The Clare Echo 11/09/25

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Sep31, 11,2024 2025 THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct

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Sep 11 2025

McIlroy and Trump for Doonbeg?

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE is the fairway to heaven next September with Trump Doonbeg confirmed as the official venue of the 2026 Irish Open.

As previously reported by The Clare Echo, the five-star West Clare resort emerged as the leading contender to follow in the footsteps of The K Club as the venue for The Irish Open.

Rory McIlroy is now likely to defend his title in West

Clare with the DP World Tour confirming it will be held from September 10th to 13th. It is also likely that it will be the first Irish Open whereby a US President is in attendance with “an open invitation” issued by An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin (FF) to President Trump to visit Ireland in advance of the tournament.

One week prior to this, Lahinch Golf Club will become only the third Irish course to host The Walker Cup. Doonbeg’s designation as the

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official venu e offers the potential of a huge boost to the West Clare economy while the case will also be made to improve the county’s road network in advance of such a landmark sporting occasion coming to West Clare.

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 Chris Power from Clarecastle enjoying proceedings at the Scariff Show last weekend Photo by Ruth Griffin

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Soccer kicks off

Clare hair stylists nominated for Apprentice of the year 2025

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Emma Mc Donnell from Connelly and Grainne Henry from Corofin are through to the 2025 Apprentice of the Year. The two ladies are on their third year in college in the Ennis ETB campus and have been on work experience with the Bridget Haren Hair & Beauty salon for over 3 years

Over €80k raised in online fundraiser for most obliging Joe Crosse of Ennistymon

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

OVER €80,000 has been raised in an online fundraiser for the family of the late Joe Crosse.

Forty six year old Joe died after falling from a height when working in Ennistymon.

The North Clare town came to a standstill in July for his funeral and once again the people are coming out in force for the Crosse family.

This time through donations for a GoFundMe page to support his beloved wife Brid and their two young children Teagan and Odhran following his tragic accident.

As of Wednesday evening, this has raised more than €81,000.

His siblings Tricia and Thomas, along with his brother and sister-in-law Benny and Paula will be completing a sky dive in his memory on Sunday the 5th of October. This has the full endorsement of Ennistymon GAA Football Club, the local Fire Service, Riverside Cycling Club that Joe was a member of and many other sporting and community groups.

Known for his tireless

work ethic as a member of Ennistymon Fire Service, Joe left a warm impression on new recruits and longserving members. He was admired by his colleagues for his bravery, unwavering community spirit and generosity. This generosity was clear to see in his many fundraising endeavours which included running 100 miles in 21 hours and completing 52 marathons in a single year in support of the LauraLynn Foundation.

He was looked up to by young footballers in Ennistymon where he was a mentor with the club’s U9 side and had been involved with the U7s and U11s in the past. As a plasterer he was widely respected and had been completing repairs to a property in the town before his death.

At Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, Joe was remembered as the meeting was adjourned as a mark of respect to the late Bill Chambers.

Cllr Shane Talty (FF) noted that Joe had been part of the Fire Service since 2009, “he left a legacy which is a huge loss to the Fire Service in Ennistymon but also to

his family. Joe was an active coach in the GAA club where I am chairperson, he was a cherished mentor to our U7s and U9s, a lot of people were touched when the whole town came to a standstill for the guard of honour, the sight of U7s and U9s in their jerseys on the street was an abiding memory”.

Remembering Joe as “a true salt of the earth man,” Shane stated, “his loss is huge in North Clare”. He said the funds raised “speaks to the regard that Joe was held in by the people of North Clare”.

Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Bill Slattery (FG) commented, “Joe Crosse is a huge loss to the community, he was a great worker, so obliging and would do anything for anyone. He ran marathons for charity, for the Lahinch playground and a lot more”.

Chief Executive of the Council, Gordon Daly expressed his sympathy to the Crosse family and noted that Joe was “an extremely valued member of society and of our staff”.

DONATE: https://www. gofundme.com/f/joe-crosseennistymon-co-clare

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Trump Doonbeg confirmed as Irish Open venue

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

TRUMP DOONBEG has been confirmed as the official venue for the 2026 Irish Open.

It will be the second time Co Clare welcomes The Irish Open to the county.

Lahinch Golf Club successfully hosted the 2019 Irish Open which was won by Jon Rahm.

On Wednesday, Trump International Golf Links Ireland in Doonbeg was confirmed as the destination for the tournament under DP World Tour’s 2026 schedule which takes place from September 10th to 13th. It may become the first Irish Open attended by a US President with Donald Trump receiving an “open invitation” from Taoiseach Micheál Martin (FF) to visit Ireland while the tournament is held.

Last month, The Clare Echo reported that the fivestar resort in West Clare was the leading contender to host next year’s Irish Open.

Co Clare will be the centre of the golfing world next September with Lahinch becoming only the third Irish course to host the Walker Cup which will be played on September 5th and 6th.

Thirty kilometres separate Lahinch Golf Club and Trump Doonbeg, the combined hosting of both events will be a major lift to the

hospitality and tourism industry in the county.

Over 100,000 visitors were in Lahinch for the 2019 Irish Open and Doonbeg will be hopeful of a similar surge.

Rory McIlroy winning The Irish Open last week following a play-off at The K Club has added to the reputation of the tournament which is part of The European Tour.

He now has the prospect of defending his title in West Clare.

Mayor of Clare, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) said, “The Irish Open is one of the most significant sporting events on the island, and its return to Clare is a huge endorsement of what our county has to offer. Doonbeg is a stunning location, and I have no doubt that the 2026 tournament will be a memorable occasion for players, spectators, and the local community alike”.

Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Gordon Daly said they look forward to working with tournament organisers, Fáilte Ireland,

and local stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of the event in 2026.

“The Irish Open will provide a welcome boost to the local economy, support job creation and enhance Clare’s reputation on the international stage. We are committed to maximising the long-term benefits for communities in west Clare and across the county”.

Daly added, “We are proud of the role the council and local community played in supporting the very successful 2019 Irish Open in Lahinch, which demonstrated the capacity of Clare to host major international events. The announcement of Doonbeg as the 2026 host venue is a testament to the strength of our local partnerships and the appeal of our county’s natural and cultural assets”.

More than €40m has been invested in Doonbeg by the Trump organisation since the resort came under its ownership in Februrary 2014.

Shannon Ferries to conduct internal review after passenger overboard

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SHANNON FERRIES have confirmed an internal review will be conducted after a passenger went overboard when travelling from Tarbert to Killimer on Sunday morning.

Shortly after 9am on Sunday morning, a male passenger went overboard from a Shannon Ferries vessel travelling from Tarbert to Killimer.

An internal review will be carried out to determine how the incident occurred, Shannon Ferries have confirmed.

In a statement, the Shannon Ferry Group Limited Board outlined, “Our crew immediately initiated emergency procedures, alerted the Irish Coast Guard and supported a coordinated search and rescue operation involving Rescue 117, the RNLI, Irish Coast Guard lifeboats, local vessels and Shannon Pilots. The individual was subsequently recovered and transferred to University Hospital Limerick.

“We are cooperating fully with the authorities and will be conducting an internal review of the incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the man involved and his family. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the staff and crew of our vessel and to all those who responded so swiftly and professionally to this incident,” the statement added.

After falling overboard, the man was in the water for up to two hours. After the man’s location was identified on the Kerry side of the Shannon Estuary, he was winched on board the Irish Coast Guard Rescue 117 helicopter, with Ballybunion Sea and Cliff Rescue Team’s Atlantic 75 and D class rescue vessels and Kilrush RNLI lifeboat assisting in the water.

As well as the Waterford-based Rescue 117 helicopter, the extensive search and rescue operation also involved several units of lifeboats and local yachts. Assistance was provided by Kilrush RNLI, the Kilkee unit of the Coast Guard and the Ballybunion Sea and Cliff Rescue Team.

Eight Palestinian students begin studies at MIC following evacuation from Gaza EIGHT Palestinian students have arrived safely in Limerick to begin their studies at Mary Immaculate College (MIC), after being evacuated from Gaza. The high-achieving students had all secured scholarships, either from the Irish government or directly from MIC, but up until their evacuation, it remained uncertain whether they would be able to leave Gaza.

Four students arrived through evacuations that happened in April and July.

The remaining four students were among a group of 52 Palestinian students to arrive in Ireland just in time for the start of the academic year, as part of a coordinated national effort involving Irish higher education institutions, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Department of Further and Higher Education. The complex operation involved permission from Israeli authorities to exit Gaza, entry clearance from Jordan, and onward travel through Istanbul before arriving in Dublin.

After medical screening and support in Dublin, MIC staff met the students and brought them to their new accommodation in Limerick, where they are all settling into their first week of lectures.

For the students, the chance to study in Ireland represents both relief and renewed hope. One described the moment of arrival: “Once I arrived here and started feeling I’m safe, the tears streamed down my cheeks. I said to myself, ‘maybe this is the beginning of healing, maybe now I can fully breathe.’ I’m so happy to be in Ireland after waiting so long, but still feel sad because of what is happening to my people and my own family. May God protect them”.

Another added, “Amidst the darkness of war in Gaza, Ireland has opened a rare door for me. A one-ina-million chance to continue my studies. It is not merely an educational opportunity, but a new life, a ray of hope piercing through despair. I will carry the voice and suffering of my people to the world and show that hope can bloom even beneath the rubble”.

The students’ arrival follows months of behind-thescenes work by higher education institutions across Ireland. Together, the sector mobilised to guarantee support packages, ensuring that 52 university scholarship holders could be considered for the most recent

evacuation.

Dr Holly Cowman, Director of International Engagement at MIC, said: “We are just so relieved to have our students with us safely and delighted to welcome them into the College community. It has been a privilege to work with colleagues across the higher education sector, led by Trinity College Dublin, with the Department of Foreign Affairs, and all who made this possible. We are glad to have been able to offer these inspiring students’ safety, dignity, and the chance to continue their education at Mary Immaculate College.”

Professor Gary O’Brien, Vice President of Governance and Strategy at MIC, said: “At MIC, we are deeply proud to have played a part in bringing these students to safety and back into higher education, through extraordinary collaboration between Irish higher education institutions and several government departments.

The students’ resilience and courage are extraordinary.

Our commitment now is to ensure that MIC provides not only a place of study, but also a place of belonging where these students can rebuild their lives and futures.”

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Presidential hopeful Casey criticised for seeking support of deceased Clare councillors

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A BUSINESSMAN hoping to receive a nomination to contest the Presidential election has sought the support of deceased councillors.

Runner-up to Michael D. Higgins in the 2018 Presidential election, Peter Casey is once again bidding to take up residence at Áras an Uachtaráin. He received the support of four County Councils including Clare to mount his run seven years ago.

However, his initial pitch to elected members of the Council has not gone down well.

Casey’s lack of research has come under fire from Clare councillors after his correspondence seeking their vote which was sent within the past week was sent to deceased and retired members of the Council.

Both PJ Kelly (FF) and Bill Chambers (FF) who have died within the past twelve months were included in Casey’s correspondence along the late Mike McKee (SF) who died in November 2019.

Retired councillors, Tom McNamara (FF), Pat McMahon (FF), Michael Hillery

(FF), Johnny Flynn (FG), Ann Norton (IND), Gerry Flynn (IND), Christy Curtin (IND) and PJ Ryan (IND) also received the correspondence with the entrepreneur failing to amend his mailing list to recognise changes to the make-up of the County Council since 2019.

Two TDs, Cathal Crowe (FF) and Joe Cooney (FG) were also included by default owing to their time on the local authority.

The Clare Echo has contacted Peter Casey for comment.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) criticised the lack of research by the Donegal businessman.

“I think it is absolutely disgraceful that someone trying to run for the Presidency could look for the support of County Councils and not do the basic research on who the existing councillors are.

“To include three councillors who are sadly deceased and ten people that are no longer councillors smacks of incompetency. What is particularly annoying is we abstained which allowed him to get a nomination from Clare so to no do enough research to get his list right shows how

Shannon & Carrigaholt the latest closure risk in post of�ice crisis

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

seriously they treat local authorities. It is shocking that people longer with us could be emailed by prospective candidates looking for a nomination”.

Former Dragon’s Den investor, Casey secured 23.3% of first preference votes in the last Presidential election. This was despite coming under fire during the campaigns and calls for him to drop out of the race following comments he made about the traveller community.

He has been unsuccessful in the European elections in 2019 and 2024 plus the 2020 General Election.

The Clare Echo understands that up to twenty prospective Presidential candidates have contacted Clare County Council looking to meet with elected members to try secure their support. A date on when pitches will be made to Clare councillors will be agreed by elected members at the adjourned September meeting which takes place on Monday.

Retired MMA fighter, Conor McGregor is among those bidding to get the support of Clare County Council.

FUTURE of the post office networks in Shannon and Carrigaholt are under threat.

In a fresh crisis for the post office network in Co Clare, resignations of postmasters in Shannon and Carrigaholt have been tendered within the past week.

An Post have confirmed contracts for both Shannon and Carrigaholt’s post offices have gone to tender following the resignation of their postmasters.

A statement from An Post said it now has “two opportunities to partner with An Post in providing post office and financial services to the people of Shannon and Carrigaholt”. The vacancies, it says, “arise out of the resignation of the current Postmasters”, and its hopes to “attract suitable candidates for both contracts”.

Chairperson of the Independent Postmasters Group, Tom O’Callaghan said it is another part of the “crisis” within the post office network. He recently celebrated twenty five years of running a post office in Limerick City but said the setback in Shannon shows that the closure of post offices is not

just a problem for rural areas.

He told The Clare Echo, “This should not be happening with a further 600 closures imminent affecting both urban and rural communities”.

O’Callaghan has issued a ‘save your community

post office’ presentation to all TDs, Senators and over 940 county councillors nationwide. He said, “The key to the sustainability of the Post Office network is for An Post to be the sole provider of the bank accounts required to facilitate the Department of Social Protection strategy to move to e-payments; While also reducing the potential for fraud. The users account would be linked to a Post Office thus maintaining office services in the community and facilitating the customer locally”.

New contracts which came into effect for postmasters from July 2025

are a “ticking time bomb,” the Kildysart native warned. “600 Post Offices will consider closure both urban and rural from April 2025 due to the new contract terms and condition s plus no security of income,” he cautioned.

He said a €15m subsidy is required to save the network.

Cllr David Griffin (FF) told The Clare Echo, “I have written to An Post in relation to the news that Shannon Post office has gone to tender following the resignation of the postmaster. We all know the huge value that Post offices add to local communities, and the current Post office in Shannon Town Centre has been a key community service for many, many years.”

“I am calling on An Post to ensure that the Post office at Shannon is retained, and that they commit to a long-term service for the people of Shannon and the surrounding areas. There are significant challenges facing our Post office network, and I want to see a strong package of supports in the upcoming budget that will protect the long-term viability of the Post Office model and will ensure that these key community services are retained into the future”.

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House Rules: New Council CEO announces structural changes

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

STRUCTURAL changes to Clare County Council will put a stronger focus on housing delivery and activation with rural development no longer a standalone directorate.

Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Gordon Daly’s plans for a new structure of the local authority were unveiled to staff shortly after 10:30 on Monday morning with elected members briefed on the plans at 2pm on Monday afternoon.

As first reported by The Clare Echo, Daly is putting a renewed focus on housing which is resulting in the creation of directorates specifically for housing and planning.

Daly’s successor Pat Dowling had organised Clare County Council into six directorates, Economic Development, Finance and Support Services, Physical Development, Rural Development, Social Development and Tourism Development.

While six directorates will remain, the structural changes see mergers. Economic and Rural Development will merge into the one directorate which becomes Planning, Economic, Rural

& Community Development, this will be led by Jason Murphy. He had been the Director of Social Development and will also be responsible for the Ennis Municipal District. Falling under this bracket is the Ennis 2040 DAC where Padraic McElwee continues as interim Chief Operating Officer. Leonore O’Neill leads the Rural and Community Development section with seven members, Joan Tarmey is responsible for Town Centre first while Seán Lenihan remains in the Ennis MD as senior engineer.

Social Development has been disbanded with its functions of housing, estate management, Ukrainian Services, and sports and recreation services moving to different units.

Housing Delivery, Infrastructure Provision & Land Activation is a brand new directorate which will be headed up by Alan Farrell. This directorate will include Capital Infrastructure Delivery which was formerly the Project Management Office. Senior engineer Adrian Headd will lead the new housing delivery section of this directorate assisted by a team of five engineers. Derelict sites fall under the land activa-

tion aspect with senior executive officer Carmel Greene and Anne Griffin responsible here.

Its focus is to establish a housing activation unit engaging in all forms of housing provision including private, to establish a Clare Housing Industry Forum or a series of housing summits. Key projects such as the Shannon Town Flood Relief, Claureen LIHAF project, N19 upgrade and Ennistymon Inner Relief Road (Blake’s Corner) are also to be advanced.

The unit will also look at zoning additional land in Ennis, strengthen the promotion of Ennis as a destination, undertake a review of Ennis 2040 DAC’s future strategic direction, to address depopulation in rural areas, advance the objectives of the Shannon Estuary Economic Task Force including proposed developments at Moneypoint.

Physical Development becomes Transportation, Climate Action, Recreation, Environmental & Emergency Services. Former interim Chief Executive Carmel Kirby will head up this Directorate and moves from the Ennis MD to the West Clare MD as part of the change. Pillars of this

unit include transport, mobility, health and safety led by senior engineer Cyril Feeney, climate action, environment and water services led by Paddy Tiernan who also moves out of the Ennis MD, Fire Service, Building Control and Major Emergency Management led by Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly. Both the Ennistymon LEA and Kilrush LEA also fall under this Directorate where Eoin Troy and John O’Malley remain as senior executive officers.

A strategic plan for investment in Clare’s national secondary and main regional roads is to be prepared by this Directorate. Engagement on the Limerick Northern Distributor Road with Limerick City & County Council and the Department of Transport is also to be renewed while building the case for investment in infrastructure identified in the Clare County Development Plan such as the Ennis Northern Inner Relief Road. Alternatives to water services deficiencies including developer provided/ modular infrastructure will also be examined.

Tourism’s directorate has been rebranded to Tourism, Festivals, Libraries & Cultural Ser-

vices where Siobhán McNulty remains as Director of Service.

She moves from the Ennistymon LEA to the Killaloe MD as part of the change. Geraldine O’Rourke is the Acting COO of the Clare Tourism Development DAC which has experienced change with the exits of Stephen Hanley and Eoin Flanagan in recent weeks. Tourism Officer, Deirdre O’Shea heads up the tourism, festivals and events section with County Librarian Helen Walsh fronting Libraries, Arts and Cultural Services.

Finalising the Cliffs of Moher Strategy 2040 and advancing negotiations on the Cliffs of Moher Walk fall under the remit of the Tourism Directorate who will also advance the work of the Clare Tourism Development DAC and the continued development of visitor attractions under its management. It has also been tasked with developing an action plan for supporting and scaling up existing festivals and events and identifying new opportunities. The night-time economy in Ennis and key towns is also to be strengthened as part of their work.

Noeleen Fitzgerald remains as the Director of

Service for finance but takes on responsibility for the Shannon Municipal District. The directorate is now Finance, Investment & Enterprise instead of Finance and Support Services with many services from the Economic Development added to this portfolio.

Fitzgerald’s colleagues in finance continue in their posts, Enteprise and Investment will be headed up by Bernie Haugh, Head of ICT Urban McMahon leads Digital Transformation with Suzie Clifford and Tom Mellett remaining as SEO and senior executive engineer in the Shannon MD. Securing funding needs for the investment plans of the Council are among its duties.

Investment priorities for the remainder of the Council term and the next ten years are also to be agreed. A stronger focus on engagement with Clare based companies and potential investors is also to be progressed. Opportunities for investment in Clare such as tourism visitor accommodation are to be targeted. Using the DigiHubs for enterprise space and start-ups has also been recommended with the implementation of the Shannon Town Centre Masterplan

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People & Culture, Corporate Services, Governance, ICT & Digital Services is the final directorate and is headed up by Director of Service, Ann Reynolds who had been responsible for Rural Development and the Killaloe MD. Monica Meehan, John Corry and Alfie Jones lead the various units of this section.

This directorate brings together key internal support services that support the wider organisation and the elected members. It is to complete a workforce planning review to ensure the Council is positioned to deliver on services and key priorities. Training is to be increased and systems enhanced for for project and programme management to support, monitor and measure organisational delivery. Improvement of communication and messaging to show the work of the local authority and advancing the implementation of the Digital & ICT Strategy for the local government sector fall under its remit.

Strategic policy committees are expected to remain unchanged despite the structural overhaul.

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‘They are worth every penny’ - Ennis councillors give backing to school secretaries & caretakers

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ENNIS COUNCILLORS have voiced their support for school secretaries and caretakers in their efforts to secure pension parity with their colleagues and the same access to sick and bereavement leave.

Strikes across Co Clare were stood down on Friday to allow for talks to recommence at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). More than 2,600 school staff, who are members of the Fórsa trade union, engaged in strike action for more than a week impacting around 2,000 schools nationally.

In a proposal before the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) called on the local authority to express “its full solidarity with school secretaries and caretakers represented by Fórsa Trade Union in their campaign for fair treatment and pension equality”.

He asked that “The Ennis MD calls for fairness for all workers and requests that our Director of Services write to Fórsa Trade Union to formally convey the Ennis Municipal District’s support for their members’ demands. Furthermore, we ask that letters be issued to Minister Jack Chambers and Helen McEntee urging their departments to engage meaningfully with the

l WORTH EVERY PENNEY: Staff of Scoil Chríost Rí, Cloughleigh on the picket line

workers’ representatives and to resolve this long-standing injustice”.

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting, Cllr Guilfoyle commented, “I welcome the fact that the show of strength and support from people in the community has brought an unwilling government to the negotiating table, it is a crying shame

that workers have to do that. These workers are worth every penny, every day off, terms and condition and entitlement they have looked for”.

Senior engineer Seán Lenihan said they “fully acknowledge the good work done by the various school secretariat and support

staff ”. He confirmed he was happy to forward the letter of support with the agreement of elected members.

Seconding the proposal, Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) remarked that secretaries are “at the heart of the operation” in schools while voicing the importance of caretakers. “I stood with them every day

on the picket line. We’ve a fantastic secretary and caretaker in Clarecastle, I am delighted to see them back at work. The Government got this very wrong”.

Support was also voiced by Cllr Pat Daly (FF), “it is good to see the Government are actually talking to them”. Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) said, “It is desperate that it came to this, hopefully things will be resolved properly”, he advised the meeting he “stood in solidarity” in Clarecastle, Knockanean and Cloughleigh with impacted workers.

That the threat of industrial action emanated was “unfortunate”, said Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) who praised the impact of the trade unions.

Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) said all Fine Gael councillors in Clare issued a joint statement in support of the secretaries and caretakers. She remarked, “it is great to see it has been resolved” but she was quickly reminded by Cllr Guilfoyle, “It is not resolved”.

He informed the meeting he was also on the picket line where he spoke and reached out to those impacted. “Because it has gone to negotiations does not mean dispute has been resolved, this will strengthen the workers argument,” he added.

10

Thursday, Sep 11, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

News

St Francis Credit Kilkee woman to plead guilty over announces fatal crash involving teacher Lorigan Union 2025 Bursary

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A 32-YEAR OLD West Clare woman charged in connection with the dangerous driving causing the death of ‘inspirational’ school teacher, Michael Lorigan (70) is to go forward to the Circuit Court on a signed guilty plea, a court was told on Tuesday.

At Kilrush District Court, Saoirse Lillis McMahon of Moveen East, Kilkee is charged with the dangerous driving causing the death of cyclist, Michael Lorigan on August 16th 2023 on the N67 at Baunmore, Kilkee contrary to Section 53 of the Road Traffic Act. The fatal road traffic incident occurred at around 12.30pm on the day.

Sgt Frank O’Grady told the court that “the defendant has agreed to go forward on a signed plea” to the Circuit Court.

In response, Judge Alec Gabbett said, “That is very helpful for the family where a signed plea means no trial which is some comfort to people involved on the other side of this”.

The signed plea of guilty also removes the requirement of the

 FATAL CRASH: Micahel Lorigan

State to prepare a Book of Evidence in the case for the Circuit Court.

Ms Lillis McMahon is also

charged with driving her 02-CE registered vehicle at the same location on the same date while being under the influence of an

intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle.

Ms Lillis McMahon also faces a charge of driving a defective vehicle which was a danger to the public at the same location on the same date contrary to section 54(1) & (4) Road Traffic Act. Judge Gabbett adjourned the case to October 1st to Ennis District Court “for the signed plea to move the matter forward to the Circuit Court”.

Originally from Benvoran, Kilmurry McMahon, Co Clare and living in Kilkishen in east Clare at the time of his death, Mr Lorigan taught for a number of decades at the Model School in Limerick city.

Mr Lorigan taught there from the mid-1970s until his retirement and was remembered as an inspirational, kind, patient, dedicated and wonderful teacher in the many tributes from former students at the time of his death in August 2023.

In later years, Mr Lorigan became a keen cyclist, and took part in the Clare 250 mile cycle many times.

Award Winners

St Francis Credit Union is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Bursary Award.

This year, three outstanding students – Katie Curtin, James Donnellan, and Eilis Strand – were selected as recipients in the 2025 St Francis Credit Union Bursary Award to furthering their education.

The awards were formally presented by Louis Fay, CEO of St Francis Credit Union.

The Bursary Award is an initiative by St Francis Credit Union, designed to ease the financial pressures of higher education to some members going to 3 rd level education. Speaking at the presentation, Louis Fay CEO in St Francis Credit Union commended the winners on their hard work and ambition, noting that they embody the values of commitment and community that the Credit Union strives to uphold.

Credit unions have always played an essential role at the heart of Irish communities, providing not only financial services but also a sense of belonging, trust, and support. Unlike other financial institutions credit unions are member-owned and driven by the needs of the community. This ethos ensures that local people are supported through every stage of life – from education to family, home, and retirement.

St Francis Credit Union congratulates Katie, James, and Eilis on their achievements and wishes them every success in their studies. Their journey highlights the importance of education, community, and the values that credit unions proudly champion.

St Francis Credit Union Bursary Award Winners 2025

Bursary Award Winn

ers

2025 Winners Katie Curtin, James Donnellan & Eilis Strand

St Francis Credit Union Supporting Communities throughout Co Clare.

#supportlocal

11

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Sep 11, 2025

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Contributors

Heathers, dahlias, and mixing colours SEPTEMBER has so much to offer! With new stock arriving for the season and so much colour, it will bring joy to anyone.

Heathers are a magical colour this time of year and come in a lovely range of colour.

We have twin pots that have both white and pink heathers together or a pot with three colours. One of my favourites are the highfives. This one contains five colours and adapts so well in pots. The unusual ones you may see are yellow, blue, or orange heathers.

These are spray painted and are give consistent colour. Yes, they are a real plant and will grow the following year with lovely white new growth.

If you are looking to mix other colours, we have some berry plants. Solomon contains bright orange berries and stricken colour, ornamental peppers are another popular berry plant, and gaultheria is a nice small shrub that will bring lots of red berries come Winter. With so much choice we are spoilt with what to add to pots for colour this time of year!

Gardening can be a busy time with lots to tidy up with leaves falling. Some perennials finish flowering and need cutting back.

If you have any questions on how or what to do with a particular perennial, please feel free to WhatsApp a picture and your enquiry.

Dahlias need deadheading to continue following throughout the autumn.

lBLOSSOMS: Lots of colourful heathers available at Blosoms to brighten up your September

Roses may benefit from a feed and continue to treat for blackspot and greenfly.

Some vegetables may fill the gaps created from harvesting, like cabbage and lettuce. Don’t forget to keep the heat on the tomato.

Perhaps keep the door closed at night as the temperature drops.

New this week: The bulbs have landed and there are some really pretty varieties this year. Bulbs for Spring flowering are a lovely surprise and I do love adding them to pots and creating a lovely lasagne, which is layering them in order of flowering time. So, you may have snowdrops, and then bluebells, and so on.

Pop in for lots of special offers in store and check out our new stock.

Happy Gardening!

12

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Sep 11, 2025

News

Sligo Pallets Border Championship Winners Mickey Conlon & Adam Langan

N18 Autos Anthony & Jill Breen

Martha Wherrett & Aoife Hassett enjoying the action on last sunday's clare stages rally

Mayo Motor Club Marshalls travelled down to help out on sunday's clare stages

Clare Stages Rally 2025 Winners and newly crowned Triton National Rally Champions Eddie Doherty & Tom Murphy Celebrate All photos by Dermot Kelleher

Club Members derek Flynn & Ciara O'Connell in action

Chris Armstrong & Darren Curran in action on sunday's Clare Stages near Killnamona

Dacia Challenge Winners Anthony O'Halloran & Cian Lynch

13

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Sep 11, 2025

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East Clare

Regional News

Scariff ’s Clíona McNamara graduates with firstclass honours and wins prestigious US scholarship GRADUATING with first-class honours and moving to the United States on a prestigious scholarship was all in a day’s work for Scariff ’’s Clíona McNamara [pictured].

Twenty three year old Clíona was conferred with a Bachelor of Arts in International Business degree from UL’s Kemmy Business School, joining more than 3,670 students graduating from the University of Limerick as part of its autumn conferring ceremonies.

It was a monumental moment in a whirlwind 24 hours which saw Clíona, the 2025 recipient of the Rev. John M. Conlisk Scholarship, swap parchment for passport and hop on a flight to the US to begin her studies at Fairfield University, Connecticut.

She joins an elite

group of UL graduates chosen to receive the scholarship and will now undertake an MBA in Business Analytics.

At KBS, Clíona found a degree that fed her interests along with her curiosities. As well as studying core business modules – management, finance, marketing, HR – she had the opportunity to also study electives like psychology and politics.

Clíona describes her four years at UL as “a time filled with opportunities – academic, social and sporting”.

Throughout, she balanced her sport with her studies, playing camogie with her local club, Scariff/Ogonnelloe. She also got involved with the University Disability Services Office, working as a note-taker for students who needed support. “It was a great way

to give back and be part of the inclusive community UL fosters. It also gave me perspective and reminded me of the importance of accessibility in education”.

She reserves special praise for the supports she in turn received during her four years at UL, from faculty right through to the Careers Services and UL Global – a factor that was particularly important when it came to her Erasmus in Northern Arizona University.

“Most people went to Europe, but I felt there was something in me that wanted to go to America; and when I saw the amount of options UL had in America alone, I decided I was just going to push myself and go there”.

Clíona’s decision to try “something different” led to an experience

West Clare

that she describes as “life-changing” and so enjoyable that she opted to stay on in Arizona for her co-op placement.

She took up an eightmonth work placement in supply chain and demand with American food manufacturer Oats Overnight, becoming the company’s very first

intern. The experience gave Clíona the opportunity to take everything she learned in the lecture theatre and apply it in the workplace.

“I saw how business worked on the ground, and it helped me link theory to practice. Seeing how a business was run in the US was fan-

tastic too, as it was something I wasn’t familiar with. It also sparked my interest in data analytics, which has helped shape my future plans,” she explained.

Upon returning to campus for final year, Clíona knew there were many more opportunities yet to be seized Stateside – and she took an email about the prestigious Conlisk Scholarship as a sign. With no expectations, she sent in her application and waited. “A week before final exams in April, I got the letter to say I got it, and I was just in total shock. I had to keep rereading it to see if it was actually real! I was delighted”.

Clíona will now follow in the footsteps of last year’s Conlisk recipient, Business Studies graduate Evan Mansfield as she undertakes

her MBA in Fairfield University.

“Coming from my co-op placement in Arizona, I had never done much with supply chain or data analytics – I suppose it’s uncommon for a degree in business to focus solely on it. It definitely sparked my interest, so I’ve decided to look into doing an analytics concentration. Upon graduating, you can expect to be well-positioned for a career in business – not just in Ireland but with global companies”.

For now, Clíona is excited to get back to the States and pick up where she left off during her Erasmus and co-op year – meeting new people, enjoying new experiences both within and outside of the lecture theatre, and seizing all the wonderful opportunities ahead.

September Council meeting adjourned for ‘gentle giant’ Bill Chambers WARM TRIBUTES were paid to the late Bill Chambers as elected members of Clare County Council gathered for the first time since his last month.

On Monday, the September meeting of the County Council was fully adjourned as a mark of respect to the Cooraclare man who was regarded as a gentleman by all who came across him in the world of politics.

First elected to Clare County Council in 1985, Bill served the people of West Clare as an elected representative for 38 years up until his retirement in November 2023.

His final election in 2019 saw him secure his biggest vote when recording 1,431 first preference votes in the Kilrush LEA. Bill’s highlight in public office was becoming the county’s first citizen in June 2016.

Proposing the adjournment of the meeting, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF)

recalled that for twenty six years in the Council Chamber, Bill sat on his right hand-side. He described his former colleague as a “quiet and humble man”. He added, “When you sit beside Bill, he’d ask what are they out now, is it a vote or what, but what you got was loyalty, integrity and a man of the people”.

As Mayor, Bill “served with great distinction” according to Cllr Hayes who also acknowledged his contributions on the Regional Health Board, Regional Health Forum and Local Authorities Members Association (LAMA). For Cooraclare and West Clare, Bill “delivered for the people of his community in a quiet unassuming way, he didn’t deliver big speeches in the Chamber but he got the work done”. Respect for Bill from Council staff was evident in the “mass numbers” which turned out to pay their respects. “It shows when you go about your business with people and without getting

lGENTLE GIANT: Bill Chambers

into huge debate and making public statements, it is something I learned from him,

he said we’ll keep it short and do it right. I know what he said to me when he retired, he said he’d give me a day canvassing in East Clare but unfortunately he wasn’t up for

that, but we miss him”.

Seconding the adjournment, Cllr John Crowe (FG) described Chambers as “one of nature’s gentleman, he was an outstanding team player, a real good colleague, I’m with him here since 1999, if you had a question or needed guidance if you went to Bill you got it straight, he said to me if you’ve nothing good to say don’t say it, he carried that through”. During Bill’s term as Mayor, “the meetings didn’t linger, they didn’t run over time or there were no adjournments because Bill had no time for waffling. He did his work and did it quietly”.

Mayor of Clare, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) was Leas Cathaoirleach to Bill when he was first citizen in 2016 and 2017. “It was a pleasure, he gave me a few gigs to go to, I chaired a meeting, he was a giant of a man but a true gentleman. He chaired meetings fairly, he was fair to all, last December I was in Cree and Cooraclare on December 27th, I called into him, he was in good spirits, it was lovely to spend time with him, it was a nice time to see him in reasonable good health”.

NOTES Clare IFA Walk and Talk Social Afternoon (Killaloe / Ballina River Loop Walk) Sunday 14th September 2025 at 12.30PM Meeting Point: Clarisford Park, Killaloe, Co Clare V94DWP7 Refreshments served on return to Clarinsford Park Everyone is welcome to attend this social afternoon

14

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Sep 11 2025

Regional

Shannon

Curtain falls on fundraising concert series with final show for Laura Lynn

by Lisa Mullaly lisa@clareecho.ie

THE SIXTH and final concert in a well-loved community fundraising series will take place at Oakwood, with proceeds this year going to the Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice.

The event, which begins at 8 p.m., promises an evening of music and entertainment, all in aid of a worthy cause. Tickets are €20 and available by phoning organiser Aidan White at 086 319 7235.

“This is our sixth concert that we have run for different charities, and we decided that this would be the last one. We have picked Laura Lynn children’s hospice,” explained producer Aidan White. Over the past six years, the concerts have raised about €35,000 for causes including the Motor Neurone Association, the Diabetes Federation, and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The concert will be directed by

Donal Murphy, with Michael Hennessy of Ennis serving as musical director and accompanist. White, who spent years organising banquets in local castles, said many of those performing have ties to those venues. “I worked in the castles organising the banquets. That’s why a lot of people involved in the concerts have been ex-entertainers in the castles. Even though I left the castles 22 years ago, we’ve stayed in contact, and it’s been great fun bringing everyone together again,” he said.

This year’s line-up features Quin and Tonic, a ladies’ choir from Quin conducted by Carol O’Neill, and Harmony Bro, a male choir led by Hennessy. Soloists and guest acts include tenor Vincent di Placido, ballad singer Ger Carrig, and James Sexton with his Neil Diamond tribute. Other highlights are Limerick Rose 2024 Molli-ann O’Haloran, All-Ireland champion whistler Liam Jones and his family,

and Aoife Hennessy of Bunratty.

The programme also features younger talent, including White’s granddaughter Aisling, who plays concertina and fiddle and previously won an All-Ireland title in the under-12 category. Musical theatre singer Edel Heaney will join di Placido for a duet, while former castle entertainer and actor Nigel Mercier, Cork-based Angela Newman, and West End performer Liam O’Brien, appearing as a surprise guest will also take to the stage.

Members of the Sisters of Mercy Shannon have been invited as guests of honour, along with the bishop. Local representatives Donna McGettigan and Cathal Rowe will also be in attendance.

White explained that after devoteing a lot of time and energy to the series of concerts over the past six years the team has decided it is time for them to step away from the project.

l FUNDRAISER: Traecy's Oakwood Hotel, Shannon

Time capsule callout to mark 80 years since Shannon Airport's first transatlantic flight

by Paraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SHANNON AIRPORT has set flight with a time capsule callout to mark eighty years since the first transatlantic flight in Co Clare.

On 24th October 1945, a DC-4 aircraft operated by American Overseas Airlines touched down at Shannon Airport, making history as the first scheduled, commercial transatlantic passenger flight.

Eight decades later, the Shannon Airport Group is commemorating this landmark moment with a nostalgic, community driven Time Capsule initiative that encapsulates the past, present and future.

Members of the public including passengers, staff, community groups, local schools and children have been to contribute to a Time Capsule that will be sealed and buried at the airport this October. Submissions may include stories, drawings, photographs, or reflections that capture life today and imagine the world of tomorrow.

This initiative celebrates Shannon’s pioneering role in aviation from the first transatlantic passenger flight to over two million passengers annually and five daily departures to the US. Head of Operations at the Shannon Airport Group, Pamela Brooks said, “Celebrat-

l SHANNON AIRPORT: 80 year anniversary of the first transatlantic flight in Care

ing 80 years of transatlantic travel is a remarkable milestone - not just for Shannon

Airport and the Mid-West, but for the global aviation community. It’s incredible to reflect

on how far we’ve come since that first historic flight in 1945. Today, Shannon offers daily transatlantic services to New York, Chicago, and Boston, and we’ve even witnessed the European debut of the first electric aircraft this year”.

She added, “Through this Time Capsule project, we’re inviting our passengers, partners, and the wider community to imagine that future with us - while also capturing what life looks like for us all at this moment in time”.

Those interested in contributing to The Shannon Airport Group ‘Time, Sealed and Delivered’ project are encouraged to think about things such as future travel, technology, sustainability, culture and community.

How would they share their hopes and predictions for the next 80 years, as well as what items might reflect life as it is now in 2025 – a photo, letter, small souvenir, newspaper article – or something completely unique!

The call for submission of ideas opened on Tuesday and closes on September 29th, with selected, physical items required by October 10th. The capsule will be sealed during a special ceremony at Shannon Airport later that month to which chosen contributors will be invited. For full details and to submit an idea, please go to www.snnairportgroup. ie/about-us/80-year-celebration/.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Sep 11, 2025

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Regional

15

Gort

Gort Arts to host Culture Night exhibition

by Paraic McMahon

Sligo, and the Ballymaloe Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition.

Tommy added, “We’re lucky to have a vibrant and talented artistic community in Gort and the surrounding area and we are delighted to showcase their work and the work of artists from further afield during Culture Night. It’s an opportunity for people to connect with art and artists in Gort, view their work and celebrate community, culture and creativity. Whether you are a resident of the area or just visiting, the exhibition is a reminder of the richness that local imagination, talent and art brings to the community.”

The launch reception on Culture Night will feature refreshments and live music by Marijka and the Wayfarers. The garden will be lit by ambient light from paper lanterns made during a community workshop.

Gort Arts Members Exhibition at the Michael Kennedy studio, Boland’s Lane.

paraic@clareecho.ie

GORT ARTS will host its second annual members exhibition at the atmospheric courtyard garden and studio of the late ceramic artist, Michael Kennedy.

Michael was one of Ireland’s preeminent ceramicists, was also a teacher and mentor to many, and a great promoter of the arts. He died suddenly in March 2021. At the height of his success, he ran not one, but two successful potteries, one in Gort, Co. Galway and the other in the heart of Sligo town, producing two distinct ranges His studio will showcase works by members of the lively Gort Arts group. The artists hail from Gort and the wider community, as well as from across Ireland and more far-flung locations. Their collective work represents a range of mediums and styles, paintings, textiles, sculpture, collage, pottery, printing, and more.

Chairperson Tommy Brennan said that by nature and design, the organisation is open to all levels of artistic ability. “Our goal is to make Gort a centre for visual arts. It’s one of the keystones of a vigorous and buoyant community culture. Most artists work in isolation, so events like these are doubly important. An audience provides final witness

l Friday 19 September at 7 pm. Exhibition l CULTURE NIGHT: Paper lanterns made during a community workshop

to the results of the artist’s solitary labours”.

Gort Arts members have had works ex-

hibited at top venues around the country like the RHA, Clifden Arts Festival, Cairde

launch and reception. l Saturday & Sunday 20 & 21 September.

12 pm - 6 pm. l Friday 26 September from 10 am - 6 pm. l Saturday & Sunday 27 & 28 September 12 pm - 6 pm.

New rent scheme for social housing tenancies

by Paraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A NEW rent scheme for social housing tenancies is to be introduced by Galway City Council.

2,700 tenancies in a mixture of tenures and property types will be affected by the changes which aim to support enhanced service delivery, maintenance, retrofits and tenancy support.

Under the new rent scheme, weekly rent will be based on household income, with a lower rate applying for Old Age Pensioners. No changes will be introduced for existing tenants until January 2026, with the local authority commencing an information campaign to explain the changes to tenants in the coming weeks. A hardship clause is included in the rent scheme - further information on this will be made available to tenants.

In recent years, the cost of maintaining Galway City Council properties has soared from €6,000,000 per annum in 2019, to €16,000,000 per annum at present. The reason for this is due to the increase in costs largely attributed to construction inflation costs, and higher standards relating to energy efficiency. Income from housing rent has remained relatively static,

with no change to the Council rent scheme since 2019. This means that currently the rental income does not meet the cost of housing services, which the Council said is not practical or sustainable.

The cost of repairs, refurbishment and retrofit when re-letting a housing unit has gone from €7,649 in 2019 to over €41,000 in 2024.

This new rent scheme, the first in six years, will generate additional income to support Galway City Council tenancies, ensuring the sustainability of housing services across the city.

Galway City Council is the main provider of social housing support in Galway City. The Council is responsible for the management of over 2,700 tenancies. The new rent scheme will apply to households living in Galway City Council properties, as well as HAP tenants, RAS tenants and households living in Approved Housing Bodies in Galway City.

Social housing rent is calculated based on a percentage of income.

In the new rent scheme, weekly rent will be calculated as 20% of assessable income, with the exception of Old Age Pensioners, where weekly rent will be calculated at 17% of weekly income. Currently, rent is calculated at 17% of assess-

l SOCIAL HOUSING: Galway City Council introduces new rent scheme

able income for all tenants and further discounts are applied in certain circumstances. No discounts will apply in the new rent scheme.

However, details of the criteria for a hardship clause will be made available to tenants.

For new tenancies, or tenants seeking ‘reassessment’, the new rent scheme will come into effect from next month (October 2025).

From January 2026, the new rent scheme will apply to all tenancies.

Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive, Galway City Council commented, “Galway City Council is committed to achieving a balanced

and fair rent structure that reflects household income and supports the delivery of essential housing services. The Council acknowledges that while some households have seen income growth, others rely solely on social welfare increases. The revised scheme seeks to accommodate these differences while addressing the rising costs of housing maintenance and repairs.

The Council thanks Elected Members for their constructive input and reaffirms its commitment to supporting tenants through this transition”.

Galway City Council will un-

dertake a review of all rent accounts, starting in mid-2026, asking all households for up-to-date information relating to income and household composition. For now, no action is required from tenants and the change to weekly rent in January will be based on the current details on file for each household. Further information on the scheme is available through the Housing team in Galway City Council – contact 091 536 400 or Housing.Department@GalwayCity.ie

16

Thursday, Sep 11, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Regional News

Ennis

Farming conference heads to Ennis to look at future of the industry

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A MAJOR FARM conference looking at the future of the industry takes place in Ennis this week.

Farming in Clare: What the Future Holds is the title of the conference organised by Clare TD, Joe Cooney (FG) in partnership with the Clare branches of ICMSA, IFA, and Macra na Feirme. It takes place this Friday (September 12) in Hotel Woodstock from 9am to 2pm.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon (FG) TD will join the opening panel, Farming: Success and Succession, alongside John Enright, General Secretary of the ICMSA, Conor O’Leary, Munster Regional Chair of the IFA, and Josephine O’Neill, National President of Macra na Feirme. The panel will examine the pressures and opportunities involved in sustaining farm businesses across generations.

FARMING CONFERENCE: Pictured at the announcement of the “Farming in Clare: What the Future Holds?” conference at the farm of Mícheál O’Dwyer in Doora, County Clare, (left to right) Geraldine Gregan; Aoibhinn O’Dwyer; Micheál O’Dwyer, Chair of Clare ICMSA; Joe Cooney TD; and Catríona Power, Clare Macra Na Feirme

A second panel, Redefining a Successful Farm in 2045, will feature Seán Kelly (FG) MEP, Nick McCarthy of Lúnasa Farm, Joe Melody of Melody Farm Eggs, agricultural solicitor Aisling Meehan, and Conor Geraghty, past chair of Veterinary Ireland. The discussion will focus on how farming is evolving in terms of profitability, innovation, and sustainability.

Delegates will also hear presentations on the SCEENE

Project on the Loop Head Peninsula in West Clare and from Laurence Shalloo, Head of Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation at Teagasc. A showcase of farm-focused businesses will run throughout the day, offering networking opportunities with service providers and innovators in the sector.

Minister Heydon said, “Generational renewal is one of the most critical challenges facing Irish agriculture. Farm

families are the backbone of our rural economy, and we need to ensure that younger farmers are supported to build viable and sustainable businesses. I am looking forward to receiving the final report of the Commission on Generational Renewal in the coming weeks, which will help guide future policy in this area”.

Deputy Cooney said “I am acutely aware of the challenges faced by farm families and of the importance of the agricultural sector for our county.

This event presents an opportunity for Clare farmers to come together with leading experts and National and European policy makers to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities throughout the county. I would extend an open invitation to all to attend this free event”.

Attendance at the conference is free, but advance registration is required. Register at (https://tinyurl.com/ClareFarming).

Women’s Colletive Ireland Clare open day

by Lisa Mullaly lisa@clareecho.ie

WOMEN’S Collective Ireland – Clare (WCI-Clare) are hosting an Open Day on Thurdsay September 18 from 11am to 7pm at their offices in Clon Road Business Park, Ennis. (V95 R8YT).

This is an opportunity to meet the dynamic new WCI-Clare team, explore upcoming training and events, and discover how you can get involved in empowering women across the county.

Women’s Collective Ireland, formelry known as Clare Women’s Network, is a national women’s community development organisation, core funded by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, working to advance disadvantaged women’s equality through women’s community development.

Since joining forces earlier this year the new WCI-

Clare team have launched a vibrant programme of workshops and events for women in Clare. During Thursdays event Co-ordinator Cecilia Brizuela, Development Worker Martina Hynan and Project Worker Tanya Palamar will share the organisations plans for future events, workshops, and training opportunities.

One such trainging programme which will be launching soon is the ‘Rock the System: Women Changing the Story’ programme.

“This will be an opportunity for women living in Co. Clare to gain the tools, mindset, and community to lead with conviction.

Rock the System: Women Changing the Story is to empower, elevate, and equip women to lead with purpose, confidence, and impact” says Ceclia.

For more information contact: clare@womenscollective.ie or 087 2777477.

The Clare Harvest Festival Fundriaser for essential services in Unganda returns to Ennis Showgrounds

by Lisa Mullaly

HARVEST - Music & Garden Festival is back at Ennis Showgrounds on September 28, the Community celebration of music and gardening accessible to families and friends.

The festival will feature a stage full of music for all ages, workshops for children and adults and interactive stalls including crafts, food, garden and music related ones.

In its indoor music space 5 bands will feature again including the wonderful mix of music and dance from Los Paddies Continental Clare, The FakeMcCoys, Ennis Underground, Tom Portman Duo and Quentin Cooper & Floriane Blancke – all playing along-side the indoor stalls.

“Harvest Music Garden Festival is for Everyone - Gardeners, Music lovers, Food & Craft aficionados and all the family.

We would love to see ev-

lisa@clareecho.ie

HARVEST: Festival launch with Mayor of Ennis Cllr. Mary Howard ahead of Harvest Music Garden Festival taking place at Ennis Showgrounds on September 28

eryone join us, enjoy the music, interact with our stalls and hone your skills at our workshops.” said festival manager Carmen Cronin.

In addition to the kids’ workshops, there will be others open to all including Storing & preserving our Harvest, Drum Circle with Marie and the Autumn Gardener. The festival will see stallholders from Garden, Food, Crafts and Music in the great hall at Ennis Showgrounds.

The full list of traders will be available on the festival website.

Harvest – Music & Garden Festival is supported

by Ennis Municipal District and Greener Clare and is run in association with Clare Agricultural Show society. Tickets to the festival will be available at the entrance at Ennis Showgrounds on Sunday, 28th September, with adult admission of €6, 2 adults for €10 and supervised children under 16 go free.

A COFFEE MORNING in aid of two projects to help develop necessary services in Mbarara Uganda will take place in the Town Hall, Old Ground Hotel in Ennis on Saturday 13 September from 10am to 12 noon.

The projects supported by this fundraiser are the continued development of Coloma Primary School and the Outreach Palliative Care Program Mobile Hospice.

Coloma primary school was set up in 2010, by Sr Eileen

and Sr Mona Maher of The Daughtres of Mary Joseph (DMJ) in a rural area in Mbarara that lacked any primary education for young girls.

The school caters for 400 girls aged 6 to 13.

The curriculum includes very important training in handicrafts aswell as drama and sports to foster leadership skills.

The school receives no state subsidies and is largely reliant on fundraising to operate.

Mobile Hospice Mbarara set up in 1988, is part of Hospice Africa Uganda. It was the vision of the late Dr Anne Merri-

man, who through her medical work in Africa witnessed many terminally ill patients dying in pain. She developed an affordable and culturally appropriate palliative care model which involves trained palliative care nurses visiting terminally ill patients in their homes, in clinics and in hospitals. This model is now being used in 37 African countries Ennis native Phil Molony has been actively involved in supporting both projects by volunteering and fundraising having first travelled to Uganda over 30 years ago to work with DMJ.

NOTES Clare Roots Society The Clare Roots Society will meet on Thursday September at 7:30pm. in the Clare Education Centre, Government Buildings, Kilrush Road, Ennis, V95 F782, Family Stories and Lore by Noreen Maher of Hibernian Roots.

Noreen is a professional genealogist based in Dublin. She was recently featured on RTE for her work on Allison Arngrim’s family (aka Nellie Oleson from Little House on the Prairie)

HSE programme for long term health conditions HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare are running the ‘Living Well’ programme which is a free of charge group self-management programme for people with long term health conditions or their carers. The programme addresses topics such as fatigue, sleep, pain, stress, physical activity, healthy eating, difficult emotions, low mood, depression and general wellbeing.

A programme will commence on Wednesday September 17 in HSE Ennis Primary Care Centre on Station Road at 10.30am and continues until Wednesday October 22.

Prior registration is necessary, call Philip at 087 1799396 to register.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Sep 11, 2025

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Healthy Clare

Pride celebrations to take place across the county QUARECLARE started in 2020 as a social group whose aim is to build a welcoming network of LGBTQIA+ people in Clare from all backgrounds.

We host social events throughout the year across Clare and actively support other pride movements and organisations by organising day trips to Pride events across Ireland for our members.

In 2022, QuareClare hosted our first Pride Celebration and we have hosted super events annually since then. We are delighted to announce that our next Pride event is happening later this month!

From Wednesday, September 17 to Sunday, September

2, we’re filling Clare with Pride and plenty of opportunities to come together as a community.

We’ll kick things off on Wednesday evening with the Shannon Toastmasters Inclusion Event at 8pm - the perfect chance to check out what Toastmasters is all about (everyone is welcome!).

On Thursday we have our annual service at St. Columba’s Church in Ennis at 7pm Of One Heart, A Celebration of Unity. We have two super events happening Friday evening - an art workshop in Miltown Malbay, followed by an evening time event glór QueerVerse, our much-loved celebration of LGBTQIA+ poets.

Saturday is the heart of

lPRIDE: Clare Pride Parade 2024

Pride weekend. We have a Theatre Workshop planned for 10am in Ennis as well as hosting an inclusive women’s football event with Shannon Town Utd from 9.30am!

Our Pride march sets off at 12.30pm and after the fun continues afterwards

indoors at glór from 1pm to 3pm with our family fun day.

This year, we’re especially excited about the programme which includes a creative arts workshop, a magical puppet show, music, stalls and performances for everyone to enjoy.

In the evening time we’ll

head to The Market Bar for a night of drag, singing, music and dancing - always a Pride favourite!

On Sunday, we’re teaming up with Clare Sports Partnership and Queer Bike Rides Cork for a community bike ride at 12.30pm. It’s a lovely way to get moving and soak up the Pride spirit.

To wrap up the weekend, we’ll gather in Miltown Malbay for a gig that promises great music and great company - the perfect send-off for Pride 2025.

We’d love you to join us at any point over the weekend all are welcome!

GOSHH celebrates Pride in Clare with expanded LGBTQI+ supports and community outreach AS PRIDE celebrations light up Clare this season, GOSHH (Gender, Orientation, Sexual Health, HIV) is proud to stand with the LGBTQI+ community, offering a wide range of supports and services that promote inclusion, wellbeing, and connection across the region.

From free and confidential counselling to one-to-one personal support, GOSHH continues to be a lifeline for individuals and families navigating issues related to gender identity and sexual orientation. The organisation’s helpline, available Monday to Friday at 061 314354, ensures that support is never morethan a phone call away.

In addition to therapeutic services, GOSHH fosters community through vibrant social groups, including a 50+ LGBTQI+ group in Ennis, providing a safe and welcoming space for older members of the community to connect and celebrate.

“Pride is more than a celebration—it’s a reminder of the importance of visibility, support, and solidarity,” said Verena Tarpey, CEO of GOSHH. “We are committed to breaking down barriers such as rural isolation, financial hardship, and lack of transport, ensuring that everyone in Clare can access the support they need.”

GOSHH’s Outreach and Community Development initiatives are central to this mission. By engaging with events like Clare

Pride, Healthy Clare, Traveller Health, TUS, and The Outing Festival, GOSHH brings services directly to the communities that need them most, empowering individuals and amplifying LGBTQI+ voices throughout the Midwest.

Looking ahead, GOSHH intends to increase its services and outreach across County Clare over the next four months.

If you or someone you know could benefit from support around gender or orientation, please don’t hesitate to contact Bernie at outreachworker@goshh.ie or call 086 458 7975.

GOSHH is here to listen, support, and walk alongside you.

GOSHH also provides Sexual Health supports, including STI testing for HIV, Gonorrhoea, Hepatitis C, and Chlamydia.

SH:24 home testing kits are available for pickup from our offices in Limerick.

Additionally, we offer personal support for individuals living with HIV and Hepatitis C, ensuring that no one faces these challenges alone.

As Pride continues to grow in Clare, GOSHH invites everyone to join in the celebration and stand together for equality, inclusion, and love.

For more information, visit https://goshh. ie/ or call 061 314354.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Sep 11, 2025

Green Clare

Community Workshop and Coastal Walk in Lahinch Have Your Say on Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan COUNTY Clare locals are invited to take part in a special community event on Sunday, 14th September, as part of a nationwide conversation on shaping Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan.

The day begins with a workshop at the Lahinch Leisure Centre, from 11:00am to 1:00pm. This is an open and welcoming space where community members can learn and share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas about the future of Ireland’s natural environment.

In the afternoon, from 2:00pm to 3:00pm, there will be a guided

lCOMMUNITY EVENT: A group in Dromalonhurt Bog

lRESTORATION PLAN: Nationwide conversation

coastal walk with marine biologist

Cormac McGinley, meeting at the lifeguard hut on Lahinch Prom.

The walk will explore the rich biodiversity along our coastline and spark conversations about the importance of protecting and restoring our natural heritage.

The event is free, open to everyone, and no sign-up is required.

This gathering in Lahinch is part of Community Conversations: Shaping Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan, a series of events being held across the country by ACT and Hometree. The aim is

to ensure that local voices play a central role in Ireland’s response to the new EU Nature Restoration Law, which calls for restoring at least 20% of our land and sea areas by 2030.

The thoughts and stories shared in Lahinch will feed directly into the national plan, helping to make sure it reflects the needs and experiences of communities on the ground, while also strengthening our collective c o n nection to the natural world.

This is an open invitation: Everyone in

Lahinch and surrounding areas is encouraged to take part. By coming together, we can help shape a restoration plan that truly serves people, place, and nature.

Upcoming Event Calendar: l14th September: Lahinch Prom, Clare l25 & 26th September: Iveragh, Kerry l2nd October: Killybegs, Donegal l5th October: Askeaton, Limerick l11th October: Carlingford, Louth l18th October: Ballyforan, Roscommon l27 & 28th October: Newtownmountkennedy, Wicklow l29 & 30th October: Phibsborough, Dublin lEnd of October: Online events in English and Irish

Mattress Amnesty Day 2025 Clare County Council is hosting a Mattress Amnesty Day for householders from across County Clare at the

Central Waste Management Facility, Ballyduff Beg, Inagh, Co. Clare, V95 XT96 on Saturday, 13th September 2025 at 8:30am to 1:00pm  HOUSEHOLDS ONLY - NO COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS  CLEAN DRY MATTRESSES ONLY WILL BE ACCEPTED

FREE OF CHARGE

5

 MAXIMUM OF MATTRESSES PER VEHICLE

Funding for this initiative was awarded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications through the 2025 Anti-Dumping Initiative.

For further details please contact:

email: enviroff@clarecoco.ie | telephone: (065) 6846331 | www.clarecoco.ie @GreenerClare

19

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Sep 11, 2025

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Green Clare

Public meeting on water quality to take place in Ennistymon THE LOCAL Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) is inviting members of the public with an interest in water quality, to a community information meeting on Wednesday evening, 17th September 2025 at 7.30pm, in the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon.

The upcoming meeting will update members of the public, and all interested parties, on the work which has taken place to review ways to actively include communities in the river basin management process. The meeting will outline what the Mal Bay Catchment Community Forum might look like, avenues for participation, and the nomination process for participating in the Forum.

The meeting will also provide an update on work to progress and develop the establishment of a pilot Catchment Community Forum for Mal Bay and discuss water quality, and project funding for water quality related projects in the Mal Bay Catchment.

This meeting is taking place to explore avenues on how to include community perspectives, into catchment management work plans.

The Mal Bay Catchment, which covers large parts of North and West Clare, is one

lPUBLIC MEETING: The Falls Hotel, Ennistymon

of only five pilots in Ireland. It is expected that this pilot will continue to run for the next number of years.

The Mal Bay catchment was selected on account of its regional significance in the South West, the nature of the water quality pressures, and the fact that local community groups are active on the ground.

One of the key elements within the River Basin Management Plan, is to put in place a

Catchment Community Forum (CCF) that meet the needs of local communities and their involvement in water quality matters.

The new CCF is intended to be a consultative forum around Water Quality in the Mal Bay area. It will act as a conduit to regional and national decision making around how we manage our natural waters in North and West Clare. The CCF will also allow for local deliberation on water quality data, support

local community action, and provide an opportunity to influence local plans and projects linked to our local environment (e.g.

Local Catchment Management Plans).

This is part of a wider national initiative to support greater community and public participation in Ireland’s Water Action Plan which runs from 2024 to 2027. This Water Action Plan is Ireland’s roadmap for restoring and protecting water quality across Ireland’s 46 river catchments.

The meeting follows an extremely successful, full-day workshop attended by many community groups and representatives from across County Clare last year.

This workshop helped co-design the Catchment Community Forum model for the Mal Bay Catchment.

LAWPRO works on behalf of Ireland’s local authorities to protect and restore good water quality in our rivers, lakes, estuaries, ground and coastal water through catchment science and local community engagement. LAWPRO was established to fulfil requirements under the European Union Water Framework Directive and is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

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Thursday, Sep 11, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

The Burren Visitor 50 years of history

by Lisa Mullaly lisa@clareecho.ie

Congratulations on 50 years of The Burren Visitor Centre from

THE BURREN Visitor Centre in Kilfenora, County Clare, will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Sunday September 14 2025.

For five decades, it has been a vital destination for visitors from around the world, offering a unique window into the geology, ecology, and history of the stunning Burren region. Famed for its breath-taking limestone pavements, rich archaeological sites, and vibrant biodiversity, the Burren is one of Ireland’s most treasured landscapes.

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate 50 years as Ireland’s first

TRADE www.aranwoollenmills.trade ONLINE www.aranwoollenmills.com

50 years: The original Burren Visitor Centre in 1975 poster for the Burren Visitor Centre. Inset image right:

interpretative centre, dedicated to sharing the story of the Burren with the world,” said Georgia Barnes, Business Manager of The Burren Visitor Centre. “Our mission remains as vital today as it was in 1975: to inspire a love for this extraordinary landscape and a commitment to its preservation.”

Throughout 2025, The Burren Visitor Centre has collaborated with

local businesses, artists, historians, and environmentalists in a program of year-long celebrations.

Highlights included a retrospective exhibition tracing the Centre’s pioneering journey, guided heritage walks through Kilfenora and the Burren landscape, and talks and workshops focused on community, history and environmental stewardship. The talks included topics such as the flowers of the Burren, The Geology and Rock formations in the area and The Mammals of the Burren.

The celebrations will culminate with a ‘Village Fair’, harking back to Kilfenora’s own history as a thriving Market Town. The centre will host this commemorative gathering to honour the visionar-

Burren Visitor Centre launches fundraiser for new roof

by Lisa Mullaly lisa@clareecho.ie

AS PART of its 50th anniversary celebrations, the Burren Visitor Centre is aiming to replace its building’s roof and is calling on the public to help fund the project.

The Centre has grown significantly over the past five decades. What started as a single room under one roof has expanded to occupy multiple rooms, now housing a variety of interactive displays and exhibitions.

With this growth, the building has developed a complex roof structure consisting of 18 separate sections, which has led to multiple leaks throughout the Centre.

“We’ve got leaks in 12 different places on 18 different sections of roof,” says Georgia Barnes, Business Manager of the Burren Visitor Centre.

Replacing the roof will cost €370,000. The Centre has applied for a Town and Village Renewal Grant, approved

by Clare County Council, and is awaiting final confirmation.

The project also offers an opportunity to upgrade the building’s structure and energy efficiency. Plans include installing solar panels to reduce energy costs and make the Centre more sustainable.

Even if the grant is approved, the Centre will still need to raise €70,000 to cover the remaining costs.

The public can contribute to the project via

the Burren Visitor Centre website or by scanning the QR code provided. Every donation will help preserve this iconic community hub for future generations.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Sep 11, 2025

Centre celebrates and heritage

[Inset image left: handrawn the original display of The

ies who launched Ireland’s first interpretative centre half a century ago.

The ‘Village Fair’ event which will take place on Sunday September 14 2025 at the Kilfenora Village Square will feature live traditional music, stalls, games, activities, competitions and entertainment for all.

Activities will kick off at 1pm with music from the Kilfenora Roadshow. This will be followed by a full programme of music including; Colm Nestor & The Ennistymon CCE Group, Christy Barry & The Roadside Ramblers, Aoife Kelly & Charlie De Brun, Club Ceoil & Carran National School and The Drone Family & The Donoghue Family. The music will finish with an open session at 4:30pm which will be led by the Kilfenora Corner Project.

Throughout the day there will also be performances by the Eugene Donnellan Dancers and the Céim ar Chéim Dancers.

There will also be a series of competitions taking place on the day for both adults and children, showcasing the entrants craft and cookery skills, with a nod to some traditional Irish flavours.

The categories for the adult competition include; Best Brown Soda Bread, Best Jar of Jam, Best Fruit Cake, Best 3 Scones and Best Apple Tart. While in the children’s competition the entrants have the chance to enter the following categories; Best 3 Cup Cakes, Best Fairy Garden, Best T-Shirt Design, Best Jam Jar of Flowers and Best Painted Stone.

These competitions will be

judged by the first group o f women to work in the Centre when it opened in 1975. These women worked in the cafe making fresh scones, jam and soup for customers. They also made handmade crafts which were sold and

showcased in the centre.

One member of the original group, Noirin Mooney will not be present on the day. There will be a special award in her honour to celebrate the overall winner of the Adult Craft competition which will include categories such as: Best Handicraft, Best Amateur Photograph, Best Knitted/ Crocheted Item, Best Artwork (any medium) and Best Greeting Card categories.

At 2:30 pm there will be a tribute to Brian Mooney one of the founders of the Burren Visitor Centre.

Brian and his wife were instrumental in establishing the Burren Visitor Centre and the Burren Perfumery. Brian’s daughters will be involved in the tribute reading out some of Brian’s poetry.

Ollie O’Connell, a poet, music maker and story-teller living in the heart of the Burren, has just finished writing a biography entailing Brian’s contributions to the Burren, Kilfenora and the larger community. Ollie will also be involved in the tribute to Brian on the day.

Claire Collins, the former manager of the Burren Visitor Centre who passed away 3 years ago will also be remembered.

A memorial bench in honour of Claire will be unveiled as part of the day’s events.

For more information on the 50th-anniversary events and to explore the Centre’s legacy, please visit www.theburrencentre.ie or contact info@theburrencentre.ie.

22

Thursday, Sep 11, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

From one room to a landmark

50 years of development at The Burren Vistor Centre

by Lisa Mullaly lisa@clareecho.ie

FIVE decades from when it first opened its doors, the Burren Visitor Centre continues to be a model of sustainability, tourism and education.

Established in 1975 as the first interpretative centre in Europe, the first tourist attraction in the West of Ireland, well predating the Cliffs of Moher as a visitor attraction, and as one of the earliest examples of Social Enterprise in Ireland the, then, Burren Interpretative Centre pioneered a new approach to connecting visitors with Ireland’s natural landscapes, becoming a model for similar institutions across the country.

At the heart of the project was Brian Mooney, a local historian, cultural advocate, and one of the founding members of the Centre.

With the support of his wife Brian n o t only helped establ i s h t h e Centre, but also worked tirelessly through the Burren Action Group to protect the region from largescale developments.

Over the years, he became known as a spiritual heritage guide, leading tours of Kilfenora’s 11th-century cathedral, Brehon law sites, and ancient ecclesiastical locations. His work constantly highlighted the Burren’s cultural and spiritual depth, ensuring visitors saw more than just its geology.

Mooney’s vision extended beyond the Centre. He founded the Burren Perfumery, drawing on the rich botanical life of the region, and promoted spiritual walking and cycling routes.

He also contributed to the arts through exhibitions such as Burren in Bloom in 2012, which celebrated the area’s flora through painting.

His life’s work is now the subject of a biography by musician and storyteller Oliver O’Connell.

Over the past 50 years, the Burren Visitor Centre has grown and modernised to offer visitors a more immersive experience.

Originally starting with a single exhibition, a simple model of

THE TEAM: The Burren Visitor Centre staff [inset image: The Burrens handmade products]

the Burren the Centre expanded in the 1990s with the Keith Payne exhibition. The Keith Payne was revamped in 2024 and a brandnew display was installed and officially opened in May by Heather Humphries.

The Burren Visitor Centre houses the Burren Exhibition, providing a comprehensive introduction to the UNESCO Geopark and its thousands of years of history, and the Kilfenora Céilí Band Exhibition, celebrating the internationally renowned traditional music ensemble founded in 1909.

As the largest tourist information point in North Clare, the Centre also offers village walking tours, detailed visitor guidance, and a welcoming Tea Room set in a restored vernacular cottage.

In addition, over the past year, the Centre has expanded its digital and audio offerings, introducing audio tours of Kilfenora Cathedral and the High Crosses

It’s not just “about the jobs, it’s a place of social sustainability. , giving visitors in-depth insights that extend beyond the exhibitions themselves.

Since opening its doors half a century ago the Visitor Centre has been run by the local community, ensuring that tourism supports rather than overwhelms Kilfenora and the sur-

rounding region. Its community cooperative model has remained unchanged since the Centre’s founding, allowing local people to operate the Centre for the benefit of the area.

The Centre’s commitment to local artisans and producers can be seen through its recently revamped craft shop, which features products from 32 local artists and crafters alongside an exclusive in-house range launched this year.

The Centre’s Tea Room also embodies this approach. Homemade scones, quiche, soups, and brown bread provide a welcoming space for both visitors and locals. Prices are deliberately kept low, subsidised through grants, so that the café remains accessible to the community rather than a tourist-only venue. During the summer, the main Tea Room is reserved for locals, with tour groups limited to the function room, ensuring residents can enjoy the space year-round.

Beyond tourism, the Centre has played a crucial role in employment and skills development in Kilfenora and the wider Burren. Over the past 50 years, countless local young people have worked at the Centre, gaining valuable experience and training.

“It’s [The Burren Visitor Centre] been instrumental in providing jobs and skills for the youth of Kilfenora and the Burren over the 50 years. I think everybody you speak to in Kilfenora has worked here at some point, when they were youngsters” says Georgia Barnes Business Manager of The Burren Visitor Centre.

A significant portion of staff come through the CSP programme, helping to reskill longterm unemployed or unskilled individuals.

“That’s all part of what the centre has been about, it’s not just about the jobs, it’s a place of social sustainability. It creates so much economy for Kilfenora.”

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Sep 11, 2025

The Burren’s beauty and history

by Dearbhla Parry news@clareecho.ie

CAPTURING the hearts of poets, writers, and artists, the Burren is Europe’s largest karst landscape. Its name is based on the phonetic anglicisation of ‘An Bhoireann’, meaning “place of stone”, which perfectly encapsulates the sheer amount of historic, natural rock found in this beautifully grey landscape.

Mixtures of light and grey stone are presented through the Burren’s limestones, siltstones, shales, and sandstones, first formed in the Carboniferous period between 359 and 299 million years ago. During this time, the now popular tourist destination, the Aran Islands, were part of the Burren. The islands only detached themselves at the end of the last Ice Age, 15,000 years ago, when sea levels rose. Fast forward 9,000 years, and humans finally arrive in the Burren, where tower houses, cathedrals, and abbeys are constructed that still stand to this day.

Home to 1,100 plant species (about ¾ of Ireland’s total flora) and thousands of fauna, the Burren’s wildlife is rampant.

It grows 23 native orchid species, is the only area in Ireland where dropwort grows, and homes several rare flowers, such as the narrow-leaved helleborine and lesser twayblade. Of course, visitors will find fauna thriving among the landscapes vibrant flora, including 102 species of birds and a variety of mammals. Several thousand goats live in the Burren, according to the Cliffs of Moher website, making up 20 percent of Ireland’s entire feral goat population. It also homes 70 land snail species, 30 butterfly species, and Ireland’s only native reptile, the lacerta vivipara lizard. Because of their rarity, it is an offence to damage or interfere with the flora and fauna in this Clare area.

In 2011, the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher were designated a UNESCO Geopark, proving their international geographical significance, rarity, and beauty. Whilst attracting over a million visitors every year, the Burren and Cliffs also have visitor centres, walking and cycling trails, food, and accommodation on offer.

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Thursday, Sep 11, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Advertorial

Alex opens ‘Believers’ for adults with learning difficulties

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

A NEW service for adults with GLD (general learning difficulties) has opened its doors in Ennis.

Ennis-based special education teacher Alexandra Fitzpatrick opened Believers at Clare Education Centre last Saturday for the first time, giving adults with learning difficulties an outlet to personally flourish and further their education.

Alexandra has worked as a special ed teacher at St Clare’s School in Ennis for the last 17 years.

Her experience as a teacher has shaped her desire and ambition to open her own educational facility while her 14-year-old daughter Emilie, who has a dual diagnosis of Down Syndrome and autism, is Alexandra’s driving force and inspiration.

Alexandra, better known as Alex, told The Clare Echo that she is excited to support the development of adults while also giving parents of adults an outlet of support.

Believers offer students an option of 2-hour or 4-hour timeslots every Saturday, with parents given the option to sign their children up for weekly or fortnightly attendance.

Explaining the ethos behind Believers, she said, “I believe in education, I believe in further education, which should be available to everyone interest-

ed. We believe our clients, students, learners can continue their learning journey regardless of their age. Also, they believe in us that we can achieve certain goals together.”

She continued, “My child is growing, she’s nearly 15. Children have some supports and respite, however when they enter adulthood, then there is a question mark. Do our children really get the support and get the education that they need? Believers help to address these issues by providing further education for adults with learning difficulties while their parents/guardians can peacefully plan their own activities, such as meeting with a friend, going for a haircut or just having those two hours or four hours to themselves”.

Following a successful open day on the 30th of August, the first classes were held last Saturday from 10:30am. Alex has lived in Ireland for more than 20 years.

Originally from Poznan in Poland, she was educated in Poland where she obtained a Master’s Degree after completing a five-year course devoted to special education. Having done research for her Master’s in Ireland Alex carried out work experience in St Joseph’s in Galway.

“What happened was that over the second summer I was staying in Ireland, I got a job and I just didn’t return,” laughs Alex. “I said to Mom I would

return a few months later, 20 years later and I’m still here!”

Alex has also completed a course in Applied Behaviour Analysis in Trinity, worked in Ábalta School in Galway and in a special preschool in Galway before progressing to St Clare’s in Ennis. She conducted varied trainings across the country for both professionals and parents.

Alex commutes to Ennis every day from south County Galway with her two teenage daughters, Emilie and Sophie, who attends Colaiste Muire.

“I mainly work with people with autism and Down Syndrome with moderate and severe range of learning difficulties. Autism, Down Syndrome, general learning difficulties and undesirable behaviours are the main areas of my expertise. When I started my career in special education, I didn’t know that I would have a child with special needs myself.

“That’s another step in my career that I had to look through the lens of not only a teacher but also a parent. This

was not easy because it’s one thing to sign up for teaching and it’s another thing to be a parent of a child with special needs. I had to reevaluate my career and started to look at it differently.

“Some people might say I have become a different teacher because I have a much bigger understanding of parents of children and people with special needs. It’s a completely different perspective.”

Alex is encouraging parents to contact her for a consultation to determine if Believ-

ers is a good fit for their child.

She adds that classes encompass activities tailored to individual needs, such as reading, writing, receptive and expressive language.

Other objectives and activities are tailored to the specific needs of each student in a group setting, from social development, to wellbeing, music and more, depending on their interests and needs.

Believers also reserve two emergency places each week, where a learner can be dropped off for classes, for a maximum of 4 hours any Saturday to enable the family to deal with any occurring problems.

Call Alex on 089 491 8876 or email believers.ennis@gmail. com for more information.

PICTURED: Alex with her daughter Emelie at the Believers Open Day last Saturday Photos by Tom Micks

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Sep 11, 2025

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Clare students to compete in WorldSkills Ireland

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SIX STUDENTS and apprentices from Clare will compete at WorldSkills Ireland later this month.

Clare competitors include Yeshuah O’Brien Bayer from Killaloe, Corofin’s Oisin Madigan, Eoin Dalton of Lahinch, Shannon’s Gillian Higgins plus Ennis duo James Downes and Kayla Fox. WorldSkills Ireland is one of the country’s leading events dedicated to promoting skills, apprenticeship careers, and workplace opportunities for young people.

Over 30,000 senior-level secondary students from over 300 schools across Ireland will attend the event to discover real alternatives to university and explore exciting, future-focused career paths.

It takes place at the RDS, Simmonscourt from September 17-19 2025.

Across the three days, Yeshua, Oisin, Eoin, James and Gillian will put their talents and knowledge to the test when they com-

lWORLDSKILLS: Dermot Canavan, Examiner; Co Clare competitors Yeshuah O’Brien Bayer, Oisin Madigan, Eoin Dalton, James Downes and Examiners Thomas Downes and David Bourke

pete against their peers on the national stage during the live competitions taking place at the event.

More than 180 finalists will go head-to-head in a range of skills-based trades including automotive, construction, creative arts, hospitality, ICT and manufacturing and engineering.

Oisin is competing in metal fabrication, Eoin will be doing cabinet making, James will focus on welding, Gillian will look after hairdressing, Kayla will be in beauty therapy and Yeshuah will be cooking.

Ray English, Chair of

WorldSkills Ireland, stated, “This event opens doors for students to discover exciting alternatives to traditional academic routes, shining a light on the variety of training and apprenticeship options available, and the rewarding careers they can lead to. By championing skills and apprenticeships, we’re helping to develop the expertise and innovation needed for Ireland’s industries to thrive.

The combined support of educators, industry leaders and government makes WorldSkills Ireland a unique and powerful driver for the future of our young people and our economy”.

Business

Shannon forms strong part of Limerick Chamber’s submission for Budget 2026

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

not become another missed opportunity. Our submission sets out a clear, actionable plan to ensure infrastructure delivery underpins economic resilience, energy security, and regional equity. Investing in the Mid-West now is not just smart policy -it’s smart economics”.

SHANNON AIRPORT is a strong focus of Limerick Chamber’s submission to the Government in advance of the Budget.

Prioritising balanced regional development is the central theme of the submission

by Limerick Chamber titled, ‘Sustainable Infrastructure, Sustainable Growth’.

A top priority in the submission is the addition of greater international links for Shannon Airport.

Regional airports such as Shannon are essential to Ireland’s international business links. The Chamber urges immediate inclusion of Shannon Airport in the expanded Regional Airports Programme and calls for a new National Aviation Policy that reflects the ambitions of Project Ireland 2040.

Limerick Chamber has also called for accelerated investment in the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan rail network, key roads like l BUDGET: Seán Golden (Director of Policy Limerick the N/M20, and the Limerick Chamber), Mairead Connolly (President Limerick Chamber), BusConnects programme, Michelle Gallagher (CEO Limerick Chamber) all of which are vital to achieving compact urban growth and decarbonisation.

Budget 2026 is a pivotal moment in Ireland’s economic journey, with unprecedented headwinds due to tariffs and a backdrop of global conflict, Limerick Chamber maintained. It has called for the introduction of measures to support businesses, SMEs Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from in particular, as “Ireland Inc” seeks to suitably qualified persons for the below competitions. Clare reduce reliance on a small number of County Council will, following the interview process, form taxpayers. panels for the areas set out below from which future relevant “Ireland’s regions, particularly the vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from Mid-West, are being left in a holding the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. pattern due to a lack of infrastructure certainty,” said Mairead Connolly, • School Warden: Sporadic Cover President of Limerick Chamber. “The cost of inaction is mounting. If we do Ennis MD & Shannon MD not front-load investment in sustain• Closing Date: 12 Noon Friday 26th of September 2025. able infrastructure now, we will pay far more in the short term in climate Please complete online application form available on penalties and missed opportunities by www.clarecoco.ie under Careers Section.

2030 and 2050. Investing today is the Only applications completed online will be accepted. obvious choice, derisking Ireland’s Clare County Council is an equal opportunities dependence on third parties and employer and welcomes applications from all bringing payback for decades both sectors of the Community. to the country and directly to the Midwest economy. Budget 2026 must be Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat. the moment we move from rhetoric to results”.

CEO of Limerick Chamber, Michelle Gallagher flagged, “Budget 2026 can-

26

Thursday, Sep 11, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

Lending is our Business www.stfranciscu.ie

Tony Kelly Proud Credit Union Member.

Warning If you do not meet the repayments on your loan your account will go into arrears This may affect your credit rating which may limit your ability to access credit in the future T&C s Apply All loans are sub ect to appro al St Francis Credit Union Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland :

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Éire Óg blitz Inagh-Kilnamona

TUS CLARE SHC QUARTER-FINAL

ÉIRE ÓG 3-21 INAGH-KILNAMONA 1-17 Venue: Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, Ennis Compiled by Páraic McMahon

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PLAYER OF THE WEEK

STORY OF THE GAME INAGH/KILNAMONA ÉIRE ÓG Frees for: 13 (7/6) Frees for: 11 (3/8) Wides: 13 (5/8) Wides: 8 (4/4) Spread of scorers: 5 Spread of scorers: 8 Scores from play: 1-7 Scores from play: 3-13 Top scorer: Aidan McCarthy Top scorer: Danny Russell (1-10 9f 1’65) (0-8 7f 1’65) Bookings: Shane Woods Bookings: Gerry O’Connor (32) (26) (manager), Danny Red: Jason McCarthy (61) Russell (59).

Own puckouts won: 21 from Own puckouts won: 21 from 32 (66%) 31 (68%) REFEREE: John Bugler (Whitegate)

“

MANAGER COMMENT

Gerry O’Connor, Éire Óg:

“We felt we should have got something out of that game last year [against Inagh Kilnamona] so there was a second chance saloon for a lot of our players. Training had gone really well over the last two weeks, I have to say the football management and Shane Daniels in particular were incredibly accommodating and supportive to allow us to train exclusively with the hurlers for the last two weeks, that has to be said because it was a huge plus to our performance.

l Shane O’Donnell flicks the sliotar beyond Conner

Hegarty

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

“We said all year that we have a team of starters and a team of finishers, we’re building a panel of SCAN HERE FOR 20-plus to play championship. We’ve been MATCH REPORT lucky enough that the lads that have come in have been magnificent like Marco Cleary who was outstanding today, Robert Loftus who did a really good job man marking Aidan McCarthy and I accept that Aidan was probably injured but having said that our match-ups worked extremely well.

“For the first time in a long time, Éire Óg outfought and outworked a team in the middle third which allowed us create the opportunities for the lads inside”.

Clooney-Quin claim semi-final spot

TUS CLARE SHC QUARTER FINAL:

CLOONEY-QUIN 1-20 FEAKLE 1-11 Venue: Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, Ennis Compiled by Páraic McMahon

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

STORY OF THE GAME CLOONEY/QUIN Frees for: 10 (6/4) Wides: 14 (4/10) Spread of scorers: 9 Scores from play: 1-14 Top scorer: Peter Duggan (0-8 5f 1SC) Bookings: Peter Duggan (39), Own puckouts won: 14 from 23 (61%)

FEAKLE Frees for: 12 (4/8) Wides: 11 (4/7) Spread of scorers: 6 Scores from play: 1-6 Top scorer: Oisin Donnellan (0-6 5f) Bookings: Fiachra Donnellan (51) (maor uisce) Own puckouts won: 19 from 35 (54%) REFEREE: Fergal O’Brien (Broadford)

“

Marco Cleary - Éire Óg

MANAGER COMMENT

Fergal Lynch, Clooney-Quin:

“The workrate from our forwards in particular was pleasing, we pride ourselves on hitting the metrics of workrate and the lads do that and do it every day they go out, once they acquitted themselves in that respect we always knew we were going to be in a good foothold to try win the game.

“We’ve great leaders on the team, Cillian (Duggan) l John Conneally gathers the sliotar under pressure from in goals wouldn’t be a natural goalkeeper but has really Raymond Bane Photo by Gerard O’Neill worked hard on his game and has proven to be a good one at the moment. John Conneally has been exceptional this year in championship for us, Conor Grogan has been time on the ball, there was too much of a gap left after another star player, we’ve Ryan, Jack, Jerry and Peter with playing with the breeze, we had an awful lot of work to leaders everywhere on the team”. do against the breeze but in fairness to the lads and we Ger Conway, Feakle:

“Our first half was cat, we never got into the game and seemed to be very low on energ.

“We gave them way too much space and too much

said to them at half-time ‘we’re county champions, go out and show what you have’, they gave it their best for the second half hour, they brought it back to two points at one stage but we ran out of steam”.

A constant threat for Éire Óg during their quarter-final win over Inagh/Kilnamona, Marco Cleary was alert from start to finish to be named as the St Francis Credit Union/ The Clare Echo player of the week.

From the off, Marco set the tempo for Éire Óg and was a live-wire causing problems for the Inamona defence.

He finished the hour with 1-2 to his name and always looked dangerous when in possession.

Marco has been one of Éire Óg’s standout performers in this year’s championship and has certainly eased the pressure on their leading lights with his ability to raid for scores a big factor in the Ennis side reaching the last four for the first time since 2022.

Marco will be presented with a €50 voucher for the Old Ground Hotel courtesy of St Francis Credit Union, sponsor of our senior club hurling championship coverage.

Warning If you do not meet the rep :

27

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Sep 11, 2025

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Sport

Ballyea come good at crucial moments TUS CLARE SHC QUARTER-FINAL

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

BALLYEA 2-13 CLONLARA 0-16 Venue: Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg Compiled by Ross O’Donoghue

STORY OF THE GAME BALLYEA Wides: 8 (5/3) Spread of scorers: 5 Scores from play: 2-6 Top scorer: Tony Kelly (1-8 6f 1’65) Bookings: N/A

CLONLARA Wides: 10 (8/2) Spread of scorers: 7 Scores from play: 0-14 Top scorer: Michael Collins & Diarmuid Stritch (0-4 each) Bookings: N/A REFEREE: Kevin Corry (Sixmilebridge)

“

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

MANAGER COMMENT l Cian Kirby gets away from Aidan Moriarty

Robbie Hogan, Ballyea:

“You have to stay patient. You can be guilty of trying to force games like this. Clonlara to their credit started the second half very well and they brought

it back level late on too. We just found a resolve and a bit of patience.

“We just dropped bodies back in and kept them hemmed back in. The wind was a huge factor as well. To go in three

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

down against it gave us a lot of oxygen coming out for the second half. We turned over a few vital balls at crucial times.”

TUS CLARE SHC QUARTER-FINAL

KILMALEY 1-21 SIXMILEBRIDGE 1-08 Venue: Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg Compiled by Eoin Brennan

TUS CLARE SHC RELEGATION SEMI-FINAL SCARIFF 3-20 COROFIN 0-13 Venue: Dr Daly Park, Tulla Compiled by Seamus Hayes

STORY OF THE GAME

REFEREE: Niall Malone (Éire Óg)

“

STORY OF THE GAME

SIXMILEBRIDGE: Frees for: 12 (6/6) Wides: 13 (11/2) Spread of scorers: 4 Scores from play: 1-3 Top scorer: David Kennedy (1-2) Bookings: Brian Carey (24), Páidí Fitzpatrick (30).

Own puckouts won: 17 from 32 (53%)

MANAGER COMMENT

Eoin O’Malley, Kilmaley selector:

“We’re absolutely delighted. All year our focus has been on work-rate and we knew coming in against the ‘Bridge that we’d have to match them work-rate wise and

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

l Conor Cleary takes on Páidi Fitzpatrick

I thought we did that for long spells. We started well which had been an issue in previous games this year and managed to get a few scores on the board which settled us. And overall probably the crucial score was that goal just before half-time from Tom [O’Rourke] as it gave us a really good cushion by half-time.

One-point win for Newmarket TUS CLARE SHC RELEGATION SEMI-FINAL

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

NEWMARKET 1-19 DOORA-BAREFIELD 2-15 Venue: Dr Daly Park, Tulla Compiled by Seamus Hayes

STORY OF THE GAME NEWMARKET-ONFERGUS Frees For: 23 (13/10) Wides: 7 (5/2) Scores from play; 1-5 Spread of scorers; 5 Top scorer: Éanna Crimmins (1-6 6f) Bookings; Colin Guilfoyle (34); Damian Lyne (40); Jack Enright (50) Own puckouts won: 17 out of 26 (65%)

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Scariff survive relegation playoff

Kilmaley bring workrate to the fore KILMALEY Frees for: 7 (3/4) Wides: 10 (5/5) Spread of scorers: 9 Scores from play: 1-13 Top scorer: Mikey O’Malley (0-7 6f 1’65) Bookings: Conor Cleary (8) Own puckouts won: 16 from 22 (73%)

l Mark Rodgers rises for a ball

ST JOSEPH’S DOORA/BAREFIELD Frees For; 21 (8/13) Wides: 8 (2/6) Scores from play; 1-5 Spread of scorers: 7 Top scorer: Pádraic O’Donovan (0-9 9f) Bookings: Darragh McMahon (16); Eoin Burke (21); Pádraic O’Donovan (50) Own puckouts won; 18 out of 27 (66%)

“

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

“The competition even within our training sessions is really positive right now and of course winning games obviously helps in that regard as in previous years we perhaps haven’t been able to bring that consistency.”

MANAGER COMMENT

Colin Ryan, Newmarket-on-Fergus:

“The teams that finish up in relegation are probably lacking a bit of confidence, things aren’t going their way. These games generally tend to be tense affairs and if you don’t get a head start there is always a chance the opposition is going to be there to the end.Thankfully these lads are tough. I have just said to the lads in the dressing room that the good years are maybe never as good and the bad years are never as bad. I am absolutely thrilled that we have got over the line.

“In the Clare championship any year you could end up in county final as quick as in relegation. There is so much quality in the Clare championship, you really need to be switched on all the time. We are really happy now to be in the hat for next year”.

Damien Kennedy, St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield

REFEREE: Eoghan O’Leary (Whitegate) l Doora/Barefield’s Michael Nash attempts to block Páidi Fitzpatrick with a broken hurley Photo by Ruth Griffin

“These games take on a life of their own. Is a totally new championship match. We thought we hurled really really well for thirty minutes, it’s a mistake and the goal was conceded before half time and they pushed it out to six points.

In reality it should have been maximum two or three points...We came out in the second half and the lads fought hard. Things didn’t go for us and that happens”.

SCARIFF Frees For: 11(5/6) Wides: 8 (6/2) Scores from play: 3-9 Spread of scorers: 5 Top scorer: Mark Rodgers (1-13 8f 1’65) Bookings; Patrick Crotty (12), Scott Cairns (21); Eanna O’Brien (53) Own puckouts won: 15 out of 20 (75%)

COROFIN Frees For: 18 (8/10) Wides: 7 (4/3) Scores from play; 0-6 Spread of scorers: 6 Top scorer: Gearoid Kelly (0-7 6f) Bookings; Sean O’Brien (34).

Own puckouts won; 19 out of 31 (61%)

REFEREE: Joe Mullins (Clonlara)

“

MANAGER COMMENT

Donal Moloney, Scariff:

“We didn’t want to be in this position. The lads and the coaches prepared very well. We have had some serious injuries in the last couple of weeks and I really want to thank the physios for their work. It was a good battle for a long time and the final scoreline is a bit flattering to be honest. We got a couple of goals in the last six or seven minutes”, “It takes a few years to breakthrough. We have lost a few guys. We had six debutants this year and they have learned a lot. We are trying to build a squad because you need layers to progress in Clare. I looked at Kilmaley yesterday and the depth they have to their squad is incredible. We are trying to build that in Scariff”.

Liam Donoghue, Corofin:

“This is a game no one wants to be in. Absolutely this was a a no show from us and it’s hugely disappointing, it was our worst performance of the year. We made too many basic mistakes. We probably gave them 3-4 or 3-5 from just turnovers, soft frees. All credit to Scariff, they took their chances but our performance was hugely disappointing.

“This is where we are and we deserve to be where we are with just one point from three games before today. It’s our responsibility to get a performance the next day. We have to draw on the experience of last year. We have to perform now and that’s it”.

28

Thursday, Sep 11, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

Inamona & Truagh/Clonlara thundering ahead

by Páraic McMahon

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

paraic@clareecho.ie

F E A K L E / K I L L A N E NA took a giant step towards the knockout stages of the Clare Credit Unions senior camogie championship while St Joseph’s Doora/ Barefield eased their relegation worries.

In the third round of games both Truagh/Clonlara and Inagh/Kilnamona had a week off with byes in their respective groups.

Scariff/Ogonnelloe ran out five point winners over Newmarket-on-Fergus with Aoife Power hitting nine points for the East Clare side.

Aisling Hannan scored 2-2 for Doora/Barefield as they picked up an invaluable win at the expense of Tulla. Two goals in the first five minutes were decisive for The Parish as Hannan and Ciara Duggan raised green flags.

Indeed all four of the Doora/Barefield goals arrived in the first quarter of the game when they led 4-2 0-3. Orla O’Brien hit 1-1 in two minutes to rally Tulla in the second quarter and by the halftime break they were 4-3 1-7 behind.

Three points in the second half from Eabha O’Driscoll helped settle John O’Connor’s St Joseph’s side with Hannan and Duggan also raising white flags.

Kilmaley were thirteen point winners over Kilkishen but the scoreline was slightly flattering considering they scored two goals in the final six minutes of the tie. Regan Conway had their first goal with Sarah Ní Cheallaigh hitting the net in additional time as Kilmaley recorded

Aoife Power

SCARIFF-OGONNELLOE

l St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield net minder, Karen McMahon their first win of the championship.

Considering the sides were level six times in the opening half, such a winning margin was not on the horizon.

Kate O’Gorman struck for Kilkishen’s goal on twenty seven minutes which had them leading only for three Grace Carmody points on the trot put Kilmaley 0-12 1-8 ahead at the interval.

Matters remained even in the third quarter until Kilmaley tacked on with 1-6 without reply in the final quarter to kill off the chal-

lenge of the East Clare side.

There was more at stake in O’Callaghans Mills when Feakle/Killanena and Clarecastle/Ballyea clashed. Both sides already had a win under their belts and it was arguably an encounter to see who would join Inagh/Kilnamona in qualifying from the group.

Again it was a tight opening half with the East Clare side ahead by the minimum at the break when they led 2-5 1-7 but they really kicked on in the second half to limit their opponents to four

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

points while adding 1-15 to emerge deserving winners.

GROUP 1: SCARIFF/OGONNELLOE

1-17

NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS

1-12

DOORA/BAREFIELD 4-9 TULLA 1-12

GROUP 2:

KILMALEY 2-25 KILKISHEN 1-15 FEAKLE/KILLANENA 3-20 CLARECASTLE/BALLYEA

1-11

AOIFE POWER aided Scariff/Ogonnelloe on their way to successive victories to be named Clare Credit Unions/The Clare Echo player of the week.

Back to back wins have helped Scariff/Ogonnelloe in their quest to go one better than last year’s final defeat.

Setting the way for their cause has been attacker Aoife who hit 0-9 as they overcame Newmarket-on-Fergus to move to joint top of Group 1 alongside Truagh/ Clonlara.

Aoife will be presented with a €50 voucher for Torpey Hurleys thanks to the sponsor of our camogie coverage, Clare Credit Unions.

Foudy to be proposed as Clare senior camogie manager

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

l Eugene Foudy

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

INAGH’s Eugene Foudy is to be ratified as the next manager of the Clare senior camogie team.

Foudy will be proposed for a two-year term at the October meeting of the Clare Camogie Board where details on his management will also be unveiled.

Clare Camogie in a statement on Monday morning announced the plans to appoint Foudy but did not include de-

tails of his proposed management team.

Chairperson of Clare Camogie, Fergal O’Brien stated, "We are delighted that someone of Eugene’s experience is available to take up this hugely important position. The challenge for Eugene and his backroom team is to take Clare camogie to the next level. We believe that Eugene has the required credentials to lead this talented group of players forward. We wish him every success, and I am sure our supporters will get fully behind

Eugene, his management and the team”.

Eugene has been part of John Carmody’s management for the past three seasons. He was previously involved with the county’s junior and minor sides, the minors reaching the All-Ireland final on two occasions under his watch.

At club level, Eugene has managed Inagh/Kilnamona to win four Clare senior camogie championships while he managed the Inagh senior hurlers in 2007 prior to their amalgama-

tion with Kilnamona. He is the managing director of Amber Fire Protection Limited.

Meelick native Conor Dolan who was involved in Galway’s All-Ireland success this season had expressed an interest in the role, The Clare Echo understands. Dolan has been involved with inter-county camogie sides since 2018 including Galway and Clare. He was part of Davy Fitzgerald’s backroom team with Antrim this season.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Sep 11, 2025

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Sport

29

Coughlan appointed U20 football manager

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

DERMOT COUGHLAN has been appointed as the new manager of the Clare U20 footballers.

Kilmurry Ibrickane clubman Coughlan was unanimously ratified to the post at the September meeting of Clare GAA on Tuesday night.

His emergence as the leading candidate was first reported by The Clare Echo which flagged last week that he was set to be appointed at the September meeting.

He succeeds Maurice Walsh who served in the role for one season.

No exact term was proposed for the 1992 Munster SFC winner who spent six seasons in charge of the county minors up until 2024, reaching the provincial final in 2020.

Eoin Curtin who was among the coaches in Peter Keane’s Clare senior football management is on board as coach to Coughlan’s U20 side. The St Flannan’s College school teacher who is a three-time Clare SFC winner with St Joseph’s Miltown was a selector and coach in Keane’s ticket for 2024. Prior to this, he coached Miltown and Liscannor.

Liscannor’s TJ Carey is on board as a selector for the U20s, he previously worked with Dermot in the county minor set-up. Similarly, goalkeeper coach Peter O’Dwyer links up with his fellow clubman once again at inter-county level.

Jack Boddy who has been Club Development Officer with Craughwell and Castlegar in Galway is responsible for S&C. He had been an understudy to Shane O’Rourke with the senior footballers in the season just gone.

Murt Crowley (medical), Shane Callinan (kitman) and Dermot O’Mahoney (video analysis) are all

part of Dermot’s ticket which was proposed by Clare GAA Chairman Kieran Keating and seconded by his Naomh Eoin clubman, Gabriel Keating.

Coughlan this weekend will be in charge of Kilrush Shamrocks when they face Cooraclare in the Clare IFC quarter-finals. Already this year, they are unbeaten in the championship and have won the Garry Cup to secure promotion to the Cusack Cup for 2026. He has previously managed Kilrush, Kilmihil and Clondegad to championship glory in the intermediate grade.

l Dermot Coughlan

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Woodstock pipped in JB Carr All-Ireland final

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

WOODSTOCK GC Woodstock came within a whisker of being crowned J.B. Carr seniors Alll-Ireland champions at Woodenbridge in Wicklow at the weekend but they had to settle for the runners up spot.

Victory over Mulrany, the Connacht champions, on Saturday qualified Woodstock for Sunday’s final against the K club.

With the game tied at 2-2 it came down to the final match where the sides were tied as they played the 18th hole.

A stunning third shot from the Leinster pairing sealed victory for them on the day.

The Woodstock panel for the weekend was made up of the following pairings Paul Coote and Frank McEnery; Joe Greene and Ollie McNamara; Paddy Meehan and Tony Coote; Declan Coote and Brendan Keogh; Michael O’Brien and John O’Connor; Martin White and Jer D Griffey Woodstock ladies travel to Charleville on this Sunday to take on Castletroy in the Munster semi-final in the Ann

Heskin trophy.

Last week’s open singles at Woodstock in which 28 played was won by Joseph Berrill (5) from Rathfarnham golf club with 41 points. He was three ahead of Stephen Dolan (12).

Meanwhile the Holly’s Haven Pharmacy mixed scramble was won by John Clune, Siobhan McNulty and Vincent O’Grady with 24.6 from Vincent McInerney, Eilish and Tony Neville with 27.4 with third place filled

by Michael Canty, Edel Clune and Nick Germaine, also with 27.4.

Brian Gilligan (scr) won the senior scratch cup on Sunday with 71 while Sean Crowe (3) won the net with 73.

Cathal O’Sullivan (9) won the intermediate scratch cup with 79 with the nett prize going to Tom McDonald (10) with 72 .

Ross Darmody (5) was the winner of the junior scratch cup with 76 with Morgan Lahiffe (8) winning the nett with 74.

The minor scratch cup was won by Eoin Colllins (14) with 86 from Dylan Keogh (19) with 70 The competition this weekend will be the Sweet’n’Green Septem-

ber medal.

EAST CLARE Enda Donnellan (16) with 45 points won president Teddy O’Hanlon’s prize at the weekend.

Bryan Tobin (13) with 41 points was second while Anthony Sweeney (1) won the gross with 73.

The category winners were Brendan Magill (7) with 35 points, Kieran Quinn (16) with 41 points and Brendan Moloney (22) with 39 points.

Other prize winners were T.J. McNamara (13) with 40 points (past president), Michael O’Halloran (17) with 23 points (front 9), Paul Hayes: (16) with 21 points, Eoin O’ Sullivan (long drive), Shane McInerney (nearest pin).

The president’s prize to the senior men was won by Seamus Mason (12) with 41 points and he also won the long drive. Sean Ahern (16) with 38 was secod followed by Kieran McNamara (28) with 37.

Willie Roche (19) with 22 won the front 9 and he also won the nearest the pin prize while Edward Casey (12) with 18 points won the back 9.

The president’s prize to the ladies was won by Evelyn O’Brien from Ma-

ria Kennedy with Rachel O’Halloran in third place.

Rachel Whelan won the gross while other prize winners were Siobhan Shanahan (past president), Geraldine Finnegan (front 9), Deirdre Tuohy (back 9), Eileen Donnellan (nearest the pin), Maria Kennedy (long drive), Terry Mulvihill (9 hole competition) and Mary Donoghue (Get into golf.).

SHANNON GOLF CLUB Connie Corry (20) with 152 nett won the ladies masters competition.

She was one ahead of Noeleen Neylon (10) with 153 nett for the 36 hole competition. Anne Jones (19) with 167 was third.

Laura O’Brien (8) with 170 won the grosst.

Carmel McMahon has been confirmed as the winner of the golfer of the year award for 2025.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB The men’s competition at the weekend was for the Bell trophy, a golfer of the year event.

The competition was won by David Considine (11) with 65 and he was one better than T.J. Scanlan (10) with third pace fillled by Cathal Ryan (18) with 68.

The gross was won

by Alfred Jones with 81 while the category winners were Damian Pilkington (13) with 71, Cyril Corry (16) with 70, John M Lillis (20) with 67 and Damon Murphy (24) with 70.

Last week’s senior ladies competition was won by Mary Kearns, Carmel Verling and Sarah Bermingham with 50.9 from Brid Cunningham, Liz Kelly and Bernie Brooks 52.94 with third filled by Maeve O’Grady, Jean Molony, Mary Gardener and Mary McMahon 58.9.

The winner of the weekly ladies competition, an 18 hole singles stableford competition was Ann A. Gallery |(10) with 33 points.

Anne Kelly (24) with 32 points won division 1 while division 2 honours went to Jean Molony (29) with 31 points.

In the 9 hole competition the overall winner was Rose Enright (10) with 20 points while the division winners were Claire Ruane (11) with 19 points, Mary Walshe (19) with 18 points and Judith Brassil (25) with 16.

In last week’s senior men’s competition the winners were Noel Pilkington, Ronnie Guin-

nane, Terry Hughes and Jimmy Kearns with 78 points. They were one ahead of Seamus Bowe, P.J Garry, John McEntee and Eugene Quinn.

In third place, also with 77 points were Cyril Lyons, Ger Hanrahan, Tim Kelly and Matt Flynn.

The Friday open singles was won by Anthony Linnane (26) with 39 points from Michael Hally (10) with 37 points.

The gross was won by Craig Heaney (Mallow Golf Club) with 34 points DROMOLAND GC The weekend men’s 18 hole stableford competition was won by Cian Lahiffe with 44 points from John O’Grady with 42 and Cathal Kilmartin with 40.

Seamus Cusack won the gross with 36 while the winner of the 20 and over handicap section was David Browne with 33 points The 9 hole competition was won by Sean Hayes with 18 points from Darragh Moylan with 17 and Dylan O’Brien with 16.

The ladies 18 hole stroke competition sponsored by P&M golf was won by Jean Colleran with 73 from Michelle McCarthy with 73 with Mairead Bergin in third

with 76. Suzanne McConway won the gross.

The 9 hole stableford competition was won by Mairead Tooney with 19 points from Aislinn Keogh with 18 points.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB The overall winner of the ladies competition last week was Geraldine Burke (18) with 34 points while the category winners were Anne Brennan (17) with 33 points, Edel Crowley (19) with 31 points and Mary Downes (29) with 25 points.

The EMF (Eoin Fitzgerald) sponsored junior, intermediate and minor scratch cups were played for on Sunday Sean Nagle (9.2) won the junior competition with 70 from Jack Foley (3.4) with 72 with third spot filled by Terry O’ Hare (9.8) with 77 Dean Brazill (11.9) was the winner of the intermediate with 80 from Michael Miniter (12.2) with 82 with third spot filled by Thomas Coffey (12.8), also with 82.

The winner of the minor scratch cup was Michael Moloney (18.2) with 89 from Noel Thornton (19.4) with 90 with Michael J. Hogan (18.2) n third place with 93.

30

Thursday, Sep 11, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

2025 CDSL PREMIER PREVIEW

Avenue bid for three-in-a-row

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

LEAGUE champions Avenue Utd are bidding for a third Premier Division title in a row but they begin their quest with a new-look squad.

There’s been movement aplenty in Roslevan with players exiting and joining Avenue Utd. Management has also changed with David Russell stepping down after six seasons, Adrian Walsh

11 last season but Walla is keen to put his own stamp on matters with Avenue once again incredibly busy in snapping up players such as striker Ger Myles, Galway duo Ryan Corcoran and Gary O’Connell.

They have managed to sign Colm Walsh O’Loghlen but are unlikely to see much of the Clare footballer.

l Nnabuike Nneji will be a key player for Avenue Utd this season Photo by Gerard O’Neill

has succeeded him, having spent a year as coach.

Oliver Fitzpatrick and Eoin Slattery remain part of the ticket with Fiachra Roche on board as an assistant manager while also lining out in the Hugh Kelly Cup, Barry Ryan and Gary Walsh complete the management.

In terms of playing personnel, Steven McGann’s return to Pike comes as a huge blow. Mark Roche and Jack Dunleavy are other departures from their starting

Factfile

Management: Adrian Walsh (manager), Oliver Fitzpatrick (joint assistant manager), Fiachra Roche (joint assistant manager), Barry Ryan (goalkeeper coach), Gary Walsh (assistant coach), Eoin Slattery (video) Captain: Conor Mullen Key Player: Nnabuike Nneji One to watch: Ryan Mahoney Fresh blood: Gary O’Connell (signed from Athenry FC), Ryan Corcoran (signed from Athenry FC), Conor Finnucane (signed from Inch Crusaders), Jack Joyce (signed from University of Galway), Ger Myles (signed from Bridge Utd), Mikey Guerin (signed from Bridge Utd), Colm Walsh O’Loghlen (signed from Pike Rovers), Jason Keane Hayes, Ryan Mahoney, Fiachra Roche (signed from Lifford AFC).

Departures Gate: Mark Roche (transferred to Dublin), Steven McGann (returned to Pike Rovers), Philip Talty (signed for Ennis Dons FC), Dylan Barry (emigrated), Jack Dunleavy (joined Treaty Utd U20s), Kayden Deegan Herlihy (joined Treaty Utd U20s), Owen Hadden (joined Galway Utd U20s), Salim Olausi (gone to Galway Utd underage), Mikey Dinan (regraded), James Tierney (signed for Ennis Dons FC).

Treatment table: Elias Kunz (arm) Last year’s run: Won the Premier Division for the third time in four seasons; Clare Cup quarter-finals; Munster Junior Cup last 16; last sixteen of FAI Junior Cup.

Losing big names won’t hurt their cause according to the new manager. “I’m happy with what we have but the window is still open and if something will be done then we’ll do it”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Walla outlined that within the club there is a strong ambition to taste success outside of the county.

However he noted, “We want to keep the focus on ourselves and target winning the domestic trophies. We’ll

see how far we can go in Munster and the FAI but that all depends on the draw. Our end of the draw is the winners of Fern Celtic and Lifford and potentially we could be meeting Bridge Utd so it would even be a challenge to get out of Clare”.

Appetite is strong from what he has witnessed in pre-season. “There’s no

doubting what the boys want to achieve, it is giving them the tools to go and achieve.

The domestic is the bread and butter, we know Newmarket won’t be as poor as

they were last year, they have strengthened their squad massively, the Bridge have strengthened and have kept predominantly what they have, they are in fine form.

We are under no illusions.

There is a huge hunger to succeed but more hunger to perform, if we do that all results will fall into place”.

Tulla United must build on progress of last year

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

TULLA UTD contested a first-ever Clare Cup final last season and were among the final teams in the hunt for honours in the Premier Division, as the new campaign kicks off they are anxious to build on the progress shown.

Founded in 1970, Tulla United

has made huge strides over the years to their current position which sees them with teams at every level in Clare soccer, with a thriving ladies section and with excellent facilities which includes two pitches, an astro turf facility and a clubhouse.

First team manager Mike Moloney has been involved with the club for over 40 years. He has been the

driving force behind the schoolboys section for some 20 years and many of the players he has coached in that time, are now key members of the club’s adult sides.

The club policy is to build from within. “We take in young lads from the age of five or six with a view to building up loyalty to the club and to making sure that they will have an adult team to play for”, Mike explained.

Currently the club has two junior men’s teams, an adult ladies team a youths team and an U17 team as well as a host of underage sides. Tulla United players come from Tulla, Feakle, Crusheen, Kilkishen, Clooney and Quin.

“We have a total of 26 underage teams in the club which plays a huge part in the life of the area. Just last week

Factfile

Management: Mike Moloney (manager), Seamus Bane (coach), Keith Hassett (physio) Captain: Dara Ryan Key Player: Adam Kilker One to watch: Callum Casey Fresh blood; Adam Killker, Calllum Casey, Glen McNamara, Gearoid Austin, Dara Baker, Frankie O’Sullivan, Conor McFadden Departure Gate: Eoin Hassett, James Wallace Treatment table; Darragh Baker, Calum Casey, Last year: Clare Cup finalists; Joint 3rd in the Premier Division

l Tulla United’s Daragh Corry Photo byGerard O’Neill

we hosted a family fun day which was attended by over 300 kids. We are very much a family orientated club. We would love to be winning trophies but we put a huge emphasis on the bigger picture in relation to what the club means to the overall picture in the life of the area”, explained the junior team manager.

Looking to the new season manager Mike says “we hope to contin-

ue the progress of recent seasons which has seen us contest a cup semi-final, a cup final last year and being in the top half of the league on a regular basis.”

Last year the club’s youths team won the league and contested the cup final and the adult ladies team won the league.

It’s all systems go now for the new season when Tulla United are again expected to be challenging strongly for titles at all levels.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Sep 11, 2025

2025 CDSL PREMIER PREVIEW Factfile

l Darragh Leahy has returned to the Newmarket Celtic squad Photo by Joe Buckley

Fresh and familiar faces at Celtic

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

NEWMARKET Celtic’s bid to reclaim the Maloney Hardware Premier Division has seen the addition of fresh and familiar faces to their cause.

Ex Portsmouth and Fulham goalkeeper, Alan Gough who also lined out for Galway Utd, Shelbourne, Derry City, Bray Wanderers and Longford Town has succeeded ninetime Clare Cup winner, Eoin O’Brien in charge of Celtic.

Darragh Leahy and Kieran Mahoney have returned to the fold to lead Newmarket’s attack. Shannon native Leahy was central to the club’s FAI Junior Cup success in 2023 and has served a oneyear ban. Mahoney scored 21 goals for the club in his breakthrough season of 2019 which saw him earn player of the season. They have also been boosted by the return of Colin Smyth after a year with Ennis club, Fair Green Celtic.

With Shane Cusack between the posts they have one of the top junior soccer goalkeepers in the country while the experience of Eoin Hayes who has represented his country on several occasions and David McCarthy a two-time Oscar Traynor winner is invaluable to their cause. With Harvey Cullinan remaining at the heart of their defence, they will remain a

Management: Alan Gough (manager), Mark McKeogh (coach), Aaron Ryan (S&C), Johnny Ryan (goalkeeper coach) Owen McCarthy (kit man), Martin Cooney (medical) Captain: Jack Kelly Key Player: Shane Cusack One to watch: Martin McCarthy Fresh blood: Darragh Leahy (returned following suspension), Kieran Mahony (rejoined from Hermitage), Colin Smyth (rejoined from Fair Green Celtic).

Departures Gate: Brian O’Connor (return to Regional Utd), Kieran Hackett (returned to Shannon Town), Antony Dabryntes Treatment table: None.

Last year’s run: Finished joint third in Premier Division with Tulla Utd, crowned Clare Cup champions for the twentieth time, exited the FAI Junior Cup in fourth round losing to Mungret Regional.

strong force bulked up by the trio of Conor McDaid, Ian Collins and captain Jack Kelly.

Having won six of the last ten league titles, the 2021 Premier Division did not proceed, Newmarket have watched Avenue claim three of the last four leagues and last year fell outside the top two. They did cap off the season by winning the Clare Cup for the 20th time.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Alan admitted he turned down an initial approach from Pat McDaid to take charge of Newmarket Celtic but had a change of mind after meetings with Jody Halpin, Liam Murphy, Eoin Hayes and Shane Cusack.

First impressions have been very positive for Alan.

“I have to say the people here throughout the club from Jody as Chairman to Grainne (Hayes) as secretary to Crusher (Liam Murphy), they’ve tried to help me in any way they can to get the lads as organised as we can for the season. They’re really nice people and I’m not just saying that, it really helps”.

On the targets for the coming season, he stated, “We will try and be competitive in every fixture that we have. You can’t look too far down the road.

The plan this week is to train Tuesday, Thursday and play Shannon Town on Saturday,

we’ll take it from there”.

A sales representative for Best Price Tiles in Ennis, he admitted his experience of playing for Portsmouth, Fulham and in the League of Ireland is of “zero help” when it comes to management.

Following his resignation as Longford Town manager in 2009, Alan has been in charge of Coole FC, Tuam Celtic, Swinford FC in Mayo, Ballina Town FC and most recently Kiltimagh Knock Utd. “Success is looked upon in different ways, Swinford stayed in the Super League when it went from ten to eight teams after coming up from the lower division. Tuam Celtic stayed in the Premier League after they were promoted. Ballina finished second and got to the Connacht Final. From a coaching perspective, there’s different forms of success depending on where you are”.

His latest challenge is one he is enjoying. “What I’ve been struck by is their enthusiasm and what I could see in the dressing room was definitely talent. Since we’ve got to work, they’ve showed a really good work ethic, the pre-season hasn’t exactly gone according to plan but I’m pretty happy with it. The focus is on the first game of the league on Saturday away to Shannon Town and it will be a tough game”.

Kilrush Rangers want to kick on following great escape

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

KILRUSH Rangers completed a great escape to remain in the top flight at the end of last season, they’re crossing their fingers for better luck on the injury front as they aim for a mid-table finish.

It was a penalty with 95minutes on the clock dispatched to the net by Dean Neary that saw Kilrush overcome Bunratty/Cratloe 2-1 in May to prevail in the relegation/promotion play-off. Neary has since transferred to Bridge Utd but the West Clare side are keen to produce a stronger league run this time round.

As Kilrush Rangers head into their 48th season in Clare soccer one man has been ever-present. Robert Clancy played in the club’s first game back in 1977 and he has been a key

part of the club since then.

A member of this season’s management, it is just one of the roles he fills for the Kilrush based club.

Robert’s son Trevor, a player with the club for many years, continues to be involved as a member of the management team which is headed up by Martin Fitzpatrick who is in his second year as team manager “Over the years we have won a number of First and Second division titles but, so far, we haven’t managed to crack the big one. We came close a few times back in the eighties when we contested the cup final (Haughey cup) in 1984 while we finished second in the league that season”, Robert recalled.

Robert who has served for a number of seasons on the Clare league went on to say “we had a lot of inju-

ries last season and while there will always be injuries, we are keeping our fingers crossed that we will not be hit as badly this season”.

Clancy told The Clare Echo, “we would aim to achieve a mid-table position in the league and, depending on the draw, get a good cup run if possible”.

Kilrush Rangers players come

mainly from Kilrush while the club also gets players from Kilkee and the Loop Head Peninsula as well as from Doonbeg.

Former Clare and Munster gaelic footballer, David Tubridy from Doonbeg has been a key member of the side in recent seasons.

The Roche brothers John, Seamus and Maurice were part of Kilrush Rangers teams in the early years.

John, a long-time resident in Ennis, went on to be a key member of the Avenue club and his sons have followed in their father’s footsteps in claiming many titles with Avenue.

Other key players with the West Clare club over the years include the late Martin O’Brien, Barry Copley, Ray Galvin and Alan Carey who went on to play with Chester and Reading in England. Alan’s

brother Robert also played with Kilrush Rangers and his son Bobby is a member of the current Kilrush Rangers panel. They will not be in action this weekend as the division contains nine teams and they have the bye this week.

Factfile

Management: Martin Fitzpatrick (manager) Robert Clancy, Trevor Clancy Captain: Norbert Kunicki Key Player: Norbert Kunicki One to watch: Josh McInerney Fresh blood: Sean Corcoran, Dylan Downes, Harry O’Looney Departures Gate: Dean Neary Treatment table: None Last year’s run: Won play off vs Bunratty Cratloe to stay up in the Premier Division

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Thursday, Sep 11, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

2025 CDSL PREMIER PREVIEW

Ennis Dons determined to make their mark in maiden Premier run

by Páraic McMahon

Ennis Dons Factfile

paraic@clareecho.ie

STRONG recritment has Ennis Dons FC in a healthy state as they prepare to kick off a historic first season in the Maloney Hardware Premier Division.

Promoted to the First Division in June 2023, Ennis Dons take their first steps as a Premier Division outfit this weekend when making the trip to Sixmilebridge on Saturday evening to face Bridge Utd. Dons manager Declan Ensko said the growth of the club in a short period of time is a source of immense pride.

“It’s historic because the club was founded as a place where friends could get together on a weekend and just play football seven years ago. It has evolved into a huge organisation with three teams, we’ve a men’s A and B team and for the first time this season the club is fielding a ladies team.

It is absolutely phenomenal to see the progress that has been achieved in a small space of time”.

Over recent seasons clubs have struggled to adapt to the Premier Division after winning promotion from the First Division. The quality of players that Ennis Dons have signed during their off-season will assist their transition to the top flight. “We’ve recruited very well. We have brought in experienced players to the team that have medals in their pockets. Our

Management: Declan Ensko (manager), Deccy Cassidy, Cillian Murphy, Fergus Lyons.

Captain: Alex Akujobi Key Player: Philip Talty One to watch: Kosi Ugwueru Fresh blood: James Tierney (signed from Avenue Utd), Ethan Cronin (signed from Lifford AFC), Emmauel Obadeyi (signed from Lifford AFC), Stephen Jordan (signed from Avenue Utd), Kaylan

l Declan Ensko and (inset) Jack Devitt in action for Ennis Dons

overall aim is to stay in the Premier Division and certainly the recruitment has aided with that”.

Philip Talty a talented winger who had been a regular starter with Avenue up to two seasons ago is a big addition to the Dons. Stephen Jordan who started alongside Talty on the Avenue side to win the Premier Division in 2022, their first in nine years has also joined their ranks along with the goalkeeper of that side, James Tierney of Corofin. Emmanuel Obadeyi

and Ethan Cronin have also both signed from Lifford.

Having taken over the reigns as manager last November, Declan is in the hotseat from the beginning of the season this time round.

“I took over in November and retired from playing at the time, I found the transition from playing to managing difficult at the time, I was half thinking I could go on the pitch and help but the reason I had retired was I wasn’t getting gametime and that was for good reason. I had coached in Ennis Town FC for years from the academy to the youths to the men’s team but I had been playing too, I found it difficult at the beginning to transition to just managing”.

A former full-back with Ennis Town FC, he lined out with the club since its inception and spent a brief four month stint with Hermitage FC in 2013 before returning to Ennis Town. When

O’Loughlin (signed from Fair Green Celtic), Kosi Ugwueru, Philip Talty (signed from Avenue Utd), Conor O’Halloran, Vincent Onouha.

Departures Gate: None Treatment table: Conor O’Halloran (ACL), Fergus Lyons (ACL).

Last year’s run: Promoted from First Division, defeated by Fern Celtic in last sixteen of Clare Cup.

the club no longer fielded an adult side, he joined Ennis Dons.

Ensko has noticed a change in the top flight now from when he was playing in the Premier with Ennis Town. “The top flight I feel has changed in terms of age profile. The age of a lot of the Premier players has come down, when I was with Ennis Town you were looking to Darryl Eade, Stephen Hickey, Gary Collins and Ricky Neylon who were in their early thirties which is what I am now. Now the age profile of most teams is mid to early twenties predominantly”.

More town derbies for Ennis clubs in the top flight is positive, the Sales Manager with Hustle Fitness noted. “I think it is great there is more town derbies, Ennis is such a stronghold of Clare football, it is great to see Fair Green come up with us. Avenue are a powerhouse and Lifford have done incredibly well in

the last few seasos since they have been promoted. Avenue have three adult teams, Ennis Dons are now playing with two adult sides, Fair Green have a strong side and Lifford are competing so it is fantastic really and it is a fantastic mix”.

Now that they have reached the Premier Division, Ennis Dons are determined to make their mark.

“We couldn’t have asked for a tougher start really. The first game of the League Cup was against Avenue and now our first game of the league is away to Bridge Utd, they were the two teams who went down to the wire to decide the Premier Division last season but we are relishing the opportunity. We will go out and be accounted for, we’ll make sure we’re not just making up the numbers abnd try build on our results as we go”.

Lifford looking to find consistency this season

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

ONE OF Clare’s oldest clubs, Lifford AFC are fighting to find consistency and show they have plenty of life when it comes to competing in the top flight.

Lifford AFC came into existence in 1961 a year before the Clare league was formed making them one of, if not the oldest clubs in Clare. Hermitage also formed around the same time.

The club was particularly successful in the early years but it’s been a while since silverware was last brought to the club.

Lifford last won the league and cup in 1976. In the intervening years Lifford have come close on a number of occasions and this was particularly true of the 2000 season.

Lifford has its own pitch, Steele’s Rock Park in Drumcliffe. The land was purchased in 2004 and the fa-

cility which includes two pitches along with dressing rooms, was opened in 2007.

Having joined the club last season after moving to Ennis, Nathan Phelan is the first team manager this season, a role he took over midway through last season, replacing Michael Clair of Kilrush.

While living in Waterford, Nathan was playing premier league football with Waterford Crystal.

His first involvement in Clare was “a very brief spell with Tulla United. They have a nice set up and this week we meet them in the opening game in the league when we will have home advantage”, he outlined.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Nathan recalled, “I stepped in last year in mid-season. I really hadn’t been involved in the league before and didn’t know anything about it.

I am still learning. I have brought in a few lads from Limerick. We

cup last week. It was just 1-0 after problem for Lifford in recent sea66 minutes but we were well beaten sons. On many occasions they have after that. They have a couple of re- matched the leading teams in the ally good young players”. league but haven’t managed to close Looking to the new season the out games. That’s an aspect of their Lifford manager said “we have a game that must improve if they are small panel and we will be fighting to capture silverware this season. to be the best we can as we chase the likes of Newmarket, Avenue, Tulla and the ‘Bridge. We are fighting to find consistency”.

Concluding he said Nathan Phelan (manager), “our overall aim is to be Management: Jean Ganda, Aidan Jordan better than we were last Captain: Albert Obadeyi year and not to be in the Key Player: Luca Silva battle to avoid relegation. One to watch: Bradley Higgins As I said, we have a small Fresh blood; Emmanuel Cristhian da Silva, panel, probably not big Bradley Higgins, Messiah Chirwa, Kieran Kaique Lopes, Prince Ogbuagu, enough to challenge for Doyle, Hocine Bensadok. league honours but may- Departures Gate: Ethan Cronin, Emmanbe we might get a good uel Obadeyi, Fiachra Roche, Josh Ryan, cup run”.

Darren O’Neill Building a level of Treatment table: None consistency has been a Last year’s run: survived relegation.

Lifford Factfile

l Lifford AFC’s Finn Woods Photo by Natasha Barton

have played about ten games in pre-season and only lost once, to Ballynanty Rovers. We shipped a big defeat to Avenue in the league

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Sep 11, 2025

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Clare District Soccer League Preview

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Thursday, Sep 11, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

2025 CDSL PREMIER PREVIEW

Survival the focus for Shannon

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

PUNCHING below their weight in recent seasons, Shannon Town Utd are setting out with the stall of trying to close the gap with the top teams in the county.

David Hogan has returned for a second season in charge of Shannon Town Utd. He had been assistant manager to CDSL Chairman Donal Mageee when the club won their maiden Premier Division title in 2017.

That was the club’s highpoint since returning to the Clare league but it hasn’t come close to returning to the summit in either league or the Clare Cup in recent years.

“I’m delighted to be back involved, one of my mottos when I came in was to get more youths back playing with Shannon Town and supplement our teams with good young players, we want to have left it in a better place and we’re working towards doing that”.

Previous managerial roles for Hogan include the Clare Youths and the county’s Kennedy Cup side two years ago while he was also involved with Clare’s Oscar Traynor side. On top of his role with Shannon Town’s junior side, he is also in charge of their U15s and the Clare U15s.

Slipping out of the top four is ultimately where Shannon Town deserved to be based

on their performances last the whole time, both of our season, David admitted. “We pitches are in great nick finished where we deserved and we’ve a new clubhouse, to finish, the league table we’ve the right set up.” doesn’t lie. We beat NewOutlining their focus for the market Celtic on the last day coming season, he stated, of the season but other than “ F i r s t and forethat we didn’t take points most we want from any of the teams above t o survive, it us like Bridge Utd and Ave- will be a very nue Utd. We had two tight competigames with Tulla Utd but tive league.” they leapfrogged us to where I thought we should have been.”

Given the quality of footballers to have emerged from Shannon, the town itself is under-achieving by only having one club in the top flight of Clare soccer while Ennis has four clubs in the Premier Division.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, David Management: David Hogan (manager/ felt the lack head coach), Fergal McCarthy, Evan of success Glynn, Adam O’Sullivan, Gareth Aherne has contrib- Captain: Charlie Morrison uted to play- Key Player: Aaron Kelly ers leaving One to watch: Aaron Shinners S h a n n o n Fresh blood: Kieran Hackett (returned after season with Newmarket Celtic), clubs.

H o w e v e r Brian Monaghan (rejoined from Bridge he insists, Utd), Kyle McInerney (returns from Bridge “We’ve a Utd), Ryan Farrell (relocated from Donegood set gal), Jacob Setkowicz (from youths), Adam up and bril- Ryan (from youths), Aidan Buckley (from liant club, youths), Orainn McInerney (from youths). we are one Departures Gate: Gary Cusack (signed for of the big- Newmarket Celtic). gest clubs in Treatment table: TJ O’Dwyer (knee), Kai Clare, our Khetan (knee) year’s run: Mid-table finish in Premier facilities are Last Division, last 16 of Clare Cup. improving

Shannon Factfile

Bridge closer to breakthrough Fairgreen can hold their own

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

INCHES away from claiming a first Premier Division title since 2006, Bridge Utd are trying to bring a different mentality as they look to claim one of the major titles in Clare soccer.

Winners of the Hugh Kelly Cup (League Cup) after beating Avenue Utd on penalties last September, Bridge Utd went further than any Clare club in the Munster Junior Cup while also going down to the wire in the Premier Division, losing a dramatic showdown with Avenue Utd and exiting the Clare Cup at the semi-final stage to Tulla Utd. It was certainly progress but it didn’t ease the disappointment at the end of the season for Mark Culbert’s side. “It is a young side so we’re still learning, 18 to 23 is the majority of our side.

“They are quality players, they are getting better and improving, we’re getting closer and please God this year we can get over the line,” the Sixmilebridge man said.

Coming so close last season has added a sense of determination to their squad, he felt. “When we look back, we won the Hugh Kelly at the start of the season beating

Avenue, it was great to get to be even more bite when a taste of success and beat the sides clash this season Avenue, it definitely helped with midfielder Mikey Guerin us and brought us on. The also jumping ship from Sixtaste of winning and cele- milebridge to Roslevan while brating together played a Avenue Utd were unsucpart in our progress but we cessful in their efforts to sign will be pulling on all of that.” more Bridge players.

Now in his fifth year as Ex Tulla Utd player Conor manager, Culbert is ada- Whelan and Caleb Lategan mant that the Premier Di- who joins Bridge from Fairvision is much more com- view Rangers will strengthen petitive than when he first their side along with the rebecame manager. turn of Adam Fitz.

“Shannon Town have improved, Fair Green and Ennis Dons are coming up with no Mark Culbert (manager), Eoghan fear, their Management: McNulty (coach), Albert Finnin, John Keane, League Cup Trevor Maxwell. results show Captain: John Mulready they have ac- Vice Captain: Liam Buckley quitted them- Key Player: Scott Kirkland selves well. It One to watch: Darragh Whyte will be mas- Fresh blood: Conor Whelan (signed from Avonsively com- dale Utd), Caleb Lategan (signed from Fairview Rangers, Adam Fitzpatrick (returned from Repetitive”. gional Utd), Paul Tuohy (rejoins from Kilkishen Ger Myl- Celtic), Conor Henry (signed from Kilkishen es had been Celtic), Dean Neary (signed from Kilrush Rangthe leading ers), Darragh Whyte (promoted from youths), goal scorer Alex Gladys (promoted from youths) for Bridge Departures Gate: Ger Myles (transferred to Utd last sea- Avenue Utd), Mikey Guerin (transferred to son but has Avenue Utd), Dominic Griffin (gone to USA on Eric Carr (transferred to Shelsigned for scholarship), bourne AFC), Brian Monaghan (returned to Avenue Utd. Shannon Town Utd).

“He scored Treatment table: Lee Mulready (hips), Luc a lot of goals Fitzpatrick (ankle), in fairness,” Last year’s run: Second in Premier Division ; said Culbert. Clare Cup semi-final, last 32 of FAI Junior Cup; There is likely Munster Junior Cup quarter-final.

Bridge Utd Factfile

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

FAIRGREEN CELTIC have not lacked ambition since their foundation and the Ennis club are determined to hold their own as they mark their first season in the top flight.

Formed just three years ago, in 2022, Fair Green Celtic have made remarkable progress in Clare soccer.

They are the second youngest club in the county and, in just three seasons, they have progressed from the Third Division to the Premier grade.

As the new Premier Division season gets under way, Fair Green Celtic will take on arguably the two most successful sides in Clare soccer in the space of a week.

Whatever the outcome, being in this company is a dream come through for the men in charge of the Ennis based club In their first season they won the Third Division league and the League Cup which led to promotion to the Second Division. In season 2 Fairgreen, won the Second Division league and the League Cup double so it was up to the First Division for last season at the end of which they were on hte move again, this time up to the Premier having finished second to Newmarket Celtic B in the leaegue. They had also claimed League Cup honours in the First Division.

Richie O’Grady has been at the helm since day one of the club’s foundation. “It came about after Covid. We noticed that there had been a big drop out as in the region of 70% of the players who had been playing before Covid hadn’t come back to the game. We wanted to get those lads back playing and we started to make contact and there was interest which led to the formation of the club”, he explained.

O’Grady formerly managed Avenue Utd’s A and B teams and said the focus for Fair

Green is staying in the top flight. “It’s all about staying in the Premier Division. We have put in three years hard work and we don’t want to go back down. We played Tulla in the League Cup last week and our oldest player was just 24. We had two players who are aged 24 and the rest were between 17 and 21. They are gaining experience and I believe if we can keep the group together, they can win a Premier title in the next three or four years”.

Fair Green Celtic who play their home games at Lees Road begin life in the Premier Division on this Saturday evening when they travel to Roslevan to take on Avenue United and a week later they will be up against Newmarket Celtic.

“We couldn’t have got a tougher start.

There is a great spirit in the club and this has been evident in our progress to date. Only five of the group that started out are no longer with us. Those who are still there continue to set the standard”, Richie told The Clare Echo.

Fairgreen Factfile Management: Richie O’Grady (manager), Tommy Leahy, Declan Ryan Dominick Whitehouse, Alan McNamara Captain: Pa Sherlock Key Player: William Belllow One to watch: Johnson Mununkum Fresh blood; Alan Reidy, Johnson Mununkum, Josh Ryan, Etnik Aliu, Zak Kebrail, Steven Odugundre, Emmanuel Akinsola.

Departure Gate: Garry Higgins, Ruairi Norby Treatment table: Willliam Bellow Last year’s run: Finished second in First Division; got to semi-final of the Clare Cup where they lost to eventual winners, Newmarket Celtic.

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Thursday, Sep 11, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

To place a notice email kieran@clareecho.ie

Planning

PLANNING CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS Planning Ref: P24/60544 Development Description: the construction of a new dwelling house and garage complete with a new entrance, sewage treatment system and ancillary works Location: Killerk East, Darragh, Ennis, Co. Clare Take notice that Chloe Kilbane has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P24/60544. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BOLEYNAGOAGH SOUTH, WHITEGATE, CO. CLARE Take notice that Annalena Scholz intends to apply for

planning permission for development at Boleynagoagh South, Whitegate, Co. Clare.

The development will consist of a new dwelling house, garden shed, site entrance, wastewater treatment system and associated site works and services.

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.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, ILLAUN, MILTOWN MALBAY CO. CLARE Take notice that O. McMahon intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to retain the following a) the front boundary wall and entrance b) the changes made to the dwelling house c) the private shed along with associated 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 pe-

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riod 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. Hillery intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to demolish 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.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLARD ROAD, MILTOWN MALBAY , CO CLARE. Take notice that Derek Considine t/a Derek Considine Car Sales Ltd., intend to apply for planning permission for a new building comprising of areas for car show room, photo booth, customer area 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 3 HILLCREST, DOUGH, LAHINCH, CO CLARE. V95N4C1 Take notice that Carolyn Foster intends to apply for planning permission to RETAIN the converted shed for use as a spare bedroom for the occupants of the main dwelling, for PERMISSION to extend the shed with a linked storage area and a new building for use as a hobby room/pottery shed 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 DEERPARK UPPER, ENNISTYMON, CO

CLARE. Take notice that Aisling Garrahy and Noel Considine intend to apply for planning permission to extend and reuse the building on site as a dwelling house, install a waste water treatment system 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, FURHEE, TULLA, CO. CLARE. The I.W.A. Company Limited by Guarantee intend to apply to the above authority for planning permission to construct a new site access to the public road to service agricultural land at FURHEE, Tulla, Co. Clare. 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 to the Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of

the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL We, Bank Of Ireland Group PLC, intend to apply for permission for development at this site Bank of Ireland, Bank Place, Ennis Co. Clare V95 RW77. The development will consist of (a)Removal of existing stone steps and handrail at main entrance to accommodate new ramp and steps. (b)Construction of a new external TGD Part M compliant accessible ramp and steps, to include stone clad plinth with toughened glass balustrade and stainless steel handrail. And all associated site works. This building is a protected structure (NBHS ref no. 20000006 and RPS ref no. 704) and is within an architectural conservation area.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of 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, €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

PLACE YOUR PLANNING NOTICES WITH THE CLARE ECHO CALL 065 671 9021 EMAIL KIERAN@CLAREECHO.IE

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O most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother.

O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succour me in this necessity; there are none that can withstand your power.

O, show me herein you are my Mother, O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3 times) Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands.

(3 times) Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days, and then you must publish it and it will be granted to you.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Mar 2, 2023

Puzzle

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Puzzle

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THIS WEEKS PUZZLES Sep 11 THIS WEEKS PUZZLES Mar 2nd Best Daily Word Search: 1 March 2023

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ANSWERS

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The Clare Echo Crossword

Reveal

| by Michael Curl

Save

Sudoku is a logic puzzle where you have to populate the grid with numbers. A number can appear only once in each row, column and house. Each puzzle can be solved using logic from the given information and Ad requires no guesswork.

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HOW TO PLAY

Mongoose

Software © 2017 crossword-compiler.com Clear

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Sep 11, 2025

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Quiz

The Clare Echo Quiz In what year was Mary Robinson elected President of Ireland?

1990 1993 1985

2.

Who was the first woman elected to the Dáil in 1918?

Countess Markievicz Kathleen Clarke Margaret Pearse

3.

Mary Harney became the first female leader of an Irish political party when she was elected leader of what party in 1993?

Fianna Fáil Progressive Democrats Fine Gael

4.

What year was the marriage bar lifted?

1973 1980 1970

5.

Chains or Change was the manifesto of what Irish women’sorganisation?

Irish Women’s Liberation Movement Irish Women’s Suffrage Society Cumann na mBan

6.

Of the fifteen cabinet ministers appointed this year, how many are women?

6 8 3 7.

Which of these Irish political parties has the highest proportion of female TDs? Social Democrats Fine Gael Labour

8.

How many women contested the 2024 general election in Clare?

5 9 11

9.

What civil rights leader was shot nine times in her home in 1981?

Bernadette Devlin Nell McCafferty Monica McWilliams

Scan here to see what’s on

10. In what year did Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan win the Nobel Peace Prize?

1970 1981 1976

ANSWERS

3 Social Democrats 5 Bernadette Devlin 1976

Spot the Difference Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences.

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

Movies to see this week

1990 Countess Markievicz Progressive Democrats 1973 Irish Women’s Liberation Movement

1.

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