The Clare Echo 16/04/26

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Apr 31, 16, 2024 2026 THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct

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DANCING OUR CARES AWAY 2,200 wait on Ennis Hospital appointment

by Amy Copley news@clareecho.ie

Protesters remained in high spirits Sunday as demonstraters gathered at the Height in Ennis

Photo by John O’Neill

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MORE than 2,200 people are waiting for appointments at Ennis Hospital - more than half of whom are cardiology patients.

The shocking new figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund show that there has been a 30 per cent increase in the number of people waiting for appointments in the county hospital, something which has been described as a “systemic issue”.

Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Mary Howard (FG), says that “the system seems to be struggling to keep pace with demand.

“Particularly worrying is the situation in cardiology, where many patients face long delays, and a quarter

have been waiting over 18 months”.

Councillor Howard, who sits on the Regional Health Forum Mid West, noted that it is “equally alarming” that there has been a 60 per cent increase in the general surgery waiting list, which jumped from 102 patients in February to 164 in March.

“This sharp rise in just one month suggests either a sudden surge in demand or a reduction in available resources.”

Councillor Howard admits that a change is desperately needed for not only patients but also the healthcare professionals working in the hospital. “Without intervention, waiting lists are likely to continue growing, placing further pressure on both patients and healthcare professionals.”

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Consultation on Cliffs shuttle bus THE Burren and Cliffs Explorer shuttle bus service is to return for the 2026 season and residents, businesses and key stakeholders are invited to share their views to help shape the future of the initiative.

Public consultation and engagement sessions take place in Miltown Malbay Community Centre on Wednesday, April 22, and The Burren Visitor Centre in Kilfenora on Thursday, April 23, with both sessions running from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.

The shuttle bus service is set to commence this year on Thursday, May 21 and will run until Sunday, September 20. It will serve Ballyvaughan, Corofin, Carran, Kilfenora, Doolin, Liscannor, and Lahinch, as well as Lisdoonvarna and Miltown Malbay.

Individuals interested in attending the consultation sessions are asked to register in advance via the online form at cliffsofmoher.ie.

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Kilrush knife attack teen remanded

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A JUDGE has commented that a three year sentence would be a “very short sentence” for the “grave” offence where a teenager carried out a murderous knife attack on a 25 year old man in the west Clare town of Kilrush last June.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford made his comment concerning the sentencing of the now 17 year old for the “frenzied knife” attack on Jeffrey Ryan (25) at Francis Street, Kilrush on June 13th last.

The accused was 16 at the time of the attack and in her victim impact statement, Ava Moloney said that the teenager told Mr Ryan ‘you’re dead Jeffrey, you’re dead’ before inflicting several knife wounds to Mr Ryan’s head and body.

Mr Ryan required 80 stitches to his wounds including one 15cm slash wound to his head and ear that cut through to his skull. After watching CCTV footage of the broad-daylight attack, Judge Comerford said that Mr Ryan was subject to “a very serious assault” and it is “good fortune that injuries were not even more terrible than they were”. The facts in the case were first outlined in court last month and Judge Comerford adjourned the case to obtain guidance on how the sentence should be structured given the age of the accused.

The teenager - who has no previous convictions - has been on remand at Oberstown Detention Facility since last June and Judge Comerford commented that “three years is a very short sentence of offending of this nature”.

Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) said the teenager turns 18 this summer and if detention is imposed he can remain at Oberstown for another six months which would bring his term at Oberstown up to January next and he would then be transferred to an adult prison.

Ms Comerford said that any sentencing imposing a partially suspended detention term would have no teeth to monitor any breaches during the suspended portion of the sentence as the sentence was imposed when the accused was a child.

Ms Comerford said that if the teenager breaches supervision order after his release “that may be unenforceable and that may be a hurdle that we can’t invite the court to overcome”.

Judge Comerford remarked that there is no power to suspend any portion of the sentence after the teenager turns 18.

Judge Comerford said that he has the benefit of reports that have indicated that

a lot of good work has been done with the teenager and those reports have indicated that harm could result to the accused is transferred to the adult prison population once he turns 18.5 years of age.

Judge Comerford said that he would be very slow to go against the professional therapeutic recommendations.

Judge Comerford said that in all sentencing there is tension between the need to imposing a sentence that is proportionate to the gravity of offending and by helping the offender to turn away from any propensity to re-offend in the future.

Ms Comerford said that it was open to Judge Comerford to adjourn sentencing until the accused turns 18 and he could then a partially suspended prison term.

In a letter read out to court last month, the teenager said that he wants the judge to know how much he regrets his actions.

In the letter, the teenager said: “I am sorry for the hurt I have caused...I am a good person who knows right from wrong and I have no intention of getting into trouble or causing harm again.”

In the case, the teenager has pleaded guilty to the assault causing harm of Jeffrey Ryan at Francis Street, Kilrush contrary to Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act on June 13th last.

Last month, Judge Comerford praised the actions of Ms Moloney to standing between the teenager armed with the knife and her then boyfriend, Jeffrey Ryan.

Judge Comerford said: “Anyone watching the CCTV would be so impressed by the way she stood up against a murderous attack against someone she loved.”

The boy’s mother (38) has also pleaded guilty to assaulting Ava Moloney on June 13th at Francis Street, Kilrush contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

Both Ms Moloney and Mr Ryan are originally from Croom in Co Limerick.

The teenager was present in court to hear the sentencing options before Judge Comerford and was placed in handcuffs before being led away to be returned under escort to Oberstown.

Judge Comerford adjourned sentencing to later this month and further remanded the teenager on detention.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

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Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

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Thousands attend Ennis fuel protest

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

OVER 1,000 people took to the streets of Ennis on Sunday morning as part of the protest over the rising cost of fuel.

Calls to get the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael led Government out of office were voiced in abundance during Sunday’s protest. Protestors marched peacefully through the county town.

At the Daniel O’Connell monument, there was speeches, songs including ‘My Lovely Rose of Clare’ and dancing. Signs and placards accompanied some of the group with messages which stated that fuel prices had gone too high and piggy banks were empty while others took aim at the continued overspend on the National Children’s Hospital.

Riding ahead of the group as they marched up Abbey Street in Ennis were bikers who were also present on the M18 on Sunday.

Support within Co Clare for the protest appears to have grown given the large volumes which attended the march along the county town and also the increased activity at the mounted road blocks along the M18.

Fuel price protests rolled into a sixth day in Co Clare and across the country. In general among the Irish public there has been strong support for the protests but there has been criticism of the road blockades and even stronger disapproval with how the Government have re-

l Protesters at O’Connell Square in Ennis on Sunday and (right) huge crowds on the street attending the demonstration; bikers show their solidarity

Photos by John O’Neill

acted to the crisis.

Speakers at Sunday’s protest included Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF), former General Election candidate Eddie Punch (II) who is an ex Gen-

eral Secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) plus Cathal O’Donoghue of C&C Executive Travel who has been one of the chief organisers of the con-

tinued protests and road blocks in the county.

“This Government has lost its way. It is out of touch with everyday people. We need a fairer deal on

the cost of living and it is time for change, get this Government out,” Cllr Guilfoyle told the crowd.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

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Road blocks lifted as ‘deflated’ Clare protestors stand down

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

ROAD BLOCKS have been removed from the M18 in Co Clare with protestors standing down after six days.

Free flowing traffic can now access the national primary road network as of Sunday night following the removal of the road block which has formed part of the six day protest.

Blockades across the country were removed following the announcement of a €505m package of supports on Sunday evening.

An Garda Síochána arrived at junction 11 of the M18 in Newmarket-on-Fergus on Sunday and began discussions with organisers of the protest shortly after 19:20.

The organisers took a vote among their group present at the junction before deciding to remove the blockade.

Access of traffic along

l The blockades on the M18 caused serious traffic disruption in Newmarket, Clarecastle and Ennis last week

the slipways at junction 11 has resumed since approximately 20:10 on Sunday night.

Organisers warned

at the time that while they have lifted the road blocks for now, they were likely to return depending on how matters

proceed in the Dáil this week, however that is now unlikely.

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in the Government after the Dáil returned from its Easter break on Tuesday however that was defeated.

Photo by Joe Buckley

“We have taken the decision to stand down for now, reason being, we’re all scalded,” chief organiser of the Clare

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protest, Cathal O’Donoghue stated. “We took a vote of who was here in junction 11 and we will quench it now for a day or two and see what the Government do, we’ll see if the Government give a vote of no confidence and quench this f****** Government or what happens. If not, we’re going to come back out Wednesday morning and lock the place down, they ain’t seen nothing yet,” the founder of C&C Executive Travel added.

He said, “We’re going home deflated because the government are after slapping the Irish people across the face again, it is absolutely disgraceful, why couldn’t they have made this announcement on Friday or last week, all these riots and fighting with guards shouldn’t have happened”.

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Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

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Third Clare man to enter guilty plea concerning ‘cold and calculated’ Carrigaholt Post Office robbery

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A third County Clare man charged in relation to the alleged robbery of Carrigaholt post office in west Clare in January is to enter a signed plea of guilt, a court has heard today.

At Ennis District Court today, solicitor, John Casey for Daragh Pender (30) said that he has indicated to the State that Mr Pender will be going forward to the circuit court on a signed plea.

Mr Pender’s indication of a signed guilty plea follows solicitor, Daragh Hassett for two co-accused, Michael McMahon (38) of Plunkett Drive, Kilkishen and Darren Cassidy (38) of Lifford Mews, Lifford, Ennis stating in court last month that his instructions are that his clients intend to proceed to the circuit court on signed pleas to the robbery charge before the court.

All four accused in the case were today appearing via video-link from Limerick prison and all four have been on remand in custody since January of this year.

In the cases of Mr McMcMahon, Mr Cassidy and Mr Downes (36) of Seafield Park, Quilty, Judge Adrian Harris said that the next remand to May 6th is peremptory against the State.

This means that if the DPP does not have directions in the case for that date, it is open to Judge Harris to strike out the charges against the three accused.

Mr Hassett asked if the adjournments were peremptory against the State given the traffic light system on such remands and Judge Harris said that it is.

Sergeant Frank O’Grady told the court today that Gardai have received correspondence from the DPP stating that they have the file and that it is quite a complex matter.

Sgt O’Grady said that the DPP has stated that it has taken a number of days to go through the documents and it is looking for as long a remand as possible.

Both Mr Pender (30) of Dun na hInse, Ennis and Mr Downes (36) have both secured High Court but have been unable to

l (clockwise from top left) Darragh Pender, Michael McMahon, Darren Cassidy and Martin Downes

take it up.

In the case, Mr Downes, Mr Cassidy, Mr Pender and Mr McMahon are each charged with robbing Maura McKiernan, the post-mistress at An Post Carrigaholt, The Square, Carrigaholt of cash, coins and a cheque to the value of €8,944.63, contrary to Section 14 of the Criminal justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 on January 21st.

At a contested bail hearing in January, Sgt Shane Graham on behalf of the Gardai successfully opposed bail and told the court that it is the Garda belief that the four men before the court charged with robbery were part of a four person joint enterprise “who acted in concert and colluded in order to carry out a cold and calculated robbery”.

Opposing bail for the four, Sgt Graham said that it will be alleged that the four member strong gang “involved two getaway drivers and two members of the gang that entered the premises where the post mistress was violently and viciously assaulted with iron bars by both males”.

Sgt Graham was one of the members of An Garda Síochana who was involved in a high speed car chase across west Clare that ended on the outskirts of Ennis where the four suspects were apprehended by members of the Garda Armed Response Unit (ARU) at 3.45pm, January 21st.

Sgt Graham said that during the case, items were thrown from the alleged second getaway car, a BMW, and he said that Gardai later recovered €6,500 in notes and coins from the road.

Sgt Graham said that it will be alleged that Mr Pender and Mr Downes were the getaway drivers involved in the alleged robbery and both have no previous convictions.

Judge Harris remanded Mr McMahon, Mr Downes and Mr Cassidy in custody to appear via video-link at Ennis District Court to May 6th and remanded Mr Pender to appear via video link to Ennis District Court on May 13th.

Book of Evidence served on disabled 91 year old man for alleged assaults carried out half a century ago

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A BOOK of Evidence was yesterday served on a disabled 91-year old man charged with

the indecent assault of two females more than half a century ago.

At Ennis District Court today, special arrangements were made to facilitate the Co

Clare man due to his mobility issues and the court hearing was held on the ground floor of Ennis courthouse.

In the case, the man faces eight separate charges concerning the alleged indecent assaults of two females in Co Clare at the same address between 1973 and 1975.

In court this week, Garda Emmet Roche gave sworn evidence of serving the Book of Evidence on the accused before court.

The Book of Evidence has been drawn up after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that the case against the accused go forward on indictment to the circuit court.

At the time of the alleged offences, the accused was aged between 39 and 40.

In court, Judge Adrian Harris told the accused that if an alibi formed part of his defence, his solicitor, Daragh Hassett had 14 days in which to inform the State.

Mr Hassett told Judge Harris that he would further explain the alibi warning to his client after court.

Judge Harris ordered the return of the case to the current sittings of Ennis Circuit

Court.

Mr Hassett said that there was no application for legal aid currently but there may be an application in due course.

In one charge, the man - who turns 92 later this year - is charged with the indecent assault of a female at a location in east Clare on dates between July 1st 1973 and September 1973 contrary to Common Law and Section 6 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 1935.

The man faced five more charges of indecent assault against the same female on dates between October 1st 1973 and January 31st 1975 at his Co Clare home.

The man also faces a charge of indecency assaulting a second female on dates between July 1st 1973 and October 31st 1974 at his Clare home.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

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Man assaulted partner after porn row

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A 39-year old man assaulted his then partner in a row sparked by the woman finding the man watching pornography on his phone in the same bed as their 21 month old son who was asleep at the time.

At Ennis District Court, the man has pleaded guilty to the assault causing harm of his then partner in an assault that left the woman with a cracked rib on May 6th 2023.

In court, Garda Robert Reidy said that the woman was working nights at their County Clare home and her then partner was upstairs in the same bed with their young son while the boy slept.

Garda Reidy said that when the woman went up to check on their son she found her then partner was “visibly aroused” in the bed while watching pornography on his phone.

Garda Reidy said that the man left the bedroom and came down to the kitchen where he said that he had done nothing wrong.

Garda Reidy said that the woman told him that he could not do that when their son was asleep in the bed beside him.

Garda Reidy said that the man started to scream and told his then partner that it was all her fault because she refused to sleep with him on a few occasions.

Garda Reidy said that the woman slapped the man and told him that he couldn’t blame her for this action and there was no excuse for it However, Garda Reidy said that the man kept blaming his then partner for what occurred and said “you have to accept the consequences for your actions”.

Garda Reidy said that the woman told the man that he could not go back into the bedroom where their son was and the argument escalated.

Garda Reidy said that the woman prevented the man from entering the bedroom when she jumped in front of him “and he grabbed her by the hands and threw her to the floor”.

Garda Reidy said that the man grabbed the woman by the neck and was sitting on top of her.

He said that the woman was trying to kick him off her and in doing so she hit in the nose and he started bleeding from the nose.

He said that the man remained on top of her for a few minutes and she was trying to wriggle free.

Garda Reidy said that he put a knee on her chest and stomach and she thinks this was when her rib was broken and there was blood all over her face from the blood dripping from his bloody nose.

Garda Reidy said that on examination at the A&E at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) the woman was diagnosed with a fractured rib on her left side.

Solicitor, Colum Doherty for the man said that his client has no previous convictions. He said that the couple’s child is now aged five and a half years and the accused man has not come to any Garda attention since the incident.

Mr Doherty requested that a Probation Report be carried out on his client for sentencing and Judge Adrian Harris granted the request and further remanded the accused on bail to July 1st.

Judge Harris also directed that the victim in the case be asked to provide a victim impact statement for the sentencing hearing.

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‘Systemic issues’ as Ennis Hospital struggles to keep pace

by Amy Copley news@clareecho.ie

ENNIS hospital’s growing waiting list is a result of “systemic issues that require urgent attention”.

Data from the National Treatment Purchase Fund show that over 2,200 patients are on waiting lists for appointments at Ennis Hospital.

This is a dramatic 30 per cent increase from last year’s figures.

Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Mary Howard (FG), says that “the system seems to be struggling to keep pace with demand. Particularly worrying is the situation in cardiology, where many patients face long delays, and a quarter have been waiting over 18 months”.

This comes after the data reveals that 1,270 patients on the waiting lists are cardiology patients, this is over half of the 2,200 patients that are on the Ennis Hospital waiting lists for appointments.

These long waiting lists affects a plethora of departments in Ennis hospital from rheumatology, with 130 pa-

l Ennis Hospital tients on the waiting list, general surgery which has taken a 60% increase and urology with saw an increase from 549 patients on the waiting list to 600 patients on their waiting list.

Councillor Howard, who sits on the Regional Health Forum Mid West, expresses her concern especially in regard to the large jump in numbers for general surgery, “equally alarming is the 60% increase in the general surgery waiting list, which jumped from 102

patients in February to 164 in March. This sharp rise in just one month suggests either a sudden surge in demand or a reduction in available resources.”

Councillor Howard admits that a change is desperately needed for not only patients but also the healthcare professionals working in the hospital. “Without intervention, waiting lists are likely to continue growing, placing further pressure on both patients and healthcare professionals.”

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Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

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‘40% of Clare parents would prefer multi-denomination education’

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

MORE than 40 per cent of parents in County Clare would prefer their children to attend multi-denomiational education.

That’s according to the newly-published results of a landmark school patronage survey.

Educate Together has this week welcomed the announcement of the results of the recent national survey on school type preference, as announced by the Minister for Education and Youth on Tuesday, April 7.

According to the results, 40 per cent of parents in religious-run schools nationally would prefer a multi-denominational primary school and 41 per cent of families in County Clare wouldprefer a multi-denominational education.

These numbers contrast starkly with current school provision, whereby 95.1 per cent of primary schools nationally remain under denominational control.

Demand for multi-denominational education in Clare is not currently being met, according to a statement from Ennis Educate Together National School,

l The Educate Together National School in Ennis is one of only three multi-denominational schools in Clare

which is the only Educate Together school in County Clare, while only two other multi-denominational schools exist in the county.

This means that of the 109 total schools in Clare, only three offer a multi-denominational ethos. Parents in many parts of Clare have no choice other than to send their children to a denominational primary school.

Ennis ETNS was founded in 1998 and has become widely known for its vibrant, welcoming and diverse school community.

The Educate Together national office hopes to work with more Clare-based families in the future, to

expand access to equality-based education around the county.

Edward Platt, Schools Development Officer for Educate Together stated: “These national results are very encouraging for the future of school choice in County Clare.

“At Educate Together we regularly engage with families and local communities who are frustrated by the lack of multi-denominational / equality-based school places available to them.

“Now that The Department of Education has provided statistically valid data to show that more than 41 per cent of parents in Clare

want their child to have access to a multi-denominational school, we need to see action taken to make this a reality”.

Educate Together has opened 60 schools in the last 15 years, it says in response to parental demand.

The first Catholic school in Ireland to transfer patronage in 2024, Paradise Place Educate Together National School, is now a thriving equality-based school at the heart of the community it serves in Dublin.

Educate Together is urging the government to announce school level data for Clare soon, and to provide adequate resourcing and investment to support the next steps of the process, so that choice can be provided in the county.

Edward added: “The next step of the Department of Education’s action plan is for schools to receive an individualised report on the survey results specific to their school community. Educate Together looks forward to engaging with schools following this next stage of the process and exploring potential patronage transfer where demand exists.”

Clare’s defective concrete block stats ‘deeply concerning’

THE latest statistics on the remediation of homes affected by Defective Concrete Blocks have been described as deeply concerning by Clare TD Donna McGettigan.

Donna was reacting to the latest statistics on the scheme up until February which showed that just three homes were completed in Clare. She said, “197 people in county Clare have applied for remediation of their homes under the scheme since it commenced. Up until February of this year just three of them have completed their remediation. That is outrageous.”

“These are not just statistics, these are families. They are under immense stress and pressure living in homes that are falling apart.”

“I have found the council to be very proactive, I can’t fault them. The blame lies with the Government. This is an inadequate scheme which has been implemented piecemeal and families have had to go into debt to make up for shortfalls in the funding they are receiving.”

Ms McGettigan noted that the government provided a guarantee scheme to concrete product manufacturers who must “now live up to their obligations. People living in these homes had no way to know about the defective materials used in their construction”.

She continued, “The Government have also failed to provide remediation funding for social housing, leaving tenants to live in unsafe and unsuitable accommodation while their plight is ignored by the state.”

“How many more year’s must people wait? This scheme was supposed to be a lifeline for people trapped in crumbling homes. But it has turned into a bureaucratic and slow process which has trapped families in a nightmare. These figures speak for themselves, just three homes completed, across two different schemes, since 2020.”

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

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‘Take it outside if ye want to go at it’ heated exchange between Burke & Guilfoyle

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

“TAKE IT outside if ye want to go at it,” the Mayor of Clare told two elected members of the County Council during a heated exchange over the fuel protests.

For over fifty minutes at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, elected members of the local authority discussed the fuel protests, cost of living crisis and poor communication from the Government in the aftermath of a six day protest where people took to the streets and mounted road blocks.

When it seemed that the meeting was set to move on to its next item of the agenda, matters kicked off between Cllr

Pat Burke (FG) and Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF).

An emergency motion on the cost of living crisis and the need for “meaningful relief ” for households, workers, farmers and businesses had been tabled by Cllr Guilfoyle.

During the debate, Cllr Burke was staunch in his defence of the Government and their response. “A protest is one thing, a blockade is another,” he said when replying to comments by Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) that he “fully supported” the protest.

One haulier that spoke with Cllr Burke didn’t partake in the protest because “he is getting on with his business”. He added, “As a farmer, if

contractors put up their charge by fifteen percent, what will I do only pay him. With Trump the situation is volatile and this Government has given out more than any other in Europe”.

He continued, “People say there was a breakdown in communica-

tion, I presume as Cllr Pat Hayes calls them ‘the permanent Government’ spent days and nights putting together the €500m support scheme that was announced.

“The Government can’t bow to any individual to go and meet

them, we know of the backgrounds of some of the people leading the protests and what Government in their right mind would bow down to them”.

The Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District stated, “If Trump continues and the price rises, we just have to get on with it, people will suffer and the Government will review the support packages”.

More supports will be needed to assist the people of Ireland, Cllr Guilfoyle maintained.

“The motion is about the cost of living crisis, it is complicated and it is so deep in society that society stood up and took part in acts of civ-

Discounts to ‘be a tourist in your own county’

BE A Tourist in Your Own County Clare returns for a fourth year with special offers and experiences across the county.

Clare County Council’s Tourism Department is inviting people across the county to rediscover what is on their doorstep as ‘Be a Tourist in Your Own County Clare’ returns for its fourth year on Saturday and Sunday, April 18th and 19th, 2026.

The initiative encourages people to experience County Clare, plan a day out, follow their curiosity, explore places they may not have visited before and support local businesses.

This year’s programme features a wide range of offers and experiences across the county, including up to 50% off admission at participating attractions, free entry at selected locations, and a broad mix of heritage, nature, family, leisure, cultural, and visitor experiences.

Visitors can go behind the scenes at a chocolate factory, cruise across Lough Derg or beneath the Cliffs of Moher, meet owls and alpacas, wander through historic sites, climb a lighthouse, explore caves and walled gardens, enjoy Burren walks, watch skilled sheepdogs in action, go birdwatching at dawn, and more.

These activities offer a fresh perspective on the county for all ages.

This year’s event holds extra significance as the Aillwee Burren Experience is celebrating 50 years since it first opened to the public in the summer of 1976. To mark the occasion, the iconic site is inviting locals to delve deep into the heart of the Burren with special guided cave tours and access to their Birds of Prey Centre.

It is a unique opportunity for residents to celebrate decades of local heritage at one of the county’s most enduring natural landmarks.

Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Paul Murphy, said, “This exciting weekend offers the perfect opportunity for people to experience the rich heritage, stunning landscapes, and unique activities that make County Clare a standout destination. I encourage everyone, particularly families, to take ad-

il disobedience to force Central Government to listen”.

“This is not a silly game or joke, this is a fact, when people sit on a road and say they are not moving, when they sit and are willing to get hit by a baton it shows how serious they are to get their message across,” he added and suggested this would not be the end of the protests.

Tensions began to rise when Cllr Burke accused Cllr Guilfoyle of threatening further blockades.

“If he had a shed full of cattle in Foynes that were blocked in and he was unable to go about his business then he’d have a different view,” the Whitegate representative remarked”.

“That is a load of bollox,” replied Cllr Guilfoyle prompting the Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) to interject and led to Cllr Guilfoyle withdrawing his remark, “I withdraw it but that is poppycock”.

Mayor Murphy with a sterner tone told his Clarecastle parishioner, “cut it out”. “He said people should get on with it, they can’t,” Cllr Guilfoyle responded. “Take it out of the Chamber,” Murphy told the duo.

“I didn’t threaten any blockade,” Cllr Guilfoyle stressed. “Take it outside if ye want to go at it.

Let’s carry on like grown adults,” the Mayor said before moving on with the meeting.

SHINY CAR LOANS

l Be a Tourist in your own County Clare’ encourages people to explore and experience the county on April 18–19, 2026

vantage of the offers that are listed on: www.VisitClare.ie/wow and come out and enjoy the best of County Clare.”

Theresa Hughes Lannon, Acting Senior Executive Officer for Tourism Festivals and Events, Clare County Council, said, “This weekend is all about showcasing the attractions, activities, accommodations and dining experiences as well as stunning scenery, beaches and golf courses here in County Clare. I commend the participating attractions and events for providing generous discounts on admissions for the weekend.”

Sean Lally, Chair of the Clare Tourism Advisory Forum, said, “It is an increasingly competitive international tourism market, therefore growing and promoting our tourism offering to the domestic audience is vitally important, which is why I fully support the continuation and expansion of the ‘Be a Tourist in Your Own County Clare’ campaign.”

Each participating attraction or provider has set its own offer and dates. Most offers apply on Saturday April 18, Sunday April 19, or both, with a small number

extending to Friday 17th April or Monday 20th April by exception. Full details, including how to book and how to avail of each offer, are available at: www.VisitClare.ie/wow Visitors are encouraged to check individual websites in advance, as booking arrangements, availability and access requirements vary.

Many offers require online booking, often using a promotional code at the time of booking, while others may require a voucher or allow walk-in access.

As places are limited for some experiences, early booking is advised. All details, including individual offers and any applicable conditions, are outlined on our website.

Organised by Clare County Council’s Tourism, Festivals & Events Department, ‘Be a Tourist in Your Own County Clare’ continues to promote and support businesses and attractions across the county while enjoying memorable days out in County Clare.

Full details are available at: www.VisitClare.ie/wow

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10

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

News

O’Sullivan brings our sharks from sea to stage in Ennis

by Amy Copley news@clareecho.ie

RENOWNED film-maker Ken O’Sullivan is bringing his brand new live show to Ennis, a unique experience where he will enthrall audiences with images and stories from life under the sea.

Stories From The Sea is the aptly named show which is going to take place in glór theatre, where world-renowned film maker O’Sullivanwill share his vast knowledge from 25 years of documenting and exploring the North Atlantic Ocean.

Multi-award winning O’Sullivan has worked on numerous projects over the years which have appeared on BBC, CBC Canada, ITV UK, RTE and more. He is possibly best known for Sea Fever, a feature-length Irish surf documentary filmed over the course of two years between 2005 and 2007 to capture the mood of Irish surfing throughout the seasons Speaking about his stage show, Ken tells The Clare Echo, “I show exerpts from my documentaries. I have made over 20 documentaries at this stage and then I tell people the stories behind them”.

Ken aims for this show to be an education to the viewers, relishing in educating his audience on the wonders of our seas and ocean.

“The thing that I find the most gratifying in

l Ken O’Sullivan in his natural habitat and (right) a dolphin our our local waters

Photos by George Karbus

my work is when people come up to me and they say ‘oh my God I never knew we had that in Ireland, I never knew we had sharks, I never knew we had so many dolphins’ and that people are surprised by the abundance of animals in our seas and the beauty in our seas.”

With a 25 year long career there was bound to be some bumps and derailments along the way. Ken puts his success down to his sheer determination and persistence.

“Back in the early days it was hard to get a break, and I spent years trying to make a documentary about humpback whales and I got refused by 17 broadcasters and 14 countries and I had three small kids, a mortgage and no

money coming in so it was really really hard.

“I just kind of kept going though and believing in myself ”.

Ken’s advice to any avid film maker is, “You have to believe in yourself and keep going, that’s all you can do”.

A career highlight for O’Sullivan, is when he donated his work to the secondary school

curriculum. It is “my proudest professional moment, it’s great. It means that every teenager in Ireland will get to see humpback whales and basking sharks off the coast of Clare and Cork”.

Stories from the Sea is unlike anything Ken has done before, the show plays in glór on the 22nd of April at 7:30pm.

Lahinch gets taken over for third Trad Festival

by Amy Copley news@clareecho.ie

Lahinch will get taken over by a wave of trad music for its third year in a row.

Lahinch Trad Festival honours the late Susan O’Sullivan and is celebrating its third year in operation.

The festival runs from the 17th to the 19th of April 2026. The weekend will offer a wide variety of musical and non-musical events from beach forging, basket weaving, a pop-up Gaeltacht, sean nos dancing, trad for teens, Céilís and much more.

The festival is in memory of the late Susan O’Sullivan. Susan hails from Barrtrá and spent her life playing the fiddle and being an avid republican.

After fleeing to America after an attack from the Black and Tans, she continued spreading her love of traditional music and fundraising for the Republicans through her group “The Biddy Earlys”.

Susan returned to Ireland and continued to avidly play the fiddle and served as president of Clare Comhlatas in 1960.

The festival strives to continue Susan’s legacy and pass the love of traditional music on to the coming generations of musicians. The festival aims to reach every age group and every type of person to come and embrace our deep-rooted traditions in music, storytelling, Gaeilge and forging.

l Last year’s Lahinch Trad Fest

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

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Shannon

11

Shannon Chamber welcomes resolution to national disruption

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

Shannon Chamber has welcomed the Government’s intervention to end the recent disruptions that have significantly impacted businesses, supply chains, and regional connectivity across the country.

Commenting on the development, Chamber CEO Helen Downes said that the resolution comes at a critical time as Irish businesses navigate an exceptionally complex economic landscape defined by rising operational costs and global uncertainty.

“For Shannon and the entire Mid-West region, where international connectivity and seamless supply chains are essential for industry, the return to stability is a relief for both indigenous SMEs and multinational employers,” she stated.

“Protecting the flow of goods and people is essential to maintaining our international reputation as a reliable place to

do business. Any sustained disruption undermines confidence and places additional strain on an already challenging environment.

“While the immediate impasse has been resolved through constructive dialogue, the focus must now shift towards preventing future occurrences.

Ensuring that Shannon and the wider Mid-West remain competitive requires a commitment from all stakeholders to prioritise stability and open communication.

“Moving forward, we call on all parties to engage in proactive dialogue to address root causes before they escalate into disruptions of this scale.”

The Chamber remains committed to working alongside its partners and member companies to ensure the region remains a resilient and attractive hub for investment and growth.

Shannon Airport celebrates links with United Airlines

Shannon Airport hosted a special event recognising its long‑established partnership with United Airlines. This week celebrated its centenary year, having first taken to the skies in 1926. Passengers travelling on the nonstop Shannon– Newark/New York service joined the celebration, enjoying refreshments and music at their departure gate. United Airlines has served Shannon Airport since 1998, providing vital nonstop connectivity between the west of Ireland and the United States. The partnership has grown over the years to include seasonal nonstop services to Chicago O’Hare, strengthening access to key U.S. hubs and onward connections across North America. More than 2.5 million passengers have travelled on United services to and from Shannon via Newark/New York and Chicago, highlighting the strategic importance of these routes for tourism, business and regional development.

Shannon Rapper GodKnows to feature new TG4 documentary

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

Shannon Rapper GodKnows is set to feature on the first episode of a new TG4 documentary series.

TG4 presents Cara sa Cheol (A Friend in Music), a new six-part music documentary series celebrating creative collaboration between Irish-language artists and musicians from Ireland’s New Irish and immigrant communities.

Set in an evolving Ireland, Cara sa Cheol pairs artists from different cultural backgrounds to create bold new musical collaborations.

Each episode follows a creative exchange as two artists step into one another’s communities - sharing stories, influences, and lived experience rooted in Irish, African, Middle Eastern, and Eastern European traditions.

From first meeting to final

l GodKnows and Caoimhín

performance, each collaboration becomes a rich exploration of identity, belonging, and connection.

The first episode of the series will broadcast on April

26 and features Shannon rapper God Knows alongside multi-instrumentalist Caoimhín.

GodKnows, a Zimbabwean-Irish rapper from Shan-

non, is a founding member of Rusangano Family, winners of the Choice Music Prize for Irish Album of the Year 2017.

Known for his sharp lyri-

cal storytelling and dynamic stage presence, he is a prominent voice in Ireland’s hiphop scene.

Caoimhín Mac Uaid, a Dublin-based producer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, has a foundation in traditional Irish music and a reputation for genre-defying production, blending layered textures, melodic sensitivity, and diverse musical influences. Their collaboration merges GodKnows’ incisive lyricism with Caoimhín’s inventive soundscapes, producing music that is urgent, innovative, and culturally resonant, bridging hip-hop with traditional and experimental music.

The series also features: Nigerian-Irish soul singer Toshín Bankole, traditional and folk singer Cáit Ní Riain, multi-instrumentalist Seamas Hyland, Iranian composer Shahab Coohe,

singer Catríona Ní Ghribín, Palestinian oud player Sarraj Alsersawi, classical and traditional violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain, Ukrainian-born composer Olesya Zdorovetska, poet Ciara Ní É and Irish bassist of Ethiopian heritage Dara Abdurahman.

Each episode culminates in a live concert performed before a local audience in meaningful community spaces. These performances capture the emotional and creative depth of the collaborations, showcasing music as a living, shared language.

Episode 1, featuring GodKnows and Caoimhín airs Sunday 26th April on TG4 – subtitles options available, and audiences outside of Ireland can view via the TG4 online player. https://www. tg4.ie/ Cara sa Cheol is a Setanta Films production for TG4.

12

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Regional news

€95k granted to Killaloe church

Rock & Grunge Fest raises funds for children A ROCK & grung festival is entering its second year, with the bone-crushing sounds of System of A Down and Rage Against the Machine raising much needed funds for children in need.

With The Lights Out Productions, in association with Lucas Bar, will host their annual Ennis Rock & Grunge Fest 2026 in aid of Aoibheann’s Pink Tie Children’s Cancer Support on behalf of the Meade family.

Taking place on April 25 at Lucas Bar, Ennis, the Ennis Rock & Grunge Fest 2026 will feature an exciting lineup of eight bands, showcasing both tribute acts and original artists, with free entry for all attendees.

Doors open at 3:30pm, promising a full day of high-energy performances.

Headlining the event are The Chop Sueys, a tribute to System of a Down. They will be joined by fellow tribute acts With The Lights Out (Nirvana), Feckin Raging (Rage Against The Machine), and Weezer’d (Weezer).

Supporting them are four amazing original artists: Ruadh, Bitcrush, Iana, and Big Toe, offering

a diverse mix of rock and grunge sounds.

While entry is free, organisers are encouraging attendees and supporters to contribute to the cause through a dedicated fundraising page, accessible via QR code in this article.

Donations can be made in advance or on the day, with all proceeds going directly to Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, a charity that provides vital support to families of children undergoing cancer treatment in Ireland.

In addition to donations, a raffle will take place on the night, with tickets priced at just €3 with all profits after production costs going to the charity.

Festival updates can also be found on social media via @ With_The_Lights_Out_Band on Instagram and With The Lights Out on Facebook.

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

New defibs in southeast Clare

LIFESAVING equipment has been installed in three residential areas in County Clare. Three brand new defibrillator installation boxes have been placed in Westbury, Shannon Banks and Parteen.

The defibrillators sit at Applegreen, Shannonbanks, St Nicholas Church, Westbury and Griffins Cross, Ardnacrusha. This is an initiative in the best interest of the health and safety of the people of County Clare and visitors alike. Councillor James Ryan (SF) was the driving force behind the installation of the vital lifesaving equipment. Ryan saw the lack of resuscitative equipment in these areas and rallied sponsors, property owners, medical suppliers and electricians in to complete the job. The Councillor aims to train Community First Responders to use said equipment.

Defibrillators are a crucial asset for the public to have swift and easy access to. Defibrillators allow survival rates of cardiac arrest to increase significantly especially, when it is used swiftly.

ALMOST €100,000 has been allocated to the repair of a church in East Clare.

St Flannan’s Cathedral, Royal Parade, Killaloe has been allocated €95,820 for the repair and re-pointing of its east gable, south walls, buttresses, south transept and north nave buttresses.

Funding for the Clare project comes under the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2026.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD said the Government is committed to safeguarding “our built heritage, keeping many buildings in use and helping to bring many others back into use”.

“The funding also supports the survival of the skills and expertise needed to maintain our built heritage and this will also have an economic benefit by generating employment for heritage contractors and other skilled crafts and tradespeople across the country.”

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, added: “This grant can make the difference between a cherished heritage building falling into disrepair or being restored and valued as part of a thriving streetscape.

I know this funding will have a huge impact around the country and I look forward to seeing the results for myself over the coming months and years.”

This year, 40 projects across Ireland will benefit from over €4.42million in HSF funding. The scheme operates on a match-funding basis with owners and custodians of historic buildings obliged to contribute towards the final cost of works.

13

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

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75th anniversary concert at Fahy Hall

Ennis

Notes

IRISH LANGUAGE AT JUNCTION Caint agus Comhrá an Irish language group in Ennis facilitating conversation in the language has added a new cafe to their list of venues where people can drop in for an in-person informal chat as Gaeilge.

The Junction Caifé, Salthouse Lane is the newest Ennis coffee house where speakers will find a fáilte mhór from staff and Gaelgeoirí alike. Lovers of Irish are invited set a little time apart mid-morning Wednesdays at 11:00 for coffee spiced with blas na Gaeilge and great company too.

Cuireann Caint agus Comhrá fáilte roimh cainteoirí le bheith páirteach leo ina ngrúpaí comhrá éagsúla a bhíonn ar siúl ón Luan go Satharn ó thús deireadh na bliana ar fud na hInse, is iad na háiteanna sin: Copper Jug, Dé Luain; Zest, Dé Máirt; Junction Caifé, Dé Céadaoin; The Market, Dé hAoine; Cafe glór, Dé Sathairn agus iad go léir ar 11.00a.m. Bíonn deis comhrá le fáil tráthnóna amháin, Déardaoin, san Temple Gate Hotel ar 8pm.

Speakers of all ages, nationalities, and levels of knowledge of Irish are welcome to nurture their Irish at Caint agus Comhrá convos.

Contact: caintaguscomhra@outlook.com

Doora Barefield Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann branch held a 75th Anniversary concert at Fahy Hall on Friday last. A host of talent was on offer to the large gathering.Donations on the night were presented to Cora McNulty who is travelling to Hospice Jinja in Uganda.

A presentation was also made to Cormac O’Keeffe who is being deployed to the Lebanon as a member of the defence forces.

Cormac is a regular concertina player at the Monthly sessions in Fahy Hall. Pictured (l-r) are John Lyons, Cora McNulty, Mary O’Halloran and Liam Hansbury.

Master gardeners and display gardens at this year’s festival CLARE Garden Festival returns to Ennis Showgrounds on Sunday, April 26 for its 12th year - with a great array of stalls, talks, demonstrations and entertainment.

“We have an amazing amount and quality of gardening experts in Clare,” said Carmen Cronin, founder and festival organiser of Clare Garden Festival, noting that the festival will double the number of garden experts this year.

“Of course, we will also be featuring our Garden & Food Fair again. And we will have some other great news and surprises up our garden gloves this year.”

At the core of the festival are expert speakers. There will be hands-on demonstrations where visitors can take a closer look and detailed lectures and Masterclasses. This year Jim Cronin will detail the process of Field to Garden, Carl Wright will showcase the development of Caher Bridge Garden and forager Olwyn Williams will speak on Wild Foods – all three classes are booking now from the festival website.

In the demo area more knowledgeable, well-known gardeners will be showing techniques and speaking to people directly. Here beginners and intermediate gardeners will benefit. Gert Stam of Caherhurley Nursery said: “This year I look forward to showing people at the festival how to propagate hardy herbaceous per-

l Sinead Moloney, Carl Wright, Cllr Mary Howard and Jo Newton at the festival launch

ennial plants so that they are fit for our climate here in the West of Ireland. Also from Caherhurley, our fantastic trainee Hayley Connelly will be sharing her knowledge with people on the day.”

The festival will see eight onstage expert talks, one Masterclass, two lectures, two demonstrations and three workshops in dedicated areas for avid Gardeners, some especially for Children and all of them practical hands-on and open to questions. The full overview of talks and workshops is now on the festival website. The Masterclass can now be booked by emailing info@claregardenfestival.com.

Master Gardener Jo Newton will this year again be presenting on-stage whilst for the first time this year, Sinead Moloney of Bunratty Castle and Garden is joining the stage with her

talk about herbs, hounds and castle grounds.

The stage will also welcome Jason Horner, retired organic grower and seed specialist, and Fergal Smith, who is this year exploring the sustainable method of Korean Natural Farming working with the soil and its microorganisms.

In addition to Garden Talks and Demos, children’s entertainment and music, the festival will of course feature its huge Garden and Food Fair again with over 75 stalls confirmed at the easily accessible Ennis showgrounds just off the M18 in Ennis town.

Clare Garden Festival is running in partnership with Co Clare Agricultural Show Society and is held at Ennis Showgrounds on Sunday, 26th April.

For more visit www.claregardenfestival.com and www.facebook. com/claregardenfestival.

14

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Regional news

Questions in West Clare over windfarm planning process

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

LOCALS living close to a proposed windfarm development in West Clare have raised concerns around the consultation process.

Residents living in the vicinity of the proposed Cahermurphy West Wind Farm say they were left alarmed at two major planning applications linked to the development.

The site of the proposed Cahermurphy West Wind Farm is located 5km north of Kilmihil and 4km east of Creagh.

The proposed layout has eight turbines of up to 185 metres in heigh Leaflets distributed locally informed households that formal notices would appear in the Clare Champion on March 20 relating to the turbines along with a grid connection project requiring excavation works along nearly 25km of public roads.

According to the The Cahermurphy Area Community Group, both applications are being submitted directly to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) as Strategic Infrastructure Developments, bypassing Clare County Council.

Community representatives

l The site is located close to Kilmihil and Creagh

say this process creates unnecessary barriers to public participation.

“Requiring submissions to go directly to ACP increases the cost to €50 per application, compared to €20 locally. At a time of significant cost-of-living pressure, this risks excluding voices from the planning process,” a committee spokesperson said.

In a statement to The Clare Echo, residents also point to ongoing concerns about access to critical project materials.

Last August, during a holiday period, developers hosted a

midweek information clinic in Kilmihil where photomontages of the proposed turbines were shown for the first time.

According to attendees, these visuals presented a far more striking representation of the project than those available online.

Despite repeated requests, the community group claims that it has been denied access to physical copies of these photomontages for residents who were unable to attend on the day.

“Many people simply could not attend a midweek clinic. Refusing to provide accessible ma-

terials raises serious questions about transparency and public engagement.”

The Cahermurphy West proposal is part of a broader wave of wind energy developments across West Clare.

Community representatives estimate that up to 176 turbines could be proposed or in planning across the region, many of which are described as “industrial in scale.”

Residents argue that the cumulative impact of these developments has not been adequately addressed.

The group also highlights the significant burden placed on local residents attempting to engage with the planning process.

For the Cahermurphy West Wind Farm alone, planning documentation runs to several thousand pages. Community members are expected to review and respond within strict timelines.

“Ordinary people are being asked to analyse highly technical documents running into thousands of pages. This is simply not reasonable.”

The Cahermurphy Area Community Group added that residents “are calling for a more accessible and affordable submission process.”

All set for Ennistymon Rivers Festival

THE Ennistymon Rivers Festival 2026 is taking place over the May Bank Holiday weekend from May 1–3.

This three-day, family-friendly festival celebrates the rivers of North Clare and the positive impact of community-led restoration.

It’s a chance to come together with locals, volunteers, environmentalists and visitors to explore, learn, and enjoy what makes our rivers so special.

This year’s programme offers something for everyone, with a mix of ecological activities, arts events, and music. There are plenty of ways to get involved including, expert talks and hands-on workshops to guided bat walks, kayaking experiences, and early morning dawn chorus walks along the Inagh and Ballymacraven rivers.

The festival begins on Friday afternoon (May 1) with a River Restoration Workshop, followed by the official launch that evening and a keynote illustrated talk by journalist Ella McSweeney.

And that’s just the start of a packed and inspiring weekend.

RBRA was formed in response to the devastating fish kill in 2023. Since then, its members have been working together as a community to restore and protect our local rivers. This festival is both a celebration of that progress, of our community, and a call to continue that work into the future.

Please note that booking is essential for all events, as places are limited for a number of activities. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

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Gort & South Galway

15

Galway Chamber urges rapid move to next phase after road approval

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

GALWAY Chamber has called for immediate progress on the N6 Galway City Ring Road after An Coimisiún Pleanála approved the project, warning that any further delay would undermine the region’s economic prospects.

The Chamber, which represents 500 businesses employing 30,000 people in Galway city, said congestion is continuing to damage productivity, investment and quality of life.

Chief executive Karen Ronan said the decision marked an important step but insisted that Galway “has waited long enough”.

“This project has been discussed, delayed and debated for years while congestion has continued to worsen, impacting our economy, our environment and the daily lives of people across the region. The time for delivery is now,” she said.

Ms Ronan said the Ring Road would not solve Galway’s traffic problems on its own but was “a central part of a multistrand approach”, with BusConnects, expanded rail services and investment in cycling infrastructure all required to tackle the city’s transport challenges.

She also warned that the project “cannot afford to be

l Albert Dolan TD

Farm building grant to ‘restore’ traditional structures

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

l The controversial Galway city ring road has been approved following decades of delays beset by additional legal and administrative delays that have affected it since the outset” and urged Galway County Council, Galway City Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to move without delay to the detailed design and procurement stage.

The Chamber said the Ring Road remains essential to unlocking economic growth

and restoring Galway’s competitiveness as a regional and international investment location.

It said the project must now be treated as a national priority and aligned with the State’s commitments to balanced regional development under the National Planning Framework.

“This is not just a Galway is-

sue. It is a national economic issue. If we are serious about regional development, then projects like the Galway Ring Road must be delivered with urgency and accountability,” Ms Ronan said.

The Chamber said it will continue to work with Government and local authorities to ensure the project advances without further delay.

Approval of new port welcomed Galway City Council has welcomed the decision of An Coimisiún Pleaná‑ la to grant approval for the proposed New Port of Galway.

The permitted extension of the Port of Galway will support the continued operation and expansion of core port activities, strengthening its role as a key economic asset for the city and region.

The new port extension will also create future opportunities for the transformation and redevelopment of the inner harbour area.

Galway Harbour Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Galway City Council.

Galway City Council and Galway Harbour Company will now proceed, following a detailed review of An Co‑ imisiún Pleanála’s decision, to the next phase of the project. They were

previously stalled due to the environ‑ mental impact on Galway Bay. The next phase of the project will include detailed design, procure‑ ment, and financing, in line with

the relevant national infrastructure guidelines and governance require‑ ments.

Read more about this project at www.GalwayHarbourExtension.com

ALBERT Dolan TD is urging farmers across Galway East to apply for the newly opened 2026 Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme, following the Government’s an‑ nouncement of €750,000 in funding for the programme.

Deputy Dolan welcomed the news, saying: “This is a fantastic opportunity for farmers in Galway East to restore and protect tradi‑ tional farm buildings that are part of our rural heritage. These structures are a defining fea‑ ture of our landscape, and this scheme pro‑ vides real, practical support to conserve them for future generations.”

The scheme, run jointly by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Heritage Council, supports the conservation of traditional farm buildings, historic yard sur‑ faces, gates, and gate pillars. Many of these structures also provide important habitats for wildlife, including bats and nesting birds.

Deputy Dolan added: “More than 1,000 buildings have already been restored through this award‑winning scheme. I strongly en‑ courage farmers in Galway East to consider applying, particularly those with older build‑ ings that are still part of the working farmyard.

This funding can make a real difference.”

“This is a valuable investment in our rural communities, our heritage, and our local en‑ vironment. I encourage anyone in Galway East who may be eligible to take a look at the scheme and submit an application.”

Applications must be submitted online at www.heritagecouncil.ie. An information webi‑ nar will take place on April 17 2026 (registra‑ tion via the Heritage Council website).

The closing date for applications is 18 May 2026 Full terms and conditions are available on the Heritage Council website.

16

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Columnists

When cost of living crisis becomes a crisis of the soul Spreading the word of positivity: Thought for the week RONAN SCULLY

T

HEREis a kind of suffering that does not make noise.

It does not march. It does not shout. It does not always make the evening news. It lives instead in the quiet. In the parent in Dublin who says they’ve “already eaten” so their child won’t feel guilty taking the last portion. In the young worker in Tipperary staring at their bank account at the end of the month, wondering how a full week’s work still isn’t enough. In the pensioner in Clare who sits in a darkened room, wrapped in layers, measuring out heat in hours as if it were medicine.

It lives in the hesitation before turning on the kettle or putting fuel in the car. In the dread of opening a bill.

WILL YOU PRAY FOR ME? This is what the cost of living crisis looks like. Not numbers.

Human lives, slowly tightening under a weight they did not create. And increasingly, these stories are not distant. They are being entrusted to me, quietly, personally, and often with a vulnerability that is hard to put into words. Messages sent late at night, when the worry feels heaviest. Phone calls where there are long pauses, where the silence says more than words ever could. And again and again, one simple, humbling request: “Will you pray for me?”

People are not just asking for solutions. They are asking not to be forgotten. They speak of cupboards growing emptier.

Of the quiet strain this places on marriages, on families, on their own sense of self-worth.

In those moments, you realise something profoundly unsettling, that people are carrying far more than they are ever showing the world. You cannot pretend that this crisis is abstract or distant. It is here. It is now. And it is breaking people, quietly.

IRELAND: A PROSPEROUS NATION, ANXIOUS PEOPLE Ireland is, by many measures, a successful country. We attract investment. We celebrate progress. On paper, we are thriving.

And yet, beneath that story another reality unfolds. Rents that defy reason. Homes that remain out of reach. Food prices that quietly climb week after week.

Energy bills that arrive not as routine correspondence, but as moments of fear.

At a time that cries out for urgency, we are given delay. We see frustration spilling out onto our roads in recent days, with blockades and protests disrupting daily life. These actions reflect a deep anger and a sense of being unheard. Protest has its place, and it must always remain peaceful and mindful of others, especially those already struggling or in need of care. But we must also ask, what kind of society creates the conditions

where people feel they have no other way to be seen or heard?

MORE THAN ECONOMICS: A SPIRITUAL CRISIS Because what we are living through is not just an economic crisis. It is a spiritual one. A crisis that exposes something deeper than inflation or policy failure. A crisis that reveals who we have become and who we are in danger of becoming.

There is, in this moment, a kind of spiritual deficit, a thinning of compassion, a shrinking of imagination, a quiet acceptance of inequality that would once have shocked us. We have learned, slowly and almost without noticing, to live alongside suffering without being moved by it. And that should disturb us.

Because when a society begins to lose its capacity to feel, it begins to lose something far more valuable than wealth. It begins to lose its soul. “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

(Mark 8:36) THE FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP At a moment that demands boldness, we are offered caution. At a moment that calls for imagination, we are given incrementalism. At a moment that cries out for moral courage, we are met with careful language and limited ambition.

It is not that solutions do not exist. It is that the will to pursue them seems absent. And that absence is not neutral. It has consequences. Because every delay, every half-measure, every cautious compromise is carried, disproportionately, by those already struggling the most.

“Woe to those who make unjust laws… to deprive the poor of their rights.” (Isaiah 10:1–2).

These are not ancient warnings for another time. They are words that echo into the present.

A MIRROR TURNED TOWARD OURSELVES But this moment does not only call leaders to account.

It calls all of us. Because it is easier to point outward than to look inward. We live in a culture that has quietly trained us to accumulate more. To want more.

To consume more. To measure success by what we have rather than who we are. And yet, all around us, there are people who have less than enough. How have we learned to live with that

contradiction? When did excess become acceptable in the presence of need? When did we stop being disturbed? This crisis is asking us something deeply uncomfortable, not just what kind of society we are building, but what kind of people we are becoming.

THE HIDDEN CRISIS: BURNOUT, AND QUIET DESPAIR There is another layer to this crisis, less visible, but deeply felt. The mental and emotional toll. The exhaustion of constantly worrying. The strain of never quite feeling secure. Some are simply trying to get through the day without falling apart.

THE QUIET STRENGTH OF COMMUNITY And yet, amid all of this, there are signs of something else.

Something stubbornly hopeful.

Across Ireland and in many parts of the world, people are showing up for one another.

In food banks and community centres. In small, unseen acts of kindness. In neighbours who check in, who share, who care.

This is a different kind of economy. An economy of compassion.

An economy that reminds us that even when systems falter, humanity does not have to.

A CALL TO WAKE UP There is a deeper danger than rising prices. It is the slow normalisation of indifference. The quiet acceptance that this is simply how things are. That some will struggle so others can thrive.

That nothing can really change.

But history tells us otherwise.

Change has always been possible. Not because it was easy.

But because people refused to accept what was. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21).

This is not a sentimental idea. It is a demanding one.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK So as your thought for this week, do not look away. When someone says they are “fine,” pause long enough to wonder if they are. When you pass someone tired, burdened, worn down by life, resist the urge to move on quickly. Notice. Because behind more doors than we realise, there are people lying awake at night, praying for strength, praying for provision, praying simply to get through another week.

Aistear win big at National Concert Hall COUNTY Clare band Aistear have won the 2026 Craobh Siansa Gael Linn.

The Gael Linn Trophy and a cheque for €2,500 were presented to the group, after the competition final which was broadcast live from the National Concert Hall on Sunday, April 12.

The Craobh Siansa Gael Linn competition has been running since 2001 and is one of the country’s leading traditional music and singing competitions.

AISTEAR competed against seven other groups including fellow Clare act Cludhmór.

Aistear is made up of eight young musicians: Conall Ó Dorchaidhe, Ciarán Ó Braonáin, Diarmuid Ó Slatara, John Eibhúd, Ruaidhrí Mac Gearailt, Clodagh Ní Chinnéide, Ava Ní hAodhagáin, and Tara Ní Bhaoighill.

Gearóid Mac Donncha, Head of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, said: “RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta is very grateful to Gael Linn for organising this wonderful competition for young musicians and for giving us

the opportunity to sponsor it. It is a privilege for us to be able to support these young musicians by giving their music a national and international platform through our radio and online broadcasts. We would like to congratulate them all, their parents, and their teachers, as they have all come a long way to achieve this high standard.”

Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, CEO of Gael Linn,

added, “We are hugely grateful to the mentors who put in countless hours preparing these groups for the competition and, at the same time, strengthening traditional Irish music among young people.”

Craobh Siansa Gael Linn 2026 can be listened back to on the RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta website, and each of the performances are available on Gael Linn’s YouTube.

Macalla an Chláir le MACDARA Ó CONAOLA

I love Ennis in springtime

A

NOIS theacht don earraigh, seo roinnt fhocla a bhaineanns leis an t-am spleodrach seo den bhliain / Now that Spring has sprung, here are some words relating to this dynamic time of year.

An tEarrach - Spring nead - nest bachlógaí - buds (of flowers) ag péacadh - sprouting/germinating uan - lamb laoi - calf síneadh breá sa lá - a grand stretch in the day caisearbhán - dandelion nóiníní - daisies múr báistí - a shower of rain glantachán earraigh - spring cleaning fás - growth dóchas - hope

l Tá na bachlógaí ag péacadh / The

buds are sprouting

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

Healthy Clare

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

HSE expands BowelScreen programme to people aged 57-71 BOWEL cancer is one of the most common types of cancer.

Around 2,500 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Ireland every year.

Most people diagnosed with it are over the age of 60. But you can get bowel cancer at any age. If bowel cancer is found early, it’s easier to treat and there’s a better chance of recovery.

BowelScreen B o w el screening aims to prevent cancer from developing and find cancer early when it is generally easier to treat. Ireland has a free HSE screening programme for bowel cancer (for men and women aged 57-71). To register: freephone 1800 45 45 55, email info@bowelscreen.ie or register online at www.hse.ie/ bowelscreen Screening is simple and can be done in the comfort of your bathroom at home. It involves taking a sample of your poo (stool sample) using a home test that is posted to you. You place the sample in a special tube and send it back in a sealed envelope for testing in a laboratory. It looks for blood in your poo. If the amount of blood found in your poo is above the screening limit, you will be referred for a further test called a colonoscopy. Blood can be present for many non-serious reasons. But it could also be an early warning sign of bowel cancer.

Things we can do to reduce our risk of bowel cancer Not all cancers can be prevented, but we can take steps to reduce our risk of bowel cancer: Don’t start smoking. If you are already a smoker, it is never too late to quit. Tobacco is linked to at least 15 types of cancers, including bowel cancer.

The risk of developing a smoking related cancer decreases the sooner you quit. For free HSE support to quit contact your local stop smoking service Quit Mid West on 065 6865841 or visit www.quit.ie Maintain a healthy body weight.

Higher body weight can affect hormone levels and your immune system increasing cancer risk.

Eating a healthy balanced diet, being physically active, getting enough sleep and taking care of your mental health can all help to maintain a healthy body weight.

Avoid alcohol. Any amount of alcohol increases cancer risk. The less you drink, the lower your risk. Visit www.askaboutalcohol.ie to find out how your alcohol affects your health and wallet. If you are living in the Mid West you can contact the HSE Mid West Integrated Alcohol Service on 061-492016 if your drinking is becoming a problem. The team can support you or your loved one to make positive changes around alcohol.

Eat a healthy balanced diet. Eat foods high in fibre such as fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and pulses.

Avoid processed meat (such as salami, chorizo, and hotdogs) as these contain nitrates, which can increase bowel cancer risk. Limit the amount of red meat you eat to no more than 3 portions a week as consuming large amounts can increase risk of bowel cancer.

Be physically active every day.

Any activity is better than none. Being active reduces the risk of

7 cancers, including bowel cancer. Adults should aim for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes to 5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity; or at least 1 hour and 15 minutes to 2 hours and 30 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week. Additional muscle-strengthening activities at moderate or greater intensity that involve all major muscle groups are recommended on 2 or more days a week

NCCP Know Risk Bowel A5 Side 2.pdf

Knowing the signs – finding bowel cancer early We should all be aware of the potential signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.

Treatment options and survival rates are better than ever - especially when bowel cancer is found early. Symptoms of bowel cancer may include: • changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you • needing to poo more or less often than usual for you • blood in your poo, which may look red or black • bleeding from your bottom • tummy pain • feeling a lump anywhere in your tummy • bloating • if you are losing weight for no reason • feeling very tired for no reason • breathlessness You may have 1 or more symptoms. Having these symptoms does not always mean you have bowel cancer. If your symptoms are caused by cancer, finding cancer early may mean it’s easier to treat so call your GP if you notice any of these symptoms.

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26/05/2025

12:30

Know the signs

Find Bowel Cancer Early

Call your GP TODAY if you notice any of the following

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

If you notice anything that is unusual for you, contact your GP today

Visit www.hse.ie/findcancerearly for more information HSE National Cancer Control Programme Print Date: June 2025 Review Date: June 2030 Product Code: HCC01655

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

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Gaelscoil pupils are too siúl for school

by Amy Copley news@clareecho.ie

SCHOOL children and parents in Ennis take pride keeping active and reducing emissions in the morning - with daily walking busses and cycling initiatives growing legs in recent years.

Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg encourages active travel through weekly email communication each week. We recently reported on the pelaton na páistí, a cycle-toschool initiative being facilitated by parents from Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg.

This week, we catch up with Sinéad O’Donoghue, a parent of two children in the school, who set up a walking bus leaving from the Certa forecourt on the Tulla Road each morning.

Reflecting on almost three years of running the walking bus, Sinéad tells The Clare Echo, “When we moved to

l Parents and pupils of Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg who take part in the walking bus from the Tulla Rd

the Tulla Road there was kind of nothing, so, I just said to the teachers I’m going to be walking my kids to

Photo by Chris Copley

school anyway and I think there is a lot of interest.

“I kind of just took it upon myself to put it out there,

and the school put it out there and we’ve had regular people ever since.”

Sinéad explains that the volunteerism from other parents is vital to keep the walking bus up and running.

“We have a rota so a different parent does a different day every week, and then we have a couple of parents as well that can sub in if we are stuck”.

Sinéad continues, “It runs every day regardless of the weather unless it’s a red warning.

“I think the reliability thing is a factor as in, if you are going to do it you have to make sure it runs every day so that people can rely on it.”

When walking with kids on a busy road, safety will always be paramount. Sinéad speaks about how they implement safety measures when walking in the mornings.

“They are all made aware

that the adult in charge is the person they listen to. It’s a big trust thing really but the parents are always very clear to the kids need to listen to the adult. It’s not a massive group and I suppose we are very lucky; there has never been issues.”

The Gaelscoil consistently encourages more sustainable ways to get to school and having the walking bus is just another option for parents and kids to take that greener and healthier option to kickstart their day.

“The school are really positive that we are doing it because they encourage active travel and the parents of the kids that are on it are happy that there is an opportunity for their kids to walk.

“There has been no negative feedback. It has just been another opportunity to encourage kids to use more sustainable modes to get to school”.

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VISIT responsiblerecycling.ie

Sinéad encourages anyone who wants to create their own walking bus to just go for it, “once it is less than 1.2km, in that kind of area, if you have somewhere to congregate and you’ve got some willing volunteers, there’s very little things you need to start off.”

While the health and sustainable aspects of the walking bus are excellent, it also boosts the children’s mood going in to school.

Walking in the morning allows them to become more alert and gets them prepared for sitting inside for the majority of the day.

“I definitely see that the walk gets them ready for the day, it’s a great social outlet at the start of the day.

Sinéad adds, “They’ll be chatting to whoever’s on it, we’ll have a chat with them and they’ll arrive at school ready to go in, in good spirits.”

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

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

Property

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

Property

Lands At Lisheen, Ballynacally, Co. Clare

Ballyillaun, Kilmaley, Ennis, Co. Clare

Main Street, Kildysart Co. Clare

AMV: €150,000

AMV: €100,000

€225,000

DNG O’Sullivan Hurley are delighted to welcome to the market for sale by online auction this land at Lisheen totalling circa 22.7 Acres (9.19H). Online auction to take place on Friday 24th April at 12:00pm (unless sold prior) To register to bid or to review legal documents please use the following link; https:// osullivanhur ley.dngauctions.ie/lot/details/178555 The land is of good quality meadows and grazing situated in the townland of Lisheen, Ballynacally, approximately 10 minutes drive from access to the Ennis Bypass and Ennis Town Centre. Local villages of Ballynacally and Ballyea are all within minutes drive. The land would be of good quality farming land with gated access onto the main Kildysart Rd and the local Lisheen roadway with excellent road frontage and potential for sites in the future if desired, subject to planning permisison.

The land benefits from its own independant supply of electricity and water services on site. The land also comes with the benefit of entitlements included with the sale. There is a holding/loading pen area in place for ease of access off the Kildysart Road.

For Sale By Online Auction to be held on Friday 17th April 2026 at 12pm Please use following link for access to legal pack and to register to bid at auction; https://osullivanhurley.dngauctions.ie/lot/details/177387 DNG O’Sullivan Hurley are delighted to offer this parcel of land for sale by online auction. Totalling circa 20.48acres (8.29H) of land on folio CE17788. The land has official right of way access from local roadway and is located within 2km of the centre of the village of Kilmaley with access to the R474 Miltown to Ennis Roadway. Ennis Town Centre and access to the M18 motorway would be within 10km of the property.

The land has been sparingly farmed over the most recent years utilised for grazing primarily and is divided into a number of different fields with natural boundaries. Adjoining farmland and forestry with a number of one off houses in the immediate area. There are streams bounding the property for water access with no services currently on the property. An old stone built farm shed is situated on the holding.

Sherry FitzGerald McMahon are delighted to present this property. If you are interested, sign up for mySherryFitz to arrange your viewing, see current offers or make your own offer. Register now at SherryFitz.ie.

Situated in the heart of the picturesque village of Kildysart, this deceptively spacious four-bedroom terraced residence offers a wonderful opportunity to acquire a charming home in a prime central location. Positioned directly across from the village church and within walking distance of all local amenities, including primary and secondary schools, shops, and services, the property combines convenience with traditional village living.

Extending to include a substantial two-storey rear extension, the home offers far more accommodation than first meets the eye. The ground floor comprises a welcoming living room, a separate dining room, and a rear spacious modern kitchen overlooking the garden.

Upstairs, there are four generously proportioned bedrooms along with a main family bathroom, providing ample space for growing families or those seeking additional room for home office use.

DNG O’Sullivan Hurley PSR Licence Number: 002295 065) 684 0200

DNG O’Sullivan Hurley PSR Licence Number: 002295 065) 684 0200

Sherry FitzGerald McMahon PSR Licence Number: 001212 065) 686 7866

9 Courtyard Cottages, Ballycuggaran, Ogonnelloe, Killaloe, Co. Clare €180,000 Quinn Property Management are delighted to bring to the market this spacious 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom property located at 9 Courtyard Cottages, Killaloe, Co. Clare.

This well-presented home extends to approximately 115 sq.m and offers bright and well-proportioned accommodation throughout, making it an ideal family home or investment opportunity.

Situated in a quiet and well-maintained development, the property benefits from a convenient location close to Killaloe town centre and all local amenities including schools, shops, and leisure facilities. The property is also within easy reach of the University of Limerick, making it an attractive option for both owner-occupiers and investors.

The ground floor accommodation comprises an inviting foyer, a bright and spacious living area, a fully fitted kitchen, and a generously sized double bedroom with ensuite.

Upstairs, the property offers three further bedrooms, including a master bedroom with ensuite, along with a main family bathroom.

The layout is both practical and comfortable, ideal for modern family living.

Quinn Property Management PSR Licence Number: 001044 065) 682 4343

21

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

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Property

22

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Business & Recruitment

Lahinch Golf Club records operating surplus of €2.5m & green fees to increase to €450

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

AN OPERATING surplus of €2.5m was recorded by Lahinch Golf Club last year on the back of record green fee income.

Lahinch Golf Club’s financial statements for 2025 show that green fee income last year increased by 26 percent from €3.3m to €4.19m. Last year, the club increased green fees to €375 for non-members to play a round of golf at its ‘iconic’ Old Course.

From April 27th to October 16th this year, green fees for non-members is to rise to €450 for a round of golf at the Old Course.

In his report to members chairperson, Brian Hanly said that “2025 has produced another set of strong financial results” with actual figures coming in ahead of budget.

The club’s overall income increased by 20 percent from €5.42m to €6.48m and “this was mainly due to an increase in the green fee rate” that was applied in 2025.

Last year, green fee income of €4.19m was ahead of the projected €3.8m and made up 65 percent of the club’s overall income of €6.48m.

In a bumper year for the golf club, the club golf shop alone generated revenues of €1.62m which is 18 percent ahead of the shop revenues of €1.38m in 2024.

The sales of Lahinch GC branded clothing and accessories and other items including caddy car hire income at €41,195 contributing a gross profit of €878,245 to the club’s finances.

After taking into account non-cash depreciation costs of €1.06m, the golf club recorded a surplus of €1.55m, which was double the surplus of €752,712 in 2024.

2023 US Masters champion and LIV tour member, Jon Rahm won the highly successful Dubai Duty Free Irish Open staged at Lahinch in 2019 which raised the course’s international profile.

US golfers usually make up a sizeable chunk of the green fee income and in his report, Mr Hanly states that the hosting of The Walker Cup at Lahinch on September 5th and 6th next

will result in a loss of green fee revenue of approximately €600,000 for 2026.

Mr Hanly says that “while the green fee has increased in line with all other marquee golf clubs, we are hoping to keep green fee income at around the same level as last year”.

He said that the Lahinch Golf Club “is already looking at the numbers for 2027 and in line with our peer clubs, a further increase in the green fee rate will apply”.

The club is budgeting to generate €4.2m in green fee income this year despite the anticipated €600,000 hit from the hosting of The Walker Cup. Last year members paid €1.26m in subs and Mr Hanly said that “we are looking at allocating more tee times for members while still maintaining the required level of income”.

Mr Hanly states that Lahinch “has one of the highest number of members of any sporting club across the island of Ireland”.

Mr Hanly said that the Old Course last year hosted in excess of 35,000 rounds of golf.

In addition to ordinary subs of €1.26m the golf club also generated €150,000 from Overseas Life Membership.

Construction work on an upgraded club house is nearing completion and Mr Hanly says that “while there is rarely a building project that does not

have some overruns, we are not currently seeing anything of major consequence in this area”.

He said that the aim is that the clubhouse “will be available to members for the May bank holiday weekend”.

At the end of December last, the club’s total funds amounted to €12.32m while its cash funds increased from €3.78m to €4.6m.

The spend on all aspects of the course to-

talled €2.53m in 2025.

Staff costs last year increased from €2.08m to €2.27m.

In his report, Mr Hanly reveals that a ‘Go-Pro Day’ for member, Áine Donegan staged last August at the club “was a great success with members and their guests raising over €80,000 on the day to help Áine in her early years as a Golf professional”.

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

• Administrative Officer Closing date: 12 Noon Thursday 30th April 2026.

Please complete online application form available on www.clarecoco.ie under Careers Section.

Only applications completed online will be accepted.

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

Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.

ADVERTORIAL

Trade Credit Insurance: From optional extra to strategic necessity

By Michael Henchy, Trade Credit Insurance Specialist, Campion Insurance Irish businesses have always operated in a dynamic trading environment, but the level of uncertainty facing companies today is stark.

From persistent late payments and rising insolvencies to major global economic shocks and fragile supply chains, the risk associated with trading on credit has increased. The question is no longer whether these risks exist but whether your business is prepared to handle them.

For many companies, particularly SMEs, trade credit is not a choice but a commercial necessity. This creates risks and exposure. When a key customer delays payment or, worse, becomes insolvent, the consequences can ripple quickly through a business, placing pressure on cash flow, operations and growth plans.

Delayed payments and write-offs erode profitability, limiting capacity for investment, hiring and innovation, increasing the likelihood of operating at a loss, particularly for those without sufficient cash flow. The ripple effects extend across supply chains, amplifying uncertainty and risk. In contrast,

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Equally, there are scenarios where TCI may not be the right fit. For example, where businesses operate on a cash basis, have highly diversified low-risk customer portfolios, or where the cost-benefit balance does not align with their risk exposure. Understanding this difference is critical.

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To consult Michael, call 061 540 128 or email mhenchy@campion.com. Campion Insurances Limited trading as Campion Insurance, PIB Global and Bestquote.ie is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

23

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

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Championship Preview

Rory back in the reckoning as Clare look to maximise momentum

by Páraic McMahon

paraic@clareecho.ie

MOMENTUM is behind the Clare senior hurlers as they prepare to enter the championship arena with Rory Hayes among those pushing strongly for a place in the first fifteen.

An All Star nominee following back to back standout seasons in 2020 and 2021, Rory remained an ever-present member of the Clare defence during their runs to the All-Ireland semi-finals in 2022 and 2023 when Killkenny prevailed by margins of twelve and three points respectively.

Conor Leen’s breakthrough debut season in 2024 came at the expense of the tigerish Wolfe Tones defender but he has remained resolute and determined in his efforts to win back a starting jersey. Based on his league form, Rory is certainly in the reckoning for a place at corner back and rightly so.

Training will determine what players are rewarded with starting berths, he explained. “There’s a lot of players fighting for positions, whoever is performing inside in training sessions will be on the field, we’re seeing that with the likes of Niall O’Farrell who was on today and played an exceptional game at centre back, he is like a man that has been with us for the last five or six years so whoever is performing will be playing”.

Panel depth was proven during Clare’s stint in Division 1B, the twenty nine year old explained. “With the league it was disappointing to be down in Division 1B but there’s good teams in it, we had Dublin, Wexford, really good outfits, we used 37 players during the league, we brought in some really good talented young players and older players,

Rory Hayes

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

they’ve all shown in the league campaign that they are up to it, there is a lot of people fighting for positions this year so it is a really competitive environment, it is a great place to be”.

Facing off with Dublin in the league final was the test Clare needed before beginning the Munster championship, the Shannon man outlined. “In terms of preparation for championship, it was the perfect game”. He added, “Dublin are a really good outfit, Waterford are an exceptional outfit, they have their Ballygunner lads back, they have had them back for the last couple of weeks and we know how good they are and what they bring to the Waterford team, we lost to them in the championship last year, they have been our focus since the league final. We will take it game by game as we always do but the league final was the perfect preparation for it”.

When it came to the 2025 championship, Rory started one game which turned out to be Clare’s only win, a 3-20 0-24 victory over Limerick while he was introduced for the final five minutes against Waterford and after twenty minutes versus Tipperary.

Hayes felt luck didn’t fall Clare’s way last year, “Last year I think we were just unlucky, we lost below in Waterford and we were disappointed with that but Waterford is a really tough place to go. If we got through Munster and into the All-Ireland series I think we would have just been coming good, just the timing was off but we were a bit unlucky, a small bit to do with having injuries at the wrong time of the season. Last year we were unlucky, we have momentum now, we’ll pull that into championship”.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

Diarmuid hopeful of a long championship

by Páraic McMahon

paraic@clareecho.ie

DIARMUID RYAN and the Clare senior hurlers are expecting “a massive battle” to kick off their championship campaign against Waterford but are hopeful of a long year ahead.

With three points from wing back a fortnight ago, all of which came after the fifty fifth minute, Diarmuid’s input helped to see off Dublin’s attempted comeback and send Clare into the championship with the Division 1B Allianz National Hurling League title under their belts.

All-Ireland and Division 1A league champions in 2024, things did not go according to plan in any shape last season as both titles were relinquished as Clare were relegated from the league and failed to get out of Munster.

Performances were not at the required level but Clare were down key personnel with Diarmuid among them.

He only featured for the first sixteen minutes in round one against Cork and the final six minutes versus Limerick in the 2025 championship. It was a hamstring injury that was his undoing for the championship while a foot injury sustained in January saw him miss the entire league run.

Clare’s league final win over Dublin was the primary school teacher’s first outing in seven weeks. He was glad to be back on the field of play. “It’s frustrating because you’d last year and then picking up a few niggles in the middle of

the league. When you get out there, just being in this team, you just want to play every day with the lads around you. They bring the best out of you. Happy enough with how it went. Hopefully, more of the same now in two weeks’ time”.

Not that his league final was going to be the determining factor on whether he would be getting a starting jersey this weekend, with Diarmuid’s value to the side well proven since making his senior debut in 2019, but the competition for places is back to where it should be, he outlined. “We’ve some of the best hurlers in the country, it is an embarrassment of riches with some of the forwards we have, Ian Galvin and Jack O’Neill both came on in the league final and loads more didn’t even see game time, they’re pushing each other in training and we need training to be good before championship, we need that competitive atmosphere because that it was won it for us in 2024 and hopefully that will get us success again this year”.

Watching from the sidelines in Walsh Park last April, the Cratloe man is eagerly awaiting welcoming Waterford to Ennis.

“Waterford coming is going to be a totally different challenge. We know what happened last year. When they came to Ennis two years ago, we got out just by the skin of our teeth. I’m expecting a massive battle, but really, really looking forward to it. It’s just going to come around so quick. It’s probably only four or five sessions and then you’re into it now.

Hopefully, a long year ahead”.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

year ahead in Clare colours

Diarmuid Ryan

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

“

“

We’ve some of the best hurlers in the country

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

Reidy hopeful number thirteen

David Reidy

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

Clare campaign is full of luck

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

DAVID REIDY is gearing up for a thirteenth senior championship campaign with Clare and says the competition for places is as strong as it has ever been within the county side.

Reidy’s versatility, speed and skill makes him a viable option for both the half and full-forward lines in the county side but he is most likely to wear the number eleven jersey as the championship kicks off in earnest this Sunday in Cusack Park.

Opening their campaign in Ennis is a big plus considering the special championship atmospheres that have accompanied Clare in Cusack Park under Brian Lohan’s tutelage. Reidy is eagerly awaiting facing Waterford, “I’m looking forward to it first and foremost, we’ve the first round in Cusack Park with Waterford coming to town, it is going to be a massive occasion, I’m really looking forward to it, we’re in a really good position with the way the league started and how it finished, we took the league in two parts, the last couple of games have been championship intensity, Wexford came to Ennis and needed a result to get promoted so it was a real championship i nt e ns e game, it is

p r e paring us well for the first round in Munster”.

One of the big questions is how big the jump will be for Clare, having competed in Division 1B of the Allianz National Hurling League whereas all of their provincial opponents lined out in the top tier.

“It is very hard to know, we won’t know until Sunday but you look at Waterford who finished the league not so well so will they be saying the same thing, you won’t know until Sunday. When you look at Division 1B of the league, yes we had games where we didn’t need to be at our best to win but when you look at the more competitive games and where they are coming, playing Wexford at the end who needed a result, playing a really good Dublin team who should have beat us the first day and playing that two weeks before championship is the best championship preparation that we could ask for,” David outlined.

With thirty seven players seeing action in the league for Clare, it has created a strong competition to get on the starting team. “It is massive at the moment,” he told The Clare Echo of the battle for places. “If you look at the profile of players used, you have your more experienced players and then you have the more youthful players coming in but they are not just coming in and being part of it, they are really pushing standards day in day out, they are pushing intensity in games and are tackling harder than ever before, they are a real focal point in a full team”.

You have loads of young fellas coming in, you have Diarmuid Stritch, Jack O’Neill, Colm O’Meara, we have so many lads looking for places and they are all putting up their hand, that will only improve the team and that is what we are all there to do, we’re not there to be individual players, we’re there to be team players to improve Clare”.

Having joined the county senior panel in 2014, it has gone by in the blink of an eye that David is one of the more experienced members of the panel. “If you look back and try think of when you first joined the panel it feels like a year or two ago but it is most definitely not that. Your experience changes too and that improves so it is about helping a lad that might need a hand around the shoulder and someone that might need to be told something tactically, that is what I do naturally be it club or county it is something that club that comes natural to me”.

His ability to deal with big occasions is among the personal changes he has experienced over this time. “It changed a small bit in terms of preparation.

When I was starting out in my inter-county career, I might have been nervous, there have been nerves here

or there but you learn how to deal with them and put them at the back of your mind, you learn how to release them, it only comes with experience, you can’t do that overnight. Sport science is constantly changing and you’re progressing with that, if you look back at 2014 and 2015 and the way you prepared a week heading into a game it is completely from then to now, you have to adapt with that now”.

Collectively how preparation is managed stands out as something which has changed over his time with Clare. “The load management more than anything and how individualised it has got. When an individual player has hit certain numbers, they might be told to step out halfway or three quarters of the way through a session compared to before where everyone was doing everything, everyone is different, we all play in different positions and we all need to meet different demands, that is the biggest change in terms of sport science”.

Coming into 2026 after captaining Éire Óg to win a first Clare SHC title since 1990 and their run to the Munster semi-finals, the medical sales rep was given a longer break than normal. “I had a five or six week break, I was able to recharge the batteries and left the hurley out of my hand for the full length of that, when I came back it was full bull coming back and I was really ready to try make an impact coming back. The way I’ve been managed with the break and into the league campaign getting plenty of minutes and getting minutes individualised to myself on how many minutes per game I want to hit and what numbers in terms of running and sprint work, it was all individualised so the way I was managed was top class”.

This tailored programme meant it was agreed he would be taken off after hitting a certain amount of kilometres during his early league appearances. “More so than X amount of running than the minutes. I obviously didn’t hit that number early enough to get called off too early,” he quipped. “It needed to be that way with the way I had the long campaign, the way I was off for five or six weeks, you can’t just go straight into a full seventy minute game, you just end up picking up niggly injuries so it has to be that way. In 2013, it might not have been because it wasn’t so individualised”.

Approaching the eve of yet another championship run in saffron and blue, Reidy says the appetite remains as strong as ever. “If it wasn’t I wouldn’t be here, when the appetite goes you are wasting your time because you need to be at the top of your game to compete at this level”.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

‘First round is most important game

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ROUND one of the Munster hurling championship is one of the most important games of the year, Waterford defender Mark Fitzgerald has stressed.

Both Clare and Waterford will be eying up Sunday’s showdown in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiósóg as a tie to claim a valuable two points in the hugely competitive provincial championship.

Forming a central part of the Déise defence will be Mark Fitzgerald. He said both sides are fully aware of the importance of Sunday’s game in Ennis. “Everyone looks towards their first game, it is one of the most important games of the year. As soon as the league is over that is what the focus goes to and Clare are the exact same and they’re looking forward to a home game

in their home patch, we’re looking forward to it just as much as them”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the twenty two year old said Waterford were embracing the chance the championship atmosphere that will be evident in Ennis but stressed they must bring serious desire and intensity. “If you ask any hurler they will say Ennis is one of the hardest places to go to but that is what you relish when you are playing inter-county hurling and Munster championship hurling is going to away fixtures and you are up against it, your back is up against the wall and hopefully you come out on the right side”.

A qualified teacher, Mark is currently undertaking a masters in project management at the University of Limerick where he has played a central role in UL winning back to back Fitzgib-

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

of the year’ for Clare & Waterford

“

bon Cup titles. “He has an exceptional future because he is an outstanding talent,” UL manager Brian Ryan said of the defender while ex Waterford boss, Michael Ryan described him as a “RollsRoyce of a hurler”.

Waterford have not dwelt on their relegation from the Division 1A of the Allianz National Hurling League, he said. “We wanted to stay up in Division 1A but the league didn’t go our way so we have parked that since the league finished, we’re looking forward to the Munster championship. You do look at your league campaign but it is parked and you begin to knuckle down.

We’ve had five weeks to prepare so we’ve kept the heads down, we’ve been working hard”.

If you ask any hurler they will say Ennis is one of the hardest places to go to

Having made his debut under Davy Fitzgerald, Mark has become one of the leaders for Peter Queally and he’s determined to progress out of Munster. “We’ve been there or thereabouts every year but results haven’t gone our way. Every year our aim is to win the first game

“

and then see where it goes, we want to get out of Munster if not win it”.

On what Queally has brought to the fold, Mark stated, “Peter is a very passionate Waterford man, he has instilled that in us since he’s been there over the last two years, he has a lot of

passion, a lot of want, all he wants to do is win for Waterford and all the players want to do the exact same thing”.

Ballygunner’s recent dominance in winning two All-Ireland club titles since 2022 and four Munster championships since 2021 illustrates the talent that exists within the county and has the capability of inspiring confidence within the county set-up. “What Ballygunner have done is extremely special and is unbelievable for the county, I think they just drive standards for the county and when they come back into the Waterford fold after winning it all they do is add professionalism and add want, workrate and competition to the group”.

Waterford’s Mark Fitzgerald

Photo by David Fitzgerald / Sportsfile

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Sport

Clare’s relentless second-half surge secures Division 1B title

Clare Camogie heralds the return of the Mc

by Eoin Brennan

Joint captains Abby Walsh and Clare Hehir Photo by Dave Ribeiro / Inpho

by Eoin Brennan CLARE Senior Camogie manager Eugene Foudy hailed his side’s determination, work-rate and collective effort after they secured a national title with victory over Dublin in the Division 1B final at Nowlan Park.

“It’s huge for Clare to win today and claim a national title. It was our aim from when we started back last November to get back to the 1B final and when we went in at half-time today, we made a pact that we weren’t going to leave Nowlan Park without the cup.

“We vowed to up our work-rate to make sure that Dublin knew they were in a battle and we knew that if we did, chances would come.

And they did because we got three goals to really top off a great second-half display.

“We had put in a serious shift in the first half against that wind but we also knew that Dublin were going to do the exact same to us in the second half. They were going to equally put us under pressure but when you have the quality of the likes of Lorna McNamara, a huge asset for

the county who hasn’t played properly for three years or more, leaders like that up front were the big difference.

“The likes of Roisin Begley and Aine O’Loughlin too, what a super player to come in and cause havoc around the square alongside Ellen Casey. I could keep naming them all but what a huge collective effort everyone gave out there, so I’m very proud of each and every one of them.

“To pick a starting team for this final was so, so difficult. There had to be marginal calls made on some girls but you can’t play everyone. We knew we had the work done as the commitment the whole panel has given since last November in the gym and running in Lee’s Road has been exceptional, and the torture that Darragh Moloney and Trevor Slattery have put them through has been immense.

“But all that was worth it today as you could see from the fitness and physicality of the girls. I mean the battleground in the middle third, especially in the first half, was absolutely savage but we were able to stand up to that. And that has been

the difference this year — girls have been able to ship those tackles, still get in the hooks and blocks and go again.

“We’re looking forward to going back up to Division 1A next year and judging ourselves against the best as it’s only by playing better teams on a regular basis that you can learn and develop as a team.

“To have any silverware is effectively a monkey off the squad’s back.

Our job would have been so difficult had we not won here today to try and rebuild them as we had a lot of work done. At least now, to have put that slog in and gotten the rewards justifies the means and hopefully will be a stepping stone for this team for the rest of the season.”

Eugene Foudy, Clare Senior Camogie Manager.

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

FROM the utter frustration of missing Clare’s last two All-Ireland Senior Championship campaigns through injury to the sheer elation of capping off a glorious return with a Player-of-the-Match award, Sunday’s National Camogie League Final was a fitting redemption song for Lorna McNamara.

Easily Clare’s most influential player throughout an unbeaten Division 1B campaign, the Feakle-Killanena star was almost like a new player for the flagship side, who remained unbeaten in a seven-match campaign to garner their first National Camogie League triumph in 18 years.

“It’s great, it’s just an unbelievable feeling. Look, it’s not too often in Clare that we get to bring home the trophy so we’re delighted with the outcome really today.

“The opportunity to play on unique days like this is special regardless of the result though. I’ve missed out a lot with UL and this past year or two with Clare so I really appreciate days like today and I’m delighted that we were able to make the most of it.”

McNamara certainly made the most of her reintroduction as she played in all the major battles against Dublin (twice), Wexford and Limerick, racking up a handsome 5-26 in just four matches, an enviable average of 1-7 per game.

However, modesty prevented her from basking in her superb brace of opportunist second-half goals that turned the tide in Clare’s favour.

“The first one I don’t know if I knocked it in or did they [goalkeeper and defender] but either way it crossed the line and that was the main thing. The second one I had been waiting for as I knew that they liked to pass across the backline a lot so I was ready to pounce and thankfully hit the net.”

Those goals, along with a late third for substitute Aine O’Loughlin, were all required as a stubborn Dublin refused to lower their heads at any stage.

Lorna McNamara

“We knew it was going to be a battle and it turned out that way.

We drew with them in the first round and they are a very physical side but we were ready for that. We backed ourselves and brought a serious intensity to the first half against the conditions and we knew that Dublin would try and do the same to us in the second half but we managed to cope with it well.

So what can silverware do for this group as they move swiftly

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

into Munster Senior Championship action against Waterford this Saturday in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg (2pm).

“It’s a huge boost. This was one of our goals from the start of the year so I definitely think we can push on from here.

“Confidence comes from winning matches and this league campaign has been great for that and we’re ready to go for the championship now.”

Scariff & Kilmaley lead the way in Clare Cup

CLARE V DUBLIN NATIONAL CAMOGIE LEAGUE DIVISION 1B FINAL Clare 3-11 Dublin 0-17 Venue: At UPMC Nowlan Park , Kilkenny Compiled by Eoin Brennan

STORY OF THE GAME CLARE Frees For: 14 (10/4) Wides: 6 (5/1) Scores from Play: 3-8 Spread of Scorers: 6 Top Scorer: Lorna McNamara (2-6) Yellow Cards: None Own Puck-Outs won: 15 from 19 (79%)

DUBLIN Frees For: 10 (3/7) Wides: 3 (3/0) Scores from Play: 0-12 Spread of Scorers: 6 Top Scorer: Aisling Maher (0-8) Yellow Cards: None Own Puck-Outs won: 14 from 20 (70%)

SCAN HERE FOR CUP REPORT

Sixmilebridge’s Jack O’Halloran holds onto possession Photo by Joe Buckley

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

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Sport

Minor footballers “dug deep” to seal progress to next phase

by Seamus Hayes SPEAKING after his charges had sealed progress to phase 2 of the Munster Minor Football Championship with victory over Tipperary on Monday evening, Clare manager Joe Hayes said: “Every year the goal is to finish in the top two, and this is the first year of phase 2 and the Daryl Darcy final thrown into the middle of it. Look, we scraped through with two wins out of three. It’s the way we have got there in the last two years as well with two wins out of three, but this year it was much tighter I suppose.”

The Lissycasey clubman went on to say: “Two years ago Tipperary and ourselves were through playing the last game, last year we were more or less through going into the last game.

This year it was a different kettle of fish, a different experience.”

Continuing he said: “From the black card this evening we lost everything — our shape, kickouts — and two of our full backline got injured. The boys dug deep for the last few minutes and we needed them to. We have needed that in the last two games; we have held out. Today was different as we held out by ourselves. We turned them over and got the ball upfield; last week we were depending on a missed free by Limerick.

The manager was happy with the character shown by his charges. “They are an honest bunch, an awful good group. All I ask every day is to be the best version of themselves and to do their best. Were we at our best in the

second half this evening? Far from it.

I’m not saying they didn’t try their best, but we totally lost our shape for 20 minutes and we have to work on that now.”

“We are aiming to improve every day, and a couple of individuals are.

We have 35 on the panel and you can’t keep everyone happy and it’s tough.

There are a few lads not getting any game and you try and release them back to their clubs here and there to keep them as sharp as you can. It’s a tough couple of weeks for them, but there is no complaining — they come in every night and do their best for the group,” the manager explained.

Reflecting on the competition format, he said: “It’s a kick of the ball every year with the four teams (Clare, Limerick, Waterford and Tipperary) in the phase 1 group. Our goal every year is to improve the standard of football in the county. We have another three weeks bought now — three tough weeks. Our injuries are mounting up. Michael Normoyle lost out just before the game this evening, a big loss, but Thomas Dillon came in and came away with 1-1 from play, a really good point. I would have been nailing Stevie (O’Neill) for not hand-passing the ball over the bar at the end, as he was told to, but Dillon saved him.”

Concluding, Hayes said: “We now have another three games in a Clare jersey and a final thrown into the middle. We will go and do our best and after that go into whatever All-Ireland competition we qualify for.

CLARE VS TIPP

Joe Hayes Photo by Gerard O’Neill

MUNSTER MFC PHASE 1 RND 3: Clare 2-8 Tipperary 2-6 Venue: Clarecastle Compiled by Seamus Hayes

STORY OF THE GAME CLARE Frees For; 8 (3/5) Wides;- 6 (1/5) Scores from play; 2-3 Spread of scorers; 3 Own kickouts won; 7 out of 11 Bookings; Tristan O’Loughlin (black card, 38) TIPPERARY Frees For; 8 (2/6) Wides;- 3 (1/2) Scores from play; 1-4 Spread of scorers; 5 Own kickouts won; 9 out of 14; Bookings; None

Coughlan hails Clare U-20 spirit after pulsating draw with Cork

by Eoin Brennan CLARE Under-20 manager Dermot Coughlan praised his side’s determination and attitude after they remained unbeaten following a pulsating encounter with Cork, insisting his players continue to rise to the challenge of top-level opposition.

“It was pulsating, wasn’t it? Even the lads inside in the huddle just now, they’re actually disappointed. But that’s their mentality — they’re disappointed not to have won the game in the end, but I must say as a management team, you couldn’t be prouder.

“I mean they fought for every ball right to the end so they left it all out there on the field, so I can’t say enough about them. They’re all tremendous guys.

“So that they’re disappointed at the final whistle says it all about them as they wanted to win tonight. But look, we’re still undefeated and that’s the bottom line really. Playing the Corks and Kerrys of this world, when you can come and perform against them, then you’re very much on the right track. It shows that the players

are listening and are very attentive to the game plan. We did have a few wides towards the end but so what — so did Cork. I mean, you see some of the scores Clare scored tonight, they were fantastic, so not every shot is going to go over, but one thing we don’t do is stop lads from having a go.

“It was a tricky breeze to negotiate really. Maybe inside in the stand it might have looked a lot simpler than it was, but even with it, it takes a fair effort to put one over the bar from distance. Cork, to be fair, brought everyone they could back to try and snuff us out towards the end so it was hard to get shots off.

“They had Cork seniors out there today, so that’s the level you’re playing at. Look, what it’s going to do for these lads to be playing at this level is huge too. Collectively the boys were brilliant tonight. We had the likes of Colm Breen coming into the game with an injury and his knee was heavily strapped, but he fought it out until the last ten minutes, so that’s the kind of spirit and determination that courses through this team and we’re all very proud of them tonight, that’s

for certain.

“There were some huge performances out there. Diarmuid Boyle was inspirational, both in the fullback line and also at number six when we brought him out there in the last ten minutes. He knows when to push, when to sit and when to attack and is a big player for us.

“We’ve Waterford next back here next Thursday and that’s going to be another tricky assignment. I was talking to the Waterford manager and he felt that they didn’t perform against us. It had been a tough week for us with the loss of Jack [Boddy] and we went down to Lemybrien and got a result, but you can be sure that they will be gunning to right that wrong. So we had to reset quickly and do the same against them next Thursday. We’ve got to be up for it from the start and maintain our standards — that’s the beauty of inter-county football.”

CLARE V CORK MUNSTER UNDER 20 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PHASE 2 ROUND 1 Clare 1-10 Cork 1-10 Venue: Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty Compiled by Eoin Brennan

STORY OF THE GAME CLARE Frees For: 28 (12/16) Wides: 8 (4/4) Scores from Play: 1-3 Spread of Scorers: 5 Top Scorer: Sean Fennell (0-6) Yellow Cards: Donncha O’Dwyer (34), Daniel Brody (47) Own Kick-Outs won: 9 from 17 (53%)

CORK Frees For: 13 (7/6) Wides: 7 (4/3) Scores from Play: 1-8 Spread of Scorers: 4 Top Scorer: Danny Miskella (1-3) Yellow Cards: Sean Connolly (21), Dara Sheedy (49), Odhran Foley (59) Own Kick-Outs won: 12 from 16 (75%)

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Sport

U21 trophy to be renamed in memory of Éanna Rouine

by Seamus Hayes

WINNERS of Clare GAA’s U21 football championship will be presented with a new trophy this year, which is to be renamed the Éanna Rouine Memorial Trophy.

The April meeting of Clare GAA took place on Tuesday evening at Clareabbey, when issues discussed included regulations for the upcoming club championships, a new strategic plan, isolated player requests, developments at Caherlohan, Scór, handball, and the timeframe for the integration of camogie, ladies football and the GAA. Remembering Éanna: The 2026 winners of the Clare Under-21 A football championship will become the first holders of the Éanna Rouine Memorial Trophy.

In a letter to this week’s Clare GAA meeting, the Ennistymon club informed Clare GAA of their wish to remember the late Éanna by presenting the cup, pointing out that he was a member of their title-winning teams in 2022 and 2023, and that he would have been part of their 2025 squad. His teammates honoured his memory by winning that title.

The letter went on to say that the club had been in discussions with the St Joseph’s Miltown club regarding this proposal. Currently, the Under-21 A winners receive the John Marrinan Memorial Cup, presented in memory of the Miltown Malbay man who died in a road accident in the 1970s.

The letter pointed out that Miltown were in agreement with the Ennistymon proposal.

Ennistymon further proposed that, in the event of their request being accepted by the board, the John Marrinan Cup would be returned to St Joseph’s Miltown to be displayed in their refurbished clubhouse.

Board chairman Kieran Keating supported the request, which was unanimously accepted.

Strategic plan: A survey launching a new strategic plan is being sent to all clubs in the county this week, with clubs asked to return completed questionnaires by May 26.

Pleading with clubs to complete the survey, Paddy Smyth also informed the meeting that the youth committee elected last year will present the findings of their survey, which was carried out with pupils in the post-primary schools in the county, at the May meeting.

Isolated players: Chairman Kieran Keating informed the delegates that he is going to seek a better way to deal with isolated player requests and plans to have a proposal with the board before the end of the year.

“We need to improve the system as, currently, there is a lot of work involved for Coiste na nÓg and for the CCC. I will be looking at finding a system which will make this as simple as possible. The majority of players involved here go to the same clubs and I will seek to find a way where they will not have to be applying on an annual basis,” he told the meeting.

Earlier, fixtures secretary Deirdre Chapin told the meet-

ing that 344 adult and 594 underage isolated player applications had been sanctioned this year. She added that O’Callaghan’s Mills had withdrawn from the Under-15/Under-17 football competitions and permission had been given to their players at this level to assist a number of clubs.

Re-grading: Inagh/Kilnamona were given permission for a bulk regrade so that they can enter a team at Junior C level. The list of players they are seeking to re-grade had been submitted to the board in advance of the March 31 deadline.

Championship draws: The draws for the adult hurling and football championships from Junior A through to senior level will take place at Clareabbey on Tuesday evening next, April 21.

Draws for the lower adult grades are unlikely to take place until a later meeting, with chairman Kieran Keating explaining that some clubs competing at this level in the leagues may find that they do not have enough players for the championship.

Currently, seventeen teams have entered for the Junior C championship, resulting in the CCC deciding to have a Junior D championship. Ten of the seventeen will compete in two groups of five for the C title, with the remaining seven teams competing for the D title.

Finance matters: A Clare GAA app is being launched this week which will provide information on fixtures, teams and board activities.

A monthly draw is also be-

in this and the duty is on us to facilitate this,” according to Clare chairman Kieran Keating.

Clarecastle’s Tommy Guilfoyle said: “The Clarecastle club is a one club for all for a long time and there are no complications except for the use of dressing rooms.”

Tickets: Head of operations Ann Marie Moran asked delegates to inform their members that when they get their codes for tickets, they should access them straight away.

She went on to say: “There will be a big drop in the number of tickets available for the Limerick game,” before adding that extra tickets had become available for Sunday’s game against Waterford as the Déise board had returned tickets.

ing launched this weekend, treasurer Cathal Kilmartin told the meeting. “There will be monthly draws and it will cost €100 for twelve months,” he told the delegates.

According to chairman Kieran Keating, it will be “the Banner Bonanza” and is being launched to help cover costs associated with developments at Caherlohan.

The chairman went on to say that “we will need to have another win-a-house draw at the end of the year.”

Scór na bPáistí: Irish officer Leah Talty told the meeting that Scór na bPáistí competitions will

take place on April 28 at Cois na hAbhna and on May 8 at Teach Cheoil in Kilrush.

Integration: Reporting on plans for the integration of ladies football, camogie and the GAA, Liam O’Reilly said that, according to a document presented last week, a special congress should take place at the end of the year to progress this, but the view of the integration committee is that this timeline is too tight.

Central Council delegate Robert Frost said the view of the Central Council committee was similar.

“We need to be proactive

Celtic Challenge: Vice-chairman Michael O’Connor spoke of Clare’s participation in the Celtic Challenge Under-17 hurling competition.

“This is a huge asset. When the Clare minors were playing Tipperary in the championship, there were two playing in the Celtic Challenge the same weekend, which means that up to one hundred players were getting games at this level. A similar type competition would benefit Clare football and there are rumblings that such an opportunity will be available shortly,” he said.

May meeting: The May meeting of Clare GAA is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12th.

Ennis edge Tralee in thrilling 12-Try Semi-Final to reach Junior Plate Final

by Dearbhla Parry ENNIS welcomed Tralee RFC to Drumbiggle for the semi-final of the Junior Plate, which resulted in a victorious 41 – 31 score for the home team.

Tralee kicked off on the attack, while strong defence by Ennis kept them out. With interceptions from Osgar O’Gorman and breaks out of defence by Calum Barrett and Seanie Keane, 15 minutes in, Ennis started to make ground into Tralee’s half. Ennis then won a scrum five metres out in front of Tralee posts. Seán McDonagh broke off the back of the scrum, passed to Barrett and then Jarlath Collins to score the first try, converted by Barrett for a 7 - 0 score to Ennis.

26 minutes in, Tralee scored their first converted try from a lineout in Ennis’ 22 and 30 minutes into the game, they scored a penalty, resulting in 10 - 7. Tralee scored their 2nd converted try in the last play of the half to take a 17 - 7 lead.

Ennis claimed their kick-off at the start of the second half, following several phases. Ennis won a penalty after Tralee went offside. The home

team kicked to the line, but Ennis’ Jack Dillon and Stephen Dolan were both stopped short before Conan McGonigle scored the try, converted

by Barrett for 17 - 14 to Tralee.

Ennis cleared their lines from Tralee’s kick-off, making ground midway into Tralee’s half. Tralee, however, knocked on under pressure and Ennis were awarded a scrum in the middle of their opponent’s half. They made numerous carries across the pitch and onto Colm Killeen on the left wing, who then broke the tackle to score in the corner, giving Ennis a 19- 17 lead.

20 minutes into the second half, the ball came out through the backs, with Ennis’ Conor Byrne making ground into the Tralee half. He passed to Barrett, who was tackled five metres out, and Barrett offloaded to Seanie Keane to score the try in the corner, 24 - 17 to Ennis.

Tralee scored their third converted try 29 minutes into the second half to draw the game level with a 24 – 24 score. Byrne gathered a clearance just inside Tralee’s half and ran towards the middle of the pitch. He offloaded to Barrett, who jinxed through

to Tralee’s 22, and passed to Dillon and then Colm Killeen, breaking two tackles to score his second try of the match, 29 - 24 to Ennis.

Ennis claimed Tralee’s kick-off with Brendan Keane kicking a massive clearing kick from outside his 22, giving a 50/22 for Ennis. Ennis won a penalty from the resulting lineout, and after many phases across the pitch, Joey Keane scored the try, converted by Byrne for 36 - 24 to En-

nis.

A great choke tackle in the middle of the field by Cormac Browne and McGonigle turned over the ball for an Ennis scrum. However, the ball was kicked over the dead-ball line with Ennis on the attack. After Tralee kicked through on the attack, Barrett kicked back and won the lineout with a 50/22. Ennis lost the lineout but won a penalty in the next ruck. Ennis then kicked to the line and Dolan

scored a try after breaking away from the maul, 41 - 24 to Ennis.

Tralee claimed their kick-off and won a scrum. They went through the phases and scored a converted try with the last play for a final score of 41 - 31 to Ennis.

The Ennis Senior 1st XV team will play Clonmel in the Junior Plate final next weekend.

35

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

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Sport

Christy Moylan wins Tradaree cup at Shannon

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

THE men’s competition at Shannon last week was for the Tradaree cup, sponsored by New Gen Transport Ltd. The winner was Christy Moylan (10) with 68 from James Morrissey (14) with 72.

In third spot, also with 72, was Aaron Costello (11) followed by Andrew Moloney (14) with 73, David Ryan (10) with 73 and Thomas J. McMahon (15) with 73.

Alan Dempsey (5) won the gross with 78 Category A was won by Enda Kelly (8) with 73 from Stephen Pearse (8) with 74.

Michael Sweeney (10) won category B with 73 from Ian O’Neill (9), also with 74 while category C was won by Michael Walsh (22) with 74 from Austsin Hallahan (19) with 75.

ENNIS The annual Dr. Rodgers shield, a team of four competition, was played for at Ennis last week when the winners were Leo Herbert (13), Ger Donohue (14), Mark Geraghty (8) and Derek Healy (9) with 84 points. They won by two from John M Lillis (17), Liam McCannon (16), David Pender (10) and Joe Carmody (16). In third pace with 80 points were Flan Downes (10), Barry Lee (16), Michael Clancy (26) and Mark O’Brien (15) followed by Della Burns (21), Anna Marie

Darmody (27), Mary Lenihan (15) and Keith Lenihan (15) with 79 points The captains’ (Noel Pilkington and Mary T. McMahon) mixed fourball, sponsored by PS Construction, Kilmaley was won by Bridget Hoey and Michael M Vaughan (22) with31 points from Maeve Hoey and Barry Vaughan (25) with 27 points. In third place, also with 27 points, were Martina Corbett and Vincent Corbett (23).

The gross was won by Mary Nagle and Ronan Herbert with 19 points.

Last week’s senior adies scrambe was won by Martina Corbett, Ada McMahon, Claire Kennelly and Ann Keogh with 49.5 from Kathleen Frehill, Margaret Flanaga and, Kathleen Pyne with 49.9. In third place with 50.2 were Mary Kearns, Eileen Holly, Phil Butler and Judith Brassil..

The ladies 17 hole singles strokeplay competition was won by Josephine Tone (35) with 63 nett from Mary Lenihan (17) with 65 nett Peg Hanrahan (17) won division 1 with 69 nett, Mary Nagle (25) won division 2 with 67 nett while Kathleen Frehill (42) won division 3 with 73 nett.

The overall winner in the ladies 8 hole singles was Geraldine O’Mahoney (17) with 17 points. Division 1 was won by Clare Ruane (12) with 14 points, division 2 by

Margaret Flanagan (18) with 16 points and division 3 by Claire Kennelly (22) with 13 points.

Last week’s senior men’s competition was a team of 4 modified scramble which was won by Tony Lawler, Steve Burns, Joe O Brien and Ferdie O Donoghue with 67 points.

They won by four from Vincent Corbett, Kieran Patton, Ger O Brien and, Tommy Heath with third place filled by Ger O Briem (Bus), Michael Kerin, Neil Cremin and Seamus Hanrahan with 62 points. They were followed on 61 points by Ollie O Loughlin, Michael Sharkey, Gerry Fitzmaurice and Jimmy Kearns. In fifth place with 60 points were Pat G McInerney, Tom Gallery, Des Ryan and Pat Garry followed by Cyril Lyons, Willie Donnellan, Eugene Quinn and Dave Boylan also with 60 points DROMOLAND CASTLE Siobhan Dyar with 34 points won the ladies 18 hole stableford competition at Dromoland at the weekend.

She won on a countback from Dorothy Brennan with third place filled by Linda Kochhar with 32 points Cathy Casey with 18 points won the 9 hole competition from Aislinn Keogh with 17 points The weekend’s men’s competition was won by John O’Neill with 38 points from Derek Ryan with 37 with third place filled by Evan O’Mara

with 34. The gross was won by Cillian O’Connor with 35 points WOODSTOCK Mary Gleeson won the ladies 18 hole stableford competition at Woodstock with 37 points.

In the men’s club singles the winner was Frank McEnery (12) with 41 points while the gross was won by Ross Darmody (3) with 31 points Category 1 (+ to 8) was won

by Ken Horgan (6) with 37 points, category 2 (9 to 15) was won by Joe Barry (9) 39 points with category 3 (16+) honours went to Sean Murphy (16) with 30 points.

Winners in the 2’s competition were Ron Horgan (7th & 14th), Vinny McInerney (8th) and David White (11th).

There will be another club singles this weekend EAST CLARE The ladies Wednesday competition at East Clare was won by:Mary Hogan, Mary Farrell, Margaret Lynch and Helen Downey from Mary Stritch, Brid Hayes and Mairead O’Shea with third place filled

by Margaret O’Brien, Pauline Nugent, Marie A. Kelly and Breda O’ Loghlin, Last week’s senior men’s competition was won by Ger Hogan, Donal Fleming and Joe Fitzgerald from Danny Minogue, Tadhg Murphy and Michael Hayes with third place filled by Ger Shortt, Stephen Lynch and Dominic Stuart.

KILRUSH

The competition at Kilrush at the weekend was the Bank Of Ireland 12 hole open singles which was won by John Robinson (19) with 30 points.

He won by two from Tony McMahon (10)with Thomas Coffey (7) in third place with 27 points. Michael Miniter won the gross, SPANISH POINT The weekly ladies competition at Spanish Point last week was an 18 hole singles stroke which was won by Mary McNamara with a nett 69. She won by two from Yvonne O’Keeffe with Eimear Johnston third with a nett 72 followed by Katherine O’Connor also with a nett 72 GORT The Giblin Financial Services 18 hole men’s stableford competition at Gort at the weekend was won by David McAllen (18) with 39 points.

The gross was won by PJ McAllen (2) with 29 points.

In last week’s ladies 18 hole singles stableford competition, sponsored by O’Loughlin Butchers, Hannah McInerney (6) won category 1 with 40 points. Category 2 was won by Sinead O Connor (23) with 36 points, category 3 by Tracey Brennan (29) with 30 points and category 4 by Margaret Coleman (45) with 39 points The Monday open singles was won Anne O Connor (54) with 43 points. In second place with 35 points was Aileen

Walsh (38) with third spot filled

by Siobhan Forde (10) with a similar score.

All set at Limerik for the final of con & Anne Kirby

by Michael Maher

ALL roads lead to Limerick Greyhound Track on this Saturday night for the Final of the Con & Anne Kirby Sweepstake worth €80,000 to the winner.Bockos Gold and Ballymac Setanta produced two exceptional displays in last Saturdays night’s semi-finals, but the trap draw for the final looks to have presented more questions than answers.

The market reflects that uncertainty, with both runners installed as joint 7/4 favourites.

BOYLE Sports were quick to price up the decider and could not split the pair at the head of the betting. UK challenger Bouncing Monarch appears to have come out best in the draw and looks attractively priced at 11/4, while litter brother Beanos Yank is next in at 8/1. Ballycowen Frank (12/1) and Jaykay Fly (33/1) make up the field, though both appear to have been dealt a particularly tough hand by the draw.

While the Final of the Con & Annie Kirby will take centre stage there will be no shortage of quality on the undercard, with the Finals of the Sean O’Connor Memorial A1 525 and the Limerick & Clare GOBA A2 525 .

This year’s renewal of the Sean O’Connor Memorial has been of a notably high standard, and that was again underlined by two impres-

sive semi-final performances, headed by Brickhill Moana, who dipped under 28.30 for Clare natives John Collins,and Albert Long and trained by Vincent McKenna. A thirdplace finisher in the opening round, she has clearly benefitted from her return to Limerick, delivering a dominant display. Drawn in trap four, the 5/1 chance broke sharply to open up a three-length advantage over Tinahue Pappone on the run-up. Entering the back straight, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Twentylittletoes maintained a relentless gallop, extending her lead further as trouble behind hampered her nearest rival. With the race effectively over, Brickhill Moana powered home to score by an emphatic nine lengths, with Boozed Bonnie finishing second and Kilcolgan John third. The winning time was a rapid 28.27.The final of the Paul McKenna Memorial A5 525 Stake was the feature contest in Friday nights card at Galway Greyhound Stadium As the runners headed to traps for the Final of the Paul McKenna Memorial Stake Magical Be Nifty was referred by punters at a shade of odds on and she hit the lids well showing good pace to lead from Flyers Penny and Grangeview Icon as they raced towards the opening bend . At the turn Magical Be Nifty maintained a middle route as she led round but on entering the back straight the Colm

Fitzgerald of Kilrush trained Flyers Penny was now on terms on her inside and looking a big threat . Racing down towards halfway the Flyers Racing Syndicate owned Flyers Penny was now hitting top stride and approaching the penultimate corner the daughter of Sigent Ace & Pennylane Sheba moved two lengths clear of her rival. Off the home bend the leader drifted slightly wide but she was home for all money scoring by one length from Magical Be Nifty in 29.14.

In the first Semi Final of the Avenue Queen A3 Stake Jasmine Coco trapped really well from her trap five berth to lead her rivals headed by Bosra Bono and Drombeg King by over two lengths rounding the opening bend.

Turning down the back the Cian Mulrooney owned daughter of Ballyhimikin Jet & Wishful Ali which is also part owned by former Mayo Senior Hurling Goalkeeper Gerard Hogan and his understudy James Glynn really began to leave her rivals toiling in her wake and as she approached the third bend the Colm Fitzgerald of Kilrush trained lady was in complete control as she skipped round the final two bends all alone on her way to a four and a half length success over Drombeg King in a career best 28.91 to complete a double for her very in form trainer .

In the second Semi Final of the Galway

Unraced N3 Stake Cascade Thor just about headed his rivals from traps in the wide outside and racing towards the opening bend the Jack Browne owned son of Dromana Bucko & Cascade Phantom really lengthened his stride to lead round from Caislean Mia along the inside as Lissatouk Robbie who had been hampered early doors closed on the pair rounding the bend . Turning for home though the John Browne of Ballyea trained Cascade Thor was in command as he stayed on well to defeat Caislean Mia by two lengths in 19.47.

The feature contest on Saturday night card at Galway Greyhound Stadium was the concluding A4 graded 550 yards contest , The opening contest of the night was an S7 graded sprint and as the trap rose Ethans Choice on the wide outside and Clonfeigh Jetty towards the inner were both away well and as they settled down it was the John Maher of Kilmaley and Noel Coote of Ballyea owned Clonfeigh Jetty that showed the best early pace to open up a two length advantage over her rivals at the opening bend. Rounding the bend the leader railed well as Springwell Jax made ground to move into second place but on straightening for home Clonfeigh Jetty(Dromana Bucko-Tiermana Jetty) eased away to defeat Springwell Jax by three lengths in 19.63.

36

Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

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Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

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Plannings

Prayer Three Day Novena Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven.

Oh, Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.

Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother.

Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity.

(Mention your request here) There are none that can withstand your power.

Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (say three times).

Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (say three times). Amen

Three Day Novena Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven.

Oh, Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.

Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother.

Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity.

(Mention your request here) There are none that can withstand your power.

Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (say three times).

Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (say three times). Amen

Three Day Novena Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven.

Oh, Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.

Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother.

Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity.

(Mention your request here) There are none that can withstand your power.

Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (say three times).

Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (say three times). Amen

NH

G.S

V.H

PLANNING CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLYMURPHY, KILFENORA, CO CLARE. V95 HA25 Take notice that Sheila Griffey intends to apply for permission to build a new 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 CRONAGORT, DOOLIN, CO CLARE. V95 VN0K Take notice that Patrick Connaghan intends to apply for permission to retain the extension and alterations to the ancillary residential unit 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. FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS Planning Reference: P25/369, Permission to build a new dwelling, create a new entrance onto the public road, connect to public services and all associated and ancillary site works at the above address. A Natura Impact Statement was prepared and submitted

along with the planning application. At Lahinch Road, Ennistymon, Co Clare. Take notice that Anna and Paul Ralph have lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P25/369. 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 Dept., 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 the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL I, Marian Frawley, am applying to the above authority for permission for the following development on property at Knockbrack Lower, Clonlara, Co Clare, V94R59D: Demolition of existing detached dwelling owing to building condemnation and replacement with new single storey dwelling, connection to necessary services together with all associated incidental ancillary and site works.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL IRAGH, O’CALLAGHAN’S MILLS, CO CLARE Take notice that Padraig Hickey intends to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct an extension to the rear of an existing derelict dwelling house along with alterations/ renovations to the existing house and to construct a domestic garage complete with ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL COOLMEEN, LABASHEEDA, CO. CLARE Take notice that Ben Cleary & Helena Coffey intend to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct a new dwelling house and garage complete with a new entrance, wastewater treatment system and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL. Take note that Claire Greene

intends to apply to Clare County Council for planning retention permission to retain an existing garage and an existing extension together with associated site and ancillary works at Doonmore, Doonbeg, Kilrush, 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 Clare County Council during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee within a period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt of the application by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL Take notice that Brian McNamara intends to apply to Clare County Council for planning permission for the construction of a single storey dwelling house, site entrance, detatched boiler house, on-site wastewater treatment system and all ancillary site works at Woodeld, Broadford, Co. Clare. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the o ces of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLINRUAN, CRUSHEEN, CO CLARE, V95 E5D4 Take notice that David Moloney intends to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct an extension to the rear of an existing derelict dwelling house along with alterations/ renovations to the existing house and a new wastewater treatment system along with ancillary works at the

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CRAGLEAGH, BUSYYPARK, ENNIS, CO CLARE Take notice that Billy O’Sullivan intends to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct an extension to the side of an existing derelict dwelling house along with alterations/ renovations to the existing house, to construct a domestic garage, a new entrance and a new wastewater treatment system along with ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE CO. COUNCIL LISDUFF, NEWMARKET ON FERGUS Take notice that John Hannon intends to apply for permission for development, the development consists of the construction of a slatted unit and associated site works at the above address.

The planning application

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

A Natura Impact Statement will be available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy during office hours at the office of the relevant planning authority CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KILMACDUANE, COORACLARE Take notice that M. & M. Tubridy intend to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to construct new silage slab and to revise floor plans, roof design & elevations of Ref No P25/60282 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 planning 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.

38

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

News 45

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Dec 14, 2023

Puzzle

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THIS WEEKS PUZZLES APR 16th

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES Dec 14

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU

8/13/2020

MEDIUM

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How to play

Linden

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 requires no guesswork.

ANSWERS 8

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1

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8

2

4

1

Larch

2

5

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4

6

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2

2

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7

7

9

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8

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The Clare Echo Crossword 1

2

3

8

4

5

11

12

13

14

15

16

18

19

20

21

23

(6)

7

9

10

17

6

22

24

ACROSS

1.Counting-frame (6) 4.Give a sermon (6) 8.Fencer’s weapon (5) 9.Naval rank (7) 10.Globes (7) 11.Meeting place (5) 12.Revoked (9) 17.Exterior (5) 19.Everywhere (3,4) 21.Trig ratio (7) 22.Ether (anag) (5) 23.One who dies for a cause (6) 24.Blood vessel (6)

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39

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 16, 2026

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Quiz

The Clare Echo Quiz

To whom is there a holy well dedicated to in Liscannor?

St. Joseph St. John St. Bridget

How many people live in Liscannor according to the last census?

422 225 374

What is one thing Liscannor is famous for?

Roads Flagstone Horticulture

How far did The Shore Wall Art Project in Clahane stretch?

100m 150m 200m

What is the name of the pub in Liscannor that has a famous song written about it ?

Joseph McHugh’s O’Briens Vaughans

8 What is the name of the woman who started The Shore Wall Art Project in Clahane?

Ann Vaughan Rachel Clancy Amy Considine

Who wrote the song Liscannor Bay? Christy Moore Mick Flynn Andy Irvine

What is the name of the man who invented the submarine?

John Holland Joseph Murphy Tom Mc Mahon

1 2 3 4 374 200m 5 Ann Vaughan John Holland 1895

St Bridget Flagstone Joseph McHugh’s Mick Flynn Member of Parliament

6 7 8 9 10

374 200m Ann Vaughan John Holland 1895

Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences.

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

6 7 8 9 10

Spot the Difference

ANSWERS ANSWERS

St Bridget Flagstone Joseph McHugh's Mick Flynn Member of Parliament

In what year did he receive a contract from the U.S to build a submarine?

1865 1899 1895

Scan here to see what’s on

1 2 3 4 5

5 O’Brien’s Tower was named after Cornelius O’Brien, what was his profession ?

Farmer Member of Parliament Builder

Movies to see this week

36 Parnell St Ennis, Co. Clare ennis.arccinema.ie

Last weeks Answers . Refs top different colour . Logo missing on jersey (far left) . Logo missing on jersey (right) . Logo on refs shorts missing

Plenty of smiles at the official opening of the Banner Plaza

. Logo missing on jersey (left) . Crest on shorts missing (right) . Nike tick missing on socks (right)

Photo by Natasha Barton

FEBRUARY

Gleneagle Presents...

Must-see live gigs, top entertainment, and the ease of staying right on-site!

THE 30+ CLUB SAT 18 APR 2026 | ARENA

THE PIANO MAN

DIVERSITY FRI 01 MAY 2026 | ARENA 26 APR GAVIN GRIBBEN

GAVIN JAMES

SUN 19 APR 2026 | CLUB

SUN 03 MAY 2026 | ARENA

DAMIEN DEMPSEY

BIIRD

SAT 25 APR 2026 | CLUB

FRI 08 MAY 2026 | ARENA

27 APR JOHN MCNICHOLL

28 APR SHAUN CUDDY

& RYAN TURNER BAND

29 APR DAVID JAMES & BAND

30 APR ROBERT MIZZELL

Country Music Festival 26 - 30 APRIL 2026

2, 4 & 5 Night Packages available from €209pps B&B + Evening Meals + Entertainment*

* Nightly in Ballroom and late night in Green Room

Make a night of it... Enjoy dinner, drinks & live entertainment, then stay on-site at GLENEAGLE or HOTEL67 Tickets and hotel packages available at gleneaglekillarney.ie All ticket prices exclude service charge plus facility fee.

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