The Clare Echo 17/07/25

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Jul 17, THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 31,2025 2024

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Crowds as far as the eyes Clan Clancy

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

MILTOWN MALBAY experienced its biggest and busiest ever Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy in what was a win for the entire local economy.

Founded in 1973 in honour of the highly regarded uileann piper, Willie Clancy, the summer school has always provided a lift to the businesses of Miltown Malbay but its success of 2025 was off the charts.

Administrator with Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, Harry Hughes said, , “People are saying it was the biggest summer school yet and that is probably true, we don’t have our full database yet on the exact numbers but it is safe to say it was the biggest one on record for student intake yet”.

Photo by John Sheridan

David O’Brien owner of Michael As Bar said, “It was a brilliant week with massive crowds who all seemed to enjoy themselves. It is a massive economic boost to the town with every business seeing a boost on previous years. The festival is going from strength to strength”.

It was a major week for Miltown Malbay and a huge success, Cllr Shane Talty (FF) noted.

“Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy 2025 is widely seen as the largest and most successful yet, “It was an extraordinarily successful week, we’ve never seen anything like it, it was busy from 2pm on the first Saturday. It was a real success story,” said Cllr Michael Shannon (FF).

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The Clare Agricultural Show took place at the Ennis Showgrounds last Sunday

Photo by Paddy Coneely

Lissycasey lead the way honouring late stalwarts

by Páraic McMahon

paraic@clareecho.ie

FIVE people who have made major contributions to Lissycasey GAA were honoured at a special commemorative function at the club grounds on Sunday.

The pitch was re-named Páirc na Muintire (People’s Park), dedicated to the memory of the club’s first secretary, the late P.J. Kelly.

A member of Clare County Council for 50 years, P.J. was a leading light in the purchase and development of the pitch, filling the position of the club’s development committee chairman.

Speaking in Irish and English, former Clare TD and ex Minister for Defence Tony Killeen (FF), spoke about P.J.’s contribution to the club and to the community in general before unveiling a plaque in P.J.’s memory. Mr. Killeen was joined by P.J.’s son, Barry John in officially naming the field, Páirc na Muintire.

The late Gearoid O’Sullivan, club chairman for sixteen consecutive years from 1981 to the end of 1996 was also honoured and the stand at the club grounds was named in his honour.

Seamus Hayes who served as club secretary for much of the late Mr. O’Sullivan’s term as chairman outlined the progress made by the club under the chairman’s lead-

ership. Paudie Halpin who assisted Gearoid in the training of many of the successful

ter Shauna to unveil a plaque to their memory.

PJ Kelly’s son, Barry John

Shauna Melican, Sharon McMahon, Martin Daly and Martin Casey at the plaque unveiled in memory of the late Michael Melican, David McMahon and Brian Casey Photo by Gerard O’Neill

underage teams also recalled the late Mr. O’Sullivan’s contsribution to the club. Paudie along with Mr O’Sullivan’s wife Geraldine then unveiled a plaque to Gearoid O’Sullivan’s memory.

Three members of the senior team which won the O’Gorman cup (2006), and the senior championship and league double in 2007 were also honoured.

Martin Daly, a team mate of the late David McMahon, Brian Casey and Michael Melican, recalled their contribution to those successes and to the club in general.

He was joined by David’s sister Sharon, Brian’s father Martin and Michael’s daugh-

thanked the club for the tribute and shared some memories of the contributions of all being honoured.

Parish priest Fr Brendan Kyne then blessed the plaques which had just being unveiled At the outset club chairman Eamonn Finnucane welcomed the big attendance with a special welcome for members of the families of those being honoured and he spoke of the importance of recognising their contributions.

The formalities concluded with club secretary Maureen O’Haire thanking all who attended.

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Willie Clancy week records biggest & busiest run in Miltown Malbay

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

WILLIE CLANCY week 2025 was the busiest and biggest one yet according to organisers and local businesses.

Glorious weather and fine traditional music brought the crowds to West Clare with Miltown Malbay making the most of its biggest week of the year which turned out to be its most successful.

Proprietor of Michael As Bar in Miltown Malbay, David O’Brien told The Clare Echo he had never seen crowds at Willie Clancy like what was witnessed last week.

“It was a brilliant week with massive crowds who all seemed to enjoy themselves. It is a massive economic boost to the town with every business seeing a boost on previous years. The festival is going from strength to strength”.

Held since 1973 in honour of the iconic uileann piper, Scoil

Samhraidh Willie Clancy is always marked in the calendar for most traditional musicians, singers and dancers. The summer school begins on the first Saturday of July and is growing in popularity.

Harry Hughes has been involved as an administrator with Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy for fifty years. “There was a tremendous atmosphere between tutors, students and the general public. There was a huge crowd of general visitors, it all went off very well. The visitors that were going to seaside came to different events like lectures, recitals and concerns. It was very positive, the local business community and people were very happy with it and it was all good humour, the fine weather played a part too”.

He told The Clare Echo, “People are saying it was the biggest summer school yet and

WILLIE CLANCY: students playing the banjo at Mullagh NS during Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy.

Photo by: John Sheridan.

that is probably true, we don’t have our full database yet on the exact numbers but it is safe to say it was the biggest one on record for student intake yet. We have to realise there is a consistent interest in Irish traditional music nationwide, that interest is growing and it is very obvious among young people, quite a lot of

people around during the summer school, teenagers under fifteen who were there, they come along and they’re all learning music during the spring and they’re ready for the experience at the summer school, some of them are extremely efficient, they highly polished in technique, they know good repertoire and

they are ready for what Willie Clancy will throw at them”.

Tyrone Productions’ series of programmes on Willie Clancy week has boosted its profile, he believed. The series was produced by Miltown Malbay woman, Edel Fox. During the pandemic Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy was online only

in 2020 and 2021, its return in 2022 saw numbers “much less” than 2017, 2018 and 2019 in what was “a nervous time” for society and organisers. “We feared COVID had an impact on the numbers but in 2023 it began to increase up to the present large numbers in 2025”.

Success “brings its own problems,” Harry flagged. “That would be in the business of getting venues, capacity for classes, we find ourselves struggling to acquire suitable venues for our classes, it is always a problem and also getting suitable accommodation for tutors and students, we’re going to have to address them in some shape or form to have solutions in place for 2026”.

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the West Clare Municipal Districrt, Cllr Shane Talty (FF) hailed the success of this year’s run in “a major week in Miltown

Malbay”. He stated, “Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy 2025 is widely seen as the largest and most successful yet, it is a town not on the Wild Atlantic Way, it largely feels it has been underinvested and undercared for over large numbers of years but the sumner school continues to grow, it emerged from COVID and in a new world of Instagram it has continued to grow.

It was a huge success. I know the businesses and locals were delighted with the economic impact of it”.

“It was an extraordinarily successful week, we’ve never seen anything like it, it was busy from 2pm on the first Saturday. It was a real success story. it has a new generation encouraged to come and have the experience, it is about maintaining that and keeping it going forward,” said Cllr Michael Shannon (FF).

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

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‘They are atrocious & a law onto themselves’ - councillors slam Uisce Éireann over West Clare outages

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

UISCE ÉIREANN have been labelled as “a law onto themselves” with the ongoing failure to provide safe drinking water in West Clare slammed by elected representatives.

In a proposal before the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) called for “an urgent meeting with Uisce Éireann following complete failure to provide safe drinking water for prolonged periods in during May and June”.

He said, “this is having a major impact on residents, and businesses in West Clare.

Uisce Éireann don’t have a handle on the situation nor an effective communication strategy”.

Senior executive officer in the West Clare MD, John O’Malley confirmed he would write to Uisce Éireann on behalf of the elected members requesting a meeting.

Speaking on Tuesday, Cllr Lynch commented, “This has been going on for ages, I know it is a waste of time but even today contacted I was contacted from people in Labasheeda”. He said a publican noticed her machine was “ruined” after the water inside it went brown.

Prompt and efficient communication is lacking from Uisce Éireann, he said.

“We need to know straight away if there’s a problem not in four days time. There’s absolutely no communication from Irish Water, they are atrocious, they talk about

text alerts, as a public body or semi-state body I don’t know what they are but they are a law onto themselves”.

“They are costing everyone money and grief, there has to be more operation and control, if it was anyone else working for any company they’d be fired, at some point the Minister has to be held responsible for Uisce Éireann,” he added.

Seconding the proposal, Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) noted “it is a serious issue in terms of people’s health, you’re advised not to drink water but the expense and hardship it causes people is unreal, you won’t take chance on this water even if you boil it”.

West Clare’s reputation gets tarnished due to the lack of safe drinking water, she flagged. “This tarnishes the reputation of West Clare and the impact it has on locals for what you have to spend money on”.

A water tanker should be on site “immediately” when there is a burst pipe, Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) felt. “At least people would have a depot to go to for their water rather than waiting”.

Cathaoirleach of the West Clare MD, Cllr Bill Slattery (FG) told the meeting it took Uisce Éireann five weeks to get back to him when he flagged an issue. “The communication is diabolical and disgraceful”.

Staffing levels and not having enough people on the ground is an issue for the utility company, Cllr Michael Shannon

(FF) believed.

Last year’s Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy had a contingency plan due to water issues in advance, Cllr McInerney recalled.

The responsibility of providing a tanker is with Uisce Éireann, O’Malley informed the meeting.

Difficulties in contacting them was highlighted by Cllr Lynch, “Who works weekends for Uisce Éireann? They hardly work Monday to Friday”. He continued, “Their support centre is completely inadequate. We put on a wash the other day and clothes came out dirtier”.

Cllr Shane Talty (FF) advised his colleagues that senior management in the Ennis MD organised for the head of operations with Uisce Éireann to address them in a briefing and suggested a similar approach be followed.

WEST CLARE: Uisce Eireann workers

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Clares hottest 2025 temperature

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CO CLARE recorded its warmest temperature of the year on Saturday.

Met Éireann’s weather station at Shannon Airport recorded temperatures of 30°C on Saturday afternoon making it the warmest day of the year so far in 2025 in Co Clare.

It surpasses the 25°C recorded at Shannon at the end of April, as well as the 29.6°C logged at Mount Dillon in Roscommon on 20 June, which had been the warmest temperature of 2025 in Ireland until now.

Due to the sunshine and warm weather, Clare’s coastal spots were busy from Thursday and into the weekend with visitor numbers high in West and North Clare.

Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy saw a particular bounce in visitors aided by the sunshine in Miltown Malbay.

Founder of weatheire.com, Mark Dunphy explained, “Heavy and scattered thunderstorms, along with longer spells of rain, will bring above-average rainfall nationwide throughout the coming week. Western counties could see totals of up to 70mm by week’s end, while the far south and southeast may see lower amounts between 20–30mm. This showery, Atlantic-driven pattern is expected to persist into next weekend and beyond”.

He added, “The unsettled pattern continues into next week, with scattered showers and longer spells of rain some of it thundery expected each day. Temperatures on Monday and Tuesday will dip to the mid to high teens before gradually rising again later in the week to the high teens or mid-20s. High humidity may trigger further thunderstorms later in the week”.

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Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

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All-Ireland winner Gilligan pleads not guilty to assault of boy with a stick

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

FORMER All Star and Clare All-Ireland winning hurler, Niall Gilligan has pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the assault causing harm of a boy with a stick in October 2023.

Before a jury panel at Ennis Circuit Court on Tuesday morning, Mr Gilligan (48) replied ‘not guilty’ when arraigned on two charges.

Mr Gilligan said ‘not guilty’ when arraigned on the charge of assault causing harm of the boy at the Jamaica Inn Hostel, Mt Ivers, Broadford Rd, Sixmilebridge contrary to Section 3 of the Offences Against the Person Act

Ms Comerford said that it is anticipated that the trial will take four to five days and should finish by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

Ms Comerford called out a list of civilian witnesses to give evidence and included the name of the alleged juvenile injured party on the list.

Ms Comerford also listed the names of five witnesses who have compiled reports for the trial.

Ms Comerford also provided to the jury panel the names of 18 Garda witnesses due to give evidence.

Ms Comerford said that the defence in the

FORMER ALL-STAR: Niall Gilligan

on October 5th 2023.

Dressed in a suit and tie, Mr Gilligan of Rossroe, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge also replied ‘not guilty’ to producing a wooden stick capable of inflicting serious injury during the course of a dispute contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act at the same location on the same date.

Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) told the jury panel that the alleged offences occurred at the Jamaica Inn hostel, Sixmilebridge on October 5th 2023.

Ms Comerford said that Mr Gilligan is alleged to have assaulted the boy "and used a wooden stick during that assault".

case has notified the State of the potential to call one defence witness during the trial, a Martin Murphy residing at Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare.

A jury of seven men and five women was then selected from the jury panel to serve on the jury.

The selection process took just over twenty minutes as solicitor, Daragh Hassett for Mr Gilligan and Ms Casey for the State each challenged potential jurors to serve. The maximum number of challenges is seven for each side.

The trial commenced on Wednesday morning.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

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Bedlam at Ballycuggeran - illegal parking leads to two hour delays & series of �ines issued

by Páraic McMahon

TWO HOUR delays were experienced by East Clare residents due to massive backlogs at Ballycuggeran on Saturday.

On Saturday, Gardaí issued a number of motorists with

lycuggeran has “reached a critical stage, last Saturday afternoon it was extremely dangerous”.

He outlined, “People were more than two hours trying to get to Two Mile Gate or Ballycuggeran or as it is known by the visitors, Killaloe Beach”.

fixed charge penalty notices for various parking offences at Ballycuggeran/Two Mile Gate in Killaloe. Some of the offences included parking opposite a continuous white line and on footpaths of the busy thoroughfare from Killaloe to Ogonnelloe, Tuamgraney and Scariff.

Highlighting the matter at Wednesday’s meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) remarked that illegal parking at Bal-

He said, “Cars were abandoned and caused distress for people trying to go from A to B, people that were going to work and people that were going home got caught up in this”.

Cllr O’Brien requested a meeting with An Garda Síochána in Killaloe be held to discuss the shared responsibility between the Gardaí and local authority. “It is at a critical stage that we can’t ignore, we need to bite the bullet. It is

paraic@clareecho.ie

by Dearbhla Parry news@clareecho.ie

not good enough for people living in East Clare to be putting up with that, we can’t sit back and allow it to continue, there’s serious consequences if we don’t act. We have a responsibility as Clare County Council because it is our facility and An Garda Síochána have a responsibility from an enforcement point of view”.

Families were unable to get back to their own homes because of the delays, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) flagged. “We need to get this done this week,” he said of the meeting with Gardaí. “We might have the fine weather again. It was bedlam down there. Contractors couldn’t get through when they were trying to get to farms, people had to sit in traffic for two hours, that is not what we want”.

Senior planner, Brian McCarthy confirmed a meeting with Gardaí could be organised. “We have regular updates from An Garda Síochána but we will seek a meeting as soon as we can”. He suggested a masterplan for Ballycuggern form part of the long-term plan to negating the issue “to have a coordinated approach to managing and developing it”.

Five year Safety Order granted to Clare woman after Valentines Day card arrives from Limerick prison inmate

by Gordon Deegan

A SAFETY order has been granted to a woman against a prison inmate with a history of violence against women after she received two letters from him while in prison.

In the case, the County Clare woman sought the court protection after she received two letters, including a Valentine’s Day card, from the man who is currently serving a sentence at Limerick prison.

for release in 2028, the judge warned the man that he may be returned to prison if he breaches the Safety Order after he is released in 2028.

Judge Gabbett told the man “there is a huge incentive to stay from her because you could be back to prison if you don’t”.

In reply the man said, “I have no worries about prison judge. I can do me whack. It’s alright”.

The man told Judge Gabbett, “It is great down

When initially seeking a Protection Order against the man, the woman told Judge Gabbett that she is ‘terrified’ of the man.

She said, “It is very upsetting, very traumatic”. She said that in the past the man has subjected her to beatings and coercive control but he has not faced any criminal charges in relation to those allegations.

The woman handed in the Valentine’s Day card and a second letter into court for

The inmate at Limerick prison has a history of violence against women and is currently serving a long sentence for an offence carried out on an ex-partner.

The man also has other convictions for assault against other ex-partners.

In response to the woman’s application for the Safety Order, the man told Judge Alec Gabbett at Ennis Family Law Court, “I have no objections - just give the order.

Just give her everything she wants”.

Judge Gabbett granted the woman a five year Safety Order and with the man due

in Limerick prison - you should try it”.

In reply, Judge Gabbett said, “I have been in there”.

The prisoner said, “It is lovely. Big gyms and the food is great. It’s alright, I’m happy”.

Judge Gabbett asked, “Are you getting to the gym?”

The man replied, “Of course I am - look - fit as a fiddle”.

As he was being led away by prison officers back to the prisoners’ cells in the courthouse, the man told Judge Gabbett: “I’m going to go down to get a McDonalds now”.

Judge Gabbett to read.

Judge Gabbett commented, “Some of it is erratic and juvenile”.

Judge Gabbett commented that there is a mark on the back of the envelope to show that the prison censor had gone through the letter.

Judge Gabbett said: “They are unwanted letters and contain all kinds of declarations or admirations”.

Judge Gabbett added, “It is very erratic. You would be concerned if he was released because it is very likely he will arrive at your door”.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

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‘We need the Baaaanner to back the Baaaanjo’ pygmy goat to represent Clare in The Nose of Tralee

by Dearbhla Parry news@clareecho.ie

CLARE representative Banjo is the first goat to reach the final of ‘The Nose of Tralee’, a national pet competition.

Banjo is a seven-month-old white pygmy goat, and out of numerous cats and dogs, he is the only goat in the final stages of ‘The Nose of Tralee’. The Nose of Tralee is an online competition featuring cute and unique pets from all over Ireland. Winners receive Pet Sitters vouchers, a hotel stay in Tralee, and accessories for their winning animal.

Ahead of the final, Banjo’s owners, MJ and Madeline Dunne from Killimer, must upload a photo of him in his winning sash along with a funny description, saying things like “he’s the size of a toaster”.

Despite having opposite personalities, he and his older brother

Barney, who donned a Clare bandana for the interview, are never searated. As Madeline says “you can’t have one without the other”.

The boisterous Barney was named after Barney McKenna of the Dubliners, and relaxed, gentle Banjo was named after his instrument.

Madeline joked, “Barney needed his banjo”.

The Dunne family got Banjo in Kildysart to accompany Barney after their first goat, Nora Batty, passed away due to an underlying condition. When two of their first

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lTHE NOSE OF TRALEE: Madeline and MJ Dunne with Banjo and Barney

choices also passed, Madeline took in Banjo. “He was fate. He was meant to be”, said Madeline.

She told the Clare Echo that Banjo’s brother might enter the contest next year. However, she said, “I don’t know would he be able to handle the fame as good as Banjo

NOTICE PUBLISHING COMMENCEMENT OF AUDIT CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL Notice is hereby given that the audit of the accounts of the above-named local government organisation for the financial year ended on the 31st day of December, 2024 will be commenced by Jo-Anne Greene Local Government Auditor, on the 01st day of August 2025 In accordance with article 17 of the Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014, objections to any matter or matters contained in the said several accounts will be considered by the Local Government Auditor during the audit.

Written notice of any proposed objection, setting out the relevant particulars and grounds on which it is to be made, should be sent to the above Local Government Auditor at Auditors Room, Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis, County Clare within ten days of the commencement of the audit.

The annual financial statement will be available during office hours for the inspection of all persons for a period of seven days before the commencement of the audit.

Dated this 18th day of July 2025.

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is”, who appears to be handling his newfound stardom well. She said, “Oh, he’s born for it!”.

Public voting for the Nose of Tralee reopens from July 24 to August 18 on petsittersireland. com. The winning pets will be announced on August 19 .

Madeline asked, “If everybody could just get behind him and vote and share his link.

Even if you’re not in Clare, you could vote for him. If you think he’s cute and unique, vote for Banjo.”

New Leisure Complex for Ennis proposed on the Gort Road

by Dearbhla Parry news@clareecho.ie

A PROPOSAL for a leisure complex in the Clare Technology Park featuring padel courts, fitness studios, and a café has recently been received by the Clare County Council.

CCE Developments Limited submitted a proposal on July 11 th for a new 1,708.80 square metre leisure complex consisting of four padel courts, a shop, a café, changing rooms, fitness studios, 40 car parking spaces, and 10 bicycle parking spaces.

The site is located in Dulick on the Gort road and is situated within 800 metres of five different bus stops.

There are currently no padel courts in Clare, which would make this complex the only option other than Lim-

erick for Clare padel players.

According to the submission, it would relate to work within or close to a European Site or Natural Heritage Area. Planning documents state, “The development will prioritise low-carbon construction methods and energy-efficient technologies”, and would have solar panels, external lighting, and a connection to the existing public foul water drainage system.

Although proposed by a Dublin-based group, the site is legally owned by Shannon Commercial Enterprises DAC, who have submitted a letter of consent.

A decision will be made about this proposal by September 4, and public submissions can be made up until August 8 .

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Rural Clare

‘You wouldn’t be able to make a living as a publican with a young family today’ - Keane Rural Clare

By Michael Fitzgerald

ON a windswept stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way lies Keane’s Oyster Bar, ran by owner Michael Keane since 1980 although the pub has been serving customers for much longer than that.

The bar is found across the road from Lisdeen Church, midway between Moyasta and Kilkee. In a world where online shopping can reach Loop Head in a matter of hours, Keane’s is one of a dying breed.

Born in 1948, owner Michael Keane says that the bar is steeped in history. “My family has been here in this area since 1641, twenty six generations. Don’t ask me about publicans going back that time because there was no licenses. Our trade was small farmers and blacksmiths”.

“We got a license through a court case that was in Kilkee and the judges were coming from Ennis.

That time it was all carriages and the horse got lame. They stopped in the forge to reshoe the horse and the judge told my great grandfather to apply for a license at the next court sitting in Kilkee. We have the license since then. These things just evolved”, he told The Clare Echo.

The dwindling population of West Clare has naturally impacted businesses, forcing establishments like Keane’s to make changes. After attempts to find alternative income by growing Christmas trees and farming snails failed, Michael moved the bar towards the hospitality sector.

“As people die out you have to change. We got into the restaurant business then in 1995. One of the alternative sources of income I went looking for was oysters, that’s more or less why the restaurant took off . We added on accommodation as well, we have a little piece of everything. Don’t ask me where we’re going to evolve after this because I’m running out of options”, he said.

During his seventy seven years, Michael has witnessed many changes, the biggest being religion.

“The church was built out here in 1961, everyone went to mass on a Sunday that time. You put on your good clothes and you left them on.

That has obviously changed. Sunday is a wind-down day now because a lot of people are working on Monday so they don’t go out anymore. Even out here now we don’t even have mass on a Sunday, mass is on a Wednesday night here now in the church”.

Along with the fall in mass attendances, there is a drop in population, with Kilkee standing at only 1200 permanent residents despite

Publican Michael Keane Photo by John Sheridan

summer swells. This effects every aspect of communities in West Clare, especially pubs like Keane’s.

“They’ll tell you that you can’t get a house in West Clare. Of course you can but the houses are all being bought up by older people. Both for holiday homes and people that want to downsize from Dublin or somewhere. You don’t see much of them, they don’t interact with the community much. A lot of their shopping is done online. You never used to see Tesco or Dunne stores

delivering back here and now they go all the way back to Loop Head.

That is part of the bigger problem”, the barman outlined.

Over 100 pubs have closed across the county in the past 20 years, a figure that many publicans feel will only continue to rise. West Clare is no exception with Keane’s next-door neighbour The Halfway House now permanently having shut its doors.

“Pubs in Kilrush are closed and your left with only a handful now

and the same in Kilkee. Older people are running pubs and when the older people die, there is no living for a young couple. Part of the reason that older people can live on pubs is because we’re all getting the pension. You wouldn’t be able to make a living if you had three or four young children”.

“That’s part of the reason that pubs don’t open until six or seven in the evening because the people that own them are working. A lot more will close”, Keane added.

Cultural change & lack of young customers a big factor in closure of rural Clare pubs - O’Brien CULTURAL CHANGE and a lack of young customers are the biggest challenges facing Clare publicans according to the former owner of The Blacksticks Pub, Pat O’Brien writes Michael Fitzgerald.

O’Callaghans Mills native Pat put the key in the door for the last time in 2018, bringing an end to years of good times at the isolated bar on the back road to Feakle.

“This pub was famous back over the years, it was O’Driscoll’s that owned it, Paddy O’Driscoll and his wife Biddy. It was always famous for traditional music and rural life really, you’d have a lot of farmers that would come in for a loaf of bread or a pound of tea, a pound of butter, they might have a few drinks and stay a bit longer”, he recalled.

“Paddy O’Driscoll died suddenly in 1979 so his wife Biddy ran it until 2001. She got ill then and I leased it from her. The hunt used to come, they’d be two or three East Clare hunts, harriers and East Clare hunts and I was here one night and it was by accident really I took it over. She got ill then and she didn’t want to keep the place

closed up so she asked me would I rent it. She passed away in 2001 and it went up for sale then and I bought it and I had it then till about 2018 and I closed it then”, the Mills man continued.

Situated on an isolated country road between the Mills and Feakle, the Blacksticks was previously listed as one of Ireland’s Best Pubs

by The Sunday Tribune in the 1990s and received further praise from The Clare People in 2007.

Pat who is now heard weekly on the airwaves of Scariff Bay Community Radio said there are many challenges past and present facing publicans in Co Clare.

“You had a lot of elderly people around coming in at night time and they’d have a few drinks and go away again.

As they passed away then, the whole culture changed. Then you had the smoking ban and that didn’t help people either.

The drink driving then was a big thing. There isn’t a kind of culture of taxis in the country, maybe this age group would take a taxi but the older group wouldn’t really think of calling

Pat O’Brien

one”, he explained.

In spite of these hardships, O’Brien tried his best to keep

Photo by John Mangan

the business going. The Blacksticks was well known for its lively traditional music

sessions despite its small size and was a regular haunt for East Clare Hunts throughout the year. Members of the local gun club were also frequent customers. The pub’s unique location led to challenges in customer renewal, situated miles away from popular tourist destinations on the west coast of the county.

“I remember here when I was young, there was a huge amount of English people who used to come here fishing.

You have a lot of lakes around the area and a lot of coarse angling. They all have died away and weren’t replaced by younger people. There’s no renewal. I don’t know if it is the government or the tourist industry that should be pushing it a bit more but they never came back”, said O’Brien.

On government supports, Pat believes that the State has a bigger role to play in helping to keep these rural enterprises open. “They should be [helping out] really. You’ve to pay tax and rates and VAT and everything. The price of electricity, it’s very challenging for publicans to run a business, it’s very challenging now. The

ones that started doing food are probably doing a bit better than the ordinary pubs”.

Thirty percent of Clare’s pubs have closed in the last twenty years, a statistic that makes for stark, albeit unsurprising reading. The hills of East Clare are no different as a shift in culture and lack of youthful customers continues to put up for sale signs across the region.

“There were sixteen pubs in Tulla one time and there’s only three of them now and they don’t be open during the day at all. Here in O’Callaghan’s Mills, only just over the road I can remember five over in the village and the one here is six, there’s only one now.

Scariff was a big town one time for pubs as well and I’d say it’s gone down to three now. There’s two in Broadford, Kilkishen the same way, there was four or five there one time. There was a huge cultural change. Young people don’t go to pubs now only for a special occasion”, O’Brien added.

11

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

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N68 upgrade essential to create future jobs & industry in West Clare

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

IMPROVING the “not fit for purpose” N68 has to be viewed as a strategic project of national significance.

In a proposal before this month’s sitting of Clare County Council, Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) asked the local authority to formally recognise “the strategic importance of the N68 Ennis to Kilrush road and agrees that, given its critical role in regional connectivity, economic development, and in particular the future transformation of the Moneypoint site, the N68 should be designated a strategic route by this local authority”.

She urged the Council to prioritise the N68 in all relevant infrastructure planning, funding applications and strategic transport assessments “ensuring that future upgrades and investment are pursued with urgency and ambition to meet the needs of West Clare and the wider county” Senior engineer, Cyril Feeney noted that specific reference is made to the N68 national secondary route in Section 11.2.9.1 of the County Development Plan 2023-2029.

It is listed as an objective to safeguard the route and advocate for improved road connectivity and an upgrade.

Feeney stated, “The N68 is therefore clearly designated as

a strategic route in conjunction with the other national routes and regional roads. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) are the road and funding authority for the national route network including the N68 Ennis to Kilrush road. At a recent meeting with TII, attended by both Members and Council officials, TII outlined their commitment to increasing funding for the national secondary road network in county Clare. TII also allocated €250,000 of funding to address works at Tullagower on the N68.”

Speaking at Monday’s meeting, Cllr McInerney stressed that an N68 upgrade “must be treated as top infrastructure project, not just a West Clare issue, it is a county priority, it is key to future jobs and the development of West Clare and attracting strategic investment to our deep water port”.

Doonbeg native Rita added, “At present the N68 is not fit for purpose, it was never designed to carry the tourist traffic and heavy trucks that are on it”. Upgrading the route would alleviate pressure on the N67 and N85. Quicker access to University Hospital Limerick in emergency situations could also “save lives”.

Seconding the proposal, Cllr Shane Talty (FF) asked where were the priorities, asks and requests following the briefing with TII on the strategic plan for Clare’s road network.

He flagged the N85 project at Kilnamona “just disappeared, has it been raised with management, does it require a repeat motion every six months to bring it forward.”

According to Cllr Michael Shannon (FF) “the N68 should be the highest priority route network”. He outlined, “the amount of investment needed for West Clare over the next decade supports this investment, don’t miss the opportunity on economic development on our side of the Shannon Estuary, there will be a railway and motorway to Foynes nearly complete, we’ve the potential to have the very same on our side.”

Infrastructure “has to be number one priority if we want to develop these areas,” Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) stated.

“What we’re doing is cutting our cloth to make it fit. If we build they will come”.

Forty years ago promises of an upgrade of the road from Ennis to Kilrush were made with the commissioning of Moneypoint, Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) recalled, “but it never happened”.

Projects cannot be just let travel a certain distance and then be put on pause “when people move on,” Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) said. Accessibility is a key factor for any industry to set up, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) highlighted.

TII put ‘on formal notice that someone will get injured’ on N67

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IRELAND (TII) are to receive formal communication from Clare County Council advising them the N67 Kilrush to Ennis Road “is a danger to life”.

On Tuesday, elected members of the West Clare Municipal District agreed to write to TII to issue a word of warning that “the N67 Kilrush to Ennis road is a danger to life”.

In a proposal by Cllr Ian Lynch (IND), immediate funds were sought for urgent repairs and a three-year rolling plan “on the maintenance that the TII intended to complete to ensure the major artery to West Clare in brought up to and maintained to an acceptable manor”.

John O’Malley, senior executive officer in the West Clare MD said they would write to TII on the matter. “The Municipal District have highlighted defects on the N68 to the TII through Clare County Council’s Road Section and will continue to put forward additional requests as they occur,” he said. Staff in the MD accept the need for “major upgrades”.

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting, Cllr Lynch admitted, “I don’t know how many times we have

to write down motions on this, it is worded strongly. There is no doubt it is dangerous. I travel the roads three times a day, I’ve seen buses swerving, it twenty years this May when school bus turned over and five of them passed away, I don’t want that to happen again”.

A l l of the section of road b y Kilmihil is “tearing away”, he flagged with trucks swerving to avoid the poor sections of road. On Tuesday, a section of the road in Lissycasey flooded for the first time in his memory. “We need to put them on formal notice that someone is going to get injured on this road”.

Any strategic development of West Clare is dependent on an access and a transport network, Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) flagged. “We need to have a priority list in the county and start somewhere, from a polit-

ical and pressure perspective it has to be seen with seriousness coming from the county and we need to pursue it from our own party and others to push it on”.

New sections of the road are flooding, Cllr Dinny Gould highlighted. “I never saw it flood before, there was an accident this morning with the fire brigade out there, something has to be done”.

Striking an optimistic note on the provision of funding and subsequent improvements was Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG), “I travel it quite a bit and I’m sure you all do, if a new engineer comes to the area, I always ask them do they travel N68, I’d say there’s good days ahead, the thing to do is spend it on that road”.

Frustration with the TII was voiced by Cllr Michael Shannon (FF), “I am deeply frustrated with TII that we are second from bottom with funding for this year”.

Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) attending the West Clare Municipal District meeting on Tuesday in Ennistymon

News

12

Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Regional News

West Clare

‘He is a huge loss to Doonbeg, West Clare & his family’ council meeting adjourned in respect to Murt McInerney

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

DOONBEG’s Murt McInerney was remembered at the July meeting of Clare County Council with a fifteen minute adjournment proposed in his memory.

Murt’s funeral took place on Wednesday with large crowds attending at Our Lady Assumed into Heaven Church, a church that he gave so much of his life to and spent an abundance of time to.

Chair of the Fianna Fáil grouping, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) proposed the adjournment as a mark of respect to Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) and her family on Murt’s passing. “Murt was known far and wide across the county through drama, education, politics and various interests. When we always thought of Doonbeg in the past, we thought of Murt, he

was a man of the community and of society, he is a huge loss to Doonbeg, West Clare and his family”.

According to Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG), “Murt needs no introduction, he was a man for church and state, he headed the drama group for fifty years in Doonbeg. He taught in St Flannan’s College, he was a great teacher, he politics he handed the role over to Rita to continue the good work, he was monumental in the GAA in Doonbeg, his son Francis captained Clare to win the Munster championship in 1992 and his own son Mark has taken on the mantle”.

Keating continued, “he was great man to know and a great advisor, he will be missed in a big way across the county, if you got to know Murt he knew you forever”. The recent visit of Bishop Fintan Monahan to see Murt “was a real tribute”

lHUGE LOSS: Murt McInerney

and meant a great deal to McInerney.

It was July 2024 at the episcopal ordination of Monsignor Séamus Horgan where he was consecrated as Papal Nuncio to South Sudan that Cllr Mary Howard (FG) last

Grá for Gaza Fundraiser Gig in Milltown Malbay GRÁ FOR GAZA, a fundraising event for Palestinian Youth Corps will take place in Westbridge in Milltown Malbay on Sunday July 27 from 6pm.

The events line-up features Steo Wall, Molly Sterling, Padraig Jack, Aoife Nessa Frances, Little John Nee, Jimi Cullen, Sive, Sailhymn and Áine O’Brien along with speakers, surprise guests and a bumper raffle sponsored by local businesses. MC duties on the night are in the capable hands of Ennis native Sarah Ferrigan and Father Ted star comedian Joe Rooney, better known as his character Father Damo from the hit comedy series.

All proceeds from the event will go directly to the Palestinian Youth Corps. They are a grassroots organisation of volunteers who have

dedicated their time and energy to helping young people in Gaza. Unfortunately, their headquarters was destroyed in the last few months and they are currently working as hard as they can with this new situation. One of their main volunteer managers was killed and they are facing unbelievable challenges on a daily basis with soaring costs and limited supplies.

The Grá for Gaza gig is being organised by the group People of Clare against Genocide who are a Clare based collective who share skills and come together in solidarity with Palestine.

Earlier on the same day, the group have organised a beautiful Kites not Flights event on Doughmore beach in Doonbeg at 1pm. On Whitestrand beach near Milltown Malbay, Gill

Kelly Dunne will host her silent disco Hush at 4pm with a peace-infused playlist followed by the Grá for Gaza gig in the Westbridge at 6pm. A beautiful day is in store with three heartfelt and peaceful events hoping to raise money for projects in Palestine.

It is also an opportunity for Clare people to gather and hear some amazing music and words underpinned by the intention of sending peace and light over to the people of Palestine at this heartbreaking time.

Tickets for the Grá for Gaza gig are €25 and can be bought through Revolut @sarahger or telephone 087 2143125 for more details. All you need to know about the gig and how to book are on the Instagram page of People of Clare against Genocide.

met Murt. She recalled, “We had a lovely chat, I never realised my late father opened the drama festival many moons ago but you always learned something new when talking to Murt. I can imagine there is a huge void

in your life but he was very proud of you,” she told Cllr McInerney.

“I knew Murt longer than I care to remember,” said Cllr Michael Begley (IND) when expressing his sympathies.

“Murt was so well known in business, politics and the GAA,” commented Cllr Pat Daly (FF). Cllr Dinny Gould (IND) said Murt was “a good friend of mine” while also expressing sympathies to the family of Noel Lane in Kilrush.

Addressing the meeting, Cllr McInerney said her father “loved his community and he cherished his family.

His faith was very important.

It is all about community people and people who make an impact by being involved in their community”.

Votes of sympathy were also passed to the Wilson family on the death of Frances in Miltown Malbay by Cllr Bill Slattery who said

she “very dedicated to her profession as a nurse” and to her local community. Cllr Michael Shannon (FF) noted both the Wilson and McInerney families were “active in their communities, be it politics or sport”.

Evelyn Quinn in Sixmilebridge, the wife of GP, Dr Padraic Quinn and a sister in law of Cllr John Crowe (FG) was also remembered at the meeting by Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF).

Mary McMahon of the Ennis Rd in Newmarket-on-Fergus was described as “an institution in the village” by Cllr David Griffin (FF).

Fanore’s Kevin McCormack was remembered by Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) as “a great man who founded the walking club, the GAA club in Ballyvaughan was at the heart of everything which happened for him”.

Book campaign launched in Clare to deliver 100,000 free storybooks to school children

by Dearbhla Parry news@clareecho.ie

A SMALL Cooraclare book company is launching a campaign to deliver free books to 100,000 school children across Ireland, starting in Clare.

Knook Books creates hyp er-p ers ona lis e d storybooks for children using artificial intelligence. The books are tailored to pre-school and primary school children and can feature “Pixar-style” illustrations of relatives, friends, and even their favourite toys or activities.

The Knook Book Drop Campaign began only a few weeks ago in Clare with the goal to provide books to 100,000 children in Ireland over the next year. For the campaign, Knook Books will work directly with local and national businesses and

teachers to sponsor and distribute their books to school children, and have previously been sponsored by Riverside, the Design Bank, and SuperValu.

The next “drop” of books for schools will take place in September, which will discuss what will be involved in the year ahead.

However, Knook Books claimed that children also enjoy their books toward the end of the school year as an “end-of-year gift from their teachers and the school”.

Books cost €20 to make and sell for around €30, depending on the story. Businesses interested in sponsoring and providing stories to schools can buy the books in bulk at a discounted price. With the campaign, students are given books for free and are presented with them by the businesses.

“It’s lovely for the businesses and the schools to get presented with their books and every child gets to take one home.”

The company of three started 15 months ago when Courtney found a way to entertain his son whilst encouraging him to read. After “playing around” with the idea of personalised children’s stories, the concept “resonated” with other parents too.

Since then, books

have been sent to schools in Cooraclare, Creegh, Kilmihil, Milltown, and Doonbeg.

Courtney said, “There’s not a huge amount of representation in books for children with additional needs”, whereas with Knook Book’s stories, children’s needs and reading levels are tailored to.

To order or sponsor Knook Books for your child or school, you can visit their website app.knook.io.

lKNOOK BOOKS: Scoil Mhicíl Cahermurphy and Stan Lineen from PlanAhead

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

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Regional News

13

Shannon

‘It is like Jumanji’ - grass cutting & overgrown weeds hurting look of Shannon

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

PARTS of Shannon resemble a jungle and what you would see in Jumangi, a county councillor has claimed.

Calls to start a pilot grass cutting programme in Shannon were this week tabled by Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG).

He wanted this to involve “staff from the Municipal District would cut the grass and also advise how we can support the many residents groups who are cutting green

their eighties, they said they were upset with how bad the town looks. Despite all the correspondence, that hit home, they have lived here for sixty years, one of their husbands worked in Shannon Development, they are nice decent people”.

Currently Shannoon is “like scenes from The Zombie Apocalypse or Jumanji, some hills are trying to eat houses with the size of the briars,” he remarked. “The biggest challenge is when you don’t get told the whole

to work as a community, it is our problem, we need to get control of the situation for the town”.

Grass cutting and overgrown weeds is the “full topic of conversation” for Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) when working, walking and shopping in Shannon. “When you drive around and see the weeds, areas that have been done looks good, the areas that haven’t are a disgrace. We don’t want to go down the road of weedkiller, go with the new solution ye have rather than

Wraparound services have been applied by the Council, Morris confirmed. She said engagement is ongoing with the Tidy Towns and Shannon Community Partnership. “We’re looking to have a structure to get them feeding into this and have CE schemes to support communities. The reality is as Cllr O’Gorman alluded to, the size of Shannon is beyond any district in the country”.

Director of Physical De-

velopment, Alan Farrell noted additional funding was required for Shannon. “We need to be conscious that everything has to be invested in and we’re looking at roads for next year with the reorganisation of the roads programme”.

A change in contractor “dropped us in it,” Cllr Mulcahy maintained. “The whole of community effort has been exceptional, the amount of time we’ve put into this, it has to stop, we can’t do it again,

Ryanair recruiting for 35 cabin crew roles in Shannon

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

GRASS CUTTING: Fergus Drive Shannon

areas up and down the town for many years with no support and how they may avail of the relevant maintenance grants”.

Senior executive officer in the Shannon MD, Suzie Clifford confirmed a pilot programme would be assessed and put in place for early 2026. She said MD staff would engage with local community groups and resident associations “to build capacity in relation to green maintenance over the next twelve months”.

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the Shannon Municipal District, Cllr Mulcahy commented, “I live in the town, I’m here fifty one years, there’s a lot of talk on grass cutting on Facebook and I’m getting plenty phone calls about it but I got two phone calls from women aged in

clean it out this year and let’s not have it again,” he added.

“I don’t pay a whole pile of notice to the Facebook stuff but it hit a cord when I had the two ladies in their eighties ringing me”.

Liasing is a two way process, Cllr Michael Begley (IND) reminded the meeting.

“Shannon a very diverse town with plenty of pockets, each one of those will need to have their own unit to liaise with.”

truth, you get told a version of it. We’re the only MD in our county not treating our weeds, I was blown away when I heard that, I was at every meeting with Tidy Towns, there must have been forty to fifty hours of meetings but we’re the only ones not treating the weeds”.

Clarity is needed, Cllr Mulcahy stressed. “To see the state of my town after three of four years of not treating the weeds is an appalling situation to be in”. Improvements are visible over the last fortnight, he acknowledged.

An issue is thirty percent of the town is cut by volunteers, “they are cutting their own grass because the Council won’t take them in charge.

We must engage with those people. I believe we should facilitate them. The project going forward for all of us is

Photo by: Joe Buckley

killing all before us with weedkiller”.

There is an “unprecedented” amount of grass to be cut in Shannon, Cllr O’Gorman stated. “We took all this over from Shannon Development, they hadn’t anything else from Shannon to look after, we have whole the MD from Newmarket-on-Fergus at Latoon Bridge to the Limerick boundary”.

Phenomenal growth over recent months has not helped the matter, Cllr David Griffin (FF) said. “When selecting contractors going forward, can we structure to get them starting earlier or adding strimming element. Are there learnings to apply for next year? We’re starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel, the standards of the last three weeks has improved”.

RYANAIR have announced plans to 35 new cabin crew jobs in Shannon Airport.

Last month, the airline unveiled expansion plans at Shannon including the addition of fourth aircraft based at Shannon Airport plus new routes for its winter schedule to Madrid, Rovaniemi (Lapland), and Madeira.

A recruitment drive is now underway with Ryanair looking to fill 35 cabin crew posts at Shannon.

Recruitment events took place Shannon (Tuesday July 15th) and Limerick (Wednesday July 16th). Attendees will receive a detailed presentation about Ryanair, its operations and will also complete a full assessment on the day, giving them the opportunity to move quickly through the application process.

According to Ryanair, benefits that come with a cabin crew role include an excellent remuneration packages, discounted travel, giving crew the opportunity to travel across Ryanair’s industry leading network

CABIN CREW: Ryanair plane

of over 230 destinations. Successful candidates will benefit from a €2,000 joining bonus, an industry-leading roster of five days on followed by three days off, and the opportunity to fast-track their career within Europe’s largest airline.

Ryanair’s Director of Talent, Mark Duffy, said, “We are delighted to announce 35 new cabin crew positions at our Shannon Airport base to support our busy Summer 2025 operations”.

CEO of the Shannon Airport Group, Mary Considine noted, “Ryanair’s investment is a powerful endorsement of the potential of Shannon, a vote of confidence in the market here, and these new jobs are a testament to the progress we’ve made growing passenger numbers. We’re very ambitious for the airport and the Group.

We see a huge potential for growth and believe there is a real opportunity for Shannon Airport to lead the way in rebalancing the national landscape. A new aviation policy that recognises and supports the strategic importance of Shannon Airport to the country’s economy is now required”.

14

Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Regional News

North Clare

Two-day event celebrates tradition dry stone walling which has shaped The Burren

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A two-day event focusing on the preservation and cultural significance of dry-stone walling in the Burren takes place this Saturday and Sunday (July 19th and 20th) at the Common Knowledge Centre in Kilfenora.

Co-hosted by Clare County Council, Common Knowledge, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, the North Clare Communities Group and the Burrenbeo Trust, ‘Dry Stone Walls of the Burren’, follows the recent inclusion of Irish Dry Stone Walling on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Dry stone walling is an ancient building method that involves carefully placing interlocking stones without the use of mortar or adhesive materials. This technique, which relies on gravity and the weight distribution of stones to create stability, has been practiced in the Burren for centuries. The region is known for its extensive and distinctive dry stone wall network, which reflects the geology, history and agricultural traditions of the area.

Siobhán McNulty, Director of Services in the Tourism Directorate of Clare County Council stated, “This event is being hosted against the backdrop of active conservation efforts to protect a unique element of the Burren’s identity by our partners in the project. Clare County Council is delighted to be part of this work as we work together to protect our heritage and environment, while showcasing the uniqueness of this area of the county”.

Geologist with the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark Dr Eamon Doyle, explained, “The Burren landscape has been shaped not only by geological forces over millions of years, but also by the hands of people through traditions like dry stone walling.

These walls are more than boundaries — they are part of the Burren’s geological and cultural story. Preserving them means preserving a unique connection between people, place, and deep time”.

Fionn Kidney, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Common Knowledge, a non-profit social enterprise located in the Burren added, “Dry stone walls are a defining feature

lTRADITION: Burren stone wall

of the Burren landscape and are considered an important part of Ireland’s rural heritage. However, many of these structures are now under threat due to factors such as livestock damage, aging rural populations and a decline in traditional building knowledge. This gathering is about celebrating and spreading that knowledge — and ensuring it’s

passed on to future generations”.

Conservation Officer at the Burrenbeo Trust Karen van Dorp said, “Building and repairing dry stone walls is a highly skilled craft that requires technical knowledge and hands-on experience. By learning directly from experienced practitioners such as Burren farmers and stonemasons, our volunteers not only help maintain these tra-

Omitting Ennistymon as a stop on pilot shuttle bus ‘an own goal’

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ENNISTYMON has been omitted as a stop for the Burren and Cliffs Explorer shuttle bus.

Launched at the beginning of May, the free, hop-on hop-off shuttle bus service connects top visitor attractions with towns and villages across North Clare.

Attempts to add a link for the Explorer with Ennistymon have been made

by Cllr Shane Talty (FF).

Director of Services for Tourism with Clare County Council, Siobhán McNulty admitted Ennistymon was considered as a stop for the pilot in 2025. She confirmed, “a number of limitations ruled it out as a location. In the short period to establish the shuttle service the team could not overcome

the lack of available parking or the impact of traffic congestion on timetabling.

Traffic congestion and delays would have a negative impact on timetabling and reliability of the Burren and Cliffs shuttle service”.

She flagged that a public bus service from Ennistymon to Lahinch is in operation which connects with the Explorer. A 3km walk or cycle can also be undertaken to get from Ennistymon to the nearest stop, the Director advised.

Grounds of Ennistymon GAA were considered but also ruled out as a stop as it is not within walking distance to town or village.

Acknowledging the work involved in getting the pilot from concept to procurement within a year “in local authority terms is very efficient,” Cllr Tal-

ty said. “The issue I have is and it is particular to Ennistymon not being on the service. To my mind it is the first tourism product launch led by Clare County Council that produces an illustrated map of North Clare and Ennistymon is not on the map, I support 100% trying to spread the benefit but it is an own goal”.

Inagh serving as a bypass to Ennistymon is a further insult with its history of traffic congestion, Cllr Talty remarked. “We have a neon sign in Inagh encouraging visitors to turn left, after twenty five years of failing to deliver on Blake’s Corner and improve accessibility, solution now seems to be we have an outer bypass in Inagh”.

Links between Lahinch and Ennistymon are on a

paid for bus service. “The parking option is there from the secondary school I know it is a tight window, we have 120 cars parked in Falls Hotel and accommodated there then they are already accommodated in the town. It is a missed step,” the postmaster stated. “We need to keep exploring the options. The value of tourism to North Clare, we’re not expecting that we get spend of X and divvy it there, it is not about driving numbers to the Cliffs of Moher but it is about increasing dwell time”.

Seconding the request, Cllr Bill Slattery (FG) outlined there was strong criticism locally. “People are amazed when you come to Inagh there is a neon sign telling you to go by The Hand”.

ditional structures today but also contribute to the long-term preservation of this heritage. With so much of our cultural and natural landscape under threat, the Burrenbeo Conservation Volunteers (BCV) play a vital role in safeguarding, sustaining and sharing the unique legacy of the Burren through their commitment and teamwork”.

The Saturday programme is free to attend with registration and will include a series of panel discussions, practical demonstrations and educational workshops. Topics will include the cultural, ecological and geological importance of dry-stone walls, current conservation practices, and ways to sustain traditional knowledge through education and community initiatives.

On Sunday, an optional guided walk will take place through selected dry stone wall sites in the local area. The walk will be led by heritage specialist Rory O’Shaughnessy and Karen van Dorp of the Burrenbeo Trust. Tickets for the walk are priced at €20 and advance booking is recommended due to limited capacity.

For further details or to register for Saturday’s event, attendees can

Red flag raised in Lahinch

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ELEVATED levels of bacteria in the water has resulted in the raising of the red flag at Lahinch beach, On Wednesday morning, Clare County Council on the advice of the HSE raised the red flag with a bathing prohibition in place until further notice.

Routing bathing water samples “showed elevated levels of

lBATHING NOTICE: Lahinch beach

bacteria,” a spokesperson for the County Council stated.

“Run-off from the catchment after exceptionally heavy rainfall is a likely cause of the elevated levels of bacteria in the water. In accordance with An Taisce’s Blue Flag programme, the Blue Flag at this bathing area will be removed until such time as the water quality improves,” the spokesperson added.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

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Regional News

15

Ennis

Ennis Womens Community Group celebrates one year of community support and creativity

by Lisa Mullaly lisa@clareecho.ie

ENNIS Women’s Community Group (EWCG) celebrated their first year in operation with a coffee morning and raffle with all the proceeds donated to The Alzheimer’s Society of Clare.

The group welcomed current and new members to the event morning, inviting all the ladies to partake in the home baked goodies and a lovely cup of tea. In addition to the Coffee morning and Raffle, EWCG also held a ‘Pop-Up Shop’ showcasing the upcycled crafted items sold at markets to sustain the group.

Ennis Women’s Community Group (EWCG) had the great delight celebrate our first year in operation.

The event which took place on Thursday July 10 was opened by Cllr Mary Howard (FG). Howard praised the group for the continuous community work they have carried out throughout the past year. She also highlighted how important it is for women to be supported in the community and saw future opportunity for various groups to collaborate for the benefit of the local community.

A number of council members and representatives from community groups attended the event to show their support for EWCG’s achievement.

Cllr Antionette Bashua Baker

(FF) spent time chatting to the ladies in the group and listening to ideas for the future of EWCG. Anneli Vaughan of Clare Local Development visited for coffee and a catch up with the group and has been an excellent support since registering EWCG under the SICAP programme.

Cecilia Brizuela of Women’s Collective Clare also supported and spent time chatting with the group while enjoying a cup of tea.

Melissa Kenny of Alzheimer’s Society of Clare expressed appreciation to EWCG for choosing their service to support and admired the work carried out by the group. Melissa spoke about the importance of joining a group to support mental agility and keeping the brain stimulated as we age and a group environment is more beneficial than completing hobbies alone.

Deirdre Leahy of EWCG thanked all who attended and expressed appreciation to members, committee and local contributors. Deirdre took a moment to thank Jean Tierney, Claire and Tommy of The Junction for their continuous support in providing space and supporting the needs of the group. Finally, Deirdre took a moment to reflect with everyone on the importance of coming together to support each other through joyful experiences. Deirdre closed the event with the prizegiving from the raffle carried out by the Alzheimer’s Society.

be recycled.

EWCG members are deeply thankful for the continued support of: Clare Local Development Company through the SICAP programme, enabling the group to purchase sewing machines. Clare County Council’s Rural and Community Development Department, for funding and helping them access community spaces. Department of Physical Environment, for funding our Circular Economy Project

CELEBRATION: Seated (L-R) Mari Clune, Maura Moriarty, Deirdre Leahy, Mary Leahy, Melissa Kenny, Una Patton & Claire (Junction Staff). Standing (L-R) Cecilia Brizuela (WCI), Mary Dormer, Carmel Dormer, Hilary O Sullivan, Michelle Fallon Toft, Mary Ni Ruairc, Sarah Cummins, Bernadette Malone, Carmel Mullane, Yvonne Ryan, new Member, New Member, Steph, Evelyn Sorohan

EWCG was formed in June 2024 when eight women came together with a shared vision: to create a supportive, inclusive space for women of all ages and backgrounds. There’s no need for formal sign-ups just drop in whenever it suits you.

What started with joining The Junction’s Thursday Wool Group has since grown into a vibrant weekly schedule. The group’s ethos is rooted in sharing

skills, stories, and support over a warm cup of tea in a welcoming space.

There are no membership fees for EWCG. The group strives to provide free classes and activities by applying for funding and selling their crafts at local markets.

Members of the group create their crafts using sustainable wool and materials donated by factories—items that otherwise couldn’t

Weekly Activities Monday: Craft Class & Circle Dancing with Mary Lillis at Cloughleigh Community HallWednesday: Qi Gong with Ann Buckley at Cloughleigh Hall & Board Game Night (pop-up locations in Ennis) Thursday: Wool Group (crochet, knitting, embroidery, sewing); volunteers also work on items for our Pop-Up Shop Thursday: Intuitive Art Class with Michelle Fallon Toft—gentle and fulfilling.

Projects & Connections EWCG are a part of Creative Ireland’s Birds of a Feather Project, a Shared Ireland initiative. Through this, we’ve connected with women’s groups from Ballinasloe, Inishbofin, and Belfast, traveling to each location to exchange skills, stories, and laughter.

Ennis nursing home worker skydives for bus and activity centre

by Dearbhla Parry news@clareecho.ie

A KILRUSH woman will skydive to raise money for Cahercalla Community Care this Saturday.

Caroline McMahon has been the Activity Manager at Cahercalla for over four years and will parachute 13,000 feet in Offaly on July 19 to raise funds for a bus and activity centre in the Ennis nursing home.

These facilities will cost in excess of €200,000 and they have more fundraisers planned in the future to achieve this goal.

The bus would bring their 112 residents on their trips into town for hot chocolates, shopping, the beach, or even to the pub. She said,

“We have residents that have gone to the Halfway House to have a pint”. But, she said that the money spent on taxis for these trips is “such a large amount” and that a wheelchair accessible mini bus would be an “absolutely amazing” contribution to the nursing home.

The activity centre would act as a multifunctional room that can be flipped for different activities.

McMahon said, “It’ll be able to bring all the residents together in the Cahercalla community”. She spoke about her baking classes and that due to the kitchen’s location, the residents are unable to “smell the bread being cooked” once being made. “They’re missing out”, she said.

Cahercalla Community Care will hold a Gala Dinner Dance in the Temple Gate Hotel on October 24 th to continue raising funds. In the past, they had a Black Tie Ball, Gentle Folk for Gentle Folk, and Sip ‘n’ Style.

McMahon admitted that she has never gone skydiving before and is “petrified”. She said, “If I sat here and said to you that I haven’t had sleepless nights recently… I’d be telling you lies”.

However, she stated that it is her passion for her job and the residents that she is doing it for.

“I’m willing to take on one of the biggest fears in my life… If I can just see that people have felt that and seen how much of my heart has been involved in this, and if

they could just donate that little bit just to help me make some of it come true”.

Donations for Cahercalla Community Care can be made by scanning the QR code.

For those who wish to pay in person or with cash, you can visit the nursing home or contact them by calling +353 65 682 4388.

“I’m just so grateful for the people that have donated so far”, said McMahon.

SKYDIVE: Caroline McMahon

16

Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Regional News

East Clare

Sunday family events announced for Killaloe-Ballina pedestrianisation trial

Ronan recalls Clare show band scene ahead of Scariff Harbour Festival performance

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE County Council and Tipperary County Council have announced a series of family-friendly events that will take place from 4pm to 6pm each Sunday, beginning on August 10, and into September, as part of the trial pedestrianisation of the historic bridge linking Killaloe and Ballina.

Activities will include children’s entertainment on the bridge itself, water-based participative events, heritage walking tours as well as live music and cultural activities.

A number of events will also align with National Heritage Week, offering families a chance to engage with local history and culture.

The local authorities say these activities aim to enhance the visitor experience and encourage greater footfall across the bridge during the trial period, which runs from Monday, July 28, to Friday, October 17.

Coinciding with these events, is the launch of the ‘Twin Town Trails Map’, which will be distributed locally. This map encourages a leisurely stroll through Killaloe and Ballina, where every step reveals a story. This self-guided walking route weaves through parks, riverside paths and across historic bridges, offering views of the River Shannon as it winds through the twin towns. This map is a blend of culture and nature and an ideal way to truly enjoy the splendour of all

that is on offer.

Siobhán McNulty, Director of Services for Tourism Development at Clare County Council, commented, “We are excited to create a vibrant, family-friendly space every weekend during the trial. It’s a unique opportunity to test a vision of Killaloe and Ballina as walkable, welcoming towns, where people and place come first.”

Cora Morrissey, Senior Executive Officer for Tourism at Tipperary

FAMILY EVENT: Killaloe-Ballina Bridge

County Council, said, “The Sunday events will help showcase the potential of the shared space. The events are a celebration of what this new shared space can offer residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

We want to explore how pedestrianisation can unlock the potential of our town centres as destinations.”

Further details about the family-friendly events will be shared on the social media channels and websites of both local authorities.

A GOLDEN voice of national broadcasting, showband aficionado and performer will get this year’s Scariff Harbour Festival under way.

In a special performance in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Ronan Collins, pictured, will bring nostalgia and warm memories to his many followers and local audience, with his strong stage presence and relaxed style.

Ronan recalled his memories of the showband scene in Clare in the 1970s. “In the 70s, I have many good memories of being in Clare - particulalrly in Kilkee, Kilrush and Sixmilebridge. In those days, we played a lot of holiday venues, carnivals, marquees and of course in the many ballrooms around the country”.

He continued, “I’m very much looking forward to performing in Scariff Church on this occasion.

In such an intimate setting, it’s less frenetic and a wonderful opportunity to connect with people”.

He was drawn to live music bands at the height of the Irish showband era of Dickie Rock, Brendan Bowyer, Joe Dolan and others. Showbands were cover bands for popular hits of the time and drew a massive following up and down the country.

Up until 23 December 2022, Collins held the prestige of maintaining one of the longest-running radio shows on Ireland’s national

station, RTÉ Radio 1. At its peak, 250,000 listeners tuned in daily to The Ronan Collins Show between 12 pm - 1 pm, Monday - Friday.

Joined in Scariff by Karen Black and the Sugarcubes, they will relive the days of the ballroom with songs, stories and memories.

Meanwhile, The Fureys headline the free street music events.The Fureys tell stories through songs and their unique voices mark them apart. Never afraid to experiment, they struck up unlikely sessions with American R&B band Kool & the Gang. Their classic hits, however, have stood the test of time and can be heard in any corner of the world. The Red Rose Café, When You Were Sweet Sixteen, The Green Fields of France, From Clare to Here, Leaving Nancy and others will resound through the hills around Scariff over the upcoming bank holiday week-end.

Scariff Harbour Festival 2025 runs from Thursday July 31 – Sunday August 3.

Other musical events include: Mac Fleetwood, a tribute group to Fleetwood Mac; The Tulla Céili Band, and Sin a Deir Sí, a dynamic collective of trad musicians.

Tickets for Ronan Collins are available from O’Meara’s totalhealth Pharmacy, Scariff (061-921028) or on line from www. scariffharbourfestival.ie Early booking is advisable.

Mid-July garden update: time to tidy, plant, and enjoy JULY HAS been warm and we hav had a nice few days so far but we have a bit of work to do now after the mix of weather over the last few days.

So don’t put off the cleaning of the flowers heads that are gone and the leaves that have gone brown they can damage good leaves if left and new buds are ready to reopen.

Keep an eye on pots in case the rain water has not watered them enough.

Some of the latest perennial that have come into stock here are tall and just gorgeous for adding to your beds or borders.

Lobelia Starship blue is an ideal addition to a wildflower meadow and will do well in full sun or partial shade. It is great to attract bee s and other beneficial insects.

Comfrey can be grown as a medicinal herb, it will grow in moist soil in semi shad. It helps relieve colds and ease pain. Comfrey leaves break down quickly and can also be used to enhance compost piles or be brewed into nutrient-rich compost tea for plants feeding.

Monarda Melua pink or Bee balm are a compact clump forming perennial with soft pink flowers and a wonderful aromatic foliage will do in full sun. Dierama pulcherrimum also known as angels fishing rod is an evergreen with silvery green grass like leaves, in summer send up slender, delicately arching stems dripping with pink bell like flowers.

These are some of the ones that have stood out to this week.

We continue to fill pots as

required with lots of colour available.

A question I was asked recently is; ‘Is it too late to do my basket or pots this summer?’. The anser is; no. Its not the summer pots and baskets will carry on into autumn and once watered and cleaned deadheaded can last well into October so you are not late and lots to choose from call in we can help you choose the perfect basket .

If you’re visiting the grave of your loved on, we have a range of plaque and pots available.

Happy gardening to you this week enjoys the scent and aroma you have created in your landscape.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, July 17, 2025

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News

17

Gort & South Galway

€60m investment approved for Galway City capital projects

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ELECTED members in Galway City Council have voted in favour of seeking a €60m loan to fund significant capital investment.

On Monday, a historic investment in capital projects was approved as councillors backed plans to seek a €60m loan to commence transformative projects including sports masterplans and the redevelopment of Galway City Museum.

This sanction follows in-depth discussions between Elected Members and Senior Management of Galway City Council following the local elections in June 2024, to identify key priorities and objectives for the five-year term of this council (2024-2029). City wide priorities were published in a report in November 2024.

Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard (IND) said, “This approval to proceed with this €60m loan application today represents the belief and positivity Galway City Council has in our city – this is a young, vibrant, educated, artistic, Gaeltacht city, with a long tradition

as an outward-looking trading port, over more than 800 years of history. This decision is an investment in our future, starting the enabling works for ground-breaking projects including the sports masterplans”.

Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Leonard Cleary, said, “This capital investment is possible as a result of some difficult decisions by Members in late 2024, to increase the funding available to the City Council through an adjustment in Local Property Tax and Commercial Rates. This decision is now bearing fruit, as we find ourselves in a stable position to apply for a hugely significant investment in capital infrastructure in our city – some new, transformative spaces and cultural facilities such as Galway City Museum, and Masterplans at Kingston, South Park and Renmore; and some core operational projects that sustain and make our city liveable - such as public lighting upgrades following damage from Storm Éowyn, or land acquisition to support further community development.

“Galway City Council is gearing up to deliver these projects –

l GALWAY CITY: Leonard Cleary through the establishment of a new Project Development Directorate, on-going recruitment of the specialised people and skills needed to deliver these projects, and preparation for our move to new civic offices where we have the space to expand and accommodate the people we need. The loan sanction today is a statement of our intent for Galway City to remain a worldclass city to live, invest, work, or visit, with a significant programme of projects enabled as a result of today’s decision”.

The full list of projects scheduled for investment and enabling works

are across all Departments of Galway City Council, and all areas of the city. Many have commenced and are in design/ planning stages. They include, Masterplans at Kingston, South Park and Renmore (land acquisition and enabling works); Woodquay Park redevelopment; Pitches at Millers Lane; New MUGA at Renmore; Delivery of other sports capital projects such as pitch drainage and skate park in Doughiska; Redevelopment Galway City Museum; Upgrades to Cultural Facilities in the City; Public lighting upgrades, following damage from Storm Éowyn and Fit

out of new civic offices to accommodate staff.

Following the decision, Galway City Council will now seek formal sanction for the loan from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage , and agreement of loan terms and drawdown with the Housing Finance Agency.

The 2026 budget planning process will commence in Galway City Council in Q3 2025, prompting the application process at this point in time.

Repayment of the loan will take place over a 30 year term, with an annual repayment of €3.1 million anticipated.

According to the City Council, the establishment of a capital fund will allow the local authority to maintain momentum and avoid delays in project delivery – for example, as projects move through procurement and into contract stages, or allowing flexibility as projects costs are confirmed. The fund will also allow Galway City Council to seek national and European funding streams to complete proposed projects, where match funding is required.

Remembrance ceremony held for those who died on UN service

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

MEN and women who died in past wars and on service with the United Nations were remembered in the Galway Ceremony for the National Day of Commemoration.

Held in the Quadrangle at University of Galway on Sunday, the Galway remembrance ceremony took place in conjunction with the Defence Forces and University of Galway.

Mayor of Galway City, Cllr Mike Cubbard (IND) and elected members of Galway City Council participated in the moving remembrance ceremony honour of all those Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations.

Members of the Defence Forces, ex-servicemen’s organisations, religious leaders, community representatives, next-of-kin of those who died in past wars or on UN service, and members of the community attended Sunday’s ceremony.

It is the fifteenth time that Galway City Council has hosted this Remembrance Ceremony. The Ceremony commenced with Defence Forces taking up position,

and the Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard, the Elected Members of Galway City Council, Director of Corporate Development , Galway City Council Helen Kilroy and the officiating representatives of the Faith Traditions entering in procession.

Ailish Rohan, Senior Executive Of-

l SALUTING: Flag being raised

l FORCES: Three members of the Defence Forces

ficer, Galway City Council, opened the Ceremony with an invitation to remember all those who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations. Multifaith prayers and readings of commemo-

ration were then led by Right Reverend Monsignor Peter Rabbitte, Mr Obey Shanya Elders, United Church Galway, PJ Conneely, Humanist Celebrant; Steven Foster, Methodist Church and Iman Shakeel Ur Rehman, Galway Islamic

Society.

Mayor Cubbard laid a wreath at a commemorative plaque to honour those who died in past wars or on service at home or abroad. Declan Ganley on be-

half of Galway Great War Memorial with a group of scouts from Brittany France, laid a wreath for the Galway men and women who lost their lives. This was followed by a minute’s silence.

The National Flag was hoisted to full mast by LT Keith Grady accompanied by a roll of drums. The Ceremony concluded with Mr. Alan Greaney, Soloist, singing a poignant rendition of the national anthem, accompanied by St. Patrick’s Brass Band and conducted by Mr. Ken O’Connor.

18

Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Contributors

Thought for the week:

A Call to See, Love, and Care Spreading the word of positivity

RONAN SCULLY HAVE you ever stopped in the middle of your day, maybe at the kitchen sink, at your office desk, in traffic, or during a quiet moment and whispered, “Lord, do You really see me?”

Maybe it was on a day when the weight felt unbearable. When the smile on your face masked a silent scream in your soul.

When grief, stress, loneliness, depression or uncertainty crept in like a shadow and refused to leave.

The good news, the life-giving, heart-soothing, soul-lifting truth is this: Yes. He sees. He knows. He cares. Psalm 56:8 says, “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?” What a tender image.

A God who not only hears our prayers but records our tears. He counts each one, keeps them close, and remembers. He is not blind to our pain or indifferent to our sorrow. And even more astonishing, He invites you to love Him, right there, in your rawness and brokenness. Not with perfection, but with everything you’ve got. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30).

This is more than a command, it’s an invitation. An invitation into intimacy. Into trust. Into surrender. But loving God like this doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It begins by recognizing His love for us, a love that sees, saves, and stays.

Let me share a story from my Nana Scully’s prayerbook, a true one, though the names are changed.

There was a nurse named Ciara who worked in palliative care. Her days were spent tending to those in their final chapter of life, people filled with stories, regrets, joys, and pain.

One afternoon, she was assigned to care for an older man named Sean, who had grown bitter after years of disappointment. He rarely spoke. He resisted care. Most of the staff avoided his room.

But Ciara, prompted by a nudge in her spirit, made it her mission to sit with him each day. Sometimes she read to him. Sometimes

she just held his hand.

One rainy afternoon, he finally spoke: “Why are you here? Why do you keep coming back when I’ve done nothing but push you away?”

She answered simply, “Because you matter. Even if you don’t feel it, you matter. God sees you. And so do I.” Tears welled up in his eyes, his first visible emotion in weeks.

A few days before he passed, he whispered, “Tell God, Thank you.

For sending you. I think He knew I needed love one last time.” Ciara didn’t perform a miracle. She didn’t fix his life. But she loved him with her heart, soul, mind, and strength. And in that love, Sean encountered God. That’s the example of the kind of love Jesus calls us to. A love that shows up. A love that sees people, even the prickly, the quiet, the hurting, the broken, the abandoned, the forgotten.

A love that doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. A love that reflects God’s heart in everyday acts of kindness, courage, care and presence.

Because here’s the truth, many people are silently suffering. They laugh in public but cry in private.

They serve others while carrying burdens of their own.

Think of our first responders, nurses, priests, carers, teachers, gardai, nuns, army personnel, parents, and volunteers. Often, they are the ones pouring out love, care, guidance and help to others while quietly running on empty themselves.

The tragic passing of a friend of mine a few years ago Fr. Micheal, whom I miss very much, a young priest who gave so much of himself to others while privately battling inner struggles, reminds us that even the strongest among us need to be seen, loved, and cared for.

We must become a people who look beyond the surface. Who asks, “How are you really?” and who listen without judgment.

Sometimes the most powerful ministry is not a sermon or a solution, it’s presence. It’s being there.

Fully. Lovingly. Kindly. Caringly.

Prayerfully. Faithfully. Gently.

In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus identifies the greatest commandment as ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like

it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

So what does it look like to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength? With our hearts, we bring Him our emotions, joy and sorrow, laughter and tears. We sit with Him, just to be with Him. He wants us, not our performance, just our presence. With our souls, we surrender the things we cannot control. We admit when we’re weary, and we ask Him to meet us there. With our minds, we renew our thoughts through scripture, fasting and prayer. We take every anxious or negative thought captive and replace it with truth. With our strength, we serve. We show up. We press on when it’s hard. We do the next right thing, leaning on His power when ours runs out.

And through it all, we remember, God sees our tears. He hears our prayers. He knows our burdens.

This love, both received and given, has the power to transform families, friendships, colleagues, neighbours and communities. It starts in the small, hidden moments, when you choose kindness over judgment, when you speak life instead of gossip, when you offer grace instead of blame.

Thought for the Week As your thought for the week, may you be reminded that our journey of faith is not just a destination, but a beautiful, ongoing transformation.

One that shapes our hearts, minds, and souls. Just as a parent’s love instinctively protects and nurtures their children, so too does our Heavenly Father hold us close, guiding us with unwavering love and tender care.

To love God with all our heart, soul, and mind is to invite Him fully into every corner of our lives, into our dreams, our choices, our life and even our struggles. It means letting go of old ways and stepping bravely into the light of His Kingdom, trusting that He is molding us into reflections of His love, care and grace. Let this week be a time to deepen that intimate walk with Him, allowing His passion to burn within us like a steady flame.

When we live this way, our lives become living testimonies not just for ourselves, but for those around us, especially our children, friends, neighbours, colleagues and community.

Amhráin ar ansean-nós as muscraí ar TG4 san oíche dé domhnaigh/ Top class sean-nós singing from the Cork gaeltacht on TG4 this Sunday evening Macalla an Chláir

LE MACDARA Ó CONAOLA

I MEASC na n-amhránaithe ar an gclár seo, beidh amhránaithe Mhúscraí ag gabháil fhoinn: Eilís agus Eoiní Maidhcí Ó Súilleabháin as Cúil Aodha, Seán Ó Liatháin as Baile Mhic Íre agus Eilís Uí Thuama as Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh.

Sunday night’s show will feature singers from the Múscraí Gaeltacht including Eilís and Eoiní Maidhcí Ó Súilleabháin from Coolea, Seán Ó Liatháin from Ballymakeery, Eilís Uí Thuama from Ballingeary and Áine Uí Chuill from Kilnamartery.

TG4, Dé Domhnaigh, 20ú Iúil, ag 9.15pm

lÁillecht san áit agus sna hamhráin - Muscraí ar TG4 san oíchae dé domhnaigh

AN BHFUIL SCÉAL LE ROINNT AGAIBH ?!

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

lSIONNA – Gaeilge le Chéile, Ionad Siopadóireacht Skycourt, 11am, chuile Dé Domhnaigh lCILL ROIS – Preab-Ghaeltacht chuile oíche Dé Ceadaoin ag 8pm i mBuggles Bar lSIONNA – Siúlóid Dúlra/Nature Walk, Dé Domhnaigh, 11am, Community Room (Gaeilge le Chéile ar Facebook) lLUIMNEACH – AIFREANN GAEILGE, chuile Dé Domhnaigh, 10.30am, Mainistir an tSlánaitheora, Sráid San Doiminic, Luimneach lCLARE FM - Cúl-chaint le Domhnall Ó Loingsigh chuile Dé Sathairn, ag 9am ar Clare FM lCILL INÍNE BAOITHE - Ciorcal Comhrá san XPO, chuile Dé

Céadaoin ag 7.30pm lINIS – CAINT AGUS COMHRÁ, chuile Dé Luain ag 11am sa gCopper Jug, Dé Máirt ag Zest 11am, Dé Céadaoin ag 11am in O’Brien’s, oíche Déardaoin sa Temple Gate (8pm), Dé hAoine The Market Bar 11am, agus Dé Sathairn i nGlór, 11am-12pm.

Déan teagmháil leo ag: caintaguscomhra@outlook. com l LUIMNEACH – Ciorcail Comhrá. Chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 10.30am, Bialann Eden, Ollscoil Luimnigh.Tuilleadh eolais ar fáil ó Noel ag 086 792 8389. lAN SCAIRBH – Lón i nGaeilge’, 1-2pm, chuile de mairt i gcaifé ‘AnGáirdín’, fáilte roimh chuile dhuine.

19

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

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

“We need to keep having conversations about mental health”, says ISPCC

by Dearbhla Parry news@clareecho.ie

Childline by ISPCC is promoting its Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing programmes in order to help the “six in ten” people who are currently struggling with anxiety.

To this end, Childline by ISPCC offers these free programmes to parents and carers of teens and children suffering from anxiety. The programmes include ‘Space from Anxiety’, aimed at 15 to 18-year-olds; ‘Supporting An Anxious Child’, aimed at parents/carers of five to 11-yearolds; and ‘Supporting An Anxious Teen’, aimed at parents/carers of 12 to 18-year-olds.

Childline by ISPCC offers these programmes to all. For example, it isn’t necessary to be on a CAMHS waiting list to avail of them.

The online programmes,

which are all free, are based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, and are created by SilverCloud, a leading digital mental health provider.

Users have 12 weeks in which to complete the programme under the guidance of a volunteer, known as a Supporter, and can avail of an unsupported version of the programme for one year after this time.

Childline by ISPCC also offers one-to-one therapeutic support for young people and their families and Childline Listening, Ireland’s only 24-7 listening service for children and young people.

Bree O’Neill is the National Childline Digital Coordinator at ISPCC. She manages the Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing Programmes.

She is also on a Healthy Clare subgroup, promoting mental health services in Clare. She said there are “many avenues

of support” and that the promotion of these services is “absolutely necessary” to provide support for those who need it.

Services in Clare that O’Neill mentioned include Clare Suicide Bereavement Support, Grow Mental Health, the HSE and GOSHH, as well as events held in the Clare Library.

O’Neill believes that everyone in the Clare community has a role to play “to ensure that our young people are living a safer, better, happier childhood, which is the aim of ISPCC”. She said that knowing there are services that can help people in need is vitally important to the “emotional, mental and physical health” of our community.

O’Neill said that she would love to see more mental and emotional health in schools, but that it is up to all of us to destigmatise mental health.

She expressed that getting

Reach Out and ‘Grow’

by Dearbhla Parry news@clareecho.ie

A mental health support group are making Clare a healthier place “mentally, physically and emotionally” with their weekly Ennis meetings.

Grow Mental Health is a peer support group based on a 12-step program for anyone over the age of 18 experiencing mental health struggles. Their mission is “an Ireland where nobody needs to navigate mental health challenges or life’s struggles alone”, with an ethos of “recovery through community”.

Grow also offer community education programs, leadership courses, social events and weekends, mental wellness outreach and education, and workplace training.

“Reach out” and adopt the values of connection, inclusion, and change, “because without change, there is no recovery”, encourages Grow Mental Health’s Midwest Area Coordinator,

Celia Brett. “There’s no referral, there’s no diagnosis required, there’s no waiting list, they’re private, plus it’s a free service… All a person has to do is turn up at the meeting.”

To ease new members’ anxieties, Celia said that sometimes people call or meet up with her before Grow meetings. She said that members are “warm, caring, loving people” and expressed that “a problem shared is a problem halved”.

Celia works with Grow in the Midwest of Ireland, including Clare, Limerick, and Northern Tipperary. She has an honours degree in counselling and psychotherapy and wanted to get involved with Grow, “meeting members where they are at, and understanding where they’re at.” She has worked with Grow for two years now and believes that a group of like-minded people is essential for mental health recovery. She said, “There’s phenomenal support in group sessions.”

Celia brought up the issue of accessibility regarding mental health services.

She said that the services in Ennis are “fantastic” to have, however, travel distance could pose a problem for those residing in rural Clare, and even with online services, “most older people might not be into technology”.

Grow began in 1957 in Australia when founder Con Keogh, a limerick man, came out of a psychiatric hospital with no mental health support. After attending Alcoholics Anonymous, he and his fellow members established the Grow program, which then came to Ireland in 1969.

Meetings are held for free in the Maria Assumpta Hall in Ennis every Monday at 7:30pm and Tuesday at 2pm.

Members go by first names only, and the first three weeks involve introductions.

To get involved or find out more, call Celia Brett (086 1526966) or visit Grow.ie

support can be life-changing and strongly believes that “no man is an island”.

“None of us feel shy about going to the doctor because we’ve broken our leg, but often we won’t mention that we’re suffering from depression.” lISPCC’s Support Line for adults is open daily from 9am to 1pm. You can register your interest for any of the ISPCC’s services online, free of charge. To find out more, you can contact ISPCC over the phone (01 522 4300) or by visiting the website ISPCC.ie

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Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Green Clare

Whitegate teen Sarah appointed to Youth Board of sustainable food hub

by Páraic McMahon

are represented at Airfield Estate.

Speaking about the appointments, Airfield Estate CEO Claire Mac Evilly said “Our mission at Airfield Estate is to maintain the legacy created by the Overend sisters and to safeguard sustainable food production and education for future generations. There’s no better way to do that than to invite young people in and empower them to participate directly in our activities and projects. While our team will be on hand to share resources and facilitate, we look forward to hearing new ways of thinking, and learning from our new members how best to cultivate and protect our shared future”.

paraic@clareecho.ie

WHITEGATE teenager Sarah Treacy (16) has joined the Youth Board of educational charitable trust, Airfield Estate.

On Monday, Sarah was announced as one of ten teenagers nationwide selected to help inform and shape the future of sustainable food in Ireland as members of the 2025/26 Youth Board with Airfield Estate, the sustainable food hub and educational charitable trust.

Sarah joins the Youth Board which provides a platform for a younger generation to impact climate action and also aims to help teenagers develop skills in sustainability, agriculture and leadership.

Coming from a farm in Whitegate, Sarah has firsthand experience of food production after starting a business where she sold hen eggs from her garden, and was the runner up in a Local Enterprise Office Teen Enterprise Competition.

With a passion for climate change and agriculture, she believes that sustainable farming practices are essential to preserve farming lifestyles for future generations.

As a member of the Airfield Estate Youth Board, Sarah and her peers will be taking part in workshops and talks to help them become future leaders in the food, agriculture and climate action space.

She joins Aoife McGowan (19) from Carrick-on-Shannon in Leitrim, Clodagh Farrell (15) from Terenure, Dublin, Emily O’Brien (16) from Croghan in Offaly, Dundrum in Dublin quartet Hugo Russel Connolly (17), John Badin (15), Sam Barry (15), Sean Monaghan (15), Mullingar’s Jane Duggan (19), Mary Clare O’Connell (16) of Blarney, Co Cork Acting as advisors to the Estate’s leadership team, the Youth Board brings fresh perspectives to projects and decision-making processes, ensuring that youth voices

lSUSTAINABLE FOOD HUB: Sarah Treacy

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

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Green Clare

Solar-powered duck feed dispenser installed at Ballyalla Lake

by Lisa Mullaly lisa@clareecho.ie

A NEW solar-powered duck feed dispenser has been installed at Ballyalla Lake, offering families a fun and eco-friendly alternative to the age-old tradition of tossing bread to the birds.

The initiative, inspired by a wildlife radio segment and brought to life by local swimmer Bridget Ginnity and The Feed Ducks Initiative, promises healthier ducks, cleaner water, and a more sustainable way to enjoy Ballyalla Lake.

Feeding bread to the ducks at Ballyalla Lake has given enjoyment over the years but it is not the healthiest for the

ducks and leftovers can lead to algal blooms and disease.

A new duck feeding dispenser at the lake means we still have the fun and now also support healthier ducks and a healthier environment.

Bridget Ginnity, a regular swimmer in Ballyalla, heard an item on “Mooney goes Wild” radio programme describing a dispenser that releases a small quantity of nutritious duck feed and got in touch with the Cork basked inventor Matthew Knight of The Feed Ducks Initiative. “Matthew described how they provide and install the solar powered unit free of charge.

A portion of feed

costs €1 by contactless payment and 10% of the revenue is returned to the community. It sounded like a no-brainer and Clare County Council were very supportive of the suggestion.

They provided the concrete base that was needed to mount the unit.”

Currently, the Feed Ducks Initiative is in about 12 locations in Ireland and this is the first in the west of the country. There are over 60 units in the UK. “People really like the duck feeding units.” says developer Matthew Knight. “Families get an opportunity to learn about wildlife which creates happy memories.”

The feed is dispensed directly into a chute, so having something to scoop it in can be handy but not essential.

The feed floats on the water, which adds to the entertainment of watching the ducks eating the feed. “I’d encourage people to feed the birds slightly away from where swimmers enter the water, as swans are a lot bigger up close” added Bridget Ginnity “but most of all, I’d encourage everyone to give it a try.”

lFEED THE DUCKS: Bridget Ginnty at the new duck feed dispenser at Ballyalla Lake

22

Business

Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Junior Minister Canney updated on €30m investment programme during inaugural Shannon Airport visit

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

JUNIOR MINISTER, Seán Canney (IND) made his first visit to Shannon Airport since taking on the role at the beginning of this year.

An update on the Shannon Airport Group’s €30m investment programme was outlined to the Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rails and Ports during his visit on Thursday. He met with CEO, Mary Considine where the Group’s strategic initiatives and recent developments were discussed.

Officials in the Shannon Airport Group have stressed it was an important meeting regarding ongoing engagement with the Department of Transport.

Earlier this year, the Shannon Airport Group commenced its €30m investment programme. This includes airport terminal upgrades, the redevelopment of Gates 1–5, and Ireland’s first solar PV farm on airport lands—a flagship sustainability project. The programme also features over 140,000 sq ft of new R&D space at Shannon Airport Business Park, of which two units totalling 100,000 sq ft are set to begin construction in late 2025.

Acknowledging the Group’s important role in Ireland’s transport and logistics sector, Minister of State Canney said, “Shannon Airport is a vital gateway for Ireland and a cornerstone of our national airport network. I am deeply impressed by the ambition shown by The Shannon Airport Group in advancing connectivity, sustainability, and economic opportunity for the region. I have seen first-hand how the passenger experience drives innovation at the Airport with more and more travellers choosing Shannon Airport as a result. I am heartened to see the airport’s strong growth trajectory continuing with passengers up 7% so far this year, reflecting the vital role Shannon Airport plays in providing connectivity for both leisure and business customers”.

CEO Considine stated, “We are delighted to welcome Minister Canney to Shannon Airport - a strategic national asset with a vital role to play in rebalancing aviation in Ireland. With 40% of the population in our catchment area and 70% of the tourism workforce based outside Dublin, regional connectivity is not just important – it’s essential to national growth. Nearly 4 in 10 tourists arriving in Dublin travel west and aviation policy must reflect this reality and support airports like Shannon in driving balanced economic development”.

She added, “The Minister’s visit highlights the importance of strong collaboration between government and regional transport hubs. We look forward to continuing our work to deliver world-class services and infrastructure that benefit our passengers, our partners, and the national economy”.

INVESTMENT: Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rails and Ports, Seán Canney (IND) with CEO of the Shannon Airport Group, Mary Considine.

Photo by: Arthur Ellis

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.

• School Warden Part-time - Kilrush/Ennis & Sporadic Cover Shannon Closing Date Closing date: 12 Noon Thursday 31st July 2025 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.

We’re hiring!

ZŝŐŝĚ ƌŝǀĞƌƐ ;&ƵůůͲdŝŵĞͿ Ž͘ ůĂƌĞ tĞ ĂƌĞ ĚĞůŝŐŚƚĞĚ ƚŽ ďĞ ĂĚĚŝŶŐ ƚŽ ŽƵƌ dĞĂŵ͘ tĞ ĂƌĞ ŶŽǁ ƌĞĐƌƵŝƚŝŶŐ ZŝŐŝĚ ƌŝǀĞƌƐ ŝŶ Ž͘ ůĂƌĞ

zŽƵ ŵƵƐƚ͗ • ĞůŝĞǀĞ ŝŶ ĚĞůŝǀĞƌŝŶŐ ĞdžĐĞůůĞŶƚ ĐƵƐƚŽŵĞƌ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ͘ • dŚƌŝǀĞ ŝŶ Ă ďƵƐLJ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ͘ • ,ĂǀĞ ƚŚĞ ĚƌŝǀĞ ĂŶĚ ĞŶƚŚƵƐŝĂƐŵ ƚŽ ƐƵĐĐĞĞĚ ĂƐ Ă ZŝŐŝĚ ƌŝǀĞƌ͘ • Ğ ƚŚĞ ĨĂĐĞ ŽĨ Žƌƌŝď Kŝů ƚŽ ŽƵƌ ǀĂůƵĞĚ ĐƵƐƚŽŵĞƌƐ͘ ƉƉůLJ ƚŽĚĂLJ͊

^ĞŶĚ LJŽƵƌ s ƚŽ ƌĞĐƌƵŝƚŵĞŶƚΛĐŽƌƌŝďŽŝů͘ĐŽŵ

Ăůů ĂŶŶLJ ŽŶ Ϭϴϲ ϴϭϯ ϵϰϱϰ ĨŽƌ ĨƵƌƚŚĞƌ ĚĞƚĂŝůƐ͘ Ăůů

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

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Business

Mother and daughter team shine for Roscommon at Kelly Hearing Specialists KELLY Hearing Specialists in Roscommon is celebrating a remarkable double victory as its mother-and-daughter team are honoured on both regional and national stages.

Ann Marie Kelly has been named Emerging Businesswoman of the Year 2025, while her daughter, Vicky, has secured the prestigious Emerging Rising Star 2025 award at Inter Branch Level—the first time this accolade has been brought home to Roscommon.

Ann Marie’s recognition is a testament to her visionary leadership and the exceptional care she fosters at Kelly Hearing Specialists. Over the years, she has championed innovative solutions and community initiatives, setting a high standard for indepen-

lMOTHER AND DAUGHTER: Ann Marie and Vicky Kelly

dent clinical care in the region.

Equally, Vicky’s Rising Star award underlines

her remarkable contribution to the business

and the sector. Known for her personal touch, dedication, and energy, Vicky consistently drives both client satisfaction and operational improvements, earning admiration from clients and colleagues alike.

Their achievements highlight the strength of family-run businesses in our community, where commitment, passion, and a shared sense of purpose lead to real results.

Not only have Ann Marie and Vicky raised the bar for local service provision, but they will now go on to represent Roscommon at the National finals in September, championing the town and its values on a larger stage.

In addition to their base location in Roscommon Kelly Hearing specialists also

Ennis Skin and Makeup Studio is the first to win an online presence award

by Dearbhla Parry news@clareecho.ie

An Ennis skincare studio has won two awards in London, including a never-before-won online presence award.

The Skin and Makeup Studio in Ennis received two awards at the end of June: “Best Independent Retailer in Ireland” and “Community Champion Winner for Best Online Presence”.

The first award was to do with “product scale”, explained Maureen Considine (pictured), owner of the salon. She said, “I teach people about what they need to use, what they don’t need to use”. The second award was new, and all about “educating people about the products through social media and stories”.

Considine’s studio was the first to ever win the Community Champion Award.

She told the Clare Echo that the judges “felt they needed to acknowledge the work

that I was doing online and the work that I “a mark of how hard I have worked over was doing with teenagers, because no oth- the last nine years to keep that business er business was doing it.” going” and has been advised by clients to The Internationl Institute of Anti Ageing show them off in her studio with a “big Salon of the Year Awards were held at the light”. She commented, “It’s a lovely recogNobu Hotel in London. nition… Anything is possible now.”

Considine described the champagne “I just want to say thank you to everyreception, cocktails, and “beautiful” three- one for supporting me and that I’m very course meal. When her small business was grateful, because I wouldn’t be there withannounced for awards by a panel of judg- out them.” es, she got “such a shock”.

The Skin and Makeup Studio supplies three brands: Advanced DEISEANNA FOSTAÍOCHTA IN Nutrition Supplements, Environ, OIFIG NA NOIBREACHA POIBLÍ and Et Al Makeup. Maureen is holding a Teen Skin and Makeup TREORAÍ MAOIRSEORA Camp next week and will teach that “using less is more”.

LE HAGHAIDH In the future, she hopes to obtain some skin analysis machinery MHAINISTIR NA HINSE AGUS to do a 3D face scan and assess any INIS CATHAIGH damage for treatment.

For Considine, these awards are

work out of 21 other locations across the country. Anne Marie provides services in Holly’s Pharmacy on Abbey Street in Ennis Co. Clare while Vicky works in Rosedale Pharmacy in Dooradoyle Co. Limerick and Shane Kelly’s Pharmacy in Tipperary Town.

With a proud track record of innovation, expertise, and heartfelt service, Kelly Hearing

Specialists continues to demonstrate that family businesses are at the heart of community care and professional excellence.

More information on the services provided

by Kelly Hearing Specialists can be found on the companies website: www.kellyhearingspecialists.com or by phone at 089 9492269

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS SAFETY OFFICER (FIXED TERM & PERMANENT POSITIONS) IN SOUTH WEST ARTERIAL DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE & CAPITAL WORKS DELIVERY DIVISION Competition Reference: 2025/052 Applications are invited for the above positions. Competition details and application forms are available at www.gov.ie/opw The closing date for receipt of completed applications is not later than 5:30pm on Tuesday, 19th August 2025.

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

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS SUPERVISOR GUIDE FOR ENNIS FRIARY AND SCATTERY ISLAND

Tagairt an Chomórtais: 2025/051

Competition Reference: 2025/051

Tá iarratais á lorg le haghaidh na bpost thuas.

Tá sonraí an chomórtais agus foirmeacha iarratais le fáil ar www.gov.ie/opw

Applications are invited for the above positions.

Competition details and application forms are available at www.gov.ie/opw

Is é an dáta deiridh a ghlacfar le hiarratais chomhlánaithe ná tráth nach déanaí ná 5.30pm Dé Céadaoin, an 20 Lúnasa 2025.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is nnot later than 5:30pm on Wednesday, 20th August 2025.

Tá Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí tiomanta do bheartas comhdheiseanna.

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

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Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Arts & Culture

Clare man shortlisted for astrophotography competition

by LISA MULLALY lisa@clareecho.ie

CLARE NATIVE Lee O’Driscoll has been shortlisted for the ‘Reach for the Stars’ astrophotography competition, run by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS).

His photograph of the North American Nebula earned him a place in the ‘Out of this World – Deep Sky’ category.

O’Driscoll, who is originally from Creegh, near Doonbeg, began his astrophotography journey four years ago after buying his younger brother a telescope for Christmas.

“I was kind of underwhelmed by what I was seeing,” he explained. “Then when I was looking on the internet, I was seeing all these pictures of space objects. So I figured out that I had to take photos to get those.”

Starting out by holding

an iPhone to the eyepiece of a telescope, O’Driscoll gradually upgraded his equipment over the years.

He now lives in Edinburgh, but travels home to Clare when photographing deepsky objects, taking advantage of the region’s darker skies.

“For the shortlisted image, I went home in May and packed all my gear into a suitcase. I set it up for one of the only two nights the sky was clear while I was there. I think it took about three hours to capture the image.”

The technical process involved multiple 10-minute exposures using a camera and telescope system with a tracking mount to compensate for the Earth’s rotation. O’Driscoll also used narrowband filters to isolate specific gases in the nebula, hydrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, taking six exposures of each before combining them into the final image.

“My camera is monochrome, so I use filters that only see certain gases. It

Poet Susan Millar DuMars to feature at Clare Poetry Collective open mic in Ennis

by Lisa Mullaly lisa@clareecho.ie

ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY: North American Nebula

also helps cut out light pollution, although there isn’t much in Clare anyway,” he said.

The competition, organised by DIAS in partnership with The Irish Times, aims to find the best astrophotography taken in Ireland over the past year. Images were submitted across five categories, with entries accepted from 26 April 2024 to 2 June 2025.

Public voting is now open at www.reachforthestars. ie/exhibition for the Public Choice Award, where members of the public can vote for their favourite shortlist-

ed image. Voting closes at 5pm on Thursday, 24 July and is limited to one vote per person.

Alongside the public vote, the competition will also be judged by a panel that includes Professor Peter Gallagher (DIAS), Michael McCreary (Irish Astronomical Society), Dr Lisa McNamee (Space Medicine Ireland), and Irish Times photographer Alan Betson. Winners will be announced in August, with an outdoor exhibition of the top images to be held at DIAS Headquarters on Burlington Road, Dublin.

CLARE Poetry Collective celebrates renowned Galway poet Susan Millar DuMars at the next installement of the groups bi-monthly Open Mic event in Ennis on Saturday, July 19 , from 12.30pm to 2pm.

Susan Millar DuMars has published five collections with Salmon Poetry. Susan has also published short fiction and nonfiction and is currently working on her second story collection. A part-time academic at the University of Galway. Susan also co-facilitated, along side her late husband Kevi Higgins, Galway’s Over the Edge readings series for twenty years, 2003-2023.

Salmon has just published a posthumous collection of Kevin’s poetry edited by Susan.

Marijke & The Wayfarers

will open the event, with msuic beginning at 12.30pm.

The trio inspired by Marijke’s original songwriting create contemporary music combining vocals, bass and guitar.

The Open Mic is an opportunity for poets, whether established or reading before an audience for the first time, to be heard and appreciated.

Poets are invited to read one poem, maximum length 40 lines.

Sign up for the Open Mic will be open noon to 12.25pm.

Members have published poetry and prose books and broadcast and performed work extensively in the thirty years since its first iteration. Events and readings are held regularly in Glór and in Clare Libraries. Any poet can become a member of Clare Poetry Collective by joining our WhatsApp group. 0861007520.

Kinvara-based artist Lily Johnston opens debut solo exhibition this Friday

by Lisa Mullaly

lisa@clareecho.ie

AMERICAN-BORN, Kinvara-based artist Lily Johnston will open her debut solo exhibition this Friday, July 18, at 7pm in The Courthouse, Kinvara. The exhibition marks a significant milestone in Johnston’s artistic journey, showcasing more than 30 works created over the past year.

Lily was inspired to become an artist at a young age. Her father, a Kinvara native, is a carpenter and her mother, who is American, worked as an art teacher. With both of her parents working in creative fields, Lily and her sister were always surrounded by art.

Johnston began her studies in fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in

New York City but left to pursue a more creative, less commercial path. “I really did like the fashion drawing, but I ended up getting a job in a branding studio and dropped out of FIT to do that.”

Though she initially studied fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York, Johnston pivoted toward visual art after working in artist branding. She moved to Ireland full-time in 2014 and began developing her own business, Lily’s Mind Studio, while raising her children. “I started applying my own style, working mostly in watercolor. Over the last 10 years, I’ve done everything from festival posters to commissions and teaching.”

Although Lily has previously taken part in group exhibitions, this will be her first full solo

show. The exhibition will feature over 30 pieces in a range of sizes, developed over the past year.

Known for her imaginative and emotionally driven artwork, Johnston’s debut show dives deep into themes of anxiety, inner thoughts, and dream-like states. Her work features a vibrant mix of watercolor and other mediums, brought together by a recurring motif of strange and whimsical creatures.

“A lot of these pieces are more like journal entries for me,” Johnston said. “When I start painting, everything else kind of goes away. All my emotions are stuck into what I’m painting, and then when it’s done, I don’t really want to look at it anymore.”

The exhibition includes a wide range of work in both size and tone. One stand-

out piece, Eyes on the Inside, was created through a blend of watercolor and colored pencil after an unexpected turn during the creative process. “It’s actually one of my favorite pieces,” Johnston shared. “I had just gotten some new paper I was trying out and didn’t like how the watercolor sat.

But instead of throwing it away, I switched to colored pencil, and it worked. I think all artists need to try new things otherwise, you get stagnant.”

Her playful yet introspective characters often draw on darker elements of childhood imagination. “I was a big fan of Tim Burton and shows like Real Monsters and Rocko’s Modern Life. There’s something about those offbeat 90s kids’ shows that really stuck with

me,” Johnston said.

“I like to say my work soothes and unsettles at the same time.”

This blurred boundary between reality and imagination is a defining theme throughout the exhibition. “I always say this is for anyone who’s ‘lost in a dream.’ When I paint, I fall into a trance like I’m somewhere between awake and asleep,” she explained.

“Creativity lives in that space. I want people to look at my work and decide for themselves how they feel.”

Alongside her own work, Johnston will also feature a collection by her after-school art students. “This was my first year running classes for primary school kids, and my Monday group, fifth and sixth class, spent six weeks creating one finished, gallery-ready piece,” she said. The

SOLO EXHIBITION: Water colour painting by Lily Johnston

young artists learned about perspective, proportion, and the exhibition process.

The exhibition opens to the public on Friday, July 18, at 7pm in The Courthouse, Kinvara

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

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Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Let the games begin...

Rule changes bring new lease of life to race for Jack Daly

by Páraic McMahon

Plenty of bite will be provided in the derby meeting of Kilmurry Ibrickane and St Joseph’s Miltown on Saturday evening while intermediate champions Wolfe Tones make the jump to senior where they face St Breckans in Group 3.

Two teams automatically qualify from Group 2 and 3 with the third placed team in these groups facing off in a preliminary quarter-final.

Unless supporters have mastered the art of bilocation they won’t be able to make all games with three fixed for 7pm on Friday alone. Fear not as subscribers of The Clare Echo will be able to access online match reports and can relive the action with the weekly podcast, The Water Break.

Let the games begin!

paraic@clareecho.ie

NEW RULES have brought a renewed lease of life to gaelic football and the race for Jack Daly begins this weekend with an added sense of excitement.

Holders Éire Óg are bidding to win a fourth title in five seasons but under a new management led

by Shane Daniels. Their first outing pits them against Colm Collins’ Cratloe, the side that ended their championship aspirations in 2023.

The other Group 1 pairing sees St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Kildysart collide, only a point separated them when they clashed last season. Three teams qualify from this group for the quarter-finals.

Ennistymon and Doonbeg meet in the first round for the second year running and their fourth since 2019.

Theirs is expected to be a tight contest in Miltown Malbay on

Friday night while Lissycasey and Kilmihil lock horns for the second

year running to try claim valuable points in Group 2.

PICTURED: Éire Óg players with the title last year.

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Still plenty of life in Cratloe side

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

CRATLOE’S bid to reclaim the Jack Daly from the tight grip of holders Éire Óg begins in earnest this weekend when they face the reigning champions in what is billed as the tie of the round.

Colm Collins heads into his seventeenth season in charge of Cratloe’s top team. He oversaw their intermediate success in 2009 and has patrolled the line for their historic senior championship wins in 2013, 2014 and 2023.

In between, he has built a reputation as one of the most respected inter-county managers of this era having steered Clare’s rise from Division 4 in the National Football League to Division 2 where they narrowly missed out on promotion to the top tier and guided Clare to reach All-Ireland quarter-finals in 2016 and 2022 before stepping away as Banner boss in 2023.

Pitted alongside champions Éire Óg, Cusack Cup finalists St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Kildysart who defeated them in the second round of the 2023 championship, Cratloe are aware that Group 1 poses plenty

of stiff tests.

There’s no tougher assignment than starting off against a high-flying Éire Óg this Friday evening in Cusack Park according to Colm Collins. “Éire Óg are the team to beat, they have strength in depth, it is not going to affect them to be down some players for this game because they are have a really good panel. We’ll know where we are from Friday night and that’s the beauty of championship”.

With three teams to qualify from Group 1, it eases the pressure, Collins said while flagging they don’t deserve to be in the knockout stages if they can’t be one of the three advancing sides. “It is a big help that three teams qualify. If you’re in a group of four and three come out to be perfectly honest if you don’t come out you don’t deserve to be in the championship, there’s no hard luck story then because it’s a simple enough case, if you can’t get out as one of the three teams then you deserve to be sitting at home for the knockout stages”.

Ex Clare players Kevin Harnett, Podge Collins, Cathal McInerney and Seán Collins all remain pivotal

His time as Clare manager gave him an intimate knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the top players in the county, an advantage he no longer has for young players making the step-up to inter-county.

“If you’ve a genuine interest then you’ve a genuine interest and you’re still going to the games and you’re

watching out for these new kids.

A lot of them are talented enough but it is always to see if they can tick the other boxes, have they the work ethic and attitude and that is what we see in inter-county, it isn’t always just the talented players”.

PICTURED: Cathal McInerney.

Photo by Ruth Griffin

AT A GLANCE

cogs in the Cratloe wheel and they are a team with plenty of life still in them. “I’d be very happy with the panel we have, I’m delighted to see young fellas coming through which we hadn’t in the past, the future is bright, a lot of the panel are on the older side but we’ve plenty of new young blood coming through”.

Preparations have been boosted by the addition of former Clare coach, Brian Carson to their management while it is Colm’s second full season in a row at senior level getting to solely focus on the club commitments given he is no longer Clare manager.

Management: Colm Collins (manager), Sean O’Dea (selector), Brian O’Connell (selector), Jody O’Connor (selector), Paul O’Sullivan (selector), Shane Markham (selector), Derry O’Donoghue (selector), Brian Carson (coach), Oscar O’Dwyer (S&C), Ger Crotty (physio) Captain: TBC Key player: Cathal McInerney One to watch: Tadhg Lohan Fresh blood: Marc O’Brien, Tadhg Lohan, Denis Mundy, Departures Gate: Shane Neville (transferred) Treatment table: Nobody completely ruled out.

Titles Won: 3 (2013, 2014, 2023) Last year’s run: Eliminated in the semi-finals by Kilmurry Ibrickane.

Schedule of games: Round 1 vs Éire Óg on Friday July 18th in Cusack Park at 19:00 Round 2 vs Kildysart on Saturday August 2nd in Cusack Park at 17:00 Round 3 vs St Joseph’s Doora/ Barefield on Saturday August 16th in Clarecastle at 18:00 Championship power ranking (1=weak/unlikely winners, 10=strong contenders): 9

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

‘Éire Óg have target on their back’

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

CHAMPIONS Éire Óg put their title on the line but with the abundance of strength in depth in their ranks it is going to take an almighty effort from the chasing pack to stop them claiming the Jack Daly for the fourth time in five years.

Shane Daniels was between the posts for their success last season, he’s now manning the sideline as the side’s manager. He succeeded Paul Madden who stepped down after eight years in charge, the former hotelier not alone led Éire Óg to their championship breakthrough in 2021 but backed it up with success in 2022 and 2024 to ensure his name will remain among one of the leading contenders to become Clare manager whenever a vacancy may arise.

Daniels is a five-time Clare SFC winner, while he had been part of the management when continuing as goalkeeper, having the focus solely as manager is an adjustment.

“As a player you can affect what happens the day of a game, as a manager you do the preparation in the lead up, you have your say at half time but that’s it”.

Arguably Shane is the envy of all club managers in Clare given the considerable pick at his disposal.

For their recent Cusack Cup success, they got over the line without using first choice Clare defenders Ronan Lanigan and Manus Doherty while county men Mark McInerney, Gavin Murray and Oran Cahill were sprung from the bench. “You can see it is a great headache to have on team selection with all the county guys but it is also hard to integrate those guys back into the team having been away. We had lads play in the league and we were left with a choice for the Cusack Cup final of do we leave them out having got us to the final or mix and match. We’re also a dual club and we haven’t really been able to work with our full squad, we’re still mixing and matching”.

Daniels said they don’t intend to call on Gavin Cooney and Éinne O’Connor, both of whom are abroad while Darren O’Neill their powerful midfielder has transferred after relocating with his family to Monaghan. “I wouldn’t think we’ll have Gavin or Éinne for the championship. Gavin came home last year but there was circumstances around that. At the moment it would be a no that we won’t have them but we never know what will happen, there are no intentions that we will have them”.

Although three teams will emerge from their group, he insisted there would be no easy game when facing Cratloe, St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Kildysart. “Having three teams qualifying is better than two but they are all tough games when you break down the teams. Every game we’ve played against Doora/ Barefield has been a good game, we haven’t played Kildysart in

AT A GLANCE Management: Shane

Daniels (manager), Seanie Buckley (coach), Alan Malone (selector), David Russell (selector), Victor O’Riordan (S&C), Mikie Carmody (athletic performance), Neil McCarthy (medical).

Captain: Aaron Fitzgerald.

Key player: Manus Doherty One to watch: Darren Moroney Fresh blood: Darren Moroney, Luca Cleary, Conor Perrill, Bernard Keating, Charlie O’Doherty.

Departures Gate: Darren O’Neill (transferred), Gavin Cooney (emigrated), Éinne O’Connor (travelling) Treatment table: None Titles Won: 21 (1890, 1897, 1899, 1904, 1907, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1913, 1914, 1929 as Ennis Dalcassians, 1947, 1948, 1952, 1954, 1994 as Ennis Faughs, 2000, 2006, 2021, 2022, 2024 Last year’s run: County champions. Beaten in the Munster semi-final by Loughmore-Castleiney.

Schedule of games:

Round 1 vs Cratloe on Friday July 18th in Cusack Park at 19:00 Round 2 vs St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield on Saturday August 2nd in Cusack Park at 19:00 Round 3 vs Kildysart on Saturday August 16th in Páirc Finne, Corofin at 18:00

Championship power ranking (1=weak/unlikely

l HELPING HAND: Residents bring joy to staff at Cahercalla says Kate (inset) championship recent years so we’ll be going into the unknown there.

Playing Cratloe is always a tough game. We’ll be trying to get the points on the board early to guarantee one of those three places but there’s no easy game which is the

beauty of championship”.

Once again they carry the tag of firm favourites to lift the Jack Daly before a ball is kicked. The expectation doesn’t weigh on them, Shane said. “The group as a whole has the target on them, the one thing you

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

don’t want to do is get complacent, we’ve enough inter-county players both past and present so hopefully that won’t happen. I don’t read too much into the favourites tag, we’re a new enough team, we’ve lost some players from last year, we’ve the

winners, 10=strong contenders): 10

new rules which changes the game and all those factors take its toll. It is the team that adapts best to the new rules which has the best chance of winning the championship”.

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Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

AT A GLANCE

Management: Maurice Walsh (manager), Owen Ryan (coach), Kevin Kelly (selector), John Guinane (selector), Patrick Casey (selector), Odran O’Dwyer (S&C), Kieran Connelly (medical) Captain: Keith O’Connor Key player: Diarmuid O’Donnell One to watch: Cillian Kelly Fresh blood: Conall Casey, Cillian Kelly, Jamie Sheehan.

Departures Gate: Treatment table: Emmet McMahon (ACL), Seamus Casey (ankle), Titles won: 1 (1889)

Last year’s run: Eliminated in preliminary quarter-final by Lissycasey.

Schedule of games: Round 1 vs St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield on Friday July 18th in Clarecastle at 19:00 Round 2 vs Cratloe on Saturday August 2nd in Cusack Park at 17:00 Round 3 vs Éire Óg on Saturday August 16th in Páirc Finne, Corofin at 18:00 Championship power ranking (1=weak/unlikely winners, 10=strong contenders): 4

Kildysart aim to kick on despite injury blow

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

LOSING their talisman before their championship run has even begun is a killer blow for Kildysart but they’re anxious to ensure it isn’t a fatal one.

Emmet McMahon’s absence for the entirety of the club championship with a cruciate ligament injury robs spectators from watching one of Clare’s top players in full flow. For Kildysart his absence greatly derails their chances but offers an opportunity for other players to fill the big void.

For manager Maurice Walsh it is another setback in his first season following on from a poor Cusack Cup where they were relegated. “It’s in the back burner now,” he said of the league run. “We didn’t lose many of them by a cricket score, we were in most of the games till 50 minutes which was a positive. It is not nice to be relegated but we take it on the chin, we learned a lot from those games in relation to the new format of play”.

Walsh has had a split season of his own having concluded his first year as Clare U20 manager. “It’s been full on with league matches, challenge games and the O’Gorman Cup. We have been fairly busy, we’ve a small enough panel so it is difficult to get everyone out. We had three lads involved with the Clare seniors, Diarmuid O’Donnell, Rory McMahon and Emmet McMahon, both Luke McGrath and Fergal Guinane were assisting with Clare in the last couple of weeks so we were depleted in the league and for our preparations in general”.

Indeed it was his time with the U20s that led to becom-

ing Kildysart manager with club stalwart Ger ‘Bobby’ Kelly and Shane McNeilis posing the question in February, both of whom had been part of Walsh’s county management. He said the appointment of the Clare U20 manager for 2026 will not be nailed down until the senior set-up is finalised.

Back to the Clare SFC and his Kildysart charges are facing off with his own club Éire Óg, Cratloe and they begin their campaign against St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield who Maurice was involved with two seasons ago. “It’s not an easy group, it is a group that three teams are coming out of so it will be ultra-competitive. Éire Óg are the kingpins, Cratloe as usual are a never say die team who will play till the final minute. I was with Doora/Barefield two years ago and they have fabulous players.”

Ten months ago, a single point separated Kildysart and Doora/Barefield, Fergal Guinane was their goal scorer on the day while Luke McGrath kicked the winning point. Another tight game is on the horizon this Friday in Clarecastle, Maurice predicted.

“There’s only a kick of a ball between the two teams”.

PICTURED: Rory McMahon.

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

AT A GLANCE

Management: Donagh Vaughan (manager), Eoin Troy (coach), Michael O’Dwyer (selector), Declan Malone (selector).

Joint captains: James Curran & Darragh O’Shea Key player: Tom McDonald One to watch: Diarmuid Boyle Fresh blood: Liam Clune, Diarmuid Boyle, Jack McAllister,

Departures Gate: Tom Hannan (emigrated), Jack Hannan (transferred), Peter Collins (transferred), Kieran Thynne (moved to Kildare) Treatment table: None Titles won: 1 (1898 as Doora) Last year’s run: Eliminated in the quarter-finals with a fourteen point loss to eventual winners Éire Óg

Schedule of games: Round 1 vs Kildysart on Friday July 18th in Clarecastle at 19:00 Round 2 vs Éire Óg on Saturday August 2nd in Cusack Park at 19:00 Round 3 vs Cratloe on Saturday August 16th in Clarecastle at 18:00 Championship power ranking (1=weak/ unlikely winners, 10=strong contenders): 6

Target ‘to win Jack Daly’

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

STARTING with a win is the “number one priority” for Doora-Barefield who are aiming to overcome their quarter-final hex.

Successive quarter-final defeats to Éire Óg, after extra time in 2023 and by a 2-14 0-6 margin last September, have ended St Joseph’s cause in the past two seasons. Since winning the intermediate title in 2020, they have been knocked out in the quarter-finals in three of their last four campaigns.

Donagh Vaughan is at the helm for a fourth season and he’s eager for them to scale that hurdle. “The target is to win the Jack Daly and go as far as we can to be honest. We want to get to the quarter-finals and progress past that”.

To get there, they must take one of the three qualification spots from Group 1. “It is a very tough group, Éire Óg are the standard bearers with three of the last four championships won, the onus is on everyone else to close the gap.

“The other three are threading very level.”

They start off with Kildysart this Friday in

Clarecastle, the same venue when the sides met in the third round last season when Doora/Barefield lost by a single point on an afternoon when the sides were level eight occasions over the hour.

County panellists Fionn Kelleher and Joe Rafferty have returned to training after a brief stint in the US after Clare’s exit from the championship. Joint captain Darragh O’Shea has returned from injury to further strengthen their pick.

Neither of the trio were available for the Cusack Cup final where Doora/ Barefield took Éire Óg to extra time but fell short in their quest for league honours. “I think we got a lot out of the Cusack Cup, we’re still young and I know I say it every year, we still have youth coming through but we’re getting

more seasoned and the Cusack Cup feeds into that, it gets our younger fellas coming through...it would have been nice to win it to follow up on the U21A success but it has been parked,” Donagh stated.

Vaughan was in charge alongside coach Eoin Troy when Doora/Barefield defeated Lissycasey after extra time to win the U21A championship in December. The bounce from that win has been evident since the start of the year, he felt.

“I love the U21 championship because it is straight knockout, it is on at a funny time of year but it is still competitive. They had won a lot underage but senior is the natural stepping stone, it was excellent for them, a few lads got into county panel from their performances that day which is what we want to see”.

Their stepping stone now is about focusing to reach the last four for the first time since 2012.

PICTURED: Eoghan Thynne. Photo by Gerard O’Neill

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

Emotional encounter awaits Ennistymon

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

TREMENDOUS ambition and character exists within the Ennistymon football side who will need to mix both ingredients to create a season to remember.

Friday’s opener will be an emotional encounter for Ennistymon as it marks their first championship outing without Éanna Rouine in their lineup. The UL student started all five games in last year’s championship and would have formed a central part of their plans again only for his untimely death in May. As a mark of respect to their beloved brother, cousin and teammate, the team have retired the number 15 jersey this year and will line out in black jerseys for this campaign.

Ennistymon manager, Declan Downes explained, “He was a tremendous fella with a huge future ahead of him, he was such a good character and it was a tremendous shock to the group, community, his family and extended family when he passed away. He will be in the thoughts of all the group, his family and friends on Friday. We’ve our own way of carrying our memories of him, we’ve a number of tributes in the dressing room and a public display in recognising his role and talent in Ennistymon from underage all the way up and how he was so liked by all”.

To look for leadership within the Ennistymon club, look no further than the Rouine family. Éanna’s older brother Eoin has been appointed as the side’s captain this year, his leadership skills have previously been recognised at county level when he led Clare’s U20 into championship battle.

All too familiar with inter-county fare is Kilmihil native Downes who spent eight sea-

sons as a selector to Colm Collins and held the same role for Mark Fitzgerald’s sole season over Clare last year. Taking on the Ennistymon role has brought a freshness both for him and their players, he said.

With the club contesting finals in 2018 and 2022 along with reaching the semi-finals last season, Downes said there is an appetite to go further. “There’s tremendous ambition in the group, they are a very young group, you’ve guys with experience and have been around big games but they are very young, they have ambition and a burning desire to get back to the big days and to get the chance to represent the club in the big days is a big ambition for these guys”.

Downes said it was not a source of frustration with players opting to commit to hurling solely which sees them without Cathal Malone and Keith White while both David Fitzgerald and Seán Rynne are currently in the United States, Rynne could yet feature in the coming weeks for them. “It’s very much about next man up, it is an opportunity for someone else to play on the day and grab a jersey and hold onto it going forward.”

Injury doubts surround the fitness of several members of the Ennistymon side meaning they won’t have any idea what their intermediate team will look like until after the final whistle of the senior game. “I do recognise a serious resilience that they have whether it is dealing with the tragedy this year or the personnel they have available to them, they are driving the standards themselves, they are a really young group with great leadership”.

Diarmuid Fahy, one of the club’s brightest prospects is ruled out for their entire campaign after suffering an anterior cruciate lig-

ament injury in the warm-up of their challenge game with Limerick side, Fr Caseys a fortnight ago.

On the field, it all starts with a tricky assignment against Doonbeg, it will be their fourth time meeting in the first round since 2019. “From talking to the management and the guys around me, they would be clear that a rivalry has built up with the clubs in recent years, they had a very tight game last year and came out the right side. It is the opening round of championship and we are coming in with a number of challenges, it is a different animal when taking to the field in championship, the pace of the game goes up and the contest for every ball is harder, in pressurised situations you’ll find out where you stand on your processes, it’s a big game and a big start”.

l Ciaran McMahon

AT A GLANCE Management: Declan Downes (manager), Brendan Rouine (selector), Michael Rouine (selector), Johnny Conneely (selector), Lawrence Healy (stats), Brian Conneally (stats), Shane Clancy (stats), Eddie Crowe (video), Paul Dunne (S&C).

Captain: Eoin Rouine Key player: Brendy Rouine One to watch: Conor Rynne

Fresh blood: Daniel Brody, Adam Ralph, Departures Gate: Éanna Rouine (RIP), Keith White, Seán Rynne (J1), David Fitzgerald (US), David McNamara, Joshua Vaughan (emigrated) Treatment table: Diarmuid Fahy (ACL), Darren McNamara (hip) Titles won: None Last year’s run: Reached the semi-finals where they lost by four-

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

teen points to Éire Óg.

Schedule of games: Round 1 vs Doonbeg on Friday July 18th in Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay at 19:00 Round 2 vs Kilmihil on Friday August 1st in Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg at 19:00 Round 3 vs Lissycasey on Sunday August 17th in Cusack Park at 16:00 Championship power ranking (1=weak/unlikely winners, 10=strong contenders): 9

Doonbeg to end wait for knockout football?

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

WITHIN Doonbeg there is a quiet confidence that the eighteen-time Clare SFC champions could end a long wait of six years to return to the knockout stages.

Having competed in the relegation play-offs for two of the last three seasons, Doonbeg want to be nowhere near such mire for their 2025 endeavours and they’re aiming to get off to a winning start against Ennistymon this Friday.

Brian Shanahan was in charge of Doonbeg for three seasons from 2015 up until 2017, they reached the quarter-finals in two of those campaigns and on his return as manager he’s keen to guide them back to the knockout phase of the championship.

“For the last few years we’ve been in the relegation dogfight and we’re looking beyond that now and we’re hoping to qualify for the quarter-finals automatically from this group which would be our aim at the minute and we’d take it from there,” he told The Clare Echo.

On what has changed between his first and second stint in charge of the club, Brian noted, “the new rules are the biggest change, football and the club is the same but the game is much more enjoyable with the new rules, nothing else has

l Eoin Killeen

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

changed majorly football wise”.

For 2019 to be Doonbeg’s last appearance in the knockout stages of the senior championship is “a long time,” he acknowledged. “I thought last year they played well in all three group games, they were unlucky not to get results against Miltown, Ennistymon and Cratloe, they had three good performances, I know we lost to the three of them but we could have easily won them games”.

This will be the fifth championship meeting between Doonbeg and Ennistymon in seven years, Ennistymon have prevailed in all four encounters, three of which were first round ties. The winning margin has been three points (2019), one point (2020), two points

(2022) and two points (2024). “We wouldn’t fear them, Doonbeg have come up against them a good bit in last few years, we haven’t got over the line against them but we wouldn’t fear them, that said we’d respect them and we’ll be doing our best to beat them”.

For Group 2, Lissycasey carry the favourites tag to finish in top spot but flagged that it is a very open group. “Lissycasey will be group favourites given the amount of players they have at county level, on the day any of the four can beat each other, I’d say it is an open group, I wouldn’t go into any game thinking we could win or lose, it is an open group”.

Within the past week, Seán Conway has emigrated to Australia which as Brian highlighted is “a savage loss” while defender Conor O’Mahoney is in the United States of America and is unlikely to be back in action until the middle of September. “Seán just left for Australia on Tuesday, we tried to convince him to stay for another few weeks but he is young so we can’t blame him and he is my own nephew. Hopefully he’ll be back playing with Doonbeg in a year or two but it gives someone else a chance. Seán is a player that could play anywhere in the backs or midfield. Conor is more of a corner back and he had a

very good championship last year.

They are two big losses and it leaves us with holes to fill in our defence.

On a more positive note, ex Clare minor and U20 Tadhg Lillis is back at “full tilt” after some difficult spells with injury. To have Eamon Tubridy and Darragh Burns lining out with Clare this season has been a lift for the club, Shanahan maintained.

They faced teams from Offaly,

Limerick and Kerry as part of their preparation for the first round. “The challenge matches went well for us, a different club that you wouldn’t have played before brings a different test, the challenge matches were fine, you’re there to learn and figure out, the result doesn’t really matter, you’re trying to get gamer time into likes of Darragh Burns who had no club game played since the relegation game with Kilmihil last year”.

AT A GLANCE Management: Brian Shanahan (manager), Brian Dillon (coach), David Russell (coach), John Killeen (selector), Shane McNamara (S&C), Captain: Mikie Tubridy Key player: David Tubridy One to watch: Shane Bermingham Fresh blood: N/A Departures Gate: Sean Conway (emigrated), Conor O’Mahoney (J1) Treatment table: None Titles won: 18 (1955, 1961, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2010)

Last year’s run: Defeated Kilmihil in the relegation semi-final.

Schedule of games: Round 1 vs Ennistymon in Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay on Friday July 18th at 19:00 Round 2 vs Lissycasey in Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay on Saturday August 2nd at 17:00 Round 3 vs Kilmihil in Cooraclare on Sunday August 17th at 16:00 Championship power ranking (1=weak/unlikely winners, 10=strong contenders): 4

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Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Kilmihil out to prove they belong at senior

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

KILMIHIL’s footballers believe they are good enough to mix it with the best in the county in the senior championship and they’re eager to show just that as the action kicks into gear.

Heavy defeats to Lissycasey by fifteen points and Éire Óg by twenty three points marked a sobering start to last year’s championship for Kilmihil but they rallied with an improved showing where they lost to Kilmurry Ibrickane in the final round by eight points and then to Doonbeg by two in the relegation semi-final. When it mattered most, they delivered and overcame Corofin 1-6 0-4 to retain their status last September.

Prevailing in relegation finals can give a lift to a team the following year and Mickey Doran is hoping this comes to fruition for Kilmihil.

“Throughout the league campaign I don’t think the lads lost belief that we were doing the right thing and that is stemming from how we finished last year and the belief that senior is where we belong, and proving that we do belong”.

That is among the key messaging that will be issued as they continue their preparations in St Michael’s Park for Saturday’s first round against Lissycasey. :It’s reinforcing the belief that this is where we belong. We don’t want to be in the same position as last year where we were clinging on to our status. The football ability is there within the panel so it is about bringing that to championship games and producing performances to show we are more than good enough to be playing senior”.

Doran enters his second year as manager, he has flagged cutting down on the concession of goals as a big area they must improve this season. They conceded seven green flags in their three group games in 2024. “I think senior is obviously different to intermediate and we were dealing with the step-up which was the biggest learning and facing teams that have been playing senior for a while. One of the biggest things we need to contend with was conceding goals and that has been something we’ve been working on”.

Heading into the championship,

l Dan Keating Photo by Gerard O’Neill Kilmihil’s league form has been poor and they were relegated from the Garry Cup after failing to pick up a win in their seven games. “It was a disappointing league campaign, we didn’t play any game with the full-deck, we were missing two to three players for each game, with a small squad that has a big impact, it was disappointing but taking it the round when we are playing with our full squad we’ll be a different team”.

Ciaran Downes is their main man and Saturday will be his first competitive game for the club this year.

Injury has disrupted his season with Clare but he’ll be leading the attack for Kilmihil this weekend. :He’s been training well, he had a good bit missed due to the nature of the injury there wasn’t much he could do except rehab, he was back in training with Clare before we got him back, he’s came back in good shape and looks after himself. Last year he came in off the back of a Clare campaign and with the Sigerson Cup before that too, it’s good to get him back fresher this year and he’ll be a handful for any defence once he gets going”.

Of their group opponents, Doonbeg are the most recent side to lift the Jack Daly following their 2010 success. Doran noted there is no easy game for them or anyone in the top tier. “It is a tough group, Lissycasey will fancy themselves to go far in this year’s championship, Ennistymon have been making the last four in the last couple of years and they’ll be looking towards the latter stages. Doonbeg are the most recent winners of the teams in our group and they are always difficult to face.

There’s no easy game in the senior championship, we’ll be taking it one game at a time and reinforcing that we’re able to match those teams”.

AT A GLANCE

Management: Mickey Doran (manager), Eamon Donnelly (selector), John Normoyle (selector), Sean Johnson (selector), Shane McNamara (S&C).

Captain: Mikey Keating Key player: Ciaran Downes One to watch: Michael Cotter Fresh blood: None Departures Gate:

Fionn Febbraro (emigrated), Gavin Downes (J1) Treatment table: John Finucane (back) Titles won: 2 (1944 with Cooraclare, 1980) Last year’s run: Held onto their senior status beating Corofin in the relegation final.

Schedule of games: Round 1 vs Lissycasey on Saturday July

19th in Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty at 16:00 Round 2 vs Ennistymon on Friday August 1st in Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg at 19:00 Round 3 vs Doonbeg on Sunday August 17th in Cooraclare at 16:00 Championship power ranking (1=weak/unlikely winners, 10=strong contenders): 1

Big break on cards for Lissycasey?

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

BACK TO BACK quarter-final appearances have been achieved by Lissycasey but this is a side teasing a major breakthrough.

For the past seven years, Lissycasey have advanced to the knockout stages of the Clare SFC, they’re fully intent on getting there again but it is try and replicate runs to the semi-finals in 2020 and 2021 that would represent progress for last year’s Cusack Cup winners.

Aiden ‘Horse’ Moloney is entering his third championship as Lissycasey manager. The three-time Clare SFC winning manager outlined, “There’s no doubt we’re hoping to make progress, we’ve been in the last two quarter-finals and we did well to get there, our squad is improving, it’s stronger with new lads coming into the panel and the likes of Matt Shea returning. Mikey O’Neill would have been a bonus but we don’t have him for the first round, Enda Finnucane will be a big loss but our panel is stronger.

We’re hoping to make progress and another step, as a group we need to find another level”.

With an abundance of talent and youth in their arsenal, mixing that with the experienced heads of Shea, O’Neill, Aaron Griffin, Conor Finnucane and Ryan Griffin is key. “We have plenty of good footballers, we’re still relying on Matt Shea, Conor Finnucane, Aar-

on Griffin, the more older fellas on the squad to add the experience whereas we have a young team overall, you still need the maturity from guys in their mid to late twenties to add experience and strength”.

A breakthrough is not far away for the club crowned minor champions for the fifth time in 2024, a year in which they also contested the U21A decider. “I do think we should be making a lot of progress but the one factor we’re all waiting to see is how the new rules suit, we haven’t had a match or such where we’ve had our county players, we didn’t have our Clare U20 players for the first four games of Cusack Cup so the worry is how the new rules will suit us, we need the championship pace to really see that and if people have the mindset to think about new rules, can we implement them to our advantage and if we can we have the player to make it work”.

New rules have resulted in a return to long kickouts where Matt Shea becomes a powerful weapon for the 2007 champions. “Matt is definitely a big throw-in to us, he brings the physical strength which Lissycasey have been lacking, with the new rules midfield seems to be the end all and be all, if you win midfield you’ve a chance of winning the game, no matter how good the opposition is or your attack is if you can’t supply them

with the ball from midfield you’re in trouble. The short kickout is not as prominent as it used to be, it’s now get it as far as you can and win the breaks and the midfield battle”.

Putting two points on the board in the opening round is the main focus, the former Clare footballer said as they prepare to meet Kilmihil at the same stage of the competition for the second year running, they had a fifteen point win when they clashed last year. “Top spot in the group would be great but getting a win in the first round to get our season up and running is the most important thing. Kilmihil will provide a good test, I know they’re locals and neighbours, they haven’t been at their best over the last couple of years but we always expect them to be very competitive”.

Tough games will also follow when they face Doonbeg and Ennistymon, he predicted. “Doonbeg is our second match, we expect to earn everything there, if we’re not at our best Doonbeg will turn us over, they have the potential to kick two pointers which are huge in the game, with the likes of David Tubridy they can kick from far out, if we allow that to happen it will put us under pressure”.

He continued, “we’ve Ennistymon in our last game, they have been major underachievers in the last few years, we’ll see how do the new rules suit them when they get their squad together. They have good strong athletes but they need to do more in front of goal, they are a team you wouldn’t like to meet later in the championship. We’re looking forward to the games and the challenges they bring, all the other teams will look at it the same way. If you don’t come out of this group you’ve no business playing the likes of Éire Óg, St Joseph’s Miltown or whoever the top teams will be”.

PICTURED: Lissycasey captain Ryan Griffin. Photo by Gerard O’Neill

AT A GLANCE Management: Aiden

‘Horse’ Moloney (manager), Pakie Keane (selector), Jimmy Collins (selector), Danny Lynch (selector), Niall Fitzgerald (coach), Megan Downes (S&C).

Captain: Ryan Griffin Key player: Aaron Griffin One to watch: Michael Kelly Fresh blood: Diarmuid McMahon, Aaron Killeen, Ewan Wragg, Matt Shea, Mikey O’Neill Departures Gate: N/A Treatment table: Mikey O’Neill (hamstring), Enda Finnucane (back).

Titles won: 1 (2007) Last year: Reached the quarter-finals where they lost by three points to Cratloe.

Schedule of games:

Round 1 vs Kilmihil on Saturday July 19th in Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty at 16:00 Round 2 vs Doonbeg on Saturday August 2nd in Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay at 17:00 Round 3 vs Ennistymon on Sunday August 17th in Cusack Park at 16:00

Championship power ranking (1=weak/unlikely

winners, 10=strong contenders): 9

31

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

‘I wouldn’t say our championship ambitions have been altered’ Kilmurry Ibrickane aiming for title despite squad upheaval

PICTURED: Shane Hickey

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

THERE’S an element of transition about Kilmurry Ibrickane with a spate of retirements but the drive to succeed in the heat of championship is still as strong.

Retirements, transfers and travels have Kilmurry Ibrickane far from full strength as they enter the championship arena this weekend.

Martin McMahon, Mark Killeen, Michael O’Dwyer and Niall Hickey have all called time on their senior careers with the Bricks while Keelan Sexton has transferred to Na Fianna in Dublin, Andrew Shannon has emigrated to Australia, Aidan McCarthy is focusing purely on Inagh/Kilnamona’s crusade to try lift the Canon Hamilton.

Daniel Walsh won’t be back from America until next month and it is hoped Ciaran Morrissey will also return to the fray in the coming weeks.

Such a picture was not expected for David Egan when he returned for his second season in charge of Kilmurry Ibrickane.

“I wasn’t expecting it to be honest, the older lads retiring okay I wasn’t overly surprised but Keelan’s

transfer, nobody saw it coming but nobody can argue the point, his life is in Dublin. I don’t think it’s the last time he plays with Kilmurry Ibrickane but his life with work and education is in Dublin at this moment in time, it is very hard to come down twice a week for football, it’s very hard to settle and make a life in Dublin while you’re doing that”.

Changing faces put extra importance on the Cusack Cup, the former Offaly footballer noted.

“I was lucky there’s a good underage structure and plenty of good lads coming along, most of the lads we’ve been bedding in have played underage for the county so they are well able to play football.

“The big challenge is to integrate them in and build a team around that. The Cusack Cup was relatively successful, guys have settled into the role and are gelling effectively. We are predominantly a young squad now, we had eleven U21s in our squad versus Ennistymon”.

Experience levels may have dropped but the aspirations to succeed are still as strong, Egan felt.

“I wouldn’t say our championship ambitions have been al-

tered, any team with the Kilmurry could be one of the surprise teams Minds are that extra bit focus Ibrickane jersey is going to be aim- in the championship”. given it is neighbours St Joseph’s ing high, the ambition is within the Physicality was the big differ- Miltown they meet on Saturday players whether you’re eighty or ence between them and Éire Óg evening.

Shane Hickey at 38, the ambition is in last year’s 1-10 0-6 county final “The last two weeks have really always there and I don’t think that loss, he reflected. sharpened up, with the county lads will ever change”.

“We lacked a small bit of phys- coming back there has been a big Also remaining strong is the ex- icality in the final. One of the big pick-up in the standard of trainpectation to deliver and The Bricks things was we seemed to put our ing, there has been a very competare certainly eying up taking one of heads down if things went wrong, itive edge with lads competing for the quarter-final spots from Group we’ve worked hard on staying in places”.

3. “One thing I do is take it game focus and sticking to what we’re by game, the focus is Miltown but good at”. the ambition is to get out of the county final but defeated group. by seven points to Éire Óg “We need to Schedule of games: Management: David Andrew Shannon (emigo into the game Round 1 vs St Joseph’s Egan (manager), Evan grated), Martin McMahon Miltown on Saturday July sharp, bring a Talty (coach), Kevin (retired), Keelan Sexton performance and 19th in Cooraclare at Sexton (selector), Vincent (transferred), Michael apply that for St 19:00 Talty (selector), Lawrence O’Dwyer (retired), Aidan Breckan’s and Round 2 vs St Breckan’s Murray (S&C).

McCarthy, Niall Hickey Wolfe Tones too. on Friday August 1st in Captain: Dermot Cough- (retired), Michael Comber Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown are in lan (J1) transition too, a Miltown Malbay at 19:00 Key player: Dermot Treatment table: No lot of teams are Round 3 vs Wolfe Tones Coughlan injuries. looking around on Sunday August 17th in One to watch: Leo Titles won: 16 (1933, but we are where Lissycasey at 14:00 Switzer 1935, 1936, 1939 as Quilty, Championship power we are. Doora/ Fresh blood: Leo Swit1963, 1966, 1993, 2002, Barefield were ranking (1=weak/unzer, Cillian Darcy 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, going very well likely winners, 10=strong Departures Gate: 2012, 2016, 2017, 2020. in the Cusack contenders): 8 Mark Killeen (retired), Last year: Reached the Cup and they

AT A GLANCE

32

Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

St Breckans braced for tough Group 3 encounters

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

AT A GLANCE Management: Patrick O’Neill (manager), Aidan Fitzgerald (selector), Cathal Blood (selector), John McDonagh (selector), Killian Malone (coach), Fiona Kennedy (physio) Captain: Maccon Byrne Key player: Jamie Stack One to watch: Ronan Fitzpatrick Fresh blood: N/A Departures Gate: Joe McGann (emigrated), Dale Masterson (transferred) Treatment table: Cian Burke (ankle) Titles won: 0

Last year’s run: Knocked out in the quarter-finals by rivals Ennistymon Schedule of games: Rd1 vs Wolfe Tones on Saturday July 19th in Cusack Park at 17:00 Rd2 vs Kilmurry Ibrickane on Friday August 1st in Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay 19:00 Rd3 vs St Joseph’s Miltown on Sunday August 17th in Cusack Park at 14:00 Championship power ranking (1=weak/unlikely winners, 10=strong contenders): 5

IT’S only two years since St Breckans contested the county final but their standing as championship contenders is not as strong as recent years.

Ever since winning promotion from the intermediate grade in 2019, St Breckan’s have qualified for the last five Clare SFC quarter-finals, reaching the last four on three occasions.

However the breakdown of Group 3 poses the risk that they may struggle to get to the knockout stages, the absence of lively forward Joe McGann and midfielder Dale Masterson, both of whom possess inter-county experience hurts their cause while Cian Burke continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Their most recent outing, the Garry Cup final where they lost 1-20 0-17 to Kilrush Shamrocks has waned confidence of their supporters. “We got caught a bit on the hop by Kilrush, they were fit and strong, they are a good team and we couldn’t match them physically, we’ve done a good bit of work since but they were the better team,” admitted selector Aidan Fitzgerald.

He is part of Patrick O’Neill’s ticket, he succeeded Declan O’Keeffe as manager at the beginning of the year with Kilfenora native Killian Malone on board as the side’s coach. “It’s been good, the lads have rowed in behind what we’re trying to do, we’re very happy with the panel we have,” Aidan said of their reception to date.

Previously, Aidan and Pat worked together to steer the club to win the U13B title, work has also been done underage by fellow selectors Cathal Blood and John McDonagh.

Jack Sheedy who had been abroad for chunks of last season “is back and he more than likely will feature, we’re a small club and we need everyone,” Fitzgerald stated.

Both Jamie Stack and Tristan O’Callaghan have returned from a brief holiday in America following Clare’s elimination in the All-Ireland SFC but Fitzgerald hinted that they may not be featuring from the off. “They are eligible to play but they’re only off the plane so they wouldn’t be up to speed for senior championship”.

McGann’s loss is a blow to

their attack and entire team, Aidan noted. “We’re going to take every game as it comes, take Joe McGann out of any team and you will suffer, we’ll give it our best shot”.

Captain of the side when they contested the county final, Cian Burke is set to return later in the campaign, he underwent an operation for an ankle injury which meant he was out of the plans for Peter Keane and Clare this season. “He has had his ankle operation and his recovery is going on schedule, we hope to have him back for the latter end of the group or the knockout stages”.

“There is no easy group when it comes to senior championship, we are hoping to do well and progress but we’ll take every game as it comes. The only game we’re focused on for now is Wolfe Tones, they are going to be a big physical team, they will be a massive test for us, we’ll give it our best and by 6:30pm on Saturday evening we’ll know how we’re set,” he concluded.

PICTURED: Pádraig Kelly

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

33

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

Miltown’s focus on derby opener

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

ST JOSEPH’s Miltown exited the championship at the hands of rivals Kilmurry Ibrickane in the quarter-finals by a margin of eleven points last year, they’re hopeful of closing the gap and claiming the bragging rights this weekend.

Suffering a 2-15 0-10 loss to Kilmurry Ibrickane was “a freak result” compared with championship meetings of the sides, the most recent encounter prior to this was in 2021 when they drew on 2-7 apiece.

Derby games bring with it many extra elements, Miltown manager Martin Guerin explained.

“I certainly hope it will be tighter but until the ball is thrown you never really know what is going to happen, you can do all the preparation you want but you’d hope we’d be competitive and give a good performance which would hopefully be enough to get us over the line but it is a derby game”.

Meetings of local rivals “brings extra focus, that is the biggest factor for us, you’re going to be prepared for this game no matter what. There’s never much between the teams bar last year which was a freak on our part but there’s definitely a familiarity between the teams”.

Liscannor native Guerin is in his third year over Miltown. “The target is to get out of the group, we’re not looking too far ahead and not any further than the game on Saturday”.

Since the conclusion of the Cusack Cup, John O’Sullivan has stepped away as coach.

Clare SFC medallists Brian Curtin, Eoin O’Brien, Sean O’Brien and Kieran Malone have called time on their senior careers while experience continues to be provided in the guise of the Cleary twins, Eoin and Conor, Gordon Kelly and Seanie Malone in the heart of defence along with captain Darragh McDonagh while there’s plenty of energy offered from Cormac Murray, Oisin Looney, Micheál Murray, Cian Mahony and Euan Lineen.

Having both of the Clearys available for the first time of his tenure is a big plus. “To have two guys of that calibre and leadership that they give you, Conor was a big loss for us last year and Eoin the year before, hopefully we have them for duration of the championship, it is great for the younger lads to be playing and training with them, they give more direction to our play”.

“When I took over two years ago that was one of our targets to get more youth on the team, we were doing that and this year it has forced our hands a bit more, it is transition really and we’ve played a good few young lads in the Cusack Cup, we did okay and finished mid-table,” Guerin said.

He continued, “Maybe guys there the last there the last three or four years are stepping up to take leadership roles, that is what you want. They are stepping up but you don’t know until champi-

AT A GLANCE

l St Joseph’s Miltown captain, Darragh McDonagh onship where you stand, the players will be tested”.

They are “hopeful” of making the quarter-finals for the third successive year.

Looking at their other opponents in Group 3, he commented, “Wolfe Tones are a team that can put it up

to anyone on their day, they won the intermediate football championship last year and played a great game in the semi-final and final, they have a pick and are very athletic, they are not a team to be taken lightly.

“I don’t think we’ve beaten St Breckans in the senior champion-

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

ship in the last four or five years, they’ve always had our number.

“It is a very tough group, there’s no easy group but ours is particularly tough. The first game will dictate for every team how they approach and what they need to do in the other games”.

Management: Martin Guerin (manager), David Talty (coach), Jim Marrinan (selector), Dylan Kenny (S&C) Captain: Darragh McDonagh Key player: Eoin Cleary One to watch: Cormac Devitt Fresh blood: Euan Reidy, Stephen Murphy, Ger Malone Departures Gate: Sean O’Brien (retired), Eoin O’Brien (retired), Brian Curtin (retired), Kieran Malone (retired) Treatment table: Jamesie O’Connor (foot), Cian Flanagan (shoulder), Paul Keane (knee) Titles won: 15 (1905, 1906, 1916, 1923, 1925, 1927, 1932, 1949, 1953, 1959, 1985, 1990, 2015, 2018, 2019) Last year’s run: Eliminated in the quarter-finals

by Kilmurry Ibrickane Schedule of games: Round One vs Kilmurry Ibrickane on Saturday July 19th in Cooraclare at 19:00 Round Two vs Wolfe Tones in Lissycasey on Saturday August 2nd at 13:30 Round Three vs St Breckans in Cusack Park on Sunday August 17th at 14:00 Championship power ranking (1=weak/unlikely winners, 10=strong contenders): 8

34

Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Tones ready for senior step-up

l Cody Waller

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

REIGNING intermediate champions Wolfe Tones are keen to show they can hold their own in the top tier.

Returning to the senior ranks is “a big step up” for Wolfe Tones but they won’t lack confidence and will feel they have nothing to lose, starting off with their first round against St Breckan’s in Cusack Park this Saturday.

Johnny Bridges guided their return to the top tier, he was a member of the 2014 side to win the intermediate championship and backed that up as manager in 2024, lining out for the club at senior level throughout his career.

Work commitments led to him stepping down as manager of the Tones in the past month with coach Kieran Ryan taking charge since.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Kieran explained, “Johnny stepped away about a month ago, Johnny had work commitments, he got a new job last year and was struggling with work and training, he felt it best for squad to take a break for time being.

“Barry Murphy was a selector but we felt and Johnny were very much of the same thinking, they played together all along, it seemed like the right thing to do for me to take over.

“Barry has been brilliant with the organisation, he’d still talk to Johnny every day, he has been brilliant, as I said to the boys you

never miss something till it’s gone, I certainly miss him, he left me to do with what I love doing which is on the grass, he dealt with pitches, referees and administration, Barry has stepped up on that”.

An ACL injury to centre forward Craig Riordan has him sidelined for the season which has resulted in his addition to the management, he is to undergo surgery in the coming weeks.

“He’s a big loss, he surprised a lot of people last year, I know it’s only the intermediate championship but he surprised a lot of people, he may look a little heavy but he was very fit and surprised most teams we played with his fitness, workrate added to his scoring threat. I was very sorry for him, I thought it would be a breakout year for him, he was one player I had very little fear for going into senior championship”.

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

It won’t be until Saturday evening that Wolfe Tones will fully grasp the heat of senior championship, Kieran predicted.

“We won’t know until we’re in the middle of The Park on Saturday how we’re set for the challenge.

“We’ve prepared as well as we can, we can forewarn and help them but I’ll tell you after first round, it is a big step up for a very young side”.

Their group contains the finalists of 2024 in Kilmurry Ibrickane, the beaten finalists of 2023 St Breckans and St Joseph’s Miltown who last reached the county final in 2019.

“It won’t be the easiest, we’ll be learning by the half of every game, not to mind every game, every minute will be a learning and how we put them into practice will influence how we get on.

We couldn’t get an easy group, it wouldn’t have mattered who we got we’d still be up against

AT A GLANCE Management: Kieran Ryan (manager), Barry Murphy (selector), Craig Riordan (selector), Rachel Dinan (S&C) Captain: Dean Devanney Key player: Jayme O’Sullivan One to watch: Tan Greene Fresh blood: Daithí Lohan, Darragh Lohan, Shay Waller, Damien Lyne, Tan Greene, Liam Divilly Departures Gate: Craig Riordan (injured) Treatment table: Craig Riordan (ACL) Titles won: None

it,” Ryan stated.

A fortnight ago they suffered a 3-21 1-5 defeat to Miltown in the O’Gorman Cup final, an outing that was “an eye-opener” for all involved.

“We fulfilled the fixture, we were struggling with numbers with lads on holidays and some guys only coming off flights, we’re expecting it to be as flat because not all the lads were on holidays but we’re hoping it was an eye-opener on what senior clubs can do to you when you don’t have the right attitude”.

Tasting success last season has given the Shannon club a big lift.

“Every time you win a championship be it junior or intermediate, you feel like a champion until you realise it is a stepping stone to get to the big show, whether they can bring that freedom we won’t know.

“The experience that Daithí and Darragh Lohan have from playing senior hurling will be vital and having Gary Leahy such an experienced player around training is massive.

“We’d a very good U21 squad, we could have competed at A but again that was a B championship we won last year, they haven’t dined at the senior table yet”.

Placing a strong focus on their systems of play won’t change despite the jump in grade, he outlined.

“We work on a lot of scenarios, our principles of play will never change, it’s whether we can keep them or get back to them under the pressure of the senior football championship, we’ve clear principles of play, we did very well with them last year, that won’t change which gives the team a comfort, it is consistent messaging”.

Last year’s run: Crowned intermediate champions to secure promotion.

Schedule of games: Rd 1 vs St Breckans on Saturday July 19th in Cusack Park at 17:00 Rd 2 vs St Joseph’s Miltown on Saturday August 2nd in Lissycasey at 13:30 Rd 3 vs Kilmurry Ibrickane on Sunday August 17th in Lissycasey at 14:00 Championship power ranking (1=weak/unlikely winners, 10=strong contenders): 2

35

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

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36

Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Intermediate teams profiled

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

IT’S widely agreed that one of the hardest competitions to win in Clare is the intermediate football championship.

The race to determine who will take home the Talty Stores cup in 2025 begins this Friday evening and the first round has thrown up some mouth-watering contests such as Kilrush Shamrocks v Banner, and Naomh Eoin v Corofin.

Can Kilrush continue their unbeaten run this year and add the championship title to the league crown (Garry cup) won in recent weeks? Can Corofin make a quick return to senior ranks by winning this title?

Can Clondegad bounce back to senior or can Naomh Eoin make history and go one step further than last year and lift the title?

These are just some of the many questions being asked as clubs put the final touches to preparations for their opening games this weekend.

All clubs agree that this weekend’s first round games are particularly important, especially as many teams will be without key players who are currently in the U.S. for the summer.

Most of these players are expected back in time for round two but, in some cases, it could be later before those in the U.S. are available.

In addition, there are injury concerns for a number of club as they finalise their preparations for this

Kilrush Shamrocks

weekend Kilrush have been installed as favourites having just gone through the Garry cup without dropping

GROUP 1 Naomh Eoin Management: Martin Haugh (manager), Barry Harte (coach), Patrick Foley (coach), Liam Roche (selector), Thomas O’Connor (selector) Captain: Owen Lynch Key player: Owen Lynch One to watch: Joseph Roche Fresh blood: Joseph Roche, Liam Ferguson Departure Gate: None Titles won: 0 Last year’s run; Beaten finalists Schedule of games: Round 1 v Corofin on Saturday 19th July in Lissycasey at 13:30 Round 2 v Liscannor on Sunday 3rd August in Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg at 13:00 Round 3 v Cooraclare on Sunday 17th August in Kilkee at 12:30 Championship power ranking; 7.

“At this point we are not looking past the first round against Corofin. Three teams will qualify from this group and we hope to be one of those”, Niall Bonfil (player) Corofin Management; Peadar O’Brien (manager), Mark Rafferty (coach), Tony Kenny (selector), Dara Kenny (selector), Luke O’Loughlin (selector) Captain; Gearoid Cahill Key player; Damien O’Loughlin One to watch: Caoimhin O’Donovan

a point. The return of Dermot Coughlan as manager has strengthened the view amongst patrons that the Shams can capture a title they

Fresh blood; Seanán Kirby, Tiernan O’Neill, Eoin O’Brien Departures Gate; Colm Rice (emigrated), Killian O’Connor Titles won: Four (1987, 2006, 2015, 2021) Last year’s run; Relegated from senior.

Schedule of games; Round 1 v Naomh Eoin on Saturday 19th July in Lissycasey at 13:30 Round 2 v Cooraclare on Saturday 2nd August in Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay at 19:00 Round 3 v Liscannor on Sunday 17th August in Lisdoonvarna at 12:30.

Championship power ranking; 9 “Records show that this is one of the hardest championships to win. Our focus is on our first round meeting with Naomh Eoin this weekend. We hope to be one of the three emerging from the group. With so many dual players, avoiding injury will be key to progress”, Peadar O’Brien, manager.

Liscannor Joint Managers/Coaches; Bryan Curry (joint manager), Brian McMahon (joint manager), Stephen Roche (selector), Gavan Duffy (selector), Laura Foley (physio), Jason Clancy (stats) Captain: Darren Nagle; Key player: Alan Clohessy One to watch: Tom Hanrahan Fresh blood; Ultan McDonagh, Mikie McMahon, Daithi Fitzgerald, Cathal Finnucane Departure Gate; Pa Nagle (overseas); Gavan Duffy, Brian Leyden, Kevin Scales

Gearoid Cahill

last won in 2018 when Dermot was also their team manager.

Whatever the outcome, it’s fair to say that this championship will,

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

as always, produce many talking points and some great football before the winners are crowned.

Burren Eye Photography

Titles won: 2 (1988, 2000) Last year’s run: Didn’t advance from the group, survived the relegation play-off Schedule of games: Round 1 v Cooraclare on Sunday 20th July in Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty at 13:00 Round 2 v Naomh Eoin on Sunday 3rd August in Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg at 13:00 Round 3 v Corofin on Sunday 17th August in Lisdoonvarna at 12:30.

Championship power ranking: 3 “We have a small panel and with injuries we can’t look beyond our first game. The other teams in our group have been playing in higher division leagues. Oisin Leyden and Joe Hanahan are ruled out for the early games due to injury while we have a couple of players carrying knocks and we will give them every opportunity to be ready to play a part this week”, Bryan Curry, joint manager.

37

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

as championship commences Cooraclare Management: Martin Daly (manager), Thomas Downes (selector), Mark Tubridy (selector), Shane McNamara (S&C), Trevor Slattery (S&C), Patrick Meaney (stats).

Captain: Gary Donnellan Key player: Pearse Lillis One to watch: Aaron Townsend Fresh blood: Dara Townsend, Simon Culligan, Gabriel Fennell, Fionn Burke, Sean Morrissey, Harry O’Gorman; Departure Gate; Thomas Downes; Micheál Garry (long term injury), Mark Lillis (overseas) Titles won: Five (1941, 1927, 1943, 1954, 1957 as Cree) Last year’s run: Beaten quarter finalists.

Schedule of games Round 1 v Liscannor on Sunday 20th July in Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty at 13:00 Round 2 v Corofin on Saturday 2nd August in Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay at 19:00 Round 3 v Naomh Eoin on Sunday 17th August in Kilkee at 12:30 Championship power ranking; 6 “We have a very young squad, a lot of minors who were relatively successful at underage, Brian McNamara (US) and Micheal Garry with a long term injury are two big losses at the start of the championship and a number of others are carrying knocks but we are keeping our fingers crossed that they will be available. We are in an extremely hard group and at this stage we are not looking past our first round game against Liscannor,” Martin Daly, manager GROUP 2: Kilrush Shamrocks Management: Dermot Coughlan (manager), Conor O’Brien (coach), Ronan Gilbride (selector), Dermot Mahoney (selector), John O’Mahoney (selector) Captain; Gearoid O’Brien Key player; Stephen Ryan One to watch; Sean Fennell Fresh blood; Stephen Ryan (back from injury); Sean Fennell, James Blunnie, Bobby Carey, Darragh Blunnie Departure Gate; None Titles won: Four (1937, 1952, 1955, 2018) Last year’s run: Beaten semi-finalists Schedule of games: Round 1 v Banner on Sunday July 20th in St Michael’s Park Kilmihil at 13:00 Round 2 v Ennistymon on Saturday August 2nd in Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty at 16:30 Round 3 v Michael Cusacks on Saturday August 16th in Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay at 16:00 Championship power ranking; 9 “We will be taking it one game at a time as was the approach throughout the league.

Getting out of the group is key to progress.

This is one of the hardest competitions to win in Clare GAA”, John Keane, club secretary.

Banner Management: Tom Meehan (manager), John O’Sullivan (coach), Thomas Meeneghan (selector), Shane Mernagh (selector) Captain: Eoin Walsh Key player: Shane Meehan One to watch: Eoin Fitzpatrick Fresh blood: Eoin Fitzpatrick, Caleb Walsh, Callum Henchy, Ben O’Halloran; Departure Gate; James Coakley (emigrated) Titles won: 0 Last year’s run; Beaten quarter finalists;

Cooraclare

Departure Gate: Cian Murphy, Alan Normoyle (emigrated) Titles won: 2 (1959, 1966) Last year’s run: Preliminary quarter final Schedule of games; Round 1 v Clondegad on Friday July 18th in St Michael’s Park Kilmihil at 19:00 Round 2 v O’Currys on Sunday August 3rd in Captain Tubridy Memorial Park, Kilrush at 15:00 Round 3 v Shannon Gaels on Saturday August 16th in Lissycasey at 14:00 Championship ranking 4; “There is no easy game in this championship. We have been battling with low numbers but we have managed to stay at intermediate level and this is our tenth consecutive year at this level. We are not looking past the first round against our Shannonside neighbours Clondegad”, Brian Markham, club secretary.

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Schedule of games: Round 1 v Kilrush Shamrocks on Sunday July 20th in St Michael’s Park Kilmihil at 13:00 Round 2 v Michael Cusacks on Saturday August 2nd in Páirc Finne, Corofin at 14:00 Round 3 v Ennistymon on Saturday August 16th in Lissycasey at 16:00 Championship power ranking; 7 “Priority one is to get out of the group and into the quarter finals. We haven’t managed to get past the quarter final in three attempts. Getting out of the group is key and that is our first priority”, Conal McNulty, club secretary.

Round 1 v Ennistymon on Sunday July 20th in Páirc Finne, Corofin at 14:00 Round 2 v Banner on Saturday August 2nd in Páirc Finne, Corofin at 14:00 Round 3 v Kilrush Shamrocks on Saturday August 16th in Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay at 16:00 Championship power ranking 3 “We are operating from a small panel. Our goal is to avoid relegation and retain our status. Right now our focus is on this week’s opening round game. We have a number of injury concerns and ruled out for this week is Domhnall McMahon”, Colm Clancy, manager

Ennistymon Management; Brendan Rouine (manager), Tom Ahern (selector), Shane Talty (selector), Michael Rouine (selector) Captain: To be confirmed Key player: Niall Canavan One to watch: Daniel Brody Fresh blood: Daniel Brody, Joe Concannon, Departure Gate: Not determined Titles won: 2 (1991, 2005) Last year’s run; Didn’t advance from the group; Schedule of games: Round 1 v Michael Cusacks on Sunday July 20th in Páirc Finne, Corofin at 14:00 Round 2 v Kilrush Shamrocks on Saturday August 2nd in Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty at 16:30 Round 3 v Banner on Saturday August 16th in Lissycasey at 16:00 Championship power ranking: 4 “As the only senior club with a team also at intermediate level, our main target is to develop players and to be as competitive as possible. A lot of players on the senior panel are ruled out at present due to injury so we cannot finalise our intermediate squad until we know who will be required at senior level”, Brendan Rouine, selector

GROUP 3 Clondegad Management: James Murrihy (manager), Enda O’Hallloran (selector), Mikey Conway (selector), Robert Forde (selector), Patrick O’Connor (selector), Shane McNamara (S&C), Mike Weaving (physio), Mike McMahon (video analysis) Captain: Tadhg Ó hUallachain Key player; Cillian Brennan One to watch; Cian Kirby Fresh blood; Morgan Garry (back from the US), Fiachra Kirby (back from injury), Sam Garry, Departure Gate; Ryan Jennings (emigrated), Cormac Reidy (emigrated) Titles won: 2 (1944, 2011) Last year’s run; Beaten semi-finalists Schedule of games: Round 1 v Coolmeen on Friday July 18th in St Michael’s Park Kilmihil at 19:00 Round 2 v Shannon Gaels on Saturday August 2nd in Kildysart at 14:00 Round 3 v O’Currys on Saturday August 16th in Cooraclare at 14:00 Championship ranking; 8 “We used the league campaign to familiarise ourselves with the new playing rules. We are now at the serious part of the season and we will be approaching the championship on a game by game basis. We are not looking beyond Coolmeen in this Friday’s first round.

The intermediate championship in Clare is one of the hardest competitions to win.”

James Murrihy, manager

Michael Cusacks: Management: Colm Clancy (manager), Eoin Farrell (selector) Joint Captains: Jack McGann and Tadhg Geoghegan Key player: Sean McNamara One to watch: Niall Hynes Fresh blood: Darragh Cassidy Departure Gate: Aidan Forde, Joe Copley, Conor Fahy (emigrated), Luke Kelly.

Titles won: 1 (1983) Last year’s run; Winners of the junior A championship Schedule of games:

Coolmeen; Management: David Neenan (manager), Kieran Hanrahan (selector), John Murtagh (selector) Captain: J.J. Carigg Key player: Cathal O’Connor One to watch: J.J. Carigg Fresh blood: Michael Kennedy

Shannon Gaels Management: Fergie O’Loughlin (manager), Derek Dormer (coach), Peter O’Connell (selector), Dermot Kelly (selector) Captain; Thomas Kelly Key player; Thomas Kelly One to watch; Julian Linnane Fresh blood; Colm Downes, Julian Linnane, Dylan O’Neill, Colm McMahon, Jack Foley, Joseph Hehir, Tiarnan McMahon; Departures Gate; Niall Ellis Titles won: 2 (1999, 2002) Last year’s run; Beaten quarter finalists Schedule of games Round 1 v O’Currys on Sunday July 20th in Captain Tubridy Memorial Park at 12:00 Round 2 v Clondegad on Saturday August 2nd in Kildysart at 14:00 Round 3 v Coolmeen on Saturday August 16th in Lissycasey at 14:00 Championship power ranking 4; “Trying to get out of the group is our target.

We have a lot of young players coming through. We have just won promotion in the league and we are delighted with that.

We will be without Darragh Bohannon for our opening round against O’Currys, a battle hardened team. They have beaten us in the last few meetings and they have been competing in division 2 of the league”, David O’Connell, club secretary.

O’Currys Management: Gerry Killeen (manager), Eddie Killeen (coach), Alan Troy (selector), Dinny McMahon (selector), Michael O’Shea (selector), Andrew Curtin (stats), TJ Keane (stats) Captain: Eoin Brew Key player: Shane Browne One to watch: Paddy Clancy Fresh blood: Brian Keane, Liam Griffin, Sean Marrinan, Evan Killeen; Departures Gate: Eoin Troy, Sean Haugh, Gearoid Lynch, Last years run: Beaten quarter finalists Schedule of games; Round 1 v Shannon Gaels on Sunday July 20 in Captain Tubridy Memorial Park at 12:00 Round 2 v Coolmeen on Sunday August 3rd in Captain Tubridy Memorial Park, Kilrush at 15:00 Round 3 v Clondegad on Saturday August 16th in Cooraclare at 14:00 Championship power ranking; 5 “Since we completed our league campaign our total focus has been on our first round against Shannon Gaels this weekend. We will be taking it game by game”, selector Alan Troy.

38

Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

LOHAN PREDICTS RETURN OF CLARE'S EXPERIENCED COHORT

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE senior hurling manager, Brian Lohan has said the early indications are that all of the county’s outgoing panel will make themselves available for next season.

Lohan is to remain in charge of the county’s senior hurlers until 2028 after his term was extended by three years at the July meeting of the County Board as proposed by Chairman Kieran Keating and seconded by Central Council delegate Robert Frost.

Details on the make-up of Brian’s management for what will be his seventh season will be unveiled in the near future. He was joined by selectors Ken Ralph and Tommy Corbett along with coaches Brendan Bugler and Rory Gantley in 2025.

Clarecastle based Ralph has been a selector for the entirety of Lohan’s reign while Bugler and Corbett have been involved for the past two seasons, Gantley was a new addition for 2025 following the departure of Shane Hassett.

On the task at hand for the next three seasons, Brian stated, “It’s a big job but it is a great job to be in, there’s great people involved at all levels within the county, we’ve got a great brand, we’ve got real good structures, real good support and most importantly we’ve really good players at the moment so it is great to be involved again. We’re under no illusions that we have to roll the sleeves up and get working but we will take that on, we’ll be looking forward to it”.

Fresh from his tenure extension, the All-Ireland winning player and manager outlined in an exclusive interview with Scariff Bay Community Radio that he would be studying the upcoming club championships to see what new talent could be added to the county squad for 2026.

He said the management would be casting the net far and wide over the coming weeks.

“The first thing that we’ve to do is confirm our backroom team and then obviously looking at the club championships...the panel hasn’t changed a massive amount between 2024 and 2025 but look that’s understandable but going into 2026 you’re going to be looking at that panel, looking at what is out there in the club championship and obviously the performance of a number of the U20s that have done so well over the last couple of years, that is following on from the real good success of those players when they were at minor level and U20 level."

While a close eye has been painted on players that have been under the ranks of Terence Fahy at U20 and both Brian O’Connell and Ger O’Connell at minor level, there is a chance for hurlers that may not have made the breakthrough at ei-

PICTURED: Brian Lohan Photo by Natasha Barton

ther grade to get a chance with the seniors.

“Are we expecting to see new players coming in? I think there definitely is, there has been some excellent performances at inter-county level at both minor and U20 and obviously we’re more focused on the U20 because it is more recent, previously you were looking at the U21 grade and there is a big difference in physicality for that U20 versus the U21 player, you can see that in our own U21 championship at the end of the year”.

Individual conversations have yet to take place between the manager and experienced members of the county panel on their inter-county future.

However, he has been in contact with captain Tony Kelly and early indicators suggest there will be no retirements announced in the near future.

“You’d be hoping that all of them will (stay on), the indications are that they all will be which would be great. I haven’t spoken to all of them individually but obviously I’ve spoken to Tony and Tony is very positive about the whole group that are there.

"We’re looking to get everyone who is available back in, getting them fit and getting them enthused and ready to go again, that is the aim, you always want to perform for all the big competitions that are there and that is what we’ll be hoping to do. It is about working hard, getting our fellas fit and ready to take on whatever we need to take on next year”.

Relegation from the top flight of the Allianz National Hurling League will see Clare ply their campaign in Division 1B in 2026 against Antrim, Carlow, Dublin, Down, Kildare and Wexford.

“It was obviously a disappointment for us last year that we went down to Division 1B and we didn’t

have a good league campaign, we’ll be disappointed with the performances we pushed out, that is on every one of us and not just one person in particular or one individual but it is a fact and we have to deal with it.

"We’re at a different level now, there’s some good teams in it but at the same time we would be considered the strongest team in it but that doesn’t mean you can be any-

“

with but it is hard work, you don’t get anything unless you work hard, if you have that hard work done, if you’re growing, open, honest and prepared to do that work then that can lead to good things but it doesn’t necessarily mean anything, it just means you have a chance whereas if you don’t have all that work done you don’t have a chance and that is regardless of who you play”.

In Munster, Clare recorded one win in their last outing versus Limerick following defeats to Wate r ford and Cork along with a draw to Cork meaning they missed out on one of the three qualification spots from the province. Fine margins are evident in the Munster SHC, he flagged.

“You’ll see that in the All-Ireland final, Cork and Tipperary the traditional superpowers are there, with all the All-Irelands they have, they are back and back at the top table which doesn’t make it easy for anyone, if you’re looking at U20 or minor level, those two are winning All-Irelands at both minor and U20 level over the last couple of years, they are back and back at the top table, it is going to be very hard to knock them off it.

“Limerick with the team they’ve had over the last couple of years, they haven’t been in the last two All-Ireland finals.

"They have a lot of soul searching to do the same as us, if there was one positive from the year it was that we finished on a win beating Limerick inside in the Gaelic

Cork and Tipperary, the traditional super powers, are back at the top table which doesn't make it easy for anyone

way complacent or anyway take anyone for granted, it’s going to be a focus for us that we go out and attack every one of those games,” the Shannon man stated.

Reflecting on Clare’s championship run in 2025, he outlined, “The quality of the guys we’ve had from 2024 we just didn’t have those available to us in 2025, there’s no point in complaining too much about it, it is what it is and you get no sympathy from anyone but it does present an opportunity for other people within the setup.

"That didn’t work as well in 2025 as it did in 2024, there’s questions to be answered there by us as a management and as a group of players, there’s loads of questions we have to deal with it, there’s a load of issues that are there but we’ve an awful lot of positives, we’ve the nucleus of a great group of players.

"We’ve seen that and the quality we do have, we have loads to work

Grounds and from their perspective they finished on a loss losing to Dublin and the anguish that brings for them but we can’t be worrying about them, we have to worry about ourselves.

“Margins are very tight in the Munster championship, we all know that but anything that is worth winning is hard work.

"Those Munster championships are worth winning and those games are hard work but they are worth it when you do, the big prize is progressing to the All-Ireland series, regardless of if you’re number one, two or three you’re progressing to the All-Ireland series and it gives you a great shout, you’ve two teams from Munster contesting the All-Ireland final and on neither of those two occasions were Limerick any of those two teams so it gives you an idea of the competition that is there.

"Not forgetting Waterford, they beat us this year and were very close in a lot of the games, they beat us this year and Cork last year, there’s serious work going on down there, they want to get back to the level of contesting All-Irelands, it's not too long ago that they were doing that, they had a great boost this year winning the All-Ireland minor final”.

Given the high volume of work required for inter-county management in the present day for the former full-back to have committed to three years underlines he is very sure in his mind about continuing as Clare manager.

“There’s a huge volume of work but there is a huge amount of expertise available to us aswell.

"The days of Ger Loughnane, Mike Mac and Tony Considine, Colm Flynn having responsibility for everything that is done, those days are over.

"We do have excellent professionals that are there, we have our two physios every year, we have our doctor Michelle for the last number of years, our nutritionist, we generally have a sports psychologist, there is a backroom team typically in any inter-county setup of approximately twenty between our stats guys, our logistics guys and the selectors and immediate management.

"Then you have your player base of approximately forty players, sometimes it’s thirty eight, forty two or thirty six, it depends.

"There is an awful lot of expertise from our perspective which we’re looking for which is really positive, we have Club Clare with numerous individuals and groups all over the country and indeed all over the world who are supporting the team and Clare hurling which is excellent”.

39

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

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Sport

Roseingrave resigns as Clare LGFA Chair

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE LGFA’s Chairperson, secretary and fixtures secretary have resigned from their roles with immediate effect.

In what has been a turbulent week for ladies football in the county following the adjournment of the July meeting on Tuesday last and the late cancellation of adjourned meeting due to take place on Monday evening, Chairperson Theresa Roseingrave, secretary Caoimhe McMahon and fixtures secretary Marie Shannon have resigned from their roles.

The Clare Echo has obtained a copy of the joint correspondence issued by the trio to Munster LGFA and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association on Monday July 14th where they have confirmed their exit with immediate effect.

It leaves a messy situation ahead of next month’s proposed start of the championship.

Proposed fixture dates have been circulated with clubs since February but were due to be ratified at the July meeting of the County Board. The proposed August 10 start of the championship cannot proceed until the fixtures are ratified.

Munster LGFA issued a statement prior to their resignations to state they gave no instructions to cancel the refixed July meeting as had been stated by Clare LGFA on Monday.

Roseingrave of the St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield club was elected as Chairperson in December, becoming the sixth woman to occupy the Chair in the history of the Clare LGFA. At the same meeting, McMahon of Miltown Malbay was elected Asst Secretary but has been Secretary since the resignation of Kilmihil’s Monica Callinan in recent weeks.

Events that unfolded at the July meeting were labelled as “deeply disappointing” by Roseingrave. She stated, “When I took on this role, my vision was to help foster a supportive and inclusive environment for our players, delegates, clubs, and the hundreds of volunteers who are the lifeblood of Ladies Football in Clare. Alongside this, one of my key aims was to stabilise and strengthen our financial position, ensuring a more secure foundation for the future of our game. Work has also begun on developing structured pathways and creating positive cultures across all levels, supporting both player progression and a sustainable environment for Clare LGFA going forward.

“Some have said I’m a stickler for the rules-a trait that hasn’t always been universally welcomed. But I don’t see it as a weakness. For me,

Photo by James Downes

respecting the rules is not about rigidity; it’s about prioritising the collective good over individual interest. It's about fairness, accountability, and consistency. I am, and always will be, a proud member of St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield.

But throughout my time as Chair, I have done my utmost to put the county before the club and make decisions in the best interest of all involved,” her resignation letter added.

Confirming her exit, Theresa stated, “After much reflection, I have made the difficult decision to step away from my role as Chair. This has not been an easy decision, and truthfully, it is not the outcome I would have chosen. I had hoped to continue serving and building on the progress we’ve made together in Clare Ladies Football.

"However, it has become clear that continuing in this role requires the full and united backing of our club delegates. The events that unfolded at last week’s meeting were deeply disappointing and have, regrettably, undermined the spirit of shared goodwill and commitment that the executive has worked so hard to foster. Leadership is about knowing when to step forward but also recognising when the conditions no longer support the role. As we look ahead, I believe our priority must be to continue supporting every person involved in Ladies Football in Clare-to nurture participation, uphold standards, and ensure our game is showcased on the biggest stages possible. Let’s continue to build on what we’ve achieved together. I remain committed to our game, and I look forward to supporting it in new ways in the years ahead”.

She confirmed that both McMahon and Shannon were also resigning from the Executive. An emergency general meeting now be held to appoint officers to the vacant positions.

l Coen Williams on Floris RZ, surrounded by family, after helping Ireland win silver

Rachel Lyons Photography

Clare duo help Ireland claim silver at Europeans CLARE DUO Coen Williams and Michael Blake played their part in Ireland’s success at the FEI European Championships, writes Páraic McMahon.

Ennis’ Coen Williams was among the standout performers as Ireland’s U21 secured silver at the 2025 FEI European Championships in Riesenbeck.

A well-earned silver medal was claimed by the U21 team, less than 24 hours after the U18 team won gold.

Coen Williams formed a central part of the U21 team. A homegrown talent from Williams Sport Horses and Parc Stables, he delivered a strong performance aboard Floris RZ, an 8-year-old horse owned by Bulter Court Stables.

He was joined on the U21 team by Tipperary’s Tom Wachman and Tim Brennan from Kilkenny. They had started the day in the gold medal position but suffered four faults and three time penalties to have a final score of 7.61 and when Belgium completed the final round with three clears, they would take the Gold medal with a score of 5.72, while Britain secured Bronze on 24.05.

Tuamgraney’s very own Michael Blake was the team manager and he once again helped to orchestrate consistent and impressive rounds throughout the competition This achievement continues Ireland’s strong showing on the European stage, highlighting the depth of young talent and world-class horsemanship across the country

ST FRANCIS CREDIT UNION COMMUNITY GAMES HOST MUNSTER TEAMS EVENT St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games hosted a very successful Munster teams events on Saturday last. The venues were in exceptional order and the sun shone brightly.

Clare Chairman Rob got a great team behind him including St Francis Credit Union, Wolfe Tones GAA, St Senan’s RFC, Shannon Hibernians FC, Shannon AC, St Conaire’s N.S.and Shannon Community Games.

Great credit also to the many co-ordinators, Referees and officials so did a fantastic job on the day. Clare came first in six events and now qualify for the National Finals in Carlow weekend 23rd/24th August. Competition was extremely high. Clare had fourteen teams taking part of that they had 5 teams receiving gold and got 5 receiving silver.

RESULTS Gaelic Football U10 Mixed – Ballynacally/Lissycasey -Cathal Carmody, CJ Clancy, Oran Cullinan, Michael Devereau, Oisinn Donnelly, Evan Frawley, Aidan Healy, Jack Hehir, Jack Higgins, Evan Moran, Anna Murphy, Jack O’Callaghan, Jamie O’Connell, Darren Roche, John Taaffe.

Gaelic Football U14 Girls – Bal-

lynacally/Lissycasey – Niamh Browne, Rowen Cahill, Jenna Coughlan, Maeve Coughlan, Grace Flanagan, Isabelle Garry, Sadhbh Geary, Nicole Griffin, Eimear Hehir, Niamh Keating, Aoibhe Kelly, Ava Keogan, Aoife Meere, Chloe Talty, Shona Talty, Tara Weaver Rounders U13 Boys – Clarecastle/Ballyea – Darragh Dormer, Paudie Geraghty O’Loughlin, Adam Gillan, Michael Healy, Noah Healy, Oisin Lych, Nathan Madden, Lorcan Murphy, Jude Quinn, Michael Quinn, James Travers Rounders U13 Girls – Clarecastle/Ballyea – Muirne Brosnan, Mary Carty, Ailbhe Concannon, Ava Considine, Sally Fealy, Eabha Geraghty, Sinead Hennessy, Ellen Keogh, Clara Moran, Maci O’Loughlin, Vivienne Palka, Aoife Vaughan Rounders U15 Girls – Quin/ Clooney – Sophie Harrison, Katie Hayes, Niamh Hoey, Kayleigh Loughnane, Nina Mc Carthy, Ella O’Brien, Lisa O’Neill, Penny O’Reilly, Clodagh Quinlan, Leah Quinn, Mella Skehan, Meadow Slattery Soccer U12 Boys – Shannon – Alfie Aherne, Kevin Barry, Seanie Bridges, Iarlaith Dawson, Franek IwaszKowki, Cian Ken-

neally, Shay Moroney, Arthur Muriel, Daithi Og O’Connell, Paddy Mc Phillips, Thomas Ondik, Kamil Pawlowski, Connor Reyes, Lucas Silva, Kevin Tylak, Andriy Zaritskyl Silver Medals winners – Clarecastle/Ballyea Throwball Rounders U10 Mixed – Crea Brosnan, Donnchadh Carey, Senan Carty, Dara Chambers, James Kennedy, Aisli Moran, Kate Murphy, Bobby Nevin, Doireann Nugent, Roisin O’Malley, Tiernan O’Rourke, Charlie Vaughan Newmarket-on-Fergus Skittles U12 Mixed – Catherine Crimmins, Tadhg Deans, AJ Grogan, Ruby Kelly, Oliwier Rudzinski, Niall Sheedy, Rob Sheedy Shannon U14 Skittles MixedSadbhb Baron, Colm Hourigan, Daithi Kelly, Alex Lanning, Rian Mc Inerney, Paddy Mc Phillips, Layla Wall Newmarker-on-Fergus Soccer & aside U12 Girls- Ellen Curley, Ide Deans, Hannah Devitt, Aoife Jones, Ella Kirby, Amber Lenane, Emily Moran, Sophia Moroney, Amelia O’Callaghan, Sienna O’Callaghan Clarecastle/Ballyea Soccer U15 Girls – Biborka Benko, Andrea Carroll, Caoimhe Chambers, Ailbhe Concannon, Allison

Donnelly, Holly Farmer, Emma Jacob, Ellen Keogh, Abbey Lynch, Annabelle Mc Fadden, Aimee Meere, Gemma Minogue Clune, Emily Quinn, Aimee

Travers, Aoife Vaughan, Clara Vaughan.

PICTURED: The Clarecastle Ballyea U13 girls Rounders team

40

Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

O'Flynn wins lady captain's prize in Dromoland

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

SANDRA Moylan’s lady captain’s prize was played for at the weekend.

Eimear Danagher had the best score but she wasn’t eligible for the main prize as she didn’t have the required number of competitions played.

Leslie O’Flynn emerged as the winner with 38 points with Eimear Danagher in second place. They were followed by Michelle McCarthy with 36 points, Lisa McKnight 36 points, Trish O’Brien 35 points, Mary Arthur 34 points, Majella Cotgreave 33 points, Frances Bergin 33 points, Katrina O’Neill 31 points and Niamh McDermott 31 points.

The gross was won by Joan Ryan while the nines were won by Patricia Moroney with 17 points and Marie Meaney with 19 points.

Other prize winners were Joan Ryan (Longest drive), Mary Arthur (nearest the pin) Julie Fitzgerald (past captain) and Jean Colleran (committee).

Sinead Burke Keogh won the 9 hole competition from Louise Guilfoyle while Niall Cannon won the men’s 9 hole competition with 20 points The men’s 18 hole stableford competition at the weekend was won by Enda Finnucane with 39 points and he won on a countback from Brian McMahon who had a similar score.

Andrew Kenny was third with 37 points. Patrick Marnane won the gross with 33 points while the category for those with handicaps of 20 ad over was won by Robert Healy with 36 points.

Andrew Kenny won the men’s 9 hole competition from John Earls with Patrick Vaughan in third place and all three scored 18 points.

Kilrush Golf Club: The Madden’s Construction ladies 18 hole stroke competition at Kilrush was won by Carmel O'Flaherty (47) with 69 and she won on a countback from Ailish Lorigan (21) who had a similar score. Mary Bolton (18) was a shot back in third place with 70.

The gross was won by Ann Marie Donnellan (14) with 87 while the nines were won by Joan O'Malley with 33.5 net and Clare Pyne with 34.5 net.

The Demack Safety mixed scotch foursomes on Friday evening was won by Jim Young Snr, and Mary Young (16) with 59.

They had two strokes to spare over Grace Howard and Neil Browne (21). In third place, a stroke further back, were Declan O'Donovan and Ailish Lorigan (15) followed by Michael J Hogan and Sheila O'Grady (19) with 64.

The Bowman's Lane open men's singles at the weekend was won by Jim Kelly (19) with 43 points two more than Jim Young Snr (8) with third place filled by Ken Newsham (31) with 40 points.

The category winners were Dominic Enright (9) with 40 points, Colm Murphy (14) with 39 points and Finbar McMahon (21) with 37 points. The nines were won by David Byrnes (11) with 20 points and Michael J Hogan (17) with 35 points Woodstock Golf Club: Last week’s open singles winner at Woodstock was Andrew McGloin, Ennis (12) with 43 points. The gross was won by Ross Darmody (5) with 35 points while the category winners were James O'Connor, Lahinch (8) with 40 points, Ciaran Coote (17) with 42 points and Caimin Dillon (26) with 39 points.

Winners in the 2’s competition were Caimin

Dillon (6th hole), Jason Dormer, Andrew McGloin and Colin Ryan, all at the 14th hole Thursday’s Holly's Haven Pharmacy mixed scramble was won by John Clune, Marie Commane, Carmel O'Toole and Vinny McInerney with 22.7 from Ross Kenny, Colette Coakley and Michael Coughlan with 25.5.

The scramble continues on this Thursday evening.

The men’s competition at the weekend was v par and it was won by Pat Barry (16) with an impressive 8 up. Tony Nugent, playing off scratch, won the gross with 1 up.

Category 1 was won by Michael Canty (10) with 5 up from Hugh McGrath (10) with 4 up.

Category 2 was won by Frank Landy (12) with 8 up from Chris McGrath (11) with 7up while category 3 was won by Lorcan Clancy (19) with 4 up.

Winners in the 2’s competition were David Green (6th hole), Frank Landy (8th hole), Joe Green (11th hole) and Cathal Nagle (14th hole).

The open singles continues this Thursday while the weekend competition will be a club singles.

Woodstock’s J.B. Carr team defeated Mitchelstown on Monday and now await the winners of the match between Ballyneety and Williamstown in the next round.

On this Saturday Woodstock will entertain Spanish Point in the Michael Cashman shield while on Sunday the ladies Revive Active team will play East Clare with three matches at the East Clare venue and two in Woodstock.

Gerry O’Malley’s captain’s prize will be played for over the August Bank holiday weekend. There will be an 18 hole strokeplay qualifier with the top 21 plus ties qualifying for a 9 hole play off on Sunday evening. Members must have played in at least four qualifying competition rounds in Woodstock in 2025 to be eligible for the top prize.

East Clare Golf Club: The ladies scotch foursomes competition at East Clare last week was won by Ann C Harte and Catherine Murphy with 41 points and they had one to spare over Geraldine Finnegan and Maria Kennedy with third place filled by Evelyn Skehan and Evelyn O’Brien with 39 points.

Winners of last week’s ladies Wednesday competition were Helen Conway, Evelyn Skehan and Breda O'Loghlin from Siobhan Mulcahy, Mary Farrell, Brid Hayes and Mary Collins with third spot filled by Noreen Skehan, Trish Kerr and Mary Jo. Minogue.

The weekly senior men’s competition was won by Richard Keating, Brendan Molo-

ney and Sean Jones from Jim Fahy, Paddy O'Brien and Terry Coughlan with Seamus Whelan, Jerry O'Brien and Michael Drew in third place.

Friday’s mixed scramble was won by Mary Healy, John Nihill and Tadhg Murphy from Margaret MacNamara, Brendan Moloney, Brian Corry and Willie Roche with Mary Jo Minogue, Noreen Doyle, Ger Hoey and Tim Walsh in third place.

Ennis Golf Club: The ladies 18 hole team Play in Pink competition at Ennis on Monday last was won

by Bridgette O'Keeffe, Loraine O'Sullivan and Sinéad Burke Keogh with 51 points and they were one ahead of Helen Gallery, Ann A Gallery and Louise Guilfoyle with Suzanne Deane, Nuala Healy and R Noonan a point further back in third place.

In the 9 hole competition the winners were Marian Irwin, Elaine Kelly and Mary Nagle with 25 points, two ahead of Mary Kearns, Vivienne Lawless and Marie Keane. Third place was filled by Maeve Hoey, Siobhan Marren and Anne Clancy with 21 points.

The winners of the men’s 18 hole competition were Gerry Fitzmaurice, Michael Foley and Grellan Kelly with 48 points from Tony, Brian and Jimmy O'Loughlin with 47 points.

In third place with 46 points were Dave Kenneally, John Coleman and John Kearse.

The senior ladies scramble on Tuesday was won by Maeve O'Grady, Mary Murray and Judith Brassil.

Last week’s ladies 18 hole greensomes competition, the Eileen Murphy trophy qualifier, was won by Maeve Hoey and Patrice Ryan (35) with 42 points, one more than Úna O’Reilly and Patricia Moroney (23) with third place filled by Patricia O’Reilly and Sinéad O’Sullivan (39) with 39 points. Úna O’Reilly & Patricia Moroney will represent Ennis at Cork Golf Club on September.

Last week’s 9 hole singles stableford competition was won by Bernie Brooks (25) with 19 points, one more than Vivienne Lawless (23). Division 1 was won by Yvonne Keohane (9) with 15 points from Anne Kelly (12) with a similar score.

Division 2 was won by Margaret Flanagan (18) with 18 points while Division 3 was won

by Marie Dilleen (26) with 18 points.

The senior men’s memorial day 18 hole competition was won by Michael Kerin with 43 points from Michael Cusack with 42 points. Kieran Tuohy was third with 39 followed by Joe O’Brien with 36, Padraig Cusack with 36, Ollie O Loughlin with 36, Kieran Patton with 36, Michael Neylon with 35, Eamon Connaughton with 35, Vincent Corbett with 35, Brian Tuohy with 34 and Noel Pilkington with 34.

The gross was won by Noel Pyne (7) with 31 points. Jim Hennessy won the 9 hole competition with 16 points from PJ. Hehir with 15 and Sean Ryan with 14.

Friday’s open singles was won by Michael O'Grady (22) with 39 points from Tommy Stack (20) with 38 and Keith Lenihan (18) also with 38.

The weekend’s men’s golfer of the year competition was won by William Donnellan (24) with 40 points. He had one to spare over David Considine (13).

Martin O'Neill won the gross with 33 points.

The category winners were Senan Ryan (9) with 37 points, Darragh Carmody (14) with 37 points, Martin Coffey (18) with 37 points and James P. Horgan (24) with 38 points

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, May 18, 2023

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Sport

41

Flanagan/Sheehan take top prize in Ennis Eye Candy Open ENNIS Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club's annual Mixed Open came to a conclusion last Saturday after a fantastic 8 days of tennis.

The event, proudly sponsored by Eye Candy Opticians once again, had a record entry spread over more than 200 across 5 events.

Amazingly, the home club had winners in each Final despite attracting entries from all across the country, with players from 19 different Tennis Clubs competing.

The winners on Saturday (all Ennis LTBC players unless stated): Grade 1/2 - David Flanagan & Anne Marie Sheehan (Limerick Lawn Tennis Club) Grade 3 - Subbu Reddy & Dhanya Pillai Grade 4 - Ryan Colleran & Katja Wittmer Grade 5 - Sean Moloney & Sarah Dilleen Grade 6 - Bernard MacOscair & Shona Cullinan l (clockwise from above) David Flanagan and Anne-Marie Sheehan collect their prize from Tournament

Sponsor, Linda Kochur of Eye Candy Opticians and (right of pic) club Captain, Dervilla Moloney; winners of the Grade 3 competition, the husband and wife team of Subbu Reddy & Dhanya Pillai; Sarah Dilleen and former Clarecastle hurler Sean Moloney collect their prize after winning the Grade 5 section; Bernard MacOscair and Shona Cullinan, winners of the Grade 6 event; and Ryan Colleran and Katja Wittmer, the Grade 4 champions

42

Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

News

43

Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

To place a notice email kieran@clareecho.ie

NOTICES

Planning

PLANNING CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KNOCKATUNNA, KILMALEY, CO CLARE Take notice that Noel Marshall intends to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct extensions to the side and front of an existing derelict dwelling house along with alterations/ renovations to the existing house and the construction of a domestic garage 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 11 COLLEGE ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE, V95 VN3K Take notice that Tom Reynolds intends to apply for permission for development at the above address. The development will consist of a two storey rear extension, new shed and studio building, refurbishment of the existing dwelling and associated 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. 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 the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL Paddywagon Tours Ltd., Mermaid House, Main Street, Liscannor, Co. Clare, intends to apply for permission for development at this site.

The development will consist of a change of use of part of the ground floor (17.5sqm) from a public display area to an Irish Coffee, Guinness

and Oyster Bar, including the installation of a curved bar counter and all associated internal 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 Clare County Council, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, 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 of the application by the authority, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL Further Information/ Revised Plans Planning Ref: P2460387 Development Description: Planning permission is being sought by Joanne Hession & Rob Henderson for modifications to the existing dwelling which include the removal of the existing rear extension, the construction of a new single storey extension to the rear of the existing dwelling, the construction of a new two storey extension to the side of the existing dwelling, a single storey car port to the side of the proposed two storey extension and associated site works at Dough, Lahinch, Co. Clare.

Location: Dough, Lahinch, Co. Clare.

Take notice that Joanne Hession & Rob Henderson have lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P2460387.

This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, 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.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KILLERK WEST, DARRAGH, CO CLARE. Take notice that Maria Gavin and Shane Harkin intend to apply for planning permission to build a new house, install a waste water treatment system and all associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL GURRANE, ENNISTYMON, CO CLARE. Take notice that Debbie Gilroy and Gearoid White intend to apply for planning permission to build a new house, garage, install a waste water treatment system, create a new entrance onto the public road and all associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the 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: 24/60458. DEVELOPMENT DESCRIPTION: permission to construct a new dwelling house with wastewater treatment system, garage and all associated site works and services.

LOCATION: Caherlooskaun, Kilshanny, Co Clare.

Take notice that Kieran Thynne has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application 24/60458. This information and planning application may be inspected or pur-

chased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DRUMQUIN BAREFIELD CO CLARE Take Notice that Tina Howard intends to apply to the planning authority for Planning Permission to construct a new dwelling house, site entrance, proprietary waste water treatment system and all 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 planning authority 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 O’BRIENSBRIDGE, CO. CLARE. I Seamus Power intend to apply to the above authority for permission for retention of a garage, (x2) sheds and changes to the dwelling house extension previously granted planning permission under (PL Ref P07/739) at O’Briensbridge, Co. Clare, V94 H9YR. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

44

Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

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Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Classifieds

Obituaries

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Recent Deaths

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Hannon, Michael (Micheál) Killaloe

Dooley, Trisha (Patricia) Feakle

QUINN (née Cowman), Evelyn Sixmilebridge

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Russell, Sr. Martina Ennis

Ó Dúgáin, An Br. Seán Ennis

PETS

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Russell, Sr. Martina Kilmaley

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PAINTING

McCormack, Kevin Fanore

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Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

Quiz

The Clare Echo Quiz 1.

In what year did Moneypoint power station open?

1988 1979 1959

6.

Which Saint is associated with Kilrush?

St. Brigid St. Patrick St. Senan

2.

Which prominent Dutch family was associated with Kilrush for hundreds of years?

The Vandeleurs The Van Der Lindes The Van Bastens

7.

What is the name of the GAA pitch in Kilrush?

Cusack Park Captain Tubridy Memorial Park Páirc an Dálaigh

3.

What colours do Kilrush Shamrocks GAA play in?

Black and white Green and red Green and white

8.

What was the population of Kilrush as per 2022?

3500 1567 2649

4.

Kilrush is known as Cill Rois in Irish. What does this mean?

Church of Ross Church of the woods Church of the king

9.

Businessman James Paterson developed much of the town in the 19th century. What country was he from?

England Scotland Wales

5.

What island is located 15 minutes from the coast of Kilrush?

Inismór Scattery Island Bull Island

Movies to see this week

Scan here to see what’s on

10. What major Irish historical event was commemorated in Kilrush in 2013?

The Great Famine The War of Independence Catholic Emancipation

ANSWERS St. Senan Captain Tubridy Memorial Park 2649 Scotland The Great Famine Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences.

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

1979 The Vandeleurs Green and white Church of the woods Scattery Island

Spot the Difference

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

Last weeks Answers . Sticker on boat missing . Lifejacket different colour . Strap missing on back of white T-shirt . Pole on boat missing (left)

. Letter L missing . White logo missing on pants . Badge missing on orange helmet

Family enjoying the Clare Agricultural Show that took place at the Ennis Showgrounds last Sunday Photo by Paddy Coneely

Puzzle PUZZLE 39

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

THURSDAY, NOV 24 2022

THIS 17th THISWEEKS WEEKSPUZZLES PUZZLESJul NOV 24th

SUDOKU

10/8/2020

Almanac

3

1

Commander

9

8

Commandos Demands

2

Dismantle

9

Egomaniac

4

Germanium

5

Humanly

8

5

7

1

3

3

8 3

8

9

4

2

Kilimanjaro

1/1

How to play

B B B

ANSWERS

HOW TO PLAY

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.

How to play

2 7

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6

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3

Undemanding

1

4

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.

Salamanders

5

9

6

6

1

2

Romance

7

9

3

8

Permanent

5

WORD SEARCH

1/1

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B

10/8/2020

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47

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

The Clare Echo Crossword

CROSSWORD ANSWERS D

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9

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13

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16

15

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

26

25

27

Help support us by subscribing Visit clareecho.ie/subscribe to find out more

1 Memento (8) 1 Pottery oven (4) 2 North African country (5) 3 Endearing (8) 4 Soak (6) 9 Hug (7) 5 Cook in an oven (5) 10 Assisted (5) 6 Nomadic Arab (7) 11 Employees (5) 12 Material for violin strings (6) 7 Terminates (4) 8 Perplex (6) 14 Young cat (6) 13 Magnificent (8) 16 Root vegetable (6) 15 Prickly plant (7) 19 Silly laugh (6) 17 Northern Ireland (6) 21 Push roughly (5) 18 Tyrant (6) 24 Go in (5) 20 Eat gluttonously (5) 25 Feign (7) 22 Last Greek letter (5) 26 Cooked egg dish (8) 23 Nought (4) 27 Difficult (4)

M

1/1

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