The Clare Echo 06/02/25 by The Clare Echo

Deals on wheels?

Illegal encampment slammed as bid to move up housing list

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A CLARE TD has said persons responsible for illegal encampments in Ennis are trying to skip ahead on the housing waiting list.

On Wednesday morning, the former Ennis Town Council headquarters in Waterpark House, Drumbiggle became home to an illegal encampment which is occupying the car park of the offices owned by Clare County Council. The encampment had been based in a green area of Cappahard up

until Tuesday evening.

Three caravans are now in situ at Waterpark House outside the offices of Council staff assigned to the Ennis Municipal District and environment sections of the local authority.

Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) said, “It is my view that illegal caravan encampments are being used as a method to force Clare County Council into housing families ahead of others. Encampments like this are in breach of the law and it is important that Clare County Council remain resolute

and unwavering in terms of their housing policy.

“Setting up an illegal caravan encampment cannot and should not be used in an attempt to force Clare County Council into providing accommodation in quicker time. Nobody should be allowed to leap-frog others in the housing list and if this were to happen it would totally undermine the system,” the Meelick native added.

SOLE MATES

l Clare TDs, Joe Cooney (FG) and Timmy Dooley (FF) lace up their shoes at the Nourish & Flourish fundraiser at the Lakeside Hotel in Killaloe in aid of the Scariff Community College astro project

Photo by Ruth Grifﬁn

Full Story p2

Illegal encampment takes over Council car park

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

AN ILLEGAL ENCAMPMENT has rocked up in Clare County Council’s own back garden with one TD criticising the actions as an attempt to leap-frog ahead in a bid to secure local authority housing.

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Late on Tuesday evening, an illegal encampment which had been situated in Cappahard, Ennis since the end of November exited the busy residential area and took up situ in the car park of Waterpark House in Drumbiggle which houses the offices of the Ennis Muncipal District and was formerly the home of Ennis Town Council.

November and had remained there since. I have been liaising with local residents, Clare County Council and An Garda Siochana on the matter and whilst I am glad that they have moved on, I will be asking the Council to prosecute those from the encampment for litter strewn about the site under the Litter Pollution Act. I have also written to the Council to ask that obstacles, such as boulders, be considered for the boundary of the green area to deter potential future encampments.

to happen it would totally undermine the system,” Deputy Crowe said.

and set up camp on the Waterpark House campus yesterday evening without consent, Clare County Council is following up on all available processes in relation to this situation and working in a cross-directorate approach internally and on an inter-agency basis with An Garda Síochána”.

When asked if the persons involved were on the Council’s housing list, the spokesperson stated, “We cannot go into specific details on any individuals involved”.

l LEARNING IN COMFORT: Matheo Boghi and Mark Sexton, Holy Family School, Ennis trying out the newly opened DeValera Library in Ennis. The brand new DeValera County Library opened its doors to the public on Monday morning. The 2,321sqm building on Causeway Link, Ennis comprises a public library over two floors which includes the local studies centre, a 100sqm art gallery and the County Library headquarters

Over a dozen car parking spaces which are allocated for Clare County Council staff at Waterpark House are no longer accessible with three caravans and vehicles belonging to the family blocking off access.

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CHIEF EXECUTIVE of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling is to retire from the role next month.

In a statement to The Clare Echo, Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) said the actions of the persons involved cannot be used as a tactic to leap-frog ahead on the Council’s housing list. “The encampment in Cappahard first arrived in late

Dowling’s exit had been expected but was confirmed in correspondence issued to the Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) on Monday morning. His retirement will become effective from December 31.

“It is my view that illegal caravan encampments are being used as a method to force Clare County Council into housing families ahead of others. Encampments like this are in breach of the law and it is important that Clare County Council remain resolute and unwavering in terms of their housing policy. Setting up an illegal caravan encampment cannot and should not be used in an attempt to force Clare County Council into providing accommodation in quicker time. Nobody should be allowed to leap-frog others in the housing list and if this were

He continued, “Every week, my office helps dozens of people in their quest to find housing for their families. We go over and beyond to help them but many of these applicants, some of whom have to couch surf or occasionally sleep in cars, would find it deeply frustrating if someone illegally parked in a caravan were to pass them out in the housing list in being appointed tenants of a house. The illegal encampment in Cappahard was an affront to people who own homes and rent properties there. Open green spaces are for the enjoyment of all residents and it was utterly wrong that people thought the green area in Cappahard was an appropriate area to set up an illegal caravan encampment”.

Youth Worker with Clare Diocesan Youth Service, now Clare Youth Service and concluding it as Chief Executive of Clare County Council.

Clare County Council were contacted for comment by The Clare Echo but none was received at the time of going to print.

A spokesperson for Clare County Council told The Clare Echo, “Further to the three caravans that entered

“Actions being taken and/or planned include the issue of various statutory notices and penalties pursuant to the relevant roads, planning, housing and environment legislation that is/may be breached. Where notices, fines etc are issued and not complied with, Clare County Council will take the appropriate action regarding prosecutions where necessary,” the Council spokesperson added.

Dowling to retire as Chief Executive

Appointed to post in June 2016 on a seven year term, the Knockaderry native arrived in Áras Contae an Chláir in September 2016 as Chief Executive and has since November 2016 lived in Kilkee with his wife Rose. The 61 year old is a father of six.

Raids carried out in Ennistymon as part of illegal hunting clampdown

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

“It has been my privilege to serve the Council and the county for almost eight and a half years and it is my earnest hope that I have made a positive contribution to the reputation and standing of the organisation and the county. Working with Clare County Council has represented the pinnacle of my career and I thank all the members, present and former for their support and co-operation during that time.

ATTEMPTS by An Garda Síochána to clamp down on illegal hunting in Clare has resulted in the seizure of cocaine, cash and stolen power tools in Ennistymon.

In March 2023, he informed the Department of Local Government and the Public Appointments Service that he wished to avail of the option of a three year extension to his seven year appointment. Twenty months on, he has announced he is to retire from the role. It means his first and last jobs were based in Co Clare, having started his career as a

Raids were carried out by Gardaí at Ennistymon Garda Station on Friday. This was part of Operation Lexi where the searches were carried out under warrant.

“I look forward to observing the exploits of Clare County Council from my home in West Clare and I wish you all well for the future,” he said in correspondence of elected members of the Council on Monday morning.

Gardaí were joined by customs and revenue officers along with staff from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in the multi-agency operation conducted across Ennistymon.

with a substantial amount of cash. Power tools suspected to be stolen and equipment used for illegal hunting were also uncovered as part of Operation Lexi.

Members of the phlox with further information are asked to contact An Garda Síochána. “We are appealing for the public to come forward if they recognise any of the same. Please contact Ennistymon Garda Station on 0657072180”.

Glowing tributes were made by county councillors at Monday’s meeting of the Council where he also received a standing ovation.

Ongoing checkpoints are underway in the Clare Tipperary Garda Division as part of Operation Lexi

Items used for illegal hunting, suspected cocaine, cash and stolen power tools were seized following the searches. The checkpoints were formed in response to an increasing amount of illegal hunting of animals across North and West Clare.

Suspected cocaine with a value of €2,500 Was also obtained along

Before moving to Clare, Pat was Deputy Chief Executive for Lim erick City and County Council with responsi bility for Social Devel opment. His first role in local government was in 1999 when he joined the Limerick Corporation, previously he worked with Clare Youth Service, National Youth Coun cil of Ireland, Macra na

Feirme and rural development with Kildare Leader Company. In 1983, he graduated with a degree in European Studies from the National Institute for Higher Education which is now the University of Limerick and during his time there was placed on co-op at the United Nations in New York and lived at the time with his older brother Michael, who is now the President and Chief Executive Officer of Northwell Health. His second placement while in university was in the European Parliament. He received a bronze medal for exceptional achievement when graduating.

As Chief Executive

between Gardaí and the NPWS.

Flagging the matter in November, Cllr Bill Slattery (FG) said groups were trespassing on farmers land in Doonbeg, Liscannor and Loop Head for the last three years carrying out illegal hunting. “From Loop Head to North Clare it is happening and getting worse, the farmers have been told they can’t come out with a gun, there will be a Paraic Lally situation if this is let happen, we have to stand up for these landowners and farmers”.

Garden in Kilrush; and the most significant tourism project to be undertaken in East Clare with the development Inis Cealtra visitor centre. On two occasions during his tenure, Clare County Council was named local authority of the year.

He was also to the fore in Lahinch’s hosting of the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open serving as a major success. Also under Dowling’s watch, the County Council has voted to implement the highest charge of local property tax on a consistent basis. He has always stressed the importance of the Council maintaining a balanced budget and noted his pride at the local authority never recording a deficit during his tenure. He previously issued promises that issues at Blake’s Corner would be solved during his term as Chief Executive and has been a central figure in the creation of the Ennis 2040 Designated Active Company (DAC).

of the Vandeleur Walled

Photo by Eamon Ward

Jamesie reacts to Harty Cup loss p35

Checkpoint: Garda checkpoints are being carried out across the County

Council stand down Storm Éowyn community response hubs & helpline

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL have stood down its six community response hubs and the community helpline established following Storm Éowyn.

At 4pm on Wednesday (yesterday), the County Council stood down the response hubs and helpline, this follows Uisce Éireann confirming the restoration of water to the entire county in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.

An ‘emergency meeting’ was held by Clare County Council last Monday, three days after the Storm which led to the creation of the hubs in Ennistymon, Kilrush, Flagmount, Tulla, Cross and Doolin/Lisdoonvarna. The hubs also provided people with facilities for personal hygiene and power sources, as well as access to

information, ordering a hot meal and shelter from the cold.

The local authority led and coordinated a local level response to the needs

of people who were significantly impacted by Storm Éowyn through the helpline

and hubs. The helpline was activated from 8am to 8pm to provide advice, access to a warm meal and connecting people with the supports available for the duration of the humanitarian response.

Interim Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Carmel Kirby stated, “Clare County Council worked closely with other bodies in the region in responding to this unprecedented weather event. I would like to thank the ESB, Úisce Éireann, the HSE, An Garda Síochana, the Department of Social Protection and our colleagues in the Civil Defence for their work, dedication and co-operation over the

‘Unacceptable delays’ in rural Clare amid ‘complete

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE TD, Joe Cooney (FG) has criticised “unacceptable delays and poor customer engagement” from eir, Vodafone and other National Broadband Ireland (NBI) providers in restoring ﬁbre broadband services in the county since Storm Éowyn.

Customers in Clare have remained without ﬁxed broadband since January 24th which according to Deputy Cooney “is causing signiﬁcant disruption for small businesses and people who worked remotely”.

Areas of Clare still impacted at the time of going to print on Wednesday include

internet blackout’

Broadford, Scariff, Bodyke, Lahinch, Miltown Malbay, New Quay and Kilmaley.

Deputy Cooney added that the lengthy disruption to services raises the requirement for signiﬁcant investment in Ireland’s rural broadband infrastructure to “future-proof” it against future storms.

Rural parts of East, West and North Clare have “a complete internet blackout”, he stated “with no indication of when services will be restored,” he said. “Communication between NBI service providers like eir and Vodafone and customers has not been forthcoming unlike with ESB Networks, which provides estimated times and dates for the restoration of

power supplies in relevant locations. The delay in restoring services is further compounded by NBI seemingly being caught off-guard without having adequate plans and contractors in place to respond to the network outages”.

O’Callaghans Mills native Cooney continued, “The National Broadband Plan has been a huge success and has resulted in rural communities across Ireland being able to avail of high-speed broadband. However, the frailties in our national broadband infrastructure have been badly exposed in the same way as our electricity infrastructure has been during the recent storm”.

“Fibre has been deployed

on more than one million poles, many of which have been in place for decades and which are susceptible to strong winds,” he explained. “The roll-out of ﬁbre broadband across Ireland was a lost opportunity to future-proof the infrastructure, especially when you consider the €2.7 billion planned investment in its roll-out. I will be relaying the urgent requirement to come up with solutions to this problem, including the need to consider to placing ﬁbre underground, where possible, with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications”.

last number of days.

“We must also acknowledge the great work done by local groups, volunteers and businesses in responding to the need of neighbours and the wider community, and the hospitality sector which opened its doors in the immediate aftermath. Our helpline and services also relied on our elected representatives and community groups as a vehicle for information flow, reporting issues through our helpline, our hubs and other channels,” she said.

lDigiclare hub

‘Safer Clare’ to address concern over crime rate

AN UPCOMING public meeting to be held in Ennis next week (13th February) will hear how locals and business owners are growing increasingly nervous and frustrated about ongoing incidents of crime in the county.

‘Safer Clare’ is a new initiative spearheaded by Aontú Clare Rep, June Dillon, who will be joined on the night by party leader, Deputy Peadar Toibin for a public meeting.

She says, “This initiative has been devised in response to what I heard from the public while canvassing prior to the general election. People are worried about the lack of Garda resources in the county, and a lack of political will by those in government.”

CSO figures 2024 (Q1 and Q2), for Crime in Clare show that theft, bur-

glary and robberies are the highest incidence of reported crimes.

“Garda personnel here in Clare are stretched to the limit and it is not fair. On 31st Mar 2024 Clare/Tipperary Garda Division had 660 Gardai, the lowest in 6 years. Personal safety measures, pay and pensions for Gardai need to be reviewed to incentivise new entrants and retain current staff.

Dillon says that the costof-living crisis, health, infrastructure and agriculture will also be up for discussion on the night.

She says “Safer Clare can really extend to all these topics. The recent storm highlighted our very vulnerable critical infrastructure. While road safety is impacted by the condition of the roads in Clare. The main road to West Clare from Ennis is not fit for

purpose, with sinking side roads everywhere around the county. Realistic investment is needed in road infrastructure to sustain rural communities.”

“Given we now have a new Government, Aontú will continue its mission to hold them to account, and this public meeting in Clare is yet another platform for us to do this”.

“I really urge the people of Clare to come out and connect with us on the night. Any groups already involved in public safety are welcome to attend so we can work together for our communities and county.”

Aontu’s public meeting on a Safer Clare takes place on Thursday 13th of February in Treacey’s West County Hotel, Ennis at 8pm

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A traditional Irish pub that opens its doors onto the main town street of Ennis. Perfect for a pint, a bite to eat or traditional Irish music session..

The Brendan O’Regan Restaurant

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

Seanad success for Conway as Flanagan

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SENATOR MARTIN CONWAY

(FG) has retained his seat in the Upper House while the trio of Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG), Ann Marie Flanagan (IND) and Leonora Carey (FG) all tasted defeat in their endeavours.

As it stands, Conway is the only Clare Senator following the conclusion of counting on all five panels. Taoiseach Micheál Martin (FF) has yet to announce his eleven nominations to Seanad Éireann.

Conway was elected on the tenth count, taking the second of seven seats on offer in the Administrative Panel. He polled 79,000 first preferences, a reduction on the 90,000 he amassed in 2020.

First elected to the Seanad in 2011, Conway has now been elected to the Upper House on four occasions. He served as a county councillor from 2004 to 2011. He contested the 2020 General Election but was eliminated on the sixth count, he polled 2,285 first preference votes. He was nominated as a Fine Gael candidate in advance of November’s General Election but withdrew prior to the selection convention when he stated he felt it would be better for the party to have a one-candidate strategy.

There was no such celebrations for fellow Ennistymon native Ann Marie Flanagan who was elimi-

nated on the sixth count. She had 26,000 votes following the first count but didn’t receive sufficient transfers to claim one of the seven seats on the Administrative Panel.

A co-founder of the Clare Leader Forum, Flanagan was nominated to contest the election by Independent Living Movement Ireland, the nominating body also put her forward in 2020.

Cllr Mulcahy failed in his bid to win a return to the Seanad, he was previously a member of the Seanad on the Labour Panel from 2011 to 2016. This time round, he was the first candidate to receive a nomination for the Industrial and Commercial Panel but his attempts to win one of the nine seats on this panel did not go according to plan.

He polled 18,000 first preference votes and was eliminated on the ninth count. Sources close to the Shannon man had been very optimistic he would be in the shake-up for a return to the Upper House. Had Mulcahy won a seat in the Seanad, it would have left Clare’s second largest town, Shannon without a voice on Clare County Council.

A native of Newcastle West, Tony announced his political comeback in October 2023 in advance of the 2024 local elections where he took the seventh and final seat in the Shannon Municipal District. He was an elected member of Clare County Council from 1999 to 2011. He was first elected

to Shannon Town Council in 1999. In 2009, he was elected Mayor of Clare. He contested General Elections for Fine Gael in 2007 and 2011 where he polled 3,408 and 6,829 first preference votes respectively.

Following his defeat in the 2016 Seanad election, he stepped away from politics. He has previously served on the Clare Federation of people with Special Needs. In 2006, he was a selector for the Wolfe Tones senior hurlers when they won the Clare SHC.

There was also disappointment for Leonora Carey. Clarecastle woman Carey ran for the Labour Panel in Seanad Éireann and was eliminated on the twelfth count. Eleven Senators are elected from the Labour Panel where there was a field of nineteen candidates.

Carey polled 51,000 first preference votes which was 4.4 percent of the total share. By the time of her elimination, she had climbed to 64,000 votes which was not enough to put herself in contention. She had initially secured a nomination from members of the Oireachtas.

This was the second election contested by Leonora in the space of three months. Her General Election attempt was her first run for public office, here she 5,251 first preference votes.

For ten years, she was a member of the Fine Gael Executive Council, she served as Chairperson for

two years. Leonora is a qualified occupational therapist (OT) by profession, with over 25 years’ clinical experience and 17 years as an OT manager. Her father Donal (FG) was first elected to the Dáil in 1982, he retained the seat for five subsequent campaigns until he lost out in 2002. Five years later, his son and Leonora’s brother Joe (FG) was elected and was a TD for four terms until announcing his retirement from politics on medical grounds in August.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Senator Conway outlined, “Every election is a challenge, I’m delighted to have been re-elected, I’m the only Clare candidate to have succeeded in this election, I’ve been elected for the last three Seanad elections, I was the only Clare voice in the Seanad from 2016 to 2020, I’m the only voice now at the minute unless the Taoiseach nominates someone from Clare”.

According to Conway, his election is important to deal with a lack of representation for North and West Clare in the Oireachtas.

“I think there was a political deficit in North and West Clare and even Ennis, all four Clare TDs are in a very populated area, it is lob-sided, it was very important to have one Oireachtas member to articulate and amplify concerns for North and West Clare with a lot of people living there. We saw the challenges faced during the recent storms and some only got power back in

recent days, it would have been a retrograde step if the area didn’t have a voice in the Oireachtas, I know what I can do in Seanad because I’ve been there for fourteen years, I know I can hold Ministers to account and get them into to the Chamber to answer questions for issues from Ballyvaughan to Loop Head”.

Ann Marie Flanagan admitted her defeat was “very disappointing. I had worked exceptionally hard for a longer lead-in than most candidates because I’d been nominated for a good while, I had strong engagement with councillors all over the country, they say divide your committed votes by two and do it again, that was true, I thought I had a significant portion of the vote, Eileen Flynn and her campaign team had an exceptionally strong campaign and they worked it out, there is only ever one Independent seat on the Administrative Panel and she was the winner”.

Since her defeat, Ann Marie has been “blown away” by the launch of a campaign for her to be included as one of the Taoiseach’s eleven nominees, 300 signatures have been penned to a petition seeking her addition to the Seanad. “I will make this request to be considered in light of the huge impact when Eileen Flynn made when previous the Government nominated her as first traveller, it allowed her to get elected”.

Bronze bust of O’Regan unveiled at Old Ground Hotel

A BRONZE bust in memory of Brendan O’Regan has been unveiled at The Old Ground Hotel.

O’Regan’s contribution to the development of the Ennis hotel and the catering sector in the Mid-West has been recognised with the unveiling of the bust by Kilbaha sculptor, Seamus Connolly.

Located in the foyer of The Old Ground Hotel, the bust has become a focal point and a topic of conversation among guests.

Manager of The Old Ground Hotel, Mary Gleeson noted the O’Regan family had a long association with the hotel which began when Brendan’s father James purchased The Old Ground Hotel in 1927 and encouraged Brendan to go to Europe and study hotel management.

Brendan was appoint-

ed catering comptroller at Shannon Airport in 1945 and some of the first meals served at the Airport were prepared at the hotel. From this base he embarked on a series of visionary projects which transformed the Shannon region. The Shannon Free Zone, duty free shopping at Shannon Airport and the creation of Shannon College of Hotel Management are but a few of his enormous contributions to the region.

The Old Ground Hotel is the first hotel in Clare to celebrate his public service and legacy in a permanent manner by displaying a bronze bust.

Sixmilebridge Historical Society commissioned a limited edition of bronze busts, which are for sale, a number are on display in local schools and business premises, and one as far afield as at Dubai International Airport.

The society contin-

ues to raise awareness of Brendan O’Regan’s impact on job creation and entrepreneurship with a view to inspiring younger generations. The society has funded a very successful Hedge School and podcast to highlight Brendan’s unique contribution to regional development, innovation and social entrepreneurship.

In 2024, they organised the inaugural O’ Regan Clare Primary Schools Quiz which will be expanded to include over twenty Clare primary schools this year.

Society Chairman, Tim Crowe said, “We gratefully appreciate the support of Allen, Mary and their team at the Old Ground Hotel, for their generosity and vision in supporting our mission to inform, educate and inspire others on Brendan O’Regan’s impact, as businessman, public servant and visionary”.

John Maher (far left) and Mary Gleeson of The Old Ground Hotel with Vincent Delaney and Tim Crowe of the Sixmilebridge Historical Society

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

HSE given deadline over planned €25m hospitals for lands at St Flannan’s College

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

AN BORD PLEANÁLA has given the HSE a deadline of later this month to confirm that there is Uisce Éireann capacity to accommodate its contentious plan for a €25m community hospital on diocesan-owned green space at St Flannan’s college.

In the long planning saga, the appeals board has told the HSE that it must provide confirmation of Uisce Éireann capacity by February 17th otherwise it will dismiss the case.

The appeals board stated that it was seeking confirmation in light of a December 2024 update on the National Wastewater Treatment Capacity Register.

The register reported that Uisce Éireann’s Clareabbey Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP), which serves that part of Ennis, has no spare capacity at present but that there is a WWTP Project Planned/ Underway.

Clare County Council granted planning permission for the hospital in May 2023 in the face of strong local opposition.

However, the plan was stalled after St Flannan’s College’s own Board of Management and staff members of St Flannan’s College lodged separate third party appeals to An Bord Pleanála in their joint bid to try to prevent the 100 bed hospital on the seven acre green field college site getting the planning go-ahead.

Already, celebrated Clare All-Ireland winning hurlers amongst St Flannan’s College staff, All-Ireland winning captain Tony Kelly, double All-Ireland winner with Clare from the 1990s and well-known hurling pundit, Jamesie O’Connor and key member of the 2013 Clare All-Ireland winning team, Brendan Bugler appended their names to a 75 strong group staff objection to the planned hospital lodged with Clare County Council.

The HSE application was only made possible after it received the consent from landowners, the Diocese of Killaloe to lodge the planning application.

The diocese led by Bishop of Killaloe, Fintan Monahan has agreed to sell the lands to the HSE subject to planning permission.

A total of six third party appeals have been lodged against the Clare County Council grant of permission. Others to lodge appeals are ‘Jim and Mary Wylde and others’ and individual appeals from Sean Walzer, Maura Walzer and Patrick Walzer.

On behalf of the HSE, planning

consultants, Tom Phillips+Associates lodged a response to the third party appeals with An Bord Pleanála in June 2023. However, it was only on November 8th last that the appeals board wrote to the appellants and the Council to ask them to respond to the points raised by Tom Phillips +

Associates.

The appellants and the Council had until November 25th in which to reply to the appeals board.

In the appeal lodged on behalf of the college Board of Management, a diocesan colleague of Bishop Monahan, School Principal Fr Ignatius McCormack told the Council that “other suitable sites, which do not cut across existing intensive use by a large proportion of the youth of the area must be available”.

Fr McCormack went on to state that “it surely cannot be the case that the provision of proper healthcare and the provision of sporting facilities for the youth of the area must be placed in conflict.”

In their objection, the staff told the Council that the hospital proposal “will have a seriously negative impact on the student population of St Flannan’s College”.

The staff stated that St Flannan’s College for the past two academic years has had its two largest ever enrolments with 240 1st Years each year.

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Lower speed limits not enough to curb bad habits

by Lisa Mullaly lisa@clareecho.ie

Starting February 7, new speed limits will be enforced on rural local roads across Clare, but some county councillors are concerned that simply lowering the speed limits won’t be enough to tackle the ongoing issue of speeding in the area.

On Friday, speed limits on various rural roads will be reduced from 80 km/h to 60 km/h as part of an effort to improve road safety. The affected roads include several key routes, such as the N67 from Carnaun Cross to St. Theresa’s Nursing Home in Kilrush, and the N67 from Kilkee to Moyasta, among others. Additional roads in the region, including L-1012 in Boston and L-6054 in Querrin, will also be impacted.

Speaking to the Clare Echo, Clare County explained they welcome this change in speed limits on rural roads as it is believed that it will help to improve the safety of vulnerable road users.

“This change will make Ireland’s roads safer for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and all road users. Between 2020 and 2024, almost three in every four road deaths occurred on local rural

roads which currently have a speed limit of 80km/h.”

“Reducing speed can significantly increase the chance of survival in the event of a traffic collision, and lowering speed limits on Ireland’s road network will save lives.”

While individual Clare councillors agree with the statement made by the Clare County Council, some argue that changing the signs alone won’t be sufficient to stop the persistent speeding problem.

Cllr Patrick Gorman (FF), speaking at the Shannon municipal district meeting, expressed concern that without increased enforcement, drivers may continue to ignore the new speed limits. “Unless we can encourage the Gardaí to be more of a presence on these roads, residents are afraid that even though the limit has gone down to 60 km/h, people will just ignore it and keep driving at the same speed,” he said.

Speaking to the Clare Echo Cllr David Griffin (FF) welcomed the lowering in speed limits on rural but echoed the concerns of his fellow Fianna Fáil councillor saying “There is a concern that if there is no monitoring on the roads will the change in speed limits have an

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

Celebrating the Chinese New Year in at the Radisson Hotel

Ireland has 46 Years of Diplomatic relations with China and Ireland. Organised by the Chinese Association of Ireland, there are numerous members in the

who

impact on speed because really when it comes to rural roads it’s more about driver behaviour and if they will choose to adhere to the speed limits.”

Griffin also praised the preparatory work of the county council ahead of the enforcement of the new lower speed limits; “The council have been very proactive ahead of the change in speed limits. They have been out on the roads for the last number of weeks installing the new signs, which are covered currently until the change comes into operation but, just having those signs out there is highlighting ahead of time that there will be a change in speed limits on those roads. There are also a number of news signs in areas where there may not have been a speed limit sign before which helps greatly with the visibility of this change.”

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

Cllr Mary Howard (FG) also welcomes the reduction of speed limits highlighting the widespread danger and poor driving habits along regional roads; “I feel that on some of these roads 80km/hr is not an appropriate speed limit. Regional roads can be very dangerous. They are not straight, they are not very wide and people do tend to speed on them.”

with

The Poets Corner Bar

A traditional Irish pub that opens its doors onto the main town street of Ennis. Perfect for a pint, a bite to eat or traditional Irish music session..

The Brendan O’Regan Restaurant

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

MidWest

celebrate everything connected

China including business, Chinese culture, tradition, Chinese medicine and Chinese communities in Ireland

Back Row: Huang Lei, Ying Chun Duan, Joanne Tsang & Sabrina Xiang. Front: Xie Ming Li, Councillor Antonette Bashu, Councillor Paul Murphy, Sang Man, His Excellency Chinese Ambassador, Mr. Zhoa Xiyuan, Mrs. Li Yi & Councillor Asad Talukder.

lAndy Lam, Sui Ping Lam, Sang Man, Joanne Xiang

‘One of Ireland’s greatest vets’ - legacy of generous gentleman PJ O’Driscoll will live on

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

PJ O’DRISCOLL has been remembered as one of the “greatest veterinary surgeons in Ireland”.

O’Callaghans Mills native, PJ founded Summerhill Veterinary Clinic in 1970 after returning to live in Clare, the practice’s headquarters in Ennis saw him treat thousands of animals over five decades.

Huge crowds attended PJ’s reposal in Fahy Hall, Roslevan on Tuesday last, funeral mass at Ennis Cathedral on Wednesday which was followed by a cremation service in Shannon. He died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 25 in Milford Care Centre.

His devoting manner saw him earn numerous awards.

In 2006, his care of abandoned pets was honoured at the Pet Care Awards which were equated as the ‘animal Oscars’. He was praised on this occasion for his “unsung work” at the local animal shelter and for assisting pets belonging to the elderly and homeless. One client nominated PJ for his endless patience and good humour

in dealing with his German shepherds who “would make Osama Bin Laden look like a social worker”.

Clare SPCA in 2013 honoured PJ’s long-standing service following his retirement with the then Chairperson of the ISPCA, Barbara Bent travelling to Ennis to make a special presentation to him.

He was born on the longest day of the year in June 1939 and PJ’s manner in everything he did was anything but short which ensured he made a lasting impression on those that met him, whether it was professional or personal.

Born on the family farm in Silvergrove, he was the eldest of four children with Tommy, Noel and Noreen following. An early love of education was evident with PJ who began life as a border in St Flannan’s College at the age of 12, the extra portions at the Ennis school led to him gaining a stone’s weight in a year. He completed his second-level education in 1958 and thoroughly enjoyed attending past pupil reunions in the decades that followed.

Determined to pursue a career with animals, PJ was ac-

cepted into veterinary college at University College Dublin, he took two years out to work on building sites in London in order to pay for his education at UCD. Life in London gave him a thirst for the Dance Hall scene, a passion he sustained when he moved to Dublin.

Upon returning to UCD, a clerical error with the alphabetical seating meant PJ was located with the Ds rather than the Os which resulted in him forming a lifelong friendship with two individuals in close proximity to him, namely Jim Donovan and

first with them, they went out day or night, I often called to the house in Roslevan at 2am, banged the window and he was out”.

Tom Dillon.

In 1965, he graduated from UCD and commenced employment with a veterinary practice in Tullamore, Co Offaly. On the local dance scene, he came across Enda Purcell, the daughter of a young pharmacist who had just returned from a year nursing in Boston. She was particularly impressed with PJ’s honesty and straight-forward approach while PJ knew within weeks of dating Enda that she would be his future wife, they did tie the knot in 1969 and moved to Tipperary but relocated to his native Clare where in 1970 PJ bought a local veterinary practice in Ennis from Dan Fitzpatrick. He and Enda settled into family life in Roslevan with their three children Seán, Miriam and Barry. Initially the focus of Summerhill was on large animals but as society changed, PJ began to work more and more with small animals. All the while, he gained immense enjoyment from dealing with people and animals.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, county dog warden Frankie Coote recalled that PJ was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the Clare SPCA in the 1980s which was affiliated to the ISPCA and the building of the dog pound on the Gort Rd. “He never took a bill from us, we’d go down and give him £500 of a cheque at Christmas but he’d come back with £1,000 to us, it was embarrassing really because he never took anything for all the work he did”. He added, “from all my time attending his practice and I’d have been there a good bit down through the years, when anyone entered his surgery, he never spoke about money, he worried about the animal and treated the animal, the money was irrelevant”.

According to Frankie, “PJ was one of the greatest veterinary surgeons in Ireland. He was of the old brigade, himself and the late Paddy Hassett, the animals came

Frankie told The Clare Echo, “he was one of the people when you met and were in his company you actually felt special, he had this way of making you feel the best person in the room and very special, you could be low or you could be down but after meeting PJ you’d go away thinking you were number one. He’d belittle nobody or put down nobody, he never looked down on anyone but I must say his downfall was Clare hurling, he could keep you there till 11pm talking about that.

“He was a big family man, he was very proud of them and his grand-children, his wife Enda was lovely and would always have a cup of tea and a scone for me”.

At the funeral mass, gifts brought before the altar included a wedding photograph of PJ and Enda, his stethoscope, his people of the year award from 2016, a family photograph, a copy of The Irish Independent, a match programme and a bar of chocolate. The gifts were brought forward by family, friends and colleagues. Ciarán O’Driscoll, PJ’s grandson explained the meaning of each symbol, “PJ often spoke warmly of the remarkable people he met, many of whom became lifelong friends, he also treasured the symbol gestures of kindness such as a cup of tea or a slice of brown bread”.

DEVOTED FATHER

Addressing the congregation in the Cathedreal, PJ’s son Barry noted, “We gather here today with a heavy heart but also with immense gratitude to celebrate the extraordinary life of my father PJ, he was so many things to all of us, a beloved veterinary surgeon, a devoted father, a proud supporter of Clare hurling, a gentleman in every sense of the word but more than anything he was a man of integrity, kindness and dedication who enriched the lives of so many people who were fortunate enough to know him”. He said, “He was a man of compassion, creativity and above all heart”.

Work ethic shown by PJ after acquiring Summerhill Veterinary Practice was inspiring, Barry recalled. “PJ worked extremely hard to build up the practice, during spring time he was the busiest as this is when cows calved and when he could get called out of bed during the night to

do a calving, sometimes twice and he would then have to go, get up and do a full day’s work the next day, I still don’t know how he found the energy but he was not alone, with Mam as his right-hand woman and with the many people he met along the way like James Hannon, his original partner and back in the office Phil Lynch and Veronica McMahon ran the administration. They were later joined by Frances Browne, Ian Brassil and Matt Egan who helped him to build a livelihood out of a job he loved so much”. He continued, “He took a huge amount of lifelong pleasure from the relationships he built up with clients along the way, relationships he cherished and kept after he sold the practice to Owen O’Connor and David Hegarty, taking a well-earned part-time retirement, I say part-time because as long as my father could walk he was working and even after retirement he continued to work in the abattoir as a veterinary inspector”.

Lifelong friends were made through the organisations he was involved in such as Ennis Lions Club where he served as president. Clare hurling was another big passion, “Dad was a dedicated Clare hurling supporter right till the end, he loved nothing more than Clare hurling, as long as I can remember my Dad going to matches he loved to follow the saffron and blue around the country wearing his infamous outfit of a Clare supporters hat on his head and a radio earpiece in his ear, he found immense joy in the games and I believe he cherished even more the company of those he shared them with, his brother and best friend Noel and Jimmy McDonagh, in his later years his grandchildren”.

Barry noted that althought PJ was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2008, “the hardship never took away his spirit, he met every challenge with resilience, dignity and a quite determination”.

“Though his body slowed his mind remained as sharp as ever, his wit, wisdom and love for family and friends never faded.”

PJ is survived by his beloved wife Enda, loving children Barry, Seán and Miriam, daughters-in-law Breda and Sarah, grandchildren Dónal, Ciarán, Éabha and Seán Óg, brothers Noel and Tommy, sister Noreen, brothers-inlaw Des and Pat, sistersin-law Anne and Colette, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family, friends and neighbours.

l PJ at his veterinary practice at Summerhill

Celebrate love and brighten up your home this february

FEBRUARY has arrived and with it the promise of Spring, days getting longer, trees and plant starting to bud and the garden is waking up slowly.

This is the month to get preparing and hoping depending on the weather to start sowing.

So, check out your shed have the tools cleaned and ready to go. Take some time and decide on the seeds you may need to sow and if you want to purchase more of a particular variety. The earlier you look, the better chance of availability.

We have some lovely spring wreaths available if your front door seems bare and in need a bit of brighten up. We also have some lovely spring arrangements to brighten up your hall. They are aslo an ideal gift idea.

Bare root hedging is still available. Now that the weather is a little warmer and there is no frost on te ground, the conditions are ideal for planting.

The Laurel and Griselinia are both evergreen hedges given and give a nice surrounding look to your property.

With the month of February comes the month of love with valentine day in the

middle it’s a time to celebrate those we love.

We at Blossoms on the Go Garden Centre would love to help you make this an extra special time we have lovely gift idea from traditional bunch of red rose to some fabulous ceramic pots.

We have some fantastic flower pot arrangement that can be personalised to your taste.

Wether it’s a single rose or a pot full of love with their favourite flowers these gifts are sure to bring joy to your loved one. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for more info.

We look forward to the new growth and new flowers that will appear over the coming month.

“Though February is short, it is filled with lots of love and sweet surprises.”

Thought for the week - The Hope of Spring

Spreading the word of positivity

RONAN SCULLY

AS THE season of spring unfolds, nature awakens from its winter slumber, revealing a tapestry of blooming ﬂowers, vibrant greenery, and the sweet melodies of birdsong.

In the beauty and hope of spring, we can discern profound parallels with the transformative power of our faith.

The weather has warmed up a bit, the ﬂowers have begun to bloom, and the trees are beginning to be covered with their ﬁnest greenery.

At this time of year, we tend to want to clean our house and rid ourselves of anything that

reminds us of the long, cold winter. We want to open our windows to let in the clean, fresh air. We want to toss out anything that clutters our house. We usually refer to this as spring cleaning. We want to get rid of anything that reminds us of the cold, dark months of winter so we can allow in the beauty of the gift of spring.

Just as we have spring cleaning, we can also use this time as one of spiritual spring cleaning. It is a time to clear out our spiritual house, so we become receptive to God’s love and bring joy and happiness into our lives.

Our spiritual house is our body and mind in which our soul resides. So, how can we clean our spiritual house? We must free ourselves of the clut-

ter of mind and matter so that spirit can ﬂow in. Spring is a new season. A season of hope and life. Everything suddenly ﬂourishes after a long, cold winter. Springtime is an opportunity to advance forward into all God has for us.

There is something about the gift of Spring that awakens a feeling of optimistic expectation.

I remember when younger I was involved in musicals in my little home town and recently while walking in nature I remembered the lines of a song from a musical that a cousin of mine sang and it went “younger in springtime are you...’ and it made me think how true that statement is.

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week,

speaker/ ceachtanna ar-líne don bhéaltriail le caintroir dúchais

Macalla an Chláir

LE MACDARA Ó CONAOLA

Learn sentences, words, and phrases that will impress your examiner. Contact Ennis-based, Spraoi le Gaeilge, at: spraoilegaeilge@gmail.com or 085-1295594

lANOCHT: Pop-up gaeltecaht at Pepper’s / Preab-Ghaeltacht i dTí Phepper ag 8.30pm

Imeachtaí/Events:

l CILL ROIS – Preab-Ghaeltacht chuile oíche Dé Ceadaoin ag 8pm i mBuggles Bar l LUIMNEACH – AIFREANN GAEILGE, chuile Dé Domhnaigh, 10.30am, Mainistir an tSlánaitheora, Sráid San Doiminic, Luimneach l Clare FM - Cúl-chaint le Domhnall Ó Loingsigh chuile Dé Sathairn, ag 9am ar Clare FM l CILL INÍNE BAOITHE - Ciorcal Comhrá san XPO, chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 7.30pm l INIS – CAINT AGUS COMHRÁ, chuile Dé Luain ag 11am sa gCopper Jug, Dé Máirt ag Zest 11am, Dé Céadaoin ag 11am in O’Brien’s, oíche Déardaoin sa Temple Gate (8pm), Dé hAoine The Market 11am, agus Dé Sathairn i nGlór, 11am-12pm. Déan teagmháil leo ag: caintaguscomhra@outlook.com l LUIMNEACH – Ciorcail Comhrá. Chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 10.30am, Bialann Eden, Ollscoil Luimnigh.Tuilleadh eolais ar fáil ó Noel ag 086 792 8389.

AN BHFUIL SCÉAL LE ROINNT AGAIBH ?!

Bígí i dteagmháil linn agus leanaigí ar Facebook agus Twitter muid ag: @macallaanchlair R-phost: macallaanchlair@ gmail.com

approach spring as though it is the first time you ever experienced it, the first time you ever saw a flower, a tree growing, a bird flying.

Open your heart to love, to beauty, to nature, to prayer, to reﬂection and meditation, to clarity, to God. Leave the old behind and be reborn during the season of spring.

The gift of hope is representative of the spring season, the image of the sun peeking through the clouds. You are reborn as the sun is reborn each day. Each spring your spirit will burst out of the darkness of winter. Make your spirit bright like the colors of Nature. Feel the world through your heart. This is a time to leave behind old patterns, old ways of doing things, and embrace the power

and beauty of new life.

I pray that as the signs and the magic of spring begin to show themselves all around us, that you will remember that each new day is like a cleared ﬁeld ready for planting. Your thoughts, attitudes, and actions are the seeds you plant. Let us be moved by this vast and gentle insistence that goodness shall return, that warmth and life shall succeed. Help us to understand our place in this miracle.

Let us see that as a bird now builds its nest, bravely, with bits and pieces, so we must build human faith and life. It is our simple duty; it is the highest art; it is our natural and vital role within the miracle of spring; the creation of faith and life. Have a great Spring everyone!

Clare students win Feargal Quinn award for LCA results

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

TWO Clare students have been presented the Fearghal Quinn award in recognition of their results in last year’s Leaving Cert Applied.

Kaitlyn Ferns and Katie Hartigan, students at the Clare Youth Service Community Training Centre were awarded the prestigious Feargal Quinn award.

Presented by the Leaving Cert Applied National Association (LCANA), the Feargal Quinn Awards are presented each year to those students who obtain the top credits in the Leaving Certificate Applied Examination.

The awards are financed by sponsorship from the late Feargal Quinn and are named after the senator and entrepreneur who was the first Chairperson of the steering committee for the new Leaving Certificate Applied when it was first introduced thirty years ago.

Quinn oversaw the roll out of the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme, embedding it in the Irish

education system and ensuring its continuing development in the following years.

Kaitlyn Ferns from Ennis is currently involved in The Moving On Programme at Clare Youth Service and has this week commenced work placement with The Clare Echo soon. She paid tribute to the learning environment at the Community Training Centre at CYS.

“My time doing the Leaving Cert Applied at the Community Training Centre will always be full of memories that I look back on fondly and will forever cherish. The support, guidance and kindness that the staff showed me is unmatched. I have learned a tremendous amount about myself and being in such a supportive environment made my confidence grow more and more every day.

“It is genuinely the most fantastic service and gives young people more options when they feel like there is nothing left for them. If anyone is considering joining the Community Training Centre but is unsure, I

can assure you, you won’t regret it”.

Katie Hartigan from Ennistymon is currently enrolled in a PLC course in Tralee for General Nursing and is hoping to gain a place in the Munster Technological University. Katie said that she wouldn’t have been able to get into her current course without encouragement from the Clare Youth Service staff and multiple generations of her family,

“They pushed me towards it and was helping me every step of the way! My family also had a huge role in this, especially my Granny, she drove me to all the interviews and induction days.

“In the youth centre was where I had the best school experiences. I met loads of new people and formed some good friendships out of it. The tutors especially were the learners’ rocks. They could help you through anything. The employees in reception and the centres cleaners were also so important to me. They would always give you a big smile and tell you to have a good day. I really enjoyed

my time in the youth centre and will hold all the memories fondly for the years to come”.

Unfortunately Katie had to miss the award ceremony as the weather alert prevented her leaving Tralee.

Michele O’Keeffe of the Clare Youth Service, paid tribute to the duo, “Ka-

tie and Kaitlyn have been wonderful students with excellent attendance, dedication and commitment to the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme. They have shown great example of how to achieve and progress through Leaving Cert Applied”.

For the Love of Dogs meet-up

FEBRUARY is the month of love, and what better way to show your grá for our fourlegged friends than by joining one of the nationwide meetups organsied by Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Come along to learn more about the incredible work the organisation does and discover how these adorable puppies grow into resilient, life-changing Guide and Assistance Dogs. You’ll see ﬁrsthand how even just one hour of your time can help transform lives in 2025.

Where: Templegate Hotel, Plaza Room, Ennis, V95 HOX

When: 1pm - 3pm, Saturday 15 February

Check-it-ﬁts service coming to Ennis this February

THE RSAS face-to-face child care seat checking service’ ‘Check it Fits’ will be returning to Ennis on February 7 and 8.

Over half of child car seats (56%) checked by the Road Safety Authority’s were incorrectly fitted and needed some type of adjustment to make them a safe fit. If a child’s car seat isn’t fitted correctly, it could lead to a serious or fatal injury in the event of a collision.

Ron Richardson for the RSA commented:

“While the RSA’s experience with its Check it Fits service shows that half of child car seats are fitted incorrectly, worryingly, it found that 30% of these needed a major adjustment to fix them. For example, the seat being excessively loose so as to make the fitting almost ineffective. 67% were minor adjustments, for example, the fitting being loose or a twisted seatbelt. Having a correctly fitted car seat is a simple measure parents, grandparents and guardians can take

to ensure children are safe while travelling by car. I would encourage people to visit the Check it Fits service when it comes to Clare and give yourself the peace of mind that your children are travelling safely.”

The service takes between 10-15 minutes and runs from 10.00am –5.30pm, it is free of charge and offers parents and guardians reassurance that their child is safe while travelling in the car. It is a walk-in service, no appointment needed.

Here are some tips for parents to remember to ensure their child safety;

l It is now EU law that all children must travel in a child seat, booster seat or booster cushion.

l The golden rule for choosing a child car seat is making sure it is suitable for your child’s weight, height and age and that it conforms to the latest EU safety regulations (look for the ‘E’ mark).

l Do not use age exclusively as a guide while picking a car seat, as

every child is different.

l When buying a child car seat, make sure you go to a retailer or visit the Check it Fits service who can show you how to fit it in your car. If the child car seat will be used in more than one car, make sure it’s compatible with additional cars as well.

l In order to increase awareness of car seat safety and reduce misuse rates, the RSA has launched a new voluntary Code of Practice for Child Car Seat retailers. The new Code of Practice will ensure that best practice is achieved when parents or guardians are buying a child restraint system. People should look out for the RSA’s Code of Practice stickers in retailer outlets or you can check the list of participating retailers on rsa.ie.

l Avoid using a second-hand child car seat or restraint unless you know its history. It may have been damaged in a previous collision, and although the damage may not be visible, it won’t provide

the same level of protection for your child.

l Don’t move your child from a rearward-facing child car seat to a forward-facing child car seat too

soon. If you’re unsure, always consult with your retailer before you buy your next child car seat.

l PUPPY PLAYDATE: Assistance dog

l Feargal Quinn Award: Kaitlyn Ferns, recipient of the Fergal Quinn Award with Michele O’ Keeffe of the Community Training Centre at Clare Youth Centre

Derg Credit Union opens new Killaloe offices

DERG Credit Unions is opening a new office in Killaloe at Convent Hill close to what has become the commercial centre of the town The relocation signals a continued commitment to an excellent face-to-face customer service for the members of East Clare and Ballina.

As the area around SuperValu and ALDI has emerged as the business hub of Killaloe, the Board of Directors of Derg Credit Union (DCU) were delighted to get an opportunity to move its local offices there. The new premises offers adequate parking, a space to conduct business privately, accessibility for all and a one stop location for all your business.

A BRIEF HISTORY

The Credit Union has been part of Irish financial life since the 1960’s when it became a presence in many communities throughout Ireland. The idea was summed up by founding member of DCU and future president of the ILCU, Frank Canny. “Basically, it is a system which enables a group of people to provide for their own needs from their own money,” Mr Canny said. The Credit Union movement came to East Clare in April 1971 when Derg Credit Union was registered, held its first meeting, collected its first monies and gave out its first loan. By the time of its first AGM it had 100 members, £2,870 shares and had given out £1,105 in 40 Loans. Fifty-three years later, DCU boasts an asset base of €33.7m, with €27.5m in savings.

The establishment of the first DCU office in Killaloe can be traced back to 1980 when a study group was set up to look at establishing an independent credit union in Killaloe, ultimately, it was decided to become part of DCU. Originally located at the old Garda station (now the Killaloe Ballina Family Resource Centre), by the late 1980’s a new building was needed and in 1989 a residential property was purchased on the main street and converted into a two- teller office which

served the members of DCU for the next 34 years. In 2003 DCU opened an office in Ballina which remained in operation until 2008.

THE COMMON BOND

The common bond or the geographical area covered by of DCU includes East Clare and Ballina. This bond is a fundamental requirement for a credit union membership and distinguishes credit unions from other financial institutions. The common bond serves to ensure that savings from community members are available as loans to fellow members and that the credit union operates as a democratic, member owned cooperative focused on mutual benefit. There are

currently 186 registered credit unions in the Republic Ireland, each one with its own voluntary board of directors. While some Credit Unions collaborate on projects to save costs, each CU is independent of the other. With the current active membership of DCU at 7,670, Marina McMahon CEO of DCU said, ” While the decision to move was for the benefit of existing members, we hope that more people in the Killaloe Ballina area will seek out the benefits that the Credit Union has to offer and that the membership will continue to grow.”

WHAT LIES AHEAD

From its humble beginnings DCU has

Clockwise from top right: Marina McMahon CEO, Michael Cleary founding member of Derg Credit Union who has served over 50 years as a volunteer; Mairead McGuiness, former EU commissioner, and Yvonne Martin Chairperson of Derg Credit Union, officially open the office; Siobhan Hickey, teacher from Convent Primary School Killaloe alongside some of her students and Mairead McGuiness; crowds gather for the official opening last week; Majella O’Brien, CEO Marina McMahon, and Aine Balfe; Credit Union staff (back l-r: Annmarie Kilker, Ciaran Quinn, Michell Pearl, Mary Bane, Niamh Mcmahon, Bernie Malone; (front l-r) Majella O’Brien, CEO Marina Mcmahon, Siobhan Durack, Aine Balfe

continued to meet the needs of its members while responding to the ongoing developments in legislation and technology. The new premises demonstrates a commitment to the members of Killaloe, Ballina and surrounding areas. DCU will continue to provide a face- to- face service, in a modern, fit-forpurpose office, in a convenient location, for many years to come.

While some members favour the excellent customer service provided by credit unions, setting them apart from other financial institutions, DCU continues to develop its comprehensive range of digital services for those who prefer to do their personal financial business online.

For this reason, all DCU services are available online or via the app, from membership application to loan application, loan drawdown and online transfers. In 2025, DCU will also be enhancing their online presence, with a new website and a new app. By the end of October, instant transfers to and from your credit union will be possible.

Photos by Tom Micks

l Staff of Derg Credit Union with Father Grace, Mairead McGuinness, Timmy Dooley TD, Joe Cooney TD; (right) Ciaran Quinn and Annmarie Kilker

Photos by Tom Micks

Ladies nourish and ﬂourish at Scariﬀ CC astro turf fundraiser

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

FASHION and fun went hand in glove as over 200 women attended a fundraiser for Scariff Community College on Saturday. It was a memorable afternoon at Nourish and Flourish, a fundraiser in aid of Scariff Community College’s astro turf development.

Guests were welcomed to The Lakeside Hotel in Killaloe with a prosecco reception, sponsored by Rodgers Centra, before browsing a selection of pop-up shops, including Sarah Butler’s cookbooks, Beechtree Wellness, I Spy Clothing, CathyK Nutrition, RELOVED AND PRELOVED a sustainable fashion brand by TY students in Scariff and

and Aisling Holian Design.

The pre-lunch fashion show featured styles from I Spy Clothing, Carraig Donn, and Joanne’s Killaloe, with local models including parents, past pupils, and long-time supporter Mary Davin.

Following a delicious two-course meal with wine, the Galway Tenors surprised guests, getting everyone on their feet for Sweet Caroline, The Fields of Athenry, and Show Me the Way to Amarillo.

A panel discussion on resilience, hosted by Ruth O’Hagan, featured insights from Sarah Butler, fitness expert Sarah Smith Killeen, Dr. Michelle McNamara, and 2023 Clare Rose Aisling O’Connor.

A fun twist came with the ‘Guess the Weight’ quiz, where election posters of Tim-

my Dooley and Joe Cooney were revealed, before the TDs arrived in person to be weighed on stage. Denise Glass took home the prize.

The Best Dressed Lady award, sponsored

Bodyke GAA Poker Classic

Calling all poker players.

Join Bodyke GAA Club for its annual Fundraising Poker Classic at The Cobbler’s Rest on Friday, 21st February.

The event kicks off at 9:30pm sharp.

Tickets are €20, and if you register before 9pm, you’ll receive an extra €1,000 worth of chips.

Catch up with

ments and the

by Nora Culligan’s Ennis, went to Ruth Vaughan, who wowed in a black velvet suit. The day ended on a high note with a sperformance of You Raise Me Up by Omo.

lNOURISH AND FLOURISH: Denise Glass, winner of the ‘Guess the Weight’ competition.

Photo by: Ruth Grifﬁn.

Prolonged rainfall causing ﬂooding concerns in Liscannor

by Michael Fitzgerald news@clareecho.ie

FLOODING of homes in Liscannor has become an issue following excessive rainfall in recent times.

Clare County Council were urged by Cllr Bill Slattery (FG) to engage with the OPW and landowners in Liscannor “to alleviate their serious concerns”. He said this is stemming from “flooding of their homes after excessive and prolonged rainfall” in Lislarkin, Liscannor.

Slattery said, “As regards the flooding in that particular area, I’ve been up there with the homeowners before Christmas. They were in a serious situation with regards to water coming into their houses”.

Lahinch based Bill maintained that he had engaged with the local landowners suffering the flooding in recent times and was now asking the Council and Office of Public Works to try to respond to the

Calling all Clare talent: be part of the magic at the Cliﬀs of Moher experience

THE CLIFFS of Moher Experience, one of Ireland’s most internationally renowned landmarks, is seeking to showcase the vibrant cultural heritage of County Clare by inviting talented local Irish musicians, dancers, and artists to step into the spotlight in 2025.

The Cliffs of Moher Experience seeks performers who can enhance the visitor journey through music, dance, storytelling, and artistry. Whether you’re a solo performer, a duo, a group, or an artist with a ﬂair for captivating crowds, this is your opportunity to shine in a world-class setting.

Performers will have the unique chance to contribute to events and special occasions throughout 2025, creating unforgettable memories for visitors.

The Cliffs of Moher Experience is looking for traditional Irish musicians and singers including ﬁddle players, tin whistle performers, harpists, bodhrán players, and other instruments, singers, and Irish dancers, from solo acts to groups of all ages. Artists such as storytellers, choirs, face painters, costume performers, and craft workers are also encouraged to apply. Performers must be available on an ad-hoc basis for scheduled events throughout the year.

This is more than just a performance—it’s a celebration of Clare’s cultural heartbeat. Performers will play a vital role in creating a vibrant and authentic atmosphere that showcases

the best of Irish tradition. Whether a seasoned professional or a rising star, this platform offers exposure and the chance to connect with an appreciative global audience.

Interested performers are invited to submit their expression of interest by February 19th, 2025. Applicants should include their name, group name, or organisation and contact details, along with a brief summary of their performance experience. Links to videos, recordings, or testimonials are encouraged if available. Performers should also outline their availability for 2025, including any preferences or limitations, and their fee structure or rates per performance.

Submissions can be sent via email to marketing@cliffsofmoher.ie or by post to:

Cliffs of Moher Ofﬁce, Deerpark West, Ennistymon, Co. Clare, V95FR1X

For more information visit: www.cliffsofmoher.ie

Successful applicants will join a performance panel, ready to be called upon to elevate events throughout the year. Any questions or need further details, reach out to marketing@cliffsofmoher.ie.

concerns of locals.

Senior executive engineer in the West Clare MD, Tony Neville said responsibility rests with the landowners. “The watercourse in question is the Ballysteen River. This watercourse is not part of a Drainage District Scheme (Local Authority responsibility) or an Arterial Drainage Scheme (OPW responsibility), hence responsibility for maintenance and upkeep rests with the relevant landowners”.

Neville advised, “Clare County Council staff have already engaged with the landowners adjacent to the Ballysteen River and are confident that a programme of works will be undertaken shortly which will reduce the risk of future flooding”.

Expressions of Interest Invited

Clare County Council are seeking expressions of interest for talented Irish Musicians, Dancers and other artists to perform on an ad-hoc basis for events and dates throughout 2025 at the Cliffs of Moher Experience

Performances will enhance visitors’ experience by celebrating Clare’s rich cultural heritage and adding an unforgettable element to their time at the Cliffs of Mo her Experience

Please submit your expressions of interest to Marketing@cliffsofmoher ie by Wednesday, February 19th 2025 at 5pm For more information, visit: www.cliffsofmoher.ie

l LISCANNOR FLOODING: Lisacannor Bridge

New street lights sought for Quilty village

by Michael Fitzgerald news@clareecho.ie

NEW streetlights have been sought on the road from Quilty village to Seafield.

An appeal to source additional street lights was brought into focus by Cllr Dinny Gould (IND) at a recent sitting of the West Clare Municipal District.

Cllr Gould said “enhanced lights” were needed in Quilty. He estimated “a minimum of two to three streetlights required west of Quilty church where there is residential housing on road back to wards Seafield”.

Speaking at the meeting, Dinny noted that the lighting in Quilty “goes back as far as the church before suddenly stopping with no street lighting present on the road to Seafield. This represents a risk of danger as the road towards the beach at Seafield is typically busy with traffic and especially with tourists visiting the area in the summer”.

Alan Kennelly, senior executive engineer in the West Clare MD outlined, “The road in question is the L-2088 from Quilty village

towards Seafield. Public lighting is provided between Quilty village and Quilty Church. After a gap of approx 150 linear metres another section of public lighting is in place. I believe that this motion is requesting that public lighting be provided in the 150-metre gap”.

He continued, “I believe that four lighting columns will be required along with 150 linear metres of ducting and electric cable, and connection to the ESB network. The work may be complicated by the presence of a deep land drain adjacent to the carriage-

Physical vs personal energy- what’s your vibe?

IN OUR society today, there is great exploration of the word “energy”.

I believe there are two main types at play, physical energy and personal energy. Both are fundamentally different. Each of them play a unique role in how we live our lives.

Understanding the distinction between the two can help us optimise our well-being, productivity and overall sense of fulﬁlment.

Physical energy is all about the vitality derived from our bodies systems and functions. It is the energy that powers muscles and allows us to move, etc. Some of the factors that inﬂuence physical energy are:

l Nutrition-the food we eat provides the fuel necessary for our bodies to function optimally.

l Exercise- regular physical activity strengthens the body, clears the mind, improves endurance, and circulation.

l Sleep- when we sleep, the body restores, repairs and recharges the energy stores.

l Hydration- proper ﬂuid intake ensures our body system functions efﬁciently.

When our physical energy is low, we may feel fatigued, sluggish or drained.

Many present at the clinic with low physical energy. I often suggest supplements and homoeopathy to support them.

Emotions can have a signiﬁcant impact on our physical energy because of the mind-body connection. When we feel strong emotions like excitement, happiness or anger, our bodies release hormones like adrenaline or cortisol, which can either boost or deplete our energy levels.

Personal energy is more about our mental, emotional and psychological capacity. It’s how motivated, focused and engaged we feel. It can be inﬂuenced by factors like our mindset, stress levels, relationships, our values, boundaries, and overall well-being. Personal energy is how we feel and connect with the world around us.

Some factors that can inﬂuence our personal energy are:

l Mindfulness and meditationboth of which help to clear the mind and reduce stress.

l Setting boundaries- learning to say no and protecting our emotional space from toxic environments.

l Pursuing meaningful goalsengage with activities that align with your values and passion help keep us motivated and positive.

l Self-care- regularly check with

your emotional state and take time to be aware and nurture your inner self, like walking, journaling and self-reﬂection.

Our personal energy is about how we are in and about our daily lives.

Physical energy can inﬂuence personal energy just like personal energy can inﬂuence physical energy. Feeling mentally energised can make us feel more physically capable and vice versa.

It’s interesting the new buzzword at the moment is all about our “vibe”. The word often refers to the atmosphere, feeling or mood of a person or place. It’s the impression, we get.

Are we aware that we are in control of our own vibe? We can choose. We have the choice to make the changes be that when we are alone, at work or with others.

Personal energy or vibe is something that we can learn to build, maintain and strengthen by bringing awareness to how we are in each situation and how we allow our environment and other people to affect our vibe. We can learn to adjust our internal vibe by making the decision to change.

l NEW STREET LIGHTS: Quilty village [cut out left: Cllr Dinny Gould (IND)

Ex Head of Enterprise Ireland appointed as the new Ei Electronics CEO

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

EX CEO of Enterprise Ireland, Leo Clancy has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Ei Electronics.

Leo succeeds Ei founder Mick Guinee in the role when he steps down on March 31st. Mick was originally appointed Managing Director of the GE owned EI Company in April 1983 and then led a management buyout before establishing Ei Electronics as a fully owned Irish company in March 1988.

On Tuesday, Ei’s board confirmed the appointment of Leo which becomes effective from April 1. Clancy served for four years as

CEO of Enterprise Ireland before stepping down in December. Prior to this, he was Head of Technology at the IDA.

An Electronics Engineer, Leo spent the earlier part of his career in the private sector, working in global roles with Ericsson and was General Manager Service Delivery for Ericsson Ireland. He subsequently served as Service Delivery Director with e-net, a public-private partnership, based in Limerick, delivering regional business broadband infrastructure in Ireland.

Commenting on his new role, Leo said he was “honoured” to succeed Guinee. “Mick’s legacy is extraordinary, and Ei is an incredible Irish success story. I am looking forward to the opportunity of

working with Mick, as Chairman, and with the talented team at Ei Electronics to drive the company’s next phase of growth and innovation”.

Mick who will remain as Chairman of the Board of Directors stated, “On behalf of the Board and the entire organisation we are delighted to welcome Leo Clancy as our new CEO. Leo’s expertise, experience and empathic leadership style make him the ideal choice to lead Ei Electronics into its next chapter”.

Headquartered in Shannon, Ei is a 100% Irish owned multinational and a global leader in fire and home life safety products. The company employs more than 1,250 people worldwide.

Vinny O’Rourke honoured for 50 years of dedication at Shannon Leisure Centre

by Lisa Mullaly lisa@clareecho.ie

SHANNON Leisure Centre kicked off their year of celebrations by marking a milestone achievement for its longest and most loyal member Vincent (Vinny) O’Rourke.

To celebrate this lifetime achievement, Shannon Leisure centre presented Vinny with a commemorative trophy, a goody bag of Shannon leisure centre merchandise and free membership for the rest of his life.

Vinny was presented with his award at a surprise party at Shannon leisure centre on Friday January 31 surrounded by his friends and family.

“I’m completely taken by surprise,” Vinny said, reﬂecting on the celebrations marking his 50 years as a member. “It’ll take some time to come down again. I’m feeling very special with all these newspapers and photographers.”

Originally from Limerick, Vinny moved to Shannon to work as a customs ofﬁcer in Shannon airport at the age of 28, and ﬁfty years later he still swims at Shannon leisure centre everyday.

Vinny’s family have also

been involved in Shannon leisure centre in some capacity since settling in Shannon in 1974. Vinny’s sons were avid swimmers much like himself, Eugene went on to compete in National swimming competitions and Damien worked in the swimming pool for a period of time before changing ﬁelds to work in radio. This family tradition still lives on as Vinny has paid for each of his grandchildren living in Shannon to attend swimming lessons in Shannon Leisure Center.

Sinéad O’Connor, Vinny’s daughter in law explained: “Vinny paid for the lessons when they were babies and they attended lessons in the leisure centre all the way up to their teens and most of them are still going.”

Karl Fogarty, the manager of the centre, highlighted Vinny’s importance to the community. “This year we are celebrating 50 years in business, and Vinny has been here since day one,” Karl said. “To have someone for 50 years is rare. It’s a testament that people are comfortable and believe in what we’re doing, the fact they continue to come here day in and day out.”

Vinny’s presence at the

centre has been consistent through the years, even as the centre expanded and faced the challenges of rising costs. Karl recalls a special memory: “One of my fondest memories of Vinny is when we had to increase our prices. He would always reach out to check if my

maths were correct.”

“Health and wellness are not just about exercise,” Karl explained. “They’re about community, connections, and consistency. Vinny is a shining example of all three.”

lNEW CEO: Leo Clancy

l 50 YEARS OF SWIMMING: Vinny O’Rourke and his wife May

l Vinny receiving his award from Shannn Leisure Centre Manager Karl Fogarty

Pictures by: Joe Buckley

44 aﬀordable homes for sale in Claregalway

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

44 AFFORDABLE homes are under construction in Claregalway and are being made available for sale by Galway County Council.

The homes are amongst 61-housing units being delivered in the Garraí Na Gaoithe development, which is the first turnkey housing scheme to include affordable housing in Co Galway under the Government’s ‘Housing for All’ policy.

They are among the first affordable homes to be developed in C Galway since 2013.

Applications for the 44 units, which comprise 2 two-bed, 27 three-bed and 15 fourbed houses, will be accepted via an online application portal from Monday 24th February 2025 at 10:00am until the deadline of Monday 17th March 2025 at 5:00pm. All applications will be initially prioritised in order of date and time received.

A ‘drop in’ information evening on the development and the application process will take place in the Claregalway Hotel on Thursday, February 13th 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Located on the Lakeview Road, the Garraí Na Gaoithe scheme also features a crèche and is located close to local amenities in Baile Chláir.

Cllr Martina Kinane (FF), Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, said, “I very much welcome the meaningful steps being taken by the Local Authority, with the support of Elected Members, to address the housing needs of families across County Galway. The Garraí Na Gaoithe homes

demonstrate Galway County Council’s commitment to creating sustainable, family-friendly developments that are situated close to local amenities and help to inject new life into the communities in which they are located”.

According to Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, “The

first phase of the development attracted significant interest when they were placed for sale by Galway County Council. More than 300 people attended a public information session while there were 116 applications for the 17 houses available in the first phase of the project within the first three days of the web portal opening. We are expecting sim-

ilar, significant interest in this second phase of the development”.

Michael Owens, Director of Housing for Galway County Council outlined how the demand for affordable housing in County Galway is growing, and that it would continue to grow. “The rising cost of living means an increasing number of people are being priced out of the housing market. Significant progress is being made in County Galway however,” he explained.

He continued, “Last November, Elected Members approved loans totalling €66.5 million to fund critical housing projects and schemes, which will not only help us to meet current housing needs but also will work toward meeting future demand. Galway County Council, in partnership with Galway City Council, also is continuing to engage with property developers, planners and key stakeholders to explore opportunities for delivering new affordable housing projects across Galway”.

Galway County Council has placed the 44 affordable homes at Garraí Na Gaoithe for sale under the affordable purchase arrangements included in the Affordable Housing Act 2021 and Associated Affordable Housing Regulations.

Further Information on the scheme, including the Scheme of Priority, link to the application form, and support documentation required, is available at www.galway.ie/ affordable. All applications will be initially prioritised in order of date.

Gort business woman honored with retail award by Health Food Stores Ireland

by Lisa Mullaly lisa@clareecho.ie

SALLY SMITH, the owner of Open Sesame shop in Gort and Ennis has been honoured with a prestigious Special Recognition Award for Service to Retail.

Sally received her award at the Health Stores Ireland Conference on Sunday January 26. The conference was held in Treacey’s Oakwood Hotel Shannon.

Speaking to the Clare Echo about the award Sally said “It’s been a huge honour and a lot of fun to work in the healthstore sector for nearly 40 years. I have learned so much from the wonderful staff, customers and colleagues I have met over the years.”

Sally explained that she is proud to be apart of a strong community of independent businesses; “the thing I’m most proud of in our industry is that so many stores and producers are independant family run businesses. Seeing organic hand-made products, with natural and local ingredients on the market is ever more refreshing in a time of global multinational nonsense.”

Described by her co-workers as “the heart and soul of Open Sesame” Sally has been serving her community since 1988.

Over the past 36 years Sally has been committed to serving every member of her community while also developing lasting relationships. Her commitment to outstanding service and her

unwavering support for the local retail scene have truly set her apart and earned her the prestigious award.

Cheryl Thallon, founder of Viridian Nutrition presented Sally with her award. Cheryl congratulated Sally over facebook saying “Sally has been serving her communities since 1988 and is a respected entrepreneur and expert in the ﬁelds of nutrition, environment, health and happiness. I’m grateful and honoured to call her a friend as well as a valued customer”

l GARRAÍ NA GAOITHE DEVELOPMENT AT BAILE CHLÁIR, COUNTY GALWAY: (L-R)John Waters of Galway County Council’s Housing Directorate; Michael Owens, Director of Housing for Galway County Council; Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council; Councillor Martina Kinane, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council; and Karen O’Donnell, Galway County Council.

Photo by: Andrew Downes, xposure.

lSPECIAL RECOGNITION

FOR SERVICE TO RETAIL: Sally Smith with Cheryl Thallon at the Health Food Stores Ireland Conference

Six-ﬁgure sum spent on hedge cutting in Kilrush LEA last year

by Michael Fitzgerald news@clareecho.ie

A SIX FIGURE sum was spent on hedge cutting in West Clare, last year according to a senior engineer in Clare County Council.

There are 307km of regionally important roads in the West Clare Municipal District, split almost fifty fifty between the Kilrush local electoral area and the Ennistymon local electoral area.

In a proposal before the West Clare MD, Cllr Michael Shannon (FF) called for a review of hedge cutting of regional roads.

Senior executive engineer, Alan Kennelly explained, “We prioritise on a case-by-case basis, rather than hedge trimming entire categories or sections of road. The cost to the Kilrush LEA in 2024 was a six-figure sum”.

He outlined, “Legislation is quite clear, hedge cutting should be kept

to a minimum. It allows for work necessary for road safety, but it remains clear that the majority of hedge cutting should be carried out between September and February”.

As per the Council’s hedge cutting policy adopted in June 2011, hedge and verge trimming will be carried out as required on regional roads funded by the allocation specified in the Annual Roadworks Programme and normally facilitated by the Council’s Own Resources.

Kennelly added, “Clare County Council has a Community Hedge Cutting Grant Scheme. This scheme encourages a joint approach with communities, groups of local residents and landowners for the cutting of hedges. The scheme provides a grant of €50 per km of roadside hedge attended to. The minimum length of road

network per application is 5 km. As previously noted, Kilrush LEA spent a six-figure sum last year on hedge cutting – much greater than our allocation under the 2024 Schedule of MD Works and funded from our own resources. I estimate the cost of hedge cutting an additional 300km of road at €100k to €120k, money that is simply not available from our Own Resources”.

He said, “Increasingly when we carry out hedge cutting, we get two distinct reactions from the public, ‘Thank you for cutting the hedges’ or ‘You are in breach of legislation, you are cutting hedges out of season, please stop’. We have to try and balance the concerns of both groups, and I do not think it is practical for the reasons outlined to cut approx. 600km of roadside hedgerow on our regional roads in their entirety each year”.

Clare schools take on GreenSchools challenge this February

14 CLARE schools are changing their travel habits this February.

An initiative of the GreenSchools Programme, the Big Travel Challenge asks school communities to focus on modes of active travel such as walking, cycling or scooting, and try to get as many people using that mode as possible over a period of 9 school days.

Schools can also promote a range of awareness initiatives in their school communities where active travel may be less practical.

This year’s theme of Love our Health, Love our Planet was inspired by the challenge coinciding with Valentine’s Day on the ﬁnal day.

The 13 Clare schools are among 477 schools nationwide currently working on the Travel theme of the Green-Schools Programme with the aim of being awarded a Green Flag for Travel. More than 2,400 schools nationwide have been awarded a Travel ﬂag since the programme began.

This year’s challenge marks the eighth year of successfully encouraging more students to enjoy the beneﬁts of getting to school on foot, on wheels or by

public transport. Walking, cycling, wheeling and scooting to school are all beneﬁcial to students’ physical and mental health, and can help reduce emissions from the cars on the road.

Green-Schools are looking for all schools big and small, rural and urban, primary, secondary and education centres that will take on the challenge of achieving a measurable increase in sustainable modes of travel, or even an increase of awareness around issues connected to sustainable travel. Schools are asked to promote their

initiatives and record their results to form an application to win the Big Travel Challenge.

Allison Phillips is GreenSchools Travel Manager:

‘Every year our Big Travel Challenge calls upon school communities to take on new habits out and break old ones. Our regional Travel Ofﬁcers will be out visiting schools across Ireland, supporting them in their aim towards being their county’s Travel School of the Year. It will be exciting to see how our schools take on the Challenge.’

l SIX-FIGURE SUM: Hedge cutting tractor

l2024 WINNERS: Cappawhite National School, Tipperary

Enable Ireland Ennis charity shop wants you to ‘break up with your stuﬀ’

THIS FEBRUARY, Enable Ireland is taking a cheeky twist on the Valentines theme.

The non-profit organisation, which provides services to over 13,000 children and adults with disabilities, is encouraging the public to declutter their homes and ‘break up with their stuff’.

Throughout February Ennis locals can ‘break up’ with their stuff by donating once-loved items that are cluttering your home to the Enable Ireland shop on 1 High Street, Ennis. Those concerned about a loss of romance need not worry. Enable Ireland will help these items find love again when sold. 100% of profits from items donated to Enable Ireland support their local disability services. These include vital therapy and support services.

Showing love to the planet, donations to Enable Ireland contribute to the circular economy.

Every year, they recycle over 2,000 tonnes of donated textiles and clothing via their 28 charity shops and network of over 170 textile banks throughout Ireland. This extends the life cycle of garments and prevents clothing from entering landfill waste, contributing to a greener way of living.

Commenting on the campaign, Oonagh O’Connor, Commercial Manager at Enable Ireland said: “February is a month associated with love and romance. It’s also a time when many people choose to declutter their homes with a Spring Clean. This year, we’re uniting the two by encouraging the public to ‘break up’ with their once-loved items, and then fall in love with second-hand.

Go through your wardrobes, kitchen presses, and chest of drawers. What may no longer have use for you, could be exactly what someone else is looking for. We’ll

help your donations find the perfect match and you’ll help raise funds to benefit our vital services!”

Enable Ireland is accepting donations of items at their shop on on 1 High Street, Ennis. Members of the public can also donate to one of the charities’ 174 textile banks located across the country. Alternatively, to any TK Maxx store nationwide, or directly into any Enable Ireland charity shop.

Enable Ireland loves to accept donations of clean, good-quality clothes, shoes, handbags, and accessories. They also accept towels, linens, homeware, and glassware. As well as collectables, books, loose toys and unwanted gifts. Unfortunately, the charity cannot accept donations of electrical items, dirty or soiled items. Neither broken items, mattresses, duvets or pillows. This is due to the high cost of disposal.

The Enable Ireland Charity shop

in Ennis helps the public fall in love with second-hand all year round. It offers a wealth of preloved treasures. From designer

clothes and handbags, to trendy shoes and accessories. They also sell classic books, beautiful homewares and more.

l BREAK UP WITH YOUR STUFF: Enable Ireland staff, Ennis

Gold, silver and bronze for Dromoland Castle

by Lisa Mullaly lisa@clareecho.ie

DROMOLAND Castle won gold, silver and bronze accolades at the 2024 Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Hotel Awards.

Now in its 35th year, the Gold Medal Hotel Awards are regarded as the foremost independent recognition for Ireland’s hospitality sector. Judged by industry experts, the awards honour exceptional achievements in hospitality and catering operations across the country.

The Castle Spa at Dromoland Castle was awarded the Gold Award for Ireland’s Five Star Spa Experience. The luxurious spa, which reopened in 2023, offers a serene environment with six treatment rooms, an Amber and Quartz Crystal bed, and a unique relaxation space called The Whisper Room. With premium skincare brands such as Dr. Barbara Sturm, Seabody, and OSKIA, the spa aims to provide a transcendent experience of tranquillity and rejuvenation.

In addition to the spa recognition, Dromoland Castle was named the runner-up for Ireland’s Five Star Resort and took home the Bronze Award for Ireland’s Sustainability / Leading Green Hotel.

Mark Nolan, Director of Dromoland Castle Hotel, expressed pride in the achievement, stating,

“Bringing gold, silver, and bronze awards back to County Clare is a true honour. The Castle Spa, in particular, is fast becoming a jewel in Dromoland Castle’s crown, and being named the best Five Star Spa Experience in Ireland is a testament to the hard work of our team.”

The recognition at the Virgin Media Business Gold Medal

SATURDAY 8TH FEBRUARY 2025

Awards marks the beginning of an exciting year for Dromoland Castle, which ended 2024 with several prestigious accolades. These included the Luxury Travel Advisor 2024

Would you like to work in Clare at one of Ireland’s most beautiful tourist attractions?

Vandeleur Walled Garden/Loop Head Lighthouse are holding a RECRUITMENT OPEN DAY FOR 2025 SEASON for customer service agents, tour guides, retail staff, café staff, gardening staff

Location:

Vandeleur Walled Garden & Visitor Centre, Killimer Rd, Kilrush, Co. Clare, V15 E735 from 11am to 4pm.

J Training Provided

J Uniform Provided

Meet with staff and management who work at Vandeleur Walled Garden & Visitor Centre/Loop Head Lighthouse.

You are welcome to bring an up-to-date CV. If you or someone you know would be interested in working as part of our team, please come to the recruitment open day on Saturday, 8th February.

If you require further information or are interested in applying please email your CV with a cover letter to careers@claretourismdev.ie

Award of Excellence, the Sustainable Hotel Preferred GIFFTS Hotels Recipient 2024, and the Gold Medal Award for Ireland’s Leading Green Hotel. Additionally, the resort was voted Ireland’s Best Hotel by the public in the Irish Independent Reader Travel Awards 2024.

Furthermore, Dromoland Castle received the ‘Best 5-Star Hotel’ award at the CIÉ Tours Awards of Excellence. CIÉ Tours, Ireland’s largest inbound tour operator from North America, recognised the castle for its rich historical significance and exceptional guest care. The estate’s expansive 500acre grounds, coupled with its luxurious amenities, offer visitors an ideal space for relaxation and exploration.

The Cliffs of Moher also received a Merit award in the visitor experience category at the CIÉ Tours event, highlighting the significance of County Clare as a key destination for tourism in Ireland.

CIÉ Tours, which has been bringing visitors to Ireland for

over 90 years, presented the awards based on post-stay feedback from their 30,000 customers. The company praised the honorees for contributing to Ireland’s 95.4% guest satisfaction rate, emphasizing the role these businesses play in the success of the Irish tourism industry.

Stephen Cotter, Managing Director of CIÉ Tours, remarked, “2024 was another landmark year for us, and we are proud to honour these leaders in tourism. Their contributions not only enhance the Irish tourism experience but also support local communities by creating jobs and wealth.”

As Ireland’s leading inbound tour operator, CIÉ Tours continues to drive vital tourism revenue, particularly to towns and villages across the country, solidifying the importance of businesses like Dromoland Castle in the national tourism ecosystem.

CLARE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT DAC

Clare Tourism Development DAC is a subsidiary company of Clare County Council that oversees the management, development, and promotion of a portfolio of signature visitor attraction sites throughout Clare. Clare Tourism is now hiring for the role of:

• Maintenance Manager

The successful applicant will report to the Head of Operations within Clare Tourism East and work closely with the Senior Management and Business Unit Managers within, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Knappogue Castle, Craggaunowen – Bronze Age Park, Holy Island Visitor Experience and to develop these iconic visitor attractions into a World Class Visitor Experience.

The Maintenance Manager will be responsible for ensuring all operational equipment and facilities are functioning efficiently and safely including the implementation, administration of the Maintenance Management Systems. They will oversee, develop, implement a maintenance management programme to cover scheduled, preventive and reactive maintenance.

HOW TO APPLY / FURTHER INFORMATION:

If you are interested in applying or wish to obtain further information about the position, contact aohanlon@claretourismdev.ie or email your CV with a cover letter to aohanlon@claretourismdev.ie. Closing date for applications is Friday, 21st February 2025, at 5:00pm.

lBEST 5-STAR HOTEL: (L-R) Stephen Cotter, Managing Director, CIÉ Tours, Aidan Murphy, Chairman of CIÉ Tours with Mark and Maria Nola, Dromoland Castle

Photo by: John T. Ohle

A Holistic Business Approach – Think Global, Act Local

WE ARE delighted to announce that Elaine Ryan & Associates Ltd (ERA Ltd) is celebrating its 18th anniversary on this month!

This milestone is not just a reflection of our longevity but also of our commitment to excellence, innovation, and impact.

First and foremost, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our stakeholders -customers, team members, professional networks, suppliers, and friends, who have stood by us on this incredible journey.

Your trust and support have been instrumental in shaping ERA Ltd into what it is today, and we assure you that in the years ahead, we will continue delivering nothing but the best.

Setting the right intentions for 2025

The year has started on a high note, and January has already set the tone for an impactful and meaningful 2025. As an NLP Coach, I often emphasize the power of setting the right intentions, because every successful journey begins with a strong foundation. At ERA Ltd, our intention for this year was clear: to embrace a holistic business approach, explore global markets, and create meaningful impact, all while staying rooted in Irish foundations.

This vision came to life with our recent travels to India and the UAE (Dubai), where we had the opportunity to share our expertise, empower business leaders, shape the future of students, and engage in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

India – a land of opportunities

India, the world’s 5th largest economy, is a treasure trove of business potential, cultural richness, nature and learning experiences. Our journey to India was nothing short of transformative, as it allowed us to contribute to leadership development, social impact, and student empowerment.

Experiential leadership training in Valparai

One of the highlights of our visit was a three-day residential and experiential leadership training for a Swiss-based manufacturing company. What made this training unique was its location - Valparai, a breathtaking hill station in Tamil Nadu. Nestled within a wildlife sanctuary, surrounded by lush green tea estates and dense evergreen forests, this location became an immersive learning envi-

ronment where nature itself was a teacher.

Experiential learning was at the core of this program. In one of the activities, the participants were divided into teams and given a unique task: to study an element of nature and apply their learnings to it. The results were fascinating! One team captured a video of an elephant family - father, mother, and baby elephant, observing their interactions and behaviours. They then related these behaviours to leadership dynamics, teamwork, and emotional intelligence. We also integrated NLP concepts and breathing techniques, enabling the participants to absorb leadership principles on a deeper, subconscious level. This training reinforced the power of learning amidst nature and learning from nature, an experience that left a lasting impact on everyone involved.

CSR Initiative – clean drinking water for a rural school

At ERA Ltd, giving back to society is at the heart of everything we do. During our trip, we collaborated with a renowned Commu-

nity Development Organization to contribute to a local school in a rural area. Our initiative provided a water purifier, ensuring that children now have access to clean and safe drinking water.

Witnessing the joy and gratitude of these students was a deeply moving experience. Their smiles and appreciation reaffirmed our belief that even small actions can create a ripple effect of positive change. This CSR initiative is just one of many steps we plan to take toward social responsibility and impact-driven business practices. Empowering students – the future of the workforce

One of our strongest intentions for this trip was to educate and empower students, because they are the future of the workforce and the world.

We had the privilege of engaging with 120 students of master’s in international business from a prestigious institution that educates over 8,000 students annually. The focus of our session was practical applications of NLP for emotional and physical wellness, as well as career readiness. We provided insights on how students can prepare for job

opportunities, develop resilience, and build a strong professional presence.

We believe that organizations and individuals alike have a responsibility to nurture future generations, and we are committed to playing our part in this mission.

Business collaborations and future opportunities

While in India, we also explored strategic business collaborations across diverse sectors such as recruitment, IT, tourism, and healthfood products. These engagements have opened new doors for future partnerships that align with our goal of bringing global services to Ireland and taking Irish excellence to the rest of the world.

Dubai – a land of dreams and exponential growth

Following our enriching experiences in India, we set off for Dubai, UAE - a global hub of business, innovation, and aspiration.

Training for University Students – NLP for Professional Excellence

It was with a leading university in Dunai, where we conducted a session titled “Neurolinguistic Pro-

gramming (NLP): Your First Step Toward Professional Excellence.”

This hybrid session, attended by students both in-person and online, covered topics such as:

l Need for setting intentions

l Power of habits

l Understanding and regulating inner voice

l Harnessing the power of words through NLP

The enthusiasm and engagement from the students were incredible, reaffirming that investing in young minds is one of the most valuable contributions we can ever make. Team building training for professionals

We also facilitated a team-building session for a dynamic group of professionals from the same university. The theme? “Team Bonding.” Because at ERA Ltd, we believe that true team-building happens only when genuine bonding exists.

Using an experiential learning approach, we created activities that fostered trust, collaboration, and synergy within the team. The energy, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn were truly inspiring.

Key takeaway: think global, act local

This trip reinforced a powerful message: “think global, act local.”

As an Irish company, we see abundant resources, talents, and opportunities at our fingertips. Our mission is to blend global best practices with our unique Irish strengths, adopting and implementing the finest global strategies while ensuring that our values, culture, and local expertise remain at the core of everything we do. At the same time, we are committed to taking Irish excellence to the world, setting new benchmarks, and making a lasting impact on global business landscapes. Looking ahead

As we celebrate 18 years of ERA Ltd, we are more motivated than ever to continue our journey of growth, impact, and transformation. Our experiences in India and Dubai were just the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable year ahead.

To our clients, partners, and well-wishers, we thank you for being part of this journey. Together, let’s create a future where businesses thrive, professionals grow, and communities prosper!

lTHINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCAL: Elaine Ryan at Experiential leadership training in Valparai, India

Costelloe Estate Agents unveil latest development in Ennis

COSTELLOE Estate Agents are delighted to unveil the latest development from Gildoc Ltd, trading as Liam O’Doherty Building Contractors

– An Gallán Nua, a stunning new collection of 3 +4 bedroom homes located in the highly sought-after residential area of Loughville, Ennis.

With over 30 years of experience in delivering top-quality homes across County Clare, Liam O’Doherty Building Contractors have established a reputation for excellence. An Gallán Nua represents their latest offering of quality new homes in a prime residential location.

Located just off Lahinch Road, An Gallán Nua is ideally positioned within 2.5 km of Ennis town centre and 1 km of the Ennis Relief Road Network, ensuring excellent accessibility.

Ennis itself offers a wealth of amenities, including toptier primary and secondary schools and proximity to renowned third-level institutions. Its extensive sporting and leisure facilities, including

the 134-acre Lees Road Sports & Amenity Park and the Active Ennis Leisure Complex with its 25-metre swimming pool, cater to active lifestyles. For golf enthusiasts, two local clubs provide excellent options.

With so much to offer, Ennis is the perfect place to call home, and An Gallán Nua presents an unmissable opportunity to make it yours.

Designed by the acclaimed architects Hasset, Leyden & Flynn, An Gallán Nua is a thoughtfully planned development of just 36 homes, centered around a beautifully landscaped green area. The scheme offers a diverse mix of properties, each one tailored and finished to the highest standards, combining contemporary design with the timeless appeal of a welcoming community setting.

Discover the perfect blend of location, design, and lifestyle at An Gallán Nua – your new home in Ennis. For further information, contact us at 065 68212989 or ring info@costelloe.com

The International Science Centre conveniently located in the heart of UL offers open plan and private office space. A flexible space suite 4 and 5 can be let individually or combined spanning the entire 1st floor of this exciting office space.

KEANE FRUSTRATED BY BACK 3 RULE

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 3

Clare 2-17 LEITRIM 0-10

Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

Compiled by Seamus Hayes

STORY OF THE GAME

CLARE

Frees For: 6 (2/4)

Wides: 9 (4/5)

Scores from play: 2-16

Spread of scorers: 9

Top scorer: Eoin Cleary (0-6, 2xtwo pointers)

Own kickouts won: 11 out of 17

Bookings; Cillian Rouine (47)

LEITRIM

Frees For: 6 (6/10)

Wides: 7 (2/5)

Scores from play: 0-8

Spread of scorers: 5

Top scorer: Barry McNulty (0-4 1f)

Own kickouts won: 21 out of 28

Bookings: None

REFEREE: James Molloy (Galway)

THE IMPORTANCE of winning home games in the Allianz National Football League has been stressed by Clare manager, Peter Keane. Keane recorded his first league victory on Sunday when Clare ran out comfort-

SCAN HERE FOR PLAYER RATINGS

able winners over Leitrim by a margin of thirteen points in Cusack Park.

Speaking following the round two clash, Keane stated, “in any league you have got to win your home games and if you get a bit of success

O'Gorman Cup to kick off

on the road then its great”.

A week on from their opening round loss to Antrim, the Kerry man was still struck by the playing con-

THE race for the O’Gorman Cup commences next weekend with games on Saturday (Feb 15) and Sunday (Feb 16). The competition which honours late Doonbeg and Clare ofﬁcial, John O’Gorman is promoted by the Doonbeg club and this season’s event will be the 20th running of the competition. It is run in conjunction with the Allianz National Football League and participating clubs take part without their inter county players. Six clubs have entered for this season’s competition, the draw for which will take place this weekend. It’s planned to have three rounds completed before the domestic club leagues get under way on March 8th/9th. Doonbeg, Ennistymon, Kildysart, St Joseph’s Miltown, Naomh Eoin and Cooraclare are the six clubs currently signed up for the O’Gorman Cup. The competition will be played under the new football rules which will be in place for the county leagues.

CBS HIGH SCHOOL CLONMEL 2-19 SCARIFF CC 2-07

Venue: Ballyagran

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

STORY OF THE GAME

CBS HIGH SCHOOL:

Frees for: 15 (8/7)

Wides: 9 (7/2)

Spread of scorers: 6

Scores from play: 2-10

Top scorer: Aaron Cagney (1-10 9f)

SCARIFF CC: Frees for: 9 (5/4)

Wides: 8 (5/3)

Spread of scorers: 4

Scores from play: 2-2

Top scorer: Ben Sweney (1-4 3f 1’65)

REFEREE: John O'Halloran (Limerick)

ditions in Corrigan Park, Belfast. “I never witnessed anything as bad as the conditions last weekend and that’s coming from South Kerry

where we generally play our championship in November and December and we wouldn’t be playing on sand based pitches. It was a really bad day last week and bad for both teams, I don’t take away from Antrim’s win. We were disappointed coming home. We got over today and we are looking forward to playing Fermanagh in two weeks time”.

Referring to the new rules and how teams are adapting to the changes he said, “I watched a few bits and pieces in the games on TV last evening and it almost looked like the old game. It’s about the way teams will be adapting. It’s going to take time for teams to get used to the three back. It’s a frustrating rule as if a forward steps out or a back steps out and there are only two behind, it’s frustrating. I can see what they are

trying to do but its frustrating as it prevents the flow of play”, he said.

Commenting on the spread of scorers, nine in all, he said “we are looking for movement and there is plenty of movement. We have given debuts to seven fellas over the last two games and that is a big thing when you are building a squad. It’s a big thing for those lads to get their first jersey with the seniors”.

Clare have no game this weekend before heading to Fermanagh for round three. “We are expecting every team to be strong, there is no team in Division 3 that shouldn’t be there, you are there because you didn’t get out of it or you came up from Division 4 or down from 2. You have to take every team as they come and try and beat them”.

Flannan's must bounce back

DR HARTY CUP FINAL

Thurles CBS 1-13 ST FLANNAN'S 0-13

Venue: Mallow GAA Complex (Cork)

Compiled by Seamus Hayes

STORY OF THE GAME

THURLES C.B.S

Frees For: 14 (7/7)

Wides: 6 (3/3)

Scores from play: 1-6

Spread of scorers: 7

Top scorer: Cormac Fitzpatrick (0-7 7f)

Own puckouts won: 18 out of 23

Bookings: Keith Loughnane (52)

ST FLANNAN’S COLLEGE

Frees For: 22 (8/14)

Wides: 10 (6/4)

Scores from play: 0-3

Spread of scorers: 4

Top scorer: Harry Doherty (0-10 9f)

Own puckouts won: 10 out of 20

Bookings: None

REFEREE: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)

ST FLANNAN’S COLLEGE didn’t adapt to the conditions in the Harty Cup final but are focused on bouncing back in the Croke Cup.

Understandably St. Flannan’s College selector Jamesie O’Connor was disappointed with his side’s defeat in Saturday’s Dr. Harty Cup final but he readily acknowledged that “Thurles were deserving winners on the day”.

“With the breeze as strong as it was, we left ourselves with too much to do. We didn’t get to grips with it at all until the second quarter. We had a good second quarter to get ourselves back into it but we needed to be more ahead at half time to give ourselves a chance. The better team won on the day,” Clare’s All-Ireland winning star from 1995 and 1997 said.

“If you said coming down that we would hold Thurles

to 1-13 we probably would have felt we had a great chance. You can’t make mistakes like we made today and hope to come out on top. That said there is a lot of credit to the lads, we knew at half time that it was going to be a real test. We stayed in the fight and we were still there, battling away. We had too many unforced errors but I am really disappointed for the lads because they have given us a great effort all year”, the St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield man added.

He agreed that the game’s only goal was a crucial score. “They have a serious full forward line but I thought our full back line was outstanding all day, they were under serious pressure, Joe Casey in particular was brilliant. Our lads had to defend really well and they did that for the most part. Sometimes it’s just really

one chance and in fairness to Jack Hayes he got the goal, he finished it well. That gave them that cushion and they could sit back a bit. Overall I don’t think we did enough to win”.

According to the St Flannan’s College teacher “you can’t beat this big match experience which will stand to the players. This is where you want to be. It’s a massive disappointment but we have to regroup now, there is still a prize at stake and we have to put our best foot forward now. We are one of six teams

that can win the All-Ireland but it’s not going to be easy. The day these guys signed up for hurling five or six years ago, the dream was to play Harty Cup hurling and to win it.

“There is no consolation in saying that to the lads now. There is still a very valuable prize there. We will regroup and put our best foot forward to try and win it."

l Cillian McGroary takes on Mark Keegan Photo by Gerard O'Neill

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

l James Hegarty in action for Flannan's Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Scorers CBS High School Clonmel: A Cagney (1-10 9f), J Yousif (1-1), C Morrisson (0-3), B Roche (0-3), M McGuire (0-1), H Lawlor (0-1).

Scorers Scariff Community College: B Sweeney (1-4 3f 1’65), M Crotty (1-1), P Rodgers (0-1), K Fahy (0-1 1’65).

JOSEPH’S SPANISH Point were crowned Munster Senior B ladies football champions on Tuesday. In a nail-biting ﬁnale, Spanish Point were rewarded for their hard work securing the Senior B title with a single score margin. The half time whistle saw St Joseph’s four points in the clear, but the Kerry ladies fought hard scoring a goal and 3 points in the second half. The West Clare ladies held tough to the end however and were crowned deserving champions on a score of 2-9 3-5 against Coláiste Sceilge.

Clare refs blow back over expenses

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

REFEREES in Clare have detailed a number of concerns to Clare GAA with payment of expenses top of their list.

Following a meeting of Clare GAA referees on Thursday night last, a letter outlining a number of concerns was sent to Clare GAA’s Head of Operations, Deirdre Murphy.

Payment of expenses for 2025 topped the list with claims that some had only received part payment while others had not received any payment at the time of the meeting.

Claims that referees are to withdraw their services if the payment issue isn’t resolved by this week have been denied by Clare GAA

Issues were also raised at the meeting regarding communication between the referees and the board while concerns were also raised by some referees over what they described as a lack of contact from the board with regard to what the introduction of the new playing rules in football will mean.

Last week’s meeting was held at the Éire Óg clubhouse and was attended by over twenty referees.

While there is no formal referees committee in place (e.g. chairman, secretary etc) one member pointed out to The Clare Echo that they contact each other by text when they want to discuss something.

In order for last week’s meeting to go ahead it is understood that Fergal O’Brien agreed to act as chairman on the night.

A number of referees were contacted this week with regard to the meeting. Three confirmed that they were aware of the meeting but were unable to attend on the night. One who was in attendance was strong in the view that any comment would have to come from the county board Chairman or Head of Operations while others confirmed that the issues mentioned at the outset were the main

items discussed on the evening but stressed that given there isn’t a referees committee in place, it wasn’t for them to speak on behalf of the group.

Replying to a query from The Clare Echo, Head of Operations Deirdre Murphy said it was “news to me” about the prospect of referees in the county withdrawing their services. She stated, “Only last week I engaged with a representative of Clare referees to discuss feedback from a recent referees meeting. It was a progressive and frank discussion and at no point was there any indication in relation to referees withdrawing their services.

“We did discuss the payment of referee expenses for both 2024 and 2025, but I will not be making any comment on the contents of those discussions. I’m sure you are aware that Croke Park continue to engage with the Revenue Commissioners on a national level on these matters. They will update counties when there is an agreed direction of travel agreed with the Revenue Commissioners. It is fair to say that this is a matter of concern for our referees. For queries in relation to this, can you direct any such requests to Alan Milton in the GAA Communications Dept,” Murphy added.

The following statement from Clare referees was issued through the County Board, “Clare GAA referees met recently to discuss a range of matters with the 2025 season in mind. The issue of expense processing and the recent Revenue statements with respect to expenses in the GAA was discussed. Clare GAA referees were anxious to get clarity of what expense arrangements would be in place for the 2025 season but expect that this will be resolved centrally and is not a matter for Clare GAA alone. Other matters around referee development, match appointments, new rules, etc. were also discussed. Clare GAA referees expect clarity on expense processing in due course and are looking forward to the 2025 season getting up and running”.

Coachford end Avenue's Munster Junior Cup hopes

AVENUE UTD have been eliminated from the Munster Junior Cup after conceding two second half goals in the space of 16 minutes, losing 2-1 to Coachford AFC 2 in Roslevan. After the high of dethroning reigning champions Cockhill Celtic in the FAI Junior Cup to seal their passage to the last sixteen, Avenue Utd suffered the low of losing out in the same stage of the Munster Junior Cup.

SCAN FOR REPORT

Newly-crowned boxing champ has sights set on Los Angeles

by Michael Fitzgerald news@clareecho.ie

IT’S BEEN a busy few days for Ennistymon man Louis Griffin.

Fresh from his U18 All Ireland win, the light welterweight is now returning from internationals in Poland as he strives to maintain his tremendous run of form.

The young boxer says it’s a busy schedule, balancing training full time as an amateur boxer with his 5th year studies in Ennistymon Community School, although he still finds time to line out in black and white for Ennistymon in football.

The confident young prospect lauds his trainers and family as his greatest supporters. He particularly acknowledges his parents’ efforts in helping him on the four-hour round trip to Portlaoise three times a week, the club he now boxes out of.

While he still helps out his old club Kilfenora coaching underage, Griffin believes the move was a necessity for his career trajectory. He now finds great camaraderie in Portlaoise as he hones his skills in the ring against the multiple European champions there who share his weight class, “They’re all nice as well like, so that helps”.

On his recent win at Nationals, Griffin says, “It felt amazing because 63.5kg welterweight was the most popular weight in the entire U18 competition. I think there was something like 21 entries”.

When talking about the bouts on road to the final, the Ennistymon man feels “I won them all clearly” before joking that he doesn’t want to seem too over-confident, something others his age would certainly be prone to. The

young boxer “went the distance” in the final against Patrick Kelly of Wexford, a worthy opponent he has met four times previously in Irish finals with the pair’s record tied at two wins a piece. His coach in Portlaoise, Pat Ryan was very impressed with his performance in the final, saying, “It was a tough fight against Kelly, but for me, there was only ever going to be one winner”.

During the fight, Griffin succeeded in keeping Kelly at a middle distance while still maintaining an aggressive profile with Ryan saying, “Louis loves a tear up as well and he’s well able for that. He did very well defensively and it was a great win”.

So what’s next for the three-time national and seven-time international box cup champion?

There is a Leaving Cert looming ominously in the distance and countless hours to be spent sharpening his skills on the canvas in Portlaoise, but for the moment Griffin says he is 100 per cent focused on the representing Ireland at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. If his record so far is anything to go by, Louis Griffin could be well on his way to adding a few more medals to a trophy cabinet already bursting at the seams.

Ennis RFC taste loss to Clanwilliam

by Dearbhla Parry news@clareecho.ie

Munster Junior League Division 2: Ennis 14 - 24 Clanwilliam

Ennis’ senior men’s team came out on the wrong side of a 14-24 result in a physical encounter with Clanwilliam on Sunday.

Having sustained early pressure from Clanwilliam, Ennis emerged with the first score of the game from a set-piece move. Good hands through the backs from a scrum led to Ennis’ Jack Dillion running a great line through the centre to score under the posts, converted by Oisín Mangan.

However the home side would rue some loose play soon after when on the attack, Ennis spilled possission and a resulting kick forward from inside the Clanwilliam half was chased down for the Tipperary side to score in the corner without a conversion.

Soon after, Clanwillian won a scrum penalty and kicked to the corner to score their second converted try from the lineout. Clanwilliam were in the lead by halftime with a 7-12 score.

Clanwilliam extended their lead in the second half as they scored their third try, which was duly converted. The game was all but in the bag when Ennis lost their own lineout which ulti-

mately led to Clanwilliam's fourt try of the game, unconverted.

A series of defensive infringements led to two yellow cards for Clanwilliam including an intentional knock-on near their own line, which resulted in a penalty try for Ennis. However Clanwilliam closed out the game to take the win, 14-24.

Ennis: Ben Benko, Joey Keane, Ruairi Quinlan, Cormac Browne, Cillein Mullins, Osgar O’Gorman, MJ Malone, Seán McDonagh, Shane Punch, Jack Scahill, Joe Connaughton, Brendan Keane, Ben Geraghty, and Jack Dillion. Their substitutes were Jack Colleran, Gavin Lawlor, Cian Enright, Frank Coffey, Eoin Griffin, Ryan Murphy, and Diolmhain Hynes.

Additional Results:

U13 Boys North Munster League: Bruff 5 – 14 Ennis

U15 Boys Munster Plate: Richmond 22 – 22 Ennis

Fixtures: U14 Girls Munster League: Clonakilty v Ennis; Saturday 8th February

Kick-off at 11:30am in Ballincollig

U13 Boys North Munster League: Ennis v Nenagh; Sunday 9th February

Kick-off at 11:00am in Lee’s Road

U14 Boys Munster Plate: Ennis v Cashel; Sunday 9th February

Kick-off at 12:00pm in Drumbiggle

U16 Boys Pan Munster Plate: Bruff v Ennis; Sunday 9th February; Kick-off at 12:00pm in Killballyowen Park, Bruff U18 Boys North Munster Cup: Ennis v St Mary’s/Richmond/Thomond; Sunday 9th February; Kick-off at 12:00pm in Lee’s Road Senior Men 1st XV Munster Junior League: Abbeyfeale v Ennis; Sunday 9th February Kick-off at 2:03pm in Abbeyfeale

l John Mulready, Liam Flynn and Alan Mulready celebrate at the ﬁnal whistle Photo by Joe Buckley

by PÁDRAIG MCGRATH

IN A thrilling conclusion last Sunday at the 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach ProAm, Rory McIlroy delivered a masterclass performance, clinching his 27th PGA Tour victory with a final-round 66.

When Rory is hot with the putter, he is pretty much unbeatable. His flawless play and putting on the iconic Pebble Beach course secured a comfortable two-shot win over fellow Irishman Shane Lowry, setting an electrifying tone for the golﬁng season ahead.

Looking at this form so early in the season it is exciting to think this year could be ﬁnally the year we have been waiting on for Rory. Every aspect of his game looked conﬁdent and his demeanour looks a lot happier out there.

I also believe playing with

Shane in the last group helped both players to enjoy the final round and take away a lot of the added pressure you get in a final round. Both Shane and Rory looked like they were just out playing a practice round together and shooting the breeze like the old amateur days. This is when players seem to play at their best, when they are playing with little to no tension which was definitely helped by being drawn together in the final round last Sunday.

Shane and Rory had the excitement of hole-in-ones on two iconic courses on their opening round on Thursday which no doubt helped to settle their nerves early for the week. It was super fun to watch the Irish boys when they are in full flight out there. Entering the ﬁnal day, McIlroy and Lowry trailed leader Sepp Straka by one stroke. However, the Northern Irishman showcased his resil-

ience and skill, particularly on the back nine.

A pivotal moment came at the par-5 14th hole, where McIlroy's strategic play taking on the high tree with the driver again carved a huge slice around the dogleg which led to a decisive eagle, propelling him into a dominant lead. He maintained this mo-

mentum, ﬁnishing the round at six under par, bringing his total to 21-under for the tournament comfortably ﬁnishing his round with three straight pars.

Lowry, McIlroy's compatriot and close friend, also exhibited commendable form throughout the tournament. Despite a valiant effort, in-

cluding a ﬁnal-round 65 shooting -5 also on his back nine, Lowry couldn't match McIlroy's impeccable performance and settled for second place at 19-under.

Notably, during the ﬁnal round, Lowry's drive on the 15th hole inadvertently struck a course marshal. Fortunately, the marshal was not seriously injured, but the incident highlighted the intense pressures and unpredictable nature of the game.

McIlroy's victory at Pebble Beach not only adds another prestigious title to his illustrious career but also signals a promising year ahead. With this win, he has set a high standard for the 2025 season, demonstrating that he remains a formidable force in the golﬁng world.

Looking forward, McIlroy has outlined several key ambitions for the year. Foremost among them is his pursuit of a career Grand Slam, with a particular focus on securing

New officers ‘drive-in’ at East Clare and Gort

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

THE East Clare golf club captains’ drive-in took place on Bank holiday Monday in front of a big attendance.

This year's lady captain is Helen Downey, men's captain is Paul Hayes and President is Teddy O'Hanlon.

Meanwhile the ‘drivein’ for the 2025 ofﬁcers at Gort took place on Sunday. Leading the South Galway club for the year are President Brendan Dolan and captains Ena Furey and Gerry Glynn.

EAST CLARE GC:

A 9 hole team scramble was held in conjunction with the drive in. The front 9 competition was won by Trish Nash, Kevin Grimes and Martin Breen from Breda Reid, Pat Carey and Kieran Larkin with third place ﬁlled by Mary Farrell, T.J. McNamara, Ciaran O'Connor and Maurice Costelloe.

The winners of the back 9 scramble were Ursula Hogan, John Doyle and Paul Madden from Siobhan Shanahan, Ben Rittweger and Tony Foley with third place ﬁlled by Maria Kennedy, Tim Walsh and Jason Horan.

Last week’s senior men’s competition was won by Danny Minogue, Donal Fleming and Jim

his ﬁrst Masters title at Augusta National. Achieving this would place him among the elite golfers who have won all four major championships.

McIlroy has announced plans to streamline his schedule, by reducing the number of events he participates in, he aims to maintain peak physical and mental condition, ensuring he remains "fresher for bigger tournaments." This strategic approach was something Tiger also focussed on as his career progressed.

As these top players no longer play for ﬁnancial reasons, they can be a lot more selective about their diary ﬁxtures focussing on peaking at the right times for the major tournaments.

Getting the balance between having enough rest to stay fresh and having enough tournament practice is definitely a fine line that is difficult to measure.

Top trainer award for Murray Rory roars to victory at Pebble Beach

Bradley. In second place were Ted Harrington, Noel Earley, and Jackie McHugh followed by Tony McNulty, Jim Willis and Seamus O'Dwyer.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB: Last week’s 13 hole ladies stableford competition was won by Anna-Marie Darmody (31) with 25 points. She won on a countback from Joan Murphy (34) with third spot ﬁlled by Peggy Costello (24) with 24 points.

The winner of the 8 hole competition was Phil Butler (14) with 12 points.

Friday’s senior ladies scramble was won by Mary Murray, Nuala D’Auria and Martina Corbett. with 22.8 points from Una O Reilly, Carmel Verling, Phil Butler and Josephine Tone with 27.7 points.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB: Sean Moran (16) won the St Bridget’s day prize at Kilrush on Bank holiday Monday with 29 points. He won on a countback from Paul Moroney (17) with Pat Brennan (6) a point further back in third place followed by Michael Studdert (11), also with 28 points.

WOODSTOCK GC: Round 2 in the Ozone Health and Fitness Spring League was played over the Bank holiday weekend at Woodstock when the winners were Kieran

Dromey and Jarlath Fahy with 58 points. They were two ahead of Paddy Meehan and Dickie Pyne with Joe and Pat Barry a point further back on 55 points. The league continues this weekend.

The winner of the club singles was Paddy Meehan with 36 points followed by Neil McCarthy on 34 with Mark Sweeney in third place, also on 34. There will be another club singles this week

GORT GOLF CLUB:

Winners of the nine hole scramble over the front 9 in conjunction with the drive-in at Gort were Paul Smith, Sara Broderick, Thomas Cannon and Aileen Walsh and they were followed by Joe Byrne, Pat Corcoran, Glenn Cahill and Charlotte Kelly

with third place ﬁlled by Anne Marie Mulry, John Dempsey, Alan Minogue and Josh MacFarlane.

The back 9 scramble winners were John Hynes, Mattie Larkin, Martin Mullins and Catherine Burke from Ray Dolan, John Skehill, Gerry Butler and Mary Cunninham. In third place were Shane Moylette, Paddy Coghlan, Olive Mulcair and Bernadette Burke.

The men’s competition at Gort over the Bank holiday weekend was an 18 hole stableford.

The winners were Colman Cooney (6) with 39 points (category 1), Niall O’Shaughnesy (13) with 39 points (category 2), Pat Curtis (16) with 47 points (category 3) and Ronald Ryan (22) with 42 points (category 4).

SIXMILEBRIDGE’S

Stephen Murray received a top trainer of the year award in Galway last weekend.

Murray has enjoyed a nice run of success in the Galway track in the past year and was acknowledged for his success when he was presented with the top trainer award.

Saturday night’s Galway card was headlined by the concluding A3 graded 525 yards contest in which Mirabel, Eastern Express and Hit The Diss were all away well but at the opening bend the Joseph Ward of Spanchill-owned Eastern Express took over in front by a length from Ballyea Jet. Racing down the back Eastern Express turned the screw and leaving the back straight the son of Ballymac Bolger and Jet Stream Debit drew away to score by 11 lengths from Mirabel in 29.17.

In race three, the Pat Hogan of Ennis-owned Aultion

Joxer (Ballymac Cashout-Jumeirah Genie) registered a maiden success to record an emphatic nine length success over Aiminy Jack in 29.48.

The concluding A2 graded 525 yards contest was the feature event on Friday. Although absent since last May, the Clare natives John Collins and Albert Long-owned Brickhill Como (Good News & Twentylittletoes) made a winning return in the A4 graded eighth contest as he made all to defeat Konfu Tommy by seven and a half lengths in 29.35. There was no joy for Clare owners at the National Coursing Meeting in Clonmel however Ennis /

was successful at the Clonmel Track on Saturday where there was €1,300 on offer in the 790-yard marathon contest in race nine and this was landed in predictable style by Fashion Model, who franked her form from one-week prior. Jointly owned by Paul Horig, it wasn’t surprising to see her installed as the 3/10 jolly after going some 70 spots quicker than her nearest rival one week prior. Indeed, it proved a fruitful night for the Horig as in the very next race, which was the Sporting Press A1/A2 550, Mustang Marydel made-all at huge odds of 9/1.

l Rory is embraced by Shane Lowry

Clarecastle coursing member Paul Horig

by Michael Maher news@clareecho.ie

l Teddy O'Hanlon, Helen Downey and Paul Hayes

l Stephen Murray, Top Trainer with Hughie Kelleher and Cian Mulrooney of WGBOA

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

CLOONCULLIN, COORACLARE, CO. CLARE.

Take notice that Alan & Irene Maher intend to apply to the planning authority for permission for alterations, front extension and change of use of part of existing domestic garage to a granny flat accommodation, along with ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

6 LOWER MARKET STREET

ENNIS V95 HY63

Take notice that Sinead Pyne, Cornucopia Limited, intends to apply to the planning authority for retention permission for mural as painted on external rear gable wall and external side wall. The above area is within an architectural conservation area.

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

GILLIGAN, Martin (Malley) Kilrush

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

CLOUNA SOUTH, ENNISTYMON, CO

CLARE V95 Y316

Take notice that Jess Wallnutt and Daire Pearson intend to apply for permission to partially demolish the outbuildings, extend and renovate the existing dwelling , install a wastewater treatment system, and for permission to retain the mobile home on site, for use as temporary accommodation during the construction works & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the

HARRINGTON (née MALONEY), MARGARET Ennistymon

Mulready (née Fahy), Brigid Sixmilebridge

Bolton, Noel Scariff

Byrne (née O’Shea), Elizabeth (Betty)

FORDE, PATRICK (Patsy) Scariff

Goodman (née Mcnamara), Margaret Kilkishen

Jennings, Tommy Tulla

Kearney, Thomas (Peadar) Corofin

period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

CLOONTISMARRA, INAGH, CO CLARE, V95 HD76.

Take notice that Michael Moloney intends to apply for permission to construct a farm building to house 3 no. looseboxes, tack room, feed room & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

Recent Deaths

McCarthy, Des Ennistymon

Wall (née McInerney), Annie Ballyea

Crampton, Thomas Quilty

Lee (née Kennedy), Kathleen Ennis

Madden (née Keane), Bridget Clare

Quinn, Benedict Michael (Ben) Ennis

GRANTHAM(née Kerr), Sally Sixmilebridge

O’Connell (née Grannell), Angela Ennis

of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

CLOONADRUM, QUILTY, CO CLARE.

Take notice that PJ O Connor intends to apply for permission to retain the 2 bed residential unit, the storage shed, and for permission to extend the public mains sewerage for connections to the existing residences & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL POULNAGUN, LISDOONVARNA, CO CLARE.

Take notice that Conor Burke intends to apply for permission to construct a new dwelling house , install a wastewater treatment system & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL NEWTOWN,

Ryan (née Flynn), Marie Ennis

Gallagher (née Brennan), Maureen Sixmilebridge

Mulqueen, James Shannon

O’ SHEA (née Flanagan), Frances Sixmilebridge

Arkins, John Kilfenora

FOX, Patrick Clare

Horgan (née Comerford), Ann Doonbeg

O’LEARY, Lynda Shannon

BALLYVAUGHAN.

Take notice that Burren Distillers Limited intends to apply for permission for provision of extension to existing bonded warehouse and provision of new dry store, together with provision of stainless steel holding tank for pot ale waste at Newtown, Ballyvaughan, County Clare.

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