Sixth Edition The Clare Echo

065 671 9021

clareecho.ie

editor@clareecho.ie

facebook.com/clareecho

twitter.com/ClareEcho

23 Nov 2017

Cup is half full C’MON YOU BOYS IN BLUE

STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

T l Thumbs up for Kilmaley from Patrick Clancy, Luke Reid, Aidan Weaver, Evan Cahill and Aaron Killeen

Photo by Martin Connolly

HE cup is half full on the jobs front as it’s been announced that CupPrint in Ennis will expand its operations to include an additional 15 jobs. This follows the announcement that 3,000 jobs are set to be created in the Mid West as part of an urban investment scheme.

The new jobs at the Ennis CupPrint facility are in addition to the 95 jobs already on site at their head office in the Ballymaley Business Park.

Minister Pat Breen said: “I am delighted to be here today at CupPrint to announce that they are expanding their business, creating more jobs in County Clare and diversifying into new markets. All jobs created have a knock on societal effect on communities.”

Meanwhile 3,000 jobs will be created on the back of a European Investment Bank loan worth €85m to Limerick City and Co Council as part of their plans to make the city an economic hub for the southwest.

SEE FULL STORY PAGE 8

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Index

Skoda lives up to its Superb name

10

PHOTO COMPETITION

19-22

Clare Echo motoring columnist Neil Briscoe test drives the Skoda Superb and finds that the fourdoor saloon is one of the best family cars around

23

OPINION COMMUNITY

24-25

MOTORING

26-32 33

BEAUTY PROPERTY

MOTORING: PAGE 26

4

LIBRARY PLANS SPORT

Inside The Clare Echo

35-36

GET IN TOUCH

NEWS: PAGE 6

Buoys will be buoys...

SPORT: PAGE 19-22

Kilmaley do the Banner proud In Clare Echo Sport this week, James Mulvihill reports from the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick where Kilmaley took Cork Champions Kanturk to extra time in the Munster Intermediate final only to be pipped at the post.

Pat Flynn reports as a huge Canadian navigational buoy travels across the Atlantic and is discovered washed up on a West Clare beach.

THE CLARE ECHO

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

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

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

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

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

PLACE AN

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

l END OF AN ERA: Popular Ennis businessman Jim O’Dowd said goodbye to customers at an ‘emotional’ coffee morning the O’Dowd family held last week to thank their loyal customers

Farewell O’Dowd’s ELAINE TUBRIDY news@clareecho.ie

I

T’S he end of an era for the ‘Luckiest shop in Clare’ as the O’Dowd family hang up their shop smocks.

The family run shop has been looking after customers at the Turnpike in Ennis for nearly half a century.

Jim O’Dowd said he’s looking forward to retiring, but he reckoned he will have to find something to do to fill his new-found free time.

“I don’t think my wife will put up with me sitting at home,” he laughed.

Jim took out a six year lease on the shop back in 1973 and subsequently purchased it, but he didn’t think about how long he would be working there.

“When you’re young you don’t think about these things. I left a Monday to

Friday job for this, so I was nervous starting because there was no security,” he said.

The shop has earned the reputation of the luckiest shop in Clare, with three lotto jackpot winners, 13 Winning Streak contestants, and millions of Euro won in smaller cash prizes.

O’Dowd’s hosted a coffee morning last Thursday to thank their loyal customers for their support over the years.

“It was an emotional day, because we have a lot of customers coming in since we started,” Jim said.

Jim will tie up a few loose ends in the shop this week before Galway businessman Gerry Geraghty takes over.

“I want to thank my amazing staff.

The business would not be the success it was without my hardworking and loyal staff,” Jim added.

For a free hearing check call us free on 1800 480 480

Please quote ref: BX WP 03

bonavox hearing specialists

www.bonavox.ie

Visit Visitus usat: at: Haven HavenPharmacy Pharmacy Holly’s Holly’s 23 Abbey Street 23 Abbey Street Ennis EnnisVisit us at:  Often mishearwhat others are saying?  Find it difficult hearing on the phone?  Is it hard to hear in noisy backgrounds?  Often ask people to repeat themselves?

Talk to us and find out how you can hear better again!

Enjoy better hearing with bonavox

ADVERTISEMENT 3

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

interiors

Christmas Store Now Open

View our magical Christmas Video of our store online at...

www.homegallery.ie

Black Friday Offers!

20%-50% OFF E V E RY THING IN- STOR E THIS THURSDAY TO SUNDAY

‘It’s not Christmas unitil You’ve Been to Home Gallery’

Open Sunday 1pm-5pm | Kilrush Road, Ennis Ph: 065 6797040 | Galway Ph: 091 895228

4 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

ELAINE TUBRIDY

sufficient to meet the demands of the County Library service.

The new building will seek to retain as much parking as possible, with 97 spaces planned for the development.

“Overall the proposal seeks to maximise the opportunities presented by the site, and make a positive contribution to the cultural life of the town of Ennis by providing the new county library and a small art gallery alongside glór, thereby creating a cultural hub with access to the visual, performing and literary arts within a singular building complex,” according to the report.

The public library section of the building will be spread over two floors, with the County Library administrative section on the floor above.

The ground floor will be used for the more noise friendly activities such as the public lending section and the children’s library, while the upper floor will be more conducive to quiet, contemplative study.

The overall theme of the library will be openness and light, with the design reflecting as much light as possible.

Ennis Library a step closer as council submits planning elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

THE brand new Clare County Library building is a step closer to opening day as Clare County Council have submitted their planning application for the project.

Located at the current glór site, the new building will contain the new public library, as well as a gallery space and office space. The new structure will vary in height from one storey to three stories and will cover a whopping 2,320 square metres.

The design statement, submitted

by Keith Williams architects, states that the design has gone under extensive consultation with elected representatives and members of the public.

“These design proposals are of high architectural and material quality and have been formed from a very careful and considerate response to the site, its immediate setting as well as the site’s wider urban character and context,” the report reads.

The report states that the current library and ancillary buildings are not

l NEW PAGE: An image showing the view of the new library as will be seen from the Causeway Link Photo courtesy of Keith WIlliams Architects Road in Ennis

€58k Govt funding for TidyTowns STUART HOLLY editor@clareecho.ie

CLARE is set to benefit from €58,000 in Government funding to mark the 60th anniversary of the national TidyTowns competition.

Confirming that 47 towns and villages in the county will share the allocation, Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey said that it will allow each local committee to apply for a grant of between €1,000 and €4,000 to support the work they do.

“As Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Affairs, I am delighted to see this funding going to towns and villages here in Clare. I have no doubt that it will be a huge boost to our local communities and will be put to great use.

“It is an acknowledgment of the amazing work that has been done

by TidyTowns organisations up and down the county for the last 60 years.

These organisations have played in

integral role in our local communities for decades now,” Deputy Carey continued.

“The TidyTowns competition inspires a huge amount of voluntary effort in towns and villages across the country. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all those who give up their free time to make our communities better places to live.”

All applicants, who have applied to enter the competition, in any of the past three years will be eligible. Pobal will administer the scheme on behalf of the Department and will contact all eligible groups directly over the coming weeks to facilitate the drawdown of the funding.

Under the scheme villages are eligible to receive €1,000; small towns are eligible to receive €2,000; large towns are eligible to receive €3,000; and large urban centres are eligible to receive €4,000.

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

The Clare Echo

065 6715125

ADVERTISEMENT 5

6 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Oh Buoy ... how did that get here from Canada?

PAT FLYNN

A

news@clareecho.ie

MASSIVE navigation buoy, believed to have drifted thousands of kilometres across the Atlantic from Canada, has washed up on a beach in Co Clare.

The green rusted navigational aid was discovered on Friday morning on the beach at Seafield near Quilty.

The buoy is estimated to be about a 3m high/2m wide structure, weighs several tonnes and is the second to be found in Clare this year. Its anchor chains and pylon upper structure are missing.

The words “Transport Canada” can be clearly seen welded into the buoy while other letters and numbers are harder to identify.

The Irish Coast Guard marine rescue sub centre on Valentia Island was notified of the discovery and sent volunteers from the Kilkee unit to investigate.

Clare County Council was also alerted and, as the buoy is on the beach, it’s expected the local authority will assume responsibility for its safe recovery.

Transport Canada has also been advised of the discovery however its marine division has yet to comment on the matter.

The buoy could have represented a danger to small craft or even larger vessels if they had collided with it. It appears however that the buoy drifted thousands of kilometres across the ocean without incident before washing up at Seafield.

Last April, another Canadian buoy was recovered from the sea just 10kms from this latest discovery. The 5m high/2m wide buoy, weighing several

l FINAL DESTINATION: The navagation buoy travelled thousands of kilometres across the sea and ended up in Seafield

tonnes, was discovered drifting in Pulleen Bay between Kilkee and Doonbeg. Its chains and upper pylon were still attached. Staff at the Irish Coast Guard at Valentia were able to establish that the buoy originated in Canada and

believe it may have drifted from as far as Nova Scotia almost 4,000 kilometres away.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights vessel Granuaile later recovered the buoy from the sea.

No bids for Our Lady’s Hospital at auction ELAINE TUBRIDY

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

l DERELICT: Our Lady’s in Ennis has been sitting derelict for more than a decade

OUR Lady’s Hospital in Ennis remains up for sale after it failed receive a single bid at the recent BidX1 auction.

Independent Councillor James Breen remains hopeful that Clare County Council will reconsider their decision not to purchase the building.

“We have asked the county manager to reconsider and we will have to see what he has to say,” Cllr Breen said.

Cllr Breen previously proposed that Clare County Council conduct a feasibility study and consider using the former hospital as a solution to the housing crisis which continues to put strain on growing homelessness figures in the county.

“I think myself that it’s a marvellous opportunity, even to set up a faculty of a university there.

I think we shouldn’t let the opportunity go, I think we should buy it,” Cllr Breen added.

Our Lady’s Hospital has a guide price of €800,000 and BidX1 are currently holding

Councillor urges local authority to consider site for development viewings of the building.

The next viewing will be held on Monday, November 27 between 11am and 12 noon.

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”.

Stop the lights...

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

14 vehicles with faulty headlights in one journey ELAINE TUBRIDY editor@clareecho.ie

CLARE Chief Superintendent John Kerin has appealed to motorists to make sure their headlights are in good working order.

The Clare Echo received a report from a concerned citizen who reported seeing a total of 14 cars with faulty or broken headlights while travelling between Kilrush and Ennis recently.

Chief Supt Kerin confirmed that faulty or broken headlights are a problem, especially during the winter

months.

“This is a problem alright and is more obvious this time of the year with the early dark evenings and dark mornings. It’s not as noticeable in summer time,” he added.

Chief Supt Kerin acknowledged that most motorists are unaware of the problem until it is brought to their attention.

“A lot of people don’t even know they have problems with their lights until

stopped by Gardaí or until they undergo their NCT and then they have to repair them,” he said.

The Road Safety Authority advises motorists to check that their lights (including brake lights and indicators) are in good working order before embarking on any journey.

So be a bright spark and check those lights before setting off on any adventures.

Ennis turns on The Christmas lights in Ennis will be turned on at 5pm this Friday (Nov 24th) , with the ceremony taking place at Ennis Indoor Market.

This will be preceded by a children’s treasure trail around the Market and Lower Market St areas, supported by the businesses located in those areas.

Ger Sweeney will DJ, in what promises to be a lively afternoon of family friendly entertainment.

EVENT: The Market Building

Permission for 60 Shannon houses STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

SINN Féin Clare Councillor Mike McKee, has welcomed the announcement by Clare County Council that the local authority has given conditional planning permission to construct 60 homes at Tullyvarraga, in Shannon.

However, Councillor Mike McKee was critical of the two year’s of a delay it has taken, to get to the planning permission stage.

Councillor Mike McKee said: “The announcement by Clare County Council that it has now awarded conditional planning permission to build 60 badly needed homes at Tullyvarraga, in Shannon after a two year delay, is very welcome news.”

“The various types of housing in the development of detached, semi-detached and

apartments have been badly needed by families in Shannon, for far too long. And it is unacceptable that families have been denied housing for two years.”

Councillor Mike McKee added: “Demand for social housing in Shannon has been in a crisis for longer than the two years, since this housing project was first agreed. So a major house building initiative has been long over due.”

“The news that planning permission has just now been announced. Hides the fact that 60 families could have been moving into their new homes this week. Instead they have another long wait.”

65 O’Connell Street, Ennis

NEWS 7

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

l DRINK IT IN: Mary Dilger, Sales Manager CupPrint, with CEO Terry Fox and Minister Pat Breen with recyclable cups made at CupPrint in Ennis Photo by Natasha Barton

Cup is half full for employment 15 new jobs announced as CupPrint announce expansion in Ennis plant

STUART HOLLY editor@clareecho.ie

F

IFTEEN new jobs will be created at CupPrint’s facility, in addition to the 95 jobs already on site at their head office in the Ballymaley Business Park in Ennis.

Minister Pat Breen visited CupPrint’s head office and main manufacturing facility in Ennis on Monday, November 20. During his visit, Minister Breen spoke about the company’s several recent groundbreaking technological progressions, new job creation, manufacturing facility expansion, and their positive influence on the environment and economy.

Speaking at the announcement, the Minister for Business, Trade and Employment said: “I am delighted to be here today at CupPrint to announce that they are expanding their business, creating more jobs in county Clare and diversifying into new markets. They are a rapidly expanding innovative company. All jobs created have a knock on societal effect on communities. Planning for their future creating new

eco-friendly products is forward thinking and future proofing their company. I want to wish Terry and his team every success with their business expansion”.

Expansion of the company’s existing main manufacturing facility will accommodate increased manufacturing capacity to meet customer demand for these products. Furthermore, CupPrint’s facility expansion will bring 15 new manufacturing and engineering jobs to the company, in addition to the 95 jobs already on site at their head office in Ennis.

For nearly a decade, CupPrint has manufactured the Vegware compostable cup, which incorporates a compostable bio coating instead of the typical polyethylene coating.

The Vegware compostable cup is CupPrint’s fastest growing product, accounting for up to 30 per cent of its sales with 37 per cent year-on-year growth. As a proportion of sales, CupPrint is the leading compostable cup producer. Considering the product’s success as a sustainable solution, CupPrint expects production of the Vegware compostable cup to continue to grow exponentially.

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Road is long for West Clare Greenway ELAINE TUBRIDY editor@clareecho.ie

THE West Clare Railway with local landowners about can’t just rely on compensaGreenway project has been the proposed greenway. tion when farmers or other trundling along slowly but Cllr Flynn is hopeful that householders are going to surely for more than a de- this can be done in an am- be inconvenienced. cade. A feasibility study icable manner, rather than “You need to sit down was carried out in 2006, but taking an official approach and try and develop some initial funding of €50,000 to the situation. kind of agreement because wasn’t made available until “It’s very environmentally its happening all over the 2013. sustainable and has minimal country and it would be The 50km project still has impact on the environment terrible to see an old or ofa long way to go, but it will and the host community. ficious approach,” he added. be invaluable to the tourism As well as the Ennis to La“However, it does have economy of Co Clare once it huge impact on landowners hinch route, it is also hoped is completed. and I think there needs to be that a greenway project will A civil engineer by be established from Kiltrade, Fine Gael Cllr kee to Kilrush.

Johnny Flynn believes Independent Counthe cycleway will be a cillor Ian Lynch is spear huge help in bringing heading the project, visitors from the Wild but it is not yet decided Atlantic Way to explore what route it will take. more of Co Clare.

“The key to any green “We have to have a way success is good better return. People working relationship are bussing in to see between all parties, the our facilities and busroute is just in concept sing out. Something stage. Once the route is like the West Clare reviewed, detailed conrailway line could en- TIMELINE FOR WEST sultation will take place hance the enjoyment with all land owners to of locals and people in CLARE GREENWAY decide on a route that the region, but also ensuits everyone.

2006: a feasibility report into courage people to stay “There are concerns the route was conducted by in Ennis and cycle out that the route is preArchitectural Conservation or drive out to north determined and will Professionals west, south west and divide farm land and 2012: Ennistymon to Lahinch east Clare,” he said. yards and pass directGreenway completed The West Clare Railly through people’s 2014: Project awarded way Greenway was homes. This is not the granted €450,000 for €450,000 funding for completion case. There are several 2015: Ennis to Ballymaquiggin completion and two of alternatives available completed the stages have already including where possi2016: Design process for been completed. ble using existing rural Ballymaquiggin gets underway The cycle route beroads,” he said.

2017: Landowners in tween Ennistymon Cllr Lynch believes remaining areas written to and and Lahinch was the the project will be of consultation begins first to be completed, huge benefit to West followed by Ennis to Clare and a great way Ballymaquiggin. for locals and tourists The 3km cycle track links a greater focus on working alike to see the countryside. the Woodquay Car Park with the IFA and the land“Green ways have potenin Ennis to the townland owners to get what is effec- tial to benefit all the comof Ballymaquiggin via the tively called permissive ac- munity. The provision of Mill Road, Lahinch Road, cess to users to pass through such amenities can provide Drumcliffe and Active En- their land,” Cllr Flynn said. safe enjoyable routes for all He believes that landown- the family to enjoy. nis Sports and Amenity ers should be financially Park on the Lees Road.

“Green ways also have The next phases of the compensated for the po- proven to be extremely benproject, Ballymaquiggin to tential inconvenience of the eficial to the local economy Corofin and Corofin to En- public using their property. attracting large number of “If landowners are be- tourist looking to experinistymon are currently uning inconvenienced there ence a unique way to see der consideration.

Council representatives should be some econom- the Irish country side,” he are currently consulting ic compensation and you added.

NEWS 9

10 PHOTOGRAPHY

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Photo comp

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

Snap happy A

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

#RUNNER-UP

East Clare photo snaps top prize

FTER much deliberation in the Clare Echo offices after receiving almost 100 entries, we finally have a winner of our ‘Beautiful Clare’ photo competition.

The Clare Echo staff narrowed it down to 10 worthy entries before Seán Rowland of SmartArt picked Nessa Mulcahy’s picture from Mountshannon as the overall winner.

While the winner will now have their entry turned into a museum quality oil painting, the level of entry was so high that our associates over at

SmartArt have decided to give all of our runners-up a €50 voucher each.

Smart Art offer Ireland’s only professional PhotoTo-Oil painting service.

They take your photo, whether it be captured from your wedding day, the arrival of a new born or even a snap of the family pet and one of their skilled artists will transform this into a 100 per cent, hand created Oil Painting.

Gift vouchers are also available which are extremely popular all year round but especially for Christmas.

Specialising in the supply of art for homes and

businesses, Smart Art take pride in their ‘affordable art for all’ ethos with oil paintings starting from just €49 and never exceeding a relatively modest €299.

For a full list of our runners up visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ clareecho

in association with

l SUNTHING SPECIAL: Sunset over Lahinch taken last week, entry by Peter Power

#RUNNER-UP

#RUNNER-UP

l NORTH BAD AT ALL: The beautiful falls in Ennistymon captured by Chris Slattery and (above) another glorious North Clare scene from the Burren taken by Gerard McCullough

PHOTOGRAPHY 11

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

#WINNER

✓ ✓

✓ ✓

✓

Packages carefully designed for any age/gender or by disease/condition (fatigue, bone, hearth disease and more) or tailored to your specific needs Better and more focussed insight than through regular ”bloods”

Meaningful results explained in plain English No waiting lists, open early mornings

Value for money

Includes blood taking, in-house analysis using state-of-the-art lab equipment, and reporting within 3 working days

l MAKING A SPLASH: Nessa Mulcahy’s pic of Mountshannon, Lough Derg

#RUNNER-UP

Be proactive, Be in control Prevention and early detection are your best defense

64 Upper O’Connell Street, Ennis info@leeuwenhoek.ie | 065 6868 494

Leeuwenhoek is an Irish registered Limited company (no. 594173) Managing Director Dr. Murillo MLS ACSLM IRL, BSc U.C.R. (Hons Microbiology & Clinical Chemistry), PhD VU Amsterdam (Immunogenetics) - Irish registered Medical Scientist

l STUNNER: Bernie Ballarin’s entry ‘Tír na nÓg’, taken outside Ballyvaughan

www.leeuwenhoek.ie

12 INTERACTIVE

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

A new era of

INTERACTION twitter.com/ ClareEcho

facebook.com/ clareecho

instagram.com/ theclareecho

Facebook comment of the week

‘‘

Why hasn’t the Government stepped in to develop this site for Affordable Housing? It will never be used in the same way again so why not level it and start from scratch? Plenty of amenity space in there also that local sports teams are crying out for.

Stephen in reaction to ‘Our Lady’s Hospital fails to receive single bid at auction’ Malone

www.clareecho.ie

Tweet of the week DOONBEG FOOTBALL @DoonbegFootball

Great to see the local underage gaa scene getting the coverage in @ClareEcho this week.

TRENDING ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE Guilfoyles power through to next round of Ireland’s Fittest Family WE HAVE been following their progress on Ireland’s Fittest Family since day one and the Guilfoyles did not disappoint on Sunday as they powered through to the next round.

Ezra, his mum Tracey, sister Fawn and brother Sionnach blasted through the first race and came out on top.

It wasn’t all plain sailing however as Ezra injured his ankle on the gruelling Heartbreak Hill course.

“I finished out the first race on adrenaline and I didn’t really feel it too much there, because there was a sprint at the end. I was feeling really good at that point because I didn’t have time for it to set in,” Ezra said.

The super athletic Ezra agreed to do the second race, in spite of the fact that the pain had started to creep in.

The sore ankle cost them the four vital seconds they needed to finish in the top two, so they had to face the eliminator.

His ankle had become so

swollen by the end of the day, Ezra was forced to sit out the eliminator round, but he was delighted to see his family win the race.

“It was really good to watch the other three members of the family do well without me as well. That was a good end to it. They dominated during the last one,” Ezra said.

McHugh’s Pub in Ennis hosted the Guilfoyle family and their supporters on Sunday for the Ireland’s Fittest Family viewing and Ezra confirmed it was a great feeling to be cheered on by his family and friends.

“It turned out to be really nice to watch it with people that we know and there was loads of cheering for us when we did well. Everybody looking real nervous during the eliminator and yeah it was great, it was really a nice atmosphere,” he added.

Watch Ireland’s Fittest Family on RTE One on Sunday at 6.30pm.

l CONTENDERS FOR THE TITLE: Tracy Guilfoyle (52), her daughter Fawn (24) and sons Sionnach (26) and Ezra (29) from Ennis, and (inset) right Ezra’s injured ankle

Entertainment

ABBAesque Having the time of their Lives

A

BBAesque’s success over the past 21 years has been phenomenal and has made them Ireland’s most successful tribute show, previously headlining Dublin’s New Years Eve to an 11000 capacity Point Theatre audience as well as Saturday night residencies in the Olympia Theatre. In 2014 ABBAesque were asked to appear on national television by RTE’s The Late Late Show to pay homage to Abba who were celebrating their 40th anniversary of winning the Eurovision.

Both shows are the perfect night out for any group connected through work, creche, school, sports clubs, lifestyle classes or just simply a group of friends looking for a fabulous nights entertainment!

Dec 9th At Treacys West County.

All Shows are priced €39 with ‘Stay and Party’ package for €89pps (incls Dinner & Show)

BELLY FULL OF LAUGHS THE Christmas Comedy Show presented by Laughlines Entertainment debuted with Sell out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe picking up 5 star reviews, thanks to an evening of high-energy improvisation, audience participation and perfect comic timing.

The show returns to Ireland after a previously successful 26 date tour in which it gained critical acclaim including from RTE Radio.

Audience guests are invited to attend in themed attire while the lookalike cast of Ted, Dougal, Jack and one famous tea loving housekeeper have a honed their skills of listening, responding and interacting with the audience in a live fully inclusive immersive dining experience. This 2-hour show promises a belly full of laughs with the audience as the diners and hilarious characters as your hosts in a show not to be missed!

Also see all the top stars in Irish Counrty Music Every Sunday including Mike Denver, Derek Ryan, Liza McHugh Gerry Guthrie and many more.

Ted & Co – Dec 14th (Friday & Saturday sold out) For more log on to www.treacyswestcounty.com

TREACY’S WEST COUNTY HOTEL, ENNIS

FRIDAY DECEMBER 29TH, DOORS 8PM Tickets priced €25 available from www.treacyswestcounty.com & ticketmaster

14 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

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

l AWARD CEREMONY: Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise Clare; Cllr Pat Burke, Leas-Cathaoirleach Clare Co Co; Ian Lynch; Charlie Glynn; Marie Meehan, Head of BOI Clare; Noel Crowe, Manager BOI Kilrush

Top award for local stylist

LOCAL hairdresser Keelyn Cooley of Bridget Haren Hair and Beauty in Ennis proved that she’s a cut above at the recent national Inixia Awards.

Stylist Keelyn Cooley (below) was awarded third place in the Alfaparf Fantastic Hairdresser Inixia awards in Dublin. Her model (right) was Emma Roberts and her make up artist was Linda Lafferty.

Photograph by Kestutis Anusis

Kilrush top of the shops

Town scoops Munster Enterprise award ELAINE TUBRIDY

I

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

T'S been a great month for Kilrush as they were recently crowned Munster Regional Winner in the 2017 Bank of Ireland Enterprising Towns Awards.

Independent Councillor Ian Lynch and Kilrush Chamber of Commerce member Charlie Glynn put together a proposal and had a gruelling three hour adjudication the from Bank of Ireland Enterprise Town judging panel.

“The main aim and the reason why we were doing it was to showcase the enterprises in Kilrush, because we have from multi-nationals down to market traders down to general

retail units.

“It really was to try and showcase the merging of the community and the enterprising business and also the organisations working together,” Charlie said.

The committee were trying to get across the message that Kilrush is a town to Live, Work and Play.

Charlie and Cllr Lynch developed a SWOT analysis for Kilrush, showing what the town has to offer, as well as acknowledging the issues facing the town.

Kilrush was recently awarded funding through the LEADER Market Towns scheme and

Charlie believes this will be a huge boost to the town.

“The economic strategy for the next three years for Kilrush town will be very important as the outputs from that will feed into a lot of the work that we have done in terms of the enterprising town,” he added.

Head of the Clare Local Enterprise Office Padraig McElwee said the award is a tremendous achievement for Kilrush.

“Places like Kilrush don’t often get recognised for the work that they are doing. The effort that this community put in was superb,” he added.

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Chamber opens office in Shannon Free Zone STUART HOLLY editor@clareecho.ie

IN THE 21 years since it first opened its doors, Shannon Chamber has become an intrinsic part of the business community and has expanded both its membership base and its staff complement.

To cater for the needs of this growing membership, which now stands at over 300 companies with an extended reach to their 10,000 employees, and to give its staff of six greater space, the Chamber has opened a second office in the newly refurbished Shannon Airport House at Shannon Free Zone.

Its former head office in SkyCourt will remain open and be used more extensively by Shannon Chamber Skillnet to provide a range of training programmes to member companies.

Announcing the expansion in Shannon, Chamber CEO Helen Downes said:

“This is an exciting time for the Chamber. When I took over the helm of the Chamber in 2008, with myself and one part-time staff occupying our singular office in SkyCourt, never did I envisage that by 2017, we would have expanded our membership by 140 per cent; have six staff, be delivering in excess of 30 events per annum; running a Skillnet training network that delivers over 40 training programmes per annum; have developed a number of industry forums for CEOs, HR professionals, and Lean practitioners; have representation on a wide range of public committees including the developing Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC); be on the board of Chambers Ireland, and leading its CEO Forum.

“The Chamber has an expansive remit and an exceptionally heavy workload,

which required us to look at expanding to larger premises to accommodate our increasing staff numbers. Having a presence on the Free Zone also brings us closer to our membership, which is, in the main, from the wide sectoral representation located in the Zone and the wider Shannon area.

“Retaining our office in SkyCourt means that we can maintain the link with the retail community, the commercial heart of Shannon.

SkyCourt manager Pat Kelly commented: “In the time Shannon Chamber has been in SkyCourt, we have witnessed its growth in terms of business and staff numbers. Operating from a dual location will ensure that the link with retail is maintained and we certainly look forward to working on some new joint initiatives with the Chamber in 2018.”

l EXPANSION: Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes and president Julie Dickerson join Matthew Thomas, CEO, Shannon Group Plc, Ray O’Driscoll, managing director, Shannon Properties, and the Chamber team (back left): Cillian Griffey, Lijana Kizaite, Dympna O’Callaghan and Deirdre Murphy at the opening of the Chamber’s office at Shannon Airport House Photo by Eamon Ward

NEWS 15

16 NEWS

Scariff ready to make a splash in tourism

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

ELAINE TUBRIDY

W

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

ITH the success of the Wild Atlantic Way bringing more and more visitors to the west coast, Scariff and the East Clare community have decided to up their game and build on their fantastic tourism potential.

One such initiative is a new business by Scariff photographer Eoin O’Hagan called Derg Boat Trips.

With his wealth of Lough Derg knowledge and his eight seater power boat, Eoin will give visitors a beautiful experience on the lake.

“I want to increase tourism and the tourism footfall in the town of Scariff and in East Clare generally. So this is my way of giving back to tourism because my every waking thought is tourism in Clare.

The Clare Echo joined Eoin for our own private tour last Thursday, along with East Clare tourism representatives Trish Farrell of Wilde Irish Chocolates, Mike Hogan from East Clare Tourism and Loretta Brody from Scariff Tidy Towns.

We started the day with some unbelievably tasty tea and scones from the newly relaunched Una’s café (seriously, this alone was worth the trip east), before heading out to Scariff Harbour.

Here we met Eoin and the tourism crew, got suited and booted and headed out on the water.

Lough Derg is 118 square kilometres, and a short jaunt from Scariff. There is plenty to see including Castle Bán, Holy Island and even Kylie Minogue’s ancestral home. According to Eoin, Kylie’s great, great, great grandfather was transported from Ireland in the early 1800s for rustling cattle.

We chatted with Eoin, Loretta, Mike and Trish about what separates Scariff and East Clare from the rest of the beauty spots around Clare.

Trisha believes the Lough Derg area is perfect for families looking for a bit of adventure.

“This area is absolutely fabulous for family trips.

Mam and Dad and two or three kids can arrive here, they can boat, they can sail, they can swim,

they can kayak, they can hike, they can cycle, they can visit a chocolate factory, they can take a Derg Boat Trip, they can literally do anything they want.

“There’s loads of lovely little places that they can visit to get away from it all and yet you’re only an hour and a half from Dublin, you’re only half an hour from Limerick, you’re an hour from Galway. You’re local. You’re the most centrally wild place in Ireland that hasn’t been overly developed,” she said.

We had the pleasure of sampling Trish’s divine Wilde Irish Chocolates as we talked. Trish’s chocolate has been hand made for 20 years on the shores of Lough Derg and she offers tours of the factory so visitors can see the chocolate being made.

Mike agreed that East Clare has become a real foodie destination, perfect after a day on the lake. “There’s lots of lovely little restaurants and the quality of the food and the variety of food you can get now in East Clare is fantastic,” he added.

Loretta was keen to point out that there is a great sense of community spirit in Scariff. “We do very well all year with support and they all buy into keeping the town tidy and helping out on a Saturday morning,” she added.

l PLAIN SAILING: Clare Echo editor Stuart Holly (right) with Eoin O’Hagan, Loretta Brody, Mike Hogan and Trisha Farrell

Bishop Fintan speaks of suffering in Kenya Bishop of Killaloe witnessed ‘harrowing’ plight on Trócaire supported African trip ELAINE TUBRIDY

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

OUR very own Bishop Fintan Monahan has just returned from a visit to the projects supported by Trócaire in Kenya.

Bishop Monahan, along with a group of bishops and Canon Michael Mc Loughlin, visited the slums of Nairobi, the tribes in rural Turkana and visited the medical centres in Lodwar.

He said it was very harrowing to see the suffering l VISIT: Bishop Monahan along with a group of bishops visited the slums of Nairobi experienced by the people of Kenya, but he was happy to and the tribes of rural Turkana

see the great work being done by the charities. “It was most heartening to see the great work being done by the projects organized by Trócaire, the Local Church, Caritas and various local partners.

“Every group we visited were so thankful to the Irish people for the proceeds of the recent emergency collection and the annual Trócaire collection.

“It was consoling to see the difference this makes in terms

of saving lives and helping to alleviate the suffering and plight of so many,” he added.

The Bishops and Canon Michael thanked the Trócaire team for organising the visit and more importantly for the dedication, commitment and expertise of the Trócaire staff in delivering work and service of such high quality and impact on behalf of the Irish Church.

NEWS 17

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Ennis retains purple flag STUART HOLLY editor@clareecho.ie

Following a rigorous assessment process, Ennis, the first town centre in Ireland to be awarded the Purple Flag - which aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 17:00 and 05:00 - has successfully retained Purple Flag Status.

Sarah Walker, Purple Flag Programme Manager at the UK based Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) explained: “Areas awarded the Purple Flag are recognised for providing a vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture while promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and local residents.

Since 2007, the programme has awarded the Purple Flag status to over 70 towns and cities in the UK and Ireland.

William Cahir, President Ennis Chamber said: “ At Ennis Chamber, we are delighted to lead on the Purple Flag initiative and are proud to fly the Purple Flag, having worked hard to gain accreditation. The award is not just about safety, but also the vibrancy and diversity of the evening and night-time offer — this can only

l FLYING THE FLAG: Cllr Johnny Flynn, Margaret O’Brien Festival and Events Coordinator, Garda Deirdre O’Doherty, Cllr. Paul Murphy, Mayor of Ennis, Fiona Whelan, Clare County Council, William Cahir, President Ennis Chamber, Darragh McAllister Head of Vintners Federation for Clare

Ennis concert gives Hope to Guatemala STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

AN IMPRESSIVE list of musicians from Clare are coming together in the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis this Saturday for a charity concert in which all money raised will go to the Hope Guatemala charity.

Enniswoman Deirdre Honan, who is travelling to Guatemala in December, is the driving force behind the fundraiser for the charity that works on the ground with the indigenous Mayan population that suffered most during three decades long Civil War in Guatemala.

Among those who have pledged to take part in the concert are Ennis bands Isolated Frequency and the Gerry Fitz Dilemma, while Mike Hanrahan of Stockton’s Wing, traditional musician Conor Keane and west Clare ensemble Three Women Sing are also on the eclectic line-up.

“All musicians have agreed to give of their time free of charge,” reveals Ms Honan, “so there has been a great community spirit around the whole project, right down to peo-

ple like Edel Butler (of RealPrint) designing posters and Copystop in Ennis that looked after printing.

“The idea of organising a concert happened a few weeks ago when I was attending the Dingle Food Festival,” continues Ms Honan, “when the day after buying my ticket for Guatemala I met a woman from the Hope Guatemala charity collecting outside St James’ Church in Dingle.

“The Church is famous for its music and the Other Voices festival, so from there the idea of a benefit concert took shape.”

Ms Honan, who works as a manager of Limerick Language Centre, first travelled to Guatemala as a student volunteer in 1992.

“When I was there first a lot of them wouldn’t have known about Ireland, but those who did know, the only association they had with Ireland was the Famine. They knew about the Famine,” she added.

be achieved by people working together in a strong partnership, and Ennis is a great example of such a partnership approach”.

The Purple Flag Committee had within its ranks, representatives of the Council, An Garda Síochána, Civil Defence, Active Ennis, The Vintners Federation and local businesses, particularly those in the entertainment and hospitality sector, as well as Ennis Chamber.

To celebrate retention of the Purple Flag, Ennis Chamber has organised Purple Flag Weekend to take place from Friday, December 1 to Sunday, December 3.

Margaret O’Brien, Festival and Events Coordinator, Ennis, said: “The weekend of activity has been designed to highlight the night time economy in Ennis, but also to kick-start Christmas shopping in the town. Most of retailers who are members of Ennis Chamber, plus those who accept Ennis Gold Gift Vouchers will stay open late – until 8.30pm on Friday December 1 and many will open on Sunday. Publicans are supporting the event with additional entertainment, and the town centre hotels are also on board with entertainment across the weekend.

Many of the shops are running special promotions details of which are on Ennis Gold Facebook Page.

18 THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Ronan Scully

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Author spreading the word of positivity

Our amazing elderly paved our way

 GIFT OF LIFE: Each day is a gift, many of our elderly and aged parents, friends and relatives helped to provide us with such a gift

We can learn a lot from talking to the older generation

maturity and experience allows for a larger perspective on life, and we can learn a lot from talking to elderly people.

MAM’S FALL

Some time ago, my Mam asked me to take her shopping to the shopping centre in town. I dragged along my two daughters as well with the offer of a surprise if they helped out. While we were on the way on foot from the car park of the shopping centre, my Mam suddenly slipped and fell.

I knelt down and tried to lift her up but was not strong enough, and while I pulled, she lay spread out on the ground. My two daughters ran over to us all worried and upset for Nana. “Can we help? Will Nana be okay?,” they asked worriedly. Together, we gently lifted Nana to her feet. She was a little bruised, tired and embarrassed, but otherwise unhurt. The girls then played away after they saw that Nana would be okay. Their service lasted only a few minutes, but the memory of it will never leave me. In a world where children and young people are often accused of being self-centered and oblivious, here was proof that many wonderful children and young people have great empathy and love for our elderly and for their loved ones who have paved the way for them. The girls showed me even at their young age that they understood a fundamental truth about human dignity: The elderly deserve our respect, our admiration, our gratitude, our assistance and most of all our love and care. Our elderly were once children and young people themselves, and then they poured out their lives for the generations of their children who would follow

them. The wear and tear on their bodies and minds is a testament to all they gave of themselves, every year, every week, every day of their lives so that we could have a better life than in someways they had. The hands that washed thousands of dishes now struggle to hold a cup. The eyes that looked on their families with love now strain to recognise the faces of their children. The feet that once danced around the kitchen now stumble in awkward, unbalanced half-

‘‘

‘‘

O

NE thing that I have noticed from my many years living in Africa and Asia is that in tribal cultures the elderly and the people that have gone before them play and have played an important role. They are the keepers of that culture’s memories and the holdersof wisdom and proclaim their wishes and dreams for the future for the children and their children’s children. As such, the elderly in these far off places are honored and respected members of those societies and cultures because they have paved the way for the future for their young. But what I find now in many modern cultures, however, this is often not the case, especially when we see and read lately of how some of our elderly have been treated so appallingly in some elderly homes or establishments. Many elderly people that I know say they feel ignored, left out, lost, under valued and disrespected and many elderly in rural Ireland especially also say that they and their way of life have been totally forgotten. This is a very sad commentary on modernisation and urbanisation. It doesn’t have to be this way.

We can change this situation by taking the time to examine our attitudes about the elderly and taking action for the betterment of life for them and for all. Modern societies tend to be obsessed with ideas of newness, youth and progress. Scientific studies tell us how to do everything, from the way we raise our children to what we need to eat for breakfast. As a result, the wisdom that is passed down from older generations is often disregarded. Of course, parents, grandparents and retired persons have more than enough information to offer the world. Their

The poverty of having no one coming to visit them is the poverty that older people feel the most

steps. They gave all they had, and now they depend on the ones who were born after they were to be there, to walk with them as the sun sets on the long day of their lives.

These amazing people have such admirable strength, so much wisdom, so much to teach us. We should be flocking to them as people flock to celebrities, sitting at their feet and listening to their stories and learning all we can from them while they are still with us! And yet, many old people are lonely. In the book, “Mother Teresa: In My Own Words”, Mother Teresa tells a story of a time she visited a “magnificent” home for

senior citizens. The residents lacked nothing materially, but Mother noticed that no one smiled, and “they were all attentive to the door”. “Why doesn’t anybody smile?

Why do they look constantly at the door?,” she asked the religious sister who ran the place. “The same thing always happens,” the sister answered. “They are always waiting for someone to come visit them. They dream of a son or daughter, some member of the family, or a friend coming through that door to them.” Mother Teresa goes on to explain that the poverty of these residents was their loneliness. “The poverty of having no one coming to visit them is the poverty that older people feel the most,” she says. Growing old is not easy for any of us. Just as my two daughters lifted up my Mam when she fell, we can help lift the spirits of the elderly when their spirits fall.

Even when it seems like they can’t communicate with us, recognise us, or know we’re there, we can show them our love, hug them, smile at them, talk to them, sit with them and most of all love them. No effort spent in love is ever lost.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

As your thought for this week, remember that each day is a gift and that many of our elderly and aged parents, friends and relatives helped to provide us with such a gift. Resolve to be more aware of the elderly in our society for they are our mothers, fathers, grandparents, family, mentors, work colleagues, wise folk and the pioneers that came before us and paved the way for our future and we must now also do the same for our own children’s future!

Kilmaley fall short in Munster battle page 20

Ennis RFC make it four wins in a row page 22

Sport l SWING AND A HIT: Clare’s Tony Kelly tries his hand at baseball during Photo courtesy of Boston College the trip to Boston

Banner tee up 2018 with party in Boston LAUREN GUILFOYLE

F

news@clareecho.ie

OUR teams, three games, one Players Champions Trophy – the AIG Fenway Classic has a new champion.

A Gaelic Player’s Association (GPA) initiative, sponsored by Aer Lingus and AIG, the Fenway Classic brought together four of hurling’s elite with the aim to increase interest in Ireland’s oldest sport Stateside.

All Ireland champions Galway were joined by predecessors Tipperary, NHL champions 2016 Clare and the new look Dublin, under the guidance of football convert Pat Gilroy, in a festival of sport in the historic home of the Boston Red Sox. While the Tipperary and Galway camps approached the weekend as a nice finish to 2017 - Micheal Donoghue joking afterwards he would be “brought before the county board next Tuesday” - Clare and Dublin took it as a fresh start to get their respective 2018 preseasons underway with the men in Saffron and Blue catching the flight home from Boston Logan

Clare 50 Galway 33

Fenway Classic Super 11s tournament airport one passenger extra.

The Banner boys are well used to the Tulla facility of Caherlohan as a training venue, but they adopted Alumni Stadium, home to NCAA’s Boston College, as their base for preparations throughout Saturday afternoon having successfully steered the five hour time difference. 70 minutes of fast paced drills and set play practice under the guidance of Clare’s joint management, was succeeded by a masterclass in American football and baseball provided by the mesmerised local college athletes – amazed by the skill shown by the Clare men. Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor will count themselves lucky a Boston College or New England Patriot’s recruit hadn’t opted to attend as Clare could very well be on the lookout for a replacement full back with the departure of David McInerney to the States to begin his new life as a QuarterBack, such was the quality

of one particular set piece (which can be found on Twitter - @LaurenGuilfoyle).

Clonlara’s Oisin O’Brien set the piece in motion, offloading the ball to QBin-waiting McInerney, instantly sidestepping right avoiding the wrath of oncoming Gearoid O’Connell, then dummying him back to his own left evading Gudgy’s tackle. Daragh Corry was fooled by a feigned pass which opened the space for David to launch his 60ft right hand throw to the collection of bodies waiting at the distant end zone, but failed to convert in the form of a touchdown. The local elite athletes, readying themselves for a clash with Connecticut-based UConn, applauding the attempt.

Attention then turned to baseball practice where Tony Kelly’s homerun worthy strikes were juxtaposed by a Bobby Duggan attempt that very nearly ended fatally for Aron Shanagher. Duggan’s

accuracy restored upon the swapping of bat for ash.

While that wrapped up activities for the playing panel, the rest of the Clare contingent assembled in McGann’s on Portland Street later that evening for a discussion led by reknowned singer/sometimes coach Peter Casey.

Casey was joined on stage by Clare joint managers Donal and Gerry as well as Cork’s Donal O’Grady – a member of the committee responsible for designing the format for Super11s hurling. O’Grady spoke of his disappointment of Clare’s lack of success over the past 20 years to the large crowd present – being of the opinion the Banner held more talent in teams than is summarised in success yielded since ‘95. He hadn’t to wait long for Clare’s latest achievement.

Fenway Park – America’s oldest stadium of its kind and home to the Boston Red Sox – welcomed the world’s fastest field sport

back to its sod for the second time in three years. A rainy dull day developed into a bitter but bright afternoon where 27,862 in attendance witnessed Pat O’Connor claim the Players Champions Trophy under the shadow cast by the enormous Boston Skyline.

O’Connor reminisced post game about his many years playing hurling – starting at age five in under 11 with Tubber GAA Club – having never won a trophy as captain – a stat that now needs updating.

The star of the show was undoubtedly Clooney Quin’s Peter Duggan – scored an impressive 52 points across both games (25 v Tipperary and 27 v Galway) in the form of 12 goals. Duggan however didn’t reach his personal aim, as disclosed by Gerry O’Connor jokingly post game, of 15 goals but has to be on the radar for a poacher position in the fast ap-

proaching league campaign.

Players and management across all four panels applauded the format – focusing on fast hurling, little delay, goal scoring, and the use of corners replacing the traditional ’65.

While in the grand scheme of the GAA calendar, a win such as this is tiny in importance, a positive beginning for the preseason will be huge in the development of the winning mindset required to compete at the highest level. Debuts in Clare senior jerseys were awarded in the historic venue that is Fenway, a glamorous beginning to an intercounty career more often than not kicked into motion under lights at a Waterford Crystal fixture in Sixmilebridge in January.

The seed for success may have been sown a couple of thousand miles from the hallowed steps of Croke Park – but the work begins now to nurture it to grow into something special.

20 SPORT

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Extra time heartbreak for Kilmaley

‘‘

Kilmaley 0-25 Kanturk 1-23 (AET) GAA report JAMES MULVIHILL

K

ILMALEY fell just short of being crowned Munster Champions after an epic battle against Kanturk at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick.

The Cork Champions showed grit to win this game with the likes of Liam O’Keeffe, Lorcan McLoughlin, Aidan Walsh and Anthony Nash coming to the fore at vital stages. The defence was very solid with Darren Browne controlling the game centre back.

Kilmaley struggled to win primary possession and relied on Michael O’ Malley, outstanding from midfield, to control the game. The Clare Champions showed great character in responding to the goal they conceded midway through the second half and scored some excellent points to force this contest into extra time.

Kilmaley will be devastated after giving it everything for 80 minutes and won a free in the last minute of extra time to force a replay, however Cian Moloney missed the target before the whistle was blown by referee Thomas Walsh to the delight of the Kanturk faithful who invaded the pitch.

The Cork Champions advance to the All-Ireland semi-final in January.

Kilmaley achieved their main target in 2017 by winning the Clare Intermediate Championship after suffering the shock of being relegated from the Senior ranks last year. Conor Clancy should be very proud of his players for the effort they put in over the last 12 months. They will be looking to take a big scalp in 2018 and prove they are a force to be reckoned with.

Kanturk got the opening score of the

‘‘

IHC Munster final at Gaelic Grounds

Kennedy looked to have won it for Kilmaley

game after 20 seconds through Mark Healy. There was tension early on as both teams got up close and personal.

Thankfully there was no dirty stroke and both teams got on with the game.

Cian Moloney opened Kilmaley’s account from a placed ball before three points through Cian Moloney, Eamon Bracken and Kenneth Kennedy put Kilmaley into lead by 0-04 to 0-03 after 18 minutes. Kanturk upped the tempo midway through the first half with an Ian Walsh brace and points from Alan Sheehy and Liam O’Keeffe extended Kanturk’s lead to four points.

Kanturk created a great goal scoring opportunity to put daylight between the sides when Alan O’Keeffe evaded the tackle of Colin McGuane to set up brother Liam who batted the ball wide.

Daire Keane and Cian Moloney cut the gap to two points before two Liam O’Keeffe points sandwiched a Michael O’Malley score to leave it 0-10 to 0-07 in favour of Kanturk at the interval.

Lorcan McLoughlin scored the opening point of the second half to extend the lead to four points. Kilmaley got three of the next four points thanks to Sean O’Loughlin, Michael O’Neill and Cian Moloney (free). Darren Browne scored an inspirational point from centre back to leave the score at 0-13 to 0-10 after 37 minutes.

The Cork Champions struck a decisive blow thanks to a well taken goal by corner forward Liam O’Keeffe to extend the lead to six points. Kilmaley

l FINALISTS: (From top) Kilmaley’s Michael O’Malley has words with Kanturk’s Ian Walsh; Sinead, Daithi, Tadgh, Diarmuid, Liam and Owen McMahon; Ray and Robbie Kennedy take it all in at the Gaelic Grounds; Thumbs up for Kilmaley from Patrick Clancy, Luke Reid, Aidan Weaver, Evan Cahill and Aaron Killeen; Lindsey & Zoe Kennedy Credit: Martin Connolly/Clare Echo

responded with three points through Eamon Bracken, Brian Cahill and another placed ball from Moloney.

A Kanturk point was followed by a Kilmaley purple patch thanks to a brace of points by Daire Keane and a longrange effort by Michael O’Malley to cut the gap to a point, 1-14 to 0-16 with five minutes left. Lorcan McLoughlin extended the lead to two points before Kilmaley were to hit the front heading into injury time thanks to Daire Keane and a brace from Michael O’Malley including a 65-metre free.

McLoughlin levelled the sides at 0-19 to 1-16 and Kenneth Kennedy looked to have won it for Kilmaley when he was unmarked and slotted over from 45 metres out. There was to be a sting in the tale however as corner back Paul Walsh stepped up for his club and hit over the equaliser to force extra-time.

Kanturk led by 1-21 to 0-22 at the end of the first period and the Corkmen had one hand on the cup when

Liam O’Keeffe and Lorcan McLoughlin extended the lead to three points with five minutes of extra time remaining.

Kilmaley did not throw in the towel and a brace of frees by Cian Moloney cut the gap to a single point heading into added time. The Clare Champions were awarded a late free to force this epic encounter to a replay however Moloney was off target and it proved to be the last play of this contest.

Kilmaley: Bryan O’Loughlin, Aidan McGuane, Colin McGuane, Eoin Enright, Conor Neylon, Conor Cleary, Sean Kennedy, Brian Cahill (0-1), Michael O’Malley (0-5,1f,1 65), Kenneth Kennedy (0-2), Eamon Bracken (0-2), Cian Moloney (0-7,5fs), Sean O’Loughlin (0-1), Daire Keane (0-5), Michael O’Neill (0-2).

Subs: Paraic McNamara for S. O’Loughlin (44 mins), Alan Markham for Moloney (50 mins), Conor McMahon for Cahill (59 mins), John Clohessy for Bracken (59 mins), Cian Moloney for Markham (62 mins), Sean O’Loughlin for S. Kennedy (65 mins), Eamon Bracken for Neylon (77 mins).

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).

SPORT 21

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Glory for Eire Óg & Kilmurry Minors

l CROWN FOR THE TOWN: The Éire Óg Minor Footballers celebrate with the Division 1 Trophy after narrowly beating Ennistymon in Doonbeg last weekend Photo by BurrenEye Photography

Minor Football Division 1 & 2 Finals

SOME happy scenes took place in Doonbeg on Sunday afternoon as Éire Óg, Ennis won the Clare Division 1 Minor Football Final and Kilmurry Ibrickane took the spoils to win the Clare Division 2 Minor Football Final.

In the Minor Football Championship Division 1 final between the townies and Ennistymon, a tough game went right down to the wire. Eire Óg put in a super performance going toe to toe with the North Clare men with the team showing great resolve to finish it out with a point to spare. The final score was Éire Óg 2-11 to Ennistymon 2-10.

Meanwhile Kilmurry Ibrickane saw off Corofin in the Division 2 Final on a scoreline of 3-15 to 1-10. A great effort by the Corofin men

WEST IS BEST: Kilmurry Ibrickane​- 2017 Clare Division 2 Minor Football Champions Photo by BurrenEye Photography

l CHAMPIONS: Éire Óg Captain Gavin Cooney with the cup BurrenEye Photography

WATCHFUL EYE: Niamh Conway keeping control of the scoreboard

l BATTLERS: Kilmurry Ibrickane’s Maurice Donnellan with Corofin’s Diarmuid Cahill BurrenEye Photography

BurrenEye Photography

22 SPORT

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Ennis keep up winning run in Kerry Men trump Dingle for fourth consecutive win

RUGBY Martin O’Sullivan League Cup Chorca Dhuibhne 7 Ennis 17

E

NNIS RFC 1st XV have kept up their stunning winning form by bagging their fourth consecutive victory, this time against Kerry side Chorca Dhuibhne in the Martin O’Sullivan League Cup. The Clare side’s pressure rugby and control of possession ultimitely paid dividends as Ennis racked up three tries with Ellie Mundo, Enda Galvan and Mike Taylor each crossing the line on the way to the 17-7 victory.

A long trip home from West Kerry, and a six-hour round trip in total, was made that bit easier thanks to a result which represents Ennis’ marked improvement on last year.

Ennis started very well, going 12-0 up in first 15 minutes with Chorca Dhuibhne having no answer to the powerful Ennis pack.

Ellie Mundo was the first to cross the whitewash after a scrum 10 yards out resulted in a series of phases before the talented centre went over, with the conversion missing.

Ennis pressure in the first quarter of the game left Dingle struggling for answers and Mark Taylor, similarly, crossed the line following controlled build-up play. Outhalf Ronan O’Holloran nailed an unlikely Dan Carter-esque conversion from the corner in a swirling wind.

Ennis however dropped their in-

l LADS ON TOUR: The Ennis U11 side were on tour in Dublin last weekend. Here they are pictured with their hosts, Skerries RFC

tensity levels and allowed Chorca Dhuibhne back into the game.

They retained possession for a period and finally went over for a try when their scrum half darted side of ruck to close under the posts which was converted, to leave the score 12-7 at half time.

In the second half, Ennis returned to their dominant ways and held onto the ball for long periods and could have scored a couple of tries but for a gale coming in off the Atlantic in West Kerry.

Ten minutes into the second half, Ennis captilased on a line-out malfunction from the Kerry men

and second row Enda Galvan ran in for the final score. Ennis spent the rest of the game pinning Chorca Dhuibhne into their own half, and the Kerry side, sapped of energy failed to lay another finger on the visitors.

Meanwhile Ennis Girls’ U15 team made history by playing their first ever game vs Kilrush on Sunday in West Clare.

Ennis: Adam Ryan, Noel Downes, Liam Ryan, Jason Considine, Enda Galvan, Niall O’Loughlin, Ellie Mundo and Mike McMahon, Guillie and Ronan O’Holloran, Frank Coffey and Dylan Tynan O’Mahony, Mark Tay-

lor, Ger Lernihan, Sean Lynch Subs used: Alan O’Shea and Bryan Murphy

ENNIS RFC FIXTURES (All Sunday) U13; away to Young Munster, 11am U14; away to UL Bohs, 11.30am U16; Home vs TBC, Showgrounds, 11am U18; Home vs Old Crescent, 12.30pm 1st XV away vs Killorglin, 2.30

Ennis Macra take bragging rights in Clare INDOOR SOCCER

l FEIRM FAVOURITES: Back (l-r) Kieran Harvey, Killian McNamara, John McNamara, front (l-r) Cillian Griffey, Sean O’Connor and Dermot Hegarty.

ENNIS Macra na Feirme took part in the Clare Macra na Feirme Indoor Soccer final recently in St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield GAA headquarters in Gurteen, Doora. The Club defeated Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry Macra by 4 goals to 2 in a hard fought game.

Chairman of Ennis Macra, Cillian Griffey stated that: “There is always good healthy rivalry between the two clubs and all members eagerly anticipate the final every year. Our team played with great passion and determination and most of all enjoyed the event. We look forward again to representing Clare at the National Finals in Gormanston, Meath on December 3.”

Participation in Macra’s sports competitions contributes to members’ health and wellbeing and offers a further means of socialising with people of a similar age. The competition is five a side with some rules which took getting used to. For example, ‘all areas of the hall are in play with the exception of the goal area which is exclusive to the goalkeeper.’ Also ‘A free kick will be awarded against defenders encroaching the goal area. Repeated encroachment by an attacker is a yellow card offence.’

If any young person would like to join the organisation, we would encourage them to visit the Facebook page by searching ‘Ennis Macra’.

COLUMNISTS 23

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Eoin Neylon

EDITOR’S OPINION Stuart Holly

Cork people will never understand

‘‘

‘‘

L

ET me begin (before I continue on what could wrongly be perceived as a rant) by saying that my grandfather was a Cork City man and my own father was reared in the seaside town of Youghal.

Now, I’ll continue.

It’s getting to that time of year when those in the media break into the archival locker and reflect on the years and decades gone by.

RTÉ got the fun rolling early with their ‘Greatest Irish Sporting Moment’ series, which sees a panel of sporting heroes and experts (Sonia O’Sullivan, Ronan O’Gara and Derval O’Rourke to name a few) debate their favourite moment of a particular decade, with an episode each dedicated to the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and naughties.

The public are given the choice of five moments deemed worthy by someone in RTÉ from which to choose their favourite sporting moment for each episode, with the five winners going through to the final.

It’s a massively flawed concept to begin with, but in the name of good fun it’s alright.

Last week, Clare’s All-Ireland win in ’95 made the top five moments from the ‘90s and performed fairly well coming in third place when the voting stopped, with Packie Bonnar’s penalty shootout save in 1990 more than rightly topping the poll.

The panelists had their say, Ruby Walsh arguing that if Clare were in the Top 5, Wexford’s heroics in ‘96 so too deserved to be there. Ronan O’Gara even got in on the act, saying he’ll never forget how great a hurler ‘Jamesie O’Loughlin’ was.

His memory is better than most if that’s the case.

A great moment is something that leaves you with stubby fingernails, pulls your heart into your mouth and sweating like a turkey in December before you release a year’s worth of pent-up tension in a glorious 15-second almighty burst.

The sort of moment The panelists, throughout the show, however continually get distracted from the point of the whole series by reverting to what constitutes as the greatest sporting acheivement, as opposed to sporting moment.

A week earlier one pundit insisted that Offaly’s Seamus Darby, in scoring his famous goal in Croker, in fact deprived the public of a greater sporting moment in Kerry winning five in a row. Of course, Twitter wasn’t long rowing in behind their flawed perspectives on the issue and a few Corkonians were quick to point out that the Rebel County’s hurling and football double in 1990 was greater sporting moment than Clare ridding ourselves of Biddy Early’s curse.

One man named Pat Walsh said: “Clare in 95? Nonsense RTÉ. 1990. Cork double.” Peter Nodwell added: “Surely Cork winning the double is more worthy than Clare winning the hurling?”. I’m not going

Ronan O’Gara even got in on the act, saying he’ll never forget how great ‘Jamesie O’Loughlin’ was

to argue against that. But Pat Walsh and Peter Nodwell might never understand what it’s like to feel the magic that we felt here in ‘95 and ‘97.

“There’s been a missing person in Clare for 81 long years...” Is there anyone in the county (born before the ‘90s) who doesn’t feel a tingle when those 11 words are put in succession?

It evokes memories of the longest, hottest summer of a generation. Of multiple old Mazda and Ford cars being pimped up into the famous Banner Bangers. Of train journeys up to Dublin and onto Drumcondra, a place we knew less of at the time. The bonfires and Banner Roars.

Cork people will never understand the beauty of being a loser. The absolute delirium and madness that ensues after overcoming goliaths.

As daytime TV host Ellen DeGeneres once said: “It’s failure that gives you the proper perspective on success”.

We’ve got the proper perspective in Clare to know that Dalo lifting Liam McCarthy in 1995 will never be topped.

WHAT’S UP DOC? ANYONE who listened to Morning Focus on Clare FM this Tuesday will have heard Independent TD, Dr Michael Harty disclose to Gavin Grace that he has been approached by both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.

The Kilmihil doctor was quick to shoot down the idea of ever joining either party, but the question still lingers of what attracted both parties to the ‘No Doctor No Village’ politician?

Was it his passionate stance on rural Ireland, which has seen services decline under both their keeps, that attracted them to the West Clare man, ready to leapfrog him over candidates who have toed the party line for years? Doubtful.

Do parties stand for anything anymore or is it finally time for a Premier Leaguestyle transfer window to be introduced!?

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

Daunting future for FF in ‘Dev Country’

“M

OL an óige agus tiocfaidh sí”.

It’s a phrase that was drilled into us during Irish class in school. It may originally refer to parenting but it has been used in political terms for the promotion of new, young candidates. One of the key objectives for all parties is to recruit new blood to reinvigorate and rejuvenate themselves on an ongoing basis. By doing so, new voices bring with them new policy ideas and a fresh outlook as to how we tackle the challenges we face as a society.

A lot has been made of the youth vote since the Marriage Equality Referendum. There was a lot of talk of a politicised generation keen to exert their influence and drive change.

Many pundits painted a picture of an influx of new voters as great for one party/philosophy and a disaster for others.

In the end, the youth vote in last year’s General Election split in many different ways with Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil the largest beneficiaries. This is a trend that has continued with a recent opinion poll for the Irish Times recording support among 18 to 24 yearold voters as being 32% for SF, 30% for FF with 22% for Fine Gael and 2% for Labour. Independents and others recorded 13% in the same survey. To understand why this might be, you need to look at the issues young people are facing.

Figures from the OECD showed that for 2016, Ireland recorded a youth unemployment rate of 17.2%. This counts only those youths outside of full time education.

This is a shocking statistic when compared to the overall average unemployment rate of 7.5% in the same year.

Coupled with this, many young people in employment find themselves on precarious short-term contracts and often have to put up with the uncertainty of zero hours contracts. Education also faces an uncertain future with third level institutions facing an unsustainable future under current funding models and no political consensus regarding the Cassells report into the future of Higher Education. Students will be keen to avoid any fee hikes given what they perceive as disastrous consequences of

same in the UK. Social issues also motivate young people highly come election time and the forthcoming referendum on the 8th amendment is surely to be no exception. I do expect, however, more young people to be voting no on this occasion than there were on the Marriage Equality vote.

Political parties therefore rely heavily on their youth wings to recruit new members and communicate their “youth manifestos” to their peers. Having had the privilege of leading one of those young wings for two terms during referenda and elections, this is no easy task for the army of young volunteers to take on, I can confirm. Before the election is even called, youth wings lobby hard for certain policies to make it into their party’s manifesto. For instance, in the case of Ógra Fianna Fáil last time out, issues such as education funding, mental health, political reform and youth entrepreneurship all were successfully lobbied for.

All youth wings of all parties similarly fight to bring their new vision to tackle new and old problems alike to the fore.

The votes of young people these days are largely policy based and have moved away from traditional allegiances, the politics of personality and even family ties.

Outside of policy formation, parties also require new blood to stand for election and present a fresh face for voters to support. If we look at all the parties, it’s clear that here in Clare, this has been on the mind of several parties already. In the last local elections, Fine Gael ran Cillian Griffey in the Ennis area. He did well lasting until the 11th count and outpolled two outgoing Councillors.

Since then he’s been working at the Shannon Chamber Skillnet program. Having three relatively high-profile FG Councillors in the same area though won’t help him.

Sinn Féin will also target Ennis at the local elections in 2019. After the disaster that saw their candidate last time deselected over comments made online about the travelling community, no mistake can be made next time out.

Tommy Guilfoyle has recently become the party’s chair in Ennis and will lead the charge to find the right candidate.

There will also be high hopes

for Noleen Moran in West Clare where she narrowly missed out on the last seat in 2014. A lot will depend on how the party shapes up for life after Gerry Adams and whether the next General Election comes before or after the 2019 local elections.

If Labour are to have any future electoral success, it needs to build in Ennis and Shannon, the large urban areas. In 2014, Ennis librarian Seamus Ryan, then a Vicechair of the Labour party, was unsuccessful as a young candidate. He’s now Clare Labour chair as well as the Clare chair of the IMPACT trade union. The party’s tactic of running two candidates in Ennis and Shannon proved foolhardy, badly splitting the vote. There is hope, however.

The combined first preference vote (FPV) for Labour in Ennis was 562, just 22 votes less than Clare Colleran-Molloy of Fianna Fáil who took the last seat. Similarly, in Shannon, the combined Labour FPV was 737, just 36 behind Sinn Féin’s Mike McKee who was duly elected. Certainly, single candidate strategies will have to be employed by them ahead of the next local poll.

Fianna Fáil have had a poor recent history of promoting young candidates in Clare with no new candidate under 35 in the whole county in 2014. Whereas Cllr. Cathal Crowe, the Fianna Fáil poll topper in all of Clare in 2014, is still only 34, he’s been a Councillor since the 2004 local elections when elected at the first attempt at just 21 years of age. Of the 31 different candidates Fianna Fáil have run in Clare since the turn of the century in local elections, just four (13%) have been under 35 on polling day. This means they have the worst record of all the main parties in Clare for promoting young candidates.

The party is in dire need of new blood if it’s to remain the largest party on Clare County Council, especially seeing as many of their Councillors are rumoured to be looking at retirement in 2019.

However, the party hasn’t held an ordinary general meeting of the CDC (its constituency organisation) since the AGM on December 12, 2016. The future looks daunting for Fianna Fáil in what was once commonly referred to as “Dev Country”.

24 COMMUNITY

Community ENNIS DATA PROTECTION A SEMINAR on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for sports clubs and organisations will take place on Monday, November 27 at Treacy’s West County Hotel in Ennis from 7pm to 9pm.

The event is free of charge and will include a Q&A session.

New data protection regulations are due to be enforced in May, 2018.

All sporting clubs and organisations are welcome.

See www.claresports.ie for more details.

GUATEMALA CONCERT AN impressive list of musicians from around County Clare are coming together in the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis this Saturday night for a charity concert in which all money raised will go to the Hope Guatemala charity.

Enniswoman Deirdre Honan, who is travelling to Guatemala in December, is the driving force behind the fundraiser for the charity that works directly on the ground with the indigenous Mayan population that suffered most during three decades long Civil War in Guatemala.

Among those who have pledged to take part in the concert are local Ennis bands Isolated Frequency and the Gerry Fitz Dilemma, while Mike Hanrahan of Stockton’s Wing, traditional musician Conor Keane and west Clare ensemble Three Women Sing are also on the eclectic line-up.

Hope Guatemala Ennis concert takes place in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis on Saturday, 25the November from 9.30pm until late.

Entry €10.

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

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

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

WEST/NORTH CLARE RATES HIKE ANGER Independent Councillor for West Clare Ian Lynch believes that the rate rise in Kilrush and Ennis is a huge mistake, calling it a “race to the bottom”.

He said there is no benefit to any Clare areas by increasingly the rate so quickly and it will be a big set-back for Kilrush.

“I feel that things are moving in the right direction for Kilrush but this will be a huge financial set-back for businesses that are already struggling. There is a national review of the rates system currently being undertaken we should have waited until the results of this review were published,” he added.

The latest rate increase amounts to 3.94 per cent in Kilrush and 2.66 per cent in Ennis.

Cllr Lynch and Fine Gael Councillor Johnny Flynn requested that the rates be reduced, but he believes that this request is unlikely to be met. “Our rate is way higher that Limerick, Tipperary and Galway. This is removing our competitive edge and is crippling small business.

“The council should not be looking at how much we can generate to spend but how to reduce our running costs so we can better adjust our rates build to suit,” Cllr Lynch said.

lSHOP SHAPE: Laura Vaughan standing outside her newly-opened design studio and gift shop, selling her own products and a selection of other Irish designers. The shop is located on the corner of O’Connell Street and Carmody Street

CALENDAR Down Memory Lane 2018 calendar is now available in Anchor Crafts, Pen 2 Paper, Gleesons, The Leisure Centre and O’Sullivan’s.

At only €10 it makes a lovely Christmas present.

RADIO BROADCAST RCB Radio will be broadcasting a Community

Mass on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2.05 pm.

On Sundays, the award winning show, the Word, is on at 2.05 pm with an hour of relaxing discussions on spirituality and some great music thrown in too.

This is followed by Reflections, at 3pm, a 30 minute space for Christian prayer, song and

devotion presented by the Kilkee prayer group.

The station can found on 92.5 or 94.8 FM in the South West Clare Region or you can listen live on www.rcb.ie.

KILKEE CONCERT On December 8th @ 8pm we have Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh with Donal

l ROCK ON: A training farm visit took place in Carron during the week for farmers participating in the Burren Farming for Conservation Programme; Tom Guthrie points out some features on his farm in Teeskagh to Brendan Dunford of BurrenLife during a farm visit on Wednesday last.

O’ Connor and Gerry O’ Beirne in concert here at Cultúrlann Sweeney Kilkee. Tickets are €20, seniors / students €18.

To book tickets ring 065 9060769 or book online at www.culturlannsweeney.ie alternatively you may book through Glor on 065 6843103.

Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is an award-winning traditional singer and musician from Co.Kerry. A leading exponent of the sean nós style, her repertoire includes songs from a wide variety of folk and contemporary sources.

She has enjoyed a successful career as a touring artist, with over thirteen years experience as lead singer and flute player with the Irish traditional supergroup Danú, as well as performing as a solo artist. Joining her on the night is Donal O’ Connor who is a multi-instrumentalist, musician and composer and Gerry O’ Connor a self taught master of the six and twelve string, slide guitar and ukulele and other stringed instruments.

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Community

COMMUNITY 25 CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

l FESTIVE FUN: Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is preparing for the biggest Santa experience ever in the Mid-West after the great man’s team of Elves have successfully been put through their paces with a special Elf Bootcamp. They will welcome over 23,000 people over Christmas and will open for this year’s special experience on Saturday

EAST / SOUTHEAST CLARE BOOK LAUNCH Milford Care Centre has been serving the Mid-West including Co Clare for the past 40 years. To mark this occasion, on Monday, November 27 at 2:30pm at the Milford Care Centre, a book launch will take place charting the history of the Hospice and the Order of Nuns that founded it. The book entitled A Journey Of Hope, by Dr Matthew Potter, curater, Limerick Museum, will be launched by Special guest, RTE’s Joe Little, has a close association with Milford.

KILLALOE GIN CANDLES HIT CRAFT FAIR A Clare company will launch a new range of upcycled gin candles, using a unique blend of palm oil-free wax, at the biggest-ever City Hall Crafts and Design Fair in Cork from November 24-26.

With 85 exhibitors, City Hall Crafts and Design Fair is a celebration of the best Irish designers and makers from fashion to jewellery and beyond – with thousands of items that can only be found in Cork.

Among these is the Palm Free Irish Soap Company from Killaloe who have developed the ‘Wined Back’ collection with their unique own palm oil-free candle wax.

“We are really excited about our new line of up-cycled candles ‘Wined Back,’ which we are launching in Cork,” said founder Tony Hoynes, who will also be showcased at Gifted Contemporary Craft and Design Fair at the RDS from Dec 5-10.

“Instead of the usual pre-manufactured votive glass receptacles, we are using a range of upcycled Champagne and wine bottles which are carefully cut by hand and polished.

“We then add a specialist 100% cotton wick before hand pouring our warm wax blend, infused with pure essential aromatherapy oils.”

l HATS OFF: At LIT Thurles Campus conferring were B.Sc. (Hons) in Sport Strength and Conditioning graduates, Sinead McMahon, Co Monaghan, Kayleigh McCormack, Kilfenora and Sinead Costello, Cashel Photo by Alan Place

Motoring MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

Simply Superb

High-end design with plenty of stretching room

ROAD TEST: SKODA SUPERB 2.0 TDI 150HP SPORTLINE

T

HERE’S no getting away from the fact that the SUV’s fashionability has taken over the car market, and car makers are scrambling to meet that desire.

Not least Skoda, which already has its roundly impressive Kodiaq seven-seat SUV on sale, and has just launched the new Karoq — effectively the Yeti’s replacement, but it’s basically fractionally smaller Kodiaq with just the five seats. Both are impressive cars, but in the clamour to buy them, we are rather missing out on something that’s even better. The Skoda Superb.

It’s been around for a while in one form or another, since 2002 in fact, and has long been the cab-driver’s friend thanks to a combination of rugged reliability and

lREFINED: Very comfortable, decently refined, adequately precise, and never leaves you feeling tired nor stressed from a long journey

masses of cabin space. Needless to say, that combination also makes it one of the best family cars around, but the problem is that families are deserting this ‘traditional’ fourdoor saloon sector for those SUVs. Sales of mid-size four-doors are plummeting, just as sales of wannabe Jeeps climb.

So how to make the Superb more appealing? How to place it a little closer to the public’s heart? Well, Skoda’s first instinct seems to have been to make it more expensive. While it’s true that you can get a Superb with a starting price of €27,700, this Sportline model — with the 2.0-litre 150hp TDI turbo diesel engine, and DSG automatic gearbox — will set you back just over €43,000. That is a heck of a lot of money for any Skoda, even one as good as this. In fact, that kind of budget isn’t far short of what you’d need to break into the lowest level of Mercedes E-Class or Volvo S90 ownership.

Of course, at that level, the Merc or Volvo owner is going to be presented with a cabin that’s a bare desert of equipment. Not so in the Skoda, where Sportline trim

lends the cabin the sort of ambience you might expect from a car with a price tag this vertiginous. There are some of the best seats I’ve ever put to a buttock-related interface — high-backed, with quilted man-made suede centres, they are honestly as good as anything with a Bentley logo stitched into the headrest. The rest of the cabin is relatively plain, in outright design terms (naught here to catch the eye but some fake carbon-fibre trim) but it all works beautifully. The simple instruments — analogue dials with a digital display between them — are easy on the eye, while the big touchscreen works beautifully; genuinely one of the best in the business, and which connects simply and easily to the mobile phone of your choice. On top of which is the sheer volume of the interior.

Tall passengers have stretching room, wherever they choose to sit, while the boot comes with an echo as standard.

FACTS & FIGURES:

Model tested: Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI 150 Sportline DSG Pricing: €43,908 as tested. Range starts at €27,700.

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel Transmission: six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive Body style: four-door saloon CO2 emissions: 121g/km (Band B1, €270 per annum) Combined economy: 63mpg (4.5 litres/100km) Top speed: 217km/h 0-100km/h: 9.0 seconds Power: 150hp at 4,500rpm Torque: 340Nm at 2,000rpm Boot space: 625 litres - 1,760 litres EuroNCAP rating: 5-star; 86 per cent adult; 86 per cent child; 71 per cent pedestrian; 76 per cent safety assist

The odd thing is that, to drive, the Superb is actually pretty ordinary. It does have a button through which you can select from eco, comfort, and sport driving modes but they all feel pretty similar to one another overall. There is pleasant weight to the steering, but it’s not the most informative nor involving setup, and while the suspension does a decent job of balancing the needs of a pliant ride quality with decent control of the body’s motions around corners, it’s not what you’d call particularly sporty, in spite of the promise of that Sportline badge, and that coquettish boot lip spoiler. In fact, the Superb just drives… rather nicely. It’s very comfortable, decently refined, adequately precise, and never leaves you feeling tired nor stressed from a long journey. That’s not, perhaps, exactly exciting, but it is rather reassuring.

And that perhaps is the Superb’s greatest skill. In a world that in grinding inexorably towards electric and robotic cars, where every second vehicle is now a hulking 4x4, the Superb is a wonderful reminder that so-called ‘ordinary’ cars can still provide not just what we need, but what we desire too.

ADVERTISEMENT 27

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Have you heard about the ExclusiveEcoGrant Offer from Al Hayes Motors?

Al Hayes Motors are delighted to announce our exclusive EcoGrant scheme.

What is the EcoGrant?

The purpose of the EcoGrant is to remove and recycle older EU1-EU4 diesel vehicles — mostly cars registered prior to 2011 — and to encourage the uptake of ŠKODA’s latest generation of lower emission vehicles.

All brands of vehicles are welcome and can qualify under the scheme.

Customers can avail of the exclusive ŠKODA EcoGrant of up to €6,000 for vehicles that qualify for the grant. Of course, there are some reasonable terms and conditions.

The offer is open to new ŠKODA models ordered between 8th September and 31st December 2017.

Your old car could be worth more than you think!

€2,500

€3,750

Al Hayes Motors, Gort Road, Ennis, Co. Clare.

Tel: 065 682 2400 • www.alhayesskoda.ie

€4,500 Opening Hours Monday to Friday Saturday

€6,000 9:00am–6:00pm 9:00am–5:00pm

28 ADVERTISEMENT

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Make the future your present at Western Garages.

EcoGrant offer of up to â‚Ź4,500* Low-Rate Finance Technology Upgrades * Terms and Conditions Apply

Replace your Euro 1 - 4 diesel vehicle with a more environmentally friendly Euro 6 model and receive up to â‚Ź4,5000 off your new Volkswagen Golf. With low finance rates and Technology Upgrades, now is the time to make the future your present.

Visit us before December 31st to avail of these offers.

We make the future real.

Western Garages, Volkswagen Clare,

Quin Road, Ennis, Co Clare. T: 065 6828505 www.westerngarages.com Golf Range Fuel Consumption l/100km (high to low): urban 10.1-4.1, extra-urban 6.6-3.8, combined 7.9-3.9. CO2 emissions g/km (high to low) 180-102. 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

MOTORING 29

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Motoring News

Audi’s hot RS4 Avant arrives in Ireland This accessible estate has supercar-slaying performance

A

UDI Ireland has announced the pricing of the new Audi RS4 Avant, which combines breath-taking driving performance with accessibility for everyday use.

The fourth generation Audi model, which made its world debut at this year’s International Motorshow (IAA) in Frankfurt, will retail at €102,350 and will be available to order in late 2017.

The Audi RS4 Avant’s newly developed 2.9-litre TFSI engine delivers a balance of both torque and efficiency. From 1,900 to 5,000 rpm, the V6 twin turbo sends a powerful 600Nm of torque to the wheels, which represents 170 Nm more than its predecessor. With the power output of 450hp, the RS4 Avant accelerates from zero to100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, which is 0.6 tenths faster than before.

The new Audi RS4 Avant uses just 8.8 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, which represents a 17 per

lSLEEK AND SPORTY: Audi RS4 Avant

cent reduction in fuel consumption compared with the previous model.

Its sleek and sporty exterior is accentuated with striking air inlets with typical RS honeycomb structure. Together with the wide, flat ‘singleframe’ grille, the front of the car showcases how the overall design is inspired by the legendary Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO racing car (seriously, Google it — it’s a visual treat). The sophisticated black interior and digital racing-style cockpit underscores the sporty character of the Audi RS4 Avant.

The Audi virtual cockpit and optional head-up display, RS-specific displays indicate to the driver the g-force, tire pressures and torque.

The quattro drive, which comes as standard, distributes the power of the V6 biturbo to all four wheels, creating a smooth, yet powerful driving experience. The standard-fit RS sport suspension sets the Audi RS4 Avant another seven millimetres lower than an Audi A4 with sport suspension.

Renault presents

THE ULTIMATE CROSSOVER RANGE Visit us at our Open Week 20th–25th November 3% APR 3 Years’ Servicing 3 Years’ Road Tax

New Renault CAPTUR Signature X Nav TCe 90

Renault KADJAR Signature Nav dCi 110

All-New Renault KOLEOS Signature Nav dCi 130

Models shown: KADJAR Signature Nav ENERGY dCi 110, starting RRP €31,290. KOLEOS Signature Nav dCi 130, starting RRP €36,790. CAPTUR Signature X Nav TCe 90, starting RRP €22,890. Finance example: CAPTUR Expression TCe 90 S&S. RRP €20,290. Deposit €6,896. Term 36 monthly payments of €169. APR 3%. Total cost of credit €896 inc doc & completion fee €75 each. Optional final payment €8,055. Includes 3-year service plan. 3 years’ road tax is based on the current rates, applicable at the time of purchase. Offer exclusive to Renault Bank. Excess mileage plus excess wear-and-tear charges may apply upon return of vehicle. Offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. Subject to lending criteria. Terms and conditions apply. See renault.ie [Warning: You will not own these goods until the final payment is made]. Renault Bank is a trading name of RCI Banque Branch Ireland and is authorised and regulated by the French banking authority and supervised by the Central Bank for conduct of business purposes.

HOGAN MOTORS ENNIS Gort Road, Ennis, Co. Clare Tel 0656821704 www.hoganmotorsennis.ie

Book a test drive

30 MOTORING

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Motoring News

lEXCITING: Ford has announced an exciting range of offers as part of the company’s ‘Clean Up for 181’ campaign

Ford can clean up your act in 2018

A

S the 181 January new car market draws near, Ford has announced an exciting range of offers as part of the company’s ‘Clean Up for 181’ campaign.

Deals on offer include reductions of up to €6,000 on some of Ireland’s best-selling cars, plus extended warranties and a super low PCP finance offer of 0 per cent.

“Our Clean Up for 181 campaign is all about making it extremely easy for car buyers to get out of older, less efficient cars and get into one of our new models which have engines that are all Euro 6 compliant, meaning they are meeting the strictest European emissions regulations,” said Ciarán McMahon, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland.

“To paraphrase Henry Ford, our 181 campaign means you can have any colour

Blue Oval offers cleaner driving for 181-reg cars you want, as long as it’s green!” The Clean Up for 181 campaign includes reductions on highly specced versions of several of Ford’s most popular models including the Ford Kuga ST-Line with a reduction of up to €6,000; the new Ford EcoSport with a reduction of up to €4,000; the Ford Focus Titanium with a reduction of up to €5,500; the Ford Focus ST-Line with a reduction of up to €5,305; the new Ford Fiesta with a reduction of up to €1,000; the Ford Grand C-Max seven seater with a reduction of up to €6,000; the Ford S-Max Titanium + with a reduction of up to €6,000; and the Ford Galaxy Titanium + with a reduction of up to €6,000.

The family-friendly Ford C-MAX is a great example of the value to be had in the Clean Up for 181 offers.

The versatile C-MAX is available with SYNC 3, the latest version of Ford’s cutting-edge interactive entertainment and communications technology, with 8-inch touchscreen and built in satellite navigation; hands-free tailgate; keyless entry / start; and panoramic roof – priced from €27,605.

“Our Clean Up for 181 deal on C-MAX makes that modela very strong contender for the title of best value vehicle for families currently on the market. Plus our 0 per cent 2 and 3 year PCP deals on a

wide range of models mean that customers could be driving away in, for example, a new Fiesta or new Focus for as little as €134 or €208 per month respectively,” concluded McMahon.

In addition to the range of offers on passenger vehicles, the Ford Clean Up for 181 campaign includes a suite of reductions on Ford’s CV range, Ireland’s most popular vans, with reductions of up to €4,000 on the award-winning Transit range and the rugged Ford Ranger pick up truck - plus an attractive finance rate of just 3.9 per cent.

ADVERTISEMENT 31

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

T.SHEILS AND CO. LTD. WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE ALL NEW FORD FIESTA, THE MONDEO AND FIESTA VIGNALE Clare FM broadcasting live from 2pm - 6pm Saturday

All new Ford Fiesta Save up to €2,500 this weekend SPOT PRIZES, FUEL VOUCHERS & GIVEAWAYS LIVE ON CLARE FM

Ford Mondeo Vignale Save up to €7,500 this weekend Huge Savings & ON SATURDAY Scrappage Deals Of Up To: 25TH NOVEMBER Kuga €6000 C-Max €6000 FROM 2PM-5PM S-Max €6000 Focus €5500 & SUNDAY Mondeo €3500 1PM-4PM ALL TRADE-IN’S WELCOME

HELP CELEBRATE WITH US THE ARRIVAL OF OUR MOST EXCITING FIESTA EVER AND AVAIL OF THE THOUSANDS OF EUROS IN FREE OFFERS AVAILABLE DURING THE PROMOTION

32 ADVERTISEMENT

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

DEMO CAR SALE 171 AVENSIS 1.6 D4D LUNA Colour: Silver Mileage: 12500 NEW: €31,950 NOW: €25,950 SAVING: €6,000

172 PRIUS HYBRID PLUG IN Colour: Grey Mileage: 4500 NEW: €40,200 NOW: €34,500 SAVING: €5,700 171 AVENSIS 1.6 D4D AURA Colour: Grey Mileage: 20900 NEW: €29,950 NOW: €23,950 SAVING: €6,000 171 COROLLA 1.4 D4D LUNA Colour: Grey Mileage: 11500 NEW: €26,950 NOW: €21,950 SAVING: €5,000

171 COROLLA 1.4 D4D SOL Colour: Bronze Mileage: 19850 NEW: €28,750 NOW: €22,950 SAVING: €5,800 171 COROLLA 1.4 D4D TERRA Colour: Grey Mileage: 19850 NEW: €24,950 NOW: €19,950 SAVING: €5,000

171 COROLLA 1.4 D4D TERRA Colour: Silver Mileage: 16500 NEW: €24,950 NOW: €19,950 SAVING: €5,000 171 AURIS 1.4 D4D LUNA Colour: Bronze Mileage: 20400 NEW: €26,950 NOW: €20,950 SAVING: €6,000

SOLD 171 COROLLA 1.4 D4D TERRA Colour: Bronze Mileage: 20250 NEW: €24,950 NOW: €19,950 SAVING: €5,000

171 AURIS 1.4 D4D TERRA Colour: Silver Mileage: 24500 NEW: €24,950 NOW: €19,950 SAVING: €5,000

Caroline Bourke MAKE-UP AND STYLE

COLUMNIST 33

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

l GOLDEN GLOW: Caroline achieves this look by blending

BRONZED GODDESS Bronze isn’t a new look, but this year the shades are much lighter - more peach than terracotta. The trick is to mix and layer to get the perfect effect BRONZER DOS AND DON’TS

1. Do choose radiant textures to make the bronzed look less flat.

2. Don’t go for ultra shiny lips- matte is more sophisticated.

3. Do apply your bronzer in moderation.

Remember, you want it to look like the colour is your real skin, rather than the after- effects of a holiday.

4. When it comes to brushing on bronzer, you’ll need to take your time to get the contouring perfect.

STEP BY STEP:

1. Apply a light foundation using your fingers.

2. When applying the bronzer, make sure you stay away from the top of your cheekbones. This way, you contour your face with the colour, making you appear slimmer. Apply colour to the forehead, hairline, under the cheekbones and around the jawline- a little on the base of your neck will look pretty, too.

3. Save time by using your bronzer as an eyeshadow. Brush it onto the eyesockets, but go easy and a little lighter with the same shade on the rest of the lids.

4. White liner works well under the eyes

l EYEBROWS: Groom them by brushing into place with a tinted brow powder

for this look, and a few strokes of mascara will open the eyes.

GOLDEN EYES

This look is for all the Sex and City girls, while maintaining an edgy feel.

DOS AND DON’TS

1. Do try using a light reflecting product to brighten up under – eye bags.

2. Don’t wear a bright blush with this look; opt for a shimmer shadow instead.

3.Do lightly powder the face all over to give a fresh, matte look.

4. Don’t ignore your brows. Groom them by brushing into place with a tinted brow powder.

STEP BY STEP

E’S TIP CAROLINouldn’t be a h Your blush s tifiable shape. n e id , c olour. specifi t a flush of c You want jus tripes, squares, or No circles, s. Blend well to get a checkmarks if fusion of colour general d cheekbone. on your

1. Take a gold eyeshadow and using a fine shadow brush, pat it onto the eyelids and around the inner-eye area to highlight and add a glow.

2. Comb through a black mascara on top lashes, making sure they look long and full, rather than thick and chunky; don’t apply mascara to the bottom lashes though (this looks too baby-doll).

3. Use a white pencil to line lightly inside the rims of the bottom lids; this will make you look brighter and healthier or a peach shadow would also do the trick.

4. Dab a rosy- orange lip colour onto lips, creating a glossed stain effect.

5. Use your finger to pat it straight from the tube, for a natural look.

LUSCIOUS LASHES

You really can take your lashes to the extreme this season. Use falsies to create that wide-eyed look.

DOS AND DON’TS

1. Do take your time. Applying false lashes is not as easy as it looks, so make sure you’re not in a rush.

2. Do think about having lashes applied by a pro.

3. Don’t use false lashes as they come- if you think they’re too full on, cut them, or buy individual lashes and just add a few.

4. Don’t forget to curl your lashes if you don’t opt for the falsies.

5. For the most natural effect, opt for

l LUSCIOUS: Take your lashes to the extreme this season

single lashes and carefully apply them one at a time to the outer corners of the eyesfour to five lashes on each eye should be enough. Lashes need to be jet black.

Beautiful homes all over the County UNLOCK YOUR DREAM

Property

Award-winning team TIERNAN O’MALLEY, SHERRY FITZGERALD MCMAHON, ENNIS

T

IERNAN O’MALLEY from Sherry FitzGerald McMahon has been awarded the national Sherry FitzGerald customer service “Wow” of the month negotiator award across all offices for October.

This award recognises Tiernan’s hard work and contribution to his customers and the Sherry FitzGerald McMahon team.

Tiernan O’Malley is a valued member of the Ennis team in Sherry FitzGerald McMahon and a true professional in every aspect.

Tiernan specialises in the sale and valuation of residential property in the Ennis area where he has a wealth of experience.

The comments from customer service surveys included the following: “… He was so friendly and helpful and put our fears away.” “…Extremely professional. Very personable.

Fantastic communicator. Honest and fair.” “…Excellent agent… always available and a pleasure to work with.”

“Tiernan O’Malley, a gentleman.”

l HOME FOR CHRISTMAS: Diarmuid McMahon presenting Siju Paul, Littymol Varghese and family with keys for their newly purchased home this week

Situated in the heart of Ennis

LOWER MARKET STREET, ENNIS, CO CLARE, V95 N9KR ASKING PRICE €125,000

l BUSY: Market Street is a busy retail area and the unit is ideally located on the corner

MARKET Street is a busy retail area in the centre of Ennis the county town of Co. Clare with a population of 25,000.

Market Street is a mix of retail uses and is the centre for the town’s Farmer’s Market on Fridays and the busy street market on Saturdays attracting large numbers of visitors and shoppers. The property is beside the new covered market building opened in July 2016.

The market area is well served for parking - in addition to on-street parking, there are two surface carparks in addition to Market Street Multi Storey Carpark located just opposite this unit.

The unit is located on a busy corner with particular profile to traffic approaching the town centre from Kilrush

Road. Formerly occupied by Bruce Betting, the unit has a floor area of 54 sq.m. and has planning permission for a bookmakers which also allows banking and estate agency, etc.

Notwithstanding the existing planning, the unit would also be ideally suited to many retail uses including hairdressing salon, ladies or gents fashions and general retail. Floor area: 54 sq.m. Frontage to Market Street: 5.1 m. Frontage to car park: 14.3 m. Suspended ceilings. Air-conditioning.

Intruder alarm. Staff WC.

Contact: Diarmuid McMahon, Sherry FitzGerald McMahon Tel: 065 6867866

ADVERTISEMENT 35

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Saturday 2-4pm

Superb design, with spacious layout.

Stylish Modern Kitchens, Wardrobes, Flooring and Tiled Bathrooms.

Energy Efficient Design with reduced running costs.

Exceptional Quality Finish Inside and Out by M. Fitzgibbon Contractors Ltd. Outstanding location within minutes drive of the M18 and M17.

Air to Water Heat Pump and Multi Fuel Inset Stove.

Part L Compliant with an A3 BER Rating.

36 PROPERTY

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Stunning elevated site

DECOMADE, LISSYCASEY, CLARE V95Y892 € 350,000

P

ERCHED on a stunning elevated site of 2.8 acres, boasting outstanding views of the extended countryside, this 4-bedroom residential home with adjoining equine facilities including sand arena, yard and stable block with 4 boxes and tack room. This truly is an exceptional opportunity for the prospective buyer to acquire such an extensive property that has potential for other usage and indeed for further expansion.

To the main residence, each room is bright, spacious and well-proportioned with quality fixtures and fittings such as timber flooring, tiling and light fit-

tings featuring throughout.

The split-level living room is of particular note with excellent views and access into the formal dining and kitchen.

The stable yard and sand arena can be easily accessed via the sweeping tarmacadam drive that extends to the perimeter of the main residence and into the yard.

This is a must view to truly appreciate the property in its entirety and viewing is strictly by prior appointment with Sole Selling Agents. PSL No. 002295 Contact Cormac O’Sullivan, DNG. Tel: 065 - 6840200 Partner Director

IDEALLY LOCATED FAMILY HOME

€249,950

1 CAPPA LAWN, NEWPARK, ENNIS, CLARE V95PH3E LOCATED just 500 meters from the Roselvan village centre, 800 meters from the M18 motorway and within walking distance of Ennis town centre, this bright, spacious and well proportioned 4 bedroomed detached bungalow with an adjoining garage is set on a private and tree lined 0.61 acre site. It is a rarity to have such a substantial property within such close proximity to all amenities.

Positioned on the Knockanean road, the gated entrance gives way to a tarmac drive that extends to the garage and the front which also has a large selection of shrubbery and lawned area and mature trees extending around

the property. The vast entrance hall, gives way to the main reception, formal dining and kitchen/breakfast with separate access to the garage and open arch to the main hallway. The main hallway is accessed to the four double bedrooms all of which feature built in wardrobes and main bathroom. This is an immaculately kept family home and viewing is highly recommended and strictly by prior appointment with sole selling agents. PSL No. 002295 Contact Cormac O’Sullivan, DNG. Tel: 065 - 6840200 Partner Director

ESTUARY VIEWS & SPACIOUS LIVING €249,000

TONLEGEE, LISSYCASEY, CLARE V95V9YK THIS modern, exceptionally finished 4 bedroom (2 en-suite) home is located on a 1 acre site which enjoys Estuary views and spacious living accommodation.

The property is situated approximately 20 minutes from Ennis Town Centre and a 5 minute drive to Lissycasey and all its amenities. Viewing is highly

recommended and strictly by prior appointment with Sole Selling Agents.

PSL No. 002295 Contact Douglas Hurley, DNG. Tel: 065 - 6840200 Partner Director

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Classifieds PAINTING & DECORATING

WORK FROM HOME Excellent home based opportunity for those who want to earn extra income. Work your own hours around day job. Full training provided.

CALL 087 2907702 FOR MORE INFO.

PILATES

Interior Exterior Industrial Commercial Domestic 086 225 8081 michaelcaseypainting@gmail.com www.facebook.com/michaelcaseypainting.decor/

If you are reading this so are 35,000 other people

Get your Classified out there with The Clare Echo

To advertise with us contact sales@clareecho.ie or 065 671 9021

Learn how to move efficiently by training several muscle groups at once in smooth, continuous movements.

Classes: Monday- Kilrush, Beginners 6:45, Intermediates 8pm; Tuesday, Ennis NS – 6:15pm & Wednesday Kilmihil @ 7pm – both these venues are mixed ability.

CONTACT MONICA ON 087 763 6744 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

CLASSIFIEDS 37 CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

CLARECASTLE SQUASH CLUB

FOR SALE

New membership - €60.

Great group deals now available.

CONTACT FERGAL ON 087 619 9144 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

Three-bedroom bungalow in Ennis.

CONTACT MARY 085 755 2387.

Room to Rent in Ennis.

CONTACT MARY 085 755 2387.

FOR SALE

Dresden Piano, upright, in good condition; Beige couches, 3 seater & 2 Seater, excellent condition.

Ennis area, pick-up only.

CONTACT KATE ON 087 616 5609.

COUNSELLING SERVICES Inisfree Psychotherapy, Ennis Counselling services available in Ennis from a professional accredited psychotherapist. Completely discreet. Help is here for those suffering with stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, trauma and more.

Fee €40-60.

CONTACT EILEEN ON 086 8386 888 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

Your Horoscopes November 23 Aries

Taurus

Cancer

Leo

YOU are usually quite direct about what you want and completely unafraid of going out there and getting it.

Today is a little different, though -- your mental energy is much more geared toward introspection than to your normal exuberance. Use this time to examine any feelings that might be holding you back. Once you do a little psychic gardening, you should find it easier to enjoy your life.

Gemini

YOUR normally placid exterior might be a bit more turbulent, thanks to various pricks and stings - even those not directed at you! Your energy makes you able to feel things below the surface that you would otherwise miss, but the flip side of that ability is that you see slights that might not actually be intended as such. Take as little as possible personally today.

YOUR mental energy brings you extra insight and compassion -- an extremely useful pair! Someone close needs a helping hand, and you’re just the one to supply it. You should be able to settle down and really listen to what they’ve got to say. These altruistic impulses can be addictive -- soon you may want to extend your aid not just to people in your immediate social circle, but to the community at large.

Virgo

YOU need to take some time and really contemplate where you are and what you’ve accomplished of late before launching your next big project. Take some time and think about all the milestones you’ve reached until you fully appreciate the situation you’re currently in. If someone tries to push you into starting before you’re ready, firmly tell them that you’ll move when you’re ready to -- no sooner and no later.

AMBITION is everything today, so go right ahead and flex those muscles to let everyone know that you’re a major player. Be careful, though -- you don’t want anyone in a powerful position to view your actions as disrespectful. Go out of your way to convey the depth of your ideas and the passion behind your actions, and they are sure to be on your side.

YOU’VE got way more options than you might realise, and a much wider range of opportunities than you give yourself credit for. It might seem unfathomable, but you need to give yourself a chance to explore every avenue available to you before settling on one. Just be brave and consider the road less traveled, because the present time is perfect for making connections and expanding your boundaries.

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

1/1

O

D

G

N

I

18

ult - just n ideal

19

H

E

Y

N W

E

O

B

L

11

D

M

E

O

9

D

8

C

D

T

12

A

1

2

H

N

T

T

R

B

O

15

T E

N 3

N

A

G

R

13

4

Y

N

L B

I

A

E N

B

16

K O

N I

O

T

E O

P

O K

L

M

R 10

O

S

17

U A

T

G

U

O T

A

20

R A

S

22

N

T A

O

N

M

A 14

O

5

U

R

C H

E

P O

O

H R

S

R 6

E

N M

7

U

8 No boy demands new version of Dickens novel (6,3,3)

E

24

G

23

22

R

21

U

20

S

19

21

18

E

17

N

16

I

15

L

14

P

13

CROSSWORD ANSWERS P

12

2 One who’d change for dance (7) 3 Religious woman not affected by revolution (3) 4 Preparation for guy or Tibetan leader - food made from curdled milk (6) 5 Top giving me support (9) 6 Standing up before empty court? (5) 7 Incompetent psychiatrist entered, not getting less? (12) 8 No boy demands new version of

A

11

DOWN

R

10

E

9

R

8

7

E

6

T

5

(6) 19 Blush when injured by animal’s horns? (5) 22 Watering place in cyberspace?

(3)

N

4

Dickens novel (6,3,3) 12 Handling medicine (9) 16 Language translated by Belgian (7) 17 Leatherworker finding old coin

24

3

operator (7) 22 Drag one’s feet in a cubicle?

(5) 23 Fellow turning to move his head? (3) 24 A printer turning turtle (8)

E

2

1 Taking new hanky out? There’s gratitude! (5,3) 6 European Monetary Union gets the bird (3) 9 Sea in which canoe collapsed?

(5) 10 Reg hops about finding burrowing rodents (7) 11 Cured fish, apparently very filling (7) 13 It turns backwards and forwards (5) 14 Rodney wanders over there (6) 15 Sweet that’s doubly good in France (6) 18 Darkness is an odd thing (5) 20 Name of girl from a strange nation (7) 21 Taking issue about press

D

1

ACROSS

O

The Clare Echo Crossword

IS THERE a lifeguard on duty? If not, you may want to call on someone close to stand and watch while you hold your nose and dive into some deep emotional waters. Old business that you thought was forever sunk from sight might be making a nuisance of itself.

Be as brave as you can while exploring what’s coming up. You may come back up from the depths with some flawless pearls!

N

PERFORM in front of an audience doesn’t usually faze you much. Today, however, you may be feeling just a wee bit exposed to all and sundry in the face of some very deep, very private issues going on in your life. If you feel like you’re being pushed too far beyond your comfort zone -- at work or at play -- just say the word and pull back to consider your emotions in the privacy of your own home.

TURN up the volume on that inner dialogue and really listen to what you’re trying to tell yourself.

The message may not be crystal clear yet, but your guiding wisdom is trying to tell you something very important, so stop and listen before you miss it. Try meditation of some sort to access this part of yourself. It’s definitely worth the effort -- getting in tune with your inner self can help resolve some issues.

O

YOU need to dive deep -- and fast! Whatever you’re doing, dig in as deeply as possible until you think you’re close to hitting bottom. This applies whether you’re in a yoga class or trying to work the kinks out of a personal relationship. You can’t settle for surface solutions or superficial answers today, no matter how quick and easy they seem -- and you really understand the value of building things that last.

THE spotlight is definitely on you as your personal energy amps up your already considerable magnetism -- and makes you practically irresistible. Expect crowds to gather as you leave the house -- you’re just that fascinating, both to folks you know and those you haven’t even met yet. While it’s tempting for some to rest on their laurels in the middle of all this adoration, you have no interest in just lying around.

23

YOUR desires are close to the surface now. You’re like a snake shedding its skin -- somewhat vulnerable, but ready to shuck off anything that inhibits or restricts you. That might mean purging your wardrobe of items that don’t fit or don’t look right, showing a bore the door or just getting rid of a bad habit that holds you back. You’re feeling rebellious and ready to rock.

8 No boy demands new version of Dickens novel (6,3,3) 12 Handling medicine (9) 16 Language translated by Belgian (7) 17 Leatherworker finding old coin (6) 19 Blush when injured by animal's horns? (5) 22 Watering place in cyberspace?

(3)

t - just deal

38 CROSSWORD/HOROSCOPES

QUIZ 39

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

The Clare Echo Quiz

was O’Connell Street in En1What nis called before it was renamed?

Jail Street, Main Street, Market Street

was at the Old Ground be2 What fore it became a hotel?

A prison, A school, A hospital

St Frances, Frances Vandeleur, France

4

What Ennis street was formerly known as Mill Street?

Parnell Street, Abbey Street, The Market

the other name on Blake’s 5 What’s corner in Ennistymon?

Linnane’s, McMahon’s, O’Brien’s

l HOTEL: What was at the Old Ground before it became a hotel?

Pig’s Elbow, Cow’s Ear, Sheep’s Head

How long would it take the pogo 7 stick world record holder to get from the Mill Water Wheel to St Flannan’s?

7 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes

the village of Cooraclare of these Clare roads don’t 6 What’s also known as?

8 Which lead into Limerick?

l GEOGRAPHY: How well do you know Clare’s streets, towns and villages? What was O’Connell Street in Ennis called before it was renamed?

Old Cratloe Road, Knockalisheen Road, Phares Road

The Cut Hill, School Lane, O’Dea’s Road

l COORACLARE: What’s the village of Cooraclare also known as?

girl gave Corofin its 10Which name?

Fiona, Finnia, Fiadh

6. Pig’s Elbow 7. 7 minutes 8. Phares Road 9. The Cut Hill 10. Finnia

is the Lime Kiln Road in 9 What Kilrush also known as?

ANSWERS 1. Jail Street 2. A prison 3. Frances Vandeleur 4. Parnell Street 5. Linnane’s

is Frances St in Kilrush 3 Who named after?

AN ENTERPRISING BUNCH

l 2017 BANK OF IRELAND ENTERPRISING TOWNS AWARDS, WHERE SHANNON VENUE LTD. RECEIVED A MERIT AWARD: Kevin Thompstone (The Shannon Venue, Shannon Chamber of Commerce, Thompstone Group); John Gavin (Shannon Springs Hotel); Derek Barrett (The Shannon Venue, Peach Recruitment); Cllr Pat Burke (Leas-Cathaoirleach Clare Co Co); Marie Meehan (Head of BOI Clare); Kieran Blake (Manager BOI Shannon)

40 ADVERTISEMENT

THURSDAY, NOV 23 2017

ENNIS ELECTRICAL

€159 SAVE €70

ASUS 11.6 NETBOOK, 2GB RAM Microsoft Office €279 SAVE €70

ENNIS

Shop online: www.EnnisElectrical.ie

Quin Road Business Park, Quin Rd, Ennis, Co. Clare Tel: (065) 682 9684

Parnell Street Branch, Ennis, Co. Clare Tel: (065) 682 8640