The Clare Echo 19/03/26 by The Clare Echo

Tragedy strikes in Lahinch

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

TRAGEDY unfolded in Clare over St Patrick’s weekend with the death of Jack Boddy. Jack’s remains were recovered on the shore in Lahinch on St Patrick’s Day, he had been missing since 00:45 on Sunday morning.

Twenty-year old Jack was the S&C coach with the Clare U20 footballers and had been seen as much as a peer than a mentor by the players who had been celebrating their first round success on Saturday.

US President hopeful of Irish Open 2026 stay

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

DOONBEG was back in the global spotlight with West Clare hotelier Donald Trump hopeful of visiting the county this September.

As the emerald isle took centre stage for St Patrick’s Day, the Oval Office meeting between US President Donald Trump and Taoiseach

Ahead of Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg Ireland hosting The Irish Open in September, the US President said the Taoiseach voiced his hope that he will be in attendance.

pint of the black stuff in Feakle. More parade pics p15-34 Photo by Ruth Grifﬁn

from acriss the county p15-32

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Clare’s next Rose of Tralee?

Former Clare Rose Aisling O’Connor meets some of this year’s applicants at the Rine Hotel. THE search is underway to ﬁnd the 2026 Clare Rose and young women from all around the county are invited to apply online ahead of the 2026 Clare Rose Selection which will take place on Sunday, the 26th of April in the long established Home of the Clare Rose, the Rine in Dromoland. For Further details, please contact the Clare Rose Centre team at clarerosecentre@roseoftralee.ie.

Tradition of drama lives on in Scariff

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ONE OF THE oldest festivals on the drama circuit in the country livens up East Clare this week, writes Páraic McMahon

The Clare Drama Festival takes place from Thursday 19th March to Friday 27th March inclusive for what will be its seventy seventh run. The festival is one of the oldest festivals in the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland circuit having started in 1947.

Top amateur groups in both confined and open sections will compete in the All-Ire-

land finals which will be held in Carrickmore, Co. Tyrone and Athlone but as the preliminary circuit ends, groups will be at their best to ensure that they get one of the coveted final spaces.

Chairman Seamus Bane promised, “there will be something for everyone in the festival, which showcases the best of amateur drama in Ireland”.

Ireland South MEP and Scariff native, Michael McNamara (IND) will perform the official opening of the festival on Thursday (March 19th). This will be followed by Memory Lane Theatre Group from Lixnaw, Co. Kerry performing Eugene O’Brien’s ‘Heaven’. On Friday 20th Dooega Drama Group from Achill, Co. Mayo bring Brian Friel’s ‘Philadelphia, Here I Come’.

Saturday 21st will have Brideview Drama Group from Tallow, Co. Waterford present by Hugh Leonard’s semi-autobiographical play ‘Da’. On Sunday 22nd, Corofin Dramatic Society will bring ‘WiT’ by American

playwright, Margaret Edson which won the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for drama. On Monday 23rd Sliabh Aughty Drama Group perform Bruce Graham’s ‘The Outgoing Tide’. Thurles Drama Group come to Scariff on Tuesday 24th with another of Brian Friel’s plays, ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’. Nenagh Players perform ‘The Salvage Shop’ by Jim Nolan on Wednesday 25th.

Shannonside Drama Group from Clonlara step into the breach for Thursday 26th with ‘A Living Will’ by Jim Keane. The final night sees Kilmeen Drama Group from West Cork present ‘Ballyturk’ by Enda Walsh.

Mr. Walker Ewart A.D.A., will adjudicate the performances and gives his comments after each performance. On final night he will announce the overall results. Groups will be anxious to collect valuable points towards qualification for the All-Ireland Finals. Curtain up is at 8.00pm each night and no advance booking is necessary.

Big Apple for Council chiefs

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

REPRESENTATIVES of Clare County Council were in New York this week for the St Patrick’s Day period.

Ahead of the bid day on Tuesday with a globally famous parade in the Big Apple, Clare County Council chiefs including CEO Gordon Daly and Councillor Paul Murphy, Cathaoirleach, met with senior executives from Tourism Ireland last Friday during the extensive visit.

St Patrick’s Day offers a unique opportunity for tourism to Ireland – with this time of year both attracting visitors to Ireland and being important for teeing up bookings for the season ahead through the heightened proﬁle created.

Tourism Ireland in the United States is undertaking a major programme of media, travel trade and consumer promotions to capitalise on Ireland’s heightened proﬁle around St Patrick’s Day. Alison Metcalfe, Tour-

ism Ireland’s Head of North America, said: “We were delighted to meet with the representatives of Clare County Council and to have the opportunity to brief them about the extensive promotional programme we are undertaking in the United States this year.

“The US remains an extremely important market for tourism to Ireland – in terms of revenue and visitor numbers. Visitors from the United States tend to stay longer, spend more and tour extensively around our regions.”

ST PATRICK’S DAY SPECIAL

Photos

lDavid Wood, Tourism Ireland; Councillor Paul Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council; Gordon Daly, Chief Executive of Clare County Council; Kate McMahon and Sheena O’Connell, both Tourism Ireland, in the Tourism Ireland ofﬁce in New York.

President Trump would be ‘honoured’ to attend Irish Open 2026 in Doonbeg

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

US PRESIDENT, Donald Trump has called his Doonbeg golf course one of the best in the world and said he is “going to try” to visit the county in September.

The controversial figure also admitted that he was unaware of the latest objection to plans to build a ballroom in West Clare.

As Taoiseach Micheál Martin (FF) visited US President Trump in The White House on St Patrick’s Day, Doonbeg unsurprisingly came in the conversation.

Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg Ireland will host the Amgen Irish Open in September with the US President hopeful of being in County Clare for the European Tour event.

Doonbeg hosting the Irish Open was welcomed by the US Presi-

dent who remarked, “it will be a fantastic success” with the Taoiseach nodding beside him.

“It is a great thing, my son and my family, we have a great golf complex in Ireland, it is one of the best in the world, it is called Doonbeg and it is in Doonbeg”.

He said, “Rory McIlroy and all the best golfers in the world love it”.

Trump continued,

“You have a tremendous golf tradition, and it was chosen for the Irish Open, which is a big deal. That’s a big event. Everybody wants me to be there. You [Mr Martin] just said, ‘I hope you’re going to go’”.

On the prospect of visiting Doonbeg for The Irish Open, he said, “We are going to try, it

will be an honour”.

Owned by the Trump family since 2014, he labelled the golf course in Doonbeg as one of the best in the world.

“It was a great honour to be chosen. They only choose the best courses in the world for the, you know, for the big opens – it’s one of the big ones”.

President Trump was not aware of the setback

to plans to build a ballroom at Trump Doonbeg.

A lone objection was made last week by Liam Madden in Longford who lodged separate appeals with An Coimiúsin Pleanála against two separate planning permissions granted by Clare County Council last month for the permanent ballroom and other upgrades at the Doonbeg resort.

In his appeal against the planned ballroom, Madden has urged ACP to “please refuse this nonsense” and pointed to what he describes as the marked deterioration of the 2mm Vertigo Angustior snail at the site.

“I have not heard that,” the US President admitted when asked about the objection.

“The course was built and has been operated successfully”.

On the issue of the “snails” that were cited

in an objection to the extension, he said that “doesn’t sound like the biggest problem I’ve ever had”.

Trump told the meeting, “I am not afraid of anything” when questioned on the ongoing war with Iran.

He stated, “Iran is just a military operation to me, it was largely over in two or three days, the military was wiped out almost immediately and the airforce came out next”.

He claimed the US could take out Iran’s electrical capacity in an hour. “If we left right now, it would take them ten years to rebuild but we’re not ready to leave yet,” he said, “We will be ready to leave in the near future”.

Prices of fuel and oil will drop as soon as the war is over, Trump said. “As soon as the war is over and that will be soon, your prices will drop like a rock”.

Criticism of the US attack on Iran by President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly was put before the US President who responded, “He’s lucky that I exist” when flagging that their motivation centres around nullifying the nuclear threat posed by Iran.

Taoiseach Martin defended UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer who came under criticism from Trump. The US President also claimed that Barack Obama didn’t want a bust of Winston Churchill in The White House during his term, “Unfortunately Keir is no Winston Churchill”. Their meeting ended with Trump issuing an update on an ongoing libel case against the BBC. He said he is very proud of the term fake news “because I came up with” but said the BBC are now producing corrupt and fraudulent news.

l Taoiseach Mícheál Martin at the Whitehouse on St Patrick’s Day this week

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Health Minister accepts an invitation to Clare

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

MINISTER FOR Health,

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (FG) has agreed to meet a Clare-based health campaign group following the decision not to build a new hospital in the county.

Friends of Ennis Hospital have confirmed to The Clare Echo that the Minister for Health has accepted their invitation to visit the county and meet directly with the group.

Confirmation of the Health Minister’s visit comes just over a week after she announced a new €14m hospital would be built on a 43.8 acre site in Raheen, two kilometres from University Hospital Limerick (UHL).

A severe deficit in acute capacity continues within the Mid-West. Estimates from Friends of Ennis Hospital (FEH) detail that the region is short at least 600 beds.

Labelling the proposed hospital campus in Raheen as a necessary step to address capacity shortfall,

Chairperson of FEH, Angela Coll said the broader plan raises serious concerns, particularly for the people of Clare.

She warned that the potential of centralising services in Raheen to downgrade UHL would leave Clare patients facing long and potentially dangerous journeys for urgent care while also resulting in the

entire region serving a population of over 500,000, relying on a single Emergency Department.

Angela outlined, “That is the reality we will be putting directly to the Minister when she visits Clare. This is not a theoretical debate anymore.

“The Minister will hear firsthand how these decisions impact patients who

are already travelling excessive distances for care.

“In every other region, there are multiple acute hospitals. The minimum is three, and most regions have five. Yet here in the Mid-West, the direction of travel is towards a single point of access. That is neither safe nor sustainable”.

She added, “We welcome the Minister’s decision to come to Clare and engage with us. It is vital that she sees the reality on the ground and understands that equity in healthcare must extend beyond major urban centres.

“No one is asking for an emergency department every ten minutes. But no health system should accept a situation where people are expected to travel over an hour in an emergency. That is not access, it is exclusion.

“The people of Clare deserve a health service that works for them. This meeting with the Minister is an opportunity to reset that conversation and we intend to make that case clearly and forcefully”.

Judicial review on Midwest Hospital location decision

THE Midwest Hospital Campaign-Clare has conﬁrmed that it has initiated a Judicial Review in relation to the Government’s decision on the future conﬁguration of hospital services in the Mid-West.

The campaign had hoped that Clare County Council would take a leading role in challenging the decision, particularly given the cross-party motions previously adopted by councillors supporting the development of a Model 3 to Model 4 hospital in Ennis on a greenﬁeld site to serve the growing population of County Clare and the wider Mid-West region.

Marie McMahon said they remain disappointed that stronger leadership has not been shown by elected representatives in Clare on an issue they believe is of critical importance to the future healthcare needs of the county.

Hilary Tonge says she hopes the legal process will prompt renewed engagement and urgency from those elected to represent the people of Clare.

However, due to what the campaign describes as a lack of meaningful response and urgency from elected representatives, the Midwest Hospital Campaign has decided to move forward with perusing legal action itself. The decision to pursue a Judicial Review was taken after careful consideration and reflects the deep concern felt across communities in County Clare.

Marie McMahon says the legal process will examine whether the decision-making process was: fair, including whether consultation with the public and stakeholders was properly considered; Evidence based; and Transparent, whether the process properly reflected the differing views presented during the review.

A spokesperson for The Midwest Hospital Campaign Clare said, “For the people of Clare, this decision feels like they’ve been left behind once again. Communities here are already travelling long distances and facing overcrowded emergency departments, and this decision risks continuing that reality for years to come.”

“Behind all of these reports and policies are real people. “Families in Clare have had extremely difﬁcult and sometimes traumatic experiences trying to access urgent care, and they deserve a healthcare system that recognises those realities.”

l Minister Carroll MacNeill with John Moran, Mayor of Limerick, and Bernard Gloster CEO HSE at the announcement

Photo by Don Moloney

Corlann – Join our Team!

As a Social Care Worker, she works with a team and management to run the service to ensure they deliver the best possible service to the people they support.

Kaitlin supports people to access a number of different services, participate in activities they choose, she supports them to run their own homes, cook their own meals, and socialise in their community.

Kaitlin said she has gained a lot of problem solving skills from her role. She feels more equipped when presented with issues – not only at work but in day to day life also. A huge learning curve for Kailtlin is she has learned to work with a large team of staff – from support workers, to management, to the multi disciplinary team where she takes on everyone’s advice and opinions, and they all work together to provide a great service for the people supported.

CORLANN in Ireland provides supports to over 7,000 people with an intellectual disability or autism and operates in almost 1,000 locations throughout Ireland including County Clare. Social Care Workers fulfil a key supportive and advocative role for People Supported by the Services. They are responsible for supporting the person in all aspects of their life focusing on the persons ability, promoting independence and development of skills, either in their own home or in a day service setting. With a salary range from €40,851 to €57,217 and great company benefits, it’s a great career with meaning. We chatted to Kaitlin Reynolds who works as a Social Care Worker with Corlann and is based in Ennis. She studied in MTU for 4 years while working part-time in her local shop. She achieved a BA in Social Care. She is working with Corlann for just over two years. When asked what interested Kailtlin to work in the field of intellectual disabilities, she said she knew a number of people working in this field and had heard a lot of positive feedback from them. She did her own research into the sector and knew it was definitely for her.

Kaitlin’s favourite part of the role is direct support. She said there is a lot of fun to be had. She said it is so rewarding to see the people she supports enjoy life and get as much as they can from their local communities.

The service she works in is completely led by the people she supports, they are involved in every single aspect of their lives.

Knowing that she empowers the people she supports to live their lives exactly the way they want is what is most rewarding about Kailtlins job.

To ﬁnd out more about working as a Social Care Worker/ Support Worker/Nurse/ Person in Charge with Corlann Clare, call in for a chat to their Open Evening on Wednesday, 25th of March.. It runs from 5pm7pm at their ofﬁces (Gort Road Industrial Estate, Ennis, Co. ClareEircode V95 RH57).

PERMANENT

CONTRACTS AVAILABLE (full time/ part time/days/shift)

Some of our beneﬁts:

• Competitive Rates of Pay

• 22 Days Annual Leave

• Full Training provided

• Deﬁned Beneﬁt Pension Plan

• Career Progression Please bring your CV! Looking forward to seeing you there! Website: www.corlann.ie

Pictured are Kaitlin Reynolds and Teresa Crosse

Search stood down following retrieval of Jack’s remains

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

JACK BODDY’s death has swept sadness across the county making the St Patrick’s weekend somewhat darker.

On Tuesday morning, An Garda Síochána stood down the search for missing twenty year old Jack after his remains were located in Lahinch on Tuesday morning. A body was recovered at the shore in Lahinch close to Lahinch Surf Shop on Tuesday morning which resulted in An Garda Síochána, Coast Guard units from Doolin and Killaloe and the Clare Civil Defence standing down the search for Jack. A post-mortem is to be carried out on his remains.

Jack had been last sighted at approximately 00:45 in Lahinch on Sunday morning before a full day of searching commenced on Monday with the search resuming at 9am on Tuesday morning before his remains were located by the shore shortly before 10am.

Units of the Irish Coast Guard from Doolin and Killaloe, Clare Civil Defence and the Shannon based Irish

Coast Guard led the search for Jack on Monday. Cregg, Callura and Carhugar in Lahinch were the areas on land searched across Monday with Rescue 115 sweeping the coastline and inland areas. A drone team, land search team and an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) were all utilised during the search. Assisting the search were a team of volunteers from

Lahinch, Ennistymon and further afield. Members of the Clare U20 football panel were actively involved in the search on Monday, Jack had been involved with the team as strength and conditioning coach this season and they opened their campaign with an impressive win over Tipperary in Quilty on Saturday. The efforts of those involved in the search have been ac-

knowledged by those closest to Jack.

Prior to getting involved with Clare football, Jack had been a club development officer with Craughwell and Castlegar in Galway. The Limerick native was a student at TUS and was a member of the Setanta College team that coached academy squads.

He lived in Bruff with his parents Mossy, Sarah and brother Tadhg who is a past pupil of St Flannan’s College. In his formative years, Jack and the Boddys lived in Kilkee. Jack represented St Senan’s Kilkee GAA club as an underage footballer. He was part of the club’s U12 team that became one of the first Kilkee sides to represent the club in Croke Park in 2017.

A spokesperson for St Senan’s GAA Kilkee stated, “We were devastated over the weekend to hear of the tragic passing of one of our former underage players, Jack Boddy. Jack was a popular and very talented member of our underage teams over the past decade and showed great passion and enthusiasm for the game at all times”.

Clare U20 football game postponed

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE’s U20 football game with Waterford scheduled to take place this coming Saturday has been postponed.

Strength and conditioning coach with the Clare U20s, Jack Boddy died over St Patrick’s weekend with a missing persons search carried out in Lahinch on Monday until his remains were recovered on Tuesday morning. Indeed, the U20 panel and management were among those volunteering to assist in the search.

From County Limerick, Jack had been involved with Clare football teams for the past two seasons as part of Peter Keane’s backroom team with the seniors in 2025 working under S&C coach Shane O’Rourke and then serving as the main S&C coach for the Dermot Coughlan managed U20s this season.

Coughlan’s U20s returned to training this St Patrick’s Day morning but before they left Caherlohan word began to filter from Lahinch that Jack’s remains had been found bringing with a wave of sadness, shock and despair to all involved with the side.

It is expected that Clare GAA will be initiating some form of psychological support to the U20 set-up in the wake of the tragedy.

Keating in his statement outlined, “Jack was a much loved friend of many in West Clare, of our senior football management & squad of 2025 and particularly of our 2026 squad of U20 footballers, to whom he was S&C coach, helping guide them to an opening round win on Saturday afternoon last.

Lemybrien was due to host Saturday’s game at 2pm against Waterford. Clare are scheduled to be in action the following weekend away to Limerick in phase one with the Waterford game to be rescheduled.

l Jack Boddy,who tragically passed away at the weekend

Social media ban for U16s? Clare students react as some say it would be ‘pointless’

by Isabella Baxter [Gaelcholáiste An Chláir TY student]

IMPLEMENTING a universal social media ban for under-16s would “be pointless,” say Clare students.

Reacting to news that the Government is considering a social media ban for under-16s, teenagers from across Clare have shared their thoughts on potential restrictions in an anonymous discussion with The Clare Echo Late last year, the Australian government introduced legislation forbidding children under the age of 16 from having social media accounts. It was the ﬁrst of its kind. Ireland is now working with countries across the EU to explore options for age restrictions for certain platforms, including social media and AI technologies.

Students had mixed feelings on a potential ban. The Clare Echo spoke to eleven local students, most of whom were in TY. About two thirds of the students thought that an outright ban would be too harsh.

“It’s a creative medium for many people,” argued one TY. “Making edits, displaying visual art, and showing off fashion … it’s a way to feel included.”

Inclusion and connection were important to almost every student who spoke to us. “Some under-16s struggle socially and

look for friends online,” said a student from Gaelcholáiste an Chláir.

“It’s an outlet for those who don’t ﬁt in. I know lots of queer and neurodivergent kids who have been able to ﬁnd their closest friends online.”

One student noted that, even with relationships formed in person, social media is a core part of how today’s teenagers connect with their friends. “It helps us communicate with our friends and share homework and music,” one TY said. Another added, “Social media sites are a great way for friends to keep in touch.”

Not everyone thought it was a bad idea. “There are many negative aspects to social media that outweigh the positives,” said one Ennis Community College student, who agreed with the idea of a ban. “Online bullying, inappropriate content, even

misinformation” were some issues brought up, even by students who didn’t want to see government restrictions.

A student from Ennistymon Community School believed that, “Young people don’t know or understand all the risks they face when online.”

All respondents to The Clare Echo thought that teenagers would try to use social media in spite of a ban. “The majority of people would try and ﬁnd a way around it,” said one Ennis Community College student, echoing the consensus of the group.

“People will always circumvent bans on things they enjoy,” answered one teenager, with another agreeing that, “Most kids would just use their parents or older siblings to log-in and then use the apps anyway.”

Some went as far as saying restrictions would be “pointless.”

“Social media just sucks sometimes. Nothing to be done.”

Another Gaelcholáiste student agreed, “Just like in the real world, the internet is full of idiots, so ignore them.”

A study commissioned by the Australian government in 2025 found that 96% of children aged 10–15 used social media, and that, of them, seven out of ten had been exposed to harmful content, including violent and misogynistic material. Tanáiste Simon Harris has expressed the

belief that children “are not safe on the Internet,” a fear echoed by many. Five students we spoke to reported having personal negative incidents online.

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in the UK warned that a social media ban could drive under-16s to unregulated corners of the Internet or leave teenagers unprepared when they do come online.

Six out of the 11 students thought there were deﬁnitely better ways to encourage healthy use of social media, including education, parental supervision, and management from the sites. “Kids should be taught how to use social media safely and respectfully,” said one. “They need to learn from those similar to them how to be safe and how to keep others safe.”

Another said that, “Better regulation on under-16 accounts and feeds would make the online environment healthier.”

“It’s not the Government’s job, but the job of the parents or guardians, especially when there’s so much room for variance,” stated one student, who thought that a blanket solution would do more harm than good.

This sentiment was echoed by another, who added, “It’s the parents’ job, not the government’s. The internet is safe if you follow basic common sense.”

Ukrainian man claimed Jobseekers in Ireland while living in Scotland

A 29-YEAR OLD Ukrainian man who fled from the war took advantage of the warm welcome he received in Ireland when illegally claiming Jobseeker's allowance while couch-surﬁng in Scotland for seven months, writes Godon Deegan

At Ennis District Court, Judge Valerie Corcoran made her comment after Kostiantyn Teliuk, formerly of the Burren Atlantic Hotel, Ballyvaughan, Co Clare pleaded guilty to an offence concerning illegally receiving €4,868 in Job Seeker's beneﬁts from September 2022 to April 2023 while he resided in Scotland.

Mr Teliuk pleaded guilty to not informing the Dept of Social Protection of a change in circumstance that he had left the State in 2022. Judge Corcoran said Mr Teliuk’s actions constituted “taking advantage of the warm welcome” he received from the Irish State.

The Judge said she would impose a three-month prison term but if the Probation Service found Mr Teliuk suitable for community service, he would carry out 90 hours in lieu of the three months in prison.

In the prosecution taken by the Dept of Social Protection, State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey told the court that on September 14, 2022 it had come to the attention of the Dept of Social Protection that Mr Teliuk had left the jurisdiction. Ms Casey said that in June 2023, Mr Teliuk notiﬁed the department that he travelled to Scotland and London for a period of six days. However investigations found he travelled to Scotland in September 2022 and didn’t return until April 2023.

Ms Casey said that the loss to the State in the case is €4,868 and Mr Teliuk has been repaying it back at a rate of €10. Ms Casey said that Mr Teliuk is not currently in receipt of any State beneﬁt.

Solicitor, Daragh Hassett for Mr Teliuk said that Mr Teliuk was homeless here and he moved to Scotland where a person had accommodation “and of course he should have cancelled his beneﬁts here and he didn’t do so”.

Judge Corcoran adjourned the case to May 8 to see if Mr Teliuk is suitable for community service.

Four men charged with Carrigaholt post office robbery remanded in custody

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

FOUR Clare men charged in relation to the alleged robbery of Carrigaholt post ofﬁce in January remain on remand in custody.

At Ennis District Court on Thursday last, all four accused appeared via video link from Limerick prison.

In court, Sgt Frank O’Grady said that directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) are awaited and asked for a further two week adjournment in the case for directions.

Two of the four accused, Darragh Pender (30) of Dun na hInse, Ennis and Martin Downes (36) of Seaﬁeld Park, Quilty remain in custody but have consent to bail after applying to the High Court for bail. Both men have no previous convictions.

Solicitor for Mr Downes, Tara Godfrey said Mr Downes has difﬁculty in ﬁnding a bail address and remains in custody.

Co-accused Michael McMahon (38) of Plunkett Drive, Kilkishen and Darren Cassidy (38) of Lifford Mews, Lifford, Ennis also appeared via video-link.

Urging the State to expedite the issue of directions in the case, solicitor for Mr

McMahon, Daragh Hassett pointed out to the court that his client and his co-accused have been on remand in custody since January.

In the case, Mr Downes, Mr Cassidy, Mr Pender and Mr McMahon are each charged with robbing Maura McKiernan, the post-mistress at An Post Carrigaholt, The Square, Carrigaholt of cash, coins and a cheque to the value of €8,944.63, contrary to Section 14 of the Criminal justice

(Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 on January 21st.

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

Opposing bail for the four,

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

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

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

Sgt Graham said that it will be alleged that Mr Pender and Mr Downes were the getaway drivers involved in the alleged robbery.

Judge Valerie Corcoran remanded all four in custody, two with consent to bail- for a further two weeks to appear before Ennis District Court to March 25th.

Man stole coal ‘to be taken off street’

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A COROFIN man presented a stolen €15 bag of coal at his local Garda Station after phoning a Garda beforehand to say that he was going to carry out the theft, it has been alleged in court.

At Ennis District Court, solicitor, John Casey for the accused man, James (Jamie) Lally (47) of Newtown, Corofin said that Mr Lally told Garda Andrew Monahan that he was going to carry out the theft as he “needed to get off the streets”.

Mr Casey told Judge Valerie Corcoran that the facts of the case “are so strange, they are unbelievable”.

Mr Lally was appearing via video link from Limerick prison where he has been on remand since February 18 when he was first brought to court concerning the theft charge. He was last month remanded in custody with consent to bail concerning his theft of one €15 bag of coal from Hogans Shop, Market Street, Corofin.

Mr Casey said that Mr Lally owns a house but told Garda Monahan that he was going to steal a bottle of whiskey from a shop in order to get arrested.

Mr Casey said it will be alleged that instead Mr Lally came back to the Garda Station with a sack of coal where he left it on down on the table of the Garda station and told Garda Monahan that he stole it from Hogan’s Shop.

Mr Casey said that Garda Monahan rang the shop and they didn’t even know that the bag of coal was gone.

Mr Lally subsequently appeared in court on the theft charge on February 18 last and is now awaiting the Probation Service to carry out a report on him.

Mr Casey told Mr Lally that if he takes up his bail the Probation Service will find it more difficult to meet him if he is out of prison.

Judge Corcocan adjourned the case for two weeks and further remanded Mr Lally.

Judge Corcoran said that Mr Lally will be sentenced on the next day in court and there will be no further remands in custody.

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

Clare Tourism Industry Unites to Align Vision for Landmark 2026-2027 Period

tourism industry from across Clare gathered last Thursday evening at The Rine (formerly the Inn at Dromoland) for the Clare ‘Tourism Together’ Networking Event, a high-energy coming together of businesses focused on strategic alignment ahead of a transformative period for the county. With major international events on the horizon, including the Amgen Irish Open at Doonbeg, the message of the evening was clear: collaboration is the heartbeat of Clare.

The event, officially opened by Cathaoirleach Councillor Paul Murphy, was presented by Sean Lally of the Clare Tourism Advisory Forum, providing a platform for discussion on the “positive benefits” of large-scale sporting events on tourism and local economies. Gordon Daly, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, outlined the strategic importance of new structures designed to support major events, while Paul Mockler of Fáilte Ireland delivered a keynote on the specific golf opportunities set to drive regional growth in 2026 and 2027. Travel expert Eoghan Corry gave an insight into global trends and

considerations for businesses in response to these.

A highlight of the evening was a practical perspective from local business owner Caitríona Considine of Moher Cottage.

Drawing on her first-hand experience from the 2019 Irish Open at Lahinch, Caitríona shared how major events provide a vital boost to the local economy. She offered inspiring insights into how businesses can prepare for and benefit from the influx of visitors.

The networking event organised by the Tourism, Festivals & Events team at Clare County Council was followed by a panel discussion moderated by travel expert Eoghan Corry and concluding remarks from Siobhán McNulty, Director of Services with responsibility for Tourism, Festivals, Libraries and Cultural Services in the Council. Industry partners were urged to utilise the ofﬁcial Visit Clare collateral to ensure a uniﬁed marketing front as the county gears up for its next major promotion, ‘Be A Tourist in Your Own County Clare’, scheduled for the weekend of 17–19 April 2026.

(l-r) Maurice Walsh (Vice-Chair Clare Tourism Advisory Forum), Paul Mockler (Head of Business Development with Fáilte Ireland), Sean Lally (Chair Clare Tourism Advisory Forum), Gordon Daly (Chief Executive Clare County Council), Cllr. Paul Murphy (Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council), Caitríona Considine (co-owner of Moher Cottage), Siobhán McNulty (Director of Service), Eoghan Corry (Lead Travel Commentator in Ireland)

Photos by Eamon Ward

The Tourism, Festival & Events Team, Clare County Council – (l-r) Darragh Ryan, Philomena O’Connell, Síle Cahill, Karen Fennessy, Nicola Killeen, Sinead Heavey, Blessing Omorodion

Lead O’Donoghue, Graphic Recorder - leahdesign.ie

Paul Mockler (Head of Business Development with Fáilte Ireland) & Caitríona Considine (co-owner of Moher Cottage)

Theresa Hughes Lannon (A/Senior Executive Ofﬁcer, Clare County Council)

Networking in full swing creating a vibrant and engaged atmosphere

Conversations ﬂow during the Speed Networking

THE

€200k on Ryder Cup Park & Ride

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

LIMERICK City and County Council

is set to spend €200,000 on a Park and Ride Event Manager for next year’s Ryder Cup at Adare Manor.

In new tender documents, the Council has identiﬁed four sites at Croagh West, Croagh North and Croagh South, Patrickswell Field+Race Course and ‘Mackey’ with cumulative parking spaces of 24,500 vehicles.

The tender states that there is an additional site under construction which may be added to the existing list. The brief states that the estimated attendance to the Ryder Cup will be 60,000 people per day, with the expected daily vehicle use of the Park & Ride sites to be in the order of up to 20,000 vehicles and 30,00040,000 plus people.

The staging of the event in September 2027 is expected to deliver a signiﬁcant economic dividend for the midwest and the country. The 2023 Ryder Cup held in Rome resulted in an estimated economic impact of €262 million for Italy.

The tender states that those parties tendering for the work “must have experience in the delivery of events of the nature and stature of the Ryder Cup”.

The tender states that the scope of the project may expand and contract as items arise. It states that the ﬁnal fee will be amended as necessary to reflect these changes. The closing date for submissions is April 13.

High Courts clears way for construction of €1.6billion Ennis data centre

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

ALL legal hurdles in the High Court have been cleared allowing construction of the Ennis data centre to commence.

Art Data Centres have welcomed the High Court ruling in their favour from judicial review proceedings.

Joint founders of Art Data Centres, Tom McNamara and Vincent Fogarty said that the “judgement recognises that there is a future for environmentally-sensitive data centre developments like ours, where there is responsible use of renewable energy, grid-supporting generation technology and heat-recycling for both agri-food and local heating schemes”.

They said that “such responsible developments, outside the Dublin metropolitan area, have the potential to secure our economic future, providing a future market for off-shore wind developers and securing Ireland’s position as a world-renowned centre of excellence in the cloud computing economy”.

l GREEN LIGHT: An artist’s impression of the data centre on the outskirts of Ennis

A spokeswoman for Art Data Centres said that the project’s scale at 200MW “will be attractive to the largest technology partners in the world and the project represents the culmination of more than eight years of preparatory work”.

An Coimiúsin Pleanala had granted planning permission to Art Data Centres Ltd for the scheme in April

2024 comprising six data halls covering 145 acres or 1.3m sq ft on lands adjacent to the Tulla Rd on the eastern outskirts of Ennis near Junction 13 on the M18 motorway connecting Galway to Limerick.

The planned data centre had been stalled by a High Court judicial review challenge by opponents of the data centre, Colin Doyle,

Friends of the Irish Environment CLG, Futureproof Clare, Martin Knox and Christine Sharp. In 2025 the High Court ruled an issue concerning a Leisler bat is not sufficient to halt contentious plans for the new 200MW data centre campus. The one remaining item at issue before the High Court concerned a derogation licence.

A spokeswoman for Art Data Centres stated that the total investment is expected to exceed €1.6 billion across three phases, creating significant economic activity in Ennis and the region. She said, “The project will generate substantial employment during both the construction phase and the long-term operational life of the facility - up to 1,200 in construction, thousands more in support jobs and services, up to a thousand permanent jobs and the under-pinning of thousands more in digital industries”. She said that “following the conclusion of the legal process, Art will now proceed to the site and initial works will focus on the enabling works package, including the diversion of overhead power lines in cooperation with EirGrid and ESB Networks”.

She said that Phase One of the project comprising the electrical substation, Data Halls 2 and 3, and associated site works is scheduled for completion and commissioning by the end of 2028.

‘Please refuse this nonsense’ - Doonbeg ballroom plans stalled by Longford objector

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

PLANS by the US President Donald Trump owned Trump Doonbeg resort to construct a ballroom have been stalled by a sole objector living in Longford.

This follows Liam Madden of Convent Rd, Longford lodging separate appeals with An Coimiúsin Pleanála against two separate planning permissions granted by Clare County Council last month for the permanent ballroom and other upgrades at the Doonbeg resort.

In his appeal against the planned ballroom, Mr Madden has urged ACP to “please refuse this nonsense”. Mr Madden contends that the planning documentation lodged with the application doesn’t comply with the Planning and Development Act “and cannot be remedied”.

Mr Madden also pointed to what he describes as the marked deterioration of the 2mm Vertigo Angustior snail at the site. He claims that the deterioration of the Vertigo Angustior to near extinction can be attributed to nothing other than the development taken as a whole since its inception. This contradicts the conclusions of a report on the Vertigo Angustior lodged with the planning application which found that the decline of the snail at the site is due to marine erosion and habitat succession.

The report found that the proposed ballroom and associated works “will have no impact on Vertigo Angustior, and no mitigation or further action is required”.

However in his appeal, Mr Madden said that the Council attaching a condition to the planning permission requiring a conservation plan for the snail is “a farce”. He said that the developer is required to do this anyway.

Mr Madden’s appeal follows three separate submissions he lodged on the ballroom application when the scheme was before Clare County Council.

The appeal describes Mr Madden as an Environmental Scientist, Planning Consultant and Legal Advisor.

As part of the permission, the Council included a condition that before work commenced, the Trump Doonbeg firm, TIGL Ireland Enterprises Ltd is to draw up a Management Plan for the Vertigo Angustior.

In one of the 14 conditions attached to the permission, the Council last month requested Trump Doonbeg to submit the Vertigo Angustior Management Plan to the Council for approval and the plan is to include conservation management actions to restore favourable status of the Vertigo Angustior on the Trump Doonbeg lands.

The Council granted planning permission for the proposal after concluding that the ballroom proposal would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity.

Commenting on the permission last month, Resort General Manager at Trump Doonbeg, Joe Russell said the scheme is “a very important step in the continued evolution of the resort”.

He said at the time, “The ballroom will significantly strengthen our ability to grow the weddings, corporate, incentive and events markets, while complementing the scale and character of the existing property”.

Mr Russell added, “Crucially, this development also supports our long-term strategy of transitioning the resort from a traditionally seasonal operation to a

fully year-round destination. Expanded indoor event capacity will allow us to drive business during the shoulder and winter months, supporting employment stability, local suppliers and the wider West Clare economy throughout the year”.

The planning authority granted planning permission for the ballroom and other upgrade works at the resort after a wave of local support resulted in several local organisations, including Doonbeg GAA, Doonbeg’s Men’s Shed, and Doon-

beg Community Development Ltd lodging submissions in support of the proposal.

The Council received 17 third party submissions and 13 were in favour of the proposal and Doonbeg GAA told the council that if granted, the proposed works “will significantly increase and enhance the tourism product on offer in the area and provide long term sustainable employment which is so badly needed”.

On the plan to replace existing “outdated” temporary events structures, including

a marquee, with the new permanent ballroom, planning consultants for Trump Doonbeg, Cunnane Stratton Reynolds stated that the need for the ballroom “is reinforced by the socio-economic role of Trump International Golf Links and Hotel within West Clare”. Doonbeg woman and local member of Clare County Council, Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) said that the current planning system where anyone from any part of Ireland can object to a development a long distance away is “ludicrous”.

Cllr McInerney said that she believes that if you do wish to object to a development you must be able to show that you will be materially impacted by what is proposed.

Cllr McInerney said that she is disappointed that appeals have been lodged. She said, “I along with others in the community have supported the new development and it is going to safeguard the future of the golf club.”

Cllr McInerney said that the wages earned by locals from Trump Doonbeg “have put parts of west Clare through college as it is a great source of employment”. She said, “We made our judgement call on the application by supporting it and we will have to let the planning process take its course”.

Mr Madden has been contacted for comment.

SHINY CAR LOANS

l Plans to construct a ballroom have been stalled due to an objector who has raised the issue of the protected Vertigo Angustior snail

Proposal to abandon Ennis car park plans ‘a positive development’

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SAVE Ennis Town, the community group formed to prevent building on the Abbey and Parnell Street car parks in the town, have welcomed recent developments which could see the controversial plans for the town abandoned.

This follows local media reports that the Chief Executive of Clare County Council is proposing the removal of the contentious builds from the current County Development Plan, signalling that the drawnout controversy over the future of the two civic spaces may be coming to a close.

“The proposals to remove plans to build on Abbey Street and Parnell Street car parks, from the County Development Plan 2023-2029, is certainly a positive development,” according to Gearoid Mannion, Chairman of Save Ennis Town.

“This campaign started almost three years ago, with a packed public meeting in the Temple Gate Hotel, when the opposition of the public and businesses within the town, was made clear. A subsequent petition of over 3,000 signa-

tures and a huge public rally at The Square clearly demonstrated that there was no real local support for the proposed developments.

“This was confirmed at the local elections in May 2024, when the majority of councillors elected for the Ennis Municipal District were strongly opposed to this aspect of the Ennis 2040 plans.”

The removal of the reference to building on the Ennis car

parks from the County Development Plan will take place by way of a vote on the proposed variation by the elected members of Clare County Council.

Save Ennis Town are encouraging the people of Ennis and surrounding areas to engage with the process.

“The permanent removal of these references from the County Development Plan is the only way to ensure the future of our car parks. We

would urge the people of Ennis and surrounding areas to engage with their local elected representatives on the issue, and also to visit the Clare County Council website where they can view the proposed variation or make their own submissions on the proposed changes.

“There are many positive aspects to the Ennis 2040 strategy which have, unfortunately, been overshadowed by this ongoing controversy. We urge the executive of Clare County Council and our local representatives to work together to finally resolve this issue and secure the future of these important civic spaces for the people of the town.”

The variation to the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 is available to view online at: https://clarecdp2023-2029. clarecoco.ie/variation1/display/

Members of the public can make submissions until 7th April 2026, by email to: devplan@clarecoco.ie or in writing to the Planning Department of Clare County Council.

Gaelcholáiste get creative for parade

STUDENTS from Gaelcholáiste an Chláir drew plenty of attention at the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Ennis with a float inspired by the ancient Celtic sea god Manannán Mac Lir.

The students were delighted to have been awarded for the most Creative float at the parade. The float was created by students under the guidance of art teacher Síle Ní Dheargáin and was supported by funding from the Creative Schools bursary. Work on the puppet and accompanying horse heads began in December, with students dedicating several weeks to designing and building the display in preparation for the parade.

The project also received support from Creative Schools mentor Brian Fleming, artist Ana Colomer

and engineer Tiarnán Ó Ruairc. Cuntóir Teanga Cait Ni Fhionnghail and Woodwork teacher Cian Ó Riordáin helped construct the base for the float. The ﬁgure of Manannán Mac Lir was placed in a traditional currach, which had been created during a previous school project led by Ms Ní Dheargáin.

Ms Ní Dheargáin said she was very pleased with how the ﬂoat turned out. “It was lovely to see it all come together,” she said. “The students were really excited about their creation, especially when it was being hoisted up onto the currach.” School principal James Ó Shaughnessy said ‘’it was a proud moment for the school community to see the students’ work on display as part of the town’s celebrations’’.

‘Good always outweighed the bad’ - Flannan’s class of 1971 & 72 reunite

ST FLANNAN’S College classes of 1971 and 1972 had their own reeling in the years moment with a special school reunion.

Fifty year celebrations may have been missed due to the pandemic but 50 years on from their graduation from St Flannan’s, the students of yesteryear gathered for a reunion. Both years merged into the one due to the high overlap in students that repeated.

It began with a golf outing in Dromoland Golf Course before a mass was held in the day chapel of St Flannan’s College before adjourning to Hotel Woodstock for a meal and further discussion.

Chairperson of the organising committee, Martin Lynch outlined that the genesis for the idea arose over a cup of coffee between himself, Mike Kenny and Tim Crowe back in September.

Three students from the classes of 71/72, Tom Hogan, Roy Donovan and James Grace have since entered the priesthood, they celebrated the mass along with former teacher, Fr John Jones. Fr Hogan managed to create a reflective space during the mass as they remembered the 27 students of the time that have since died.

Current principal, Donal Cahir addressed the mass and spoke of the changes to the school including how it has become a co-ed school but that it has held its values and emphasis on the experience in and outside the classroom.

As they reconvened in Hotel Woodstock, the topics discussed included the role of St Flannan’s College in education in the 19th and 20th century.

Hurling was among the talking points throughout the day. Speaking to The Clare Echo, Lynch noted, “St Flannan’s didn’t win the

Lynch was joined on the committee by Crowe, Dan Brislane, Tommy Kelly, Gerry Kearney and Gerry Arkins, all who voiced their appreciation for the input of Seán and Elaine Lally from Hotel Woodstock. On the golf course, the winners were Derry O’Neill, John Callinan, Mike O’Donovan and Ciaran McCarthy.

Harty Cup in 1971 or 1972 and it is probably the best St Flannan’s team to have lined out that never won the Harty, four of the team went on to win All Stars, namely Ger Loughnane, Seán Stack, Colm Honan and John Callinan”. He continued, “The great thing about St Flannan’s College was that there was never a social division, there was a diversity but it never played out, nobody was inferior and our latest gathering reflected that. There was absolutely great appreciation by all for having the opportunity to reconnect and a recognition that for many the memories of St Flannan’s weren’t perfect but the good always outweighed the bad”.

“We finished up in a position to have been able to make a not so significant contribution to Parkinson’s Ireland, a cause that was chosen not least in recognition of the fact a number of students from our time have developed that ailment,” the Newmarket-on-Fergus man stated.

More photos at www.clareecho.ie

lCAMPAIGN: Plans to build on Abbey Street Carpark stalled after opposition from local businesses; (inset) Gearoid Mannion, Chairman of Save Ennis Town

l Denis Ryan and Michael O’Reilly at the reunion

Photo by John O’Neill

l Mayor of Ennis Mary Howard in a horse-drawn carriage with Grand Marshall of the Ennis St Patrick’s Day Parade, 2026, Mick O’Dea, a successful contemporary artist

Photos by John O’Neill

l Alpacas, performers, Ennis Tidy Towns, Ennis Players, Clarecastle Regatta, members of the local Philippine community, Gaelcholaiste An Chlair (top right) and local musicians were amongst those taking part in the parade in Ennis

Photos by John O’Neill

Notes Clare students creativity on display at enterprise awards

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

A DIGITAL marketing start‑up, an inventive GAA training aid and a woodcraft business have taken the top honours in this year’s Clare Student Enterprise Final held at Treacy’s West County Hotel in Ennis.

The Local Enterprise Office Clare has announced that teenage entrepreneurs from St John Bosco, Kildysart, and St Flannan’s College, Ennis, will represent the county at this year’s Student Enterprise Programme National Final on 7 May.

Secondary students competed in three categories, namely Senior (Transition Year, 4th Year, 5th Year, 6th Year & Youthreach Students), Intermediate (2nd Year & 3rd Year Students) and Junior (1st Year Students).

The enterprise education initiative, funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices nationwide, saw

over 30,000 students from nearly 500 secondary schools take part this year.

St Flannan’s College emerged as the overall Senior category winner for their digital marketing project, JSU Marketing. Led by teacher John O’Connor and featuring students Jack Hayes, Ultan Breslin, and Sean Daly, JSU Marketing is a digital marketing agency supporting small

businesses. The student team build a website presence promoting its services, which include website and social media management, and strategic marketing.

St John of Bosco, Kildysart, was named Intermediate winner for Rebound X, a sports equipment enterprise developed by second-year students Kayla Houston, Addison Kelly, Niamh Browne, Isabelle

Doolin Ferry to expand fleet

DOOLIN Ferry, known for its award-winning Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher tours, is adding a second purpose-built passenger ship to its fleet later this year.

The new ship, built to carry 300 passengers, mirrors the successful design of the flagship Cliffs of Moher Express.

Passengers will enjoy spacious outdoor decks with panoramic views, plush leather seating indoors, full climate control, Wi-Fi coverage, and an onboard bar and snack shop, ensuring the utmost comfort on every crossing.

Drawing on over 50 years of family experience navigating the Clare coast, the O’Brien family contributed key insights to the vessel’s design. The state-of-the-art stabilisation system reduces rolling and pitching, ensuring a smooth, stable journey,

allowing passengers to fully enjoy the scenery and onboard amenities.

The vessel also incorporates eco-friendly innovations introduced on the Cliffs of Moher Express, including ultra-efficient engine technology, solar panels and LED lighting to minimise energy use, and advanced hull coatings with a 10-year lifespan, reducing environmental impact. As a proud member of the Burren Ecotourism Network, the company is dedicated to sustainable practices and safeguarding the unique environment of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark.

With the addition of this second purpose-built ship, Doolin Ferry is raising the standard of travel to the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher, turning the crossing into a worldclass maritime experience.

Garry, and Maeve Coughlan under the guidance of teacher Helena Coffey.

The team developed GAA rebounders, a unique piece of equipment that attaches to the crossbar of a goal allowing hurling, football and camogie players to practice their free-taking without having to retrieve their ball.

The school also secured the overall Junior category title with Straight Grain Creations, a woodcraft business led by teacher Ciara Brouder. The team, comprising Dean Kelly, Donnacha Cleary, Nicholas Connelly and Liam Power, crafted high-quality wooden and 3D-printed items, combining traditional woodworking with creative design. The products included ballpoint and fountain pens, hurleys, dart oches, phone holders, baseball bats, and seasonal decorations, which were sold at markets, fairs and online through a website designed by the team.

Visit www.localenterprise. ie/clare for more.

Speaking about the new build, Liam O’Brien, owner of Doolin Ferry said: “This addition marks another exciting step forward in our company’s history. Purpose-built for smooth, comfortable sailings and designed with sustainability in mind, it allows us to offer an Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher boat tour experience like no other.”

Construction of the vessel is already underway, with the ship expected to join the Doolin Ferry fleet later this year, reinforcing the company’s position as the operator of the most modern, passenger-focused fleet along Ireland’s west coast.

Plan your trip and book online at www.doolinferry.com

THE STORY OF CO CLARE MOTHER & BABY HOME

The North Clare Historical society will present its final talk in its current lecture series with a presentation entitled Forgotten Lives – The story of the County Clare Mother and Baby Home known as the County Nursery, 1922-1932

The Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed on December 6, 1921 and wasting no time, the County Clare Board of Health put the plans for the amalgamation of services to the poor of the county into action. Prior to this, provision had been through the Poor Law system. One of the groups in need of assistance was unmarried mothers and their children.

This talk will be based on the book Forgotten Lives by Rita McCarthy, the story of how County Clare provided services for the vulnerable women and children in their care in the County Clare Nursery a mother and baby home situated in the infamous and condemned Kilrush workhouse from January 1922 to March 1932.

Sources include oral interviews given by a survivor and the descendants of survivors, Clare County Council minute books and local newspaper reports which carried verbatim reports of council meetings.

The talk will be held on Monday 23rd March at the Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon at 8pm. All are welcome.

A TALK: UNDERWORLD OF NORTH EAST INDIA

The next heritage talk in X-PO Killinaboy takes place on Thursday March 26th at 8.30 pm. The guest speaker is Robin Sheen and the talk is entitled ‘Abode of the Clouds - The Underworld of North East India’.

The talk will focus on the remarkable international caving expedition to the “Abode of the Clouds” in North East India. The multi-national expedition team has had Irish involvement for the past 25 years.

The project began exploration in Maghalaya, a part of the world that was not considered at that time to be a major caving area, in 1992. The total length of known and mapped passage now exceeds 550 kms.

Robin Sheen is originally from Bristol. He has been living and caving in the Burren for 45 years. Robin has been a member of many international caving expeditions including his ongoing participation in the Abode of the Clouds Project. Admission to the event is free. Donations to X-PO welcome.

l Junior Winners Liam Power, Nicky Connolly, Dean Kelly and Donnacha Cleary, St John Bosco Kildysart with Bernadette Haugh, Head of Enterprise, LEO Clare, and Cllr Paul Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council Photo by Eamon Ward

lPLAIN SAILING: Doolin Ferries has announced that it will expand its ﬂeet later this year

l The Ennistymon St Patrick’s Day parade was bursting with music, costumes, community groups celebrating milestones and political commentary. Donald Trump has in recent years become a parade favourite in West and North Clare in recent years, while the Cork hurlers also made an appearance in reference to their All-Ireland ﬁnal defeat last year

All photos by Tom Micks

Taoiseach rejects ‘false claims’ that Shannon Airport is assisting war

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SHANNON AIRPORT is not being used to assist the US war in Iran, the Taoiseach has said.

Speaking to reporters in Philadelphia on Sunday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin (FF) said the Government had no evidence that weapons and supplies used by the US in the attacks have been transported via Irish airspace.

Repeated “false claims” on Shannon Airport being complicit in aiding the war “will damage Shannon,” the Taoiseach warned.

He stressed, “Shannon is not being used. I just want to make that point. Shannon is not being used for those purposes”. The Taoiseach said there had been “repeated attempts to conflate Shannon with both the war [in Iran] and Gaza, which was absolutely false”.

Political agendas have linked Shannon Airport to “false claims” about its role in assisting the US military, Martin maintained. Weapons passing through Shannon formed part a “continuing

narrative from certain quarters, politically within Ireland, which I think will damage Shannon, if that kind of argument continues”.

to the Taoiseach, it would be difficult to

or “investigate” if there were any “transgressions” of rules prohib-

Sinn Féin motion on soaring fuel costs to be debated in the Dáil

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

Sinn Féin TD for County Clare Donna McGettigan, has confirmed that Sinn Féin will bring a motion before the Dáil this week demanding urgent action to tackle the soaring cost of home heating oil, petrol and diesel.

The Private Members’ motion, which will be debated on Wednesday, calls on the government to immediately intervene to reduce fuel prices and scrap planned tax increases on home heating oil.

Deputy McGettigan said the debate will give Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael an opportunity to finally act to protect workers and families facing severe financial pressure.

Donna said: “Workers and families have been struggling through an unrelenting cost-of-living crisis and the rapid rise in

l Donna McGettigan TD for Sinn Fein, Clare

the cost of petrol, diesel and home heating oil is making an already difficult situation far worse.”

“Households in Clare and across the state are under enormous pressure and yet Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael continue to sit on their hands while costs spiral.”

“Record numbers of households are already struggling to pay their energy bills, with hundreds of thousands in arrears and many more on the brink. The number of people at risk of poverty has also increased.”

iting such activity by the US military. The Taoiseach said that there was a “need to be realistic in the modern era”.

“In that context the government’s failure to act on soaring fuel costs is simply unacceptable”, Donna said.

“Sinn Féin’s motion calls on the government to scrap planned tax increases on home heating oil, due to take effect on 1 May, and to reduce the cost of petrol, diesel and home heating oil by implementing Sinn Féin’s Mineral Oil Tax (Emergency Cost of Living Reduction) Bill 2026.

Deputy McGettigan said the debate will allow TDs to decide whether they stand with struggling households or with a government refusing to take action.

“Families are being hammered by rising costs. This motion gives the government and every TD an opportunity to back immediate action to bring fuel prices down and provide real relief to households.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, As reported by The Clare Echo (online) Taoiseach Micheál Martin stated that:

“Falsely linking Shannon Airport to Gaza could do it ‘damage’”. He and Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee made several other statements while in the US that were arguably incorrect. He would have been correct if he had said that Shannon airport was being damaged by its use by the US military to wage wars of aggression and assisting the Israeli genocide in Gaza. He implies that those who are exposing the Irish Government’s complicity in war crimes and genocide are damaging the reputation of Shannon airport. I and many other peace activists have been truthfully linking Shannon airport to the Gaza genocide and other appalling war crimes. We will not be silenced. The Washington Post published a list of the names of18.500 children killed in the Gaza genocide. Over 150 children were killed in the Minab school bombing in Iran. Thousands of other civilians are now being killed in Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and elsewhere by the US and Israel. He talks about

He said there were “established rules in terms of airspace and the utilisation of airspace. But again, we haven’t any strong evidence that our airspace has been used for any attacks on Iran”. He said there was “international law governing airspace” and that the State also had “arrangements made in terms of the rules and the framework by which you can fly through Irish airspace.”

However, he admitted, that “the capacity to investigate that or to intervene if there’s transgression is challenging and problematic”. The ongoing conflict in Iran is the backdrop for the Taoiseach’s St Patrick’s Day visit to the US and his meeting with Trump.

Martin also said that there remains a “standing invitation” to Trump to visit the Republic. But the Taoiseach had no information on whether the president would visit next September when the Trump family owned five star resort in Doonbeg hosts The Irish Open. “We’ve no hard information in relation to that”.

“a degree of realism” and asked: “if a ﬂight was going to Germany, would that be deemed “a problem”? US military ﬂights going to Germany or anywhere else through Shannon Airport or Irish airspace are the problem. Article 2 of the Hague Convention V on neutrality states that: “Belligerents are forbidden to move troops or convoys of either munitions of war or supplies across the territory of a neutral Power.” No number of jobs in the Mid-West, or protecting the Irish economy, should take precedent over complicity in war crimes and genocide. Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee also said that “Irish airspace is not being used by the US as it continues its offensive on Iran”. This is not correct.

Since 28 February 2026, twenty aircraft associated with the US military have travelled through Shannon airport, and at least a further eight through Irish airspace.

The celebration of Saint Patrick, a man of peace, should not have been misused to misinform Irish citizens and our Irish diaspora, or to appease the Trump administration.

Edward Horgan, Castletroy, Limerick

According

“intervene”

l The Shannon St Patrick’s Day parade saw huge crowds witness community groups, businesses and schools take part. (left) Clare TD Cathal Crowe (FF) with Grand Marshall Gerry Murphy and Ei founder Mick Guinee; (above) Aidan Fox gives our cameraman a fright; (below centre) Damien O’Rourke brings St Patrick to life; All photos by Joe Buckley

l The village of Newmarket-on-Fergus was thronged with revellers on St Patrick’s Day where their Tidy Towns Gold was amongst the achievements celebrated in the parade

Photos by Joe Buckley

Book of condolence for Keane

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A BOOK OF CONDOLENCE

has opened at the headquarters of Galway County Council following the death of renowned folk singer Dolores Keane.

Dolores died in her native Caherlistrane, Co Galway aged 72 on Monday. It was here that she was raised by her aunts Rita and Sarah, who were both renowned local sean-nós singers.

By the age of just five, Dolores made her first recording when she appeared for Radio Éireann in 1958. The Keane family, who also include Dolores’ brothers Seán and Matt and sister Theresa, were a formidable local musical force and she was to truly find her voice with traditional Irish band De Dannan, which she co-founded in 1975.

They enjoyed considerable national and international success at a time when Irish folk and trad was going through a new awakening and the band scored a sizable hit in Ireland in 1975 with The Rambling Irishman.

Alongside Ruan’s Sharon Shannon, Ennis native Maura O’Connell, Mary Black, Eleanor McEvoy and Frances Black, Dolores was one of the gifted voices behind the infamous 1992 album ‘A Woman’s Heart’. Dolores was an integral part of the biggest-selling album in Irish history.

Keane married multi-instru-

mentalist John Faulkner and in 1978, she released her debut solo album, There Was a Maid. There was also further work with De Dannan on the very successful albums Anthem and Ballroom. Between 1979 and 81, she and Faulkner released three albumns together. She later rejoined De Dannan, but returned to a solo career. Her 1988 rendition of Scottish musician Dougie MacLean’s Caledonia was among her biggest hits.

After a difficult pregnancy, Keane gave birth to their first child Joseph, who was born with Bardet–Biedl syndrome.

Dolores and John’s marriage ended in 1988. She had a long relationship with Barry ‘Bazza’ Farmer, with whom she had her second child, Tara in 1994. She took a break from recording and touring in the 1990s due to depression and alcoholism. In 2022, she was presented with

TG4’s Gradam Ceoil Lifetime Achievement Award, and in November 2024, she received an honorary doctorate in Music from the University of Galway Ennis based bozouki player Eoin O’Neill said Dolores has left behind “a legacy of song and music”. He recalled that it was in a pub called The Tinnef in Cologne, Germany where Dolores and John Faulkner “played to 45 people in 1979 was the night I became a musician for real, the hours after the gig were just as inspiring as you made a nineteen year old feel part of something intangible but had much to do with a way of living”.

Galway County Council on Wednesday morning opened a book of condolence for Dolores at its headquarters in Áras an Chontae, Prospect Hill.

Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr David Collins (FG) opened the book, which is available for signing during normal office hours. He said, “Her ability to blend traditional sean-nós influences with contemporary folk styles has influenced countless other musicians and will continue to draw new listeners for generations to come. On behalf of Galway County Council and the people of County Galway, I extend our deepest sympathies to her family, friends and all who admired her music”.

DESPITE shocking weather conditions on Tuesday, spirits were high at the Gort St

Parade 2026 where the theme was

New”. Celebrating everything Gort and South Galway, our photographer Tom Micks was on the ground to capture every moment. See

Galway City flies the flag in Seattle...

MAYOR of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard was welcomed to Seattle, Washington, this week, as part of celebrations to mark St Patrick’s Day and forty years of the Galway-Seattle Sister City relationship.

While St. Patrick’s Day is always a special celebration for Irish communities worldwide, this year’s celebrations in Seattle also mark four decades of positive political, cultural, educational and economic exchange between the two cities. Galway and Seattle formalised their Sister Cities connection in 1986.

Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard, said, “Forty years ago, Galway and Seattle were very different places. Ireland was only beginning to open itself to the world, and Seattle was on the cusp of becoming the global hub of technology, aviation, and culture that it is today. Yet even then, leaders on both sides of

the Atlantic saw something in each other a spark of shared spirit, creativity, and ambition. Galway, perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, and Seattle, looking out onto the Paciﬁc, are both shaped by the sea by openness, by curiosity, and by the sense that the horizon is not a limit but an invitation. Our cities have grown together in remarkable ways. Tourism, education, and culture have intertwined to create two places that are outward looking, conﬁdent, and proud of their heritage. What has endured and what we celebrate today is the belief that international relationships matter. That cities can learn from one another. That people-to-people connections are the foundation of peace, prosperity, and cultural richness.”

Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive, Galway City Council, said, “As Galway and Seattle mark 40 years of friendship

as Sister Cities, we also look forward. Galway and Seattle share strengths in technology, the arts, marine science, education, and tourism. We share a love of festivals, of innovation, of community. And we share a belief that the best way to honour the past is to build an even stronger future. From the shores of Galway Bay to the waters of Puget Sound, may our connection continue to thrive.”

As part of the visit, on a snowy Friday 13 March, Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard; Seattle City Councilmember Bob Kettle, Grand Marshal, St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2026; Vice Consul General Naoise Kenny, Consulate General of Ireland, San Francisco; and the Galway City Council delegation joined a ceremony at Pier 69 to raise the Irish and American ﬂags in honour of St. Patrick’s Day.

Patrick’s Day

“Gort Old and

p24.

l Seattle St Patrick’s Day Parade with (left to right) Seattle City Council member Bob Kettle, Grand Marshal; Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive, Galway City Council; Honorary Grand Marshal Noreen McCormack, President of Sister Cities; and Patrick Greene, Director of Services, Galway City Council

Pat Smyth thanks customers with

PAT Smyth Fashions in Gort is celebrating 30 years in business, with the family-run business to welcome customers for a day of in-store music and giveaways this Friday.

Ahead of the celebration, Pat & family are taking the opportunity to tell their story.

THE STORY SO FAR

Pat Smyth, born 1957, son of Paddy & Mary Smyth (nee Helly), St Clerans, Craughwell.

Pat, Mary & Family (Audrey, Stephanie & Patrick) began their adventure in Gort in 1996 - an adventure that was to be both challenging and rewarding.

Pat had acquired a wealth of knowledge in the trade, with 22 years’ experience in Martin Fahy’s, Loughrea.

Pat’s grá for Gort and South Galway was fostered by his summers spent in Labane with his uncle, the late Mossy Helly. Pat’s granduncle, the late Liam Smyth of Main St. Loughrea was also a draper & gents outfitter. Liam was a man of great inspiration to a young Pat.

In 1998, Pat and Mary bought their current three-storey building on Bridge St, Gort & by 2005 they had made it a real family affair with Pat’s wife Mary opening the Ladies Fashion Dept - a partnership that Pat speaks very highly of: “Without Mary’s unwavering support, Pat Smyth’s would not be what it is today.”

Pat & family have been blessed to have the support and great loyalty of the people of Gort, South Galway and County Clare.

Historically, Gort has benefitted from the passing trade of many a customer travelling from the south-east to the north-west of Ireland. It is passing trade that Pat is very grateful for. “We have customers who visit year on year on their travels.”

Pat’s gratitude to the people of Gort & surrounding areas is truly evident and he lights up at the mention of his customers and the dear characters and friends he has met through the years.

“We are deeply thankful and truly appreciate the last 30 years of custom here in Gort. Your unwavering support does not go unnoticed.”

The future at Pat Smyth’s is taking shape with the addition of his son Patrick Jr. and daughter Stephanie.

“We are delighted with our team here with four out of our five family members now in the trade.”

Pat & Mary have had the help of loyal staff members past and present, notably Helen Smith, Gort.

“We are forever thankful for our staff and the dedication shown throughout the years.”

Gort Town has undergone a rejuvenation in recent years, with Pat noting, “There is a great buzz in our town and it’s a privilege to come to work every day.”

Pat lives for his routine. “It’s about the meet & greet and the sincerity about the job at hand, it is not the money that matters, it is the fabulous people and characters we meet, that is the real currency of life “

Both Mary and family welcome you to join them in celebrating 30 years in Business on Friday, March 20 in store for music giveaways and lots more.

30 year celebration

l BIG CELEBRATIONS: (opposite main) Stephanie, Mary, Pat and Patrick Smyth in their family-run store; (above) Pat measure trousers in the menswear section and (opposite below) Stephanie and mum Mary with long-time staff member Helen Smith

Photos by Tom Micks

l The deluge of rain couldn’t break spirits or keep the smiles off people’s faces at the Parade in Gort

All photos by Tom Micks

l The Kilrush St Patrick’s Day Parade never disappoints and this year was no exception, with a magniﬁcent blend of costumes and characters lighting up the town centre on Tuesday this week

Photos by Gerard O’Neill

l Brian Ború made an appearance at thie year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in his homeland of Ballina-Killaloe which the theme of the controversial Shannon pipeline was a recurring display this year

All photos by Robert Fairﬁeld / Buffalo Studios Ireland

l The St Patrick’s Day Parade in Scariff was a big hit with adults, children and canines alike

Photos by Ruth Grifﬁn

l (left) Moyasta National School impressed parade-goers with an elaborate enactment; Bansha NS (above) and Scoil Réalt na Mara were also involved in the parade, while a local take on world politics was also accounted for in Kilkee at the St Patrick’s Day parade

Photos by Tommy McGrath (except photo centre-left by Cillian Murphy)

l Boys and girls of all ages took centre stage at the Doonbeg parade on Sunday, where the Irish Open was amongst the main themes of the parade, with hotel manager Joe Russell selected as Grand Marshal. Many community groups such as the Mens Shed (left) had impressive floats

Photos by John O’Neill

l There was a fantastic array of colour and creativity on display at the Kilfenora St Patrick’s Day parade on Tuesday, with locals reminded that it’s 30 years since Father Ted was ﬁlmed in North Clare Photos by Gerard O’Neill

l The windswept hill of Tulla was amongst the most vibrant parades in the county this week

Photos by Ruth Grifﬁn

l There was craic agus cheoil galore at the Doolin St Patrick’s Day parade

Photos by John Sheridan

l The Feakle St Patrick’s Day Parade displayed great community spirit All photos by Ruth Grifﬁn

BROUGHT TO YOU BY CLEAN IRELAND RECYCLING NEVER PUT

BATTERIES, VAPES OR ELECTRONICS IN ANY BIN OR SKIP

Keep 2026 Fire Free

Data centre decision ‘a political failure’

The proposed Ennis Data Centre may become a reality following the recent High Court decision to uphold the granting of permission by An Coimisiun Pleanala (ACP).

The project for the data centre has been on the drawing board for several years, and has been the subject of local opposition, mainly on climate grounds.

Clare County Council granted permission in August 2022, over a year after the application. This was appealed to ACP who supported the council decision in April 2024. It went to judicial review, which considers the legality of the decision rather than the merits, with a decision in March 2026.

Clare Green Party had submitted objections to the data centre at county and ACP stages. Bridget Ginnity explained that the party’s key concern was that the carbon emissions would be up to 3% of

national emissions and that Ireland is not generating nearly enough renewable energy to decarbonise the existing demand, before an increase is considered.

“This decision shows no understanding of the enormity of the impact and the people involved at all stages pay lip service to climate con-

cerns.” commented Bridget Ginnity.

“The promoter, Tom McNamara, submitted a report saying there would only be a slight adverse impact. This was later shown in submissions to be totally false. The Commission inspector’s report showed embarrassing evidence of incompetence by adding that it would have a positive environmental impact because existing overhead transmission cables would be buried. Their recent statement that it will be environmentally sensitive treating people like fools.”

One of the parties who brought the challenge, retired scientist Dr Martin Knox, states that it’s disingenuous to suggest that we need data centre to keep businesses in the country ticking over. “We don’t need this many, as one medium sized data centre would be sufficient to deal with our national needs for health, social welfare and so on.”

Pointing to what she describes as political failure, Bridget Ginnity

added “Our councillors did not listen to those of us with concerns.

“Many of our councillors and TDs regularly object to renewable energy farms and yet keep the pretence that we can have enough renewables to power data centres. We have a glossy Clare Climate Action Plan but the proposed data centre will emit as much carbon as the entire county is supposed to cut from all sources. As householders, we will pay the price with higher electricity prices, stress on our electricity grid and water supply and fines for non-compliance with EU targets. And the next generation will pay the true cost - climate chaos and societal upheaval.”

Another person who challenged the ACP decision, physicist Dr Colin Doyle, highlighted the wider implications. “This is just the beginning of a new surge in large data centres which can be granted permission based on similar untrue sustainability claims as those made

Keep 2026 Fire Free

for Ennis Data Centre, with apparently no legal mechanism to stop them.”

Bridget Ginnity pointed to alternative developments in Ennis that would bring genuine benefits to the region.

“Clare lost an opportunity to entice a company like Dexcon to build a facility in Ennis. Instead, over 1,000 good jobs are going to Athenry as well as the ancillary benefits that a production company brings. I hope that everyone who promoted Ennis Data Centre examines their role in it. A logical conclusion is deep regret and shame.”

The challenge to the high court was brought by three Clare locals, Dr Colin Doyle, Dr Martin Knox and Christine Sharp and two environmental groups, Friends of the Irish Environment and Futureproof Clare.

lBridget Ginnity (GP)

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

Council launches Healthy Clare Micro Fund 2026

CLARE County Council and the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) have announced the launch of the Healthy Clare Micro Fund 2026 which supports community-led health and wellbeing initiatives across the county.

The Micro Fund focuses on the two priorities:

1. Healthy Weight

2. Positive Mental Health.

The scheme encourages community and voluntary groups to promote health, reduce inequalities, and improve wellbeing at all life stages. This year’s target groups are:

l Healthy Weight: Teenagers/young adults (14–25), adults aged 55+, and marginalised groups.

l Positive Mental Health: People with mental health challenges, people with disabilities (physical, sensory, or intellectual), and marginalised groups.

Four funding categories are available:

1. Promoting Healthy Weight (max €4,000)

2. Promoting Positive Mental Health (max €4,000)

3. Healthy Weight through Creative Expression (Creative Ireland) –(max €2,000)

4. Positive Mental Health through Creative Expression (Creative Ireland) –(max €2,000).

The Micro Fund aligns with the Healthy Clare Strategic Action Plan, Healthy Ireland Frame-

work for Improved Health and Wellbeing, and the Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP).

Community and voluntary groups based in Clare are eligible to apply and are encouraged to be registered with the Clare Public Participation Network (PPN).

Director of Services of Planning, Economic, Rural & Community Development Directorate at Clare County Council, Jason Murphy, said, “The Healthy Clare Micro Fund provides vital support for grassroots projects that address identified local health needs. I encourage eligible groups to apply and make a meaningful impact within their communities.”

The Healthy Clare Micro Fund is supported by Clare’s LCDC, Healthy Ireland (Department of Health), Pobal and Creative Ireland Clare. To learn more about the scheme, visit clarecoco.submit.com

Chairperson of the LCDC, Cllr Joe Killeen, said, “Community-led responses are central to strengthening wellbeing in Clare. This funding will help local groups deliver practical, evidence-informed initiatives that align with the LECP’s goal of making Clare a healthy, equitable, and inclusive county.”

This will yield wonderful projects for Clare communities and will deliver improved health and wellbeing right across the county”.

Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Paul Murphy said, “This fund continues Clare County Council’s commitment to supporting communities to thrive. By empowering local groups to deliver targeted health and wellbeing initiatives, we can help ensure people of all ages have opportunities to lead healthier, more connected lives.”

Before applying, applicants are advised to download and carefully review the Applicant Guidance Document as well as the preview of Application Form Questions (for reference only) as this will assist them in preparing their application.

The Micro Fund is open for applications until 5pm on Friday, April 10, 2026 It should be noted that all projects must be completed and reported on by October 30, 2026. Apply online at clarecoco.submit.com.

Healthy Ireland Coordinator at Clare County Council, Joan Tarmey, stressed the importance of focusing on the fund’s target groups. She said, “We are inviting applications for impactful projects that directly support the priority outcomes of Healthy Weight and Positive Mental Health. As demand for this fund is always very high, we are asking groups to read the guidance carefully and ensure strong alignment with the specified target groups when applying.

l HEALTHY INITIATIVE: (above right, L-R from back to front): Pictured at the launch of the Healthy Clare Micro Fund are: Joan Tarmey, Healthy Ireland Coordinator for Clare; Tim Forde, General Manager, Active Ennis Leisure Complex and Vice Chairperson of Healthy Clare Working Group; Catherine Ryan, Clare Sports Partnership; Cllr Joe Killeen, Chairperson of Clare Local Community Development Committee (LCDC); Leonore O’Neill, Senior Executive Ofﬁcer, Rural & Community Development Department, Clare County Council; Mary McMahon, Senior Health Promotion Ofﬁcer, HSE and Chairperson of Healthy Clare Working Group; Aoife Murray and Niall Burke (Transition Year Students working with Clare Sports Partnership).

Apply Online at: https://submit.link/4HO or scan the QR Code

For more information contact the Healthy Ireland Coordinator at: healthyclare@clarecoco.ie

The Health Clare Micro Fund 2026 6 supports communities to develop initiatives that address health and wellbeing through the 2 Healthy Clare priority outcomes, Healthy Weight and Positive Mental Health. Closing date: 10th April 2026

Ennis start-up proves just the Tonic

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

County Clare will be represented at the 2026 National Enterprise Awards this June by Ennis and Ballyvaughan-based enterprise Óir Tonics.

The health & wellness brand, founded by Edel Breslin in 2022, was named overall county winner at the National Enterprise Awards County Final, held in the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis on Thursday, March 12. Breslin also received the Outstand ing Female Entrepreneur Award.

The event, hosted by Local Enterprise Office Clare, rec ognised the county’s strong est micro‑enterprises across innovation, sustainability and export potential.

AlphaSpec Ltd in Shan non, owned by Nikolaos My lonas, won Best Innovation for its work in precision en gineering and CNC manu facturing. IFF Plastics Ltd in Cree, represented on the day by General Manager Sha ron Barrington, received the Green for Business Award for

its closed‑loop recycling sys tem that converts single‑use farm and ocean plastics into fully recyclable products. The company now recycles more than 1,000 tonnes each year. Riwaka Custom Inte riors Ltd in Ennis won Best Export Potential.

Founded by New Zealand native Kel O’Loughlin, the company specialises in be spoke automotive interiors, handcrafted furniture and commercial aircraft interior work.

Óir Tonics will join busi nesses from Ireland’s 30 oth er local authority areas at the National Enterprise Awards Final in Dublin’s Mansion House on 18 June, compet ing for a share of the €80,000 prize fund. Past Clare rep resentatives include Indi go (2025), Atlantic Clinical Packaging (2024) and Wild Irish Seaweeds (2023).

Cllr Pat Daly, Chairman of Clare County Council’s Economic Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), congrat ulated the participants, add ing, “These awards show the drive and talent that exists in

lNoeleen Fitzgerald, Director of Finance, Investment & Enterprise, Clare County Council; Cllr Pat Daly,Ellen Kelly of Óir Tonics; and Bernadette Haugh, Head of Enterprise at the National Enterprise Awards Clare County Final in the Old Ground Hotel Photo by Eamon Ward

Clare’s business community. It is great to see local enter prises growing in confidence and making their mark.”

Bernadette Haugh, Head of Enterprise at LEO Clare, said of Edel Breslin’s win, “Edel’s story is a great exam ple of what can happen when local knowledge and enter prise support come together. She started developing her

first tonic during the pan demic and has built Óir Ton ics into a business with real identity and potential. She has shown resilience and im agination, and it’s clear her products are resonating with customers. We are delighted to see her take the top award this year.”

Three cheers for sister hotels

TEMPLE Gate Hotel and its sister hotel Shannon Springs, are both celebrating after success at the Irish Restaurant Awards. At the Munster Region awards, the Temple Gate Hotel’s Maggie Morgan won the Employee Excellence Award for County Clare. Meanwhile, Linda Casey at Shannon Springs Hotel was winner of Best Restaurant Manager for County Clare while hotel co-owner John Gavin was named winner of Local Food Hero for County Clare. They will now go forward to represent County Clare in the All-Ireland Final in Dublin this May

AAG Opens Applications for Aircraft Maintenance Apprenticeship

SHANNON-based Atlantic Aviation Group (AAG) has opened applications for its 2026 Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Apprenticeship, offering aspiring aircraft maintenance engineers a pathway into a dynamic and growing sector.

Responding to demand for skilled aircraft maintenance engineers both in Ireland and abroad, AAG’s prestigious four-year apprenticeship combines hands-on practical experience with structured technical education, leading to internationally recognised qualiﬁcations and exciting career prospects.

The programme, based at AAG’s facilities at Shannon Airport equips apprentices with essential skills in aircraft structures, avionics, jet engines, and engineering fundamentals. Upon successful completion, apprentices are awarded the National Craft Certiﬁcate by Quality Qualiﬁcations Ireland and an Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Licence by the Irish Aviation Authority. This licence is internationally recognised.

AAG’s four-year apprenticeship has a strong track record of success, having produced award-winning graduates and serving as a springboard into the aviation industry for many young aircraft maintenance engineers. Graduates often progress into senior technical roles within AAG and across the global aviation industry. Apprentices pay increases annually during the programme in line with industry standards.

Applications for the 2026 apprenticeship programme are now open and can be submitted online via the Atlantic Aviation Group’s website. Prospective applicants are encouraged to apply early, as places are competitive.

Learn more and apply: https://www.atlanticaviation.ie/careers/4-year-apprenticeship/

l (main) Maggie Morgan collects her award; (left) Linda Casey of Shannon Springs and (above) John Gavin, co-owner of both establishments

Supports

National Enterprise Awards Clare County Final

COUNTY Clare will be represented at the 2026 National Enterprise Awards this June by Ennis and Ballyvaughan-based enterprise Óir Tonics.

e health and wellness brand, founded by Edel Breslin in 2022, was named Outstanding Female Entrepreneur and overall county winner at the County Final, held in the Old Ground Hotel.

AlphaSpec Ltd in Shannon won Best Innovation, IFF Plastics Ltd in Cree received the Green for Business Award, and Riwaka Custom Interiors Ltd in Ennis won Best Export Potential.

e event, hosted by LEO Clare, recognised the county’s strongest micro-enterprises across innovation, sustainability and export potential.

Noeleen Fitzgerald, Director of Services, Clare County Council; Cllr Pat Daly, Chair of Economic SPC; Ellen Kelly of Óir Tonics (overall winner); and Bernadette Haugh, LEO Clare

Bernadette Haugh, Head of Enterprise, LEO Clare, pictured with Maragret O’Brien of Ennis Chamber

Noeleen Fitzgerald, Director of Services, Clare County Council addressing the Clare County Final of the 2026 National Enterprise Awards

Representatives of Clare’s business community in attendance at the Clare County Final of the 2026 National Enterprise Awards

Noeleen Fitzgerald, Director of Services, Clare County Council; Councillor Pat Daly, Chair of Clare County Council’s Economic SPC; Nikolaos Mylonas, AlphaSpec Ltd; and Bernadette Haugh of LEO Clare

Noeleen Fitzgerald, Director of Services, Clare County Council addressing the Clare County Final of the 2026 National Enterprise Awards

Noeleen Fitzgerald, Director of Services, Clare County Council; Councillor Pat Daly, Chair of Clare County Council’s Economic SPC; Nikolaos Mylonas, AlphaSpec Ltd; Kel O’Loughlin, Riwaka Custom Interiors Ltd; Ellen Kelly, Óir Tonics; Sharon Barrington, IFF Plastics Ltd; and Bernadette Haugh and Theresa Mulvihill-Killeen of LEO Clare

Theresa Mulvihill-Killeen of LEO Clare Photos by Eamon Ward

Thought for the week: Epic Peace, not epic fury

Spreading the word of positivity

RONAN SCULLY

THE other morning, while driving quietly through west Clare, I was listening to the radio when the presenter played the haunting song “Tell Me There’s a Heaven” by Chris Rea.

As the music drifted through the car, the words lingered long after the final note faded: “Tell me there’s a heaven. Tell me that it’s true. Tell me there’s a reason for what I’m seeing.”

It is a child’s question in the song that is innocent, honest and painfully direct. Listening to it in these troubled days, I could not help thinking that perhaps it is the question many adults are quietly asking too. Because when we look honestly at the state of our world right now, the heart struggles to make sense of what it sees.

REAL HUMAN LIVES

Across our fragile planet, conflicts rage and tensions deepen. Every day we hear news of war in the Middle East, the grinding conflict in Ukraine, violence in parts of Africa and tensions in many other regions. Behind every headline are real human lives, mothers who wait anxiously for their children to return home safely, families forced to flee their homes, and children who fall

asleep frightened by sounds no child should ever hear.

War may be discussed in the language of politics and strategy, but its reality is always deeply human. It is measured not in statistics but in heartbreak.

PARISH GRAVEYARD

Earlier this week I spent some quiet time walking through my local parish graveyard, saying a few prayers for loved ones who have gone before us.

Anyone who has walked through an Irish graveyard knows the still-

Roinn do thuairimí

chun Éire níos sláintiúla a thógáil

EPIC PEACE NEEDED

In these unsettled times perhaps the world is crying out for something simple but profound: Epic peace instead of epic fury. Most people across the world do not long for conflict. They long for safety for their children, dignity in their daily lives and the quiet blessing of knowing tomorrow will bring hope rather than fear.

Hatred and violence, whether expressed through racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, homophobia or any form of bigotry, poisons communities and diminishes us all.

In a world that often feels divided, choosing compassion over fear and understanding over anger is not weakness. It is strength. Perhaps the child asking that question in the song was not simply asking whether heaven exists somewhere beyond the stars.

Perhaps the deeper question was this: Has humanity forgotten how to care for one another? The answer will not come through speeches or headlines.

Is tionscnamh de chuid Rialtas na hÉireann é Éire

Shláintiúil chun tacú le sláinte agus folláine ar fud na tíre.

Ba mhaith linn bhur smaointe a chloisteáil chun cabhrú linn an chéad phlean gníomhaíochta eile de chuid Éire

Shláintiúil a threorú. Tá comhairliúchán poiblí ar líne oscailte anois.

Is cuma cé thusa, agus pé áit a gcónaíonn tú, is féidir leat cabhrú le hÉirinn níos sláintiúla a thógáil.

Glac páirt sa chomhrá ag gov.ie/HealthyIreland2026

ness of those places, the quiet reminder of how fragile and precious human life truly is.

Later that same day I saw an image from a recent airstrike in the Middle East that I cannot shake from my mind where more than 170 innocent children were killed, their lives remembered by chalk outlines drawn in the dust (pictured).

Standing earlier among the headstones in my parish graveyard and later seeing those chalk marks of children far away, the connection was impossible to ignore.

Every one of those children should have had the chance to grow up, to laugh, to dream and to live a full life.

Instead their lives ended before they had truly begun. Moments like that leave many people asking the same quiet question that echoes through that old song: “Tell me there’s a heaven. Tell me there’s a reason.”

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS

When we look only through human eyes, peace can sometimes seem very far away. But faith reminds us that God never abandons humanity.

Again and again throughout history we are called back to the path of compassion, forgiveness and peace. The scriptures speak powerfully about this hope. The prophet Isaiah dreamed of a day when “nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

And Jesus offered a challenge that remains as urgent today as ever: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”

Peace, however, does not begin only in parliaments or peace negotiations. Peace begins in the human heart. If anger and hatred take root there, the consequences spread outward. But when compassion takes root in the heart, something extraordinary begins to happen. A small light appears and that light spreads through families, communities and nations.

It will come through the choices we make each day, choices to love, to forgive, to listen and to build peace rather than fuel fury. And perhaps, if enough ordinary people choose compassion over hatred, we may help build a world where fewer children ever have to ask that aching question again.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

As your thought for the week, remember that in a world where anger spreads quickly and division can feel overwhelming, perhaps the challenge for each of us this week is simple but powerful, Pause before reacting in anger, choose understanding instead.

Speak words that build others up rather than tear them down. Challenge hatred, prejudice, racism or cruelty whenever you encounter it. Reach out to someone who may feel lonely, different or forgotten. Do one small act of kindness each day. Peace rarely begins with grand gestures. More often it begins with quiet decisions made in ordinary moments. The world may feel broken at times, but every act of compassion is a small step toward healing it.

Let me leave you with one of my Prayer’s for Our Broken World,“Loving and compassionate God, Look with mercy upon our wounded world. Comfort those who mourn the loss of loved ones. Protect those living in fear and uncertainty. Hold close the children whose lives have been scarred by war and violence. Where there is hatred, sow love. Where there is despair, kindle hope. Where there is division, plant the seeds of peace. Give wisdom and humility to world leaders. Strengthen those who work for justice and reconciliation. And soften our hearts so that we may become instruments of compassion in our daily lives. Help us to remember that every human life is sacred. Teach us to see one another not as enemies but as neighbours. And give us the courage to build a world where love is stronger than fear, hope is stronger than despair, and peace is stronger than fury. Amen.”

‘It

got away from us very quickly’ - slip in standards cost Clare promotion chance

CLARE LET Wexford pull away from them too quickly and without much resistance, senior football manager Paul Madden reﬂected after their chances of promotion to Division 2 were dashed.

A third defeat in six games ended Clare’s aspirations of returning to the second tier in the Allianz National Football League.

Level with eighteen minutes played in Sunday’s tie with Wexford, Clare found themselves ﬁfteen points down by the sounding of the half-time whistle, having conceded six two pointers in sixteen minutes and giving away a soft goal to Shane Doyle.

Indeed Wexford kicked three of their two pointers in less than 150 seconds as Clare’s challenge completely collapsed at the end of the ﬁrst half. They rallied in the second half outscoring the visitors 2-11 0-4 but it was not enough to force a victory.

Speaking following the loss, Clare manager Paul Madden acknowledged their performance fell far short of the standards they expect.

“The first twelve or fourteen minutes of the first half it was 0-4 each which wasn’t too bad, the conditions were very difficult to get the ball out, especially on kickouts. We knew they were a good team and that they had two point options, what disappointed us the most is when they got the first couple they just got presented with more and more options for two pointers all the time, the standards we set ourselves in terms of controlled aggression just wasn’t there, to a man they knew that at half time, there was a few stern words because

if nothing else we want to be competitive and aggressive working hard but we didn’t have that especially when the scores went against us.

“To be fair to the lads, we were sixteen points down and we came back to a score, we had chances, we had three or four two pointer attempts, maybe two of them weren’t on and we could have managed the ball a bit better. I was proud of the way we responded in the second half but disgusted with the result”.

Space afforded to Wexford allowed them kick off their six two pointers in the opening half with ease. “We got four in the second half, it was that sort of a day for two pointers but they seemed to get theirs when they didn’t have any contact put them on when shooting, that is the frustrating part”.

From the eighteenth minute to the half-time whistle, Clare were outscored 1-14 0-2, the Ennis man voicing concern with how quickly the game fell away from them. “It is hard because in the heat of it when momentum is key in this new game, they got three two pointers in the space of two minutes, it got away from us very quickly, it was actually quite quick how it got away from us. In the second half, we got on top of them, they are a decent side, they were ahead of us on the table on scoring difference and we knew that, we’d be disappointed with a lot of the ﬁrst half and parts of the second half but overall the effort and controlled aggression was a bit better in the second half, we got a bit more stuck in basically”.

To date, Clare’s most disappointing showings under Madden have been at home, namely their ﬁrst half against Wexford and their entire display against Westmeath in round two. When asked why the side have

Clare v Wexford

Clare 2-17 Wexford 1-22

with the venue or pressure we put on ourselves for the home venue or anything like that, we’ve gone to a couple of grounds this year that notoriously we have not done well in and we’ve done well there, whatever reason we didn’t get a result here against Wexford or against Westmeath but it is nothing to do with Cusack Park”.

Dermot Coughlan was ruled out of the tie through injury, Madden confirmed he failed a fitness test on Sunday morning. “We knew coming in today. He had a fitness test this morning and he wasn’t 100 percent, this isn’t the place to be if you are not 100 percent”.

struggled to make the most of home advantage in Cusack Park, he stated, “It is nothing to do with Cusack Park, it is one of the best pitches in the country so if you can’t play here it is irrelevant, it just didn’t happen for us at times today and it is nothing to do

ABILITY TO win primary possession was the cornerstone to Clare starting o their Munster U20 football championship with a win.

Dermot Coughlan’s charges delivered an industrious display to beat Tipperary 1-16 1-11 in Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty on Saturday a ernoon. “I’m delighted, we’ve one home game and two away, it was important to get on the board early and to win at home is fantastic,” he reacted.

Despite playing against a strong breeze, Clare led 1-10 1-6 at halftime, they kicked 1-5 without reply,

Seán Fennell landing two pointers and a goal in under two minutes. is run enabled them to withstand the setback of conceding a so goal to Liam Kiely on eighteen minutes, Coughlan maintained. “He kicked them against the breeze too, even though they got the goal if we were going to be unsettled that would have been the time but we didn’t get unsettled, we kept playing our game and held onto the ball, when the chance came we went for it, Seán the couple of chances he got they were on and they went over, we kicked on from there, it gave us a bit of momentum, we grew into the game a er that”. ree points was as close as Tip-

Venue: Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, Ennis Compiled by Páraic McMahon

ALLIANZ NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 3 ROUND 6

STORY OF THE GAME

WEXFORD

Frees for: 13 (3/10)

Wides: 8 (5/3)

Spread of scorers: 7 Scores from play: 1-15

Top scorer: Mark Rossiter (0-5 2TP), Pauric Hughes (0-5 2TP) & Shane Nolan (0-5 3f)

Bookings: Tom Byrne (40), Pairic Hughes (53)

CLARE

Frees for: 13 (4/9)

Wides: 9 (3/6)

Spread of scorers: 5

Scores from play: 1-12

Top scorer: Mark McInerney (1-7 1’Pen 1TPf 1TP 1f)

Bookings: Ikem Ugwueru (63). Own kickouts won: 18 from 31 (58%)

Own kickouts won: 17 from 28 (61%)

First half scoring ﬂurry gave Clare U20s momentum to take down Tipp

perary could get to Clare for the entire second half. “I was delighted with our primary ball winning today, the short kickout wasn’t really an option with the breeze, there was an awful lot of primary ball to be won and we did, we showed them the stats at half time, we were well up on the primary ball so all the y y balls we were winning and it was kicking on from there,” the Mullagh man outlined.

Over the course of the entire rst half, Clare won all but two of Tipperary’s twelve kickouts. “It is where the game is won and lost, your own kickouts are important but when you start turning over their kickouts that is where you

start to turn the screw, we targeted that today and it worked for us”.

“At minor level we would have played these lads a lot and they had the hex over us, we had to keep working, turn the screw and thankfully we did,” he said.

Waterford are the strongest of the four counties competing in phase one, the Kilmurry Ibrickane clubman felt. “We’ve eight or nine challenges played, we’ve sixty or seventy sessions done but if you come to championship and put in a at performance you’re le wondering where are you going but we came and got a result. We’re in doubt about Waterford, nine of the team that beat Clare last year in

Doonbeg are playing for Waterford which is leaving out some of the minors, Waterford will be one of the favourites to come out so we’re in no doubt what is coming. ey are a serious team, they are probably the best of the four as regards form coming into it because I know they are going well in challenge games, I know from when we played them at minor level how tough they were and they have nine of the team which beat Clare in Doonbeg last year so we know what is coming”. Saturday’s scheduled game with Waterford has been postponed to a later date following the tragic death of coach Jack Boddy

Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

Cillian Brennan and Shane Grifﬁn battle in the air Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Spanish Point ‘over the moon’ to realise All-Ireland Final dreams

by Eoin Brennan news@clareecho.ie

THERE was as much relief as elation after St. Joseph’s Spanish Point ﬁnally got over the line to progress to a ﬁrst All-Ireland Senior decider in 29 years.

For this group, it was an understandably emotional breakthrough too after the the heartbreak of back-to-back penultimate stage reverses.

“We’re over the moon,” beamed Simone Considine following their semi-ﬁnal win. “We’ve worked so hard over the past three years, going from C to B and now A. We won three Munster titles in a row but just managed to lose each of the All-Ireland Semi-FInals even though we probably deserved to get through. So to ﬁnally do it now in the All-Ireland Senior A Semi-Final is just unbelievable to be honest”.

It was the sheer character and resilience demonstrated by all 18 players used over a compelling

near 90 minute rollercoaster ride that saw the lead change hands, that impressed the marauding centre-back most.

“I think today really showed that our attitude and spirit is brilliant. Even when players were sin binned, we never dropped

our heads once and if anything we were just determined to step things up even more than we did when we had ﬁfteen players on the ﬁeld. Even going into extra-time was just nerve-wracking but we knew that whatever happened we were going to win to-

day. We came down here to win and thankfully we did”. They did thanks to a last gasp Allisha Ryan instinctive goal that sent Spanish Point into delirium and Moate into understandable deﬂation. “She is just an unbelievable player and what a way to ﬁnish the game. Look, that’s the thing about this team, everyone plays their part, no matter what. When someone is nervous or not going well for a while someone else just steps up. We all encourage because we’re a team and we’re all in this together

“It’s great to see to see such a big crowd too and not just students, parents and families but loads of neutrals as well cheering us on which was great to see. Look, we’ve just worked so hard for this so to ﬁnally get the recognition we have now by getting to an All-ireland Senior A Final just makes the whole commitment worthwhile and we can’t wait to play in the ﬁnal now, concluded the Clare Under 16 star.

EIGHT CLARE footballers claimed third-level success with TUS’ ladies footballers.

TUS Mid-West recorded an impressive 3-10 0-5 win over University Galway in the AIG Donaghy Cup ﬁnal in St Clare’s DCU on Friday. The Donaghy Cup is the fourth tier Higher Education ladies football competition.

Crusheen’s Maeve Stankard and Sadhbh Blood of Burren Gaels were the respective corner backs on the team with Kilrush Shamrock’s Aisling Crowe at midﬁeld, Áine McNamara of Kilmihil at corner forward and Evie Scanlan from Clarecastle at wing forward.

Katie Arthur of Newmarket-on-Fergus was ruled out from an injury sustained in the quarter-ﬁnals with Miltown Malbay’s Eileen Curtin and Aoife Grifﬁn of Fergus Rovers among the substitutes.

All-Ireland glory for St John Bosco College in Kildysart

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

A SUPERB display from full-forward Caoimhe McMahon helped St. John Bosco from Kildysart in Clare claim the Lidl All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Junior C title with victory over Salerno on Wednesday afternoon.

St. John Bosco (Kildysart) 2-17

Salerno SS (Salthill) 0-10

Venue: St Brigid’s GAA, Kiltoom

By Deniese O’Flaherty

MCMAHON was not just lethal in front of the posts but her allround play was exceptional. St. John Bosco were clinical throughout and sharper; every player in their forward line was on the scoresheet. It was a valiant effort from Galway school Salerno who battled right to the end.

Kildysart made the perfect start to the game when they

scored a goal in the second minute when Isabelle Garry’s shot landed in the net. Caera McMahon followed up with a point. Orna Dunne got Salerno’s ﬁrst point of the game in the ﬁfth minute. Twice in the space of four minutes the Galway school closed the gap to two points but that was the closest they got to St. John Bosco.

With Caoimhe McMahon leading the charges St. John Bosco opened up a ﬁve point lead in the 18th minute. Salerno just couldn’t get scores and a free from Grace Coyle in the 23rd minute was gathered on the goal-line.

Aoibhín Keane forced Salerno keeper Sophia Curran into a good save in the 25th minute. Two more points from Caoimhe McMahon and a neat score from Kayla Kenny saw the Clare school hold a 1-9 to 0-3 lead at the break. With less than 30 seconds

St John Bosco Community College players including Naoise Talty, 9, and Emma Kelly celebrate with the cup following the Lidl Post Primary Schools All-Ireland Junior ‘C’ ﬁnal match between Salerno Secondary School, Galway, and St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart, Clare, at St Brigid’s GAA Club in Kiltoom, Roscommon

gone on the clock in the second half Rachel Leyland got a point for Salerno, their ﬁrst

since the 11th minute. Despite that quick score St. John Bosco replied with three points in

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE’s U20 football game with Waterford scheduled to take place this coming Saturday has been postponed.

Chairman of Clare GAA, Kieran Keating in a statement has said the county’s U20 footballers second round game with Waterford in phase one has been postponed “as a mark of respect” to Jack Boddy and his family “to a later date” Strength and conditioning coach with the Clare U20s, Jack Boddy died over St Patrick’s weekend with a missing persons search carried out in Lahinch on Monday until his remains were recovered on Tuesday morning.

a row, all from Caoimhe McMahon.

Salerno, despite having an extra player for two spells due to sinbinnings, just could not get the goal they needed to mount a revival, even though they never gave up.

St. John Bosco were relentless and in the 53rd minute McMahon got a goal her performance deserved to stretch their lead further.

Substitute Firinne Walsh and the excellent Orna Dunne (free) got consolation scores at the end for Salerno but the Lidl All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Junior ‘C’ title is heading to Clare for 2026.

Scorers - St. John Bosco: Caoimhe McMahon 1-9 (1f), I Garry 1-0, J Kennedy 0-3, K Kennedy 0-2, A Keane, Caera McMahon, S Talty 0-1 each.

Salerno: O Dunne 0-5 (2fs), E Mannion, C Coyle, G Coyle (1f), R Heyland, F Walsh 0-1 each.

ST. JOHN BOSCO CC: M

Indeed, the U20 panel and management were among those volunteering to assist in the search.

From Co Limerick, Jack had been involved with Clare football teams for the past two seasons as part of Peter Keane’s backroom team with the seniors in 2025 working under S&C coach Shane O’Rourke and then serving as the main S&C coach for the Dermot Coughlan managed U20s this season.

Coughlan’s U20s returned to training this St Patrick’s Day morning but before they left Caherlohan word began to ﬁlter from Lahinch that Jack’s remains had been found bringing with a wave of sadness, shock and despair to all involved with the side.

Browne; S McGee, L Grifﬁn, E Kelly; A Donnelly, Z Warren, C Donnelly; A Donnelly, N Talty; I Garry, A Keane, Caera McMahon; J Kennedy, Caoimhe McMahon, K Kennedy. Subs: S Talty for C McMahon (25), C O’Rourke for Donnelly and A Lees for J Kennedy (57), C Kelly for K Kennedy and H Egan for Caoimhe McMahon (59).

SALERNO SS: S Curran; A R O’Gorman, S Ruane, A Murphy; M Roache, E Mannion, A Butler; C Cleary, C Coyle; G Coyle, O Dunne, M Carroll; R Carroll, R Leyland, N McGauran. Subs: F Walsh for McGauran (49), Z Wright for M Roache (48), D Murphy for Ruane (59), E Keenan for Leyland (60). Referee: Conor McCarthy (Cork).

It is expected that Clare GAA will be initiating some form of psychological support to the U20 set-up in the wake of the tragedy. Keating in his statement outlined, “Jack was a much loved friend of many in West Clare, of our senior football management & squad of 2025 and particularly of our 2026 squad of U20 footballers, to whom he was S&C coach, helping guide them to an opening round win on Saturday afternoon last.

Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsﬁle

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Clare creates handball history winning both minor All-Ireland titles

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

CLARE CREATED handball history by claiming both the mens and ladies Al-Ireland minor titles last weekend.

In achieving victory Claire Minogue (Tuamgraney) and Sean Considine (Clooney/ Quin) brought the titles back to the county in the same season for the ﬁrst time, beating opponents from Galway and Sligo.

Minogue is just the second Clare player ever to win the ladies minor title, while Considine is the ﬁfth Clare player to win the prestigious minor title since 1982.

Tulla’s Tony Leyden also had success in the Junior B grade overcoming Galway opposition in two hard-fought games, while Marie Long overcame Ellen Collins in an all-Clare ﬁnal in the Junior C grade which required a tiebreaker.

There was disappointment for Diarmaid Nash in the All-Ireland senior singles ﬁnal against his long-time rival Robbie McCarthy. The match produced a close ﬁrst game that could have gone either way, McCarthy closed it out and took the momentum into the second game, claiming his eighth All-Ireland senior title 21-19 21-7.

There was also All-Ireland silver medals for Seanie Doyle (Junior), Shane Walsh (Mas-

ters B) and Jim Cleary (Golden Masters B), all falling short to Leinster opposition in two games.

It brings an end to a busy few months of singles county, provincial and All-Ireland championships with attention now turning to the doubles championship.

Last week’s All-Ireland singles ﬁnals were held in the National handball centre in Croke Park over Saturday and Sunday

Results

Men’s Senior Final: Westmeath(Robbie McCarthy) defeated. Diarmaid Nash 21-19, 21-7

Ladies Minor Final: Claire Minogue) defeated. Galway’s Freya Donnellan)21-0, 21-1

Men’s Minor Final: Sean Considine defeated. Sligo’s Travis Gibbons 21-10, 21-6

Ladies Junior C Final: Marie Long) defeated Ellen Collins) 15-21, 21-3, 11-7

Junior B Final: Kilkenny’s Jack Holden) defeated Seanie Doyle) 21-10, 21-4

Junior Final: Tony Leyden) defeated Galway’s David Donoghue, 21-13, 21-18

Masters B Final: Wexford’s Noel Holohan defeated Shane Walsh 21-8, 21-18

Golden Masters B Final: Wexford’s Shane Rossiter) defeated Jim Cleary 21-17, 21-17

Juvenile B Championship

The Clare juvenile B championship ﬁnals were held last week after a busy six weeks of matches to reach this stage.

Results

U16 Boys Cup; Tiernan Garvey (Clooney) bt Danny Grifﬁn (Toonagh)

U17/18 Boys Cup; Tom Moloney (Tulla) bt John Burke (Newmarket)

U15 Girls Cup; Molly McMahon (Clooney) bt Sarah Brodie (Clarecastle)

U13 Boys Cup; Conal O’Murchu (Tulla) bt Ruadhan Fogarty(Tulla)

U13 Boys Shield; Gus Sheedy (Tulla) bt Michael Cahir(Toonagh)

U14 Boys Shield; Leo Danagher (Tuamgraney) bt Luca Ginnane (Newmarket)

U13 Girls Cup; Sarah McGrath (Clooney) bt Aimee O’Hanlon(Tulla)

U12 Girls Plate; Meabh Moroney (Tuamgraney) bt Katie Murphy(Tulla)

U12 Girls Cup; Meabh Coffey (Clooney) bt Kelly Ann McMahon (Clooney)

U13 Boys Plate; Paudi O’Loughlin (Clarecastle) bt Ultan O’Neill (Tuamgraney)

U15 Boys Cup; Brian Philbin (Tuamgraney) bt Alex Davy(Kilkishen)

U12 Boys Shield; Coley Sweeney (Clarecastle) bt Fionn Hennessy (Toonagh)

U12 Boys Division; Benjamin

Doherty (Newmarket) bt Liam McMahon (Kilkishen)

U12 Girls Shield; Sophie Lynch (Toonagh) bt Lauren Shannon (Toonagh)

U13 Girls Shield; Aoife Vaughan (Clarecastle) bt Brighid Felle (Clooney)

U14 Girls Cup; Ellen Keogh

(Clarecastle) bt Beibhin Slattery (Clarecastle)

U14 Girls Shield; Elisa Kidney (Tulla) bt Orla O’Connor(Toonagh)

U12 Boys Cup; Jack Hogan (Tulla) bt Hugh Donnellan (Kilkishen)

U14 Boys Plate; Jack Casey

(Toonagh) bt Rian McNamara(Kilkishen)

U15 Girls Shield; Leah Reilly (Clooney) bt Leah Quinn(Clooney)

Munster Championship Fixtures

Thursday March 19 at Liscarroll Commencing 8pm Ladies Junior B Doubles semi-ﬁnal: Cork (Brid Horgan/ Anna Dunne) v Clare (Ellen Collins/Emma Considine) At Tuamganey Commencing 8:00pm Master B Doubles ﬁnal: Clare A (Shane Walsh/Mike Baker) v Cork A (Jonathan Lucey/Tim Breen)

Friday March 20 at Tuamgraney, commencing at 6.30pm.

U21 Doubles ﬁnal: Cork (Cian Dunning/Hayden Supple) v Clare (David Considine/Mici Sheedy)

U18 Doubles ﬁnal: Clare (Sean Considine/Eoin Shanahan) v Clare (Cathal Noonan/Jack Browne) At Cappagh Commencing 7:30pm

Intermediate Men’s Doubles ﬁnal; Tipperary (Rory Grace/ Jerome Cahill) v Clare (Sean Coughlan/Niall Bolton) Monday March 23 at Kilkishen Commencing 8pm

Ladies Junior Doubles ﬁnal: Clare (Orla O Brien/Niamh O Brien) v Clare (Chloe Philpott/ Fina Close)

David Considine and Claire Minogue

Captains ‘drive-in’ for new season at Woodstock

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

The 2026 season ofﬁcially gets underway at Woodstock on Sunday at 3pm with the captains drive in.

Captains Pat Barry and Mags Nash, seniors captain Oliver McNamara, junior captains David Nihill and Sarah Crowe and club president Mary McNamara will all ‘drive in’ to ofﬁce and the ceremony will be followed by a 9 hole scramble which will start from both the ﬁrst and tenth holes.

Meanwhile round seven in the Ozone Health and Fitness Spring league took place last week when the format was modiﬁed betterball.

Winners on the day were Pat (9) and Joe Barry (8) with 61 points and they were seven ahead of Paul (8) and Tony Coote (10). In third place, also with 54 points were Mike Kelly (11) and Jack Duffy (13) followed by Colin Higgins (10) and Pat O’Brien (10) with 53 points, John McGrath (10) and Tommy Flynn (12) with 51 points, Mike Liddy (9) and Joseph Kennedy (11) with 51 points, Aidan (6) and Noel Mulcahy (9) with 48 points, Barry McNamara (9) and Paudie O’Connell (10)

with 46 points, Cathal O’Neill (6) and Brian Keogh (8) with 45 points with tenth place ﬁlled by Frank Tone (8) and Eoin Collins (10) who also had 45 points.

Round 8 in the league will take place this weekend and the presentation of prizes for both the Winter and Spring leagues will take place in Hotel Woodstock on Sunday evening after the captain’s ‘drive in’ at approximately 5pm.

Last week’s club singles was played over 15 holes and was won by Kevin Toner (11) with 35 points while Cathal Nagle (8) won the gross with 27 points. Category 1 (+ to 8) was won by Barry Scanlan (8) with 33 points, category 2 (9 to 15) by Mike Martin Hogan (10) with 30 points and category 3 (16 +) by Mike Horgan (18) with 28 points.

Winners in the 2’s competition were Cathal Nagle (6th hole), Alan Markham (11th hole) and Ken Horgan (4th hole). There will be another club singles competition this weekend.

SPANISH POINT GOLF CLUB:

The ladies 18 hole stableford competition at Spanish Point this week was won by Eileen Murrihy with 35 points and she

was four ahead of Ann Dunne with third place ﬁlled by Noelle O’Connor with 28 points.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB:

Last week’s team of two men’s scramble at Ennis was won by Flan Lyons and Martin Moroney with 59 and they won on a countback from David Considine and Kieran Ryan. In third place with 61 were John A. Byrne and Jim Grifﬁn followed by Flan Glynn and John C McNamara with 62.

Last week’s senior ladies competition was won by Brid Cunnigham, Mary Kearns and Mary Glynn from Carmel Verling, Judith Brassil and Jacintha McNicholas.

The overall winner in the Michael and Fiona McMahon, MMEL sponsored ladies 13 hole Spring league was Ann A Gallery (11) with 107 points (best 4 of 5 cards).

Mary Lenihan (17) was second with 100 points followed by Martina Corbett (33) with 97 points.

The weekly winners were Helen Harnett (30) with 25 points (week 1) Josephine Tone (35) with 26 points (week 2), Geraldine O’Rourke (29) with 26 points (week 3), Ann Pyne Gallery (33) with 25

Hayes included in Munster Regions Cup squad

paraic@clareecho.ie

NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS’ Eoin

Hayes has been included in the Munster Regions squad for the FAI amateur inter-provincial tournament.

Hayes is surprisingly the only Clare representative of the twenty-man squad who are in action in Donegal this weekend.

Four teams will play three games each over three days with the ultimate winner going on to represent the country in this year’s UEFA Regions’ Cup.

Jason Purcell heads up the Munster coaching team and was in charge of the Munster FA team two years ago when they last competed at this level.

The province has played Cork City’s Under-20s, Cobh Ramblers’ Under-20s and the Defence Forces as part of their preparation.

Ten Munster players remain from the 2024 squad including Hayes who is expected to have a central role up front.

At club level, Eoin has once again been one of Newmarket Celtic’s standout players this season, they remain undefeated in the Premier Division and have advanced to the semi-ﬁnals of the Munster Junior Cup. He has over thirty caps with his country.

Munster Squad

• Goalkeeper: Shane Hallahan (College Corinthians), Craig Dunphy (Villa FC)

Defenders: Adam Conway (Villa

FC), Adam Delurey (Ringmahon Rangers), Cian Murphy (Rockmount), Sean Guerins (BT Harps), John Tamen (Villa FC), Jake Dillon (Fairview Rangers), Robert Walsh (Midleton) Midﬁelders: Conor Kilgannon (Villa FC), Luke Walsh (Villa FC), Jamie O’Sullivan (Ringmahon Rangers), Luke Casey (Coachford), Robert O’Connor (Midleton), Matthew Keane (Killarney Celtic)

• Forwards: Eoin Hayes (Newmarket Celtic), Jimmy Carr (St Michael’s), Eoin Murphy (Rockmount), Aaron O’Connor (Villa FC), Jake Hegarty (Midleton)

Fixtures

• Friday, March 20th | Munster FA v Ulster FA, Diamond Park, Ballyare, Donegal, KO 19:00 Friday, March 20th | Leinster FA v Connacht FA, Dry Arch Park, Bonagee, Donegal, KO 19:00

• Saturday, March 21st | Ulster FA v Leinster FA, Buncrana Hearts, Donegal, KO 13:00 Saturday, March 21st | Connacht FA v Munster FA, Aileach FC, Inishown, Donegal, KO 13:00

• Sunday, March 22nd | Munster FA v Leinster FA, Diamond Park, Ballyare, Donegal, KO 11:00 Sunday, March 22nd | Connacht FA v Ulster FA, Leckview Park, Letterkenny, KO 11:00

points (week 4) and Helen Gallery (24) with 27 points (week 5).

The overall winner in the 8 hole singles stableford competition was Geraldine O’Rourke (15) with 18 points.

Division 1 was won by Rose Enright (10) with13 points, division 2 by Phil Butler (15) with 15 points and division 3 by Marian Irwin (21) with 14 points.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB:

The Johnson’s Bar Spring series qualiﬁer continued at Kilrush at the weekend when the winner was Mark Cottam (10) with 29 points. He was one ahead of Pat Brennan (7) with John Robinson (19) a point further back in third place with 27 points. The gross was won by Dominic Enright.

GORT GOLF CLUB:

Last week’s 18 hole singles stableford competition at Gort resulted in victory in category 1 for Joseph Caulﬁeld (10) with 37 points.

Category 2 was won by Niall O’Shaughnessy (14) with 45 points, category 3 was won by John Neylon (16) with 37 points while John Doody (28) won category 4 with 37 points. The gross was won by Joe Moran (0) with 31 points.

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB:

Last week’s senior men’s competition at East Clare was won by Terry Coughlan, Denis Corcoran and John Nihill from Tom Larkin, Willie Roche and Jim Bradley. In third place were Eamonn Goode, Paddy O’ Brien and Noel Earley.

The ladies Wednesday competition was won by Brid Hayes, Connie McKenna and Margaret O’Brien. In second place were Noreen Skehan, Teresa Bradley and Marie A. Kelly with third place ﬁlled by Breda McCarthy, Pauline Nugent and Phil Burke.

The ladies International Women’s Day scramble was won by Teresa Bradley, Brid Hayes and Margaret O’Brien from Mary Farrell , Mary Donoghue and Siobhan Shanahan with third place ﬁlled by Breda Reid, Maureen Clune, Colette Ward and Breda McCarthy.

FANNY O’DEAS SOCIETY:

Twenty eight golfers from the Fanny O’Dea’s society headed to Fuengirola Spain last week for a 4-day trip and 3 rounds of golf.

Day one winner from Calanova was Johnny Leahy with Brendan McMahon in second place. Other winners on the

day were Larry Culligan, Gerry Lordan, Pat Bohannon, Tim Shanahan, Niall Coughlan, Paul Faughnan and Declan Kelly. Round 2 was at EL Chaparral where Eibhear Slattery was the winner from Pat Delap and other winners on the day were James Whelan, Robert McMahon, Mark Cottam, Dermot Custy, Francie O Halloran, Danny Lynch and TJ Monahan. Round 3 was a scramble in Lauro golf course and the winners were Daniel Delap, Paddy Corcoran, Johnny Leahy, and Eibhear Slattery. Other winners on the day were Tom Monahan, Alan Carmody, Jack Faughnan, Declan Conway, Marty Meaney, Brian Kilker, Tony McMahon and Jim Carmody. The society’s next outing will be on April 12 to Gort.

KILDYSART GOLF SOCIETY: Kildysart Golf society tees off its year at Adare Golf club on this Sunday March 22 at 12.30. The society welcomes new members and anyone interested can leave a message on the club’s Facebook page.

Jamesy McConigley scored a goal on his return to Sporting Ennistymon

Photo by Natasha Barton

All hands in the air during the Maloney Hardware Premier Division tie between Bridge Utd and Tulla Utd Photo by Ruth Grifﬁn

Newmarket Celtic’s Darragh Leahy battles for possession with Avenue Utd defender, Ethan Cronin

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

by Páraic McMahon

PLANNING

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

LEAGARD SOUTH, MILTOWN MALBAY

Take notice that Mary Haran intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to retain existing furniture storage area and toilet facilities within the structures at the above address.

The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the ofﬁces of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or

Prayer

3 Day Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Never Known to Fail)

Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother.

Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (Say 3 times).

Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (Say 3 times) Amen. Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days, and then you must publish it and it will be granted to you.

observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

INCH MORE, KILMALEY, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Shonagh Enright intends to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct a new dwelling house and garage complete with a new entrance, wastewater treatment system and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the ofﬁces of the planning authority, Clare County

Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

We, Bernard & Catriona O’ Loughlin, intend to apply for permission for proposed alterations, extension and associated site works to existing dwelling house at School Road, Attycristora, Lahinch, Co. Clare, V95A9T4. 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

3 Day Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Never Known to Fail)

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

There are none that can withstand your power.

Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (Say 3 times).

Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (Say 3 times) Amen.

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

Prayer to Saint Jude Saint Jude, glorious Apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus: The name of the traitor has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the true Church invokes you universally as the Patron of things despaired of. Pray for me, that finally I may receive the consolations and the succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly (here make your request), and that I may bless God with the Elect throughout eternity. Amen. Saint Jude, Apostle, martyr and relative of our Lord Jesus Christ, of Mary and of Joseph, intercede for us. Amen.

With Thanksgiving MK

planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

FEIGHROE, CONNOLLY, CO CLARE V95 KHP6

Take notice that Caroline Keane intends to apply for planning permission convert the existing garage to a one bedroomed residential unit for the enjoyment of the occupants of the main dwelling on site 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 KILMACDUANE, COORACLARE

Take notice that M. & M. Tubridy intend to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to construct new silage slab and to revise roof design & elevations Ref No P25/60282 at the above address. The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not ex-

ceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the ofﬁces of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

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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.

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