith from a by-gone era which had developed by the mid-1990s. The perception of the educational standard gained from attending Gaelscoileanna has also seen a rise in popularity for the language in certain urban centres. But these will not be enough on their own to turn the tide and see an Irish language revival of the success of that of Hebrew or Welsh.

These are both ongoing projects, but some early successes give hope to Irish language proponents.

A language is a living thing and, as Charles Darwin would attest, all living things need to evolve over time or else they run the risk of becoming extinct.

The loss of native dialects and the attempt to standardise the language with one, centralised, but utterly inorganic, form of the language is a major flaw in Irish education I believe.

An Caighdeán Oifigiúil, as it’s called, is an artificial construct combining pieces of vernacular dialects but favouring that of Conemara Irish. As such, there’s no lineage, little agreement, often confusion when a Gaeilgeoir is involved, and no natural love for the language that’s now being taught in schools. What’s needed is a return to a more natural language, one that’s spoken in homes and passed between generations that’s free to develop in the same manner as all major languages. Dialects should be encouraged and nurtured, not stamped out as the Caighdeán has attempted to do.

In Dublin, Cork, Galway and further afield, a new initiative has been started to get more people in their 20s and 30s using the language. These are the demographics with the worst

record of speaking Irish regularly according the census. The Pop-up Gaeltacht is an evening where patrons of a pub or club are encouraged to meet up and use Irish, no matter what level of Irish the person has. In doing so, we change the emphasis away from learning the perfect set of grammatical rules and spellings and transfer it to using and loving a natural, living language that’s full of expressive phrases and idioms. This is how I came around to the language.

Any of my school teachers would say, although I’d an aptitude for the language, I had no grá for it. This wasn’t because of them but the rigid school syllabus.

Once I went to college in Galway, I was exposed to free-flowing conversations with Gaeilgeoirí in Club Áras na nGael on Dominic Street. It helped that drinks were cheaper for those speaking Irish at the Conradh na Gaeilge-run pub.

But love for the living Irish language followed me back out the doors of that club and into my every day life.

This is the model groups like Coiste Forbartha Gaeltachta Chontae an Chláir, the local Irish language advocacy group, should be putting forward. Getting people together to promote the language in informal ways is the only way you’ll put the language back in the national psyche. This seems the best way to change the bad image the majority are seemingly developing of the language in their school years.

Is é sin bliain na Gaeilge. Tá sé in ár lámha ár n-oidhreacht agus ár teanga a coiméad beo.

Déan trial as; bain úsáid as an teanga. Is cuma a bhfuil cúpla focail agat nó foclóir iomlán agat. You never know, if you give Irish a chance, you might discover a whole new side of yourself too. It’s up to us to protect our nations soul through its language.

Beautiful homes all over the County UNLOCK YOUR DREAM

Property

IDEAL FAMILY HOME

6 NOUGHAVAL DRIVE, DOORA, ENNIS, CO CLARE, V95 PCF1 €319,000

T

HIS MAGNIFICENT family home is ideally located in the extremely sought after Noughaval Drive development in Doora, 2 minutes from the M18 motorway and 5 minutes approx. from Ennis town centre.

The property is presented superbly and stands on a landscaped site of approximately 0.52 acre (0.21 hectare).

Accommodation on the ground floor comprises an entrance hall, living room, kitchen/dining area, utility room, two double bedrooms and a bathroom. On the first floor there are two large double bedrooms (both with en-suite).

Viewing of this fine home is highly recommended.

177 sq.m (1904.5 sq.ft) approx. BER B3.

BER No. 110280161

OPEN VIEWING: FRIDAY, 20TH APRIL: 5.30PM - 6.00PM SATURDAY, 21ST APRIL: 1.30PM - 2.00PM SATURDAY, 28TH APRIL: 12.00 - 12.30PM

Contact: Diarmuid McMahon, Sherry FitzGerald McMahon Tel: 065 686 7866

High five in Ruan LISMUINGA, RUAN, ENNIS, CO €369,000 CLARE, V95FW0X

S

ET ON AN ATTRACTIVE site this spacious five bedroom detached house is presented to the market in excellent condition. The accommodation is well proportioned making it an ideal family home.

The property is situated just outside the village of Ruan, a ten minute drive from both the Barefield & Crusheen exits of the M18 motorway and a 15 minute drive from Ennis.

Accommodation downstairs comprises an entrance hall, sitting room, office, double bedroom, open-plan kitchen/ dining area, a utility room, downstairs WC and a living room. On the first floor there are four double bedrooms (one with an en-suite and walk-in wardrobe and a bathroom. This beautiful property has been finished to an exceptional standard throughout.

Externally there is a gravel driveway with cut-stone wall surround to the front that wraps around the side of the house

SEASIDE LOCATION 1 GARRAN, PERCY FRENCH, KILKEE, CO CLARE € 160,000

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to the back garden. The front boundary comprises mature hedging providing great privacy. There is a large garage to the rear of the property that is divided into two separate sections, both with separate entrances. There are double doors to the front and it is plumbed for a toilet & a jacuzzi.

BER B3, BER No. 110598224 261.7 sqm (2,816 sq ft) approx.

Contact: Diarmuid McMahon, Sherry FitzGerald McMahon Tel: 065 686 7866

HIS FINE 3 bedroom semi detached property comes to the market in good condition. It is ideally located within walking distance of the beach and all local amenities. It is situated in a well established resdiential development of only 16 units. Accommodation is spacious, comprising 115 sqm 1,237 sq.ft. approx) and including an open plan kitchen and dining area, living room, ground floor toilet, bathroom and 3 bedrooms (one of which is ensuite). Externally there is ample parking to the front of the property and a large, low maintenance yard to the rear.

Due to the size and location of this property it would make a fabulous family holiday home.

BER C2. BER Number 110854403. BER Code 195.24 kWh/m²/yr.

Kilkee is a small coastal town in County Clare, midway between Kilrush and Doonbeg on the N67 road. The town is popular as a seaside resort with people from Limerick city. The horseshoe bay is

protected from the Atlantic Ocean by the Duggerna Reef.

The area is defined by a majesty that inspires a rarely available appreciation of nature. Locals enjoy dramatic, unparalleled views, pieds dans l’eau.

Contact: Danielle Kavanagh, Sherry FitzGerald McMahon Tel: 065 686 7866

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

ADVERTISEMENT 31

Motoring ROAD TEST: VOLVO XC40 BY NEIL BRISCOE

The XC40 is easily Volvo’s best all-round product right now

SWEDES GRAB THE TOP EURO PRIZE ONCE AGAIN VOLVO’S XC40 TAKES THE TOP EUROPEAN CAR AWARD. DOES IT DESERVE TO?

J

UST the one win separates Sweden and Ireland in the greatest competition of them all. No, not the world cup. Don’t be daft. I’m talking about Eurovision, which is coming up. Don’t know about you, but Eurovision is close to religion in my household, and those cursed Swedes, lovely people though they are, are just one win away from equalling Ireland’s all-time record of Song Contest wins.

So, hopefully, the fact that the new Volvo XC40 snagged this year’s European Car Of The Year award will take the Scandinavian eyes off the prize.

Hopefully, seeing as they already have a trophy to show the mammy, they’ll take their collective Swedish feet off the gas pedal, so to speak.

Somewhat surprisingly, the XC40 is not only the first Volvo to win the ECOTY award, it’s the first Scandi car, full-stop, to do so. Yup, in all the years that Europe’s top award for cars has been handed out, neither Volvo nor dear, departed Saab had ever scooped the top spot. Which seems unfair.

So, there was always the danger that this award might be tainted, a little, with sympathy. Sort of like Sean Connery getting the Oscar for The Untouchables, or Martin Scorcese doing so with The Departed, that it might be an award for previous, overlooked efforts, rather than this exact performance.

Ummm, nope. Not a bit of it. Actu-

ally, the XC40 is easily Volvo’s best allround product right now, and one of its best efforts ever. Believe me, having me say that about an SUV is tantamount to pulling teeth. I’m, in general, not a fan of the breed, but the XC40 has well and truly won me around.

It’s actually a Swedish-Chinese co-production. Since 2009, Volvo has been owned by Chinese conglomerate Geely, which has its own-brand cars on sale in China, owns the company that makes the black-cab taxi and which has also just snapped up storied sports car maker Lotus. Volvo is Geely’s biggest global seller, but it had a problem.

It had created its own in-house engines and chassis for larger cars, such as the XC90, S90, and the upcoming new 60-series, but creating a platform for a smaller family of models was going to be expensive. So, Geely decided that it would co-create a new platform, called CMA (common modular architecture) to be shared with Geely’s Chinese products, and that’s where the doubt came in — would it be engineered down to a price for the Chinese market?

If it has been, it doesn’t show. The XC40 looks great, for a start. It’s taller and blockier than most of its rivals, almost as if the early design work was done with Lego, rather than pencil.

That’s not to say it’s not pretty — the contrast colour roof, sneering headlights, counter-sunk grille and clever

detailing really do make this one stand out. While it takes your eyes a moment or two to adjust to an SUV that actually, once again, looks tall and square, it’s a seriously good looking car.

Good inside too. It lifts a lot from the larger cars, all of which is good news. You get the same big central touchscreen (smaller, more affordable versions for more basic models will, in time, be available), the same (optional) all-digital instruments, and much of the same switchgear and controls.

The steering wheel is smaller, with a squared-off centre that’s very cool, and if you can tell the plastics and materials budget was a touch lower (inevitably) than the 90-series cars, then it’s certainly all well enough put together.

There are lovely touches, such as a small swing-lid rubbish bin between the front seats (that pops out for cleaning), and the front seats themselves are just wonderful — Volvo almost always makes great seats and these are at the top of its game. Rear seats space is excellent too, and the boot, at 460-litres is decent, and can be divided up with screens and hooks to separate and dangle your shopping.

To drive it’s very good, but lacking perhaps in the outright sharpness of rivals such as the BMW X1. The steering is a little on the light side, but better if you switch it into Dynamic mode. The ride is firm, but not overly-so (it’s very well-damped across sharp urban in-

FACTS & FIGURES:

Model tested: Volvo XC40 D4 AWD R-Design automatic Pricing €53,415 as tested; starts from €38,900 Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel Transmission: eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive Body style: five-door, five-seat SUV CO2 emissions: 131g/km (Band B2, €280 per annum) Combined economy: 56.4mpg (5.0 litres/100km) Top speed: 210km/h 0-100km/h: 7.9 seconds Power: 190hp at 4,000rpm Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-2,500rpm Boot space: 460 litres (seats up); 1,336 litres (seats folded) EuroNCAP rating: Not yet tested

trusions) and refinement is fine, even if the 190hp D4 diesel engine can be a bit too noisy at times. It is, of course, very, very safe, and depending on the model includes automated emergency braking, active cruise control, and even Volvo’s ‘Pilot Assist’ which helps to keep you safely in lane on the motorway.

I guess if the Swedes equal our Eurovision record in May, they’ll probably have deserved it. They certainly deserved the European Car Of The Year award. The XC40 is good, maybe even ABBA levels of good.

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

MOTORING 33

34 COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

The scene

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

Beasts in the East

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

PICS THE Run Clare series, of which The Clare Echo is main media partner, finished with a bang in East Clare as runners from across the country took on the hills of East Clare to complete the Tuamgraney 10 Mile challenge.

Four successful races were run over the course of four months with runners completing a 5k in Barefield, a 5 Mile in Lahinch, the Eamon Moloney 10k in Ennis and finally last Sunday’s event in East Clare.

Record numbers signed up for the popular race, which is organised

by Jason Moloney and Lorraine O’Connor, and Run Clare are already accepting bookings for the 2019 event when there wil be a shuffle in

proceedings with the 10 Mile final race taking place in Lahinch.

Organisers have moved to thank everybody who took part in the series.

They said, “A huge thank you to absolutely everyone who has taken part in run Clare 2018!

You were all amazing!

“This race series was dreamt of four years ago in our back garden where we hoped we could create a series of events that would encourage everyone to take part and to build up their distance and ability without even realising it...and so there you have it, today you fulfilled our dream.

Thank you.”

Congratulations to Lorraine and Jason on a fantastic event.

l ALL OVER: Linda Lynch, Clonlara, Aine Kellegher, O Briens Bridge and Bernie Ryan from Broadford take a well-earned break in the sun after taking on the mountains of East Clare and (inset) organisers Jason and Lorraine Photo by Julie Tillett

l SUPER TEAM: Supermacs Ennis , Emily Ryan, Michelle Gilmore, Kelly Anne Whelan and Zac Brannagan Photo by Julie Tillett

l FITTEST FAMILY: Ruth, Rory and Clare Clansey from Ennis with their finisher medals

Photo by Julie Tillett

SPORT 35

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018 l GRIPPING STUFF: Clare Echo editor Stuart Holly helps Cormac O’Sullivan, of DNG O’Sullivan Hurley, launch a drive at Woodstock Photo by Julie Tillett

PGA Golf Professional

#PadraigKnowsGolf

Padraig McGrath

GOLF ANALYSIS

Understanding width in your swing Bookings available for Club Clare Golf Classic 2018 CLUB Clare are now accepting entries for the second annual Club Clare Golf classic, which will take place at Woodstock Golf Club on Thursday and Friday of May 3/4 and will raise funds for Clare intercounty hurling structures from underage to senior.

This year’s event will be run in partnership with The Clare Echo newspaper and DNG O’Sullivan Hurley Auctioneers.

Organisers are welcoming teams of four and the team entry cost includes dinner at Woodstock while there will also be a selection of valuable prizes on offer. You can secure a tee time now (details below).

Douglas Hurley, of DNG O’Sullivan Hurley, said on Monday, “We were delighted to get involved in some way because we know the great amount of effort that the players are putting in, and the time and money that goes into it.

“When the committee asked us to get involved, we were only too happy to show some token of our appreciation towards all

the work, time and effort that’s being put in by these guys for amateur sports.”

Established in January 2017, Club Clare Hurling Supporters is managed by a group of committed individuals all of whom work voluntarily to secure funding. The group operate on the basis of accountability and in the best interests of Clare hurling.

Mark Kelly of Club Clare added, “The event is on Thursday and Friday, May 3 and 4 here in Woodstock. We’re looking forward to a great day, and hopefully improved weather. We’re incredibly grateful to The Clare Echo and DNG O’Sullivan Hurley for their kind sponsorship towards the event which is marvellous.”

The cost of entering a team of four is €300 which includes dinner. There will be a selection of valuable prizes on offer.

To secure a tee time, please contact one of; Mark Kelly 087-9082599; Pat Keogh 087-2569022; Paul Madden 086-3840772.

Email mark@danoconnells.com.

l JOIN THE CLUB: Douglas Hurley of DNG O’Sullivan Hurley, Stuart Holly, Cormac O’Sullivan, and Mark Kelly of Club Clare at Woodstock Photo by Julie Tillett

W

HEN I talk about width in your golf swing I’m referring to how big an arc you can generate as you swing the golf club like in the image below.

Quiet simply the further your hands are from your body as you swing the club the more width and the bigger arc you will achieve with your golf club. Therefore a golfer with longer arms or a longer club will achieve a wider arc, helping them to achieve greater clubhead speed, as long as they also have a good rotation of their shoulders. The key here is understanding the relationship between the width of your swing and between the range of motion of your shoulder turn.

Quiet simply, width in your golf swing is far more important if you have a good ability to rotate your shoulders in your backswing.

If you don’t have a great range of motion and your shoulder turn is limited, then keeping your left arm straight trying to maintain

width can hinder you from achieving power in the downswing. As you can see in the second photo (below) the difference between a full shoulder turn and a limited shoulder turn.

Time and time again I see right handed golfers keeping their left arm straight in their backswing however their rotational ability is limited, therefore they struggle to load power and end up thrusting themselves towards the ball on the downswing rather than swinging the club.

Lets get this point straight, width in your golf swing is a key fundamental to achieve more power, but only if you have a good shoulder rotation in the first place.

For instance less flexible or larger framed individuals who cannot generally rotate as much in their backswing, should allow their arm to bend to help get the club up higher behind their heads (their swing looks closer to half a backswing as seen in the image attached).

If your full backswing looks closer to a half shoulder turn then I urge you not to keep your left arm straight allow it to bend slightly and try get your hands higher up behind your head (right arm for left handed golfers). Bending your arm will help you to achieve a longer arc if your shoulder turn is restricted. It is more important when trying to achieve power during the downswing that you try generate this power from having your club behind your head not from a halfway back position.

Therefore in summary the better you can rotate your shoulders in your backswing, the more power you generate. Try keeping your left arm straighter (right arm for a left hander), however if your shoulder turn is limited then don’t keep your arm straight allow it to bend to increase the length of your arc to help create more power.

LOCAL GOLF RESULTS

ENNIS Senior Ladies Results Tuesday 10th April 2018 1st Della Burns, Mary Leahy & Patrice Ryan 38 pts 2nd Phil Butler, A.M. Darmody & Ann O’Loughlin 38 pts 3rd Rita O’Brien, Mary Glynn & Kathleen Pyne 37 pts 4th Marianne McGough, Mairead Caveney & Kate O’Ceallaigh 35 pts Sunday 8th & Wednesday 11th April 2018 18H V-PAR COMP 1st Ann O’Loughlin (17) -1 (Back 6-1v-2) 2nd Ann Dunne (25) -1 (Back 6-2v-3) 3rd Mary Lenihan (16) -1 9H COMP 1st Mairead Caveney (35) 17 points

2nd Jean Moloney (20) 14 points Gents 3 T’s 18 Hole Singles S/Ford Sat./Sun.14th /15th Apr.2018 Winner: Gerard O’Brien (16) 41pts WOODSTOCK Club Singles Stableford 14/04/18 & 15/04/18 1st Brendan Arthur(19) 41 2nd Tony Neville(11) 40 3rd Gerry Kelly(6) 39 CSS 37 Upcoming Fixtures 21/04/18 & 22/04/18 Monthly Medal

36 CLASSIFIEDS

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

Classifieds ACCOUNTANCY

BOOKKEEPING

ACUPUNCTURE

CAR REPAIRS

CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

CLEANING

DRUMMING AGRICULTURAL LAND SOUGHT Agricultural land (8-12 acres) wanted for established camp for 3 weeks in July. Camp fully insured. Land left as found. Privacy and access important. €1200.

Details on application.

Phone 086 817 7464 or 086 837 7411

CARPENTRY

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

Classifieds

CLASSIFIEDS 37 CONTACT SALES

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38 CROSSWORD/HOROSCOPES

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

Your Horoscopes April 19 YOU’RE everybody’s favorite boss, and if you’re not the boss, well, everybody wishes you were. Why? Because you manage well, you stay organized, you keep your cool and you’re nice to people. Most of all, you’re an adult and you act like one. Heck, when you go home tonight, make yourself a little medal. Use crepe paper, scissors, glue and maybe even some glitter.

Taurus

Gemini

WHETHER it’s organizing the bug juice brigade on an all-ages hiking expedition or coordinating the experts’ data in a massive mapping of the Great Coral Reef, you take naturally to leadership. You’re good at giving directions and negotiating between conflicting interests. You’re kind, yet firm. By golly, there will be plenty of bug juice! That old coral reef will be thoroughly mapped!

DID you just send your honey bunny an email entitled ‘Chill Out’? Hmm. You do know that when your honey bunny is upset and you say things like ‘Babe, relax’ or ‘calm down, freako’ that calming down is the last thing they’re likely to do? You do know that, right? So whether your email header was a slight oversight or the result of a temporary bout of insanity, you might want to try to make it better.

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

HAVE you been sticking to your exercise routine? Or have you been slacking a little? Don’t try to make up for lost time with a hard-hitting, body-slamming workout. Instead, regardless of whether you’ve missed a few workouts or have been totally faithful to your routine, why don’t you try something quiet? A yoga class, a long walk or a breathing meditation could be just what your body and mind need.

TODAY is all about connections. Not just who knows whom, who used to have lunch with whom, whose babysitter got her nails done at the same beauty parlor as the person in charge. (Although that kind of connection can never be underestimated.) But you might also want to check out a few other things. For example, if your desk lamp won’t turn on, ask yourself: Is it plugged into the socket?

YOU are like a bodybuilder of ideas. You take an idea, you feed it just enough protein, you work it out, you pump it up, and before you know it, you’ve got something that is ready to compete on an international level! (Maybe it could even go into politics someday!) You could definitely make money and garner fame with your goal-oriented, discipline-heavy, no-nonsense approach to building up good ideas into great ones.

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

Aries

YOU’RE not someone who looks at a problem in the community and shuts their door and locks it and double locks it and says, ‘To heck with all of them, all I want is for my morning paper to be delivered on time every morning.’ No, you’re an active participant in the world around you, and you are more likely than not to get involved in finding a solution.

You’re extremely unlikely to sit around complaining.

YES, PE stands for ‘physical education.’ But it could also stand for ‘patience and effort’ (which, if you think about it, is what most physical education involves too). You’re getting physical, and it’s going to take patience and effort.

But the payoff -- sounder sleep, a better relationship with your body and, by extension, with the world around you, a stronger sense of self -- is more than worth it. So get going.

And have a good time!

YOU’RE an idealist and a perfectionist, and these qualities are part of what makes you so effective: You don’t give up until you’ve got things as close to perfect as you can. But your idealistic perfectionism can also make it hard for you to accept when things aren’t the way they should be. Your task is to try to acknowledge things as they are without negating your desire to have them the way they should be.

THERE are easy personalities and difficult personalities.

Sometimes, though, the easygoing people are the more difficult of the two. Why? Because the difficult ones show you right away where their soft spots are. The easygoing ones can be harder to understand, and you might not know when you hurt their feelings. Which type are you? Either way, it’s a good moment to work on communicating those feelings thoughtfully.

The Clare Echo Crossword

ACROSS

1 Russian agreement to conceal material (6) 4 Spanner needed for a game of cards (6) 8 Drive erratically to see composer (5) 9 Policeman promises to pay in full (7) 10 Flakes beginning to drop on Welsh mountain (7) 11 Hint just not started (5) 12 Train isn’t diverted on the way (2,7) 17 Farewell from police officer in a multinational group (5) 19 New fans for spice (7) 18 One night in Paris for northerner (5) 20 Candid leader in front line (5) 21 Her gout may be more difficult to deal with (7) 22 Get older part of bible for spy (5)

YOU care about the people around you. You’re in no way indifferent if they’re worried about life, death, love or finances. You’re a good person to talk to. The question is are you getting enough support yourself? If not, are you maybe forgetting to ask for help? If you aren’t used to making your needs known, it can be a pretty unfamiliar territory. Venture out into it -- your friends care about you too.

IF YOU’RE feeling a little bit like all the ink is running out of every single pen you own, it might be time to go pen shopping. Buy a whole bunch of your favorite kind of pen (or just go to the office supply store and grab a couple of the standard office-issue pens). There! You’ve solved the problem.

If you still can’t seem to get anything written down, maybe it’s not the pen that’s the problem.

23 Don’t go to bed sleepyhead exercises!

(3-3) 24 Old girl editor approved (6)

DOWN

1 Strip joints on time (6) 2 Wireless pioneer has stuff erected on island (7) 3 Thrown guard ignoring fifty (5) 5 Salesman doesn’t tell the truth when giving answers (7) 6 Impoverished duke raised flag (5) 7 Written works from Midwest states (6) 9 Election worker sails south with queen (9) 13 Improve a bit, making sense at university (5,2) 14 Eels try wriggling

briefly (7) 15 Grandma set up in French city (6)

16 Collective held back by cadet in Ukraine (6)

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

QUIZ 39

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018

The Clare Echo Quiz

THEY SAID WHAT NOW? 7 1

4 5 6

8 9

10

l NATIONALIST: James Patrick Mahon

ANSWERS

6 Father Ted Crilly 7 Eddie Lenihan 8 Brendan Grace 9 Davy Fitz 10 Daniel O’Connell

3

John O’Donohue Edna O’Brien Anthony Daly Eamon DeValera Brian Merriman

2

“It is a much-overlooked fact that not all of the thousands who fled Ireland in former times did so to escape hunger, deprivation, and persecution.”

Willie Daly, Eamon DeValera, Eddie Lenihan “I was never over-weight, just under-tall; the correct height for my weight at the moment is seven feet ten and a half inches.”

Marty Morrissey, Keith Wood, Brendan Grace “It will happen for them. This is a good bunch. It might not be this year but it will come for them.”

Anthony Daly, Davy Fitz, Ger Loughnane “The altar of liberty totters when it is cemented only with blood.”

Daniel O’Connell, Eamon DeValera, James Patrick Mahon

1 2 3 4 5

“May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.”

Eugene O’Curry, John O’Donohue, Brian Merriman “Life was a bitch. Love also was a bitch.”

Edna O’Brien, Niall Williams, Kate Thompson “As Collins said to Dev, you’ll always be my General”.

Anthony Daly, Davy Fitz, Ger Loughnane “It is indeed hard for the strong to be just to the weak, but acting justly always has its rewards.”

Daniel O’Connell, Eamon DeValera, James Patrick Mahon “‘twas my custom to stroll by a clear winding stream, With my boots full of dew from the lush meadow green” Percy French, John O’Donohue, Brian Merriman “Okay, one last time. These are small, but the ones out there are far away. Small. Far away. Ah, forget it.”

Father Ted Crilly, Father Dougal Maguire, Bishop Brennan

OLD IMAGES OF COUNTY CLARE

Abbey Street, Ennis c.1910

Photo by Robert French (Naitonal Library of Ireland)

40 ADVERTISEMENT

THURSDAY, APR 19 2018