The Clare Echo 08/01/26

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REVVED UP IN BODYKE

Man (20) on bail after sick rape charge

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

l Crowds gather at the Cobbler’s Rest in Bodyke where the Bodyke Tractor Run (inset) took place at the weekend. Pictured are Damien & Grainne Noonan with their children Meabh and Dara. More photos on p15.

Photos by Ruth Griffin

A CLARE man has been granted bail after appearing in court charged in connection with a sickening rape.

At Killaloe District Court sitting in Ennis yesterday, the 20-year old East Clare man appeared in connection with nine charges including four counts of rape against a female at his home in July, 2024.

The case includes charges in connection with rape, false imprisonment, sexual assault and non-fatal strangulation.

The man is also charged with two counts of subjecting the female

to non-fatal strangulation or non-fatal suffocation in the bathroom and living room of his home.

As part of the man’s bail conditions, he has already surrendered his passport and is to have no contact with a number of persons.

Legal aid was granted for a solicitor, Daragh Hassett to represent the accused and he was remanded on bail to appear in Ennis District Court on February 18 for the serving of the book of evidence.

FULL STORY P9

Tributes paid to ‘Comrade’ Hayes

by Dearbhla Parry news@clareecho.ie

ONE OF Clare’s most popular characters, Dermot Hayes passed away last weekend with tributes flooding in from friends, community groups and colleagues.

Known affectionately as ‘Comrade’ - a term that Dermot warmly used to address people - the human rights and political activist was known across the county and most notably in his native Corofin and Ennis.

Hayes passed away peacefully on January 3 surrounded by family at

the Mater Hospital, Dublin, in the care of their ICU team.

Dermot co-founded the Disabled People of Clare (DPOC) in 1992 and reignited Clare Leader Forum in 2014, paving the way for human rights among people with disabilities in Clare.

“For now, we will take a pause, to reflect, grieve, and to hold Dermot’s family gently in our hearts,” the Clare Leader Forum shared about their founder.

FULL STORY P4

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Corofin’s Cilléin Mullins, Marc O’Loughlin and Luke Neylon celebrate after beating Waterford side Stradbally in the Munster IFC Photo by Joe Buckley club quarter-final. It was the last involvement of the season for Crusheen’s Mullins who departs for Australia.

Mickey Guilfoyle, Robert Clancy and Brian Pyne supporting Clare during the Oscar Traynor (Munster region) quarter-final vs Kerry in Frank Healy Park

Burren Eye Photography lAnna Manninon, Fran Best & Miriam Simon at Soroptmist’s Nollaig na mBan Charity Dinner at the Old Photograph: Ground Hotel, Ennis

Photo by Tom Micks

Councillors encounter gridlock in Mountshannon lion was Nollaig na mBan dinner adds to €14k Samaritans donation attempts to get Blake’s Corner update

actually a ‘friendly mouse’

from St. Caimin’s Community School in Shannon, set paraic@clareecho.ie the scene while food served SOROPTIMISTS are set to by the Old Ground Hotel ELECTED members of by Dearbhla Parry have now up discovered that was a deer. “I’m not saying hand over €14k to Samari- wrapped the “tremendous” news@clareecho.ieCouncil are Clare ‘lion’ is in fact awomen beautifulin the for certain that it is a lion, but tansCounty thanks to their recent the event.

With 190 encountering their own dog, with a it does look to have a mane KILLALOE GARDAÍ have Newfoundland Charity Dinner. room, Hanley described snazzy haircut, named it as and a long tail. Some people gridlock inthe attempts get solved mystery of a& very On Saturday, thetoEnnis a “vibrant andoff enjoyable ‘Mouse’.

Hats to theaftereven think that someone reported ‘lion-like’ animal in clarity on the status of plans District Branch of a women’s noon”. So much so that when for clearing all of this might have shaved their dog the woods of East Clare. to group alleviate traffic congesraised €9,600 during guards it came time for the event to a joke,” O’Reilly remarked sightings and up - I think this is one of the as tion atReported Blake’s their NollaigCorner. na mBan Charifinish juststories after 6pm, “people humorous that will at the time, a comment which footage of a potential lion Three weeks the ty Dinner at on the from Old Ground leave, people downwant in theto lore of our turned out to be true. emerged last week with godidn’t Hotel in Ennis, bringing High Court dismissing were staying on chatting.”

“At a time when AI imagery reports made to Gardaí. antheir county”. l CHARITY: Samaritans donation application to bring a judicial In video attendance wasbyMary The was captured and confusion as to Marinella whether However, once on to the a O’Neill grand total of against €14,000 review challenge theafter a Considine, passing truck driverPerson who online content&isHelen real or fake Clare of Raftery scene in Woodpark Forest Photo

by Tom Micks a previous coffee morning in proposed pur-any had timber. It was is so rampant, it fell on the thebeen Year hauling 2025. Considine Park in compulsory Mountshannon, November.

MouseCEO walking guards Killaloe Station chase order appointed of into Iarnród trace of for the the lion Ennistywas gone shows twoin decades, wheretoshe preAccording to Soroptimists woods and disappearing. investigate to establish garda investigators were the Éireann in October 2025 and monand inner relief road, elected sentedand a wide variety of proJohn O’Reilly the true facts,” Deputy Crowe Ennis &got District Man- Forest unable to stuck confiBranch rmin whether was manager previously CEO of The grammes on RTÉ radio and members their lGRIDLOCK: Blake’s Corner said that harvesters working explained. ager, Mary Hanley, “They’re the identity of the animalinwas Shannon Airport Group. Last television, and McNamara efforts to source further on the site had spotted the going use money in facttoafrom lion.the They reported outcome of thewas Highnamed Municipal District, can youin 2016, year, Considine joined Samaritans formation the top tablefor a“The “lion” before, but ofonly that front “enquiries were carried andCouncil. back door, toCourt case in relation to from the reply up for the nextroles week”.

Clare Person the Year have by ataking of Director of new Clare County a the distance and assumed it Director Kirby confirmed a out” accordingly. upgrade their comms room,inner relief at Blake’sDublin Clareroad Association of Volunteer Care in 2018, DiIn a statement released last in Killaloe have andGardaí pay towards a ramp thatCorner, for itdemonstrating outstandsaid it dismissed a reply would furnished for and Rerector be of Recruitment month following High sincerecently confirmed that they putthe into thethe fa-judicial ing leadership in Irish aviation review project allowthe meeting. tention in 2020, and Deputy Court ruling, the Council so-called lion was in fact a cility to make it accessible foring the andproject regional Director ininner 2023. relief to development. proceed. Is AsEnnistymon’s said they persons.” “in partnership Newfoundland dog named disabled the first female CEO of”ShanSoroptimists help to transthat the definitive position, road is intended to address whose coat and with‘Mouse’ Transport Infrastructure Kildysart-native Hanley toldhe asked. non Airport, she has successformtraffic the lives of women and notorious congestion tail had been shaved to Ireland (TII)” would proceed The Clare Echo that Samar- Director fully guided the organisation girls through emof Services of at Blake’s Corner.

The education, scheme resemble that of of the a lion.

“The to itans the next stages N67/ in Ennis handle around through periods of challenges powerment and enabling oprecent video of a lion-like Transportation, Carmel Kirincludes the construction of N85 Ennistymon Inner With Relief 20,000 a year. and growth. animal calls roaming around 120the by offered little detail when a new portunities. bridge upstream of the Road project.

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(FF)County told helps The Clare Echo, Clare Council, Cllr first event,” explained. ness2022, campaign, and stated,is“Ia have a motion the re- ‘Orange “Like many was (FG)“Mary the lights on, people, keep theI to place trailblazer and isprocess an inwas Shane Talty (FF) referred thepaused Unitedas Nations amused and intrigued on the exact question sult of the a judicial until and upgrade the inspirational leader.”

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Mountshannon. guards for the welfare The of their vol- included MC Ciana Campbell of Soroptimist International unteers.” Hanley explained, and Deputy Director of Sa- Great Britain & Ireland (SIG“The branch relies entirely on maritans Ennis & Clare Ann BI) was founded and has confundraising and donations.”

McNamara. Campbell has a tinued to thrive since, bringing Music from Soloist Frey- broadcasting career spanning 15 active clubs to Ireland. ja Evans, sixth-year student

by Dearbhla Parry

bynews@clareecho.ie Páraic McMahon

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 8, 2026

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Thursay, Jan 8, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

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Dermot Hayes remembered Four deaths on Clare for his activism after passing roads in 2025

by Dearbhla Parry

by Dearbhla Parry

DERMOT Hayes (71) has been remembered for his three decades of activism after his passing on Saturday.

Dermot passed away peacefully on January 3 surrounded by family at the Mater Hospital, Dublin, in the care of their ICU team.

“For now, we will take a pause, to reflect, grieve, and to hold Dermot’s family gently in our hearts,” the Clare Leader Forum shared about their founder.

Originally from Kells, Corofin, Dermot was an integral part of the Clare community with his immense activism work. Only last month, he was honoured for his 35 years of work as a leading disability activist in Clare.

The Clare Leader Forum continued, “There are no words to fully describe how shattered and how deeply grateful we are for the extraordinary human being Dermot was. His compassion, integrity, humour, and unwavering commitment to justice shaped this forum and each of us in ways that will endure.”

Dermot co-founded the Disabled People of Clare (DPOC) in 1992 and reignited the Clare Leader Forum in 2014, paving the way for independent living, cultural participation, and a wider push for justice and human rights among people with disabilities.

“Dermot has been a strong supporter of the Clare Volunteer Centre since we opened our doors in 2008, recognising the invaluable role that volunteers play in our communities and leading by example in the tireless advocacy and campaigning on behalf of so many in our communities that shaped his life and made a difference in the lives of so many,” the Clare Volunteer Centre tributed. “We will miss his humour, his energy, his honesty and his smile.”

More than 150 people attended to witness Dermot receive his lifetime achievement award at the ‘People Power’ conference held by the Clare Leader Forum at The Temple Gate Hotel. In May 2025, Dermot received another award recognising his lifelong commitment to activism and volunteerism from the Clare Older People’s Council.

Dermot launched his memoir ‘The Road The Rises’ in 2023.

He credited numerous people at the book’s launch in Corofin for helping him with his book, such

FOUR people have died on roads in Co Clare in 2025, marking no change from the previous year.

RSA have published their yearly provisional road traffic collision figures, which reveal that Clare’s total road fatalities in 2025 are four, the same as 2024.

Last year, Clare made up 2% of Ireland’s 190 total road deaths, a national increase compared to the 162 deaths in 2024.

An Garda Síochána has recorded 179 fatal collisions in 2025, which have resulted in 190 fatalities on Irish public roads and in public places, some 18 extra fatalities compared to 2024.

The average number of deaths per month in 2025 was 15, compared to 14 per month in 2024.

February and June recorded the lowest number of deaths in 2025, while November and December saw the highest number of fatalities.

According to a report by RSA, 41% were drivers, 22% were pedestrians, and 16% were motorcyclists. Only 2% were e-scooter users, while the remaining 19% were passengers and pedal cyclists.

“We are deeply concerned by the increase in fatalities, particularly among our most vulnerable road users – cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists,” said Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the RSA. Assistant Commissioner Catharina Gunne, An Garda Síochána, Roads Policing and Community Engagement, added, “An Garda Síochána remains committed to improving road safety and minimising the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, and will continue to do so in 2026, targeting those drivers with the most risky and dangerous driving behaviours.”

news@clareecho.ie

news@clareecho.ie

l RIP: Dermot Hayes

as his ghost writer Breda Shannon, Dominic Taylor of the Limerick Writers Centre, and his family.

“It was a privilege to work with a man who never took his feet off the road, no matter how big the setbacks, he never gave up fighting for rights,” added Breda during the book launch.

Dermot’s sister, Andrea Barry, told him on the day, “You have always put your troubles aside and have never heard you say ‘Why me?’. Huge respect, comrade.”

The book was funded using a GoFundMe page set up by his long-time friend Gabriella Hanrahan. “To my surprise and my delight, over 180 people donated from all over the world,” Gabriella commented at the time.

Dermot helped to reignite the Clare Leader Forum’s “Nothing About Us Without Us” movement and contributed to their 2024 ‘We Are Human Too’ book. “We cam-

paigned for rights, not charity and promoted the independent living model,” Dermot told The Clare Echo in March 2024 after the passing of his fellow DPOC founder, Thomas Connole.

“More participation and inclusion was our goal.” The pair, along with other founders such as Ann Marie Flanagan, Donnacha Rynne and Declan Considine, travelled regularly to Dublin and other counties to meet and support other groups. They also visited the EU Parliament to lobby for Personal Assistance legislation and funding.

Dermot became involved in trade unionism in his youth, fighting for rights for his fellow workers. In recent years, he was a regular participant in the weekly Ennis demonstrations in solidarity with the people of Palestine. In 2024, Dermot was elected chairman of the Irish Kidney Association.

As part of his role, he launched a national fundraising drive and information campaign in March of last year.

While living in Ennis, the activist ran in three location election campaigns for the Workers Party in 1985, for Labour in 2014 and independently in 2019.

In Ennis’ Abbey Street Car Park stands a painting of Dermot on an electrical box, created in 2023 by Rachel MacManus as part of the Negative Space Collective. The painting of Dermot, alongside 11 other Clare figures, was scattered all over the town to honour their relevance in the community.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 8, 2026

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Thursday, Jan 8, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

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Judge oversees agreement for Christmas presents for two children from father in prison

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A JUDGE has overseen a court agreement where Christmas presents for two children from a father in prison are to be handed over to the children’s mother via a neutral party in time for Christmas Day. At Ennis District Court, the 30-year old Co Clare father appeared via video link from Limerick prison where he is currently on remand concerning an alleged assault on the children’s mother with a PlayStation Five controller on December 2nd at their Co Clare home.

The man is on remand in prison concerning three separate assault causing harm charges on the woman on November 24th, November 30th and December 2nd at the family home.

The mother has also secured an Interim Barring Order (IBO) against her ex-partner and the woman’s solicitor, Colum Doherty told Judge Alec Gabbett that the couple have two children and Christmas presents have been removed from the house.

The mother told the court that her ex-partner knows where the Christmas presents are.

Mr Doherty said, “Can we agree to get the presents returned” The mother told the court, “I want my kids’ presents”.

Speaking on the screen in court from prison, the father said, “The Christmas presents that I bought and paid for are at my mother’s house and I have already advised my mother to give the Christmas presents to the children’s mother”.

CHRISTMAS: Limerick Prison

In response the mother said, “My name is on both of those presents as well”.

Mr Doherty said, “If we can get the presents back that can resolve that issue”.

Judge Gabbett told the mother that it has been confirmed in open court that the handing over of the Christmas presents is organised.

Solicitor, Tara Godfrey for the accused said “is there someone that can be nominated? I will get on to my client’s mother and Christmas presents and keys can be handed over to a neutral party”.

Mr Doherty agreed with this approach commenting, “Yes, we will resolve this”.

Judge Gabbett said, “Hand them over to a

Counsellor’s life derailed by man sending lewd images

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

AN ADDICTION counsellor has had her life significantly derailed by the actions of an Ennis man who sent her lewd images of himself, a court has heard.

At Ennis District Court today, Judge Alec Gabbett asked how does he know that Shane McCarthy “is not going to offend again and destroy another lady’s life?”

After reading the victim impact statement provided to court by the addiction counsellor, Judge Gabbett said that it was “very strong” and it shows that “this lady has had a very significant derailment of her life because of what has happened”.

In the case, Shane McCarthy (30) of Shanballa, Lahinch Road, Ennis pleaded guilty to sending four lewd images of himself to his then addiction counsellor on May 5th last year.

A cocaine addict, Mr McCarthy told the court that he has been clean since December 18th and “I am living at home and my wife is keeping a good eye on me”.

Solicitor for Mr McCarthy, Daragh Hassett said that it is all very well hearing that Mr McCarthy’s wife “is keeping a keen eye on him but that can’t go on forever”.

Mr Hassett said that it was very important to get a forensic psychologist to carry out a

report on Mr McCarthy.

Sgt John Burke told the court that two of the grossly offensive communications to the addiction counsellor concerned one second videos of Mr McCarthy’s penis.

Sgt Burke said that four grossly offensive images consisted of two videos and two still images of Mr McCarthy’s penis.

Judge Gabbett said that he has concerns for the public over the behaviour of Shane McCarthy who he said has also effectively pleaded guilty to masturbating in public at two locations in Ennis in recent months.

Mr McCarthy has pleaded guilty to masturbating in a public place at Silvergrove, Ballybeg, Ennis on August 31st last year and the possession of cocaine on the same date at Ennis Garda Station.

Mr McCarthy is also before the court where he is charged with masturbating in a public place on December 18th last at Ballyalla Lake on the northern outskirts of Ennis.

Judge Gabbett that prior to sending explicit images of himself to his counsellor he had engaged with a female Probation Officer in a similar unwanted sexually explicit manner.

Judge Gabbett said that based on the evidence before him including the counsellor’s victim impact statement he would be imposing a headline sentence of nine months in

prison.

However, Judge Gabbett said that he would give Mr McCarthy the benefit of the report by the forensic psychologist. The court also heard that Mr McCarthy is due to be assessed by a treatment centre later this month to treat his cocaine addiction.

Judge Gabbett said: “I don’t know if he is sexually disinhibited by the cocaine or he is just sexually disinhibited.”

Judge Gabbett said that he accepted that Mr McCarthy is remorseful after reading a letter of apology from him over his actions. He said that Mr McCarthy “has apologised to everyone”.

Judge Gabbett asked Mr McCarthy how he was going to interact with any other professional employed to help him. He said: “You have been sexually explicit with all of them.”

In response Mr McCarthy said: “I am drug free at the moment. It won’t be an issue.”

Making the case for Mr McCarthy not to be remanded in custody, Mr Hassett said that his client has adhered to his bail conditions since December 17th to the letter of the law.

Judge Gabbett said that Mr McCarthy re-offends again he will be going straight into custody.

Judge Gabbett further remanded Mr McCarthy on bail to appear in court on January 21st.

neutral party. You can see how acrimonious it is”.

The woman said that she did not want her ex-partner getting out of prison on bail through an application in the High Court. She told the court, “I don’t want him getting out - I am at risk of my life”.

In the statement grounding her successful application for an Interim Barring Order, the woman told the court that “on December 2nd after midnight, my partner physically assaulted me”.

She said, “He started boxing me into my face, head and all over my body using his

fists. It went on for an hour. He told me his hands were sore so he went and picked up a PlayStation Five controller and started to beat me over my head and my body until the controller broke. He also grabbed me by the throat until I nearly passed out”.

She stated that later that day as the two were in their car, the man started to assault her again.

She said, “When we stopped at a shop I managed to get away and I got a lift to Ennis where I went to the Garda Station. I made a statement to Gardaí and they took photos of injuries to my body. I attended the injury unit in Ennis”.

The woman said that “both of our children have witnessed the abuse from him on me”.

The woman further alleges that on November 24th her ex-partner picked up a butcher’s knife in the kitchen “and stabbed me in the right leg about three times”.

She further alleged that the man “has used a phone cable doubled up to beat me with”.

She said that “I fear that he would kill me or my children. I’m so scared of him. I feel the abuse is escalating.”

In court the man agreed for an extension of the Interim Barring Order to February 19th to the Family Law Court while Judge Gabbett adjourned the separate alleged assault matters to January 7th to Ennis District Court.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 8, 2026

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‘Last thing we need’ is people pitching hospital sites to HSE says Limerick Minister

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

OIREACHTAS members in the Mid-West need to move away from ‘four-cross roads politics’ and stop volunteering sites for a new hospital, the region’s only Minister has said.

Last month, Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (FG) confirmed that all three options of the HIQA review to improve emergency health services in the MidWest will be introduced.

This has given hope to the possibility of Clare regaining a hospital with an emergency department.

Clare County Council have put forward potential sites to HSE for the construction of a new hospital helping the case for the county to be selected rather than Limerick or Tipperary.

Option A is expanding capacity at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), Option B is extending the UHL campus with a new second site in close proximity under a shared governance and resourcing model, Option C is the construction of a new hospital in the MidWest with a second emergency department.

Health activists and Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) have also suggested that Option B see the addition of a new hospital in South-East Clare.

However, Limerick County TD and Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan (FG) said the approach of pitching sites to the HSE is “the

last thing” that is required at present.

Minister O’Donovan remarked, “The last thing the HSE or the Department of Health need at the moment and I know the temptation of some politicians is they feel an urge to volunteer sites for their own four cross roads, we’ve had too much four cross roads with regards to

HEALTHCARE: University Hospital Limerick

politics in this country leading us to the decisions and bad decisions which were taken over successive years.

“One of the fundamental breaks with that was the National Cancer Strategy where small hospitals that didn’t have a throughput of people that didn’t have the experience, certainty or expertise around treating

cancer that they lost those services, it was the right thing to do so the last thing that this decision needs is politicians from any county in the Mid-West or any party in the MidWest, my own included volunteering sites because that won’t add to the health needs of the region,” he said on Live95FM’s Limerick Today.

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Thursday, Jan 8, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

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Irish Open at Doonbeg ‘really important’ as West Clare awaits funding package

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

INVESTMENT will be needed in West Clare to give the country a strong international impression when The Irish Open takes place in Doonbeg next September, the Minister for Sport has said.

Since 2014, the Trump Organisation has invested €40m in its five star Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg Ireland.

From September 10th to 13th, Trump Doonbeg will host The Irish Open which will be preceded on September 5th and 6th by the staging of the first first Walker Cup at Lahinch Golf Club.

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan (FG) is the first Cabinet figure to publicly state the importance of The Irish Open being a success with US President, Donald Trump tipped to visit West Clare during the tournament.

Speaking on Limerick Today, Minister O’Donovan stated, “Up the road in Doonbeg, we’re going to have The Irish Open here in the MidWest in Co Clare in the summer. We may very well have a Presidential visit, I don’t know but it is a strong pos-

sibility, considering he owns the golf club. It is in our interest that we do these things and do them right, it sets a tone for how people view Ireland internationally and that that produces foreign direct investment, it is from an awful lot of these anecdotal, coincidental or accidental meetings that opportunities come around for investment in Limerick, Clare or wherever, that is really important”.

In order to set such a tone, Minister O’Donovan and his Cabinet colleagues will be pressed to invest in Co Clare to make the right impression.

September 2027 will see The Ryder Cup take place at Adare Manor. Work is underway on the €150m Adare Bypass since February 2025, assurances have been issued by senior Government figures and construction firm, Sorensen Civil Engineering that the project will be delivered on time. The €151.1m Foynes to Limerick freight line is planned to come into operation in 2026 and further strengthens connectivity for the Ryder Cup. No confirmation or funding package has been announced for West Clare in

lGOLF: Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Doonbeg

advance of The Irish Open or Walker Cup. Senior officials in Clare County Council are understood to have made a special request for additional funding in November ahead of the major golfing tournaments coming to the county.

Cllr Michael Shannon (FF) has said that an investment in the region of €20m is needed for West Clare to improve the county’s road network and physical infrastructure prior to September. “My eyebrows were raised when I heard €10m was paid out to bring the NFL to Dublin, we’re talking double that figure because of the physical deficit we have,” he stated.

Behind closed doors briefings have been held by elected members of the West Clare Municipal District on preparations for the tournaments but no major funding has been secured to shout about, nine months out from golfers teeing off in Doonbeg and Lahinch.

Photo by Arthur Ellis

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 8, 2026

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20 year old east Clare man charged with rape, false imprisonment, strangulation and sexual assault

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A 20-year old east Clare man has appeared in court charged in connection with the rape, false imprisonment, sexual assault and non-fatal strangulation of a female in July 2024.

At Killaloe District Court sitting in Ennis yesterday, the man appeared in connection with nine charges including four counts of rape against the female at his home on a date between July 19th/20th 2024.

Sgt Frank O’Grady told Judge Alec Gabbett that the DPP has directed that the case is to go forward to the Central Criminal Court and a Book of Evidence is required.

In the case, the man is charged with four counts rape of the female, including one count in the living room and and a second count in the bathroom of his home address

on a date between July 19th/July 20th 2024.

The man is also charged with the false imprisonment of the female in the bathroom of the home contrary to Section 15 of the Non Fatal Offences Against The Person Act 1997 on a date between July 19th/20th 2024.

The man is also charged with two counts of subjecting the female to non fatal strangulation or non-fatal suffocation in the bathroom and living room of the home contrary to Section 3A of the Non Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997.

The man is also charged with the sexual assault of the female in the living room and bathroom of the home on July 19th/20th 2024.

The man, speaking from the custody suite in court yesterday, told Judge Gabbett he has spent the last week and a half on remand in custody in prison and the man today secured bail after signing a bail bond.

As part of the man’s bail conditions, he has already surrounded his passport, provided his own bond of €500 and his father has provided an independent surety of €5,000.

The man is to also have no contact with a number of persons and the man told the court today that he only knows one person on the list provided.

After the man told Judge Gabbett that he has spent a week and a half in prison, Judge Gabbett said: “You understand what prison is like?

Bail is a privilege. You are en-

titled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty and you are entitled to your trial.

“You have to comply with the bail conditions. If you don’t turn up for court, you lose the €500 and your father loses the €5,000.”

The man’s father was in court for today’s proceedings.

The man - who was first brought before a vacation court sitting on December 30th concerning the charges - must also sign on

three days a week at his local Garda station.

Judge Gabbett told the man that if he leaves the jurisdiction he will be subject to an international arrest warrant and will be brought back.

Judge Gabbett granted legal aid for solicitor, Daragh Hassett to represent the accused and remanded the man on bail to appear at Ennis District Court on February 18th for the serving of the Book of Evidence.

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Judge imposes six year prison term on father for ‘grotesque’ sexual assault on daughter

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A JUDGE has imposed a six-year prison term on a father for the “grotesque” sexual assault of his then 14 year old daughter at their Co Clare home.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Sarah Berkeley imposed the six year prison term with the last six months suspended on the 42 year old after he sexually assaulted his daughter in her bedroom after he had been drinking downstairs to excess while watching on TV an Arsenal v Manchester Utd Premier League tie on January 22nd 2023.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Berkeley said that an aggravating factor in the case was “the significant breach of trust as the relationship between the two was father and daughter and there is no greater breach which occurs in such a familial relationship”.

Judge Berkeley said that the age disparity between the two was also an aggravating factor as the accused was in his 40s and his daughter was 14 at the time and was going through changes in her body, a significant time of development.

Judge Berkeley said that the sexual assault upstairs in the family home in Co Clare was “a very serious violation of trust and the nature of abuse committed, which included digital penetration, was grotesque”.

Judge Berkeley stated that during the

sexual assault, the man ‘french-kissed’ his daughter and asked her “did you like that?”

Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) said that the girl told her father to go away but he kept on doing it.

Judge Berkeley said that the sexual assault was in the ‘mid-range’ of sexual assault offences.

Judge Berkeley said that the man who cannot be identified in order to protect the identity of the complainant in the case pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of sexual assault against his daughter between January and April 2023 and a jury delivered a unanimous guilty verdict on all counts at the end of a three day trial in November.

Judge Berkeley said that the complainant in the case came across as “a very quiet girl” during the trial.

The teenager now aged 17 and currently studying at secondary school declined to provide a victim impact statement for the sentencing hearing.

At the sentencing hearing, counsel, Rebecca Treacy BL (instructed by solicitor, Daragh Hassett) for the accused, said that her client doesn’t accept the jury’s verdict and confirmed that a letter written by the accused handed into court doesn’t show any remorse.

Judge Berkeley said that during the January 22nd to April 2023 period, the accused sexually assaulted his daughter

on a regular basis but the first incident on January 22nd was by far the most serious.

Investigating Garda in the case, Garda Nadine Keane said that the complainant disclosed the sexual assaults to a best friend at school.

School authorities were informed shortly after who in turn notified TUSLA, the Child and Family Agency.

Garda Keane said that the accused agreed to leave the family home as part of a Safety Plan after TUSLA presented him with the allegations. The man resided at a Limerick address after leaving the family home.

Ms Comerford said that the accused denied all allegations and gave the impression of a very good relationship with his daughter.

She said that the accused said that he kissed all his children on the lips when saying goodnight to them, that the allegations were lies and he accidentally hit off his daughter’s breast and he apologised for that.

Ms Treacy said that there was no evidence of force or coercion used in the assaults and that the timeframe was relatively short.

The man has 15 previous convictions.

Judge Berkeley backdated the sentence to November when she first remanded the man in custody after the jury verdict.

Judge Berkeley said that the man is now also on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

10

Thursday, Jan 8, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

News

Utter heartbreak as family lays 16-year old Clare student to rest

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

The mother of 16-year old Clare student, TJ Chambers told mourners today that she and TJ’s father, Tomás “are completely and utterly heartbroken with what has just happened to our perfect little family”.

At the St. John the Baptist-Church in Ballyea this afternoon, Suzanne Chambers addressed her son when she said: “Mammy and Daddy would give anything to swap with you TJ.” She said: “We are so sorry we couldn’t save you. We tried our best. We love you so much and we are completely and utterly heartbroken with what has just happened to our perfect little family.”

She added: “TJ if you can hear me, please give us the strength to look after your two beautiful sisters, Caoimhe and Laoise. You are going to be in our minds each and every day for the rest of our lives and be a part of everything and everywhere we go.”

Both parents took to the altar at the start of the mass to speak to the congregation and TJ’s father Tomás said: “We are heartbroken but God will give us the strength to get through this. Thank you.”

On behalf of the family, Mr Chambers thanked “everyone for the massive support

over the last few days”.

He said: “It has been truly amazing the support we have received from everyone near and far.”

Before talking about TJ, Mrs Chambers - supported by husband Tomás, said: “Neither of us is in any great shape to be doing this but we owe it to our beautiful son so we will try our best.”

Last Saturday, TJ Chambers - who was due to turn 17 next month - died at the scene of a single-vehicle crash involving a tractor on the R458 at Bunnahow, north of Crusheen, Co Clare.

In her words to the packed congregation, Suzanne Chambers revealed that “we had just enjoyed a few days away at Center Parcs when this nightmare happened”.

Mrs Chambers said that the “apple of TJ’s eye”, his four year old sister, Laoise got TJ into some beautiful family photos on the Center Parcs trip “and we will now treasure them forever”.

A student at St Flannan’s College in Ennis and minor hurler for Ballyea, TJ’s twin passions for hurling and farming featured prominently in the funeral mass.

Clare All-Ireland winning captain, Tony Kelly and former All-Star, Tony Griffin were just two members of a large contingent of Ball-

yea GAA to attend today’s mass as part of a community wide show of support for the Chambers family.

One of TJ’s under age coaches at Ballyea GAA, Catherine O’Loughlin told mourners it was a dream of TJ to follow in the footsteps of TK (Tony Kelly) and other senior hurlers who, she said, were part of a golden era of success for the Ballyea senior hurling team.

Ms O’Loughlin said that she had the privilege of coaching TJ from u10s to his last training session on December 14. She said that TJ “was a model player and a true leader on the field where he let his hurling do the talking”.

She said that TJ “was hugely dedicated - first to training and last to leave”.

Ms O’Loughlin said that TJ would joke to his father that when talking about some of the county’s best forwards “I have so many of those boys in my pocket, the trousers are hanging off me”.

Ms O’Loughlin said that “God blessed TJ with great athleticism, he had speed, strength and long limbs and made bags of contribution to any team he represented” She said, “TJ was always earmarked to pick up the opposition’s best player and he never failed to deliver”.

She said that TJ reached County A finals at u-13, u-15 and u-16 and played in a Féile A final with Ballyea.

Ms O’Loughlin said that TJ also represented St Flannan’s in this year’s Dean Ryan hurling competition.

His mother, Suzanne said that during TJ’s TY year last year at St Flannans College, he was delighted to do work experience at Clare Marts and another week at a dairy farm “which he enjoyed immensely”.

Fr Pat Malone told mourners that “disbelief and shock began to register with people” last Saturday as work began to filter through over the tragedy. He said: “There are no perfect words for a time like this - the suffering, the shock, the hurt is so devastating, overwhelming and so deep that words cannot reach into them.”

Fr Malone said that he stands with the Chambers family in the midst of that suffering “and shares that suffering and pain a little bit with you”.

Addressing the Chambers family, Fr Malone said: “Nothing I say will lessen your loss but know this - this

St John the Baptist Church in Ballyea and (inset) TJ

entire community stands with you, prays for you and carries this burden with you and will be there for you when you need them.”

Fr Malone said TJ lived his 16 years of life fully and engaged with life enthusiastically and brought great joy to those he knew and loved.

Fr Malone said that it is tragic and cruel that TJ’s life has been cut short.

He said: “The shock of last Saturday will never be forgotten by all who knew TJ. So too the joys in the 16 years will not be forgotten either.”

Fr Malone said that TJ has gone from our physical world but he is with all of us who loved him and cared for him - for emotion and attachment works that way.

Fr Malone described TJ as a loving, caring son and ad-

dressing the family he said that TJ was with you for just 16 short years “and you said it yourselves, he brought love and magic and he gave you values and he brought fun and craic and a sense of mischievousness”.

Co-parish priest, Fr Malone said that “TJ touched the lives of so many people by the gifts you gave him and the way in which you brought him up”.

Some of the items brought up to the altar to symbolise TJ’s life included his hurley and sliotar, his plans for Agricultural Science project for his Leaving Cert, Xbox controller, his beef genetics book and a ‘Bonny Baby’ Trophy which he won in 2009.

TJ Chambers’ remains were later laid to rest at Ballyea Church grounds.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 8, 2026

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12

Thursday, Jan 8, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Regional News

Ennis

Ennis slips in litter rankings

by Dearbhla Parry news@clareecho.ie

ENNIS has slipped to 15th spot in a recently released 2025 litter survey.

The latest litter survey by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) shows that although Ennis is clean, the town has slipped two places in the ranking of 40 towns and cities.

The An Taisce report for Ennis stated, “With just four top-ranking sites, former IBAL winner Ennis has slipped down the rankings somewhat.”

“Quite unusually, by far the most heavily littered site in Ennis was the Deposit Return Scheme at Dunnes Stores – this should be an easy fix.”

“There were three sites which just missed the top grade and with a little extra effort this could be achieved e.g. Abbey Street and Elevation Business Park. O’Connell Street was looking very well after recent enhancement works, a lovely town centre environment.

Harmony Lane / Bridge is an attractively laid out river environment, with all elements in very good order.”

Bins in Ennis laneway, Photo by Gary Collins Sligo finished atop the IBAL table for the first time in a study which showed that city areas in particular cleaned up in 2025.

While urban areas still dominate the lower reaches of the rank-

ings, 10 of the 13 surveyed showed an improvement in cleanliness in 2025.

There was a notable fall-off in the number of sites with large accumulations of litter or subject to dumping. “This continues a very welcome trend we’ve seen in recent surveys and credit must go to local authorities for ridding our environment of these litter blacks p o t s ,” c o m mented C o n o r Horgan on behalf of IBAL. This was the first IBAL survey where no bottle bank was deemed a litter blackspot.

The survey revealed that the Deposit Return Scheme continues to have a positive impact on the cleanliness of our towns and cities, with a 10% drop in the prevalence of cans and plastic bottles compared to the previous year. These two types of litter are now 60% less common than when the scheme was introduced in early 2024.

Coffee cups remained one of the

most commonly found forms of litter and was evident in one fifth of all sites surveyed. “A real disappointment in a generally positive year has been the likely collapse of coffee cup schemes in towns such as Killarney,” says Mr Horgan.

“It is apparent that such schemes will only work with statutory backing. As our data today bears out, without Governm e n t interv e nt i on coffee cups will remain an unsig ht ly and entirely unnecessary blot on the landscape across our towns. The prevarication from Government on the issue is striking - a levy was promised all of four years ago – and sends out a worrying signal.

Weaning ourselves off single-use coffee cups should not be such a big deal.”

The prevalence of disposable vapes, which are set to be outlawed over the course of 2026, was unchanged.

The number of towns deemed clean last year rose to 28, with

Sligo finishing ahead of Leixlip, Westport and Monaghan. An Taisce, who conduct the surveys on behalf of IBAL, lauded the winning town for its consistently strong performance in recent years.

Waterford reclaimed its customary accolade of Ireland’s cleanest city, ahead of Galway. Cork City Centre was also clean. Galvone in Limerick achieved clean status for the first time, having been branded “seriously littered” in past years.

“The most pleasing finding of 2025 was the progress made in socially disadvantaged areas,” explained Mr Horgan. “Even areas at the foot of our rankings have significantly lower litter levels than a year ago. Dublin City Centre and North Inner City, while still littered, are cases in point.”

“The investment being made by Dublin City Council seems to be already paying fruit, and we are set to see further progress in 2026 if the Council comes good on its promise of replacing bags with bins across the city. This could be a landmark year in the fight against litter.”

Set up in 1996, IBAL is an alliance of companies sharing a belief that continued economic prosperity is contingent on a clean, litter-free environment. As part of the IBAL Anti-Litter League, An Taisce monitors towns independently and in accordance with international grading standards.

Finding Ogle: The Mystery of the Disappearing Workhouse Master

CLARE Roots Society commence their 2026 series of lectures at 7:30pm on Thursday January 15th at the Clare Education Centre, Kilrush Road, Ennis (V95F782).

Titled ‘Finding Ogle: The Mystery of the Disappearing Workhouse Master’, David Broderick will recount the fascinating story of the 1865 disappearance of Henry Ogle, the corrupt master of the Portumna Union Workhouse.

The story traces Ogle’s fraud, escape, and subsequent life, finally solving a 150-year-old mystery.

David Broderick is from Lorrha in Tipperary. He holds a master’s in public history and cultural heritage from the University of Limerick. He is co-founder of the Lorrha & Dorrha Historical and Archaeological Society and joint editor of their historical journal The Lamp.

In 2019 he published his first book ‘Finding Ogle: The Mystery of the Disappearing Workhouse Master’. He has contributed several articles to various historical and archeological publications including ‘Ireland of a Thousand Goodbyes: Memories of Mass Emigration in the Irish Landscape’ which was the feature article in the Winter edition of the Archeology Ireland magazine.

David works as a Creative Communities Engagement Officer with Laois County Council.

Clarecastle music producer releases new track with UK label

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A NEW track from a Clarecastle music producer has been released as part of a deal with a UK music label.

Twenty year old Dave Falconer’s latest single ‘Love the Way you Lie’ was released on December 19th by Steaming Records.

He began working on the track in 2024, he has previously penned record deals with labels such as PLATIN EDM, BlindSided Records and DaCosta Records. “It’s fantastic to be signed by such a well-respected label.

For them decide to release ‘Love the Way You Lie’ is unreal. I began working on the track last year, knew there was something in it and with their help fine-tuned it along the way,” Dave said of his new deal.

“Steaming Records and Perfect Havoc have a huge reputation in dance music and had a number of chart hits. The label has more than a billion streams online and launched

Joel Corry who has had massive international success. They also host club nights at one of the best-known clubs in London. Perfect Havoc have worked with other artists including Karen Harding, Alex Ross, Robbie G, and Todd Terry to name a few,” the third year music technology and production student at TUS stated.

Music production is the career that Dave hopes to pursue. “I’m hoping to follow a career in music production when I finish my degree. I started getting into producing music back in 2021 when I began posting remixes on SoundCloud. I got lots of support on social media, Dec Pierce had been watching what I was doing and invited me and a friend (Shayne Mulrooney from Shannon) to be the support act for his Block Rockin’ Beats show in glór. Last year I got the opportunity to be support act for Marty Guilfoyle at Tulla Fest”.

Alongside Shayne, they released ‘Do You Feel It’ with DaCosta Records which was

Dave’s first record deal. While he had been a DJ since the age of fourteen during the first COVID-19 lockdown of 2020, Dave learned to produce during the second lockdown.

A past pupil of Holy Family NS and Ennis Community College, Dave in the past has presented shows on Global Radio Cork and Infinity Radio.

NOTES Ennis Active Retirement Ennis Active Retirement will resume on Tuesday 13th of January 2026 in Scout Hall at 11am. lMUSIC: Dave Falconer from Clarecastle

13

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 8, 2026

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Regional News

Shannon

Permission given for US college student to give video-link evidence in Aer Lingus flight sex assault case

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A JUDGE has given the go-ahead for a female US college student to give evidence via video link in a trial where a 58-year old Co Galway man is denying two counts of sexual assault on the teenager on board a transatlantic Aer Lingus flight.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford has granted permission for four State witnesses to give evidence via video link from the US in the trial which is due to com-

mence next February.

Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL said that one of the four to give evidence via video-link is the complainant in the case.

Ms Comerford (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) said that the complainant, now aged 18 and 16 at the time of the alleged offence, is currently studying in a US college.

Ms Comerford said, “She is not available to attend court in person in February on account of the fact that she is studying and in

Sinn Féin to attend Athlone protest against Mercosur

SINN Féin TD for County Clare Donna McGettigan, has confirmed that she and other Sinn Féin representatives will attend a major protest against the EU-Mercosur deal in Athlone on Saturday, 10 January, organised

by Independent Ireland.

Deputy McGettigan said the deal threatens the future of the Irish family farm, Irish rural jobs, consumer confidence and the environmental standards people in Ireland rightly expect.

Donna said, “Sinn Féin will stand with farmers, farm families and rural communities in Athlone on Saturday 10 January to oppose the EU-Mercosur deal.”

“This deal is a direct threat to the future of the Irish family farm, to Irish rural jobs, to Irish consumer confidence and to the environmental standards people in

Ireland rightly expect.”

“The government cannot continue to fudge its position on this major issue. It must vote against Mercosur, and it must work actively with like-minded member states to form a blocking minority to stop this deal at EU level.”

“That is what Sinn Féin has demanded in the Dáil, and it is what we will keep demanding until the government finally stands up for Irish farming families and Irish consumers.”

“The core issue is fairness and safety standards. Irish farmers are being asked to compete against imports produced to different rules, with weaker enforcement and lower costs, while Irish producers are held to ever-higher standards.

That is not ‘free trade’ – it is rigged trade”, Donna continued.

“Sinn Féin has been consistently opposed to Mercosur because it risks undercutting Irish beef and other farm sectors, and because it raises serious concerns around traceability, food safety and environmental harm, including deforestation.”

“Ireland should be defending high standards at home and abroad – not signing up to an agreement that encourages a race to the bottom.”

“I commend those organising this protest and I encourage everyone to attend if they can.”

“The message needs to be heard clearly – Irish farmers and rural communities will not be sacrificed to a trade deal that delivers profits for big business while leaving Irish producers to carry the cost.”

those circumstances I am asking that her evidence be given via video link from the US”.

Ms Comerford said that the complainant’s grand-mother is a witness in the Book of Evidence and as she is an elderly lady and a resident of the US, as are two other females who were on the flight, “we ask that they give their evidence from the US as well”.

Ms Comerford said that the Aer Lingus aircraft was turned around and the complainant gave a written statement to the Gardaí which appears on page five of the Book of Evidence.

The accused was present in court for the brief hearing and his counsel, Antoinette Simon BL said she has taken instructions from her client “and he is consenting and not opposing the application”.

When the case was before the District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett transferred the case to the circuit court where more serious penalties apply on conviction after hearing an outline of the case against the man.

The court heard that a captain of the Aer Lingus Boston-bound flight turned the aircraft around over the Atlantic Ocean after being informed that a male passenger had allegedly inappropriately touched a teenage girl sitting beside him on the flight.

The man is charged with two counts of sexually assaulting the then 16 year old girl on board the E1 135 Shannon to Boston flight on November 15th 2023.

In one charge, the man is charged with the sexual assault of the girl by way of kissing her arm and rubbing up and down her thigh with his hand on board the Aer Lingus flight within the jurisdiction of the Irish State, contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Amendment Act. In the second charge, the man is charged with the sexual assault of the girl by rubbing and grabbing her buttocks on the flight within the State contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Amendment Act. Det Garda Ruth O’Sullivan told the court previously that the costs to Aer Lingus of returning the Boston bound aircraft to Shannon is €28,213.

Giving an outline of the alleged sexual assaults, Det Garda O’Sullivan said that an hour into the transatlantic flight at around 3.30pm, a young girl informed cabin crew that a male passenger sitting beside her had touched her inappropriately.

Det Garda O’Sullivan said, “They then informed the captain who took a decision to turn the flight back to Shannon”.

She said that the young girl and her family returned to Shannon Airport where statements were obtained in the short turnaround before they took off again for the US. Judge Francis Comerford remanded the accused on continuing bail to re-appear before Ennis Circuit Court on February 3rd.

Shannon central to coast guard effort

SHANNON played a central role in a record-breaking year for search and rescue, with the Irish Coast Guard managing almost 3,000 incidents in 2025.

Annual figures released this week revealed that the Coast Guard managed 2,793 incidents in 2025. Locally, the year was defined by a massive strategic upgrade at Shannon Airport, which now hosts the service’s most advanced air assets to date.

The biggest milestone for the Mid-West region occurred in September 2025, when the Coast Guard’s new FixedWing aviation service went live at Shannon.

This dedicated 24-hour operation has fundamentally changed how the service monitors the Atlantic coastline, providing faster deployment and enhanced support for maritime environmental protection.

Early last month, the Coast Guard helicopter,

Rescue 115, was involved in the high-profile rescue when a 14-PERSON crew was airlifted from a huge trawler driven on to rocks off the coast near Dingle.

Alongside the fixedwing service, Shannon— along with Dublin and Sligo —successfully transitioned to the new AW189 helicopters operated by Bristow Ireland. These aircraft are designed for high-endurance missions, which proved critical during a year plagued by extreme and unpredictable weather conditions.

While Shannon provided the technical “muscle,” the national figures underscore the human impact of the service: l1,941 Lives Impacted: Critical assistance was provided to nearly 2,000 people, ensuring they were delivered to appropriate medical care. l933 Helicopter Missions: Shannon-based

lRESCUE: Irish coast guard crews were at the forefront of these flights, including 190 air ambulance transfers for offshore island communities. l798 RNLI Launches: Highlighting the seamless coordination between air support and lifeboat crews.

Joanna Cullen, Assistant Secretary General at the Department of Transport, credited the Shannon expansion with saving lives during a testing year.

“The successful transition of our bases and the introduction of

Photo by John Mangan

Fixed-Wing operations from Shannon have been game-changers,” she said. “These advancements enabled us to respond faster and more effectively than ever before, ensuring communities received life-saving support when it mattered most.”

The additional capacity at Shannon has also allowed the Coast Guard to provide enhanced support to other emergency agencies during inland flooding and weather-related incidents throughout the Munster region.

14

Thursday, Jan 8, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Regional News

North Clare

Centenary commemorations in Fanore for first Garda killed on-duty in Clare

On New Years Day over 40 volunteers joined the Restore Ballymacraven River Association (RBRA) down at the Glen Walk, Ennistymon to plant native tree saplings along the Ballymacraven river.

The event was met with great success with 450 trees planted and wonderful sunny crisp weather. Celebration was had with tea, coffee and biscuits after the fruitful efforts of the large number of trees planted.

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CENTENARY commemorations were held in Fanore, 100 years on from the first killing of on-duty Garda in Co Clare.

Garda Thomas Dowling was remembered on Sunday (December 28th) with a commemoration at Craggagh Graveyard beginning at 14:00.

Parish priest of Ballyvaughan and Fanore, Fr Richard Flanagan led a prayer and blessing with a wreath laid at the site where Garda Dowling was killed. Among those to make speeches included Fanore native, Joe Queally author of ‘Tragedies of Clare’ and former Editor of The Irish Times, Conor Brady. The ceremonial unit of An Garda Síochána were also in attendance.

On the night of the 28th December 1925, Garda Dowling and his colleague, Garda John Cahill, were returning to Fanore Garda Station following a bicycle patrol when they were ambushed by a group of armed men. Garda Dowling was shot and died instantly.

During the early years of the Irish Free State, members of An Garda Síochána found it difficult in certain areas to gain acceptance and support from the public. Lingering tensions from The Irish Civil War meant that individual Gardaí were viewed with suspicion by those in communities that had not supported the Treaty that had led to the foundation of the Irish Free State.

Co Clare was considered an ‘Anti-Treaty’ county and as such, it was a place that could at times be a hostile to forces of the new Irish State.

Between 1922 and 1932, twelve Gardaí were killed in the line of duty nationally - two of these deaths occurred in Clare. Garda Dowling was killed at Fanore in on 28th December 1925 and Detective Garda Timothy

(Tadgh) O’Sullivan in Tullycrine in West Clare on 15th February 1929.

Garda Dowling, a native of Ballyragget, Kilkenny, served in the Irish Republic Army during the War of Independence and for a time in the National Army before joining An Garda Síochána in 1924. Following his initial training he was allocated to Fanore Garda Station.

Fanore was a particularly challenging posting for a Garda in the 1920s.

Poteen distillation was illegal but was not an uncommon activity in the area. Fanore’s close proximity to the Aran Islands and Connemara via sea crossing created trade opportunities for locals who engaged in this practice. Gardaí in Fanore, responding to political demands to clamp down on Poteen distillation robustly enforced the legislation that outlawed it. As a result, tensions arose between some sections of the Fanore community and the local Gardaí.

On the night of 28th December, Garda Dowling and his colleague, Garda John Cahill, were returning to Fanore by bicycle after having carried out a patrol. They had spent time

playing cards in the home of a local man whose brother was a member of the Dublin Metropolitan Police.

At Creggagh Graveyard near Fanore, both Gardai were ambushed by a group of armed men. Garda Dowling was shot during the ambush and likely died instantly. Garda Cahill managed to flee without being physically injured. It is believed the attack was motivated by a dislike of the Gardaí emanating from their suppression of Poteen distillation.

Garda Dowling’s funeral took place in his native Kilkenny. His graveside oration was given by the then Deputy Commissioner, Eamon Coogan, a Kilkenny native.

A rigorous and somewhat controversial investigation of Garda Dowling’s murder took place. This led to prosecutions being taken that ultimately ended with those accused being acquitted.

Garda Cahill was involved in another violent incident in 1926 in Fanore in which he was injured in a confrontation with suspected Poteen distillers/ smugglers and soon after resigned from An Garda Síochána.

West Clare ‘The Heart of the Ocean’ an exhibition by Beata Rosik CLARE Arts Office, in conjunction with Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee, will host ‘The Heart of the Ocean’,

by Beata Rosik, from January 12 to February 14, inclusive.

Beata Rosik is originally from Poland, and for the past 18 years has made Ennis, County Clare, her home. Photography has been her passion since arriving in Ireland. While her portfolio includes landscapes from Clare and across Ireland, her greatest artistic focus is fine art portrait photography.

She has proudly represented Ireland in international competitions, winning over 130 medals, most of

Trees planted to restore Ballymacraven River

them gold, in categories such as Portrait, Child, Open Colour, and Black and White.

She holds the highest FIAP distinction, the FIAP Blue Pin, and has been recognised multiple times as the best photographer in competition.

Her work has been exhibited worldwide in post-competition exhibitions, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, India, Slovenia, Romania, Sri Lanka, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia. In 2022, she was honored with the County Clare Residency Award, which enabled her to present her work at exhibitions throughout

lPHOTOGRAPHY: The Shell

the county.

Her guiding motto is: “My best photograph is the one I

The importance of planting along the riparian zone (environment adjacent to the river) is to stabilise the river banks, regulate water temperature, provide food and shelter for wildlife, improve the overall water quality, and aid in flood management.

RBRA’s next tree planting day will reside on the 31st of January Meeting at 11am in celebration of St Brigid’s Day and Imbolc meeting in Ennistymon, along the Glen Walk at the stone arched bridge.

If you would like to learn more visit Restore Ballymacraven River Association’s website, social media channels or email them on restoreballymacravenriver@gmail.com.

Hunting the Wren

Photo by Beata Rosik

have yet to take.” Beata warmly invites you to explore her work at exhibitions or online.

lFUNDRAISER: Inis Cathaigh presenting proceeds from hunting the Wren to Willie McGrath, Clare Cancer Centre. Inis Cathaigh Comhaltas Branch hunted the Wren on St Stephen’s day. The proceeds of €1000 was presented to West Clare Cancer.

15

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 8, 2026

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Regional News

Bodyke Tractor Run raises over €21k for Milford Care Centre

by Dearbhla Parry news@clareecho.ie

THE Bodyke Tractor Run finished the year off strong by raising over €21k for Milford Care Centre.

Between tractors, trucks, motorbikes, and vintage cars, 150 vehicles entered the Bodyke Tractor Run that took place just before the new year, successfully raising €21,680 for the centre that specialises in Palliative Care Services in the Mid-West.

Funds raised from the Tractor Run will be donated to Milford Care Centre, in memory of organiser Aisling Walsh’s Mam, who passed away ten years ago from cancer. Milford Care Centre are dedicated to delivering high-quality person-centred care, bringing comfort and support closer to home.

“This seemed to be bigger than last year,” Aisling said. In 2024, the Tractor Run fundraised a total of €15,400, making this year’s donation €6,280 more.

Aisling and her family began organising these Tractor Runs three years ago, initially as a way to raise money for equipment in Raheen Community Hospital, of which Aisling’s husband (Ger)’s mother was a resident.

“There was loads of people. It was great to see it,” she added, with most arriving around 11:30am before the vehicles left the Cobbler’s Rest at 12:30pm. They drove their assortment of vehicles into Tuamgraney, Scarriff, Feakle, and then Ballynahinch Cross before returning to the Cobbler’s Rest.

“This is our third year now, in fairness, so we’re kind of wrecked after this one. We’re still recovering.

It’s very stressful, as all of these things usually are.”

Attendees had the chance to win 70 raffle prizes and 10 more prizes for those who registered vehicles.

Three auctions also took place, where a Conor Murray 84th International Cap Jersey signed by the Irish team, 10 bales of silage with delivery, and an Angus Heifer calf were on offer.

“There was such a buzz around and everyone was just having a great time,” Aisling explained.

All photos by Ruth Griffin

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Thursday, Jan 8, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Regional News

Gort & South Galway

Tommy Tiernan helps object to now withdrawn €1.4bn off-shore windfarm

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

AN COIMIÚSIN PLEANÁLA (ACP) has confirmed that plans have formally been withdrawn for a €1.4bn wind farm comprising ’30 Eiffel Tower sized turbines’ off the coast of Co Clare and Co Galway.

TV chat-show host and standup comedian, Tommy Tiernan was one of 177 third parties to lodge submissions with ACP on the contentious plan to construct the 450 MW wind-farm with 30 turbines over 1,000 ft high in the Atlantic Ocean.

Fuinneamh Sceirde Teoranta (FST) was planning to construct its Sceirde Rocks wind-farm on waters located 5km to 11.5m km off the west coast with Carna in Galway the nearest settlement.

ACP has now informed Mr Tiernan and those other third parties along with local authorities that FST has withdrawn its planning application.

With the abandonment of the project, FST has forfeited the €35.4m performance security bond it lodged with the Dept of Climate, Energy and the Environment connected to the proposal.

This is in addition to the substantial costs it incurred in preparing the planning documentation which was lodged with the Marine Sec-

tion of ACP on January 17th last.

In a letter to ACP, director at FST, Sharn Ward stated that representatives of FST and ACP met on December 4th “and FST noted its intention to withdraw the planning application”.

Ms Ward said: “With this letter, FST formally withdraws the planning application.”

Ms Ward said that “by way of background, FST notified the Dept of Climate, Energy and the Environment by letters dated April 25th and May 29th of the cessation of the Sceirde Rocks project”.

Ms Ward said that the full amount of the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS) security was called by the Dept of Climate, Energy and the Environment and the OSRESS has come to an end.

A spokesman at the Dept of Climate, Energy and the Environment said on Friday that the Sceirde Rocks project was a 450MW offshore wind project that was one of four successful bidders in the Department’s first offshore wind auction in 2023.

He said that the project is owned

by Corio Generation, who announced a planned corporate restructuring on April 8th 2025 that would see them focus on a smaller portfolio of projects worldwide.

He said that by letter on April

25th Corio formally notified the Department that the Sceirde Rocks project would not proceed.

“This notification terminated the Department’s ORESS support contract for the project.”

He said that the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has drawn down the Performance Security of approximately €35.4 million.

He said that the purpose of the performance security, under the terms and conditions of the ORESS 1 auction, was to ensure delivery of the project.

He said: “Under the Terms and Conditions of ORESS 1, abandonment of the project results in forfeiture of the Performance Security. Following abandonment of the Sceirde Rocks project, its performance security was forfeited. There is no provision in the Terms and Conditions for its return.”

He said that the Government remains committed to the development of 5GW of offshore wind capacity, with projects in construction by 2030, and energised as soon as feasible thereafter.

The first of these South Coast DMAP projects, the 900MW Tonn Nua site, which is twice the size of Sceirde Rocks, was the subject of a very successful auction concluded on December 9th 2025, with a joint venture between ESB and Orsted

confirmed as the winner.

He said that the Department is making arrangements to bring forward the remaining three sites within the South Coast DMAP, ensuring a consistent pipeline of offshore developments will take place over the coming years.

In his objection to the Sceirde Rock proposal, Tommy Tiernan wrote: “I’m objecting to the proposed off-shore wind farm near Carna, Connemara, County Galway on the grounds of desecration of that area of natural beauty.”

The actor, comedian and podcaster said: “Culture is judged on how it protects areas and ideals such as this. Allowing such a project to go

ahead when there are many more suitable sites either much further off-shore or inland would be a totally irresponsible and disgusting thing to do.”

He said: “There has to be more to our country than a utilitarian exploitation of where we live.”

Accounts filed by Fuinneamh Sceirde Teoranta show that the company had already invested €31.7m on project costs in 2023 and 2024.

The accounts show that the company had accumulated losses of €35.93m at the end of March 2024 as the company steered the project during various regulatory hurdles.

Galway City Centre maintains high standards in latest IBAL results GALWAY City Centre was once again awarded a status of ‘Cleaner than European Norms’ in the most recent Irish Businesses Against Litter (IBAL) results.

Galway City Centre is one of only 10 places in Ireland to be given this high standard.

The good news comes only a month after Galway Tidy Towns won a Gold Medal for the City Centre area. The high placing in the survey reflects on-going work in Galway City to tackle litter, including power washing of city centre streets; daily litter picks and street cleaning; solar powered, high-capacity bins; public water stations to refill bottles; and initiatives including Green-Schools, Clean Coasts, Bulky Goods collections, and Community Clean Ups among others.

Galway City Council would like to thank all the volunteers across the city, and our own litter crew for taking such pride in the city.

Fergal Cushen, Environmental Awareness Officer, Galway City Council commented, “The result is no surprise to Galway City Council, where our staff continue to work with communities across the city on litter prevention and reduction initiatives including regular Community Clean Ups and Spring Clean.

The Council’s partnerships with local and national groups such as Clean Coasts ensures there are strong networks of volunteers who take great pride in the city. Not to mention the great work our Litter Management Unit do every day in our city - Starting their day at 5am and continuing their work throughout the morning and afternoon, ensuring the city streets are clean and well maintained every

l CLEAN: Fergal Cushen, Environmental Awareness Officer Galway City Council and Luana Jungmann, CEO CuriOcean CLG, at the launch of the public litter study

Photo by Andrew Downes

day. Tackling litter is an ongoing collaborative effort which couldn’t be achieved without the dedication of local businesses, volunteer groups, schools and residents. Congratulations to all in making Galway a cleaner city for the next generation.”

Galway City Council runs regular on the ground and media campaigns targeting challenging litter areas in the city centre and beyond. Galway City Council is currently work-

ing with Curiocean CLG and the University of Galway on a public litter study which aims to provide innovative litter solutions across the city, with a particular focus on peak periods in Salthill.

Another vindication of the great collaborative work done in the past year was the winning of the gold medal award for Galway Tidy Towns. This would not have been possible without the joint collaboration of the Tidy

Towns Committee with Galway City Council and local businesses.

Ballybane remains a priority area as Galway City Council continues to work with local residents to provide litter solutions to the area.

Waste Enforcement Officer David Walsh and Community Warden Eddie Ryan have been heavily involved in the implementation of the Galway City Waste Bye Laws in Ballybane in 2025, in particular the three bin system, by engaging directly with residents.

The team in Environment has carried out several community clean ups involving local families and residents. Over 100 bags of waste were collected by our crews in a single clean up. The electrical box at the entrance to the Fána Glas, once an eyesore and a focal point for illegal dumping, has been cleared of all waste and has been painted by a local artist with the help of local children.

Drone surveys have been conducted in the area and the large amount of waste in areas adjacent to Fána Glas has been identified and removed.

In addition to this, Galway City Council has carried out several Multi Agency Vehicle Check Points in Galway City and County to identify and restrict the movement of illegal waste into Ballybane, and will endeavour to carry out further checkpoints in the East Local Electoral Area. Major steps have taken in implementing a CCTV policy for the area – Galway City Council is confident of the presence of CCTV in Ballybane in 2026, to deter and prevent illegal dumping of waste.

17

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 8, 2026

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Regional News

Wellness café returns to glór for mental health festival WITH days still short and weather wintry, a festival takes place each year around Ireland to promote mental health, arts and culture and brings light to the first weeks of January.

The First Fortnight Festival uses arts and culture as powerful tools in addressing mental health challenges.

For the second year, the Peer-Led Wellness café in glór will run an event as part of the festival with an open event titled “Power of Peer”. People are invited to come along to glór café, Causeway Link, Ennis Monday 12th January- tea/coffee and light refreshments available from 10.30am for the event running from 11am-12pm.

To give an idea of what you will experience, this will be a relaxed, peer- led space where we explore mental health recovery through the elements of CHIME: connectedness, hope, identity, meaning, and empowerment.

This event on January 12th aims to shine a light on the power of peer support in fostering well-being and inspiring authentic self-expression. Through stories from peers involved in the Wellness cafe, an interactive display to inspire Hope, and creating our own “little bag of hope” to take away, we will showcase and celebrate the positive impact of

our supportive space created by peers.

Whether you’re on your own recovery journey or supporting someone who is, the Wellness Cafe is a place to share stories, enjoy a cuppa and find strength in community.

The Peer-Led Wellness Café model is a drop-in weekly café which provides a safe and supportive environment in which adults who wish to connect socially can meet and chat over a cup of tea or coffee.

The first Wellness café set up in 2019 in An Grianán café, Letterkenny was led by a peer group who met as part of their mental health journey, supported by founder Sharon Ferguson as part of mental health service improvement. It quickly grew to 14 across the county. The Clare Wellness café in glór Ennis launched in October 2024 and hosts between 6-16 people each Monday morning from 10.30-12pm. The development group in Ennis is made up of people with a shared interest in promoting positive mental health and an

understanding of mental health challenges.

Activity at the Wellness café is guided by the CHIME model as it outlines the key components for personal recovery in mental health. In the past year, guided walks of Ennis and events focused on personal recovery, wellbeing and self-care have been organised based on feedback from attendees and facilitators on the development group. Although weekly cafes are self-funded by attendees, café events like First Fortnight Festival are supported by HSE Mental Health Engagement and Recovery, local mental health services, Healthy Clare and Mental Health Ireland.

The Clare group who initially developed the Wellness café come from a variety of backgrounds,

sharing a common interest in promoting good mental health, for themselves and for others. The peer-led model is based on using experience of mental health challenges and the empathy for recovering mental wellbeing which can be beneficial also to others.

Isolation and loneliness can affect anyone, in particular where connections have been lost for any reason. The café offers a supportive environment where socialising and friendly connection can help drop-in attendees to build confidence.

From the development group: “meeting people in the beautiful café space in glór is a lovely way to make a positive and relaxed start to the week- give it a try and see if it’s for you”.

Inviting people to join us for our First Fortnight Festival free event Monday 12th January open from 10.30am, running 11am12pm to put CHIME into the new year.

For more on First Fortnight events, please visit www.firstfortnight.ie/festival

l MENTAL HEALTH: Pictured in glór, members of the Clare Wellness café development group: Rosemary Ryan Mid West Mental Health Engagement, facilitator Deirdre Garrihy Ennistymon, Dave Barry Clare MHS.

18

Thursday, Jan 8, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Green Clare

Plans lodged for multi-billion water extraction project at Parteen Basin

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

UISCE ÉIREANN have lodged plans for the State’s largest-ever water project which will see water drained from the Parteen Basin on the River Shannon to supply the capital.

A budget between €4.58bn and €5.96bn has been estimated by Uisce Éireann who intend to start construction in 2028 if successful with their planning application. They state that the Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region can be completed within five years.

Over 500 documents are included with the Strategic Infrastructure Development planning application and Compulsory Purchase Order application submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Water will be abstracted from the Parteen Basin, upstream of Parteen Weir on the Lower River Shannon. According to the planning documents, a maximum of 2% of the long-term average flow at Parteen Basin will be utilised in the abstraction.

It is proposed that the water will be treated near Killaloe and Birdhill, treated water will then be piped 170km through counties Tipperary, Offaly and Kildare to a termination point reservoir at Peamount in County Dublin, connecting into the Greater Dublin Area water distribution network.

This will supply Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow with a safe water supply. At present, the River Liffey supplies 85% of the water requirements for 1.7 million people in Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow.

It will also create a treated water supply ‘spine’ across the country, providing infrastructure with the capacity for future offtakes to serve communities along the route in Tipperary, Offaly, and Westmeath. In addition, the project will enable supplies currently serving Dublin to be redirected back to Louth, Meath, Kildare, Carlow and Wicklow.

Communities in the coming weeks and months will be visited by a dedicated project Community Liaison Officer to meet with local stakeholders and sharing further information on the project. Landowner Liaison Officers will also continue to provide impacted landowners with a dedicated point of contact for the project.

At peak construction, the project will employ more than 1,000 people directly. Uisce Éireann is proposing a bespoke Community Benefit Scheme as part of the Water Supply Project, to support communities that will host construction activities and permanent infrastructure. This includes a multi-million Euro Community Gain Investment Fund, which has been developed in collaboration with local authorities along the route, and will directly support economic, environmental and educational community development initiatives, throughout construction of the project.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin (FF) has been contacted by the River Shannon Protection

UISCE: Parteen Basin River

Alliance (RSPA) arguing there are multiple economic, social and environmental reasons why the plan should not go ahead.

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Jack Chambers (FF) TD said, “The submission of this planning application for the Water Supply Project to An Coimisiún Pleanála is a major milestone that will unlock housing in the Eastern and Midlands Region. This project is a vital piece of infrastructure to support Ireland’s development, not alone in the delivery of new homes for young people, families and workers in our economy, but to sustain businesses and communities right through the Midlands and Eastern region of our country”.

Speaking about the project, Maria O’Dwyer, Infrastructure Delivery Director at Uisce Éireann said, “The need is clear - the growing water supply deficit and lack of supply resilience in the Eastern & Midlands Region is simply not sustainable. It is estimated 34% more water will be needed by 2044 in the Greater Dublin Area. This project is critical to enable us to support housing delivery and is backed by the Government’s continued funding commitment. Over the coming months we will continue to engage with potential contractors and progress the procurement process so that, subject to the planning approval, works can be mobilised as quickly and efficiently as possible”.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 8, 2026

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Green Clare

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Updated onshore wind energy guidelines needed urgently

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

UPDATED onshore wind energy guidelines need to be published as a matter of urgency, a Clare TD has said.

Existing Wind Energy Development Guidelines which were published in 2006 are currently used to govern all proposed developments in this sector. A review of the guidelines is currently underway.

Wind farm developments over the past nineteen years have to follow the 2006 guidelines.

Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) noted, “When those guidelines were produced, the installed wind energy capacity was less than 1000 MW. In the two decades since, the total installed energy capacity has increased five-fold, all of which has come under the same 2006 guidelines. In addition to the increase in windfarms and proposals for windfarms we have seen the height of wind turbines more than doubling, with plans for windfarms in parts of the country having a wing tip in excess of 200 metres.

“These are mammoth developments and as the

plans are expanding and getting bigger and taller, it is vital that the guidelines which planners use to assess the appropriateness of these windfarms needs to be urgently updated and published,” he said.

Across the county, there are several planning applications for developments of onshore wind farm developments. “Local residents are citing concerns around aspects such as setback, noise, shadow flicker, community obligation and size.

Any updates to the guidelines may directly address elements of these aspects yet if they are published

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after planning for a development is granted, it will be too late to retrospectively apply these conditions to developments. Therefore, it is imperative that the updated wind energy development guidelines are urgently publish,” Deputy Crowe said.

Community engagement must get greater prominence in updated guidelines, he argued.

“Among the updated guidelines, I think it is vital that the need for and importance of community engagement is particularly highlighted. So often when a development is being proposed, a leaflet drop might be organised but other thorough forms of engagement, such as public community meetings, are not properly organised and this leaves a lot of residents with serious questions about how developments will impact their daily life. This can lead to deep-rooted resentment in communities and can leave so many important questions unanswered. I think it is crucial that appropriate levels of face-to-face engagement is outlined for proposed developments.

“The Government has plans for 80% of our energy being generated by renewable sources by 2030, including 9,000MW of onshore wind energy generation. I appreciate that it is important that the guidelines being prepared are thorough, fit-forpurpose and contain appropriate futureproofing, but these developments are progressing already and it will be too late for communities affected by issues not addressed by out-of-date guidelines. We absolutely need wind energy generation but these turbine sites need to be appropriately sized, in the right locations and built in collaboration with the communities they will be based in”.

20

Thursday, Jan 8, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Contributors

A New Year’s guide to gardening with Blossoms On The Go HAPPY January and a very Happy New Year to all.

January is a month that I use to rest up physically and plan the year ahead. I do my monthly wish list so each month we can plan how and what we can do in the garden. Yes, I know we all know what we want to do, but being able to tick a list and feel achieved is great.

Check that seeds are in stock for reorder Otherwise, make a list of new ones and the variety you want to

add/restock Make sure you have enough labels (I always run out)

My January plan: Check all watering hoses are stored in a shed away from frosty weather Check that all taps are protected and not leaking Check that tools are stored, cleaned, and oiled in some cases Bring lawn mowers in for a service Check that pots/trays for propagating are washed and ready for use

Thought for the week January vibes teach us how to hope Spreading the word of positivity RONAN SCULLY JANUARY vibes do not arrive with fireworks.

It comes quietly. It slips in on cold mornings and long evenings, when the decorations are packed away, the carols have faded, and the world exhales after the intensity of December. January does not insist we know exactly where we are going.

It arrives quietly, in the stillness between the rush of the holidays and the work of daily life, offering a gentle invitation, to live with intention, to pause, to reflect, and to choose acts of kindness, compassion, and hope.

January simply invites intention and teaches hope.

The start of a new year is not simply a turning of the calendar, it is a sacred space, a collective breath, an opportunity to align our inner life with the outer world, to consider what kind of world we want to help create, and what kind of people we want to be.

For many, January carries a quiet ache. During the first week of this new year, I felt it acutely. Relatives drove away after a shared meal, nothing dramatic, nothing final and yet my body reacted as though something precious had ended. Tears came without warning. Breathing felt difficult. My heart felt heavy. Later, I understood why.

The turning of the year stirred memories of loved ones no longer here and celebrations that will never be repeated. I was not feeling joy on

the first few days of January. And perhaps you weren’t either. January reminds us of what has been lost as much as what might be gained.

God does not turn away from our tears. Christian joy is rooted in Who is with us now. The earliest followers of Jesus knew hardship, hunger, and persecution. They did not live long or secure lives. And yet they rejoiced because God was present.

January reminds us to honor the natural cycle of winter. Just as the earth rests and regenerates, so too must our spirit, mind, and body. Rest is sacred, not indulgent. Allow yourself to slow down. Sit quietly. Pray.

Meditate. Journal. Listen. Attend daily Eucharist if you can. These are the acts that nourish your inner light.

January does not ask for overhauls. It asks for presence. Begin each day with gratitude and prayer, even whispered through doubt.

Listen for God in Scripture, even a verse at a time. Let go of worries, trusting God’s faithfulness. Show kindness, even when it costs you something. Be fully present with those He places in your life. Speak words that build, not tear down.

Take steps in faith, even when the path is unclear. End your day by noticing God’s mercies.

Remember that there will be days in this new year when you cannot keep going on your own strength.

It’s at those times I lean on God’s loving grace always. I lean on the love of God, the love that does not flinch at my exhaustion or disappointment. I lean on daily Mass, where I am reminded that love once poured itself out completely and still chose to remain. I lean on silence

Our

feathery friend needs some help with feeding, so clean out bird feeder and keep restocking with seeds fat balls and peanuts Keep some freshwater available on frosty days so they can have a drink or a wash We have lots of NEW YEAR: offers in bird food Bluebells available and some offers on bird feeders too.

Enjoy the free music sounds of the birds in the morning - so relaxing and enjoyable.

Bedding plants for January are the primrose, cyclamen, and a mix of bulbs like snowdrops, blue bells

and daffodils make a lovely addition to pots this month.

We have some lovely house plants if your room feels bare and they can make a lovely addition to any room in the home.

I wish you a lovely week ahead.

JANUARY: Snowdrops

Ranganna Gaeilge don Bhliain Nua Macalla an Chláir

before the Holy Eucharist, where my broken heart can rest without needing to explain itself. I lean on confession, where mercy meets me again and again and tells me I am allowed to be human. I lean on family, friends, colleagues, the ordinary people whose kindness reminds me that goodness has not disappeared from the world.

Thought for the Week As your thought for the week and throughout January, I invite you to live gently and intentionally. Begin each day with one prayer of gratitude. Speak one word of encouragement to someone each day.

Release one worry daily into God’s care. End each evening by naming one moment of grace you noticed.

Lean into stillness at least once a day, reflecting on how God is at work in hidden places. Small acts offered faithfully can change lives, starting with your own.

January is not empty. It is full of quiet beginnings, hidden grace, winter soil preparing for spring, and the steady presence of God. May this month teach us how to hope again.

May it remind us that growth happens even in stillness. May we step into this year, imperfect, prayerful, intentional, trusting that God walks every step with us. Let this month be your reminder that the world needs your heart, your kindness, your attention. Let it be a month where you choose hope, where you step forward in faith, and where love, ever patient, ever brave, ever present, guides your every action. Even the smallest step can illuminate the path for countless others.

LE MACDARA Ó CONAOLA

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Choose from vouchers for 1, 6, or 10 online classes with myself!

I’ll teach Irish they don’t teach at school and help you to sound more fluent and native in a relaxed non-judgemental manner!

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LESSONS: Treat yourself to some Irish lessons from the Enquiries/Eolas: 1295594 Or email: legaeilge@gmail.com

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AN BHFUIL SCÉAL LE ROINNT AGAIBH ?!

Bígí i dteagmháil linn agus leanaigí ar Facebook agus Twitter muid Imeachtaí/Events: SIONNA – Gaeilge le Chéile, Ionad Siopadóireacht Skycourt, 11am, chuile Dé Domhnaigh CILL ROIS – Preab-Ghaeltacht chuile oíche Dé Ceadaoin ag 8pm i mBuggles Bar SIONNA – Siúlóid Dúlra/Nature Walk, Dé Domhnaigh, 11am, Community Room (Gaeilge le Chéile ar Facebook) LUIMNEACH – AIFREANN GAEILGE, chuile Dé Domhnaigh, 10.30am, Mainistir an tSlánaitheora, Sráid San Doiminic, Luimneach CLARE FM - Cúl-chaint le Domhnall Ó Loingsigh chuile Dé Sathairn, ag 9am ar Clare FM CILL INÍNE BAOITHE - Ciorcal Comhrá san XPO, chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 7.30pm 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 Bar 11am, agus Dé Sathairn i nGlór, 11am-12pm. Déan teagmháil leo ag: caintaguscomhra@outlook.com LUIMNEACH – Ciorcail Comhrá. Chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 10.30am, Bialann Eden, Ollscoil Luimnigh.Tuilleadh eolais ar fáil ó Noel ag 086 792 8389. AN SCAIRBH – ‘Lón i nGaeilge’, 1-2pm, CHUILE DÉ MAIRT i gcaifé ‘An Gáirdín’, fáilte roimh chuile dhuine.

21

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 8, 2026

Business

Ennis jobs under threat as Claire’s enters administration JOBS at Ennis jewellery store Claire’s are under threat after news that the group is going into administration.

Claire’s and sister company The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) only last year restructured after being purchased by investment firm Modella Capital last year.

There are 154 Claire’s shops in total, with the Clare-based shop operating in Dunnes Stores Mall on O’Connell Street, Ennis.

They are now being put into administration after “last-ditch” measures fell through, putting more than 2,000 jobs at risk of redundancy across Ireland along with the UK. Modella said it had made the “tough decision” to kickstart insolvency proceedings for the businesses.

A spokesman for the company said: “We have worked intensively in an effort to save both businesses, having made last-ditch attempts to rescue them, but neither has a realistic possibility of trading profitably again”.

“In these circum-

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS GENERAL OPERATIVE BAND 2 /360° EXCAVATOR DRIVER (SEASONAL, FIXED TERM & PERMANENT POSITIONS) IN THE SOUTH WEST REGION ARTERIAL DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES DIVISION Competition Reference: 2026/003 Applications are invited for the above positions.

Competition details and application forms are available at www.gov.ie/opw The closing date for receipt of completed applications is not later than 5:30pm on Monday, 26th January 2026.

 SHOPPING: Claire’s are entering administration (inset) Dunnes Stores, Ennis

stances, administration is the only option.

In both cases, the legacy effects of trading prior to our

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ownership left them highly vulnerable,” he added.

“The climate on the high street remains extremely challenging, and TOFS and Claire’s are not alone in experiencing difficulties,” the firm said.

“A combination of very weak consumer confidence, highly adverse government fiscal policies, and continued cost inflation, is causing many established and much-loved businesses to suffer badly,” he added.

“It’s a simple fact that if retailers can’t make money, they risk having to close, and jobs across the country are lost,” he stated.

The Office of Public Works is committed to a policy of equal opportunity.

Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the below competitions. Clare County Council will, following the interview process, form panels for the areas set out below from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.

• Permanent Lifeguard/ Instructor (Active Ennis Leisure Complex)

Start Your Own Business programmes

Closing Date: 12 Noon Friday 30th January 2026

Digital Marketing, Finance for business and many more

• Heavy Vehicle Mechanic Closing date: 12 Noon Friday 30th January 2026

• Sports Facilities Assistant Closing date: 12 Noon Friday 23rd January 2026

Expert Business support and mentoring

• Librarian Closing date: 12 Noon Friday 16th January 2026

Book Today!

• Public Art Co-Ordinator (18 Months) Closing date: 12 Noon Friday 23rd January 2026 Please complete online application form available on www.clarecoco.ie under Careers Section.

Only applications completed online will be accepted.

Clare County Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the Community.

Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.

22

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 8, 2026

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 8, 2026

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News

Brian Borus celebrate 50 years on

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

MEMBERS of the 1975 Brian Borus team reunited to celebrate the unlikely 1975 Clare Senior Hurling Championship title last weekend.

The team, which was an amalgamation of Tulla, Killanena and Bodyke, defeated Eire Og in the county final by 4-07 to 2-09. The 50 year celebration took place at Cnoc na Gaoithe in Tulla which was attended by players, family and friends.

The side which was captained by Colm Wiley (Bodyke), won in only their second year of amalgamation, a cooperation between the three East Clare clubs which would last until 1979.

All photos by Joe Buckley

lBridin Dinan, Ann Marie McGrath, Michelle Dinan & Aidine Dinan

l Joe Brody, Kevin Kennedy & John Quinn

l Bridie Conlan, Pádraig Conlan, Tom & Joe Minogue, & Deirdre Minogue

l Ger O’Grady & Pat Danagher

l Brian Ború celebration team

l Ger Hoey & Olive Walsh

l Frank McNamara & Jim Power

l Ettie & Claire O’Halloran

24

Thursday, Jan 8, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

Narrow loss to Kerry as 24 Clare men get a run

MCGRATH CUP GROUP A ROUND 2

nor for M. Breen (half time); 21; Cathal Brosnan for D. Kirby (half time); 23; Ciaran Collins for G. Hassett (45); 25; Darragh O’Connor for C. O’Grady (45); 18 Dan Murphy for E. O’Connor (47); 24; Liam Evans for C. Keaing (50); 26; Sean O’Connell for L. Smith (50); 19; Paul O’Shea for T. O’Donnell (56);

CLARE 0-14 KERRY 0-16 Venue: Clarecastle Compiled by Seamus Hayes

DESPITE a strong second half showing, Clare came up just short in this round 2 McGrath cup football tie played at Clarecastle on Tuesday evening.

This was the first competitive senior football game played under the new floodlights at the impressive Clarecastle facility.

Clare started well and the sides were level at 0-3 each after ten minutes, the home side having wasted a couple of good scoring chances in that period.

Kerry then took a grip on matters and they outscored Clare 0-8 to 0-1 in the next 15 minutes, opening an eight point lead which could have been greater but for a couple of good saves from Clare goalkeeper Stephen Ryan.

Six points separated the sides at the half time whistle when the score was 0-12 to 0-6.

There was more urgency from Clare on the resumption and in the opening ten minutes of the new half they outscored the visitors 0-4 to 0-1, three of those points coming from Eoin Cleary

and one from substitute Aaron Griffin.

In a half in which both teams made a lot of changes the home outfit created more chances and were a little unlucky with a number of efforts, a couple of which wee from he two point range.

Somewhat surprisingly, the game produced just one two-pointer on the night and this came a minute from the end when Clare’s centre forward Dermot Coughlan converted a free.

With Kerry expected to account for Waterford in the final game in he group, this result ends Clare’s involvement in the competition this year and their focus now switches to their opening game in the Allianz league when they will travel to Newry to play Down on Saturday, January 14.

Goalkeeper Stephen Ryan, Manus Doherty, Dermot Coughlan and Eoin Cleary were prominent in this tie in which 24 players saw action.

A number of players were unavailable and these included Mark McInerney, Brian McNamara and Tristan O’Callaghan who have Siger-

Win over Waterford MCGRATH CUP GROUP A ROUND 1

WATERFORD 0-11 CLARE 3-10 Venue: Fraher Field, Dungarvan (Saturday) Compiled by Eoin Brennan

WATERFORD CLARE Frees For: 18 (9/9) Frees For: 9 (4/5) Wides: 3 (1/2) Wides: 10 (4/6) Scores from Play: 0-10 Scores from Play: 3-8 Spread of Scorers: 5 Spread of Scorers: 7 Top Scorers: Stephen Top Scorer: Mark Curry, Aaron Ryan (0-3) McInerney (0-4) Yellow Cards: None Yellow: Cormac Murray (40) Own Kick-Outs won: 10 Own Kick-Outs won: 12 from 23 (43%) from 14 (86%) REFEREE: Eoghan O'Leary (Whitegate)

“

son cup (Third level Colleges) games on this Wednesday.

Kerry scorers: Cian O’Grady (0-5, 4f); Thomas O’Donnell (0-3); Darragh O’Connor (1f), Gearoid Hassett (0-2) each; Sean Broderick (‘45), Charlie Keating, Danie Kirby, Tomás Kennedy (0-

1) each Clare scorers: Eoin Cleary (0-6, 4f) Dermot Coughlan (1tp), Aaron Griffin (0-2) each; Alan Sweeney, Darragh Bohannon, Brendy Rouine, Cormac Murray (0-1) each.

Kerry: 1; Sean Broderick; 2; Tadhg Morley; 3; Jason Foley;

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Owen Fitzgerald, Truagh/Clonlara coach:

“We haven’t played as well as we can and hopefully there’s more in us but the lads are working hard in training and really and truly that’s the most important thing for us as a management group.”

“The reaction in the second half was most pleasing for me. We made a couple of little changes and we kind of nullified their main player [Conor Murray] in the second half. It’s all about the reaction and character of guys but there’s no question that as we go we have to improve as we have a really tough start to the National League."

4; Enda O’Connor;; 5; Charlie Keating; 6; Mike Breen; 7; Cillian Trant; 8; Sean O’Brien; 9; Liam Smith; 10; Daniel Kirby; 11; Darragh Lyne; 12; Thomas O’Donnell; 13; Cian O’Grady; 14; Tomás Kennedy; 15; Gearoid Hassett; Subs: 17; Darragh O’Con-

Lissycasey look to championship winning selector & ex-Clare footballers in bid to make breakthrough

by Páraic McMahon

STORY OF THE GAME

MANAGER COMMENT

l Fionn Kelleher in action for Clare in the McGrath Cup at Clarecastle GAA grounds last night against Kerry Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Clare: 1; Stephen Ryan, Kilrush; 2; Alan Sweeney, St. Breckans; 3; Fionn Kelleher, St. Josephs, Doora-Barefield; 4; Manus Doherty, Eire Og;; 5; Ronan Lanigan, Eire Og,; 6; Ikem Ugeueru, Eire Og; 7; Morgan Garry, Clondegad;; 8; Cillian Brennan, Clondegad; 9; Darragh Bohannon, Shannon Gaels; 10; Gavan Murray, Eire Og; 11; Dermot Coughlan, Kilmurry-Ibrickane; 12; Brendy Rouine, Ennistymon; 13; Eoin Cleary, Miltown St. Josephs; 14; Joe Rafferty, St Josephs, Doora-Barefield; 15; Cormac Murray, Miltown St Josephs; Subs: 23; Liam Cotter (Ennistymon) for M. Garry ( inj. 18); 22; Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey) for J. Rafferty (half time); 20; Michael Nash (St Josephs, Doora-Barefield) for F. Kelleher (half time); 24; Evan Cahill (Kilmurry-Ibrickane) for D. Bohannon (inj) 38); 17; Jamie Stack (St. Breckans) for G. Murray (45); 21; Caoifhlionn O’Dea (Kilmurry-Ibrickane) for C. Murray (50); 18; Ciaran McMahon (Ennistymon) for M. Doherty (inj. 54); 19; Conor Meaney (Lissycasey) for A. Sweeney (55); 25; Shane Griffin (Lissycasey) for D. Coughlan (63); Referee: James Regan, Cork

paraic@clareecho.ie

LISSYCASEY have turned to a member of their 2007 Clare SFC winning management to lead the club’s senior team in 2026 - he will be joined by two former county footballers and one ex Limerick hurler in his set-up.

Almost a decade on from serving as a selector with the only Lissycasey team to lift the Jack Daly, David Considine has been appointed as manager.

He succeeds three-time Clare SFC winning manager, Aiden ‘Horse’ Moloney who stepped down following three seasons which included guiding Lissycasey to a Cusack Cup in 2024, three quarter-finals and one semi.

Considine who was a selector to Declan Conway alongside James Healy in 2007 when Lissycasey won their maiden Clare SFC title is back involved with the seniors for the first time. An auctioneer with the family-owned Pat Considine Auctioneers, David played at all levels with the club, most recently with the Junior Bs in 2025 also forming part of their management. He was

a selector for their Minor A winning side of 2014.

Joining him is a strong ticket including some of the county’s most respected coaching figures.

Chief among them is Kilkee native Ger Keane who has been heavily involved with Lissycasey since relocating to the parish. The former Clare footballer who served as a senior selector to both Mick O’Dwyer and Colm Collins was most recently part of the Lissycasey U16 management crowned county champions with his son Liam part of their attack. A five-time McGrath Cup winner, the secondary school teacher is currently part of the Clare minor football management.

Manager of the county minors, Joe Hayes is also part of the new Lissycasey management. The involvement of him and Keane will increase when the inter-county campaign concludes.

Hayes was goalkeeper for the Clare’s senior footballers for 13 years up until 2017. He was part of the Tipperary management in 2020 when they won the Munster championship while he

joined Colm Collins’ Clare management for a season in 2023.

Ambition is growing in Lissycasey, largely in part to their growing representation on county panels at all levels. Quality coaching has helped in this development and one of the leading lights in this aspect has been John Joe McMahon who steered the club to Féile and U14 championship success in 2020 along with managing them to win a fifth Minor A championship in 2023.

His son Diarmuid is part of the Clare U20 panel, having represented the senior team for the first time last season.

Former Limerick hurler, Brian Geary who resides in Lissycasey is understood to be on board as one of Considine’s selectors. He played senior hurling for Limerick over 13 years.

Megan Downes is to remain involved as S&C coach with the side.

The Cooraclare woman who is part of the Clare intermediate ladies football team has recently linked up with Paul Madden’s Clare senior football set-up, serving as assistant S&C coach to Anton Mobian.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 8, 2026

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Sport

25

Clare dispatch of Limerick in Munster Hurling League clash CO-OP SUPERSTORES MUNSTER HURLING LEAGUE

ror by Clare to fire home his side’s first goal.

Five points in a row followed for Clare before Limerick responded with three and when the half time whistle sounded it was 1-12 to 1-10 in favour of the Bannermen.

Limerick had a dream start to the second half with O’Dalaigh firing home his and his team’s second goal.

Now it was Clare’s turn to respond and that they did in style. Impressive debutant Jack Kirwan brilliantly fielded possession in the middle of he field before racing past a number of defenders and shooting to the net.

A few minutes later, he suffered injury which ended his involvement in the tie.

Points were exchanged before the visitors struck for their third goal, Fintan Fitzgerald finding the net after winning possession from an Adam English cross. Another Aidan O’Connor free levelled the tie and everything pointed to a share of the spoils.

They continued to exchange points but Clare had the final say when Rodgers converted a penalty awarded for a foul on substitute Colm O’Meara.

Jack Kirwan until injured, Conor Cleary, Rory Hayes, Mark Sheedy and Mark Rodgers impressed for the Banner outfit while Cathal O’Neill, Tom Morrissey, Donnacha O’Dalaigh, and Darragh O’Donovan were prominent for Limerick.

CLARE 3-20 LIMERICK 3-18 Venue: Dr Daly Park, Tulla

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

HURLING games between Clare and Limerick rarely disappoint and the latest meeting of the Shannonside neighbours was no exception.

This Co-Op Superstores Munster hurling league first round clash at Dr. Daly Park in Tulla on Saturday afternoon proved to be a very entertaining affair in which the teams were level on 10 occasions.

A penalty goal from Mark Rodgers in the 11th minute of ‘injury time’ settled the contest in Clare’s favour.

The ‘added time’ came about following a long delay while Clare’s Jack Kirwan was being attended to after he suffered an injury in an accidental clash with an opponent.

In front of a sell-out crowd on 2,000 and on a cold but dry day the sides exchanged scores regularly and the outcome was in doubt right to the final whistle.

Early points from Mark Rodges and Ryan Taylor gave the home side the lead but Aidan O’Connor and Darragh Langan replied for the visitors and the teams were level for the first time after just three minute.

Points were then swapped four times before the first goal arrived in the fourteenth minute, Shane Meehan finishing fine Clare move.

That lead was short lived and the sides were level again three minutes later when Donnacha O’Dalaigh pounced on a defensive er-

Clare scorers: Mark Rodgers (1-11, 1-7 frees); Jack Kirwan (1-2) Shane Meehan (1-1); Jack O’Neill (0-2); Peter Duggan (line ball), Ryan Taylor, David Fitzgerald, Keith Smyth (0-1) each

l Eoin McMahon gathers possession under pressure from Limerick's Donnacha O'Dalaigh Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Limerick scorers: Donnacha O’Dalaigh (2-2); Aidan O’Connor (0-7, 6f); Fintan Fitzgerad (1-0); Dylan O’Shea, Tom Morrissey

(0-2) eaxh; Darragh Langan, John English, Peter Casey, Mattthew Fitxgerald, Shane O’Brien (0-1) each Clare: 1; Mark Sheedy, Sixmilebridge; 2; Shane Woods, Inagh-Kilnamona; 3; Conor Cleary, Miltown St Josephs; 4; Rory Hayes, Wolfe Tones; 5; Eoin McMahon, St Josephs, Doora-Barefield; 6; Diarmuid Ryan, Cratloe; 7; John Conneally, Clooney-Quin; 8; Darragh Lohan, Wofe Tones; 9; Ryan Taylor, Clooney-Quin; 10; Jack Kirwan, Parteen-Meelick; 11; Jack O’Neill, Clooney-Quin; 12; David Fitzgerald, Inagh-Kilnamona; 13; Shane Meehan Banner; 14; Keith Smyth, Killanena; 15; Mark Rodgers, Scariff; Subs: 21; Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge) for Conneally (inj.

20); 26; Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin) for Kirwan (inj. 42); 25; Diarmuid Stritch (Clolara) for McMahon (42); 20; Collm O’Meara (Clonlara) for Smyth (59); Limerick; 1; Collin Ryan, Pallasgreen; 2; Vince Harrington, Na Piarsaigh; 3; Sean Casey, Bruff; 4; Eddie Stokes, Doon;; 5; Darragh Langan, Monaleen,; 6; Cathal O’Neill, Crecora/Manister; 7; Dylan O’Shea, Garryspillane; 8; Ethan Hurley, Newcastle West; 9; Darragh O’Donovan, Doon; 10; Oisin O’Farrel, Askeaton/Ballyleen, Kilcornan; 11; Tom Morrissey, Ahane; 12; John English Garryspillane; 13; Donnacha O’Dalaigh, Monaleen; 14; Aidan O’Connor, Ballybrown; 20; Fintan Fitzgerald |(Mungret St. Pauls); Subs: 18; Adam English (Doon) for Hurley (half time); 24; Shane O’Brien,(Kilmallock) for O’Farrell (half time); 22; Matthew Fitzgerald (Monaleen) for O’Shea (35); 23; Gearoid Hegrty (St. Patricks) for Morrissey (59); 21; Joe Fitzgerald (Monaleen) for O’Donovan (59); 17; Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh) for O’Dalaigh (33); 25; Chris Thomas (Doon) for F. Fitzgerald (33); 19; Dara Ferland (Monaleen) for S. Casey; Referee: Conor Doyle, Tipperary;

Lohan happy with result and impressed by Tulla pitch

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

NOT surprisingly, Clare senior hurling manager Brian Lohan was pleased with the team’s performance in their first competitive game of 2026.

Speaking after their victory over Limerick in Tulla on Saturday, he said “These competitions are not the be all and end all but when you get into the game and they are tight games you like to win them.

"We were able to see a good few guys in a competitive game and we came out the right side of the result, it doesn’t mean a huge amount but

it was good."

The manager was delighted with the performance given by Jack Kirwan “He was great, he caught a great ball, took it on and scored the goal and he had scored 0-2 in the first half, 1-2 from wing forward is a great return. Hopefully the injury isn’t too bad and that he will be back in action soon”.

The Clare boss paid tribute to all involved with the Tulla club.

“Credit to the ground and the club in Tulla for having the pitch in super condition, it was in great shape. We are delighted

with how the lads played and with the win”.

Continuing, he said “there is always an extra bit of bite when Clare and Limerick meet.

"In the last few years we have lost out in these type of games, especially to Limerick so it's no harm to win this one and to win it at home in Tulla.

"Traditionally over the years if Clare hurling needs a result, Tulla is a good place to come.

Clare teams tend to respond here and we are delighted with that and delighted to be able to put on a performance given the effort the Tul-

la club made to have the game here”.

According to the manager, “the guys are working hard as they always do and sometimes you get a bit of luck if you are working hard and that’s what the lads are doing” Concluding, he said “It’s week after week from now on and it's something to look forward to and we are looking forward to that and getting more lads back on the field.”

The sharpness shown by players on both sides was something spectators commented on as they left the grounds after the game.

Jack Kirwan, until injured, was in impressive form for Clare. Goalkeeper Mark Sheedy, on his debut, did well while Shane Meehan at corner forward was lively and caused problems for the Limerick defence, especially in the first half.

Scariff ’s Mark Rodgers was the game’s top scorer with 1-11 while the experienced Conor Cleary who captained the team on the day, led by example from the full back position.

Clare will travel to Mallow to face Cork in round 2 in this league on Monday next, January 12 at 7pm.

l Lohan pitchside in Tulla last weekend

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

26

Thursday, Jan 8, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

Cullinan making comeback as O'Grady takes charge Inagh/Kilnamona hurling manager of Crusheen with Fitzgerald as coach

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

EUGENE CULLINAN is to return for a second stint as manager of the Inagh/Kilnamona senior hurlers.

Cullinan fended off competition from outgoing manager Tomás Kelly and former Clare manager Tony Considine to be given the backing of the club to lead Inagh/ Kilnamona for 2026.

In his first year in charge, Eugene oversaw Inagh/Kilnamona reaching a first-ever Clare SHC final, they lost by a single point to Ballyea in the 2021 decider. They exited at the quarter-finals to Éire Óg a year later when losing 2-21 0-16.

He was succeeded

by Louis Mulqueen for 2023 when they were unable to emerge from a competitive Group 1 following defeats to Ballyea and Scariff despite overcoming Kilmaley and St Joseph’s Doora/ Barefield by margins of twelve and eighteen points respectively.

Tomás Kelly who had been coach to Cullinan has been in the hotseat for 2024 and 2025, guiding them to the knockout stages for both campaigns. They reached the semi-finals in 2024 and were level with Sixmilebridge fol-

l Eugene Cullinan lowing normal and extra time but the outcome was decided by penalties. Éire Óg ended their aspirations for glory in 2025 with a 3-21 1-17 quarter-final win in the quarter-finals.

Former Éire Óg manager, Matt Shannon will be Cullinan’s coach with Inamona for 2026.

The Corofin native who has previously been in

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

charge of his native club and was coach when they won the Clare IHC in 2023. The foundations laid by Shannon during his time with Éire Óg have been heralded as a big platform in the Townies winning the Canon Hamilton this season.

He was part of Kevin Sammon’s management with the Roscommon hurlers in 2025 as they

won the Nicky Rackard Cup. Noel Hehir is teaming up with Cullinan at senior level for the second time. Most recently, he was part of the club’s U21 management that ended a seven year wait for championship glory when defeating Éire Óg by the smallest of margins.

Former club corner back, Dermot Lynch is another to return to Inamona’s senior management. He was a selector during Fergal Hegarty’s tenure in charge prior to Cullinan. He was part of the management team that oversaw the club’s success in the 2023 Minor A hurling championship.

Quin native Victor O’Riordan will be the team’s S&C coach.

Eugene has managed Inagh/Kilnamona to championship success at Minor A and B plus Junior A, he will be hoping to emulate that with their senior side. As a player he represented the club at all levels and he lined out at full forward when the club played its first game at senior level after Inagh and Kilnamona joined forces. In that tie in 2008 he scored two goals when they faced Tulla, county champions in 2007.

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

FORMER Clare defender, Gerry O’Grady is the new manager of his native Crusheen with the son of a two-time All-Ireland winner appointed as coach.

O’Grady who captained Crusheen to win successive Clare SHC titles in 2010 and 2011, becoming the first club in eleven years to complete such a feat, swaps playing for management in the new role.

He was part of the panel last season as the Blood and Bandages failed to qualify from their group, a second round loss to Sixmilebridge in Gurteen proving particularly costly to their cause.

Following their exit to Clonlara, the management team headed up by two-time Clare SHC winning manager Michael Browne alongside Cronan Dillon, Paddy Vaughan, Alan Tuohy and Gearoid O’Donnell, all stalwarts of the side opted not to continue after three seasons.

Currently the Chairman of Crusheen GAA, Gerry’s elevation to management is likely to bring an end to his senior hurling career with the club which has spanned a quarter of a century. He first lined out with their intermediate side in 1999, they won the Paddy Browne Cup a year later and have remained in the top tier since.

At inter-county level, Gerry was a constant presence at corner back from 2004 to 2010. Under-rated for his contributions, O’Grady was able for some of the greatest hurlers in the game and held his own in many tricky assignments including Cork’s Joe Deane and DJ Carey of Kilkenny.

With Clare, he finished his inter-county career as captain,

leading the side to success in the Munster Hurling League in 2009 but a recurring ankle injury which required surgery influenced his decision to retire from Clare in 2010.

Prior to making his breakthrough with Clare, Gerry won two Harty Cup titles with St Flannan’s College in 1999 and 2000. He played in four Fitzgibbon Cup campaigns during his time as a student at NUIG. Sixmilebridge’s Colm Fitzgerald is on board as the side’s coach. It will be his first permanent role with a senior club in Clare. He was involved with O’Callaghans Mills in 2022 alongside Conor Dolan following Donach O’Donnell’s departure during the championship.

Fitzgerald is currently coaching Mayo side Tooreen who have qualified for the All-Ireland intermediate hurling club final. He was coach of the Kanturk senior hurlers in 2025 when they finished in third spot in Group 3 behind Blackrock and St Finbarr’s but ahead of Douglas.

Two-time Clare SHC winning corner back, Alan Brigdale is confirmed as a selector with his native Crusheen. Now residing in Newmarket-on-Fergus, Brigdale has previously represented Newmarket Celtic and Tulla Utd in the CDSL. Shaun Dillon of the famed Crusheen family also joins the management as a selector. He was midfield on Crusheen’s Junior A side in 2010 when they bridged a fifty one year gap to win the Junior A championship.

Gerry’s Crusheen management is completed by the addion of Daniel Liddy as selector.

Emigration of Luke Hayes and Cilléin Mullins plus the absence of Breffni Horner has already hurt the Crusheen cause for 2026.

Culbert going back for year four with Kilmaley

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

BRIAN CULBERT will manage Kilmaley’s senior hurlers for a fourth year.

An overwhelming majority of the Kilmaley senior hurling panel were very keen for the Sixmilebridge man to stay in charge for another season. They gave county champions Éire Óg their toughest date of the championship when falling short at the semi-final stage.

Indeed Kilmaley were one of the top sides in last year’s bid to lift the Canon Hamilton with their supporters firmly of the view they are not far away from reaching the summit for the first time since 2004.

Staying involved with the side will be Conor Neylon who was the youngest member of their victorious 2004 side and goalkeeper of that team Kieran Dillon. Padraig McGough and Eoin O’Malley will continue as part of

the coaching ticket with Kilmaley.

While a fourth season awaits Culbert, it will be his second solely in charge. Ex Clare and Kilmaley hurler, Conor McMahon had been joint manager in 2023 and 2024 but stepped aside for the 2025 campaign.

Just two points separated them from the county champions when Éire Óg came out 1-14 1-12 winners in their semi-final clash in September. It was Kilmaley’s first appearance in the penultimate stage in seven years.

Initially management’s decision to play All-Ireland winning defender Conor Cleary in attack raised eyebrows but the Miltown Malbay native proved to be one of their greatest weapons with no defender in the county able to counteract his aerial threat, he also showed his scoring ability in their run to the semi-finals.

Along the way, they

blitzed Culbert’s native Sixmilebridge with a 1-21 1-8 quarter-final victory. With the Bridge, Brian was coach to the John O’Meara side crowned county champions in 2013, 2015 and 2017.

He retired from senior hurling in 2012, having won senior titles in 2000 and 2002. He scored 1-4 from play in the Munster club final of 2000 as The Bridge defeated Mount Sion of Waterford 2-17 3-8.

With St Flannan’s College, he won two Harty Cup medals and an All-Ireland title while he captained Clare at minor and U21 level.

Outside of the county, he has coached the Kerry senior hurlers and was manager of Offaly side Coolderry when they reached the county final in 2021 losing out to St Rynagh’s. In 2015, he managed the Freshers hurling side at TUS to an All-Ireland league title.

He told The Clare Echo

that fine margins have kept Kilmaley from reaching the summit. “We were a puck of a ball away in 2024, Conor McGrath ruined that for us, we were a puck of a ball away from Feakle the year before that, it hasn’t just been this year like these lads have had Colin Lynch training them for two years before I came in, they have had the same message for nearly five years, it is fine margins. Éire Óg were getting to the semi-final for the last how many years, what we need to do is to be consistent and be getting to the semi-finals every year, they are an unbelievable group of lads, a serious team, they have serious attitude, you’d be hoping they will go again next year and the rub of a green might come on another day, someday it will happen.

“I remember Donal Madden said a couple of years ago ‘wouldn’t it be great if every team got to win it once

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

and sample the feeling’, that would be a lovely thing and it was someone new in Éire

Óg this year, you never know who it might be next year”.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 8, 2026

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27

Shanahan returns to Doonbeg Frost disrupts golf

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

SEVEN-TIME Clare SFC winner Brian Shanahan will return for a second season as manager of the Doonbeg senior footballers.

Shanahan is in his second stint in charge of Doonbeg and he will be continuing in the role for the 2026 season, a decade on from his first tenure as manager.

Ex Clare midfielder, David Russell will be involved for his fourth season as Doonbeg coach. A two-time Clare SFC winner with St Senan’s Kilkee, Russell resides in Doonbeg and was brought into the Magpies management by Shanahan’s predecessor John Keane. He also spent two years as part of the Kilmurry Ibrickane senior management after two years as Cooraclare manager.

Former Doonbeg footballer, Brian Dillon remains part of their coaching ticket.

The secondary school teacher was manager of the Kilmihil side crowned Clare IFC champions in 2023.

John Killeen continues as a selector in Shanahan’s setup with Shane McNamara

Burren Eye Photography

returning as S&C. Liam Roche joins the backroom team with responsibility for statistics.

During his first term as manager, Brian led the Magpies for their campaigns in 2015, 2016 and 2017 when they reached the quarter-finals in two of these seasons.

Winners of the Clare SFC on 18 occasions, Doonbeg have not reached the knockout stages of the championship since 2019.

Pitted in Group 2 of the Clare SFC last season, Doonbeg began their campaign with a one point loss to Ennistymon. They recovered in

the second round, a Tadhg Lillis goal forced a 1-12 0-15 draw with Lissycasey. In a derby showdown with Kilmihil in the final round, they emerged 2-13 2-11 victors, Gavin O’Shea bagging both goals with David Tubridy and Darragh Burns kicking 0-8 and 0-3 respectively.

Their run ended in the preliminary quarter-finals when losing 1-12 0-11 against St Joseph’s Miltown.

Last year’s captain Mikie Tubridy has been called up to Paul Madden’s provisional county panel alongside James Killeen joining Darragh Burns who was part of the

Clare squad in 2024. Eamon Tubridy who was first-choice goalkeeper for Clare last season will miss the majority of the Garry Cup. Reflecting on his first year back as Doonbeg manager, Brian said it was a campaign of “improvement”. He stated, “We should have got something out of the Ennistymon game, I know we got something out of the Lissycasey game, it was improvement.

"We would have loved to be in the quarter-final draw because we’d have loved to play any of the teams we’d have been up against because I don’t think they would have liked to play us. We have five young lads to come into the team next year which will freshen things up, hopefully everyone else will stay on”.

For him, their second half showing against Ennistymon in the first round was costly. “Going back to our second half performance against Ennistymon, there was just a kick of the ball in it, it was only a kick of the ball in it against Lissycasey, we weren’t far away from a quarter-final spot but that is the way it goes”.

schedule in Clare

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

Golf competitions at a number of clubs across the county did not take place at the weekend as courses were closed due to frost.

Members at all clubs are keeping heir fingers crossed that warmer temperatures will return this week and that the scheduled competitions will go ahead this week KILRUSH GOLF CLUB

Last week’s 12 hole men’s singles v par at Kilrush was won by John Stapleton (15) with +5. He had one to spare over Niall Pilkington (14) with third place filled

by Tony McMahon (10) with +3.

The gross was won by Patrick Coleman GORT GOLF CLUB

In the New Year’s Eve 13 hole open singles stableford competition at Gort, John Commins (11) was the winner of category 1 with 30 points whie Derek Kinsella (14) wih 33 points won cat-

egory 2.

Calum McGrath (17) with 31 points won category 3 while the category 4 winner was Luke Huban (40) with 28 points.

FANNY O’DEAS SOCIETY

The planned Christmas outing for the Fanny O’Deas golf society to Dromoland didn’t take place due to the course being closed because of frost.

However an outing to Kilrush did take place with thirty two members taking part in the Noel O’Shea sponsored event The winners on the day were Paddy Corcoran, Kevin Clohessy, Noel O'Shea, and Daniel Delap from Michael and Robert McMahon, Leroy Crowe and Darren McCormick with third place filled by Mark Cottam, Tony McMahon, Danny Lynch and Thomas Monahan.

Nash set for Clare handball award

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

Clare handball will host an awards night on this Saturday in Hotel Woodstock. Master of ceremony on night will be former Clare board chairman, Matthew McMahon Medals will be presented by Diarmaid Nash recognising the achievements of Tuamgraney and Tulla clubs in winning All-Ireland team titles, Clare Juvenile teams who have won All-Ireland titles, individual and doubles at juvenile and adult grades at both Munster and All-Ireland levels along with this years Clare men’s singles winners.

Big Clare entry at Liscarroll tournament The prestigious Tim Healy tournament took place in Liscarroll, Co Cork, over the Christmas to New Year period with finals on New Year’s Eve. This is always well attended and with players who would have an eye on the upcoming U14, U15 and U16 championships it can often be a good indicator and sets a standard.

There was a large Clare entry with the boys 15 & U having Walter Moroney, Charlie Collins, Jack Cahill and Daniel Madden from Clare while the boys 13 & U included John MacDonnacha, Callum Counihan, TJ McMahon, Iarla Kelleher, Oran Rodgers, Ross McInerney, Gearoid MacDonnacha, Tommy Moloney and Jack McMahon from Clare The girls 13&U grade had Clare’s Ava Considine, Sophia Moroney, Samantha Vaughan and Anna Madden taking partt.

In the younger ages this was a first intercounty tournament for many and there were wins in opening rounds for John and Gearoid MacDonnacha, Callum Counihan and Jack McMahon.

Iarla Kelleher reached the semi-final stage before losing to the winner Ollie Morrisey of Kilkenny.

In the girls, Samantha Vaughan and Anna Madden met in the semi-final with Anna coming out on top and going on to win the tournament with some great skill on show.

All the Clare boys in 15 & U came through opening rounds with Jack

Cahill progressing to the semi-final where he lost out to the winner Shane Doyle of Kilkenny.

Mick Kerr, tournament In Tyrone on the weekend after New Year’s the Men’s and Ladies open ranking tournament saw a number of Clare competitors including Diarmaid Nash, Colin Crehan and Sean Considine. It was the youthful Considine’s first adult open grade and he pushed hard in his opening game before losing out 15-10, 15-13.

Crehan was returning to action having having a year out and he won his opening round before losing in the round of 16 to Michael Hedigan of Cork.

Meanwhile Nash made his way to the semi-final with wins over McElhone (Tyrone), Daly (Tyrone) and Kerr (Tyrone).

However, in the semi- final he was disappointed to lose out to Doyle (Wexford).

In the ladies section Clare were represented by the Minogue sisters of Tuamgraney. It was Clarie’s first open outing where she lost out to

Mollie Dagg of Wexford. Leah defeated Caislin Treacy(Tyrone) before losing to Dagg. Leah then went on to win the Plate section giving her a 5th place finish oveall and earning valuable ranking points along the way, prior to championship draws.

Juvenile Semi-finals The juvenile A semi-finals will take place this weekend. Most fixtures are set for Saturday. There are semi-finals in boys and girls grades from U12-17 with finals taking place over the weekend of January 17/18.

Kingscourt Shoot-out This is another tournament on the yearly calendar and sees games across Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday Clare will have Sean Coughlan and Sean Considine in the intermediate/Junior A grade while Sunday will see Eoin Shanahan and Kevin O’Callaghan in the junior A/junior B grade.

Munster Singles Championships The race for Munster championship honours starts this weekend and there are a number of fixtures down for decision as follows; Sunday January 11 at Mallow from 1pm.

Minor Single quarter final; Cork A (Calum Funnell) v Clare B (Cathal Noonan) Junior Singles quarter final: Cork A (Conor Walsh) v Clare B (Paddy Fitzgerald) At Silvermines commencing 1.30pm JB Singles: Clare A (Tony Leyden) v Tipperary B (Kieran Casey or Eanna McInerney) At Tuamgraney commencing 1.30pm JB Singles: Clare B (Fionn Slattery) v Tipperary A (David Reilly) At Nenagh commencing 1.30pm Junior Singles: Clare A (Seanie Doyle) v Tipperary B (Aidan O Flaherty) At Clooney commencing 1.30pm Intermediate Singles QF: Clare A (Sean Coughlan) v Limerick B (Evan Murphy) Monday January 12 at Liscarroll commencing 8.00pm Intermediate Singles quarter final: Clare B (Niall Bolton) v Cork A (Shane Hedigan) At Newmarket on Fergus from 7.30pm O 35 Singles quarter final: Limerick A (Keith Heelan) v Clare A (Darren Cullinan) Tuesday January 13 at Liscarroll commencing 7.30pm O35 Singles quarter final: Cork A (Padhraic Egan) v Clare B (Darren O Neill) At Boherbue vommencing 7.30pm Master B Singles QF: Cork A (Jonathon Lucey) v Clare B (Stephen Malone) Wednesday January 14 at Broadford commencing 7.30pm Silver Master B Singles QF: Limerick A (Micheal Reidy) v Clare A (Mike Baker) At Toonagh Commencing 7.30pm Silver Master B Singles QF: Clare B (Alan Cummins) v Cork A (Tadhg Murphy)

28 28

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PLANNING CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL Ballyhannon, Quin, Co Clare. V95 D882 Take notice that Vanessa Sheedy and Michael Reidy intend to apply for permission to retain the converted garage for domestic use, the connecting porch area, the altered fenestration, internal layout and all associated and ancillary site 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 period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL Ballard Road, Miltown Malbay, Co Clare Take notice that Derek Considine t/a Derek Considine car Sales Ltd., intends to apply for permission to retain the auxillary parking area and entrance from the existing site area, the subject of planning permission ref 25/301 and all other associated site and ancillary works.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL Ballytigue, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare Take notice that Sean Neville intends to apply for permission to

build a new dwellinghouse, install a wastewater treatment system and all other associated site and ancillary works.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL Doonagore, Doolin, Co Clare Take notice that Richard Hynes intends to apply for permission to build a new dwellinghouse, install a wastewater treatment system and all other associated site and ancillary works.

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 pre-

scribed fee of 20.00 euro, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, Leagard South, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare Take notice that D. & C. Hillery intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to demolish a sub-standard shed and to construct a new shed in its place along with ancillary site works at the above address.

That 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 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 authority of the application.

Temu Dea

Puzzle

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

THIS WEEK’S PUZZLES Jan 8th Best Daily Word Search: 25 June PUZZLES 2024 THIS WEEKS June 27th

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Thursday, Jan 8, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

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46 CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 8, 2026 THE

Thursday, Jun 27, 2024 THE CLARE ECHO 31

Quiz

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Quiz

The Clare Echo Quiz Which of these towns in Clare has Which of these Liverpool players 1Ennis, densest population?

7 who grew up in Kilrush was the first Irishman to play for the Reds?

Shannon, Kilrush

Michael Jordan

3

Which of these clare people invented the submarine?

John P Holland, Brendan O’Regan, Reginald Clare-Hart

How many symbols is there on 4 the Clare crest?

4, 5, 6

5

What does ‘An Bhoireann’ translate directly to?

Limestone rock, Rocky place, Stone village

Which of these movies did not 8 have a scene filmed in Clare?

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Star Wars, The Princess Bride

What is the name of the player 9 from St. Flannan’s College that got a contract with Ipswich town?

Barry Cotter, Cian Courtney, Eoghan Hahessy

Which Clare town is Marcus 10 Horan from?

Clonlara, Shannon, Kilrush

l INVENTOR: What Clare person invented the submarine?

ANSWERS

Who was the Clare man who 6 holds the record of longest time served for Cardiff city F.C.?

6. Willie Boland 7. Billy Lacey 8. The Princess Bride 9. Barry Cotter 10. Clonlara

Willie Boland, Robbie Keane, Shay Given

Spot the Difference Spot the Difference

Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences. Answers revealed next week.

Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences.

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

Last weeks Answers

1. Ennis 2. Muhammad Ali 3. John P Holland 4. 6 5. Rocky place

Who was the first honorary free2 man of Ennis?

Michael D. Higgins, Muhammad Ali,

Robbie Keane, Billy Lacey, John O’Shea

. dot over ‘i’ missing . top button missing on man on left . ‘a’ missing from word ‘na’ in blue background . wristwatch missing on woman centre . the word ‘na’ missing from yellow background . green artwork change to red on right . necklace missing on far left

Last weeks Answers . Shirt button missing . Button hole missing from jacket . GAA logo missing . Spotlight missing

. Berét a different colour . ‘A’ missing from jersey

Jim Collins and Tom Hanley at BBC Broadcasting House

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