The Clare Echo 02/11/2017

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2 Nov 2017

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Manhunt for armed youth

Helicopter patrols skies in search for missing Jack ELAINE TUBRIDY

news@clareecho.ie

E

NNIS Gardaí are appealing to the public to keep their distance if they see missing person Jack Dinan, who is believed to be armed.

A Garda helicopter circled on Ennis

early yesterday morning as part of the search operation for the 19 year old, who was last seen at his home on Considine Road at 10am on the morning of Tuesday, October 31. He is understood to be in possession of a licensed fire arm and a number of rounds of ammunition.

Jack is 6ft tall, of slim build with black hair and wears braces on his upper teeth.

He is thought to have been wearing a grey hoodie top and grey spot

camouflaged jacket when he left home, and may have been in possession of a green rucksack. Jack may appear agitated or confused and the public are asked not to approach him, but should contact Gardaí at Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100 or the emergency numbers 999 or 112.

At time of going to print, Gardaí were continuing their search and Jack’s family are urging him to contact home as they are concerned for his wellbeing.

MISSING: Jack Dinan is believed to be armed

2 NEWS

THE CLARE ECHO

Index PINK POWER SPORT

Inside The Clare Echo FEATURES: PAGE 18

You know you’re from Shannon...

12-13

18

SHANNON BANTER

19-22

Following on from our Ennis list last week, we have created a definitive list of 11 things people who grew up in Shannon will relate to.

23

OPINION REGIONAL NOTES

24-25

BUSINESS

26-27

MOTORING

30-34

PROPERTY

36-37

GET IN TOUCH

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

NEWS: PAGE 6

Clare’s new fittest family

SPORT: PAGE 19

Super ‘Bricks get it done In Clare Echo Sport this week, Martin Daly reflects on an niggly county final which saw Kilmurry Ibrickane beat Clondegad.

Lauren Guilfoyle reopens the dual star debate while Marty Morrissey tells us about West Clare’s passion for football.

We meet the Ennis clan vying to become Ireland’s fittest family.

The Guilfoyle’s have passed their first test, but how will they fare this weekend on RTE?

THE CLARE ECHO

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

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NEWSDESK Telephone: 065 671 9021 Email: news@clareecho.ie

NOTES Telephone: 065 671 9021

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

PLACE AN

l BOTTOMS UP: A curious cow (right) photobombs a row of feeding cattle during a glorious sunset in Doonbeg

Photo by Eoin O’Hagan

ELAINE TUBRIDY

news@clareecho.ie

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

Huge jobs boost for Mid-West T LOOKS like the recovery is finally making its way to the West as even more new jobs have been announced.

Pharmaceutical giants Regeneron will hire 300 bodies to staff the further expansion of its industrial operations and product supply centre in Limerick.

The expansion will cost a cool €84.7 million, bringing the total expected employment at the site to 800 people and total

investment to €635 million.

Welcoming the move, Minister of State for Employment Pat Breen described the jobs announcements in Limerick and Ennis this week as a huge vote of confidence in the economic future of the Mid West.

“A significant announcement like this is testament to our skilled workforce supported by innovative third level institutions in the Mid-West Region.

It also points to the attractive business orientated environment we have created in the region for such investors and businesses,” he added.

Regeneron’s production fa-

‘‘

‘‘

Email: elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

It follows the jobs announcement in Ennis last week

cility in Limerick is the largest scale bulk biologics production facility in Ireland and one of the largest biologic production operations in the world.

The additional €84.7 million investment will support the construction of a number

of manufacturing suites to increase drug substance production capacity and enable the company to meet demand for its life-transforming medicines for patients with serious diseases.

It follows news of last week’s announcement in Ennis that 50 new jobs would be created in Vitalograph in the Gort Road Industiral Estate across a number of positions including data analysts, software designers and engineers.

Meanwhile, 10 new jobs were announced in Quilty at the Wild Irish Seaweed Company.

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

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Man dies in tragic East Clare crash

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

PAT FLYNN news@clareecho.ie

A MAN in his 20s has died and a woman is in a serious condition in hospital following a single vehicle crash in Co Clare early on Monday morning.

The incident occurred at around 4am at Carraig Hill, Woodcock Hill off the old Limerick to Cratloe Road.

The car is understood to have lost control and hit a ditch close to a junction.

The man has been named as Michael Harty, a man in his 20s who was living in Nenagh, Co Tipperary.

His passenger, a female aged 25, was admitted to University Hospital Limerick having suffered serious injuries.

Fire crews from Limerick City and

Shannon Town responded to the collision along with HSE ambulances, a rapid response advanced paramedic unit from Ennis and Gardaí.

Firefighters and paramedics carried out CPR on the male occupant of the car however efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

The woman was treated and stabilised at the scene before being rushed to University Hospital Limerick for treatment.

The road was closed pending completion of a forensic examination.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact Mayorstone Garda station on 061 456980, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

l BLAZE: Seven bonfire incidents during the Halloween period. The overall cost associated with the call out of the Fire Service to these incidents was €5,000

€5k Halloween fire services bill

Clare Fire Service attends five incidents in Ennis and one each in Shannon and Newmarket on Fergus ELAINE TUBRIDY news@clareecho.ie

CLARE County Fire and Rescue Service responded to a total of seven bonfire incidents during the Halloween period.

The Fire Service attended five incidents in Ennis and one incident each in Newmarket on Fergus and Shannon between Sunday October 29 and Tuesday October 31.

Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer Angela Naughton said: “There was a significant reduction in the number of callouts this year compared to previous years including in 2016 For a free hearing check call us free on 1800 480 480

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when the Fire Service attended 19 bonfire incidents.

“As well as being illegal, uncontrolled backyard burning and bonfires pose a significant risk to property and public safety and therefore, we would like to acknowledge the public for their co-operation and for heeding the safety advice of recent weeks.”

Limerick City Fire Brigade was called out to a separate bonfire incident in Westbury on Halloween night.

The overall cost associated with the call out of the Fire Service to these incidents was €5,000.

The cost associated with the clean-up of the bonfire sites has not yet been determined.

Gardai have confirmed that a number of young children were throwing rocks at Ennis fire fighters and their fire engine as they attended a bonfire in Cloughleigh on Monday night.

Chief Superintendent John Kerin said that when Gardai arrived on the scene, the area was clear.

“The fires services attended a second call in the area and this time looked for Gardai to be present prior to they attending the call. No issues of any kind arose on the second occasion so for all intents and purposes Gardai didn’t witness anyone doing anything untoward,” he added.

Clare Fire Service confirmed that the incident occurred in the vicinity of the astro turf facility in Cloughleigh.

“On Monday night, a number of items were thrown at Fire Crew members and the attending Fire appliance.

“The assistance of An Garda Síochána was requested by the Officer in Charge.

“The bonfire was subsequently brought under control,” a spokesperson for Clare Fire Service said.

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

THE CLARE ECHO

Lions’ roaring success

A

S 2017 draws to a close the Lions Club of Ennis have organised a major event in glór to take place on Thursday November 23 (8pm) featuring the Band of An Garda Siochana in Concert with a number of local artists taking to the stage accompanied by the Band.

This night marks the culmination of a year of celebration as the Association was originally founded in Chicago in 1917 with the local Club forming in 1977, 40 years ago.

Since its inception the Lions Club have played a huge role in delivering voluntary humanitarian service in the community, both locally and globally.

Projects like the National Food and Fuel Appeal at Christmas, the Holiday for the Elderly in Trabolgan every June, the Cahercalla Remembrance Tree, Spectacle Collections and Tidy Towns litter picking are just some of the public profile and visible works carried out by Lions.

Behind the scenes, there are many more charitable acts of kindness ongoing all year round, that can only be l GOOD CAUSES: President Marie O’Neill highlighted the local charities benefitting from the Garda Concert maintained by the generous support of as an example of Lions service, with the Alzheimer Society, Clare Haven, Bushy Park, Ennis Mental Health the public. and Clarecastle Day Care Centre all being supported from the proceeds of the special evening

NEWS

5

21st birthday SALE-abration THERE are some serious bargains to be had at Patrick Bourke’s Menswear in Ennis from today until Sunday as the store celebrates their 21st birthday.

Customers will be able to avail of 21 per cent off their favourite brands throughout the weekend.

Proprietor Patrick Bourke said the SALE-abration Saturday evening from six will be an event not to be missed.

“It’s a big party, we have live music, food, drink, a bit of chat with Marty Morrissey and some of the sports guys coming in,” he added.

Bourke’s Menswear has also teamed up with youth charity Elevate, offering a range of lucky dip envelopes for €5, with at least a €10 voucher up for grabs in each envelope.

The Ennis store is almost 10,000 square feet over four floors and their biggest seller is wedding suits, with couples coming from across the country for the best service possible (and they have the thank you cards to prove it).

Between all of his staff members, Patrick reckons that reckons that the store offers over 200 years’ worth of customer service experience.

6 NEWS

Michelin delight for four pubs STUART HOLLY

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

Ennis family fight fit on RTÉ series

ELAINE TUBRIDY

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

editor@clareecho.ie

WE ALL know that Clare’s pubs have the tastiest grub in the country, but now it’s even more official as four of the 30 pubs listed in Michelin’s ‘Eating Out In Pubs’ guide are in the Banner.

Though the gastro pubs in East Clare are fantastic, all four pubs named in the guide are from the west side.

Morrissey’s in Doonbeg, Vaughan’s Anchor Inn in Liscannor, the Wild Honey Inn in Lisdoonvarna and Linnane’s Lobster Bar in New Quay all feature.

It’s been a great month for the Wild Honey Inn as they were the first pub in Ireland to be awarded a Michelin Star in the 2018 Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland.

Run by Kate Sweeney and head chef Aidan McGrath, the pub is renowned for wholesome food made from local seasonal produce.

Formerly known as Kincora House, the 19th century property was refurbished in 2009 and renamed the Wild Honey Inn. Morrissey’s pub in Doonbeg also picked up a prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand, which recognises restaurants who offer “exceptionally good food at moderate prices”.

That’s two whole weekends’ worth of great meals right there.

T

HE Guilfoyle family from Ennis did the Banner County proud when they showed what they were made of in the opening episode of Ireland’s Fittest Family last weekend.

The first episode aired last Sunday and fitness instructor Ezra Guilfoyle confirmed the competition was definitely worth the sweat.

“It was great, it was a very good experience now, it was lots of fun, it was a good challenge and it was great for the family.

“We are all a lot closer having done it, it was definitely a good experience,” he said.

This series, complete with new coach Donncha O’Callaghan, promises to be the toughest yet.

Ezra, his mum Tracey, sister Fawn and brother Sionnach joined forces to compete for the €15,000 prize pot.

In the first episode, six families went head to head in the underground tunnels of Camden Fort Meaghar, a 400 year old military fort in Crosshaven, Co Cork.

In the Tunnels of Terror challenge, each family had to move 18 ammo boxes weighing five kilos each through small, claustrophobic tunnels in the fastest time possible.

l AMBITION: The Guilfoyle family from Ennis passed their first test on last weekend’s episode of Ireland’s Fittest Family on RTÉ

In a dramatic showdown, Ezra pelted down the narrow tunnels to grab the last two ammo boxes, completing the course in 2.52 and beating the Meagher family by the closest possible margin.

Their victory meant that they didn’t have to face the eliminator and went straight through to the next round.

“They’re more like normal families.

None of them are super fit. Definitely they

were more normal than I was expecting.

“Everybody was in good condition like but it’s not like they were super fit and you wouldn’t be intimidated by it,” Ezra added.

l Check out RTE One at 6.30 on Sunday to see which coach gets to work with our Clare heroes.

Spin me right round Athletes join forces at Bank Of Ireland branches to raise money for Elevate ELAINE TUBRIDY

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

ELEVATE spinners cycled hundreds of kilometres in Bank of Ireland branches across Co Clare on Friday for #ElevateTheSpin.

Elevate Ambassador Podge Collins said he got involved with the charity because he believes that looking after the mental health of young people is extremely important.

“Hearing stuff like one in three people under the age of 13 suffer from depression is something that’s a serious issue so when I got the opportunity to get involved I was only too delighted.

Having friends that went through different problems over their teenage years, it’s something I felt strongly about,” he said.

Bank of Ireland’s Ciara Earlie coordinated the event and rounded up some of Ireland’s top sports stars, including former rugby player David

l CAUSE: John Doyle, BOI, with Wallace and John Wallace, All-Ireland winning manager Liam Sheedy along with our very own Tony Kelly and Brendan Bugler.

Elevate founder John Burke also put in his time on the bike, but Aoibhin was unable to attend the event.

“There’s incredible work and organisation gone into it. They have five bikes on the go here all day long, so this is my time slot, I’ve got to do a bit of work and earn it,” John said.

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

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THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

Lucky escape for touring family as car rolls into lake PAT FLYNN news@clareecho.ie

A FAMILY had a lucky escape on Tuesday afternoon after their car rolled into a lake in Co Clare.

The incident happened at around 1.30pm at Knockaphort near Mountshannon.

The car was left dangling over a low wall with its front wheels in the water.

It’s understood that the family of three who come from Northern Ireland had been staying in accommodation in the local area.

According to an eyewitness, it appears the family had just arrived at the location when their car suddenly moved forward. The occupants managed to climb to safely.

Gardaí were alerted and LUCKY ESCAPE: The car rolled into the lake near Mountshannon on Tuesday made their way to the scene

while a local farmer used a tractor to pull the car from the lake.

The car was later removed from the scene by a recovery truck.

No one was injured in the incident.

Last May, a six-month-old baby had a lucky escape from a car which rolled into the lake at the same location.

A Dublin couple had parked their car and left it for a matter of seconds with the infant strapped into a car seat. Without warning, the car began to slowly move forward and gathered pace before rolling down the slipway and into the water.

A local angler, who had witnessed the incident, jumped into action and helped the panicking mother rescue the baby before the car became submerged. The child was uninjured.

Kilkee Bay sale would be boost Iconic hotel goes under hammer along with Our Lady’s Hospital in Ennis

ELAINE TUBRIDY

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

TWO of Co Clare’s most iconic buildings will go under the hammer at the BidX1 auction at the end of next week.

Both the Kilkee Bay Hotel and Our Lady’s Hospital in Ennis are up for auction on Friday, November 11, along with other Clare sites.

Fine Gael Councillor Gabriel Keating said he hopes JJ McCabe finds a buyer for the Kilkee Bay Hotel as he believes it would be very beneficial to get another accommodation service up and running in the town.

“It’s an ideal location coming into town and we need hotel accommodation. We have plenty of holiday homes and two hotels but we need more hotel accommodation in Kilkee,” he added.

The 2,694 square metre site has a guide price of €720,000, with a bidding deposit of €10,000 required.

The 41 bedroom hotel also has a bar, restaurant, kitchen facilities, function room, nightclub, playroom, along with its own private well and solar water heating.

SALE: Kilkee Bay Hotel has a guide price of €720,000 Cllr Keating believes that the West Clare economy has recovered sufficiently to sustain the Kilkee Bay Hotel all year round.

“It would be a major boost for the tourism industry. Another hotel in Kilkee now could be open all year round. The tourist season now is from March to November, that’s nine months of the year.”

Our Lady’s Hospital in Ennis, which has laid idle since it closed its doors in 2002, has a guide price of €800,000.

The former psychiatric hospital sits on a 6.74 hectare site and was granted planning permission in February 2013 for the development

of a healthcare facility.

It is also currently listed as a “zoned C1.1 - Commercial, retail” property under the County Development Plan.

According to the auction details, this will give the buyer scope to develop “lands for commercial and business uses (offices, service industry, warehousing and the facilitation of enterprise/retail park/office type uses as appropriate etc”.

There are a range of Clare residential properties and three other properties up for sale on the same day, with a warehouse, pub and plot of land massing a total guide price of €340,000.

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

FEATURE

THE CLARE ECHO

The top five most haunted places in County Clare W ITH All Hallows Eve just gone, what better way to mark the day than taking a look at Co Clare’s most haunted places. Wander here at your own risk and don’t say we didn’t warn you.

LEAMANEH CASTLE Legend has it that Maire Rua (Red Mary), used to hang her handmaidens by their hair from the tower and cut off their breasts. There is a lot of mystery surrounding the death of her third husband, Conor O’Brien, with some stories suggesting that she killed him herself. Another source believes that she had 25 husbands.

Apparently the locals eventually had enough of her antics and sealed her alive in the hollow of a tree where she starved to death. Maire Rua haunts the front avenue of the castle near the Druid’s altar, with her red hair blowing in the wind.

CARRIGAHOLT CASTLE This ruin is supposedly so haunted that not even paranormal explorers will go near it. Built in the latter half of the 15th century, the castle was owned by the McMahons, but has been totally abandoned for nearly a century.

Like most castles of its day, it has a “murder hole”; a sealed room that allowed castle defenders to drop burning oil and other unpleasant things on their enemies. Legend has it, the last time someone was brave enough to go in there, they were found dead the following morning. Back in the 1920s, an exorcist decided to rid the castle of whatever was residing in there, but he was found cold with a look of terror on his face.

TUAMGRANEY WOODS For those looking for a spooking next Halloween, Tuamgraney Woods is the place to go.

Supposedly haunted on just one night of the year, the woods comes alive with demon beasts, complete with glowing red eyes. Some time ago, the story goes, a young man decided to take a stroll there, unaware of what he was letting himself in for. He stumbled around the woods, meeting a ghostly black dog, a black hare and a deer.

Brandishing his stick, he braced himself to hit a ram that was coming at him.

His stick only met thin air, but the ram managed to gore him with his horns.

OUR LADY’S HOSPITAL, ENNIS We don’t see how this couldn’t be haunted. There are countless horror movies out there based on “lunatic asylums”, with images of ghostly be-

l SPOOKY: Clockwise from above; Leamaneh Castle, Photo by Nurture Nature. Carrigaholt Castle, Photo by Ray Flynn. Our Lady’s Hospital, Ennis, Photo

by DNG. Killone Lake, Photo by Alan Creech. And, Tuamgraney Woods, Photo by Patrick J Lynch.

ings wearing white hospital gowns, dragging their bare feet along the cracked floor tiles.

A professional photographer from Dublin, who goes under the pseudonym “Bill”, documented the inside of the building a few years ago.

The images tell the story of peeling paint, old industrial kitchens and most unnerving of all, a black and white shot of a row of cell doors.

There were still 600 residents here in the 1980s and the building didn’t close its doors until 2002.

NEWHALL ESTATE AND KILLONE LAKE Originally the site of a 12th century Abbey, Newhall House was built on the grounds in the 18th century.

Apparently a mermaid of Killone Lake has cursed the waters, which supposedly turn red every seven years, or every 40 years, depending on which verion of the story you read.

One version states that wine was stored in the crypt at Newhall House.

A servant noticed that the wine was going missing and he finally caught a mermaid in the act. The servant stabbed the mermaid repeatedly until she dragged herself to the edge of the lake, her blood turning the water crimson.

The lake has been known to turn red from time to time.

Whether the stories are true or whether this is a natural phenomenon, we don’t know.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE FREE DROP OFF DAY!

CENTRAL WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY, INAGH SATURDAY 11TH NOVEMBER 2017.

08:30–13:30

“FREE ENTRY

to any householders with hazardous waste in need of disposal. One day only so don’t miss out!”

Household

ONLY!

HAZARDOUS ITEMS ACCEPTED FREE OF CHARGE ON THE DAY ARE:

• LEAD ACID BATTERIES • COOKING & ENGINE OIL • OIL FILTERS • PAINT STRIPPERS & CLEANERS

• OLD MEDICINES • PESTICIDES & HERBICIDES • FLUORESCENT TUBES • HOUSEHOLD AEROSOLS

• UNDERSINK HOUSEHOLD WASTE • PAINTS & LACQUERS (UP TO TEN TINS)

STANDARD GATE FEES APPLY FOR OTHER MATERIALS Each waste type must be clearly identifiable, labelled, segregated and packaged to avoid leaks and minimise risks.

Unidentifiable waste cannot be accepted at the facility on the day.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT THE ENVIRONMENT SECTION, CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL AT ENVIROFF@CLARECOCO.IE OR TEL 065 68 46 331

9

10 SCHOOLS

n o i t i d e y k o o sp

The scene

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THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

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THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

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SCHOOLS 11

l GHOUL ON THE HILL: 270 pupils From Junior Infants through to 6th Class in Tulla National School (St Mochulla’s) , went on a “Witch Walk” in the thick spooky fog this morning all dressed in halloween attire. The event was for fundraising for the school Photo by Julie Tillett / Clare Echo

Clare schools ask children not to clown around...

l HAVEN’T THE FOGGIEST: Pupils from Tulla National School (St Mochulla’s) walk through a very thick fog on the annual Halloween walk

Photo by Julie Tillett / Clare Echo

GHOULS, monsters and witches made their way to school last Friday morning, but alas clowns were few and far between.

Most kids dressed up in their Halloween costumes for the last day of school before the mid-term break, but it seems many Clare schools made the decision to ban clown costumes.

A parent posted a message on the Ennis Town Forum Facebook page last week stating that her eight-year-old son was devastated that he couldn’t wear his clown costume to school.

“Got told today that they’re not allowed and I’ve a bawling crying eight-year-old. And I’m meant to just pull a new one out of nowhere?” the post read.

According to comments on the post schools in Clarecastle, Corofin and Cooraclare all banned the costumes.

Some parents agreed with the ban, stating that clowns can be very frightening to small children, as well as some adults.

Others were less inclined to support the decision with one person commenting: “The whole point of Halloween is to [scare people]”.

Our best guess is that this is a result of a craze last year that involved people dressing up in clown costumes and terrorising the public, as well as the release of the movie IT earlier this year.

12 COLUMNIST

THE CLARE ECHO

Aoibhín Garrihy

LOVE CLARE THE NOTEBOOK

L

AST week I had the pleasure of co-presenting the 20th EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards with Mark Little at Citywest in Dublin. The evening paid homage to Irish entrepreneurs making waves here at home and abroad.

lLOVELY SURPRISE: Aoibhín won Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Entertainment Award

Louis Keating of L&M Keating Ltd flew the flag for the Banner county as a nominee.

I also attended the Irish Tatler

Women of the Year Awards in Dublin on Saturday night. It’s always such an inspirational evening.

I’m a huge fan of Norah Casey and all the incredible work she does for women in particular.

Coming home with the Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Entertainment Award was such a lovely surprise and when my sister Doireann managed to nab the Personality of the Year Award it made for a very special night in the Garrihy house!

Top 5 Five favourite Head

Clearing Hang Outs in Clare LISSYCASEY CASCADES

1

This 3.7km looped ecology park is a real hidden gem. Complete with benches, the cascades are the real therapeutic highlight of this already picturesque walk.

2

MULLAGHMORE

Set in the heart of the Burren National Park, this 180m limestone hill is a great day out and does wonders for the soul. There’s a sense of achievement on reaching the top but the real success is the mindfulness aspect of putting one foot in front of the other, avoiding the grykes!

HAG’S HEAD, CLIFFS OF MOHER

3

Nestled along the Cliffs of Moher walk is Hag’s Head and when you wander down towards it (off the main trail) separating yourself from the crowds there is a very peaceful sheltered look out point with breathtaking views of the entire coastline.

4

KILLONE ABBEY

Situated on Killone lake about three miles south of Ennis this is somewhat of a spiritual retreat.

The abbey itself dates back to 1190 but it’s the hidden grotto beside it that provides a peaceful haven for contemplation.

LOUGH DERG WAY

5

The very vastness of Lough Derg provides the perfect backdrop to a fresh bankside stroll in Killaloe.

Visit on a calm day and the tranquility of the lake is sure to rub off on you.

Sunday night saw four amazing artists including The Fiddle Case as well as Siomha, Luka Bloom and Mick Flannery all take to the stage at the Armada Hotel all in support of Elevate for a very special night and I’d like to say a huge thank you to those who supported the event. Tickets for BEO, a unique health and wellness event in Clare, Limerick and Galway this January go on sale on Eventbrite this week. See @beoevents on Facebook and Instagram for more details on what

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

lHEAD CLEARING WALK: The beautiful Hag’s Head at The Cliffs of Moher

COLUMNIST 13

THE CLARE ECHO THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

lPROUD MOMENT: (Left) Irish Tatler Women of the Year Awards with my sisters Ailbhe and Doireann Garrihy and mom Clare Garrihy. (Above) Tickets for January’s BEO events go on sale this week

promises to be an amazing day out. This week I’m also really looking forward to attending the Knight and Day Jewellery launch in Carraig

Donn, Ennis on Saturday Nov 4 from 2-4pm with free styling, bubbles and festive goodies and prizes in store.

Hope to see you there!

lEXCITING: Aoibhín co-presented the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Citywest, Dublin

COVET IN CLARE SUITED AND BOOTED Willow’s newest collection has me swooning and if you’re looking to slay this festive season look no further than this bad ass power suit! Blazer €125 and Trousers €90, willow.ie

of her designs were incredible.

Pop into Margaret’s boutique in Ennis to catch more of her show stopping work.

COVER UP Protect your skin from the elements this winter with Murad’s ultra light, ultra-light SPF 50 sunscreen with Environmental Protection Technology that shields the skin from the five main causes of damage and aging. Available at Laserderm, Ennis.

RAW TALENT This week saw Clare’s own Margaret O’Connor collaborate with Designer Derek Lawlor SS18 at Jakarta Fashion Week and every one

DISNEY MAGIC Unleash the kid in you and add a little Disney magic to your festive decorating thanks to Penney’s newest collection. These Mickey and Minnie tree accessories are a favourite of mine! €5 at Penneys, Ennis.

ENERGY RESERVE Fuel your day the right way with this delicious Clare based 100% whole food gránola from Wicked Whole Foods. Packed full of superior ingredients, it’s a real breakfast treat with none of the guilt! Available at most Heath Food Stores.

HAPPENINGS

PATRICK BOURKE MENSWEAR 21ST BIRTHDAY In store celebrations Saturday Nov 4 at 6pm with live music, Q&A with special guest Marty Morrissey, drinks and prizes (pictured right).

DOONBEG ONE ACT DRAMA FESTIVAL Saturday 11 to Monday

13 Nov with an array of performances throughout the weekend. Doors open at 7:30pm each night with curtain up at 8pm.

THE GRAND FINAL OF CLARE’S GOT TALENT Will take place in glór Sunday Nov 12 at 8pm.

Performances will feature local acts singers, dancers, musicians, comedians, magicians and street performers and more entertainment from around the county.

Tickets €20 at glór.

THE LATE NIGHT

PHARMACY

IN CLARE OPEN

Saturday to Monday 9am to 9pm

14 NEWS

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

A new era of

INTERACTION twitter.com/ ClareEcho

facebook.com/ clareecho

Facebook comment of the week

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Awful shame that the “diamond” recreation club is no more. A great facility for children and adults alike. Badly missed in the area.

Kevin Meehan

in reaction to ‘11 ways to tell you’re from Shannon’ article

instagram.com/ theclareecho

www.clareecho.ie

Tweet of the week FIONA DONNELLAN @fionadonnellan

First night at home in a couple of weeks, found a new publication in the kitchen; @ ClareEcho best of luck, paper looks good #localnews

STORY SHARED 31 TIMES ON FACEBOOK Mother and daughter escape arson attack in Ennis A MOTHER and daughter escaped injury following an apparent arson attack at their Co Clare home in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The alarm was raised at around 3.30am when neighbours reported that the front door of a house at Davitt Terrace in Ennis was on fire.

Fire crews and gardaí from Ennis responded to the emergency call and on arrival found that the two occupants of the house, a mother and daughter, had escaped uninjured.

After extinguishing the blaze at the door, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the house to carry out a detailed search. They found no other persons in the house.

While damage was confined to the front door area of the property, the house suffered smoke damage throughout. No one was injured in the incident and the occupants didn’t require

medical attention. The circumstances of the incident is now under investigation and the scene has been technically examined.

A Garda spokesman said: “This fire is suspicious and is now the focus of a criminal investigation. We know that an accelerant was used to start the fire in the area of the front door.

Luckily no one was injured in the incident.”

“We would appeal for the public’s assistance with our investigation. We would ask taxi drivers, anyone who was socialising or working late last night; anyone else who may have seen anything unusual or may have information that could help us with this investigation, to contact us on 065 6848100.”

Gardaí in Ennis are investigating the incident.

By Pat Flynn

LUCKY ESCAPE: Accelerant was used to start the fire in the area of the front door

Photo by Pat Flynn

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

NEWS

THE CLARE ECHO

15

Concern over missing teen ELAINE TUBRIDY elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

ENNIS Gardaí are appealing to the public for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of missing person Jack Dinan, who is believed to be armed.

The 19 year old was last seen at his home on Considine Road at 10am on Tuesday, October 31.

Jack is 6ft tall, of slim build with black hair and wears a tooth brace on his upper teeth. He may have been wearing a grey hoodie and grey spot camouflaged jacket when he left home and in possession of a green rucksack, as well as a licenced fire arm and a number of rounds of ammunition.

Jack may be agitated and the public are asked not to approach him, but should contact Gardaí at Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100 or the emergency numbers 999 or 112.

l LINE-UP: Frankie Gavin will play the popular annual Sunday night gig at the Old Ground Hotel

Ennis set for 24th Trad Fest STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

“A FESTIVAL for musicians, run by musicians” is the ethos at the heart of Ennis Trad Fest, according to its organising committee.

This year marks the 24th consecutive Ennis Trad Festival, to be held from Thursday November 9 to Monday November 13 in the county town.

A packed itinerary of traditional arts events is planned by the organisers, combining a mix of formal concerts, a free ‘Session Trail’ throughout the town, instrument master classes, a Céili, CD launches, Sean Nós and Set Dancing classes, a Trad Disco, the Trad 4 Teens programme, plus a Traditional Music table quiz.

The Session Trail is a mainstay of the festival, taking place in the bars and restaurants of Ennis, with 80 plus sessions of the highest quality traditional music, featuring 250 musicians, and all are free to attend.

The official launch of Ennis Trad Fest 2017 takes place at the Queens Hotel at 7pm on Thursday November 9. The Damien Mullane Band will be in concert at the Queens Nightclub on Friday November 10, while the perennial festival band, Four Men and a Dog, with special guest keyboardist James Delaney, take to the stage at the Auburn Lodge Hotel on Saturday night November 11.

While essentially a traditional

Irish music group, Four Men and A Dog create a unique sound by fusing rock, jazz, blues, bluegrass, swing, salsa and polka.

The annual Sunday night gig at the Old Ground Hotel is a popular favourite with festival goers and this year’s line-up features Traditional singer Thomas McCarthy, Breton master flautist Jean Michel Vellion making a return visit, this time in the company of guitarist Yvon Riou, and to top the line-up, Ennis Trad Fest organisers are delighted to present the trio of Frankie Gavin, Alec Finn and Derek Hickey.

The final gig will take place at the Sanctuary on Monday, featuring a fine triumvirate of musicians, Dermot Byrne, Trevor Hutchinson and Steve Cooney.

Over the course of the festival many artists will launch CDs, this list includes, the trio, Karen Ryan, Andrew McNamara and Pete Quinn. Also launching will be Arkansas’ cellist Alec Brown, flute player Tommy Guihan, London based group Artisan Row, husband and wife duo Sorcha and Martin Meehan as well as solo offerings by Tony O’Connell Tiarnán Ó’Duinnchinn, Florian Blancke, Bernadette NicGabhann, Therese McInerney and Daire Mulhern.

For further information visit: http://www.ennistradfest.com.

16 THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

Ronan Scully

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Author spreading the word of positivity

November is a month of Remembrance

 LOVE: The only people who should be afraid of death are those who haven’t lived.

Live life now, tell people now, when their eyes are open: “I love you.”

Tomorrow it might be too late

This time of year evokes memories

remembering our deceased in prayer or by visiting their resting place is an attempt at saying we haven’t forgotten them and that they will always be a special part of our lives.

BE KIND TO EVERYONE

I am convinced that grief and loss affect everyone. None of us knows how to truly process those emotions. We at times really don’t know how to grieve. We expect there to be a standard timetable for it. We don’t make space for it. We don’t feel safe talking about it. We want it to follow predictable steps and then for everything to get back to normal.

The result is that we try to bury our grief, hide away our pain, and act as if it’s not there. And yet it comes up in all kinds of ways and in places we least expect. If you are truly awake in your own life, you are in touch with the loss you have experienced.

And it’s no doubt painful. I have cried privately many times at situations and losses in my own life and recently on a trip to Africa I cried for days at the extreme poverty I witnessed especially for the children who were close to death and many that had died so needlessly because of extreme poverty. The best way to cope with it is to deal with it kindly, gently, lovingly and with the support of family, friends and the communities we live in.

LOSS OF A LOVED ONE

A sudden loss, such as the death of a family member or a close friend or colleague, makes us realise the brevity of life. We often take life for granted. There death can make us sit down and reflect. Losing a friend recently made me take time to appreciate the loved ones in my life because I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. It

made me put things in perspective. I want to live life and love it; I don’t want to spend my life being unhappy or dissatisfied. I want to put a smile on my face and indeed on others faces, because that’s what can make a dark day seem bright. My friend is gone; I cannot bring him back, but, at least in memory of him, I can live a life that I know he would be proud of. Death opens our eyes, showing us that the only time that matters is right now. We haven’t seen today before, so live it as well as you possibly can. Stop putting things off. The only

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T

HE month of November always tends to evoke memories and reflections within us. The world of nature appears to be in decline all around us and, as it were, is about to fall into a deep sleep, a type of hibernation as we arrive in the season of winter.

The symbols of this decline are the colourful leaves on paths, walkways and roads we have been walking and indeed is some cases driving over in recent weeks.

It is a time for reflection as the darker evenings gather in and the clocks have now been turned back, and we have fewer daylight hours. November is also the month that we remember our dead, our loved ones gone before us or the Holy Souls, when we pray for the dead in the firm belief that we can assist by our prayers our deceased brothers and sisters on their way to God, to the joy and peace of Heaven.

In writing this thought for the week I would like to remember in prayer all of you who are reading this article and let me offer my sympathy and heartfelt prayers to all of you who have experienced the loss of a loved one or a special someone or a remembrance of someone gone a long time and especially anyone recently over the last year.

We carry in our memories those who have gone before us, and our dead live on in some way in a new presence in our lives. No matter how we may wish to avoid talking about death, we don’t like being reminded of our mortality. Woody Allen famously quipped; “I’m not afraid of death; I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”

It strikes a chord because that is how many of us deal with death. We joke about it while keeping our real thoughts and fears to ourselves. Some of our deceased relatives we were blessed enough that we got to say goodbye too, while others left us before any goodbyes could be exchanged. By

Death opens our eyes, showing us that the only time that matters is right now

people who should be afraid of death are those who haven’t lived. Live life now, tell people now, when their eyes are open: “I love you.” Tomorrow it might be too late.

REMEMBER

A little word of love during a person’s life is worth far more than all the speeches after their death. Sometimes we leave it too late and we think about the things we could have done to make someone just a little bit more happy, or cared for. I notice at times at funerals how people try to outdo one another in buying the most beautiful wreath of flowers. I often think, did these people ever think of giving the person who died beautiful flowers when

they were alive so they could smell the beautiful fragrance and really cherish the gift?

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

As your thought for the week, treat everyone around you in a gentler way as much as you can and be thankful for loved ones gone before us that are no longer with us in the same presence as they were, especially during this month of November which is dedicated as a time of remembering!

Treat everyone around you in a gentler way as much as you can and be thankful for loved ones that are no longer with us in the same presence as they were, especially during this time of remembering. And as the poem,”Don’t Leave It Too Late” goes: ‘If ever you are going to love me, love me now while I know all the warm and tender feelings from real affection flow! Love me while I am living.

Don’t wait till I am gone, and then chisel it on marble, warm love words on ice stone.

If you have dear thoughts about me, why not whisper them to me? Surely they would make me happy and as glad as glad can be.

If you wait till I am sleeping, never more to wake again. There’ll be walls of earth between us and I cannot hear you then. If you know someone were thirsting for a drink of water sweet, would you then be slow in bringing it?

Would you step with laggard feet?

There’s a tender heart right near you that is thirsting for your love. Why should you refuse to give it, since God sent it from above?

You have flowers in your garden, some are white and some are red. Give them to me now while I am living, I can’t see them when I’m dead. I won’t need your fond caresses when the grass grows over my face. I won’t want your love and kisses in my last resting place. So if you are ever going to love me, if for just a little bit. Won’t you love me while I am living so I can treasure it? ”

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

NEWS 17

THE CLARE ECHO

LEADER funding for three new Town Teams Members of public invited to attend public consultation evenings

M

EMBERS of the public are invited to attend public consultation evenings on the establishment of three new Town Teams as a first step in a process which will work towards the drafting of Development Plans for each of the

towns of Ennistymon, Kilrush and Scariff.

Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) in association with the three towns of Ennistymon, Kilrush and Scariff has secured LEADER funding of €141,000 from the Department of Rural and Community Development for the creation of develop-

PIRATE PARRRRTY

l TOP PRIZE: Pic of best dressed at the Halloween Festival James and Imogen Toft of Meanwell Healthfood Store

ment plans and a three year Town Team training programme for the market towns.

CLDC have appointed experienced planning and economic development consultants, Future Analytics Consulting (FAC) for a three year period to support the formation of Town Teams in the preparation and implementation of development plans.

William Hynes, Managing Director of FAC explains that: “Town Teams will be established in each market town, through a consultative planning process to commence in early November. Training will be provided over the course of a three year period to support the Town Teams in the implementation of their development plans.”

Gloria Callinan, LEADER Programme Coordinator with CLDC reiterated that “the Town Teams will be a representative structure within their communities, made up of local volunteers from a wide variety of interests including business and community interests, all of whom share a common goal of improving and promoting their local town and surrounding environs. Each Town Team will work actively and effectively with the local community to guide the implementation of the town plans. The plans will help to enhance and rejuvenate each of the towns, through dedicated initiatives directed at economic development, retail, community, culture, heritage, arts, sport, recreation etc, contributing to more attractive, positive places to live, work and visit”.

Richard Hamilton, FAC Project Manager, elaborated: “As a start to this new journey, members of the public, along with community groups, voluntary organisations, educators, environment, culture, heritage and conservation groups, tourism, sport and rec-

reation providers and business owners are all invited to participate in order to contribute to the drafting of development plans. We are looking for ideas, local knowledge, potential projects and actions, training needs and for volunteers to participate in both the Town Teams and/or in specific interest projects. There will be something for everyone!”

CLDC’s Gloria Callinan encouraged as many people as possible to attend, adding: “This represents a fantastic opportunity for Ennistymon, Kilrush and Scariff, as it creates a unique and innovative approach to the future development of each of these towns, allowing community members to actively participate in the development of their towns. This is particularly important in light of the social and economic challenges experienced by each of these communities during the past number of years.”

DETAILS OF PUBLIC MEETINGS: l SCARIFF: Tuesday, November 7 at

7-9pm in McNamara’s Lounge Bar & Restaurant, Main Street, Scariff l KILRUSH: Wednesday, November 8 at 7-9pm in Kilrush Community Centre, Toler Street, Kilrush l ENNISTYMON: Thursday, November 9 at 7-9pm in The Courthouse Gallery, Parliament Street, Ennistymon For further information, please contact – Gloria Callinan, LEADER Programme Coordinator, Clare Local Development Company on 065 68 66800 / 086 85 34 330 or email gcallinan@cldc.ie

18 NEWS

THE CLARE ECHO

You know you’re a Shannon head if... l HAPPY MEMORIES: A lot of Shannon people have fond memories of hanging out up at ‘The Point’

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

Photo by Sarah Curran @lotsofshots Photography

This week our online story with the most Facebook shares explored 11 things that ‘Shannon heads’ of a certain vintage will immediately relate to

S

HANNON – Clare’s second largest town and a vital source of employment for the whole mid-west region.

While many of us are familiar with its international airport, being regular users, what’s it like as a place to grow up in?

We spoke to a few of our Shannon sources who came up with a list of golden memories and things that will strike a chord with all the Shannon people (Shannoners? Shannoneers? Shannonsiders? Shannonanors!).

1 2

parks to see who had the best one.

3

The ‘old town centre’. Way back when the town centre had no roof. If you remember where ‘Quinnsworth’ was, sat on the wall at ‘Wings’ – (they did the best battered sausages known to man) or tasted the delights of ‘Mr Pickwicks’. If you shopped at the legendary ‘Dresscos’ or had an account in ‘Video World’. If you played soccer at the town centre car park and used jumpers for goal posts.

4

Wolftones GAA Club disco. If you headed to the GAA disco of a Friday night as a teenager.

If you still call Topaz ‘Shell’. It’ll always be Shell to bonafide Shannoners.

If you ‘borrowed’ crates for bonfires from the Industrial Estate at Halloween. Ah Halloween, one of the happiest occasions of the year. Trick or treating with a black sack and a mask as your costume. Then off around the town for a tour of the various bonfires.

It was always a competition between

5

Our International Airport. If you are totally oblivious to the sound of planes! You sleep soundly even though a Boeing 747 is making its descent directly above your head. If you cycled up to the Gun Post (that place was definitely haunted) as a child!

6 7 8

The Point. Hanging out at the point, running through muck when the tide went out and wandering down the Black Path.

mond club. Playing tennis by day and line-dancing by night. The sports days were great too.

The Forest and The Boreen. If you were afraid of the ‘Boreen’ at night. Particularly spooky at this time of year.

The Knights disco a.k.a Paradise Alley. The Knights used to be ‘so bad it was good’ back in the day.

Everyone bopping away to the cheesiest music and the place was always packed to the brim. Everyone had their place to stand and all was right with the world.

9 10

If you remember ‘Jack the dog’.

A loveable lab cross who roamed the streets of Shannon.

If you played tennis down at the Diamond. Good times were had down at the Dia-

How Donald Trump might look at the Diamond

11

Your neighbour has a Northern accent. It’s hard to walk through Shannon without wondering if you’re north of the border.

There was a mass influx of Belfast people during the ’70s to Shannon.

Sport

Martin Daly breaks down the big game SEE PAGE 20

l PROUD: RTÉ pundit Marty Morrissey chats to The Clare Echo’s Lauren Guilfoyle after last week’s game Photo by Martin Connolly/Clare Echo

Marty: Apart from trad music, we only have football Morrissey on Kilmurry Ibrickane’s GAA passion GAA PROUD West Clare man Marty Morrissey joined in the celebrations last weekend after Kilmurry Ibrickane overcame the test of Clondegad at Cusack Park.

Speaking to The Clare Echo’s Lauren Guilfoyle after the game, the RTÉ pundit spoke about what football means to the people of Kilmurry Ibrickane.

“We live and breathe football at home and to win back to back is just huge and today they really were tested by Clondegad.

“I congratulate Clondegad ...

It was great to see them in the county final. I know they’ll be disappointed but I hope they get inspired to do it again.

It’s eight titles for Marty’s club since the turn of the century and he added: “These lads won a Feile in Croke Park. That same group of people have stuck together. They’re the core of it, the Shane Hickeys, the Enda Cough-

lans, they all came through the ranks. Underage is important.

“But also, apart from traditional music and dancing sets, we really only have football, we live and breathe it. They have a ferocious appetite for football.

“There are a lot of volunteers who go to the schools and play football with the lads. There’s always someone else willing to help out.”

Kilmurry Ibrickane’s Keelan Sexton tells The Clare Echo his team don’t fear Dr Crokes heading into Munster

A

FTER grinding out a one-goal victory over Clondegad last Sunday, Kilmurry Ibrickane will take on All-Ireland champions Dr Croke’s of Killarney in two weeks’ time at provinsial level.

One of the stars of the team, county player Keelan Sexton, says that his team have no fear and his side can look to their own recent success as a source

Kilmurry Ibrickane 1-14 Clondegad 0-14 SFC final at Cusack Park, Sunday, 3pm of confidence heading into the next game.

“There’s some history between the two clubs and we’re not scared of them.

We’ve won two Munster Championships as well since the century turned.

Obviously we’re a bit dis-

appointed the way we went last year, we didn’t have that much preparation.

“We’ve a good two weeks now, we’re going to enjoy tonight, enjoy tomorrow, probably the day after and then we’ll get down to it and think about Dr Croke’s

below in Killarney. It’s a good test and that’s where you want to be, playing the All-Ireland Champions and if you can beat them, who knows where you can go.”

Reflecting on the county final and the ‘Bricks period of dominance in Clare,

Sexton continued: “We’ve a good mixture of youth and experience. Where we come from, football is something that’s thrown at you from the minute you can walk and these eight championships wouldn’t have come only for fellas putting in all the work at underage.

“The work that people do around our parish for

football and the amount of coaching that’s done to help out, it’s a testament to them.”

He added: “The last 10 minutes were nervy as it got down to three points and they had a ball in around the goal ... and all of a sudden they’re one kick of a ball away from us and then Peter came on and slotted the goal and thank God we just got through in the end.”

20 SPORT

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

Foundations key to ‘Bricks long success MARTIN DALY

I

T WAS 12 minutes into the SFC County Final before Clondegad got their first score in anger and at that stage they were three points down. Kilmurry Ibrickane expertly dictated the pace from the off. For this game to be a contest it needed it to be the other way around, for Clondegad to come out all guns blazing and put the ‘Bricks under pressure early on but it didn’t happen like that - it was actually the opposite.

Kilmurry got their three points on board, probably could have had one or two extra points before Clondegad got a shot on goal. They needed the Shane Brennans and the Podge McMahons to show up that bit earlier.

I don’t think anyone at the game could have said ‘Clondegad are really in this and Kilmurry are under pressure’. Even though it went to eight points each at one stage you still felt Kilmurry had an extra gear in them and it just shows when it did go to eight points each, Kilmurry did have another gear in them and they actually went up by five points after that.

EXPERIENCE & THE BENCH In fairness to Kilmurry, everybody did their job very, very well. In the first half when the ball was being pumped in you had Mark Killeen and Darren Hickey out in front of their men for every ball and they started from there.

You had the likes of Enda Coughlan who got man of the match, winning his eighth senior championship medal. He just did the simple things, linked up with the backs, and got the ball into the midfield or the forwards

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GAA analysis

Here’s a team that are at the same thing for the last 15 years

as fast as he could. Around the middle of the field, Keith King, even though I know Gary Brennan dominated in the air, did a lot of good work.

Even though they were older by number, Kilmurry’s experience shone through. Every time they needed to get out of trouble there was a man in support. The subs that came in made a huge difference in the second half.

Noel Downes, Michael O’Dwyer and Peter O’Dwyer contributed 1-4 along with an injection of energy. They’re playing together so long and used to the same gameplan they’ve implemented for 15 years and once again, it has paid dividends.

MEDICINE FOR DR CROKE’S It’s hard to know how they’ll fare against Crokes. They are an ageing team. There’s a lot of that group well into their 30s, some even into their late 30s, which is not a good sign for other clubs.

I met a few lads after the game and we were all saying the same thing.

Here’s this team that haven’t changed anything for the last 15 years, they just stick to the plan, and you’d expect teams to be coming through to put these guys under pressure but it just hasn’t happened. So they seem to be doing it very well at home level.

Now, are they going to be able to bring that onto a Killarney pitch when a) you’re going to have a better quality club player and b) you’re going to

l CHAMPIONS: (From top) Dressing room celebrations in Cusack Park last weekend; Clondegad’s Gary Brennan holds onto possession despite being outnumbered by the opposition; Martin McMahon lifting the Jack Daly Cup; (below) Eric and Alannagh Murrihy; Geraldine & Carmel Walsh with Hatasha Ivel Credit: Martin Connolly/Clare Echo

have plenty of youth in the Dr Croke’s team. Are they going to be able to stay with them? I’d say they’re going to find it very tough. If they can put their hands on the ball, they’re very good at keeping possession so Croke’s are going to have to work very hard to get scores.

But I still think Kilmurry are going to find it hard going down in Killarney, especially when it’s an away fixture.

CLONDEGAD’S CHANCE With a few minutes left in Cusack Park on Sunday, Clondegad were knocking on the door. They just needed that goal that had eluded them for the full hour and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty which could have spelled a very different story at Cusack Park Tony Kelly and Gary Brennan were Clondegad’s sharpest operators. If you were Colm Collins sitting up in the stand looking to find new blood, the one man you’d be looking at would be

Kelly, who scored three from play. Unfortunely that’s not going to happen.

BREAKING BALL I said last week that Gary Brennan’s influence would go a long way to deciding the outcome of the game. He started off very well and was dominant around the middle of the field but no matter who you are, it’s going to be difficult to dominate for a full hour.

Brennan needed the support of people around him but nearly 80 per cent of breaking ball was won by Kilmurry Ibrickane. When you’re marking the likes of Gary Brennan you’re going to stay to yourslef, ‘don’t let him catch this, at least break the ball’. Gary did catch a lot of good ball but when it broke - when you need your other lads to be underneath the ball - they weren’t. Because of that, Kilmurry were on the strong foot and it never happened for Clondegad.

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

SPORT 21

THE CLARE ECHO

GAA’s challenge to a duel...

GAA commentary

With Tony Kelly popping over three points from play on Sunday, Lauren Guilfoyle looks at the challenges facing duel players

LAUREN GUILFOYLE

W

HILE the likes of Rena Buckley and Briege Corkery seem to be doing it year after year, Teddy McCarthy remains the only male GAA athlete to win both an All Ireland senior hurling and football title in the same year. McCarthy scored three points from play against Galway to claim the 1990 hurling crown, before returning to HQ two weeks later as part of a Rebel team that beat Meath by two points.

27 Championship seasons have since passed. Alan Kerins came within three points of adding his name to the club in 2001 – coming off the bench to see Galway edge Meath in the 2001 football final two Sundays after coming agonisingly close to ending Galway’s 13 year hurling drought.

On the club front, no club compares to the all-conquering force that is Slaughtneil.

2016 saw the small Derry club establish near complete dominance of Ulster as they finished as Ulster Champions in Senior Hurling, Senior Camogie and Senior Football. The majority of the male players competing at both codes. They look on track to complete the feat this year, having defended their hurling and camogie crowns.

Closer to home, the relocation of Colm

Collins to Cratloe ably assisted the efforts of the Clare club in their attempt to reach dual club heaven in 2014 – the first Clare club to do so in over 100 years. In the short time frame of seven days the men in blue and white made the trip to Cusack Park and left with two new yearlong tenants in Canon Hamilton and Jack Daly.

Another contender for dual glory is now slowly coming to the boil in the form of Clondegad. A sister club of Ballyea, five of their starting team for their maiden county football final appearance also made their way into the starting 15 for Ballyea on All Ireland club hurling final day – Brian Carrigg, James Murphy, Gary Brennan, Tony Kelly and Gearoid O’Connell. Another three were either started or were introduced during playing time of both games – Joe Neylon, Brian Murphy and Niall Deasy.

Dual players in Gaelic Games are slowly making their way on to the list of Endangered Species, with the Inter County variant almost completely extinct. Podge Collins was one of the last to juggle both codes at top tier level in 2016 – winning a league title with the big ball and a National Hurling League with the small ball – before switching focus solely to small ball affairs

in the summer just passed.

Much like our rugby counterparts upon witnessing a converted try from a high fielded catch on the run (a la Robbie Henshaw v England – Six Nations 2015) – cross sport gains can be achieved through the participation of a variance of sports. Overall athletic endurance gained from the running and possessional elements of Gaelic Football make teams like Loughmore Castleiney and Slaughtneil a nightmare when fatigue sets in. The reflexive action of players to set up the counterattack from a turnover in their own half can take many a hurling-focused team by surprise.

Dual status at the latter end of the championship isn’t all silver linings. High work loads are not only a heightened risk factor for injury but add increased pressure for a rapid return to play given the congested club fixture schedule.

Who can confidently tell the impact of Ballyea’s exit from the hurling championship in early September on their football fortunes. Spectators on Sunday saw the delight of 2013 Hurler of the Year Tony Kelly finishing the game as the top scorer from play – landing three points, with Gearoid O’Connell, wingback with the county hurl-

Martin Daly

!

E L A S ®

205-55x16 NOW

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ers, adding a point of his own.

2017 Clare Senior Club Football champions Kilmurry Ibrickane boast a dual player of their own still in the hunt to add Munster titles to his two Clare championship medals. Kilmaley saw off Feakle at the third time of asking at quarter final stage of the Clare Cup on Sunday but did so without their corner forward Eamon Bracken who had prior engagements in the form of a show down with the Brennan brothers.

Bracken now awaits the arrival of An Rinn (Waterford) to Cusack Park this weekend in a Munster Intermediate semi final, while balancing his recovery for the week ahead for a trip to Killarney to face a club all too proud of their single code success, Dr Crokes.

Rena Buckley collected her 18th All Ireland medal in September, climbing the steps of the Hogan to pick up the O’Duffy Cup, having already achieved the same great honour with her football colleagues.

While no club in Clare is near close to the same level of dominance as the Rebelettes this past decade or so in female Gaelic Games, Clondegad and Ballyea will remain in the hunt for double glory on more than one Sunday in October.

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22 SPORT

THE CLARE ECHO

Cork champions to keep three points between the sides. With the next passage of play, Keating was looking dangerous as she bore down on the Inniscarra goal only to be fouled in the square and referee TP Sullivan awarded Inagh Kilnamona a penalty. Keating struck her shot over the bar to keep Inagh Kilnamona ahead, with Sinead O’Loughlin adding to their tally immediately afterwards. Niamh Dilworth added for Inniscarra but another brace of frees from Keating gave Inagh Kilnamona a five point cushion with nine minutes remaining. Lafferty extended that lead to six points with her next effort and in the closing stages the sides traded points, Keating with the last score for Inagh Kilnamona from play to see the Clare outfit run out winners 0-15 to 1-7 and through to the Munster Senior Club Championship Final on Saturday November 11 where they will meet Tipperarys Burgess Duharra who easily accounted for Granagh Ballingarry 4-17 to 1-7.

Munster final berth for Inagh

CAMOGIE Munster SCC Semi Final

I

NAGH Kilnamona qualified for their first ever Munster Senior Club Championship Final on Sunday afternoon when they defeated the Cork Champions Inniscarra at Ballyanly, Inniscarra.

With their opponents not known until Saturday afternoon and having to travel to face the same opposition who defeated them at the same stage last year, the odds could be considered to have been stacked against the Clare outfit.

Inagh Kilnamona opened the scoring when Marie O’Halloran pointed while on the run with three minutes on the clock. Amy Keating who was the Combos chief scorer on the day, converted a free to add to their tally. From the puckout Inniscarra had possession and moved play to the other end where Rebecca Keane rattled the Inagh Kilnamona net for the games only goal. Inagh Kilnamona responded instantly and with the midfield pairing of Aoife Keane and Andrea O’Keeffe taking on the physical challenge meted out to

Inagh Kilnamona 0-15 Inniscarra 1-7

them, they played forward where Sinead Power was fouled. Keating lined up the resulting free and split to posts to level the sides. Power herself got on the next scoreboard with the next score to edge Inagh Kilnamona back in front. Joanne Casey against the run of play levelled matters with five minutes remaining in the second half. Fiona Lafferty struck between the uprights, following good work from Sinead Quinn in winning the Inniscarra puckout to again put daylight between the sides. Keating extended the lead to two poinst, again proving accurate from placed ball. Inniscarra however hit back and went on the run towards the danger area at the other end, Clare Hehir at half back intercepted and won possession, slicing her

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

l ON TARGET: Amy Keating was Inagh’s chief scorer in the Munster semi final

way through the opposition before of loading to Power. With Power bottled up however, the youngster passed back to Hehir who struck between the posts to give Inagh Kilnamona a three point advantage. With three minutes of injury time played Casey struck from out on the wing to narrow the deficit to two points as the half time whistle sounded, Inagh Kilnamona 0-7 Inniscarra 1-2.

Keating continued her accuracy from placed ball right from the restart, converting a brace of frees.

Casey pulled a point back for the

Inagh Kilnamona, Clare: Rebecca Keating; Jane Fitzgerald; Siobhan Lafferty Capt; Michelle Mescall; Teresa O’Keeffe; Clare Hehir 0-1; Laoise Ryan; Aoife Keane; Andrea O’Keeffe; Sinead Quinn; Sinead O’Loughlin 0-1; Marie O’Halloran 0-1; Amy Keating 0-8 7F 1Pen; Fiona Lafferty 0-2; Sinead Power 0-1 Subs: Claire Commane for Power; Orlaith Cotter for Fitzgerald; Laura Rynne for A Keating; Helen Hehir for O’Halloran Inniscarra, Cork: Sheila Walsh; Mary Buckley Capt; Caitlin Looney; Rebecca Quigley; Aoife Dineen; Rena Buckley; Aoife Kavanagh; Katie O’Mahony; Aileen Sheehan; Treasa McCarthy; Joanne Casey 0-4; Erin Looney; Rebecca Keane 1-1; Niamh Dilworth 0-1; Niamh McCarthy 0-1 Referee: TP Sullivan, Tipperary S

Ennis schools dominate Munster SWIMMING Munster Schools Swimming Championships ENNIS Schools dominated in the team events at the recent Munster Schools Championships in Mallow.

It was a particularly successful weekend for Gaelscoil Mhicil Ciosog and the Ennis National School as they scooped multiple golds in the Primary School event on Saturday.

Gaelscoil Mhicil Ciosog’s girls took home all the team gold medals available in the competitive 200m freestyle and medley events, while the Ennis National took home the two golds on offer in the Boys 11-12 age group. That wasn’t the end of the medals for the Gaelscoil though, as their U10 boys’ team also won two bronze medals in their respective team events. Barefield National School also weighed in with two team medals of their own.

In the secondary schools section on Sunday, Colaiste Mhuire, Rice College and St. Flannan’s teams were all in the medals.

The girls U14 team from Colaiste Muire won gold the 200 metre freestyle relay, and just missed out on gold while taking silver in the 200 metre medley relay. Meanwhile the girls U16 team from Rice College took silver in the U16 200m freestyle relay and in the same race Colaiste Muire got a bronze. And the boys of Ennis were not to be denied either, with St. Flannan’s College U19 team taking silver in both the 200m freestyle and medley relays.

Finally many medals were also won in individual events over the weekend. See results below for full information.

Coláiste U14 team Sybil Perkins, Molly O’ Connell, Aoibhinn Leyden and Ciara Mulligan

Gaelscoil Mhilcil Ciosog U12 relay team Ava Rochford, Ella Holly, Edie Haugh, Niamh Hogan and Kate O’Connor

RESULTS: Gold Medals: Gaelscoil Mhicil Ciosog: • Girls U10 200 metre medley relay (Roisin Hogan, Claudia Haugh, Noelle O’Connor, Lauren McCarthy) • Girls U10 200 metre freestyle relay (Same as above) • Girls 11-12 200 metre medley relay (Ella Holly, Ava Rochford, Niamh Hogan, Kate O’Connor) • Girls 11-12 200 metre freestyle relay (Ella Holly, Ava Rochford, Niamh Hogan, Edith Haugh) Ennis National: • Boys 11-12 200 metre medley relay (Leo Liu, Ronan Kilroy, Stephen Wang, Bruno Sanchez-Soto) • Boys 11-12 200 metre freestyle relay (Same as above) Colaiste Muire: • Girls 12-14 200 metre freestyle relay Silver Medals: Barefield: • Boys 11-12 200 metre medley relay (Darragh Ball, Graham Ball, Sean O’Connor, Jack Dilleen) Colaiste Muire: • Girls 12-14 200 metre medley relay Rice College: • Girls 14-16 200 metre freestyle relay St. Flannan’s College • Boys 16-19 200 metre medley relay • Boys 16-19 200 metre freestyle relay Bronze Medals: Gaelscoil Mhicil Ciosog • Boys U10 200 metre medley relay (Tadhg Conway, Lewis O’Dwyer, Luke Vaughan, James Rochford) • Boys U10 200 metre freestyle relay

(Same as above) Barefield: • Boys 11-12 200 metre medley relay (Darragh Ball, Graham Ball, Sean O’Connor, Jack Dilleen) • Colaiste Muire U16 200m freestyle relay Individual Medals: • Claudia Haugh (Gaelscoil Mhicil Ciosog) – U9 50m butterfly (Gold), U9 50m backstroke (Silver) • Roisin Hogan (Gaelscoil Mhicil Ciosog) – U9 50m breaststroke (Silver), U9 50m butterfly (Silver) • Ava Rochford (Gaelscoil Mhicil Ciosog) – U12 50m freestyle (Gold), U12 50m backstroke (Silver) • Ella Holly (Gaelscoil Mhicil Ciosog) – U11 100m IM (Bronze) • Leo Liu (Ennis National School)–U11 50m backstroke (Silver), U11 50m breaststroke (Bronze) • Bruno Sanchez Soto (Ennis National School) – U12 50m backstroke (Silver) • Stephen Wang (Ennis National School) – U11 100m IM (Bronze) • Oisin O’Grady (Kilmurry National School) – U11 100m IM (Gold) • Graham Ball (Barefield NS) – U10 50m butterfly (Bronze) • Dylan O’Brien (Rice College) – U16 100m backstroke (Bronze) • Ella Doherty (Colaiste Muire) – U16 200m IM (Silver), U16 100m freestyle (Bronze) • Sam Purcell (St. Josephs Tulla) – U14 100m butterfly (Bronze) • Danielle Organ (Colaiste Muire) – U16 100m breaststroke (Silver) • Laura McDonnell (Rice College) – U19 100m breaststroke (Bronze)

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

COLUMNISTS 23

THE CLARE ECHO

Eoin Neylon

EDITOR’S OPINION

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

Stuart Holly

Clare tends to be a bellweather constituency

O JOLLY SEASON: The Council erected Christmas lights outside The Clare Echo offices at the Height Photos by John Mangan

Christmas already?

O

N BANK Holiday Monday I walked into Dunnes with the intention of picking up an early-morning black coffee, when all of a sudden an urge struck me to order cinnamon-flavoured cappuccino. What was happening to me?

No music was playing in the background but I spent the rest of the day with ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ on repeat in my head.

All this because a row of artificial Christmas trees came into my line of vision like a seasonal ka-blamo (pictured right).

I got back to the office and started panicking. “It’s not even my wife’s birthday yet and now I have to get her a Christmas present!?”

I wondered to myself and anybody within earshot. Just days earlier, the Council were erecting Christmas lights outside The Clare Echo offices at the Height in preparation for the jolly season.

On the eve of Halloween, Christmas (the most wonderful time of the year) is the most frightening thing about October.

Surely it’s not what the Lord would have wanted!

But can we put a ban on Christmas until December, pretty please? Not really - big businesses know how to sell and they’re pushing hard already like a herd of reindeer galloping down the runway at Lapland.

All the good festive stock is on the floor, the trinkets, crackers, baubles, jumpers and Michael Bublé CDs ready to happily invade Clare family homes for a month or two.

Speaking to business owners in Clare, I know that small and medium-sized shops are left with little option but to follow suit in a bid to catch the eye of the early Christmas shoppers. So unfortunately we can’t ban Christmas until December, what a pity.

But something nice and spooky caught my eye last weekend that could distract us from the festive ‘cheer’ a little bit longer.

Since the Fleadh has come and gone, the

people of Clare have realised that the county town is capable of hosting a large-scale festival, in fact it’s crying out for it.

The newly-established Ennis Creative Quarter has created something truly unique and special, and they should be commended for their efforts. 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. Parnell Street’s intricate network of bow-ways and lanes came alive last Saturday evening, with a thumping Halloween parade at its core, and could you imagine a more fitting setting?

As Darragh McAllister, of Lucas’ Bar, and Co-Chair of the Festival Committee pointed out, the parade this year was a simple affair.

Costumes, dancing, face painting, the wonderful Ennis Brass Band, children and adults all in one place having an absolute blast - they’ve hit the nail on the head.

Noreen Twomey Walsh, of Twomey Walsh Household Linens, said that next year the ambition is to put together a programme of activity across the Bank Holiday Weekend. I couldn’t be more excited to see where this can go. Margaret O’Brien has been taken on this year as Festival and Event Co-ordinator for Ennis and with her expertise in place and the whole county getting behind our Halloween Festival, it could be a launchpad for something very special for Clare.

All that’s left to ponder is what to dress up as.

For some reason, the Grinch comes to mind.

TOMMY NEVER CALLED Those of you who read my column last week will know that I spent this last week sitting by the phone waiting for Tommy to call. Just a short update - he hasn’t plucked up the courage yet.

Don’t be shy Tommy.

VER the course of these wintery few weeks, Saturday night primetime TV has become politics central as Ard Fheis season sweeps through like a winter storm.

And just like a winter storm, they are usually all bluster with most people preferring to hide from them until they pass. However, one item did catch the attention this year already. Notably, at the Fianna Fáil Ard Feis, the motions on the 8th amendment got a lot of media coverage. Before the vote was even taken, party leader Mícheal Martin TD exclaimed that the vote was not binding and all members of his party have a free vote on the matter. The packed room of less than 200 rank and file, of a 20,000 membership, did vote strongly for a pro-life mandate, catching many headlines as they did.

Subsequently, a Sinn Féin motion at the Dáil committee investigating the matter, seconded by Fianna Fáil, declared that the 8th amendment should not be retained as it stands. The motion passed with only Independents Mattie McGrath TD and Senator Ronan Mullen voting against it. Mixed signals from some quarters then it appears. With a referendum on abortion set to take place in late spring next year, this is a debate we’re all going to hear a lot more about in the coming months.

Expect it to be vicious on both sides and for many political parties to be wary of getting overly involved. As opposed to the Marriage Equality referendum, there is no great party political tidal wave supporting this measure. There’s also no feel-good factor about either campaign.

As I’ve said previously, Clare tends to be a bellweather constituency so expect to see plenty of canvassing from both sides right up until the polling day. These are more likely to be civic groups like the “Coalition to Repeal the 8th” umbrella group of organisations on one side and “The Pro-Life Movement” umbrella group on the other. Certain individual politicians may get involved but I wouldn’t count on it, locally at least. This is a shame as both groups house the extreme views on both sides of the debate, yet middle Ireland are the ones being asked our opinion. It’s up to the parties

BACKED: Clare backed Marriage Equality heavily in 2012 to represent middle Ireland and campaign so that we can get a snapshot of the full range of opinions that exist.

But how will the county vote on the matter? Despite what some would think, recent votes in the county have gone against the perception of Clare as a conservative county. We backed Marriage Equality heavily and passed the 2012 Children’s Rights referendum as well. The last time abortion came up on the doorsteps in Clare though, the majority voted conservatively to remove suicide as grounds for a termination. That referendum was ultimately defeated, however.

If the repeal of the 8th amendment does come to pass next year, what it means is that it will fall to TD’s and Senators to legislate for what they believe the law should be. Looking back at last year’s General Election, only one candidate confirmed himself as completely in favour of retaining the 8th amendment as it is; Fianna Fáil’s Michael McDonagh. This did not deliver him a seat though, suggesting the once powerful pro-life lobby might be beginning to wane. Does this suggest that in the past 15 years since we last went to the polls on the topic of abortion, people in the Banner county have changed their tune? It’s impossible to say as during a General Election, the topic very rarely features as one of great urgency for voters. This is, of course, thanks to the 8th amendment and with it, politicians’ inability to change any laws pertaining to abortion. But what do our TD’s think on the matter? The Clare Echo asked our four Dáil members for their stance.

Dr. Michael Harty (Ind) replied that he would like to see cases like Fatal Foetal Abnormality, rape and incest catered for with compassionate legislation in future, although people with conditions like Downs Syndrome and other disabilities need to be protect-

ed and the services for their management made readily available.

Joe Carey (FG) said: “It has to be emphasised that no decision has been taken by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on what question will be put to the people in the referendum on the 8th amendment.”

Minister Pat Breen (FG) in his submission to The Clare Echo noted that this issue is probably the most divisive in our society with many different voices wanting to be heard in the debate. Timmy Dooley (FF) failed to furnish The Clare Echo with a response to our queries.

The issue of abortion is likely to feature heavily on the doors and over the airwaves at the next election should the repeal side win the day. Parties will be keenly following the referendum results and looking for breakdowns of the vote to know how most people in parishes, towns and villages feel on the matter. Will it become an issue for candidate selection ahead of the next election? Only time will tell.

The only thing I can truly predict is that there will be no no cross-party canvassing at the Height in Ennis like there was in 2015 for marriage equality. Although, it should be noted that Fine Gael did not attend that one either.

The days of the major parties campaigning of social issues as a matter of course appears to be over. Expect the left to unite for repeal but the issue splits the traditional big two down the middle. Even locally in Clare, membership of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are split, albeit with a majority seemingly remaining pro-life in each. The only party that is resolutely pro-life these days appears to be Renua, however that party has no real presence in Clare at present.

The debate will be messy, argumentative and unpleasant.

It is up to us all to read up on the facts for ourselves. Like before the worst of the winter storms, I plan on getting my supply of facts early, before the propaganda machines have them flooded with mistruths.

Then I’m going to batten down the hatches and emerge on polling day to cast my ballot.

For those of us in the middle ground in this debate, this course of action might be the safest bet. Beware of blustery gusts of hot wind coming from all directions.

24 COMMUNITY

Community ENNIS 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.

IRISH LANGUAGE Ennis Irish language group Caint agus Comhrá which facilitates informal conversation in the language can now be found at three cafes in the town every weekend. On Fridays they meet in Peckish, Saturdays in Bia agus Caife, and on Mondays in Zest, all at 11:00AM. These meet-ups provide a great opportunity for people to get together and practice their Irish in a relaxed and social atmosphere, to meet other Irish speakers, and strike up new friendships. Speakers at all levels of knowledge of the language regardless of age, nationality etc. will find a welcome. Information from: caintaguscomhra@eircom.net RUN OF THE MILL Repair work has begun thion the Mill Wheel in Ennis, which stopped turning in early August due to a damaged pintel and axel.

The wood and iron waterwheel, which is a protected structure and a recorded national monument, is the last remaining component of Ennis Corn Mill (later Whiting Mill) which was constructed on the River Fergus during the 1830s and demolished in 1983.

Ennis Civic Trust Ltd., in conjunction with Clare County Council, completed the restoration of the landmark Mill Road water wheel in early 2016.

The repair work is being undertaken by Pat Rynn Engineering Ltd. CANCER SUPPORT Sláinte an Chláir, Clare Cancer Support Annual Fair, Saturday October 28; 10am, Maria Assumpta Hall. Great selection of crafts, fairy houses, Bake

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

sale, knitted goods plus lots more. Your support is greatly appreciated INIS ARTISTS Inis Artists present new collection at Clare Museum The 15 members of the Clare-based arts group, Inis Artists will present a new collection of work at Clare Museum during November.

The group exhibition, which runs from November 6th-25th, features a wide variety of styles in varied media. From soft watercolours and pen/ink work to vibrant oils and acrylics the exhibits will have something to interest all who attend.

Organisers say the event will afford members of the public with the opportunity to find something original as a special gift this Christmas.

Visit www.inisartists.com to find out more about each of the members and to view samples of their work.

l SUPER ‘BRICKS: Hannagh and Geraldine Coughlan enjoy post-match celebrations last Sunday

Credit Martin Connolly

WEST/NORTH CLARE CREATIVE WRITING Creative Writing Class: Do you have a story to tell? Or memories from long ago that you want to keep? Why not come and join our creative writing class and put pen to paper! CABES in the Kilrush adult education centre are planning a creative writing class for beginners on Wed evenings 7 – 9pm starting in Nov. Tel: Kala Maloney on 065 9052131 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 10. Tel; Deirdre 087 9011683 KILSHANNY CRAIC With the nights coming early what better way to enjoy them than by the fireside singing songs, telling stories, listening, making friends and having fun.

The Kilshanny Singing Circle is on the first Sunday of every month, Noirín Lynch is the bean an tí and it’s always a nice early start of 8pm.

Noirín’s special guest this Sunday is the renowned Nora Butler from Tipperary. Nora is a very well known singer of Irish songs and she has travelled the world with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

So...Remember, Remember the Fifth of November!

LOOPHEAD GARDENING Loophead Peninsula Gardening Project will be holding two fundraising events. A Table Quiz will take place in Foley’s Bar, Cross at 9 pm on Friday 10th Nov. A Car Boot, Craft and Bake Sale will take place in St. Mary’s Hall, Carrigaholt on Sunday 12th November from 11 am to 4 pm. Those who wish to sell items can contact Marcella on 086 1951863 to book a table.

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. Please support this worthy cause. Tel: Matt on 086 6049444.

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.

OLDER PEOPLE PROJECT West Clare FRC Older People Project have organised a day trip to Tralee for Friday 24th November. Cost is €20 per person. For more info call West Clare Family Resource Centre, Kilrush 065 9052173 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.

COMPUTER CLASSES Computer Classes: If you would like to start using a computer or

tablet or to improve your internet skills why not join a group at the Community Centre Kilrush, on Tuesday mornings at 10.00am.

There is a special training course for farmers on Tues evenings at 7.30pm at the Community Centre Kilrush.

To book a place call West Clare Family Resource Centre on 065-9052173 POKER CLASSIC Poker Classic in aid of Doonbeg St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Tubridy’s Bar Doonbeg, Friday November 10 at 9.30pm. Prize money €1,500 Pro Rata. Tickets €30.

EAST CLARE OGONNELLOE TABLE QUIZ Table Quiz in aid of Hall Renovation: will be held in Ogonnelloe Parish hall on Sunday, November 12th at 2.30pm. Cost will be €10 per person. Your support for this worthy cause would be greatly appreciated.

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017 THE CLARE ECHO

Community

COMMUNITY 25 CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

l LOVELY HURLING: Members of the victorious Fitzgibbon Cup Team, Stephen Cahill of Thurles Sarsfields Tipperary, Ronan Maher of Thurles Sarsfields Tipperary, Eoin Quirke of Whitegate Clare and Colm Galvin of Clonlara Clare, all of whom graduated from the Liberal Arts programme at Mary Immaculate Pic Brian Arthur

EAST/SOUTHEAST CLARE ALL WEATHER PITCH AT WHITEGATE SCHOOL The provision of an all-weather astro turf playing pitch at Lakyle National School in Whitegate will form part of an extensive redevelopment of the school which has served the community since its opening in 1909.

The major part of the work will involve the provision of a new classroom, resource learning room and a staff room as well as the reconfiguration of the existing classrooms to accommodate new teaching methods.

The project has been allocated €351,000 funding through the Devolved Grant Scheme administered by the Department of Education.

Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey said that the project should be ready for tender next month with a view to starting construction in January 2018 with the work scheduled to finish by next September.

Describing it as a very exciting development for the local community, local Fine Gael Councillor Pat Burke said that at a time when enrolment in Lakyle National School was growing, against most trends in rural areas, the Board of Management were delighted that the current investments would secure the long-term future of the school.

“Having worked closely with Deputy Joe Carey to secure the funding, it is now great to see the results on the ground with the astroturf pitch allowing outdoor activities continue for the children when the school building works get under way.”

Stating that CLÁR funding is providing €50,000 of the €60,000 overall cost of the new playing pitch, Deputy Carey explained that this was part of a €323,132 allocation from the CLÁR programme for the provision of road safety measures and specialist play areas at eight primary schools throughout the county.

Deputy Joe Carey with local county councillor Pat Burke at the site for the new all-weather pitch at Lakyle national school

Deputy Carey, who was recently appointed Chairman of the Oireachtas committee on Rural and Community Affairs, said that the CLÁR funding would allow huge improvements to be made in small towns and villages in and around their schools and community facilities.

“The school and wider community in Whitegate have been working hard on fundraising initiatives for a long period of time in order to

support these projects. I am delighted that the CLÁR funding allocation will ensure that their plan becomes a reality. I want to pay tribute to the Principal, Ms. Mary Flanagan and the Board of Management for their determined work on both of these important projects, the provision of which will compliment each other for the long term benefit of the Whitegate Community” he said.

“The finished projects will support

parents, teachers and their communities to ensure that they have safe and secure environments for their children to learn and play.

These initiatives have come from the communities themselves and are a great example of the work that can be done when communities, local authorities and Government work together,” he said.

26 BUSINESS

THE CLARE ECHO

BUSINESS

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

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

l JUMP FOR JOY: Pictured at The Armada Hotel Spanish Point for Day three of the Student Induction are Scoil Muire Ennistymon first years L-R Sarah Clarke, Liscannor, Kelly Flanagan, Kilnaboy, Amelia Braja, Inagh and Elisha Tuohy, Inagh with Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise Clare Local Enterprise Office

Photo by Arthur Ellis

Clare students get down to business

13 schools in Clare LEO programme

S

OME 742 students from 13 local secondary schools in Clare are learning about the world of business by setting up their own enterprises through the Student Enterprise Programme with Local Enterprise Office Clare.

Minister Pat Breen T.D. officially launched the 2017/2018 Student Enterprise Programme, which is the biggest enterprise education initiative in the country.

Minister Breen said: “Since the Student Enterprise Programme began in 2003, more than 150,000 students have benefitted and we want to keep nurturing Ireland’s future entrepreneurs and business lead-

ers in the years to come.

“Entrepreneurship is the backbone of the Irish economy and initiatives such as the Student Enterprise Programme are key to fostering a more enterprising culture. I would encourage principals and teachers to get in touch with their Local Enterprise Office, to find out how they can get involved in the next Student Enterprise Programme.”

At the national launch the Minister was joined by student entrepreneurs, the Local Enterprise Offices, Enterprise Ireland and local authorities.

Michael Nevin is the Chair of the Enterprise Education Committee with the Local Enterprise Offices which runs

the Student Enterprise Programme. He said: “This is a very practical programme for second-level students, made possible thanks to the support of schools, principals and teachers in every county and local authority area.”

Head of Enterprise at the Local Enterprise Office Clare, Padraic McElwee added: “Hopefully in the future it will encourage some of them to start a business in Clare and create local employment.”

Updates for teacher resource packs are available to secondary schools from the Local Enterprise Offices, free of charge, through the www.studententerprise.ie website.

Danielle Coyne, Scoil Muire Ennistymon, Roisin Mahony, St Josephs Spanish Point, Linda Earlie, Senior Enterprise Development Officer Local Enterprise Office Clare, Emma Hickey, St Josephs Spanish Point and Chria Guerin, Scoil Muire Ennistymon

Photo by Arthur Ellis

BUSINESS 27

THE CLARE ECHO THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

€500 awarded to Knockanean primary school

by Aldi store STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

ALDI is delighted to announce that Knockanean National School is the latest organisation to benefit from Aldi’s 2017 Community Grants programme. Aldi’s Ennis store staff have awarded Knockanean National School a €500 grant in recognition of its vital work and contribution within the local community and to help support its essential services.

Wesley McCarthy, Aldi’s Ennis store “Charity Champion”, presented the €500 grant to Mary Hanrahan of Knockanean National School.

Commenting, Finbar McCarthy, Group Buying Director, Aldi Ireland, said: “The work and services provided

by Knockanean National School are crucial to the local Clare community. We are delighted our Ennis employees have chosen to support the organisation.”

“Giving back to the local communities our stores serve is something we are passionate about and we are proud to support the vital work done by charities and not-for– profit organisations across County Clare. Last year we helped 120 charities and not-for-profit organisations nationwide and we hope to surpass that number this year.”

Now in its second year, Aldi’s Community Grants Programme provides each Aldi employee with the opportunity to nominate a charity, community group or not-for-profit organisation within their local community for support. Nominated charities are assessed according

CONTRIBUTION: Mary Hanrahan of Knockanean National School and Wesley McCarthy, Aldi’s Ennis store “Charity Champion” to a defined selection criteria, with the organisation deemed the most worthwhile receiving a €500 donation from Aldi.

Each of Aldi’s 129 Irish stores and two Regional Distribution Centres have been allocated an individual annual bursary fund and a “Charity

Champion” assigned to co-ordinate the programme. Last year over 120 local charities and not-for-profit organisations benefited from the initiative.

Shannon Group appoint Kelly to board STUART HOLLY editor@clareecho.ie

THE Chairman, CEO and management of Shannon Group plc have welcomed the appointment of Tom Kelly, CEO, AerCap Ireland, to the board of Shannon Group plc. Mr Kelly has been appointed by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, TD, to serve a five year term.

Welcoming the appointment Rose Hynes, Chairman, Shannon Group said: “Tom is a respected business leader in the aviation sector and is a very welcome ad-

dition to our board. He provides us with the type of expertise and experience that is required to deliver our strategic vision for the Group. I look forward to working with him at this exciting and challenging time for Shannon.”

Matthew Thomas, CEO, Shannon Group said: “I also welcome the new director. Shannon Group directly contributes to Ireland’s economic prosperity and Mr Kelly will be a great asset in assisting us to continue to deliver on our plans, which we hope can further grow Shannon Group’s impact to benefit even more people in the region and beyond.”

Mr Kelly was appointed CEO of AerCap Ireland Limited in 2010. Mr Kelly previ-

ously served as Chief Financial Officer of AerCap’s Irish operations and has a substantial aircraft leasing and financial services background. Previously, he spent ten years with GECAS where his last roles were as Chief Financial Officer and director of GECAS Limited, GECAS’s Irish operation.

Prior to joining GECAS in 1997, Mr Kelly spent over eight years with KPMG in their London office, acting as a Senior Manager in their financial services practice. Mr Kelly is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University College Dublin.

APPOINTMENT: Tom Kelly

Have an empty seat that you need to fill?

CALL THE CLARE ECHO TEAM TO PLACE A RECRUITMENT AD 065 671 9021

Caroline Bourke MAKE-UP AND STYLE

28 COLUMNIST

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE A LITTLE BIT CHEEKY

Cheek colour gone wrong is enough to make anybody red-faced- so here’s how to get it right this season...

B

LUSHER - not foundation - is for perking up your face, super fast. But today, there’s a bigger than ever choice of textures, as well as shades. Let’s start with the right colour choice. Before you invest in colours that turn out to be not quite right once they’re on, follow this simple rule of thumb from our columnist Caroline Bourke: Ivory skin tones (these tend to be pale, and therefore need subtle, rather than intense colours) should stick to light beige tones for contouring and soft pinks for blush.

Pink skin tones also need pale beige for contouring, with a stroke of warm peach to highlight and play down the rosiness of the complexion. (This applies to women with broken veins too, who should opt for more peachy/apricot shades- otherwise the blusher picks up that redness and emphasises it.)

Yellow skin tones- perhaps a bit on the sallow side - does best with a honey coloured contour, with a peachy/coral flush.

Black skins should choose a fudge coloured blush for contouring, topped off with a brighter, but still dark, shade of auburn- or bronzer.

TIP: The only way you can tell if a blusher shade suits is by applying it on the cheeks, not the back of the hand ladies. So you should really test it on a naked face or over foundation only, or the chances are it’ll be a wrong choice and end up in the bin. Always test with a cotton pad - or a brush that you’ve actually seen them sterilise.

To avoid obvious stripes of blusher, apply it mostly to the apples of the cheeks, rather than all along the cheekbone. Smile, and the centre of your cheek will puff out; this is where to apply blusher, than blend outwards towards the hairline.

TIP: If you can just see your blusher from about five feet away when you stand back, the shade is about right. If you overdo blusher, don’t rub; apply some pressed powder over the top to tone the colour down.

If you’re feeling tired, you can use blusher to give your face an instant lift; sweep it high on the outer part of the cheeks, near to the eyes and up towards the temples.

According to Caroline, women with oily skin should use a blush that’s a shade lighter than the one they want to end up with. (This compensates for the darkening effects of oil on the blush’s pigment.)

l MATCH: Yellow skin tonesperhaps a bit on the sallow side - does best with a honey coloured contour, with a peachy/coral flush.

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

COLUMNISTS 29

THE CLARE ECHO

l FOCUSED: Keep your 'WHY' in mind

Jess & Ciara

FIT TIPS

FITNESS...NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS

(BUT A GREAT REASON TO START!) l GOOD TIMES: Parties

T

HIS time of year everyone is looking forward to the festive season. We have work parties, family do’s, weddings and the not so casual nights out with friends all ahead of us, and who doesn’t want to look their best?

So with the long dark evenings and the social pressures, we are heading indoors to gyms and studios to get fit for Christmas.

Believe me when I say that we are always happy to have motivated clients!

When you have a goal to work towards it all seems easier, right?

But why isn’t being in great shape always a good enough goal?

I am just like any other working mum out there. Some days I jump out of bed with a smile on my face and a song in my heart and some days I actually have to roll onto

Christmas goal, Well done!! And here are my tips on how to keep that momentum into the New Year and beyond.

l l FUN: Find an exercise that you enjoy, it won't feel like work

the floor and crawl towards the endless to do list. However, I have found that by making my fitness an important part of my day to day, not only am I stronger, healthier, fitter and happier but I save myself having to start over every time there is a social event on my calendar. And who wants to keep doing the same job over and over? So if you are getting started towards that

Always keep your “WHY” in mind. Have that reason to stay going.

I want to be fit and healthy for me, but also so that I am around for and enjoy my time with my kids.

When I can’t face the workout for me, I get up and do it for them.

Find a class or activity that you really enjoy. Love dance? Find a dance class. Miss swimming?

Get to the pool. Team sports your thing? Go for it. You are far more likely to keep doing something if you like it and it won't feel like such hard work.

Remember that feeling of having to get in shape? It is so hard to get started! Avoid that by staying consistent and you won’t have to start again.

l l

l

Adding exercise and a healthy diet is not only good for your body but also proven to have a positive impact on mental health. Hang on to those feel good hormones by keeping up your regular workouts.

Feeling stuck, or unsure of what you should be doing?

ASK! Trainers and Fitness instructors love to help! It is what we are trained for and we love any excuse to share! Regular tweaks to your workouts and continued progressions in classes will help you keep seeing results and that always makes it easier to keep going.

l

THE CLARE ECHO IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH RUN CLARE – THE 5 TO 10 FITNESS CHALLENGE AND OFFICIALLY UNVEIL THE FINISHERS MEDAL FOR 2018 THE CLARE ECHO is delighted to announce its partnership with Run Clare – The 5 to 10 Fitness Challenge.

We are delighted to be able to assist Lorraine, Jason and the team on making this event a big success. The passion, commitment and energy that goes into running an event like this is incredible. With entries already received from over 20 counties in Ireland - The event will showcase the fantastic routes, as well as the breath-taking scenery and atmosphere that County Clare has to offer. So whether you are a solo runner, a member of

a club, or you want your workplace to take part, contact Run Clare – The 5 to 10 Fitness Challenge today.

We couldn’t let the event pass without making sure the whole The Clare Echo team got whipped into shape and of course creating a bit of friendly office rivalry! Stuart, Elaine, Ciara and Monica will be racing across each finish line, with the help of our Business Development Manager Ciara – so if you think you can match us, or you think you have what it takes to compete against us, we welcome the challenge!

Motoring MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

Koleos is comforting, but needs more seats

lSTYLISH: Renault’s traditional character is still coming through in this new wave of tall family wagons

FACTS & FIGURES:

Renault’s bigger SUV comforts you at the end of a hard day ROAD TEST: RENAULT KOLEOS 2.0 DCI SIGNATURE NAV 4WD

I

T’S funny how our perceptions of car makers can change over time. Once, Renault was known, revered even, for its big, comfy saloons like the 18, 21, and 25. Then its focus shifted, a little downmarket, to smaller, more affordable hatches so we began to associate Renault more with the Clio and Megane. Now though, Renualt (like everyone else) is turning to SUVs to turn a profit, and so once again our perception of the company is shifting. It’s becoming 4x4 central, and just look at the hoardes of Capturs and Kadjars on our roads if you don’t believe me.

The pleasing thing is that some, quite a lot in fact, of Renault’s traditional character is still coming through in this new wave of tall family wagons, and that’s no better exemplified than by this, the new Koleos. If you’re living and buying in a right-hand drive market, this is now the Renault flagship. Because we didn’t buy enough Lagunas or old-shape Espaces, we (and the UK) are barred from buying the current (rather lovely) Espace or the (really

lovely) Talisman, so the Koleos is, for us, the biggest of all Renaults. Not surprisingly, it’s very closely mechanically related to the Kadjar, which itself is spun-off from the same CFM-D platform as the Megane, and indeed as the Nissan Qashqai (Renault and Nissan have been part of the same company since the early 2000s). So really, what the Koleos is, is (a) a larger Kadjar, and (b) a Renault version of the Nissan X-Trail.

It looks quite distinctly different to the Kadjar, though, using more of the styling from the Megane, with those big c-shaped headlight signatures and more bluff, upright stance. It’s big and chunky, but never tips over into being obnoxiously large, so you won’t get too many hateful stares from the pavement as you pass.

Where the classic Renault character really comes through is on the inside, where it really picks up the easy-going, comfortable baton from those old 21s and 25s.

The seats (leather comes as standards on all Irish-market Koleos models) are big, squishy, and comfy — just as a French car should be. Point that big, upright nose out onto a motorway or main road and you won’t find many better companions for a long journey than the Koleos. It just crushes the distances between locations with consummate outside-lane ease. Refine-

ment at speed is generally very good, with that 2.0-litre 175hp rumbling away quietly enough in the background. Opt for an automatic Koleos, as our test car was, and you don’t get Renault’s dual-clutch DC-T gearbox, but a Toyota-style CVT instead.

Such gearboxes can be tiresome, but this one actually works quite well, and to be honest we prefer it to the supposedly more sophisticated DC-T ‘box.

There’s masses of space in the back seats (and easily enough width for three adults to fit in there) and if you can ignore some of the cheaper cabin plastics, and the fact that the R-Link touchscreen infotainment system is a bit too fiddly, then the Koleos is a really lovely car in which to spend some time. It does get a little noisier around town, where the CVT gearbox does allow the engine to rev a little longer and higher than you ideally would like, and the suspension is occasionally a touch too noisy when dealing with urban bumps. Clearly, this is a car much better suited to the open road, where you can maximise the cabin comfort, and feel reassured by the four-wheel drive system when the weather turns nasty.

Ah, but there is a flaw. Not enough seats.

The Nissan X-Trail, with which the Koleos shares so much, can be had with two extra folding seats in the boot. So can the Skoda Kodiaq, with which the Koleos competes.

Ditto the Peugeot 5008 (that has seven seats as standard), and the shortly-arriving VW Tiguan Allspace. The Koleos just has a big, plain boot where its extra seats should be.

Why no third row? Renault says that it may,

Model tested: Renault Koleos 2.0 dCi Signature Nav 4WD Pricing: as tested €49,615.

Koleos range starts at €34,490 Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel Transmission: CVT, four-wheel drive Body style: five-door SUV CO2 emissions: 156g/km (Band D, €570 per annum) Combined economy: 53mpg (5.3 litres/100km) Top speed: 202km/h 0-100km/h: 10.7 seconds Power: 175hp at 4,000rpm Torque: 380Nm at 2,000rpm Boot space: 565-litres (seats up), 1,795-litres (seats folded) Euro NCAP rating: five-star; 90% adult, 79% child, 62% pedestrian, 75% safety assist at some stage, offer a seven-seat Koleos, but for now it doesn’t want to dilute the appeal of the seven-seat Renault Scenic. It’s a fair point, but still, you worry that it might hole the Koleos’ competitiveness below the waterline. Still, even taking that into account, this is a really enjoyable, likeable car. It may be a big, hulking SUV, designed to appeal to a very modern zeitgeist, but you really can sense some of that old-style Renault comfort and convenience in it. It manages to sit neatly alongside classic older models, which did so much to promote that image of French cars, designed for the Autoroute and those long hauls to the Languedoc.

With extra seats, the Koleos would likely be a more enticing prospect still, but for now, we still quite liked it in spite of that obvious handicap.

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

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32 MOTORING

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

Motoring News

Volvo launches V90 Cross Country Ocean Race Edition Swedes will donate money from each sale to help clean our oceans of waste plastic

V

OLVO Cars, the premium car maker, today reveals a special version of its award-winning V90 Cross Country all-road estate to celebrate the start of the 2017/18 Volvo Ocean Race.

Buyers of the car will also contribute directly to helping understand the health of our oceans.

To support the Volvo Ocean Race’s Science Programme around ocean plastics, the company will donate €100 for each of the first 3,000 V90 Cross Country Volvo Ocean Race cars it plans to build.

The resulting total donation of €300,000 underlines Volvo Cars’ long-standing commitment to environmental care.

The Volvo Ocean Race Science Programme equips boats in this year’s race with a variety of sensors that will capture data from some of the remotest parts of the world’s oceans. This includes temperatures, barometric pressure, currents and wind speed, which will help contribute to more accurate weather forecasts and climate models used by scientists globally.

Furthermore, the boats will measure levels of salinity, dissolved CO2 and algae in the sea water around them. Combined with other data on microplastics, these measurements will help create a more complete picture of

the scale of plastic pollution and its impact on ocean life. The Programme’s science partners include the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

“We’re proud to support the Volvo Ocean Race’s Science Programme which will help improve our understanding of the health of the oceans – our greatest natural resource,” said Stuart Templar, Director of Sustainability at Volvo Cars. “As a company, we work to minimise our impact on the world around us, so this project’s innovative approach to tackling a major environmental problem was a great fit for us - not least as we head towards an electric future.”

The car itself will help tackle the problem of marine pollution, as the carpet inlays are made from Econyl, a fabric made from 100 per cent recycled nylon, including abandoned fishing nets reclaimed from the seabed.

The V90 Cross Country Volvo Ocean Race was developed by Volvo designers and a group of engineers within the company’s Special Vehicles department, a purpose-built facility at Volvo Cars’ base in Torslanda, Sweden.

The engineers at Special Vehicles specialise in developing bespoke models and are also responsible for Volvo Cars’ ultra-luxurious Excellence models as well as the

HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT: The Volvo V90 will help tackle the problem of marine pollution, as the carpet inlays are made from Econyl, a fabric made from 100 per cent recycled nylon, including abandoned fishing nets reclaimed from the seabed

police version of the V90 and V90 Cross Country.

Taking the existing model as a starting point, the V90 Cross Country Volvo Ocean Race comes with all the standard features customers have come to expect from a Cross Country model, such as all-wheel drive, increased ride height and a chassis optimised for comfort and control in all weather and road conditions.

A special, expressive design and colour palette inside and out sets the V90 Cross Country Volvo Ocean Race apart from its siblings in the 90 Series. Matte grey and bright orange details, first shown on the acclaimed Volvo Concept XC Coupé from 2014, are combined with a Crystal White exterior colour and special wheels and stitching.

“The V90 Cross Country Volvo

Ocean Race is a balanced and capable all-road car, at home on normal roads and off the beaten track,” said Dan Olsson, Vice President Special Vehicles & Accessories at Volvo Cars. “On top of that it includes a range of specially developed standard features such as an integrated, detachable torchlight, additional power outlets and smart dirt- and water-resistant materials.”

VW’S CALENDAR FOR PIETA HOUSE CHARITY OVER the summer, Volkswagen Ireland wanted to engage with Ireland’s large Volkswagen community in a contemporary way. With this in mind, a competition was developed in collaboration with the Snapys entitled ‘Volkswagen Snapshot’, an Instagram-based photo competition designed to be an exercise of self-expression and participation with the brand.

Volkswagen received an incredible 5,000 entries over two months and they selected their twelve favourites to be curated into the 2018 Volkswagen Snapshot Calendar. Volkswagen has partnered with Pieta

House, a non-profit organisation providing specialised treatment programmes for people who have suicidal ideation or who participate in self-harming, to retail the calendars to the public in order to raise funds.

Each calendar will cost €10 and all proceeds go directly to Pieta House. The calendars, featuring a variety of images taken by contestants include a wedding in a vintage VW camper to scenes from the streets of Dublin, through an adventure in the mountains and all the way to a sunset in beautiful Kinsale. The winners of the competition were treated to an exciting visit to

the Volkswagen factory during the summer, as well as a number of technology prizes.

Mark McGrath, Head of Marketing Volkswagen Ireland, said: “The 2018 Volkswagen Snapshot, for us, represents the long-standing and continued connection between Ireland and the Volkswagen brand. It was a tough selection process but these 12 images showcase the amazing talent we have in this country. We’re absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Pieta House and are looking forward to raising as much as we can for such a good cause.”

GOOD CAUSE: Volkswagen Snapshot competition

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

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THE CLARE ECHO

Western Garages

Sales, Service and Finance Available Phone 065 6828505 Email: sales@westerngarages.com

MASSIVE reductions on Used Cars for our open week starting tomorrow 3rd November 2017 YEAR MAKE

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2014 VOLKSWAGEN Golf 1.2 TSI Petrol Trendline

41000 kms

14500 142 G 11161

2011 VOLKSWAGEN Jetta TDI 1.6 Trendline

125000 kms 9750

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2017 VOLKSWAGEN Arteon Elegance DSG 150 bhp

5000 KMS

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2014 VOLKSWAGEN Passat TDI Comfortline 1.6

142000 kms 15950 141 CE 270

2011 VOLKSWAGEN Polo 1.2 TDI 5 DR

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2011 VOLKSWAGEN Jetta 1.4 TSI Comfortline

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2014 VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan 2.0 TDI Sport

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2017 VOLKSWAGEN Polo 1.0 5dr Trendline

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2016 VOLKSWAGEN CC Coupe Sport 2.0 TDI 150 BHP 99000 kms

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2015 VOLKSWAGEN Golf TDI Highline TDI DSG

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2012 VOLKSWAGEN Golf YDI 1.6 5dr Trendline

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The Home Of Volkswagen In Clare For 60 Years 1957-2017

Make the future your present.

181 Open Event November 3rd - 10th.

EcoGrant offer of up to €7,000* Low-Rate Finance Technology Upgrades

Replace your Euro 1 - 4 diesel vehicle with a more environmentally friendly Euro 6 model and receive up to €7,000 off your new Volkswagen, including electric, hybrid, petrol and more efficient diesel engines. With low finance rates and Technology Upgrades, now is the time to make the future your present.

Visit us during our 181 Open Event from November 3rd to 10th to avail of fantastic offers.

We make the future real.

Western Garages, Volkswagen Clare, Quin Road, Ennis, Co Clare.

Tel: 065 6828505 www.westerngarages.com (Polo, Tiguan, Arteon) Fuel Consumption l/100km : combined 6.4 – 3.8. CO2 emissions g/km: 167-97. Increased weight of a vehicle, including higher trim levels and the addition of options may have an effect on the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions produced. The CO2 and fuel consumption figures are the official figures obtained from tests under standardised EU test conditions. *The EcoGrant amount on offer varies per model. The EcoGrant is available to retail customers with orders submitted from 8th September 2017 until 31st December 2017. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with other existing 181 offers. Registration of qualifying cars can be in 2017 or up to 30th June 2018. The EcoGrant is available for owners of all makes of cars and not restricted to Volkswagen owners. Vehicles being scrapped must have been registered in the name of the purchaser of the new car for at least 6 months prior to the date of registration of the new car. Qualifying trade in cars must be scrapped within 60 days (before or after new vehicle registration date) at an approved end of life authorised vehicle treatment facility (ELV). This offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. This offer does not apply to fleet sales. For more information visit www. volkswagen.ie. Offers mentioned apply to 181 retail orders before December 31st. Models shown are for illustrative purposes only. Information correct at time of print. See www.volkswagen.ie for details.

Beautiful homes all over the County UNLOCK YOUR DREAM

Property

Fields of dreams 36 WESTFIELDS, ENNIS, CLARE €239,950

l BEST IN WEST: Westfields housing development Kilrush Road

C

ONVENIENTLY located in the much sought after Westfields housing development, an exclusive estate of detached homes on the Kilrush Road.

Boasting a landscaped (not overlooked) fully walled site, no. 36 offers the prospective buyer spacious, bright and well proportioned living accommodation throughout with features including five bedrooms, two receptions, open plan kitchen/dining, utility and finishes such as extensive timber flooring and tiling, quality fitted kitchen, bathroom, en-suite and downstairs WC, all to be viewed to truly appreciate.

Outside, the vast patio and garden makes for ideal family living, with garden shed, ample off street parking (walled) and parking to the front.

Viewing is strictly by prior appointment with Sole Selling Agents. PSL No. 002295

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

IT’S LUCKY NUMBER SIX 6 ARD AOIBHINN, LIMERICK ROAD, ENNIS, CLARE €339,000

l SPACIOUS: Presented for sale in impeccable condition throughout

NOT often does a home come to the market in this exclusive town centre development of stunning detached homes, presented for sale in impeccable condition throughout. From entering the stone arched entrance, each home in Ard Aoibhinn fronts onto the vast landscaped green with number 6 being one of the best placed homes within the development.

On approaching the property, the brick front boundary wall and brick paved drive set the standards for what is featured throughout this home.

To the ground floor, the spacious entrance hallway gives access to the stunning main reception which further connects to the formal dining into separate kitchen/

breakfast, utility and also from the hall, access is given to the first of the five bedrooms and downstairs shower room.

To on the first floor are a further four bedrooms, with the master bedroom featuring a walk-in wardrobe and en-suite with quality fixtures and fittings featuring throughout.

To the rear, which can be accessed by the gated side entrance, landscaped gardens, brick paved patio areas and detached block built garage all feature. This home is a must view and is strictly by prior appointment with Sole Selling Agents. PSL No. 002295 Contact Cormac O’Sullivan, DNG. Tel: 065 - 6840200 Partner Director

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

PROPERTY 35

THE CLARE ECHO

King of the Hill

T

FERNHILL, DOOLIN, CO CLARE, V95 W3X8

l IDEALLY LOCATED: Deceivingly spacious four-bed detached family home

HIS fine four bedroom family home is situated on 3.5 acres of land is ideally located within 2.5 miles from Doolin village. The property is deceivingly spacious and has been finished to a very high standard throughout.

Accommodation comprises 232 sq.m. (2,496 sq.ft approx) and includes a kitchen, utility room, sitting room, a wet room, living and dining area, a loft room, bathroom and four bedrooms (two of which are ensuite).

Externally, the gardens are mature

€320,000

with striking features such as a large fish pond, rockery and patio area, an enclosed external seating area and elevated decking area with fabulous countryside and sea views.

Viewings are highly recommended to appreciate what is on offer. BER C1. BER Number 109642363. BER Code 160.67 kwh/m2/yr.

Contact: Danielle Kavanagh, Sherry FitzGerald McMahon, O’Connell Square House, Ennis.

Tel: 065 686 7866

PEACEFUL AND TRANQUIL SETTING €239,000

CAHERBULANE, COROFIN, ENNIS, CO CLARE, V95 H2TX THIS fine, well-proportioned home is situated approximately 20 minutes from Ennis in a peaceful and tranquil setting.

The property, which is bright and spacious, is attractively set on a c. 0.75 acre site which is approximately a five minute drive from Corofin and roughly 20 minutes from both Ennis and Gort.

Internally, accommodation comprises an entrance hall, living room, kitchen, utility-room, bedroom and a sun-room.

On the first floor there are three double bedrooms (one with an en-suite and walk-in wardrobe) and a bathroom.

Externally there is a tarmac drive to the front, a concrete yard to the right in

front of the shed/stable. The gardens are mainly in lawn and there is a timber decking area to the rear.

This is an exciting opportunity to acquire a fine family home in a lovely rural setting.

Viewing is highly recommended.

BER C2. BER No. 109123760. 197 sqm (1,920 sq.ft) Contact: Tiernan O’Malley, Sherry FitzGerald McMahon, O’Connell Square House, Ennis.

Tel: 065 6867866

Great location and convenient to town €99,000

3 CLOUGHLEIGH ROAD, ENNIS, CO CLARE, V95 T3YP A THREE bedroom mid-terraced town house situated just two minutes walk to the town centre.

This fine property would be ideal for either a first-time buyer or as an investment property.

Accommodation comprises an entrance hall, living room, WC (wetroom) on the ground floor. On the first floor there are three bedrooms.

Externally the front garden is in lawn and there is an exceptionally large back

garden with a shed/workshop. Access to the back garden from the front is via a shared laneway.

Viewing comes highly recommended.

59.8 sqm (643.4 sq ft) approx. BER G BER No. 100794775.

Contact: Tiernan O’Malley, Sherry FitzGerald McMahon, O’Connell Square House, Ennis.

Tel: 065 6867866

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THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

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CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

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Gort Road Industrial Estate

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Orla

THE CLARE ECHO

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

Your Horoscopes November 2

YOU finally summon the courage to sever ties with a rather unpleasant acquaintance or a sarcastic friend of a friend who leaves you feeling worse after you spend time together. Your big move toward freedom leaves you feeling springier, happier and freer -- not to mention more confident! Get out there and celebrate your own personal independence day in your own stylish manner.

YOUR sense of fun and enthusiasm is contagious, and you attract plenty of fans to your side -- now you just have to decide what to do with them! You’re the mastermind behind this sprawling organisation, and everyone is just waiting to see what you want them to do. Your main concern is how to maximise everyone’s fun, and with that kind of motivation, everything just has to go swimmingly!

Libra

Scorpio

Capricorn

Aquarius

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T

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icult - just n ideal

E

O

O

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P

13

O

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S M

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M

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12

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16 What's done by accident on the other side? (6)

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CROSSWORD ANSWERS R

11

10

N

9

N

8

E

7

(5) 20 Kelly’s make-up unit (4)

O

6

T

5

N

4

E

3

accident on the other side? (6) 19 Work for an actor on his own?

I

2

doors (4,3) 23 What’s needed 1 Heather devoured by for dinner I get cooked? (10) goat in Essex (10) DOWN 7 Tell what happens after close 1 Meat it’s a relief to vote (7) save (5) 8 Beginner found in 2 Making a noise empty room playing ludo (4) (4) 3 Get in a mess hav10 Flog a walking-stick ing a meal (6) (4) 4 I printed new form, 11 Bury a girl in the being daring break (8) (8) 13 Father brought 5 A bad driver gained back nothing recognition material (6) (7) 15 Sort the French 6 Eccentrics damage arouse (6) ceramics (9) 17 I’m turning in wind- 9 Wheels turning ing street to before being find insects (8) seen in another 18 Composer taking place (9) taxi back to 12 Church containhospital (4) ing one 21 Reduced fare when clergyman (8) tide turns 14 Wine given to one (4) performing 22 Opera in new setpart (7) ting out of 16 What’s done by

D

1

ACROSS

RESIST the urge to run around tidying everything up today. The messier things are, the more possibilities reside within them. If you just shove everything in a box, you might cut yourself off from some extremely important opportunities. Give yourself plenty of room to grow and expand today. Try a little stretching or yoga to keep your body flexible -- and work the same kind of magic on your mind!

E

The Clare Echo Crossword

Pisces

R

YOUR energy is just right for all kinds of mind-expanding and growth-inducing plans. Are you up for it?

These growth-oriented experiences might not come to you in a form you can understand instantly, so make sure to keep an open, focused mind as you go about your daily routines. Your ability to pay attention to the right signals is extremely important!

EMBRACE the unexpected today, as if it were an old, long-distant friend. While big surprises and major changes make other folks jittery and nervous, you’ve learned to take advantage of every opportunity the universe sends your way. This attitude ensures that you have a fantastic time, no matter what happens today. If you’re thrown for a loop, you know how to turn it into a handspring!

G

YOU need to make morale -- especially your own -- a top priority, and your energy should give you a chance to do just that. Someone new with a talent for partying throws themselves into your path and may invite you to follow along in their erratic wake.

Though you may initially be reluctant, soon enough, your curiosity overcomes any misgivings -- with fantastic results!

Sagittarius

N

YOU are being tested, but don’t panic -- it’s not the final word on your plans. Keep that in mind before you jump to any conclusions or commit yourself to any one course of action. What you’re facing is really not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things, no matter how intense it might seem. Keep your cool and evaluate your position. After you get past the fear, you should see a simple solution.

Virgo

YOU need to acknowledge your desires today -- and fast! Your energy is pushing you to come clean about what you are genuinely passionate about. For the time being, duty and responsibility are still important, but you also need to make room for some fun and games -- or whatever else it takes to put the sparkle back in your eye! All work and no play makes for a dull life, and that’s exactly what you need to avoid.

I

YOU need to step out and take a trip -- for your own good. Though you may grumble at first over the sudden change of plans, you should return feeling refreshed and revived, so go ahead and leave your safe ways behind. You can always come back to them later if you miss them. Who knows, you may even learn something new and awesome that becomes a permanent part of your life.

A SURPRISING turn of events comes your way, but it could be just what the doctor ordered. You could sulk and pout and complain that this isn’t what you expected -- and refuse to deal with the situation. On the other hand, you could acknowledge the disappointment, make the best of what you’ve got and then end up enjoying the recent circumstances, which could turn out to be quite beneficial.

23

Leo

YOU come face to face with a new culture or a new way of doing things that opens your eyes to new possibilities. Your openness to learning, combined with your force of personality, leads you to build bridges that might just prove permanent. Explore the situation to the fullest extent possible, and you should love what you learn. Sometimes you need to remind yourself that it’s always worth it to take a chance.

16 What's done by accident on the other side? (6) 19 Work for an actor on his own? o (5) 20 Kelly's make-up unit (4)

Cancer

YOU know exactly what you want, and you’re rather impatient to get it! Your success is almost completely assured, but it still certainly behooves you to be on your best behavior. Remember those closest to you in your headlong rush to reach your goal. You’ll have to see most, if not all, of these people after the thrill of victory, and it’s better not to have to apologise for stepping on toes, right?

Gemini

t

Taurus

g

Aries

1/1

t - just deal

38 CROSSWORD/HOROSCOPES

THURSDAY, NOV 2 2017

QUIZ 39

THE CLARE ECHO

The Clare Echo Quiz

Mooghaun Hill-Fort is the site 2 of a prehistoric walled village and is regarded as the oldest ring fort of its kind in Europe. Is it in:

Tulla, Newmarket on Fergus, Carron

Who said of The Burren: “It is 3 a country where there is not enough water to drown a man, wood enough to hang one, nor earth enough to bury him.”

Oliver Cromwell, Edmund Ludlow, Boris Johnson

Michael “Sonnie” Murphy, who 4 competed in the 3,000m Steeplechase at the 1932 Olympics was from:

Ennis, Clarecastle, Kilnaboy

Patrick Joseph “Pat” McDonald 5 who won a gold medal in the 1920 Olympics for shotput and worked as a traffic cop in Times Square, was born in: Doonbeg, Killaloe, Tuamgraney

6

Olympic 800m winner and world record holder David Rushida was pictured wearing a Clare

Ennistymon Vocational School, St Caimin’s or St Joseph’s, Spanish Point

St Peter & St Paul 7 The Cathedral in Ennis is the 11th

tallest spire in Ireland. But how tall is it?

226ft, 326ft, 426ft

power station chim8 Moneypoint neys are 715ft tall. Where does it rank in terms of Ireland’s tallest structures?

First, Third, Fifth

9

The Shannon hydroelectric scheme cost the equivalent to one fifth of the Irish state’s annual budget, which was:

l OUR COUNTY: What was the population of Clare pre-famine?

area in Clare is home to 10 Which the Slow Worm, one of Ireland’s only two reptiles?

Doonbeg dunes, The Burren, Shannon Estuary

Photo by Julie Tillett

ANSWERS

£5.2m, £15.2m, £25.2m

6. Ennistymon Vocational School 7. 226ft 8. Fifth 9. £5.2m 10. The Burren

94,000, 192,000, 212,000

jersey at which school?

LIVIN’ LA VIDA LAHINCH

l CAN’T BEAT LAHINCH ON A GOOD DAY: Stunning shot taken by Shannon photographer Sarah Curran @lotsofshots Photography

1. 212,000 2. Newmarket-on-Fergus 3. Edmund Ludlow 4. Kilnaboy 5. Doonbeg

population of Clare 1The pre-famine was:

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