The Clare Echo 19/10/2017

Martin Daly Tyres  Servicing  Pre NCT Check NCT Failure Repairs  Timing Belt  Clutches ALL CARS, VANS AND 44’S Knockaura, Tulla Road, Ennis 065-6898070 Best Wishes to the Clare Echo Team!

065 671 9021

clareecho.ie

editor@clareecho.ie

facebook.com/clareecho

twitter.com/ClareEcho

Clare Echo reader to win €1,000 bonanza

PARTY TIME: Clare Echo staff Ciara Farrell and Ciara McEntee enjoying the newspaper launch night.

Photo Credit: Julie Tillett

We have lift-off

ELAINE TUBRIDY

news@clareecho.ie

THE dawn of a new era is here as Co Clare’s hottest and most interactive media publication, The Clare Echo, hits the shelves today.

Brainchild of Ennis native, Editor Stuart Holly, The Clare Echo is a weekly free-sheet newspaper that will bring

19 Oct 2017

ONE lucky reader of The Clare Echo will open up their newspaper today to a big surprise.

That’s because we have carefully placed our specially designed ‘Clare Echo Golden Ticket’ into one issue before it wings its way across the county.

Clare Echo launch heralds new dawn for county readers the latest news and opinions from across Co Clare.

With 12,000 copies weekly, The Clare Echo claims be Clare’s most widely distributed paper with half of these delivered to homes in Ennis.

Mr Holly said, “This is an incredibly proud day for all the team here at The Clare Echo. A big welcome to our

MANIX

new readers and thanks to the businesses around Clare who had faith in our vision.

“We have big ambitions here and I am looking forward to hearing from and interacting with people from every corner of Clare.”

Our contributors include Aoibhin Gariihy, former Clare footballer Martin Daly, stylist

Best foot forward...

Caroline Burke, Lauren Guilfoyle, former Ogra Fianna Fail president Eoin Neylon and aid worker Ronan Scully.

Aoibhín added, “This is something I’ve been dying to tell people about it and now it’s finally out there and we can sing it from the rooftops.”

continued page 10

OVER 12,000 FREE NEWSPAPERS WEEKLY

Print 28 LOWER MARKET STREET, ENNIS

The Clare Echo has partnered up with four local businesses so that one of our readers will have €1,000 in vouchers with which to enjoy a Christmas spending spree.

Manix Menswear, The County Boutique, Expert Ennis Electrical and Haven Pharmacy Holly’s have kindly all contributed €250 in vouchers each.

Online

Social Media

2 NEWS

THE CLARE ECHO

Index AOIBHIN GARRIHY SPORT

Inside The Clare Echo FEATURES: PAGE 12

Aoibhín Garrihy loves...

12-13

18

FEATURE/LIVING

19-22

In her brand new Love Clare column with The Clare Echo, Aoibhín Garrihy picks her Top 5 cosy pubs in Clare to take shelter in during the stormy weather

23

OPINION REGIONAL NOTES

24-25

BUSINESS

27-28

MOTORING

30-33

PROPERTY

34-36

GET IN TOUCH

THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

NEWS: PAGE 8-9

Ophelia not such a tragedy

SPORT: PAGE 19

Stalemate in county hurling In Clare Echo Sport this week, we look back on an enthralling county final while Lauren Guilfoyle reflects on the careers of Clare’s recent retirees. We visit Ennis Rugby Club where Ireland captain Niamh Briggs met the club’s underage girls.

We look at the day County Clare came to a standstill with the arrival of Ophelia - with schools, businesses, and services all coming to a halt for the day

THE CLARE ECHO

The Square, Ennis, County Clare Telephone: 065 671 9021 Email: news@clareecho.ie

EDITOR Telephone: 065 671 9021 Email: editor@clareecho.ie

NEWSDESK Telephone: 065 671 9021 Email: news@clareecho.ie BABY ON BOARD: Sharon Connellan with baby Sadie at The Clare Echo launch party

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

Telephone: 065 671 9021 Email: ciara.farrell@clareecho.ie

PLACE AN

Golden Ticket hits the shelves ELAINE TUBRIDY news@clareecho.ie

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

ODAY is a historic day for Clare’s media landscape as it welcomes the county’s only free weekly newspaper - and particularly memorable it will be for the winner of The Clare Echo Golden Ticket winner.

The Clare Echo has partnered up with four local businesses so that one Clare Echo reader will have €1,000 in vouchers with which to enjoy a Christmas spending spree.

Manix Menswear, The County Boutique, Expert Ennis Electrical and Haven Pharmacy Holly’s have kindly all contributed €250 in vouchers each.

“We decided to really mark the launch edition of The Clare Echo by giving away a prize worth €1,000.

“Thankfully the response from local business has been amazing and we were delighted to have such reputable outlets such as Manix, The County Boutique, Expert Ennis Electrical and Haven Pharmacy Holly’s as our partners on this project.

‘‘

‘‘

SALES

We’ve decided to really mark the launch Stuart Holly

“We feel that there’s a really good selection of shops there to keep the potential winner of the prize happy, especially in the run-up to Christmas.”

When asked for a hint on where the ticket will be placed, The Clare Echo editor was

staying tight-lipped.

“I couldn’t give much away even if I wanted to. The Clare Echo Golden Ticket is being placed into a paper completely at random before the delivery round so I can’t help you there.

“Some 6,000 of our papers will be delivered door-to-door every week so to give everyone an equal chance, we’ve made sure the Golden Ticket is in a shop. So whether you’re living in Quilty, Tuamgraney, Cratloe or Ennis, you’re in with an equal chance.”

Five €100 gift vouchers to be won on the day

4 NEWS

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

Drop in Clare Catholics

STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

COUNTY Clare has long been a bastion of Catholicism and the latest CSO statistics have confirmed as much.

Some 98,363 people living in Clare consider themselves to be Roman Catholic.

But it’s not all good news for the Church because we’ve taken a closer look at the figures by comparing them to 2011, when 101,984 were members of the Church. That has dropped to 98,363 in the new census results.

With the county population growing from 115,791 to 116,909, this all means that there’s been a drop of four per cent in people here who consider themselves Catholic, at 84 per cent.

This is much higher than the national average, which currently stands at 74 per cent.

Offaly has the highest KEEPING THE FAITH: Bishop of the Killaloe Diocese, Fr Fintan Monahan pictured at St Flannan’s College number of Catholics, topping out at 88 percent, in Ennis last month promoting the Killaloe Diocan Youth Faith Festival

with Dun Laoighaire Rathdown bringing up the rear at 70 per cent.

Bishop of Killaloe Fintan Monahan told The Clare Echo he was heartened to see the percentage of Catholics in Clare was 10 per cent higher than the average.

“From my dealings with so many people the length and breadth of the vast diocese that Killaloe is, I’m not surprised as I have seen time and time again that people in Killaloe, and especially the survey for Co Clare, there is a very high percentage who describe themselves as Catholic.”

Bishop Monahan said that while he is glad to hear the figures are relatively stable in Clare, the downward trend is a cause for concern and is a wake-up call to all Christians.

“We are fundamentally an evangelical Church and our mission is to spread the Good News and to share it with as many people as possible,” he added.

Just four living Travellers in Clare aged older than 80 ELAINE TUBRIDY elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

THERE are only four Irish Travellers over the age of 80 living in Co Clare, according to new figures released by the Central Statistics Office.

The four octogenarians are divided equally between the sexes with two men and two women.

In 2016, there were 910 Travellers living in Clare, compared to 870 in 2011. There was only one member of the Travelling Community between the ages of 75 and 79 last year, a woman.

There was almost a 50-50 split between Traveller men and women, with 441 women and 469 men.

According to the latest CSO figures, almost half of all Travellers living in Co Clare are under the age of 14, with the exact figure standing at 48.3 per cent.

This is much higher than the national average, which stands at 39.7 per cent.

Only 2.7 per cent of the Irish Traveller population living in Clare are over the age of 65, which is slightly lower than the national average of three per cent.

Some 49 per cent of members of the

Travelling community rises in number but half are under 14 RESULTS FROM 2016 CSO

910 The number of Travellers living in Clare 490 More than half of these live in Ennis 4 There are just four Travellers aged over 80 19 Just over 19 Travellers per thousand people

Travelling Community living in Clare are between 15 and 64, much lower than the national average of 57.3 per cent.

Meanwhile, almost two per cent of all people living in Ennis identify themselves as a member of the Travelling community, at a rate of 19.4 per 1,000.

This means that over half of all Irish Travellers in Clare are living in Ennis.

The population per 1,000 in Shan-

non is lower, standing at 6.7 per 1,000, which replecates the national average.

Of the 910 Travellers living in Clare in 2016, almost all of them were living in permanent private housing.

CSO figures state that 795 Travellers lived in private housing, while 63 lived in temporary private housing, a big jump from 2011 when 23 Travellers were in temporary private housing.

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O’Brien’s Gala would like to wish best of luck to The Clare Echo

6 NEWS

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

€25,000 grant to repair farm buildings

Let ratepayers use Market Building

STUART HOLLY

ELAINE TUBRIDY

editor@clareecho.ie

CLARE County Council is encouraging farmers to consider applying for an annual grant scheme for the conservation and repair of traditional farm buildings and related structures.

The Heritage Council is opening the annual 2018 GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme to farmers approved in the GLAS Scheme. The objective is to ensure that traditional farm buildings that contribute to the character of the landscape, and are of significant heritage value, are conserved for active agricultural use.

Grant amounts vary between €4,000 and €25,000. A grant award will not be for more than 75 per cent of the cost of the works with a maximum available grant of €25,000. The grant is available for the conservation of traditional farm outbuildings, including roof, walls, structural repairs, windows and doors.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications for the 2018 GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme is 5pm Friday 24 November 2017.

Forms and accompanying documentation such as photos, maps etc should be posted to; Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme 2018 The Heritage Council, Church Lane, Kilkenny.

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

FINE Gael Councillor Johnny Flynn has confirmed that he will write a letter to the Mayor of Ennis and Ennis Market Building advisory committee Paul Murphy, formally asking him to consider re-purposing the new market space.

Cllr Flynn said he has received great feedback from the public since suggesting that rate paying businesses should be allowed to use the market building to offer discounts to their customers.

“It’s not functioning as a market since it opened and various attempts have been made to try and get people to go in there. I think that rate payers in town who are paying rates to maintain the town and have been contributing over the last few decades should be given the opportunity,” he said.

Cllr Flynn has already spoken to local businesses about the idea and he believes it could be a success if it is structured in the right way. He also thinks that Clare County Council should appoint an expert to help bring the public and private sectors together.

“I think that’s the big difference at times the public and private sector, they

l AMBITION: Cllr Johnny Flynn is hoping that the Market Building can be made use of more regularly by local ratepayers come at things from a different perspective. I’m involved in business and I can see that there needs to be more of a business focus on how that covered market is managed,” Cllr Flynn added.

Cllr Flynn commented that the stalls could be run by those looking for work experience, referring to his own days selling vegetables as a teenager.

“I started my first job when I was 14,

working on a vegetable stall for a pound a day. That was great training for me as a young person, and it would great if it led to employment for young people learning how to sell,” he said.

Cllr Flynn added that he is confident that his suggestion will be approved by the committee and he believes it could benefit more than just the business owners in Ennis.

 



8 NEWS

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

Armada steadies ship by offering shelter during storm The number of lik story has on Fa es this cebook

ELAINE TUBRIDY

394

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

WELL known for going above and beyond for their customers, The Armada Hotel in Spanish Point went one step further on Monday when it opened its doors to those who may be affected by Hurricane Ophelia.

A statement on the hotel’s Facebook page announced that while the hotel may be closed to the general public, John Burke’s establishment would be open to anyone “in distress of any sort”.

“We will have power and heat along with company for anyone who finds themselves in need of shelter, whether it’s from property damage, homelessness or other.

“We also extend this to anyone living alone who would like to have some company during this unprecedented weather event,” the statement read.

The hotel closed rooms that were exposed to the elements, but

ROCK THE BOAT: A boat breaks away from its moorings at Quilty offered the remaining bedrooms to those in need.

“People staying with us will be catered for with limited food

Credit: Ann O Connell

options to restrict staff travel to a This kind gesture by the Armada minimum. All our working team are Hotel followed news that a numalso offered accommodation,” the ber of businesses across Co Clare were to remain closed on Monday. statement continued.

Mr Burke, who is known recently for setting up the Elevate foundation and climbing Mount Everest, told The Clare Echo that they were conscious that vulnerable people in the community may need a secure place to stay.

“The early predictions were sounding quite scary and we were aware that we have a solid facility here. We have generator power and we were going to have people on site so particularly it was older people or people that weren’t in secure accommodation that I had in mind,” John said.

“When we’re part of the community and when the community supports you so much throughout the year, it’s important that you can give support back whenever an opportunity arises,” he added.

The day Clare closed 100 calls made to Council emergency line during Ophelia as 10,000 homes hit by power outages

ELAINE TUBRIDY

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

Please Book at www.localenterprise.ie/clare

ASIDE from fallen trees, 10,000 power outages and some water supply disruption, Clare escaped largely unscathed from the grasp of Hurricane Ophelia on Monday.

An assessment of the damage and estimates of clean-up costs are currently underway and will take a number of days to complete.

Clare County Council set up an emergency helpline on Monday for members of the public who required assistance, but the service was stood down on Monday evening when the storm had abated.

Approximately 100 calls were received to the emergency helpline between 11am and 7pm. About 50 of these calls required action by outdoor staff including 62 Fire Service personnel from seven Clare brigades, who responded to 39 storm related call outs.

An additional five Senior Fire Officers were part of the 40-strong Crisis Management Team which comprised the Chief Executive of Clare County Council, all Directors of Services, Council staff, emergency helpline operators, Irish Water, HSE and An Garda Síochána.

Dozens of outdoors staff from the four Municipal Districts have been involved in clean-up operations.

Widespread electricity outages were

experienced across Clare, with the ESB working through the night to restore power to some areas.

Power was still out on Tuesday in Doonbeg, Quilty, Doolin, Inagh, Cranny, Drumquin, Ennistymon, Ennis, Ruan, Tulla, Bodyke, Kilkishen, Whitegate, Ogonnelloe, Mountshannon, Erinagh, Bridgetown, Cratloe, Birdhill and Gort.

The ESB called in crews from Scotland, Wales, England and France to help get electricity lines back up and running.

Parishes across the county were also still suffering disruption to their water supply on Tuesday.

All outpatient appointments were cancelled as a precautionary measure, and patients were advised that they would be contacted individually to reschedule their appointments.

All residential and emergency services operated as normal, but non-essential Community Healthcare facilities remained closed on Monday.

“Community services’ primary focus will be on dealing with the most vulnerable patients and clients in the first instance. This includes discharging elderly patients, whose discharge may have been delayed due to weather, to the most appropriate facilities as quickly as possible” a HSE spokesperson said.

There were road closures in every area of Clare, with many main arteries cut off by fallen trees and ESB poles.

The M18 motorway was also cut off at Sixmilebridge and Bunratty.

Most businesses and transport links chose to protect the safety of their staff by closing while Shannon Airport cancelled a number of inbound and outbound routes, namely to and from Edinburgh, London, Birmingham, Wroclaw, Faro and Lanzarote due to high winds.

Planes set for Boston, New York and Providence, which experienced disruption Monday morning, departed tby 6pm on Monday evening.

By 3am Tuesday morning all flights, including six diversions due into Dublin from Nice, Rome, Madrid, Faro, Palma and Bari, departed Shannon.

Some pharmacies braved the high winds and opened on Monday morning, providing a vital service to those who needed to collect medication.

A blanket closure of all educational institutions and creches was announced on Sunday evening.

Primary and second level schools remained closed on Tuesday.

As well as the school buses, Bus Eireann also made the decision to cancel the rest of their services on Monday, with full service resuming on Tuesday morning.

An Post also suspended their services on Monday.

Better hearing, at much better prices

Ennis

Killaloe

Kilrush

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Gort

Loughrea

Ennis Clinic now in Ennis Family Medical Centre, Gort Road, Ennis

Prior to entering the market, Blackberry Hearing’s market research validated that there was significant consumer dissatisfaction with pricing and after-care service. So, the focus for the company has been on providing quality, affordability, price transparency and simplicity but ultimately ensuring the customer gets the best possible solution for their individual needs.

To achieve this the company has instilled an ethos where no stone is left unturned to ensure total customer satisfaction. Employing only BSc qualified audiologists, a rarity in the business, ensures that the customer receives the best possible consultation and thereafter the best possible solution.

Price transparency has been a cornerstone of the Blackberry Hearing philosophy. Research again revealed that prices advertised in the industry were rarely available during or after the consultation.

To this end, Blackberry Hearing ensures that anyone attending one of their free hearing consultations is aware beforehand of the cost of hearing aids for them, should they want to proceed. This then is backed up by a 45-day cooling off period, where a customer has the assurance they can return the hearing aids for a full refund should they not be fully satisfied.

The ultimate measure of a company’s

success in providing customer care must come from the customers themselves.

Blackberry Hearing has expanded rapidly and now holds over 60 fortnightly clinics.

The feedback from both clinic partners and customers has been overwhelmingly positive. An example of comments from letters sent to the regional press includes “I can only say that the service was top class”.

“We did not necessarily set out to be disruptive” according to John “but our low pricing and strong customer care seems to have done just that. Being able to hear again is transformative to people with hearing loss. Research shows that people with hearing loss retreat from social interaction with family, friends, and colleagues with drastic results on their mental wellbeing.

Changing peoples’ lives for the better at an affordable price is a really good feeling.”

While 2016 has been the first full year of trading, Blackberry Hearing has expanded significantly to most of the country and hopes to bring its service to the far reaches of the country by 2017.

Meanwhile, you can book a FREE hearing consultation at a clinic near you or find out more by phoning Blackberry Hearing directly at 016978470.

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10 SOCIALS

THE CLARE ECHO

The scene

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

THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

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

CAPTION: This is a caption.

Celebration as Echo launches Crowds gather to welcome new era of media

T

he dawn of a new era is here as Co Clare’s hottest and most interactive media publication, The Clare Echo, hits the shelves today.

Brainchild of Ennis native Stuart Holly, The Clare Echo is a weekly free-sheet newspaper that will bring readers the latest news and opinions from across Co Clare.

“Through my years in the print media there’s been a kind of a recurring theme that I have noticed and it’s a growing disconnect between the media and the consumer.

“The print media is not reacting to consumer habits. Paid newspapers have declined and there’s been a huge resurgence in free newspapers. We’re more than a free newspaper. We’re an online media company as well,” he said.

The free sheet weekly newspaper was officially launched by The Clare Echo columnist and actor Aoibhin Gariihy.

Aoibhin’s weekly Love Clare column will give details of all of her favourite things to do in Clare, such as the best places to dine out, go shopping and the best dog walking spots.

“I’m so excited. This is something that I’ve had to keep in my belly for the last few months and have been dying to tell people about it and now it’s finally out there and we can sing it from the rooftops,” she said.

With 12,000 copies printed weekly, The Clare Echo will be the most widely distributed newspaper in the county with half of these copies delivered to homes in Ennis.

“This can be something that

works for consumers and advertisers alike. This can work for everybody. I’m very ambitious about this and I believe that this can become the biggest newspaper in Clare very quickly,” Stuart said.

Columnists include former Clare footballer Martin Daly, makeup artist and stylist Caroline Burke, former Ogra Fianna Fail president Eoin Neylon and aid worker Ronan Scully.

Breaking daily news on the Clare Echo website and social media outlets will include content that’s up to date and highly interactive.

“We want to make it fun. We want to make it interactive for people that view it online. We’re going to respond to people that read the paper and that look at us online just as much we want them to respond to us,” Stuart added.

ALL SMILES: Cllr Mary Howard, Cormac O’Sullivan, John Burke and Aoibhin Garrihy at the launch last Wednesday Photo by Julie Tillett

THE CLARE ECHO

SOCIALS 11

THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

SNAP HAPPY: Party revellers enjoy a selfie

ATTENDEES: Clare Echo Editor Stuart Holly with Ger O’Holloran and Ennis Mayor Paul Murphy

AT ATTENTION: Crowd watches the presentation

OPEN Monday to Saturday

9am to 9pm

BEAUTY: Clare Echo columnist Caroline Bourke

12 COLUMNIST

THE CLARE ECHO

Aoibhín Garrihy

LOVE CLARE THE NOTEBOOK

H

ELLO and welcome to my very first LOVE CLARE column.

I’m very excited to finally document all that’s great about County Clare and share some of my adventures with the Clare Echo readers right here every fortnight!

This week saw the official launch of the Clare Echo and I was very excited to hear about Clare’s newest news medium.

Huge congrats and the very best of luck to the whole Clare Echo team on this brand new venture.

Following two successful BEO Health and Wellness Events in Clare in August,

we hosted another two more events in Limerick at the weekend.

Síle Seoige, Doireann Garrihy, Leanne Moore, Annmarie O’Connor and Jennifer Rock AKA The Skin Nerd all took to the stage and it was so lovely to meet so many women from around the country interested in hearing the selfcare message. It was a very special weekend and we are delighted to announce new

HEALTH AND WELLNESS: Doireann Garrihy at BEO. dates for January in Clare, Limerick and Galway. You can find out more on @beoevents on Facebook and Instagram.

Monday saw Storm Ophelia’s wrath and I spent the day battening down the hatches on the west Clare coast!

Sometimes it’s nice to just

stop and as the country was in shut down mode I happily stayed hibernating watching the storm from inside!

Later this week, I will join Ray Foley in presenting Friday’s Six O’Clock Show on TV3 and I am really looking forward to it.

Top 5 Cosy pubs to take shelter from the storm in Clare 1

LYNCH’S BAR IN MILTOWN MALBAY

Is the perfect spot to snuggle up by the fire with a hot drink and host Johnathan Wilson always offers a warm welcome and great chats.

FLANAGAN’S PUB IN LAHINCH

3

Grab the window seat and watch the world go by in this perfectly maintained pub.

MC HUGH’S PUB IN ENNIS

Is always welcoming with its warm glow and own brew. It will be a treat for your soul and taste buds whatever the weather.

KILSHANNY HOUSE

5

2 4

Nestled between tourism hotspots, this little haven feels like a real escape, brightly coloured perfectly maintained exteriors make it easy to spot and tempt you in.

REDDAN’S, KILLALOE

Family run to perfection, and always a favourite for locals and visitors alike, a place where you are equally likely to hear an old yarn or about a Heineken cup victory.

LIFE IS ROSY: Knight and Day’s new AW17 collection.

THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

COLUMNIST 13

THE CLARE ECHO THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

COVET IN CLARE HALL OF FAME Dunnes Stores’ latest resident Designer Michael Mortell brings us a capsule collection and this leather collar trench coat is a real hero piece.

Available at Dunnes Stores, Ennis €220

where your style matters...

LAYER IT UP Knight and Day’s new AW17 collection is their best yet (pictured left). The rose gold hues are perfect for Irish skin and while shooting this season’s lookbook I became a total magpie!

Available in Carraig Donn, Ennis.

SWEET TOOTH Treat yourself to delicious, local, Bean to Bar Chocolate made with tender loving care. Hazel Mountain Chocolate is the perfect indulgence and my favourite during the winter months... hot chocolate! hazelmountainchocolate.com

Style matters at the County Boutique €12

NATURAL GOODNESS This 100% natural, Clare based rejuvenating mask made from pure Wild Irish Seaweed will help, Nourish, Hydrate & Refresh tired Trust me,winning it’s amazing!

The County Boutique, a second skin. generation award family enterprise, has been €18.95

a destination fashion store since 1966. Sisters, Gwen and Maeve carefully choose each season’s collections for their customers from all overLIKE Ireland to shop the varied SHEEP selection that the store has to offer. Their inherited love of fabrics, quality with Make a shape, statement and cut ensure that you will leave with something that youthis will stunning wear and love for the sheepskin stool at is a season ahead and beyond. The County Boutique, with stores in Ennis and Nenagh, Madden Furniture, one stop shop with a myriad of contemporary international collections from stunning Ennis to add touch of casual wear, enviable day and work wear, to accessories and occasion wearafor Art Deco glam to your weddings, the races and other celebrations.

where your style matters...

abode. €150 at Madden Furnture, Ennis.

The County Boutique is also renowned for celebrating Irish Design. Currently Aideen Bodkin, Niamh O’Neill and Caroline Kilkenny, create their brilliant designs for the Irish market.

HAPPENINGS

Best Sellers for AW’17: Navy velvet trouser suit by Nissa, exaggerated sleeve tops by Marccain, chunky knitwear and lace dresses by cult brand, Three Floor.

ELEVATE THE Discover your style from Marcain.

Pennyblack.Codello. White Stuff.Sandwich. Linea CONVERSATION - Hear Casual Chique.Joules. Masai. Joseph Ribkoff. Riverwoods. the story of West Clare’s mountaineer, John Burke, Check out Facebook,as Instagram, countyboutique.ie or call us on 065/6821947 he tells John Cooke how he raised the Banner Flag on top of the world for the very first time.

Saturday October 21 in glor with all proceeds in aid of Elevate (tickets €20 at glór. ie) HERMITAGE GREEN - Join the band in Ennis as part of their Gold and Rust tour and hear their brand new amazing EP in Treacys Hotel, West County, Friday 20th October 8pm with tickets available at ticketmaster.ie FRIGHT NIGHT AT CRAGGAUNOWEN - Join the ghastly goings on in the spirit of Halloween at the woods and castle of Carrgaunowen on Sat 28th October from 4-9pm. All ages welcome and tickets available at shannonhereitage.com

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SINCE 1966 57, O’Connell Street Ennis, Co. Clare t +353 / 65 6821947

Kenyon Street Car Park Nenagh, Co. Tipperary t +353 / 67 34933

www.facebook.com/CountyBoutique for News and Updates The Fleadh ‘17

43

14 NEWS

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

A new era of

INTERACTION twitter.com/ clareecho

facebook.com/ clareecho

Facebook comment of the week

‘‘

How Colin Ryan never got an all star in 2013 is still beyond me. Man of the match in the drawn all Ireland final. Superb player. Big loss to Clare this year. Good luck for the future.

Sinead McMahon

in reaction to Colin Ryan’s retirement from inter-county hurling)

instagram.com/ theclareecho

www.clareecho.ie

Tweet of the week RICHARD CHAMBERS @newschambers

Only just seeing this @ClareEcho crowd now.

Completely passed me by. Great to see new outlets for journalism (especially in Clare!)

STORY WITH MOST VIEWS ON WEBSITE: 14,645 Starbucks to open drive-through café in County Clare

IT’S time for coffee lovers to get excited as The Clare Echo can reveal that Starbucks are about to set up their first outlet in Co Clare.

Though details of when the international coffee giants will open their doors have yet to be revealed, we can exclusively confirm that the deal is signed, sealed and delivered.

Local rumours suggested that Starbucks will set up shop somewhere near the airport, so we did some digging in the planning files to find out more.

The 2,200 square metre coffee nirvana will be located right beside the Shannon Industrial Estate on the airport road, ideal for early morning commuters and weary travellers alike.

The site will also include a drive-thru, which if you’re anything like us, will be a major help on those busy mornings. It’s also great news on the local employment front.

Starbucks, trading under the name Brockway Limited, was granted permission for the development on September 13, subject to some conditions.

We can smell the pumpkin spice lattés brewing already.

By Elaine Tubridy

INTEREST: A lot of readers were interested in the fact that Starbucks is opening a County Clare outlet.

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

Loophead sees another visitor hike

NEWS

Burke to share tale of climbing Everest

15

ELAINE TUBRIDY

STUART HOLLY

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

editor@clareecho.ie

THE stunning Loop Head Lighthouse on the tip of West Clare has recorded an increase in visitor numbers for a sixth successive year.

The latest figures for 2017 have revealed that some 24,450 visited the iconic County Clare attraction - where Star Wars was recently filmed - between March and September.

Huge pods of dolphins are often spotted at the popular tourist attraction, located at the mouth of the Shannon Estuary on the Loop Head Peninsula. Loop Head is one of only two ‘Signature Discovery Points’ in Clare along the route of the Wild Atlantic Way. It also is a landmark location on the Loop Head Heritage Trail and is one of 12 Great Lighthouses of Ireland.

Figures by Clare County Council, which manages the lighthouse with the Commissioner of Irish Lights, reveal that visitor numbers grew by over 1.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2016 when 24,008 people visited the 19th century lighthouse.

FOR many of us Mount Everest takes on a kind of mythical quality, destined to remain in the realms of our imaginations. But for this bold traveller, mere dreams of the mountain would not suffice and he set himself on a course to climb the world’s highest peak.

Everest summiteer, John Burke, will be sharing his epic journey in a conversation with award winning journalist and broadcaster John Cooke in glór on Saturday, October 21.

His mission from the beginning was to raise awareness and funds for the Elevate Foundation, a not-for-profit initiative which promotes positive mental health and wellbeing for young people in Co Clare.

Tickets are priced at €20 and all proceeds will be donated to the Elevate foundation. Join John on the night to raise awareness and funds for this very worthy cause and to hear this amazing story.

l AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH: John Burke became the first Tickets are available from the glór Clareman in history to climb Mount Everest. He will be in conversabox office. tion with broadcaster John Cooke in glór this weekend

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16 THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

THE CLARE ECHO THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

Ronan Scully

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Author spreading the word of positivity

Amazing West Clare Blown away by the beauty

IT’S ABOUT THE JOURNEY, NOT THE END RESULT Running or walking along any path or in any event reinforced to me the idea that in life, it’s about the journey, not the end result. As I walked along the cliffs walk, I realised that this might be the last time that I would ever take part in an event like this, so I needed to savour the experience. I thought, “This is it, the moment I have worked so hard for.” I needed to enjoy the walk experience, not wish it away and especially because it was in West Clare, one of my favourite places in the whole world. What an experience it was with many epiphanies and very spiritual moments as I walked from Liscannor to Doolin and enjoyed the heat and soup provided in one of the locals in Doolin when I got there.

Often we wish our lives away, wanting to reach a certain place in life in order to be happy. However, oftentimes the satisfaction derived from setting an objective is not so much in attaining the objective, but in the anticipation and striving toward the objective. So, as much as possible try to enjoy the journey as much as the end results as I did with my cliff walk attempt.

IT’S ALL IN THE HEAD! Walking or running a long distance or taking part in a sporting event is as much a mental challenge as a physical one. Yes, there is intense hard work that must be done in order to be physically prepared for the event when it comes along, but when the later miles arrive, and your legs begin to complain after making the same repetitive movements thousands of times, it’s up to the mind to override the urge to quit. You must figure out some mental techniques to apply in order to keep from quitting, whether that’s mentally dividing the walk or run into sections, doing each mile for someone’s intentions or loved one in your life as I did with my walk in West Clare or chatting with others along the way and encouraging one another to keep going but to also try to enjoy the journey.

Similar strategies can be applied to everyday life. We may face difficult life situations that require mental toughness, but we can make it through many stressful periods if we just find the mental strength necessary to continue onward. Everyone needs a challenge in life.

Not everyone wants the challenge of walking along the West Coast of Clare (although its a great challenge with some of the best scenery in the world), but everyone needs some sort of challenge, nonetheless. Too much challenge or difficulty can result in frustration, but so can a lack of challenge. Challenge is necessary for a person’s spirit to emanate and to emerge. It is a state achieved when a person is completely absorbed in an activity, usually one that is challenging, yet not at a level of difficulty as to cause frustration. Achieving this spirit involves a delicate balance between the difficulty of the task at hand and the skill of the person working on it. Achieving this spirit from within regularly seems to be one element of being a happy person, and in order to experience this spirit from within us, it’s necessary to involve oneself in a learning ex-

SPECTACULAR: The West Clare coastline is truly magical. Photo credit: Julie Tillett perience that requires focus, concentration, and at the cliff walk I am sure I did find that spirit.

I was amazed at the rush of energy I got while walking the last stretch of my Cliff walk attempt.

I thought my legs had given me all the energy they had left, but in the last mile as I saw the harbour of Doolin in the distance, I picked up my speed and gave it all I had and happily and emotionally crossed the road into Doolin with the tears streaming down my face and freezing as they fell as the weather was so cold on that day. In a challenge or indeed any walking

‘‘

I was amazed at the rush of energy I got while walking the last stretch of my cliff walk attempt

‘‘

L

et me start off this article by saying I love Clare but I adore West Clare!! And recently, I walked the spectacular Liscannor to Doolin walk along the world acclaimed Cliffs of Moher. For anyone unfamiliar with the distance from Liscannor to Doolin along the scenic walk, it’s 18kms, and a really long way to walk and seems.

Even longer when you’re mostly walking it in awful wet and wintry weather. Though these walks might be considered just an athletic event by some, from my experience over that day along the Cliffs walk I would refer to it as an allegory for life. So, what life lessons can one learn from walking a long distance or any specific challenge that we do in life?

or sporting event, as in life, the key is just to keep going, even if that means going slowly. No matter how hard things get even if there are many hills blocking your view of the finish line, there is usually an end in sight, if we just keep going forward. Life is difficult. We are pressured and stressed and pulled

in various directions. Amidst the rush and hustle of the daily grind, it can be easy to lose ourselves and forget what really matters. We get steered off course and put all our energy toward things that ultimately--when it really gets down to it--don’t matter much at all. Remembering what really matters in life requires a conscious effort, and here’s to each of us trying to live a life that really matters and that always helps rather than hurts our fellow human beings! As the actress Elizabeth Taylor used to say, “You just do it. You force yourself to get up. You force yourself to put one foot before the other, and darn it, you refuse to let it get to you.

You fight. You cry. You curse. Then you go about the business of living.

That’s how I’ve done it. There’s no other way.”

PACE YOUR LIFE That walk and run that weekend in West Clare was, although in extremely bad weather it was beautiful, peaceful, energizing and surprisingly relaxing to walk along the cliff and through the hills and roads and feel the peace and quiet and experience the joy of the beautiful scenery of Clare. You see spending time in nature is healing, energising and brings peace and calmness into our lives while also reconnecting us to the world in which we live. We can walk or run in nature, sit in nature and swim in the waters of nature. We can do this out in the wilderness of West Clare or in our local parks. There is something awe

inspiring about nature and we can feel most connected to this feeling in those wilderness places; the forests, rivers, waterfalls, oceans and mountains and we have them in abundance here in our beautiful country of Ireland. Nature is part of us and yet we can spend so little time in it. When we do we feel a reconnection which is more than just the fresh air, exercise or beautiful sights, it also speaks to something in our heart and soul and helps give our life some real spirit and hope for the future!! Life and nature are similar concepts because nature is the study of how life acts and interacts within the circle of existence. When we take the time to examine the beauty of the world around us, we are able to see parallels within our own lives. One who is attuned with nature is attuned with the practice of living. All of nature moves in a spiral as do our personal lives. It is important to spend time in nature because in this way we can become attuned to its wisdom.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK As your thought for the week, keep going forward no matter what challenges life throws at you and don’t be afraid to give help and receive help as you make that journey through life and don’t forget to savor the experience as it is all about the journey and not the end result especially when it comes to walking or running challenges!

THE CLARE ECHO

NEWS 17

THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

Boys get dolled up STUART HOLLY editor@clareecho.ie

RAPE Crisis Midwest is holding its sixth annual Dainty Daisy event this Friday (October 20th) at Woodstock Hotel at 7pm.

Dainty Daisy is a lovely girls competition with a difference, it is for the boys!! This year organisors are shaking up the event a little, as there will be a lip syncing battle along with challenges that are top secret but guaranteed to make you laugh.

“The Dainty Daisy event is our biggest fundraiser for the Rape Crisi Midwest Ennis centre, this funding is essential to keep our Ennis Centre open. The Centre provides counselling and support to both women and men who have survived rape and sexual abuse in adulthood or as a child. The Centre receives no direct Government funding to service the overheads like rent, heat & electricity or administration costs. “Thus we would love to welcome you all to Woodstock Hotel in Ennis on Friday evening.”

l ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE: Tony Cogan, compére of the event with judges Mary Howard and Seargant Niall Donegan

Elf Town opens second floor for Christmas ELF Town – A magical interactive Christmas journey is set to return to Galway this Christmas to the Galway race course in Ballybrit. This years event promises to be much BIGGER and BETTER than that of 2016.

Not 1, not 2 – but 3 amazing floors of Elf Town, making this a wonderful Christmas experience for all of the family.

The experience includes: A 90 minute interactive journey through Elf Town with Santas Elves.

Visit Jack Frosts house – made out of REAL ice.

Hang a wish on the wishing tree.

Santas helpers hats, badges and pledge cards.

Decorate your own cookie with Mrs Claus

Your own families private visit to Santa Elf Town coin from Santa to choose your own present in his workshop.

Mulled wine and mince pies for all of the adults.

Lots and Lots more fun.

Elf Town opens on Saturday the 25th of November and every Fri/Sat/Sun until the 23rd of December including the full week from the 18th December.

Speaking to the Clare Echo, Santa’s chief Elf – Elfie Mc Elfin has said that they decided to move out to the Galway race course for a number of reasons.

“Based on last year a lot of families found it difficult getting into the city, parking and getting everyone into Elf Town on time. This year we have moved to the race course where there is

ample free parking, the entire set up of Elf Town 2017 is over twice as big as 2016 and over 3 floors.

We have added some real exciting new elements but also keeping the best of last years. Jack Frosts ice house is set to be a real hit! Elf Town is very convenient for families travelling from Galway and any of the surrounding counties – with the opening of the new motorway linking almost directly to the Race course it seemed to be the perfect location”.

For further information or bookings please contact us on: www.elftowngalway. com sales@elftowngalway. com

If you wish to speak with someone at Rape Crisis Midwest call 061 311 511.

SPRINGFIELD COURT, VICTORIA TERRACE, ENNIS, CO CLARE Tel: 065 – 6820237 Fax: 065 – 6820439 Email: info@slattery.ie Web: www.slattery.ie

Slattery & Partners are Accountants, Tax Consultants, Business and Financial Advisors to many Businesses, Companies and Individuals in the area.

We have the experience and expertise to turn your plans into profits.

For advice in relation to any of the above areas please contact Austin Slattery, Donie Neylon or Gerry Kelly

Best Wishes to the Clare Echo

18 NEWS

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

l ROUGH SLEEPERS: (main) Alex Whyatt, Robbie Elliott, Kiara O’Connor, Joanne Finn, Eric Moore, Jess Dagnall, Eleanor Dagnall-Wise, Aless Dagnall-Wise (out of shot); (top right) Joanne and Eric; (right) Robbie Elliott, Kiera O’Connor, and (above) Jess Dagnall bedding down for the night

Diary fom the street A group of eight volunteers spent the night on the street in Ennis. Here’s Alex Whyatt’s first hand account

A

LEX Whyatt slept out at the O’Connell Monument in Ennis and part of Focus Ireland’s Shine a Light night. The countrywide event aimed to raise awareness and funds for the current homelessness crisis across the country.

8pm It’s been raining all day, though right now it’s dry and not too cold. More than one person has mentioned that I might be a bit mad to try and sleep out in this weather.

There’s no backing out now though, and it’s just one night.

8.30pm I arrive at the Height a little later than the rest of the group. They’ve already set up with bright yellow balloons bearing the Focus Ireland logo, and a candle-lit information board. There are eight of us: Joanne and Eric, the organisers of the Ennis event; Jess and her daughters Aless and Eleanor, recently moved here from the US; and Kiera and her son Robbie, both from Quin.

The young lads quickly prove themselves

adept at shaking a bucket, with passersby donating. The donations are often tens and twenties; the word “homeless” seems to trigger a generous response in so many people.

Tourists get it too. “I’m from New York, so I know this problem too well,” says one gentleman, as he tucks ten euro into the bucket.

10pm Jess tells me about her family’s recent arrival in Ennis. The family of four were moving from hotel to hotel while trying to find rented accommodation. “It’s just not there. You go and look at it and they tell you it’s gone. And it’s so expensive.”

Focus Ireland estimates there are about 1440 families in a similar predicament. “It’s very difficult to get anything bureaucratic done without an address,” says Jess. “Banks, social security, car loans, doctor, joining a football club. And hotel room life - no fridge or microwave makes meals difficult or expensive. Nowhere to hang wet jackets.

Where do you store stinking footy boots?

For us, it’s a temporary inconvenience. For some families, it’s the foreseeable future.”

11.15pm After my neighbour puts money

in the bucket, she drives back in with snacks, sleeping mats, hot water bottles and plastic sheeting. “I know how cold it can be when you’re camping out,” she says. She tells us how her landlord is putting up the rent.

“You might only be a few steps away from the streets yourself, you never know.” An older man from Eastern Europe joins our group. He’s friendly, has a drop taken, and seems to speak more Russian than English.

He gets quite agitated as a Garda van drives past. When I ask him where he’s staying, he tells me “Park?”, but doesn’t seem sure. I wonder how easy it is for him to access services in his native language, or even find the organisations who can help.

12.30am It starts to drizzle. We scramble to get things under the tarp. I break out the rain poncho, but I’m aware that the clothes I’m standing in are the ones I’ll be sleeping in. If I had to wear them tomorrow too, when and where could I get dry?

2.30am The pubs start to empty, and revellers share their shrapnel from the night. A man in his twenties, just released from the hospital, is wearing only a woollen blanket over his t-shirt and swinging a stick. “I have a fifteen-bedroom mansion. I’ll put you all up! You want a 5-seater car? I’ve a spare.”

He wanders off up O’Connell street, promising to be back with money for us. Another man shares his experience of being homeless in Amsterdam. “I lost my job, and was

sleeping in Grand Central Station, just until I could get myself sorted with work. But it was tough.”

3.30am The rain gets heavy, and we shelter under a nearby shopfront. I spread out my plastic sheeting and sleeping mat. I pull my hat over my eyes to block out the lights and somehow doze off. I sleep fitfully, aware all night of the cold ground and the security alarm beeping nearby. I have pins and needles in my arm, and there’s a cobblestone somewhere in the small of my back.

7.30am – I wake up. As we slept, someone dropped another twenty euro into the bucket. Reflecting on the night, I think about the stories shared and the people we met. I firmly believe that the goodness of the people of Ennis and the amazing work of groups like Focus Ireland can make a huge impact on the lives of homeless individuals and families.

You can still contribute to the Ennis Shine a Light event until Friday 20th October. Visit https://www.gofundme.com/shine-a-lightfor-homeslessness to donate.

‘Retired trio owe nothing to the Clare jersey’

Sport

BRIGGS VISITS RISING STARS AT ENNIS RFC

20 SPORT

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

Retired Clare trio owe nothing to the jersey Lauren Guilfoyle looks back at the careers of three great Clare stalwarts, Colin Ryan, Brendan Bugler and Patrick Donnellan

GAA analysis

A

T 11am every day, outside Buckingham Palace, the old guard stand down and hand over the responsibility of protecting their monarchy.

In October 2017 similar events unfolded, perhaps in a more informal fashion, through Twitter statements, in the kingdom that is the Banner county.

Having pulled on the saffron and blue for over ten years, Brendan Bugler, Patrick Donnellan and Colin Ryan have called it a day on their respective intercounty careers.

O’Callaghans Mills man Donnellan was the first of the trio to make his debut in the senior setup, playing a part in the 2006 Munster semi-final against a stronger Cork side.

Bugler had to wait until the following season to have his first taste of senior intercounty action when he operated from wing back in a league fixture with Down, while Colin Ryan made a lasting impression on hurling fans everywhere scoring 12 points on his championship introduction vs Tipperary in the Gaelic Grounds in the summer of ’09.

Having survived through the choppy and unsuccessful waters of competitive action for the following couple of years, the beginning of the Davy Fitzgerald era in 2012 kickstarted the leap of Clare hurling back to the very top of the table.

Upon being handed the

‘‘

The roles played by these three warriors across those 140 minutes of battle with the Rebels was a gift indeed

‘‘

Lauren Guilfoyle

keys to the Banner hurlers, Davy installed Patrick as his leader of the pack and hopes were high heading into a championship campaign that ultimately saw Clare fall to the hands of Limerick at Semple Stadium in late Summer. While collective efforts once again bore no fruit, Bugler claimed his first of what would be two All Star awards acknowledging his dominance in the Banner half back line.

In a piece in the Irish Examiner, Diarmuid O’Flynn described September 28th 2013 as “a day gifted from the hurling gods”, and the roles played by these three warriors across those 140 minutes of battle with the Rebels was a gift indeed.

Donnellan made his presence known to all 82,000 spectators as early as the

l PITCHSIDE: Lauren interviewing Fergal Lynch after Clooney Quin’s draw with Sixmilebridge in the County Hurling Final last Sunday Julie Tillet fifth minute. Upon collecting the breaking ball at his own 45 from an Anthony Nash puck out, Paddy executed a striking solo run directly to the opposition’s 21 before offloading a perfectly timed handpass to the boy in waiting O’Donnell who then put his first of three past Nash.

Clare didn’t look back.

Fast forward 70 minutes or so and Patrick is walking up the hallowed steps of the Hogan Stand, earning his place in the highly exclusive club of Clare All-Ireland winning captains – whose membership now totals three.

The dreamlike scenes both on the pitch and underneath the stands are forever immortalised on YouTube,

with Brendan’s off-field performance that day racking up over 100,000 views alone.

Many a theory has been passed around as to how the accordion made its way into the Banner dressing room, but the Whitegate man subtly alluded to Anthony Daly’s “In Clare we love our traditional music, but we also love our hurling” speech

over 15 years previous by adding to the soundtrack of the day with kitman Michael ‘Gazzy’ Collins complementing with some questionable dance moves most likely recreated in a famous Harcourt Street establishment later that evening.

Despite raising 61 white flags across the 2013 season, Ryan failed to pick up an arguably deserved individual accolade at that seasons All-Star awards, where Clare claimed an impressive 10 separate gongs on the night. Donnellan and Bugler joined six other Banner men on an exotic trip to Shanghai as part of the AllStar tour at the end of the 2013 season – the end of a special year for Bugler having also captained his club to the Intermediate hurling title and playing a part in Cratloe’s senior club football championship win.

While the intervening years have not reached the same historical heights as late September in 2013 – all three continued to ply their trade with equal efforts and hang up their jersey owing Clare GAA nothing.

The Bugler fist pump will live on and be recreated after many a hard won free, kids from Killaloe to Kilmaley will aim to emulate that stunning Colin Ryan goal from the 2010 League Final that you can be sure John Fenton gave the seal of approval to, while Patrick Donnellan’s name will forever be beside the recording of Clare’s fourth ever Liam MacCarthy success.

Thanks for the memories, men.

SPORT 21

THE CLARE ECHO THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

Ennis RFC girls impress Irish captain STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

EDITOR

I

RELAND captain Niamh Briggs joined up to 60 fledgling rugby stars at Ennis RFC on Saturday as the club hosted a fun day for newly-joined female members.

The seasoned international ran coaching sessions with members of the newly-introduced u15 and u18 girls rugby teams in Ennis.

Niamh Briggs said after the session that she was impressed by what she saw from the Clare youngsters and is excited to see what the future will bring for them.

“Oh my God I’ve been blown away by what I’ve seen for such a new set-up, it’s only here six weeks.

It’s phenomenal, the numbers and enthusiasm is brilliant. There’s definitely some real finds there and it’s brilliant to be here.

“There’s some brilliant athletes in Ennis so I’m a little bit giddy and enthusiastic going away from it now, it’s brilliant.”

Ennis RFC Public Relations Officer Stuart Holly said that the club has been blown away by the response from girls taking up the game at the club.

“There was huge excitement among our girls today and you could see the added enthusiasm

‘‘

‘‘

Rugby

I’m a little bit giddy going away

that they were getting first-hand coaching from one of Ireland’s best ever rugby stars,” he said.

“Today really captured the spirit of Ennis Rugby Club and what rugby is really all about, which is having fun, building confidence and developing skills.

“Girls rugby has been a massive success for us and that’s in huge part to do with enthusiasm from new members, an excellent coaching team and obviously our brilliant facilities.

“There were than 60 new members at the rugby club on Saturday from across Clare who have all come on board with the introduction of girls rugby to Ennis RFC this season. Not only did they meet one of the foremost sporting heroes in the country in Ireland captain Niamh Briggs, they had fun and enjoyed a barbecue with family members afterwards when they got to discuss rugby with Niamh.”

He added that Ennis RFC are always open to new members, who can make contact on the Ennis

l EVERGREEN: Ireland Rugby captain Niamh Briggs puts the girls of Ennis RFC through their paces last weekend Photo credit: Natasha Barton

Ennis draw with Garryowen Ennis U13s were in action last Sunday in Lees Road against Limerick side Garryowen where they played out a 31 all draw.

Ennis out-half Luca Cleary lofted a high kick early on which was expertly gathered by Sam Scanlon who ran from the Ennis half to touch down for the game’s opening try, which Cleary converted.

Garryowen equalised and then went ahead 10 minutes later. It took committed tackling from Cleary, McAllister and Treacy to keep Ennis

from conceding any more scores in the opening half.

Scanlon scored an unconverted try before the end of the half leaving the sides level at 12 a piece.

Not long into the second half the Ennis forwards of Keane, Kineen, O’Brien, Fogarty, O’Connor and Casey trundled forward and after several phases of play O’Donoghue touched down however Garryowen responded. Scanlon was a thorn in Garryowen side all day and he once again popped up to finish off his scoring

tally with a hat-trick.

Garryowen came back near the end and went ahead by 5 points. But the resilience of Ennis saw winger Eoghan Boyle touch down for a draw.

Ennis: Johnathan O’Donoghue, Ross Keane, Cian Fogarty, Sean Kineen, Oisin O’Brien, Nathan Casey, Jack O’Connor, David Costelloe, Cathal Ryan, Luca Cleary, Fionan Treacy, Sean McAllister, Calvin Butler, Eoghan Boyle, Sam Scanlon.

Subs: Dylan Hayes, Frank Coffey, Aidan Keating, Eoghan McMahon, Fionn O’Donnell, Cilian McIlroy, Gavin Howard.

22 SPORT

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

Cyclocross staged at Lee’s Road STUART HOLLY

It’s getting more popular every year

editor@clareecho.ie

EDITOR

M

‘‘

‘‘

Cycling

ORE than 80 thrill-seeking cyclists descended on Lee’s Road last week as Clare hosted the Munster Cyclocross CX League, which saw competitors take on jumps, steps, and special features.

On Sunday morning last they came from all over Munster and further afield for the start of the Munster Cyclocross CX League Round 1 in John O’Sullivan Park, Lee’s Road, Ennis. The event is hosted by Burren Racing Team and supported by local bike shop Evolution Bikes.

This is the third year running and according to organisers, it’s getting more popular every year and is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. The good people of the Burren Racing Team sent us on a report of how the competition went.

Various events took place over the day including U8, U10, U12 before the U14/U16 Races took on the full course designed by local Burren Racing Team rider Mark Shannon. Local lad Sabian Kulczynski from Ride Co Clare Club was pushed all the way by Stephanie Roche from Scott Orwell

Wheelers C.C. Ones to watch for the future.

The B Race took off just after 11.15am with over 40 riders going to post on a mixture of mountain and CX bikes.They battled over jumps, steps, and special features such as Liddy’s Costcutter Hill testing their skills to the last. After 40 minutes one rider would emerge from the woods ahead of the rest. Congrats to Andrew McCabe from Deenside Wheelers C.C who took first place. Neil Acheson from Burren finishing well up the field with a great performance with another local Barry Sutton, Strata 3 VeloRevolution putting in a great shift.

At 12.30pm the A Race got underway with last year’s league winner guiding the pack of over 40 riders into the first bend closely followed by some of the top cyclocross riders around. Local hopes were pinned on Mark Shannon, Danny McDonald (Junior) and others from Burren with Richard Quin representing Club Rothaiocht na Shionnan.

l WHEEL TOUGH SPORT: A local competitor takes on the Cyclocross event at Lee’s Road Pic by Barry Sutton

The battle raged for 50 minutes over the grass and through the woods. Some would crash out, suffer mechanicals and punctures.

One mistake in this game can be costly especially if you find yourself far from the pits.

Congratulations to Anthony Doyle on the win and to Lisa Staplebroek from Kenmare C.C. who was the first lady home. The best finisher from the local stable was Mark Shannon coming in sixth.

Danny McDonald BRT would take the Junior category and the rest would roll home with plenty of battle scars.

Organisers said, “The event is not possible without the support of local bike shop Evolution Bikes and other local businesses

from Ennis so a big thank you to them, namely Donnellan’s Central, Liddys Costcutter, Sean O’Meara Excel Physiotherapy, Advanced Chiropractor Clinic in Clarecastle ,Art&Craft.ie and to Barry Sutton for the photos.

“A big thanks to all the helpers especially Brendan Cooney,Pat Ryan Clare Crusaders C.C and the girls from Clare Ladies Cycling Club. A special thanks to the staff and Mocha Coffee at John O’Sullivan Park Lee’s Road Ennis and to the public for putting up with us for a few hours. Also special thanks to Clare Civil Defence and Cycling Ireland.”

Lynch laments anticlimactic end County Hurling Final Clooney Quin 1-16 Sixmilebridge 0-19

CLOONEY QUIN captain Fergal Lynch has admitted that he was very disappointed with the result of last week’s County Senior Hurling Final against Sixmilebridge.

The 70 minute battle finished in a 1-16 to 19 point draw and the former Clare County player and All-Ireland winner said the Clooney Quin squad are now going to have to rethink their strategy for the next

day out.

He told The Clare Echo, “Ah sure look, it’s a total anti-climax for us, being honest.

“We were hoping that we were going to come away with a result today.

“Our element of surprise is over now and we have to go back to the drawing board now for the next day whenever it’s going to be on. We have plenty more work to do and focus on the Bridge

the next day.”

The full forward added that Clooney Quin’s great workrate put his side in a commanding position but Sixmilebridge finished the stronger of the sides.

“We always have a great hard work rate and we always knew we had a job to do. We came out and we did the job and we did it fairly well bar the last 15 minutes we let the Bridge creep back into it but

look it we know what the bridge are able to bring we know what we’re able to bring and hopefully someone will come home with the cup and hopefully it will be ourselves the next day,” he added.

Uncle Keith Hogan and my 2 kids Dale and Jenna Counghlan

by Julie Tillett

COLUMNISTS 23

THE CLARE ECHO THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

Eoin Neylon

EDITOR’S OPINION

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

Stuart Holly

“Where Clare leads, Ireland follows”

Future of Clare Media O Clare Echo is more than a newspaper

The media landscape is changing drastically across Ireland and the Banner County is no different. The Clare Echo is carving out a digital and print space for the people of Clare to share and take part in.

Paid-for newspapers have experienced a decline since 2007, struggling to contend with a strained economic environment and a shift towards free online media sources.

The current trends would indicate that with over 12,000 weekly issues and alongside a heavy online presence, The Clare Echo will be the local media market leader.

There remains a huge appetite among people for printed news if it is delivered in the correct way. A trusted source, a com-

‘‘

‘‘

CTOBER 19, 2017 signals the beginning of the newest and most dynamic media title in the county, The Clare Echo.

Every Thursday, locals across the county will wake to a fresh weekly edition of The Clare Echo, a colourful newspaper created to serve the entire county from Kilkee to Killaloe and everywhere in between.

And here’s the best part – The Clare Echo is absolutely free. More than 12,000 copies of the weekly free edition will make their way across the county every Thursday morning, with some 6,000 of these going directly through letterboxes and another 6,000 to be found on shop floors, in supermarkets, cafés, and waiting rooms.

So when you see one, please be our guest and pick it up. But The Clare Echo is much more than just a newspaper. It’s positive, it’s fresh, it’s interactive.

Along with regular news, sports and local events, we are delighted to welcome a selected number of guest columnists who will deliver a unique perspective and insight into life in Clare, promoting our beautiful county in a way which its people want to see it reflected.

We’ll also be uploading interactive content and quirky stories from around the county online, while promoting all that makes Clare such a special county.

Every day, The Clare Echo will be available at the push of a button online. Much of the content which appears in our free weekly publication will be uploaded online on a live basis, keeping you up to date at all times. When something happens, we’ll find out about it and echo the news across the county in an instant through our website www.clareecho.ie, as well as through our Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram.

The Clare Echo is much more than just a newspaper. It’s positive, it’s fresh, it’s interactive.

munity-based entity. The content has to be attractive, of course.

The Clare Echo will offer high quality editorial, with some investigative journalism of genuine merit.

So get on board with The Clare Echo.

Tell your friends, neighbours and community groups about us.

Email us your opinion, call us with your comments and views and we’ll be here.

Echoing your story across the county.

W

HERE Clare leads, Ireland follows. This has long been said of referendum and election results. As a rule of thumb, if you want to know the overall picture, all one must do is see which way the Clare electorate are moving. In modern times, the only exception to this was the Seanad abolition referendum. There the people of Clare marginally backed abolition but ultimately the Upper House survived. The difference between Clare and the national poll was just 3 per cent. Suffice to say the people of Clare have their finger on the national political pulse.

This is the reason that the constituency of Clare gets so much attention from political parties and pundits alike ahead of all elections. Dr. Moosajee Bhamjee and Michael McNamara’s respective wins for Labour in the Banner were indicative of the national surge in Labour support in 1992 and 2011 respectively.

The 2007 result that saw Fianna Fáil come so close to taking three of the four seats in the county reflected perfectly how close the party came to an overall majority in that poll.

Last time out was no different.

Fine Gael’s triumph in winning a second seat through Joe Carey at the expense of Fianna Fáil’s Michael McDonagh at bay for the last seat was a microcosm of the national scene, especially when coupled with the emergence of a strong Independent vote for Dr. Michael Harty.

Most political focus is on Budget 2018 this week but most of us know that the budget marks the real starting block for the next General Election. The feeling in political circles is that come late Spring, posters will once again be visible on telegraph polls.

Parties are already selecting candidates and paying great heed to all polls trying to figure out their next move.

With Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael tight in most polls, the outcome of the election will hinge on a small number of constituencies and Clare is one of them. If Fianna Fáil are to return to Government, Timmy Dooley will have to bring a running mate with him to Dáil Éireann. If Leo Varadkar wishes to remain as Taoiseach beyond the next

election, then holding their two seats in Clare is a must.

With independent support waning in national polls, will Dr. Harty be able to hold the seat he dramatically took last year?

Looking beyond a budget that, by all accounts, was not the giveaway some expected earlier in the year, how is the political landscape in Clare shaping up? You wouldn’t have to be a political genius to predict that Timmy Dooley, poll topper last time out, should do well again. You’d expect the same from Junior Minster Pat Breen as well.

They should take a seat a piece for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael respectively. The destination of the other two seats would appear, given last time out’s figures, to be any two from one independent, one FF and one FG. Sitting TD’s Joe Carey (FG) and the aforementioned Dr. Harty will be favourites to retain their seats.

However, FF will be gunning to turn the first preference vote advantage they had in February 2016 into a second seat. It’s unknown what Michael McDonagh’s intentions are after coming fifth last year, missing out on that second FF seat to Carey.

Likewise, Cllr. Clare Colleran-Molly, the party’s third candidate, hasn’t definitively said wether or not she wants to run again. Cllr. Cathal Crowe from south-east Clare though has emerged as a potential new candidate and will seek his party’s backing to contest the election. He has impressed on the county council since first elected in 2004 at the age of 21.

His campaigning for Parteen village and work rate during the flooding crisis did not go unnoticed. Rita McInerney of the Chamber of Commerce has also indicated she too may want to be on the FF ticket. If

the party were to go for a three candidate strategy again this time, it may well suit them, geographically and in terms of gender to select the both new candidates should neither of the unsuccessful duo from 2016 throw their name into consideration.

For Fine Gael, both their returning TDs do need a female to share the ticket with given the quotas legislation. The obvious choice is for Cllr. Mary Howard to once more run alongside her TD colleagues.

With more time, she may well build on the 2,053 FVP’s she got last time out, especially with her high profile work with Ennis Tidy Towns and on the signpost names issue that was causing concern to the tourist industry.

Dr. Harty exploded onto the scene with a highly successful late push for a seat last year.

Being the “local GP’s” candidate meant he effectively had an overnight election office in every town and village in the county. With a relatively quiet 19 months since though, some doubt his ability to hold the same support levels. Couple that with his support for the Government, people’s less than enthusiastic reaction to Independent Ministers like Shane Ross and, what many perceive as a poor return for Clare since the 2016 election and the Kilmihil doctor may find himself in danger very quickly.

Sinn Féin will also look to make gains again in Clare.

Noleen Moran did better than most expected with 7.4 per cent of the vote in 2016.

Ideally, they would have liked to get her onto the county council in the 2019 local elections before going contesting a general election again. The early betting sees a dog fight between FG, FF and Dr. Harty for those last two seats.

KILMIHIL DOCTOR: Dr. Harty exploded onto the scene with a highly successful late push for a seat last year.

24 COMMUNITY

Community ENNIS FAMILY CARER SUPPORT Are you a Family Carer?

Would you like to increase your knowledge, look after your health, meet others in a similar situation, gain support, etc?

Commencing on the 18th of October our, free of charge, Caring in the Home Course will run every Wednesday from 7-9pm until the 6th of December in the Templegate Hotel, Ennis.

Places will be restricted to 30 participants so early booking is advisable.

Please ring the office on 0656866515 or email mguthrie@familycarers.ie / soshea@familycarers.ie for more information.

MS INFO MORNING The Multiple Sclerosis Society are holding an Information Morning on Diet and Nutrition and Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction in MS. Venue-West County Hotel Ennis Wednesday, 25th October From 10am-1pm.

Free Event.

Tea, coffee and sandwiches at the close of morning.

All welcome.

MUSICAL SOCIETY Following a very successful launch Ennis Musical Society would like to invite those interested in being involved in their forthcoming musical Sister Act, to come along to a workshop on Friday, October 13th at The Local from 7pm. For those looking to audition on Saturday, October 21.

This is a great opportunity to meet the director Jessica Bray and choreographer Pamela McGlynn and see what is involved.

The workshop will look at character development and chorus work. It is preferable that anyone who is auditioning for lead roles attends the workshop.

Teens are also encouraged to attend as all teens must audition to secure a place in the teen chorus as spaces are limited to 10. Auditions will be held in Hassetts Barefield on Saturday, October 21. Sister Act the musical will be staged in Glór from March

6 to 10, 2018. More information is available from www.ennismusicalsociety. com CLARE HAVEN Clare Haven Services Insights Programme - A free and confidential weekly programme for women who are or have been in an abusive domestic relationship. For further information please contact Clare Haven Services on 065 6842646.

COLAISTE REUNION Colaiste Muire 40th Class Reunion: (Calling the class of 1972 to 1977); Come join us to celebrate 40th years since leaving Colaiste Muire Saturday 25th November 2 – Mass; 17h30 - Colaiste Muire Oratory: buffet dinner, Old Ground Hotel;19h00 - €30pp. Contact - Marie Connolly 0866074538 Marie.Connolly@ul.ie SCHOOL FUNDRAISER Holy Family School Fundraiser: Cash for Clobber.

Please drop bags to school reception during school hours October 16 to 19.

We will be delighted to take all types of donations, unwanted clothes, hats, shoes, bags, belts, towels and bedlinen.

Clare Roots’ Society Meeting; Thursday 19 October; 8pm Old Ground Hotel; Lecture by Dr. Rose Molloy.

CANCER SUPPORT Sláinte an Chláir, Clare Cancer Support Annual Fair, Saturday October 28; 10am, Maria Assumpta Hall. Great selection of crafts, fairy houses, Bake sale, knitted goods plus lots more. Your support is greatly appreciated.

ENNIS OLD FOLKS Ennis Old Folks’ club have moved their meetings to every second Wednesday night, beginning from Wednesday October 11th.

The meetings will still take place from 8pm in Ennis community Centre on Chapel Lane. Next Meeting on Wednesday October 25th at 8pm.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society are holding an Information Morning on Diet and Nutrition and Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction in MS. Venue-West County Hotel, Ennis, on Wednes-

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

EAST/SOUTHEAST CLARE CRACKING THE COLLEGE CODE Cracking the College Code: This week St Anne’s Community College, Scariff Community College in association with Derg Credit Union will host seminars on getting to third level and surviving the challenges.

Educationalist and author Catherine O’Connor (whose book Cracking the College Code is regarded as a handbook for new college entrants and their parents) will address senior cycle students in both schools on this Tuesday and Wednesday, October 17 and 18. Ms O’Connor will meet parents at St Anne’s on Tuesday evening, 17 October at 8pm during an event that is also open to parents who may not have children at the school. Ms O’Connor will address the parents of students during an event at Scariff Community College that begins at 6.30pm on Wednesday, 18 October.

Representatives of Derg Credit Union will be on hand at each event to talk about how the credit union can help families to finance third level.

CARRIGORAN Parkinson’s Meeting. The local Clare group will meet on Friday, October 27 at Carrigoran Health and Wellness Centre, Newmarket on Fergus.

YOUTH CLUB Bodyke Ogonnelloe Tuamgraney (B.O.T.) Youth Club: for all secondary school students in the parishes on Friday nights in Scariff Community College Sports Hall at 8.30– 10pm. Membership €10 and €2 each night of youth club. New members always welcome.

45 Card nights: will resume in the Parish House Tuamgraney on Wednesday nights at 8pm, beginning on Wednesday September 27th. All very welcome, including beginners. day, October 25. From 10am-1pm. Free Event.

Tea, coffee and sandwiches at the close of morning.

All welcome.

WEST/NORTH CLARE COFFEE MORNING Coffee Morning in aid of Cahercalla Hospice at West Clare Railway Moyasta on 21st Oct. between 11 am and 2pm. There will be music, singing and fun for all including children and a free trip on the train.

POKER CLASSIC Poker Classic in aid of West Clare Cancer Centre on Sunday, November 5, 2017 at Westbridge Bar, Miltown Malbay at 7pm, €1,500 Pro Rata, Tickets €25. For more information contact Matt on 086 6049444.

MONEYPOINT EVENING ESB Moneypoint Community Open Evening at 7pm, October 18, 2017 at Moneypoint Generating Station. Any queries

to Kevin Harrington: 0659080423.

SHOEBOX APPEAL The Christmas Shoebox Appeal. Download a leaflet at www.teamhope.ie.

Leave your filled shoebox at the Olde Creamery Cooraclare Rd.—final date is Nov 10th. Tel; Deirdre 087 9011683.

RADIO BROADCAST RCB Radio will be broadcasting a Community Mass on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2.05 pm.

On Sundays, the award winning show, the Word, is on at 2.05 pm with an hour of relaxing discussions on spirituality and some great music thrown in too. This is followed by Reflections, at 3pm, a 30 minute space for Christian prayer, song and devotion presented by the Kilkee prayer group. The station can found on 92.5 or 94.8 FM in the South West Clare Region or you can listen live on www.rcb.ie.

DRUG SERVICES Open invitation to hear about the developments in

Two adorable Sixmilebridge fans at the county final

Credit Julie Tillett

Alcohol & Drug Services in West Clare, on Thursday, October 19 at 12.30 in the Community Centre, Kilrush.

All welcome.

CBS OPEN EVENING Because of storm Ophelia Ennistymon CBS have rescheduled their open evening for prospective first year students and their parents to Tuesday evening, October 24.

Students 4.30 -7.30pm and parents 6.30 7.30pm.

KILMALEY WALK Meitheal Kilmaley: This year’s Meitheal walk will be from Kilmaley Graveyard to Lough Burke and back to Carney’s Bar in Connolly on November 5 at 1pm.

The day will commence with open air Mass concelebrated by Bishop Fintan, Canon McLaughlin and Fr Pat to commemorate all those who have gone before us. The graves

will be blessed at the end of Mass, followed by a parish picnic and the walk.

This is a community Mass celebrating our blessings in life and showing our appreciation to those who have left us. There will be no 11.30am mass in Kilmaley on that day.

It is Meitheal’s annual fundraising event and letters will be sent to every house in the parish asking for your generous support.

Community notes LISCANNOR JIVE The play ‘Jiving Lessons for the Broken Hearted’ will take place on October 21st (Saturday) at the Liscannor Community Hall at 8pm. “Jiving Lessons for the Broken Hearted” follows the adventures and misadventures of six different characters as they search for love over the course of a weekend during Lisdoonvarna’s famous month-long Matchmaking Festival held in September every year. Produced by Joan O’Harrahan, (Kilfenora), and starring Clair Varden, (Kilfenora).

COMMUNITY 25

THE CLARE ECHO THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

WELL DESERVED: Local community leaders presented with their awards Pic by Arthur Ellis

Local heroes honoured on awards night

Tuamgraney comes out on top in Clare In Bloom 2017 Dozens of community and residents groups from across Clare gathered at Áras Contae on Chláir in Ennis last night for the annual Clare County Council Community Awards Night.

The winners of the ‘Best Kept Local Authority Estates’ and ‘Clare in Bloom’ competitions for 2017 were announced while Clare’s participants in this year’s IPB Pride of Place competition were also recognised.

“There is something very uplifting about seeing members of any community coming together. It is important that we acknowledge those who give so much to back to their community and to

their county,” Mayor of Clare Tom McNamara said.

Clare in Bloom, an awards scheme for community groups actively involved in the improvement and enhancement of their localities, this year featured 27 participants from around the County.

The Cathaoirleach’s Award 2017 was presented to Doonbeg Tidy Towns while Tuamgraney Development Association was named Overall Winner of Clare in Bloom 2017.

The inaugural Betty Devanny Memorial Award was presented to O’Briensbridge Community Group.

The overall winner of the Best Kept Lo-

cal Authority Estates Competition was resident group of Rooska, Lisdoonvarna, which was awarded an engraved plaque, a cheque for €600 and the Mary Hennessy Memorial Award.

Meanwhile, two local groups were last night honoured for their commitment, effort and dedication to the enhancement of their communities as part of their participation in the IPB Pride of Place Competition 2017.

An Garda Síochána’s “Clare Teenage Disco” initiative was nominated for this year’s Pride of Place by Clare Chief Superintendent, John Kerin.

Cooraclare and Cree were nominated in

Category 8 (Communities Reaching Out Initiative) of this year’s Pride of Place by Malin Kelly, Coordinator, Health & Wellbeing Officer for CLG Cuar an Chláir.

Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, stated: “It is clear that Clare is a vibrant location, thanks to the thousands of individuals coming together with bright ideas and positive attitudes to making things happen.

Clare County Council is delighted to play its part in recognising your achievements and honouring your shared commitment to your respective communities and to the County.”

26 BUSINESS

THE CLARE ECHO

BUSINESS

THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

CONTACT US WE’RE ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM #CE CAPTION: This is a caption.

Panelists for the day : L-R Margaret O’Connor Quigleys Bakery, Stephanie Shine, Marketing & business Development Manager of Samco, Alison Banton, Founder and CEO of Brooke & Shoals, Tara Lee Byrne, Founder & CEO of Wicked Wholefoods, Marion Murphy Cooney of Marion Murphy Cooney Designs Photo by Julie Tillett

Killaloe hosts women in business event

Clare LEO invites entrepreneurs to East Clare

O

PEN doors to new Markets was the theme for this year’s National Women’s Enterprise Day (NWED), which was celebrated by over 135 local entrepreneurs at an event in Killaloe on Thursday last (12 October 2017).

The Local Enterprise Offices in Clare, Tipperary and Limerick invited successful female entrepreneurs, including Tara-Lee Byrne of Wicked Wholefoods, to share their business stories.

Other special guests at the event in Killaloe included Chanelle McCoy of Chanelle Medical and Dragons Den, Catherine Duffy of GM Northern Trust, Dr. Orlaith Borthwick of MidWest Action Plan for Jobs and Celia Holman Lee of Holman Lee Agency.

In 2016, the 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) across the country jointly

supported 14,300 female entrepreneurs and the National Women’s Enterprise Day initiative is “still as important as ever”, according to Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Clare.

He said, “Studies show that women still have a higher fear of failure when it comes to starting a business and can lack confidence in their own skills and knowledge. To help address this, the Local Enterprise Offices teamed up with sixty successful female entrepreneurs all over the country to share and celebrate their stories and to demonstrate how every woman can open doors to new markets and what supports are there to help.”

An Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Frances Fitzgerald, T.D. said, “The events taking place around the country are a

true celebration of the potential and achievements of women in business.

Women can get close to, and examine, real stories and successes of other female led start-ups. National Women’s Enterprise Day, organised and run by the Local Enterprise Offices, is the ideal opportunity for those female entrepreneurs thinking of starting or expanding their business to learn from other successful businesswomen.”

“Women make a huge contribution to business in Ireland, creating innovative enterprises that are focused on growth and exports in every town and village across the country. I want to encourage more women to set up businesses across our regions and I would encourage you all to avail of the many supports available from your Local Enterprise Office,” added the Minister.

Clare Ladies - L-R Paulette Egan from I-SPY Clothing, Linda Earlie LEO Clare, Anne Crawley, Cashback World, Sinead Dixon, LEO Clare Photo by Julie Tillett

THE CLARE ECHO

BUSINESS 27

THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS: Monica Forde, of Clare company The Book Keeper.ie

SPOOKY: All dressed up for the October 28 event

MC DUTIES: The audience listens to Ciana Campbell

Ennis Creative Quarter set to host Halloween parade STUART HOLLY editor@clareecho.ie

WHEN you step into Parnell Street and its intricate network of bowways and lanes on Saturday October 28, be prepared to be afraid… be VERY afraid.

The traders of Parnell Street, High Street, Salthouse Lane, Chapel Lane, Merchant’s Square Cabey’s Lane and Wood Quay – collectively known as ‘Ennis Creative Quarter’ have come together to together to launch the town’s first ever Halloween Festival.

Darragh McAllister, of Lucas’ Bar, Co-Chair of the Festival Committee said, “Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann was such a success this year it inspired us to keep the festival spirit and feel good factor alive In Ennis.”

As a key member of Ennis Brass Band, Darragh has persuaded his colleague’s in the town’s longest established marching band to lead the Halloween Parade, which starts at 6.30pm on Saturday, October 28.

“The parade this year will be a simple affair, with local dance school and activity groups performing and following the band. We hope that the parade will act as a magnet for children and adults alike to express themselves through weird, wonderful and scary costumes and make-up and to come along and join the fun in Parnell Street.”

Full details, including booking details are on the festival’s dedicated Facebook page see: Ennis Creative Quarter Presents Halloween

Caroline Bourke MAKE-UP AND STYLE

28 COLUMNIST

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

l TIP: For Outdoor Women, Try Vitamin E Gel that moisturises dry dehydrated or weathered skin.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BASE l LIP CARE: Vitamin E Lip Conditioner spf15 is a rich treatment that softens, smoothes and moisturises dry lips.

Why you need a skincare regime

C

aroline Bourke who has worked with the celebrities, takes us back to our skincare before we apply any makeup. If we do not have the right skincare how are we expected to keep our foundation on all day……….

Let’s start with the basics. Here are examples to boost your skin.

1

Use a cleansing cream or cleansing gel that will leave the skin feeling balanced, refreshed and stimulates the skin. Bin the face wipes ladies. Wipes are too abrasive for the skin and do not give the skin a deep cleanse.

Use a Rosemary and Lavender Tonic which is a gentle toner that helps purify and nurture the skin.

Rosemary works to balance the skin, while the relaxing scent of Lavender creates a soothing effect. Use Toner every morning and evening.

2

l NOURISHING: Face mask.

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Serums are lighter in texture than moisturisers but contain more active ingredients. More suitable for 30’s upward. Apply only every evening.

A Jojoba Day Moisturiser is a light lotion that absorbs quickly.

It helps protect the skin against the effects of dehydration.

Use a Night Cream- a rich Moisturiser works best when skin is at its most relaxed and receptive.

Use a nourishing face mask- this is to be used once a week at the start of the week- it will replenish, restore and infuse the skin with moisture. A brilliant conditioning boost.

Eye gel with aloe and apricot in it is a great cooling treatment for the eye area. Apricot will help calm and reduce the appearance of puffiness around the eyes.

For outdoor women, try vitamin E gel that moisturises dry dehydrated or weathered skin.

Vitamin E Lip Conditioner spf15 is a rich treatment that softens, smoothes and moisturises dry lips.

Tips for when going shopping for skincare……….

First of all know your skin type, there are so many skincare products out there to suit each type of skin.

Skincare products do not need to be expensive.

I have found some great high street brands that work wonders so search around; Boots do fantastic ranges suitable for all ages and price range.

Don’t be shy to go up to sales assistant and ask for help.

If you do like the high end skincare products it’s important to get samples first before you purchase and book in for skincare consultation.

Don’t be shy to bring in your skincare bag with you and show them your skincare routine. Shop around would be my advice and take your time finding what suits your skin. Happy Shopping Xx

If you are reading this so are 35,000 other people Get your message out there with The Clare Echo To advertise with us contact sales@clareecho.ie or 065 671 9021

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Motoring MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVE HIS VIEWS

Ford gets back to basics and the new Fiesta is all the better for it Best version of the new Zetec is also one of the cheapest ROAD TEST: FORD FIESTA 1.1 ZETEC

T

HERE will be pricey versions, be in no doubt. The new Ford Fiesta, in common with pretty much every other car on the marker (maybe not Rolls-Royce, but I have my suspicions) is adding more and more ritzy and high-end versions to its range. The idea is to attract millennial types, keen on having more style (ST-Line with its sporty-looking bodykit), more luxury (the somewhat over-specced Vignale), or some faux-offroad ruggedness (the upcoming Fiesta Active wannabe SUV). All of these cost, in some cases, quite a lot more than the most basic Fiesta. Inflation strikes everywhere eventually, I guess.

However, I do have some good news — the best version of the new Fiesta is also among the most basic.

You can get Ford’s all-important new supermini with an impressive 140hp turbo 1.0-litre engine, or indeed an ultra-frugal 1.5 diesel (not that anyone buying a small car really buys a diesel anymore) but we’re testing it here in its most basic form. A 1.1-litre Zetec. Fiesta prices start at €16,650 and this one clocks in at a very reasonable

€17,150. That’s not perhaps especially cheap (rivals such as Seat and Citroen, for instance can offer better value for money) but it’s not bad, and the news just keeps getting better. The 1.1-litre engine, although basic in its price, is actually a new unit. This Ti-VCT engine is based on the more expensive, turbocharged Ecoboost units and like them, it’s a three-cylinder unit. Make sure you get the 85hp version (the 70hp one is close to gutless) and it’s a cracking little powerplant. No, it’s not as refined nor as powerful as the Ecoboost engine, but the noises it does make are fizzy, revvy, happy noises — the three cylinders buzzing away nicely in the manner of a demented sewing machine.The fivespeed manual gearbox, also new, was apparently developed specially for the 1.1 engine and it shows; the gearchange is sweet and light, and pleasantly accurate.

FACTS & FIGURES: Model tested: Ford Fiesta 1.1 Zetec fivedoor Pricing: €17,150 as tested, range starts at €16,550 Engine: 1.1-litre three-cylinder petrol Transmission: five-speed manual, front-wheel drive Body style: Five-door supermini CO2 emissions: 101g/km (Band A3, €190 per annum) Combined economy:

64.4mpg (4.4 litres/100km) Top speed: 180km/h 0-100km/h: 1 4.4 seconds Power: 70hp at 5,500rpm Torque: 108Nm at 2,500rpm Boot space: 292-litres (seats up), 1,092-litres (seats folded) EuroNCAP rating: fivestars. 87% adult, 84% child, 64% pedestrian, 60% safety assist

QUALITY: Ford Fiesta 1.1 Zetec.

You do need to work the engine a little hard to get the Fiesta’s 1,113kg bulk moving (less than the old model but still a touch porky compared to some rivals) but it’s worth it, as performance feels much stronger than the 14.4sec 0-100kmh sprint time would suggest.

On top of that, as with all Fiestas stretching back to the 1990s, this one is enormously good fun to drive. The Fiesta might be one of the most affordable cars in Ford’s range, but you can tell, as soon as you twist the steering wheel into a corner, that it gets the same level of care and attention from the chassis engineers. The steering just feels fantastic, with lovely weight and plenty of feel, and the Fiesta remains all-but-unique among affordable small cars for being as much fun to carve along a twisting road as more expensive fare such as Mini Cooper.

Most cars would achieve that sensation of sportiness by fitting rock-hard sports-style suspension (the Mini certainly does) but the Fiesta is better by far than that.

In spite of staying mostly flat and level through the corners, it maintains a comfortable ride quality,

with good bump absorption and little or nothing in the way of harshness. Ford’s suspension boys still have the legs on most others in this class. Inside, you’ll notice some distinct improvements compared to the outgoing Fiesta. The hard, slightly tinny plastics of the old model have been replaced by surfaces which are positively lush to the touch, and the small main instruments replaced by larger, clearer items which are much easier to read. The centre console gets a big screen standing proud at the top, which looks a little bit stuck on, but it’s still nice to have it. Our basic car had a small, basic screen, but you can spec it up with a bigger, brighter screen and Ford’s impressive SYNC3 software, which includes smartphone connections such as Apple CarPlay and An-

droid Auto. As well as the nice cabin qualty (and decent, if not exceptional space) Ford has improved the Fiesta’s standard equipment list, chucking in lane-keeping warning, auto-headlights, a speed limiter, and an emergency call system which rings for an ambulance if you have a crash. That’s all alongside such essentials as air conditioning, daytime running lamps, Bluetooth, and electric front windows.

Actually, our only gripe with the new Fiesta is to do with its styling.

Ford has, basically, kept the shape and detailing of the old model, which is fine as far as it goes, but a touch unimaginative. It looks nice at the front, with those LED daytime running lights and low-set, sports-car-style grille, but it loses the plot a bit around the back, which looks too tall and bulky for our money.

Still, that’s a pretty minor quibble for what is an impressive update to one of Ireland’s perennial best-sellers. That the new Fiesta would be a good car was probably never much in doubt, but the most impressive part is that you don’t have to dig too deeply into your wallet to get the best version.

DNG O’Sullivan Hurley 74 O Connell Street, Ennis, Co Clare 065 684 0200 info@dngosullivanhurley.com 31 Cregaún Tobarteascáin Ennis, Co. Clare V95 XN3F PRICE: €179,950 PSL No. 002295 BER No. 109960724 BER C2

Bushypark Ennis Co. Clare V95 HF5F PRICE: €279,950 PSL No. 002295 BER No.110176369 BER D2

Located in the Cregaun Housing Development in the popular residential area of Tobertascain, within short walking distance of Ennis Town Centre and all surrounding amenities. Number 31 is a bright and well proportioned 4 bedroom semi-detached home that has been meticulously maintained by its current owners. On entering the property the spacious hallway with feature U-shaped staircase gives access to the ground floor bedroom, main reception and kitchen/dining. The main living room, with its cast iron surround feature fireplace and solid fuel stove, Cherrywood style timber flooring is open plan (via archway) to the open plan kitchen/dining.

Nestled on a stunning, slightly elevated, mature tree lined site of circa 0.7 acres in Bushy Park, Ennis, is this spacious, bright 5 bedroom detached family home bungalow.

On entering it is clear the owner has a keen eye for interior design, boasting top quality finishes and bespoke decorative style in every room. From the warm relaxing reception with its solid ivory limestone surround fireplace and walnut flooring, to the handmade solid wood traditional ivory kitchen with open plan dining area and 4 bedrooms with private office, this detached property offers the ideal family home.

Ballaghboy Quin Road Ennis Co. Clare V95 XPC5 PRICE: €259,000 PSL No. 002295 BER No. 107539009 BER E1

Knockatemple Kilnamona Co. Clare V95RTW5 €249,000 PSL NO: 002295 BER 110196219 BER F

Conveniently located in the much sought-after suburb of Ballaghboy, just 1km from the M18, 4km from Ennis Town Centre and 2km from Roslevan, this 4-bedroom family home is set on a stunning tree-lined site of circa 0.8 acres. Accessed off the main Ennis/Quin Road via a natural stone entrance, the tarmacadam drive extends to the front and side.

Farmhouse and Lands Folio CE1847 (25.5 Acres) The property is a traditional 2 storey farmhouse, completely modernized internally in 2005 including new roof, heating, plumbing and electrics, the property is accessed via a long meandering roadway.

28 Silvergrove Ballybeg Ennis, Co. Clare V95 N6C9 PRICE: In excess of €435,000 PSL No. 002295 BER No. 109816132 BER C3

36 Station Court Ennis, Co. Clare V95 R8CP PRICE: €174,950 PSL No. 002295 BER No. 100646769 BER D1

5 Bedrooms (3 en-suites), 2 x Receptions, Kitchen/Dining/Sunroom, Utility, WC, Main Bathroom, Detached Garage. Tranquil settings does not get much better than the much sought after and well established cul de sac known as Silvergrove located in one of Ennis' affluent residential areas just 2.5km from Ennis Town Centre. Surrounded by lush woodland and slightly elevated from road level, number 28 summarizes the word luxury in a 2,500 sq.ft. package.

Located in the popular and much sought after town centre development of Station Court and positioned within a cul de sac of 6 homes to the rear of the development is this immaculate 4 bedroom family home boasting spacious bright and well-proportioned living accommodation throughout.

Station Road Lahinch Co. Clare V95 X6F3 PRICE: €199,000 PSL No. 002295 BER No. 110033727 BER E2

22 Moyglass Crusheen Co. Clare V95 R827 PRICE: €179,950 PSL No. 002295 BER No. 110251576 BER C1

Four bedroom detached bungalow located in the heart of the popular resort town of Lahinch. This is located within 100m of the main street and 300m of the beach. Ideal location for a holiday home or indeed full time residence. Viewing is strictly by prior appointment with Sole Selling Agents.

Moyglass, located in the heart of the village and within walking distance of all local amenities, is a modern, well laid out cul de sac estate, circular in configuration with a centre green area of approximately 0.5 acres. Number 22 is a bright and well-proportioned 5-bedroom semi-detached house fronting onto the large green area and featuring private rear gardens which are equally not overlooked.

Property

Beautiful homes all over the County UNLOCK YOUR DREAM

PRIVACY AND CONVENIENCE

l SPACIOUS: This detached home is a beautiful 4-bed residence.

10 ABBEYVILLE, CLARE ROAD, ENNIS, CO CLARE, V95 P6N2 €259,000

A

BBEYVILLE is a fine 4 bedroom detached home, nestled away in a private cul-de-sac. It offers easy access to the Limerick road a short distance from Ennis Town Centre. This property has been renovated and extended to create an idyllic family home featuring generous

BEST IN THE WEST BREAFFA WEST, LISSYCASEY, ENNIS, CO CLARE, V95 D7N3

€275,000

Set on an attractive site this fine, spacious family home is situated 1km approx. from the village of Lissycasey The property, which could benefit from some modernisation boasts spacious living accommodation and five generous double bedrooms. There is also a large garage to the side of the property. This property is located in a popular residential area. 20 minute drive from Ennis.

Contact Tiernan O’Malley, Sherry FitzGerald McMahon, O’Connell Square House, Ennis, Co Clare

First stop is the Station 36 STATION COURT, ENNIS, CLARE V95R8CP €174,950

L

ocated in the popular and much sought after town centre development of Station Court and positioned within a cul de sac of 6 homes to the rear of the development is this immaculate 4 bedroom family home boasting spacious bright and well-proportioned living accommodation throughout. On entering the tiled entrance hallway to the right gives access to the first of the 4 bedrooms which boasts and en-suite and to the left is the main reception with feature doors into the open plan kitchen/living/dining. From the dining area are sliding patio doors to the rear garden with main reception featuring solid fuel open fireplace with back boiler and

timber flooring. At first floor level are a further 3 bedrooms all of which feature built-in wardrobes and the master bedroom boasting an en-suite. Also at first floor is the main bathroom. This outstanding town centre property is rare to come to the Ennis market and is a must view to truly appreciate. Viewing is strictly by prior appointment with Sole Selling Agents. PSL No. 002295

Contact Cormac O’Sullivan, DNG. Tel: 065 - 6840200 Partner Director

bedrooms and living areas. Amenities such as Treacys West County Conference and Leisure Hotel and St. Flannan’s College are within walking distance. The M18 motorway and Ennis Town Centre are easily accessible from this address. The ground floor accommodation comprises an entrance hall, a spacious open plan kitchen/dining room, utility room, sunroom, a generous bright living room, and a double bedroom with en-suite.

Contact Tiernan O’Malley, Sherry FitzGerald McMahon, O’Connell Square House, Ennis, Co Clare

LUCKY NUMBER SIX 6 NOUGHAVAL DRIVE, DOORA, ENNIS, CO CLARE, V95 PCF1

This 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

€295,000

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

Contact Tiernan O’Malley, Sherry FitzGerald McMahon, O’Connell Square House, Ennis, Co Clare

l POPULAR: Sought after development.

ENNIS

10 ABBEYVILLE, CLARE ROAD

LAHINCH

€259,000 €XXXXXX

“TUROE”, LISCANNOR ROAD

€950,000

€XXXXXX

ENNIS

14 AN TSEAN DUN, TULLA ROAD

€289,500 €XXXXXX

Well-proportioned 4 bed detached home, nestled away in a private cul-de-sac just a short distance from Ennis Town Centre. 148.6 sqm/1,599 sqft BER No. 101050284

Magnificent 5 bedroomed, prominently positioned residence comes to the market in immaculate condition. Breath-taking and unobstructed views of Lahinch Championship and Castle golf courses. Internally and externally only the highest quality of woods, tiles, metals and other materials have been used. The property is meticulously maintained with several patio seating areas, cobble lock driveway, secure electronic entry gates and low maintenance rear garden.

330 sqm/3,552 sqft BER No. 103241626

Superb 5 bed spacious, executive style home in an ideal location just off the main Tulla Road close to the M18 motorway. 166 sqm/1,787 sqft BER No. 104727474

CALL: DIARMUID MCMAHON 065 6867866

CALL: DANIELLE KAVANAGH 065 6867866

CALL: TIERNAN O’MALLEY 065 6867866

WE’RE YOUR LOCALS IN CLARE SHERRY FITZGERALD MCMAHON

O’CONNELL SQUARE HOUSE, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

T: 065 686 7866 ENNIS

6 NOUGHAVAL DRIVE, DOORA

€295,000 €XXXXXX

LISSYCASEY

BREAFFA WEST

€275,000 €XXXXXX

KILMALEY

13 CLUAIN ARD

€XXXXXX €185,000

BALLYVAUGHAN NEWTOWN

€250,000 €XXXXXX

Magnificent 5 bed family home ideally located 2 minutes from the M18 motorway and 5 minutes approx. from Ennis town centre. 177 sqm/ 1905 sqft BER No. 110280161

Set on an attractive 0.59 acre site approx., this 5 bed detached spacious family home is situated 1km approx. from the village of Lissycasey. 254 sqm/2,734 sqft BER No. 110213394

Superbly finished 3 bed detached home, situated on an elevated site, in the village of Kilmaley, 10 minutes approx. from Ennis. 116 sqm/1,249 sqft BER No. 110248416

Attractive 4 bed dormer bungalow on a generous site only 1.6km from Ballyvaughan with excellent views of the Burren. 136 sqm/1474 sqft BER No. 101167922

CALL: TIERNAN O’MALLEY 065 6867866

CALL: TIERNAN O’MALLEY 065 6867866

CALL: TIERNAN O’MALLEY 065 6867866

CALL: DIARMUID MCMAHON 065 6867866

ENNIS

ENNIS

COROFIN

COROFIN

3 CLOUGHLEIGH ROAD

€XXXXXX €99,000

DRUMCLIFFE

€295,000 €XXXXXX

CIUNAS, WILLBROOK

€XXXXXX €139,000

CAHERBULANE

€239,000 €XXXXXX

A well-proportioned 3 bedroom mid-terraced town house situated just 2 minutes walk to Ennis town centre, ideal for either a first-time buyer or as an investment. 59.8 sqm/644 sqft BER No. 100794775

Spacious, detached, dormer bungalow, a detached ‘granny flat’ and a substantial workshop/store, with obvious commercial potential.

BER No. 109792796

Charming 3 bed detached cottage, on a 0.35 acre site approx, has been lovingly and respectfully restored by its current owner. 85 sqm/915 sqft BER No 106125545

Well proportioned 4 bed detached home, on 0.75 acre site approx., is situated approximately 20 minutes from Ennis in a peaceful and tranquil setting. 197 sqm/2,120 sqft BER No. 109123760

CALL: TIERNAN O’MALLEY 065 6867866

CALL: TIERNAN O’MALLEY 065 6867866

CALL: TIERNAN O’MALLEY 065 6867866

CALL: TIERNAN O’MALLEY 065 6867866

SHERRYFITZ.IE

/SHERRYFITZGERALDGROUP @SHERRY_FITZ

Email: ennis@sherryfitzmcmahon.ie

PSRA No. 0O1212

THE CLARE ECHO THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

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CLASSIFIEDS 37 CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

DULICK MOTORS GORT RD, ENNIS Main Nissan Dealer For County Clare Have a Full Time Vacancy for

086 225 8081

michaelcaseypainting@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/michaelcaseypainting.decor/

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THURSDAY, OCT 19 2017

Your Horoscopes October 19 Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

You may have been on a bit of a shopping roll lately.

Stuff for the home, gifts for your loved ones and maybe just a few little treats for yourself (which you totally deserve). It might be time to wind things down just a tad now. Try not to get too carried away -- you’re sure to thank yourself later.

You’re the one who tells family members to plan for a rainy day!

Leo

Your passion knows no bounds right now -- and the right people are watching. That should be a good thing, especially if your loved ones are up for it. It can also get you into trouble, though, if you release it all too fast, too soon. Be patient. Let just a little show at a time. You don’t want to scare your romantic interest away before you have time to close the deal for good, do you?

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

You’re in the mood to laugh at yourself and make some risky moves, which is seen as highly appealing today. You can expect your fan mail to be much heavier than usual for a few days or weeks, and for the paparazzi and requests for attention to be even more annoying than usual. It may not be the most fun you’ve ever had, but it’s not so bad. Fortunately, you’re well-suited to being adored!

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DOWN 1 Musical symbol 2 Turner of films 3 Sweetheart 4 Best Actor of 1992 5 Attends as a visitor 6 White-faced 7 French-speaking Swiss canton 8 “Paradise Lost” character 9 Biblical locale 10 Egyptian president 11 “Have __ day!”

12 Irritates 13 Put forth 21 Commotion 23 Country singer Tillis 25 Intense fear 26 Greenish blue 27 Retained 28 “Advise and Con-

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51 Hawaiian greeting 52 One of King Lear’s daughters 53 One easily imposed upon 55 There’s no sense in it 56 Minimum-range tide 57 Groups 60 Symbol of sturdiness

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sent” author 31 “Get __ of yourself!”

33 Lack of knowledge 34 Siamese cry?

35 Stitched 38 Big cat 39 Aerobics gear 42 Electric horns 46 “To Evening”, e.g.

47 Nut 49 Pious 50 Soprano Adelina

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chener novel 58 Fast food order 59 Origin 61 Actress Blakley 62 “More __ You Know” 63 Stops up 64 Old gold coin 65 Actors McKellen and Holm 66 Give approval to 67 “The Thirty-Nine __”

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ACROSS 1 Holders 6 State emphatically 10 Stallion’s mate 14 Island west of Maui 15 Prepare for a rainy day 16 Windows alternative 17 Put into effect 18 Tinted 19 Peevishness 20 Starved 22 Gizmo that holds things apart 24 Whopper topper 25 Most precious 26 Prefix with logical 28 Play 29 Supporting vote 30 Chicago airport 32 Basinger and Novak 36 PC key 37 Mexican language 40 Command to a horse 41 Neighbor of Minn.

43 Do __ 44 At this moment 45 Humble 48 Oriental warehouse 50 Displayed ostentatiously 53 Pumpkin eater in rhyme 54 Nikita’s successor 55 1963 James A. Mi-

Your day may have started out just like yesterday did, but it’s certainly going to end up differently. You’ve got all kinds of options and you’re ready, willing and able to try them all out -- even those you don’t know about yet. Tonight, you may even decide to try your hand at an informal type of performance. Go ahead -- amaze, amuse, and entertain the masses. It’s definitely your turn to have some fun.

Aerobics gear Electric horns "To Evening", e.g.

Nut Pious Soprano Adelina Hawaiian greeting One of King Lear's daughters One easily imposed upon There's no sense in it Minimum-range tide Groups Symbol of sturdiness

The Clare Echo Crossword

Pisces

65

You should be feeling lucky right now. The person you’ve been wanting to meet is just about to make a well-timed guest appearance. They might be someone entirely new, and if so, you should feel as if you’ve known them for your whole life.

It might also be someone you really have known for quite a long time. Either way, don’t let them out of your sight.

You’re bored, and that’s dangerous for someone like you. You need a change of pace, a change of scenery or maybe even a change of occupation. That could be why you’re upset about work, even though it’s not going all that bad right now. You’ve put in your time, often even more than your time. It could be that a week off would help -- or even just a couple of days.

You’re entitled to a break!

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There’s really not much that can go wrong for you right now, and you ought to take full advantage of the circumstances. Why not? You rarely take chances, and this one you’re contemplating is as well-calculated as a risk could possibly be. Think of the expressions on your friends’ faces when they see you in this mood. It will be well worth a little fatigue at work or school tomorrow.

You probably didn’t get involved in socialising last night -- at least, not out in public -- it was good for staying in and taking it easy. It’s a good thing, too, because this evening, you’re sure to feel the need to get out and really mix it up. Don’t hesitate, and be sure to take your friends or sweetie with you. It’s sure to be a wild ride, and you definitely need some backup to make it work.

ings apart

No matter what’s going on in your life right now -- whatever you need to prepare for -- you’re feeling restless. You want to do something, try something or even take a risk on something daring. Go for it!

You have every right to enjoy your life as you see fit, as you well know. Besides, when was the last time you blew something or someone off? It probably doesn’t happen all that often. It’s your turn.

Don’t you hate it when you’re just not in the mood for your responsibilities? There’s just one way to handle that right now: Act as if you had the day off. Go out, kick up your heels and have some fun -- or something even better, as the case may be. You could also have the whole gang over to your place if that suits you.

You’ve probably had some nights off from entertaining recently, so you may be in the mood for a big party now.

If you still haven’t left the house, you might be making the right call. If you are feeling restless, you might consider going out briefly for food or entertainment -- so you don’t have to go anywhere for quite a while, that is. Barring that, find your oldest, most comfortable sweats or jammies, slip them on and get back to that book you’ve been trying to finish for what seems like years.

67 "The Thirty-Nine __" DOWN 1 Musical symbol 2 Turner of films 3 Sweetheart 4 Best Actor of 1992 k 5 Attends as a visitor 6 White-faced 7 French-speaking Swiss canton se 8 "Paradise Lost" character 9 Biblical locale 10 Egyptian president 11 "Have __ day!"

12 Irritates 13 Put forth ously 21 Commotion yme 23 Country singer Tillis ener novel 25 Intense fear 26 Greenish blue 27 Retained 28 "Advise and Consent" author 31 "Get __ of yourself!" " 33 Lack of knowledge 34 Siamese cry?

35 Stitched 38 Big cat

Give yourself the day off and try to have a little fun, even if you have to ignore that growing list of chores you promised yourself you’d absolutely get done.

You’re still in the mood to play, and chances like this don’t come nearly as often or last nearly as long as they used to. Forget about the nagging voice in your head and concentrate on having a fabulous day. If anyone can, it’s you!

d Holm

part

THE CLARE ECHO

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yle,

38 CROSSWORD/HOROSCOPES

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