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8 Mar 2018
ELAINE TUBRIDY news@clareecho.ie
lCREATIVE LADIES: Women from the Clare ICA celebrating International Women’s Day and (inset right) some of their colourful decorations on display near the Maid of Éireann in Ennis yesterday
HE CLARE ECHO is celebrating International Women’s Day with a special issue jam packed with features and events celebrating Banner women. International Women’s Day is celebrated all over the world and this year’s theme is #PressforProgress. We are bringing it home to Co Clare by taking a look at the achievements of women here in the Banner county. The Clare Echo has shed the spotlight on women today with a special 10-page feature on Women in Business in Clare. A whole host of events took place across the county to mark the day, including a Local Enterprise Office Women in Business event in Bunratty on Tuesday. The Clare branch of the Irish Country Women’s Association celebrated International Women’s Day by craft bombing the Maid of Éireann and showing off their knitted creations yesterday.
SEE OUR: Women in Business feature
10-PAGE FEATURE INSIDE
2 NEWS
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
Index EAGLE DIES OF FLU
4
LISDOON
6
FEATURE: PAGE 21-29
Clare women in business...
8-13
SNOW MUCH FUN SPORT
Inside The Clare Echo
With International Women’s Day falling today, we are putting the spotlight on a number of women in business who are flourishing across Co Clare
18-10
WOMEN IN BUSINESS 21-29 MOTORING
39-41
PROPERTY
42-43
CLASSIFIEDS
44-45
GET IN TOUCH
NEWS: PAGE 8-13
SPORT: PAGE 34-35
Clare geared up for big weekend
No show like a snow show
With Clare’s hurlers, who are safely into the playoffs,taking on Waterford in the hurling, we also look ahead to the footballers who have a huge home-tie showdown with Roscommon
Clare came to an abrupt standstill last week with the arrival of an unprecedented dump of snow. We have stories and pics from across the county.
RECEPTION
The Square, Ennis, County Clare Telephone: 065 671 9021 Email: monica@clareecho.ie
EDITOR Telephone: 065 671 9021 Email: editor@clareecho.ie
NEWSDESK Telephone: 065 671 9021 Email: news@clareecho.ie
NOTES
l PRIZE STUDENT: Jean Pound, school principal at Colaiste Mhuire with student Caitlin Carnegie, being presented with a new ipad from Lorraine Cunnigham, GMIT Liaison Officer, along with Niamh O Regan, Guidance Counsellor Photo by John Mangan
Telephone: 065 671 9021
Expansion could lead to 600 new Clare jobs
Email: elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie
SALES Telephone: 065 671 9021
Email: ciara.farrell@clareecho.ie ger.naughton@clareecho.ie
PLACE AN
ADVERT To learn how we can promote your business call us on 065 671 9021 or email ciara.farrell@clareecho.ie.
ELAINE TUBRIDY news@clareecho.ie
S
IXTY new jobs are on the way for Shannon, with the potential to expand to 600 over the next year. Edwards Lifesciences will invest €80 million in a new plant in the Mid-West, with initial development beginning in Shannon. The new jobs will cover multiple areas such as production staff, engineering and professional management, to work at its initial site in Shannon The California based company develops Transcatheter heart valves and other technologies in the area of structural heart disease.
The new facility, expected to be completed by 2020, expects to employ approximately 600 people. The location for the new facility is as yet unknown. “The decision to establish the Shannon Group as an independent entity to develop both Shannon airport and the Free Zone has served as the catalyst for a number of significant job announcements in recent months and I am confident that this trend will continue over the coming months,” Fine Gael TD Joe Carey commented.
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4
NEWS
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
Tidal device for Estuary STUART HOLLY
L
editor@clareecho.ie
IMERICK company DesignPro are hosting a community information and engagement night for the proposed temporary deployment and testing of a 60kW hydrokinetic turbine in the Shannon Estuary on March 13, 8pm in Kildysart Community Centre. DesignPro Automation is proposing to test a 60kW hydrokinetic turbine close to Canon Island as part of a European Union funded Horizon 2020 project. The proposed deployment is planned to run from September 2018 for one year. In 2017, Rathkeale based DesignPro Automation were awarded €2.7m
l GOOD SPORT: Ross Hayes (Crusheen) and Julie Kilmartin, Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe) and John Carmody (U21 Manager). Julie is kindly offering Clare U21 players sitting their Leaving places on Her Easter Study Camp which starts on March 24 for two weeks Photo by Julie Tillett
of EU funding to develop and commercialise 25kW and 60kW river turbines. As part of this the company is required to test their devices in realistic environmental conditions. DesignPro secured a test site in France for their 25kW device and are looking to test their 60kW device in the Estuary. The company hopes testing the device will place the Shannon region to the forefront of marine renewable energy and will benefit the local economy. All Members of mthe public are invited to the information night.
Eagle chick found dead on shore ELAINE TUBRIDY
news@clareecho.ie
Shannon, one of the Mountshannon White Tailed Sea Eagle chicks, was found dead on the shore of Lough Derg recently. It is has not been confirmed, but Golden Eagle Trust’s Dr Allan Mee believes she died from avian influenza as the she was found to be carrying the disease. “There is very little health risk to humans or livestock because the disease is mostly passed through migratory fowl,” Dr Mee said. Shannon is the first eagle in Ireland and the UK to test positive for avian influenza. She was in very good condition when she was found and Dr Mee believes she picked up a dead bird and contracted the flu.
“Young birds tend to focus on stuff that’s dead because it’s easier,” Dr Mee added. Last October, Shannon was found very unwell in the water close to Islandmore and tests revealed low levels of lead and rodenticide in her system. She was nursed back to health and released following a couple of weeks of care. Clare, the second 2017 eagle chick, is currently in Wexford and is doing well. The eagle nest is located on an island close to Mountshannon Harbour and the eagle parents have been nesting there since 2011. In 2013 they hatched two chicks; the first to successfully fledge in the wild in Ireland for over 110 years.
l SAD: A stunning image capturing Shannon last November Photo by Vera O'Rourke
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NEWS
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
Lough Derg Blueway is open for business in Clare
STUART HOLLY
T
editor@clareecho.ie
HE Lough Derg Blueway was officially launched on Tuesday at a special ceremony in Killaloe in the presence of providers of commercial and recreation service providers around Lough Derg. The launch of the initiative is the culmination of a successful partnership between Clare, Tipperary and Galway County Councils, the Lough Derg Marketing Group and Waterways Ireland, and is supported by the Lough Derg communities and businesses who have embraced the project from its inception. A Blueway is a multi-activity recreational trail on or alongside idyllic lakes, canals and rivers with easy access to canoe and bike hire, maps and trail information. With easy access and many starting and finishing points, these trails are family and group friendly whether it’s for a weekend away or a daily walk. Packages and activities can be found on
l SHIP SHAPE: At the Launch (L-R) Joe McGrath, CE Tipperary Co Co, Reuben Noyce, Lough Derg Watersports, Dawn Livingstone, CE Waterways Ireland, Kevin Kelly, CE Galway Council, Eileen Mannion, Galway Co Co, Pat Dowling, CEO Clare Co Co, Dr Phyll Bugler, Cathaoirleach Tipperary Co Co and Tom McNamara, Cathaoirleach Clare Co Co. Photo by Eamon Ward
Number of asylum seekers in Lisdoon 'out of proportion' ELAINE TUBRIDY news@clareecho.ie
CLARE’S Independent TD Dr Michael Harty believes the number of asylum seekers proposed for Lisdoonvarna is out of proportion to the capacity of the community to absorb them. Dr. Harty said the plan for Lisdoonvarna won’t work because local services providing medical services, education and transport are ill-equipped to support 115 new people of differing nationality and cultural backgrounds. “The addition of 115 people to a single GP practice is unsustainable and there is no evidence that this practice will receive any meaningful additional supports. "Without additional resources, Lisdoonvarna’s primary and secondary schools are not equipped to deal with the diverse requirements of children from disparate backgrounds. "The public transport system is totally inadequate to deal with the needs of 115 people who have no other means of transport,” Dr. Harty said. Dr Harty’s comments follow the Department of Justice’s confirmation that 115 asylum seekers will move in to the Direct Provision centre in Lisdoonvarna.
King Thomond hotelier Marcus White signed the contracts earlier this week and the first 30 asylum seekers are due to move in soon. Many Lisdoonvarna locals have expressed strong concerns over the volume of asylum seekers expected to move in to the direct provision centre. Dr Harty does not believe that the people of Lisdoonvarna are opposed to accepting asylum seekers in principle. “It is the lack of consultation and the disproportionality of the numbers that is causing concern. If you are going to make a fundamental change to a small community there must be extensive consultation before such a process is agreed. “This should involve pro-active preparation involving the Department of Justice, education and medical services, community groups, NGOs and other interested and supportive groups. There should be an assessment of the ability of the community to provide the necessary supports,” he added.
www.BluewaysIreland.org. The Lough Derg Blueway builds on the untapped potential of the existing waterway infrastructure and is enhanced by attractive rural towns and villages of Portumna, Dromineer, Killaloe/Ballina, Scarriff, and Mountshannon. With 21 individual paddling trails, Lough Derg as the largest lake on the River Shannon offers its own unique Blueway experience. The Lough shore provides achievable paddling, walking and cycling trails including heritage trails with over 90 heritage sites and access to the long distance routes of the East Clare Way and Lough Derg Way. In his welcoming address Cllr. Tom McNamara, Mayor of Clare, said, “This fantastic project presents valuable opportunities for communities around Lough Derg to attract more visitors. Instead of everyone pulling in their own direction, the Blueway sees those involved in the promotion of Lough Derg rowing together - in more ways than one. I am certain that we will not have to wait long to see evidence of the economic benefits that will accrue for tourist operators in this region.”
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The lads with the new club member for the Ride Co Clare Mountain Biking Club on the East Clare Way near Tulla. Photo sent in by Niall Considine
Gearóid O’Sullivan, Dromelihy, mad about tractors.
No show like a snow show
Photo sent in by Senan O’Sullivan
Clare enjoys the extreme weather in style Tis a grand day for the bog! Sent in by Gene Clohessy
Making memories with parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts. Photo sent in by Orla Griffin
Eddie O’Donnell and dog Connie on a lovely night time snowy stroll
Fun in Tulla.
Photo sent in by Alison Donovan
Stephen Browne, Cree, on the road home
Sent in by Nikki Seviour
Mountshannon Harbour, East Clare.
Photo sent in by Tamara Thornton
Clare businesses left counting cost after extreme weather
T
HE recent extreme weather conditions created by the ‘Beast from the East’ and Storm Emma have had a significant bottom line impact on businesses across County Clare. This week they will start to count the costs. Ennis Chamber President, William Cahir, commented, “Our members were well prepared for the storm, and they put employee health and safety first. However, now that the snow is melting, local retail, hospitality and manufactur-
Nothing like a good roll after a swim.
Sent in by Leroy Kulczynski
Alisha and Callum Cullinan, Lissycasey, with their igloo Sent in by Jessica Cullinan
ing sectors are worried about the loss of revenue caused by the chaotic weather conditions.” He continued, “The Status Orange weather warning from Wednesday saw people drift home from work from mid-day onwards, and by Thursday, when it was up-graded to status red few made it to work in Ennis and those that did were facilitated to leave early, to be home safely before 4pm, in line with government advice. “Most retailers closed at lunchtime Thursday and didn’t re-open
until lunchtime Saturday. However, as usual in a time of crisis, many of the independent grocers and ‘corner shops’ opened for a few hours each day to service the needs of the local community, as did the pharmacies.” Margaret O’Brien, Festival & Events Coordinator commiserated with the organisers of Ennis Book Club Festival (EBCF) which had to be cancelled. “EBCF has been an integral part of the Ennis Festival calendar since its launch in 2007. Like so many of our festivals it is run by a group of
dedicated volunteers, in this case supported by Clare County Library and Ennis Municipal District Council. It must be heart breaking for the hard-working committee to see hundreds of hours of work, over the course of a year, cruelly side-lined by snow.” Gwen Culligan, chair of Ennis Chamber Retail Committee said, “While shop doors closed for up to three days, in reality retailers of non-essential services and goods lost up to a week’s trading. “Once Met Eireann started to forecast extreme weather ahead
and media coverage gathered momentum, business began to slump as shoppers focussed on stock-piling essentials.” She continued, “For cafes, hotels, gift shops and apparel shops throughout Ennis, the fact that Storm Emma coincided with EBCF Weekend was a double whammy. Retailers in Ennis look forward to this annual festival as it attracts a spending audience from across the county but also much further afield. It comes as a great boost to our local economy at the start of March each year.”
Cian Considine enjoying the snow.
Photo sent in by Niall Considine
Amazing production. Sent in by Suzanne Kelly
15ft Snowman in Kilmurry McMahon.
Sent in by Sinead O Corbain
William and Roze beside their 8ft Snowman in Corofin. Sent in by Camilla Roelants
Pine Grove in Ennis. Fantastic morning. Sent in by Kathleen Austin Snowy day in Scariff.
Sent in by Damien O’Brien
Penny enjoying the snow. Sent in by Anne Lyons
Sean Browne and Liam Browne Cree dance and play a few tunes with the Beast from the East.
Snow fall over Abbey Street, Ennis.
Photo by Martin Molloy
Sent in by Stephen Browne
Grainne Conville, Lahinch. Enjoying snow day off college on the prom in Lahinch. Sent in by Majella Somers
Olivia (5) from Ennis with her two snow friends. Sent in by Yulia Williams
Harry and Sophie with Bailey. Tulla Road, Ennis. Sent in by Bryan O’Connor
Leon (21 mths old) was amazed at the size of the snowman built by a neighbour in Bramble Lane.
Molly loves snow. Sent in by Silvy
Sent in by Susan Bennett
Celebrity Chef O’Mara was on duty in Belvoir Sixmilebridge. Photo by O’Mara family
Sadie at St.Brigids Well in Liscannor. Photo taken by Caitriona Considine
Gerry Fitzgerald. Sent in by Tracey Fitzgerald
Dorka the cat.
Sent in by Sinead Dixon Slattery
Sophie improvising on swimming water ring as she didn’t have a sled. Sent in by Bryan O’Connor
Two young members of the O’Grady family, Feakle.
Christopher Cahir (6) making a Snow Angel on College Rd, Ennis.
Sent in by Carol Hannon
Sent in by William Cahir
Photo by Gary Collins Photography
IT’S A NICE DAY FOR A WHITE WEDDING
W
EDDING couple Aine Cahir from Ennis and Ronan McDonnell from Kilmaley faced huge diversity last Saturday when Storm Emma threw a spanner in the works, but the couple were determined to have a fantastic day regardless of the weather.
“I rang Fr Tom Hogan on Friday morning to see if the rehearsal was going ahead at St Flannan’s Cathedral in Killaloe. I didn’t want him feeling obliged to trek out. “He put us all at ease, but we were still on tenterhooks,” Ronan said. Seventy guests couldn’t make the wedding, including one of the bridesmaids who
was snowed in in Dublin and replacements for the Prayers of the Faithful had to be found last minute. Aine and Ronan had to find alternative transport and a new photographer just a couple of days before the wedding. Gary Collins, a photographer from Ennis, stepped in and captured some amazing images (see right) and Dreamcatcher
Productions shot some stunning scenes. Aine and Ronan had booked a full fireworks display, but it couldn’t go ahead and the table plan had to be reorganised just hours before the wedding. Wedding singer Eve Stafford and the Best Men band both made the big day. The Coast Guard had to collect the chef from Scariff and bring him to the Lakeside Hotel
Stunning shot of a fox near Kilkee. Photo courtesy of Dermot Cosgrove
in Killaloe, and the couple were so thankful for their efforts. “The night was unbelievable. We had the best day of our lives. “We lost a lot of people but the bride was smiling coming up the aisle so we made it work. We’re so grateful to everyone,” Ronan added.
SNOW POEM Snowflakes fall, The softness beneath my feet, A slight crunching sound, A reminder of simpler times. It only lasts a short while, Like the years they past too fast, Like life it cannot stand still, Like living it’s full of pain and thrills. On a day where it’s easy to sit and reflect, Nothing more than quietness do we expect, To appreciate the little things that are gifted to some, And to spare a thought or a prayer for those with little or none. The summer will come, Yes the summer will come.
by Emmet Ryan
Shannon Airport staff go the extra mile THOUSANDS of metres of runway cleaning, 24 hour shifts and 23 diversions – just some of the key stats from Shannon Airport’s 72 hour battle with Storm Emma. The airport returned to normal service on Sunday but only after staff were pushed to the limit in looking after passengers, according to Operations Director Niall Maloney. “The elements challenged us like they have rarely done. We’ve had a lot of testing weather conditions in the past but Storm Emma was one of the most prolonged weather disruptions we’ve experienced. But we have fantastic staff here at the airport, who readily go the extra yard whenever they are asked and they did so, effectively from Wednesday,” Mr Maloney said. Mr Maloney said the Shannon Aiport team fought the snow and won but that only happened because of incredibly dedicated staff. “Our operations team worked relentlessly night and day fighting snow over a continuous 72 hours period. Once airlines ceased operating
on Friday, we set a 0500hrs time for reopening on Saturday but the snow overnight was unrelenting and we had to battle really hard to honour that commitment and we did,” Mr Maloney added. There were no passengers sleeping overnight at the airport, as our Duty Airport Managers ensured that diverted passengers who needed it got hotel accommodation. Commenting on airport efforts around Storm Emma, Andrew Murphy, Managing Director, Shannon Airport said: “It started as early as Wednesday for us when we took in 21 diversions alone that day from other Irish airports and that, in its own right, was a huge logistical exercise. “Even as the weather deteriorated over the following days we had issues in terms of staff cover because many of our people were unable to get here. Yet, those already here chose to stay on and do double and triple shifts so that passengers could be looked after. That says a lot about the commitment and dedication here.”
Stunning shot of horses in Kilrush.
Sent in by Julie Neylon, Wild Atlantic Opticians, Kilrush
Riverlodge putting Noel Cusack to the test.
Snowman in Larchill, Ennis. Sent in by Claire Doyle
Kilmaley snowman. Sent in by Fiona O’Sullivan
Snowman by Pat Murphy, Kilfenora.
Joseph Darragh and Clara Miniter spent the day building an ingloo in Kilrush.
Sent in by Chloe Murphy
Sent in by Carmel Miniter
Leyla McMahon and her sister Elenor from Ennis. Photo by Martin Connolly
Shannon Airport in the snow. Courtesy of Eugene Hogan
14 INTERACTIVE
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2017
A new era of
INTERACTION twitter.com/ ClareEcho
facebook.com/ clareecho
Facebook comment of the week
‘‘
Man wakes up in Clare after falling asleep in Australia
Martin Cox
in reaction to this picture sent in of Darren from Yvonne’s Takeaway, Ennis
instagram.com/ theclareecho
www.clareecho.ie
Tweet of the week TRISH FARRELL @WildeIrishChocs
East Clare well represented at the launch of the #LoughDergBlueway
TRENDING ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE Igloo to let at Fair Green THE snow put everyone in such a good mood and there were people taking it to new levels last week. From non-stop bread memes to “snow bathing”, Clare residents really showed their fun side. But the following advert on property website Daft.ie really takes the biscuit. Lisa Killeen has posted an advert for an igloo to share in Tim Smyth Park in Ennis, for a very reasonable fee of €600 a month. “Modern one bedroom apartment Available for lease. Fantastic park views,” the property description reads. The “single bedroom ensuite” currently has five occupants and is looking for either a male or female to join the ranks for one month….but strictly no couples. It also comes complete with garden, patio and balcony. But it’s probably too late to get your skates on and head down to Tim Smyth Park, because we have a feeling this property wasn’t available for very long.
l SNOW PLACE LIKE HOME: The picture which accompanied the joke ad on Daft.ie, showing the Ennis based igloo
COMMUNITY 15
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
Community
CONTACT NEWSDESK
065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie
ENNIS POETRY COLLECTIVE All poets are invited to read a recent poem of theirs at the Record Break in Ennis from 11.30 am on Saturday 10th March. This will be followed by a discussion of the Poetry Collective’s plans for the coming year. ENNIS TOASTMASTERS The next Toastmasters meeting will be on Tuesday 13th March from 8.00 pm at the Temple Gate Hotel and will include the club’s annual speech and evaluation contests. Visitors will be most welcome. ‘THE WORKHOUSES OF COUNTY CLARE’ - A TALK BY STEVE DOLAN The Clare Archaeological and Historical Society present The Workhouses of Co Clare, a talk by Steve Dolan. The workhouse system, as organised in Ireland, proved ill-equipped to deal with the demands put upon it. This lecture will focus on those demands for the eight workhouses in Co Clare, the differing challenges faced, and the workhouses ultimate fall from The lecture takes place on Tuesday 13th March in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, at 8.00 pm. The AGM takes place in advance of the lecture at 7 pm. Hope you can join us. Lectures are free to members, €5 for non-members. Enquiries to fogorman51@gmail.com Tel 087 2262259
SHANNON/SOUTHEAST CLARE ELEMENT SIX STAFF DELIVER €16K Leading global synthetic diamond manufacturer Element Six and its employees have put an early 2018 sheen on the finances of deserving Mid-West based Cliona’s Foundation after presenting the popular charity with the proceeds of last year’s entire fund-raising endeavours. Three separate fund raising events – a charity cycle, cake sale and Christmas lunch - and a weekly ‘bake’, all run by employees in 2017, raised over €8,000 but a matching contribution by the company has now brought the total amount going to the charity to €16,748. Cliona’s Foundation was chosen as the staff’s 2017 designated charity because of the support it provides to three year-old Fionn Barry, who has spent most of his young life in hospital being treated for Infantile Spasms – a debilitating and life limiting illness that requires 24hour care. Fionn’s father Trevor Barry works as part of the maintenance at Element 6. Receiving the cheque this week, Trevor said that the generosity of colleagues and the company had touched him and his family deeply. “We’ve got incredible support for Fionn but I am so touched by what my colleagues at Element Six have done and, indeed, what the company has done. It’s such a fabulous gesture from all concerned. Fionn has an ongoing battle on his hands, there’s clearly great people on his side.” Said Brendan Ring, co-founder with his wife Terry of Cliona’s Foundation, “Element Six and its staff have given a great example of just what can be achieved by social clubs if they put a charity programme in place. I would encourage as many companies as possible to do this, regardless of what charity the money goes to.” Said Grainne Loonam, Element Six charity committee leader, “When you get to present a cheque like we have now to Cliona’s Foundation, it makes it all worthwhile.” Funds from Cliona’s Foundation are used to pay for the ‘hidden costs’, including accommodation, food, petrol and other miscellaneous expenses incurred by families who must take sick children to hospitals or other medical facilities for frequent treatments. The Foundation was set up by Brendan and Terry Ring following the death of their daughter, Cliona, from an inoperable brain tumour in 2006 when she was just 16 years old.
l IN THEIR ELEMENT: Big-hearted staff from Element Six with the cheque for just over €16,000
ALTERNATIVE POLITICAL FILM CLUB Clare General Election candidate Councillor Mike McKee has announced the launch of the Clare Alternative Political Film Club. A special screening of the Steve McQueen directed film Hunger, starring Michael Fassbender in the role of hunger-striker Bobby Sands, will take place in the constituency office of Councillor Mike McKee in the Kincora Building next Thursday 8th March at 7.30pm. Councilor Mike McKee said: “I’m delighted to host the first screening by the Clare Alternative Political Film Club in my constituency office. The club will screen both Irish and international political films at my constituency office in the Kincora building throughout 2018.” “The club will have a special screening on the Steve McQueen directed film Hunger, starring Michael Fassbender in the role of Irish hunger-striker Bobby Sands, next Thursday at 7.30pm. “The special screening is to mark the 1981election of Bobby Sands to the Westminster parliament.” “The Clare Alternative Political Film Club, also plan to screen the the award winning documentary No Stone Unturned, dealing with British state collusion with loyalist death squads.” “Refreshments will be available. Everyone is welcome.” OATFIELD SOCIAL The Oatfield church, organising committee would like to invite everyone to The Oatfield Social at “The Bellsforts Inn” Newmarket on Fergus. This Friday, March 9th, from 9.30pm until late. Dancing to the music of Glor Tier Star Dermot Lyons. Complimentary Refreshments Served and a raffle for superb prizes. Admission is only €10 and is in aid of the continued developments at Oatfield Church. Your support is greatly appreciated. Bus transport available from outside O’ Callaghan’s Mills church 9pm, Nonie’s Shop Kilkishen 9.15pm, The Pump House Kilmurry 9.25pm. Bus transport also from outside Truagh Church 8.50pm, Oatfield cross 9.00pm, Cooleycasey cross 9.10pm, Castlecrine cross 9.15pm and outside Casey’s Bar Sixmilebridge 9.20pm.
WEST/NORTH CLARE SRAC ATLANTIC CHALLENGE 3,000 cyclist from 18 countries will cycle from Ennistymon on Saturday 24 March with legend cyclists, Tour de France winner, Stephen Roche, Sean Kelly, Phil Anderson (Australia) and Malcolm Elliott (UK). Traffic delays are expected along the coast road and the Burren from 9am - 4pm. The SRAC Atlantic Challenge is the biggest cycling event to take place in Clare. This is the 6th year of the cycle. The SRAC Atlantic Challenge is a world cycling event and recognised as Ireland’s premier cycling event - while Lonely Planet described this cycling route as the 5th Best Cycling Route in the World. From the rolling hills of the Burren and the Wild Atlantic Way, the location, the route, the scenery is all breath taking and include the 2 climbs of the famous Cliffs of Moher and Corkscrew Hill. All proceeds raised from the cycle go to support the local charity, Seeking Vision. This year there are 2 routes, 80km and 125km, both starting from the Community Centre in Ennistymon at 9am.
l TAKING PART: Stephen Roche and Sean Kelly
16
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
Ronan Scully
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Author spreading the word of positivity
T
HE occasion of Mother’s Day which is taking place this Sunday coming is extraordinary for all of us. It’s a time to love, kiss and hug the most precious creation of God - our Mom! All through our lives we love to put our heads in the lap of our mothers, unmindful of our status, position and standing. For her, we will always remain the small child, but this is the day to visit our Mom, spend time with her, hold her hands and reassure her of our love and care. Mother’s Day is a great reason to honor your mother and express gratitude for all the hugs, cuddles, kisses and lullabies she has endowed upon you. Mothers bear the hardships and the joys in bringing up a child. A Mother is the epitome of love, serenity and forgiveness. Mother’s Day holds great significance for all of us. It’s that time of the year to let your mother know that no one loves her more than her own children. It’s a time to be grateful to your mother who’s mainly the most loving, kind-hearted, understanding and caring person in your life.
Mother’s Day love
So this weekend celebrate Mother’s Day with non-stop surprises and have a beautiful time on this day. Get your entire family together if you can. Treat your mom like a queen by presenting her with a beautiful gift. It may not be the most precious gift but must be the embodiment of your true emotions. Mother’s Day poses as a great opportunity to pamper your mother for all that she has done for you over the years. You can never repay the debts, but on Mother’s Day, you can create a magical place for your mother to be delighted and fly high on love and life. As usual a story or two might help us better to understand.
WHEN GOD CREATED MOTHERS When God was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of “overtime” when the angel
appeared and said. “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.” And God said, “Have you read the specs on this order?” She has to be completely washable, but not plastic. Have 180 moveable parts...all replaceable. Run on black coffee and leftovers. Have a lap that disappears when she stands up. A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair! And six pairs of hands.” The angel shook her head slowly and said. “Six pairs of hands.... no way.” It’s not the hands that are causing me problems,” God remarked, “it’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have.” That’s on the standard model?” asked the angel. God nodded. One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, ‘What are you kids doing in there?’ when she already knows! Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn’t but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he or she goofs up and say. ‘I understand and I love you’ without so much as uttering a word.” God,” said the angel touching his sleeve gently, “Get some rest tomorrow....” I can’t,” said God, “I’m so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick... can feed a family of six on one pound of SPECIAL BOND: Mother and baby
hamburgers...and can get a four year old to stand under a shower.” The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. “It’s too soft,” she sighed. But tough!” said God excitedly. “You can imagine what this mother can do or endure.” Can it think?” Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise,” said God. Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told You that You were trying to put too much into this model.” It’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.” “What’s it for?” “It’s for joy, love, kindness, sadness, empathy, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride.” “You are a genius,” said the angel. Somberly, God said, “I didn’t put it there.”
WHY DO MOTHER’S CRY?
Mothers certainly feel all our pain. It’s like when a little boy asked his mother, “Why are you crying?” “Because I’m a woman,” she told him. “I don’t understand,” he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, “And you never will.” Later the little boy asked his father, “Why does mammy cry for no reason?” “All women cry for no reason,” was all his dad said. The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry. Finally he prayed to God who would surely know the answer. When God responded he asked, “God, why do women cry so easily?” God said: “When I made the woman she had to be made special. I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children. I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining. I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly. I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib
to protect his heart. I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly. And lastly, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers and only hers exclusively to use whenever she needs it. She needs no reason, no explanation, it’s hers.” “You see my son,” said God, “the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides.”
MOTHER’S DAY POEM
Finally, a familiar mother’s day poem written in the early 1900’s is: M is for the Many things she gave me, O means only that she’s growing Old. T is for the Tears she shed to save me, H is for her Heart of purest gold. E is for her Eyes with love light shining, R means Right and Right she’ll always be. Put them all together, they spell MOTHER. A word that means the world to me.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
As your thought for the week make your Mother feel the most special woman in the world by showing your care, love and affection. Surprise your Mother with a wide assortment of gifts, goodies, personalized gifts, cards, crafts, recipes, and lots more excitement and fun. Most of all let your Mother know how much you love her not just for Mothers Day but for all time. Spend as much time as you can loving and caring for the people who truly love you. Enjoy each moment with them before it’s too late. There is nothing more important than family especially during this year dedicated to the family and there is nothing like your Mother!!! Make your mother and the mother of your children feel the most special woman in the world by showing your care, love and affection. Most of all let your mother know how much you love her, for life is short and time is running out.
COLUMNISTS 17
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
EDITOR’S OPINION
Eoin Neylon
Dissect the frog!
Constructing an answer to the homeless issue...
Stuart Holly
E
XPLAINING a joke is like dissecting a frog. You understand it better but the frog dies in the process. Well, in years to come we might well be asked to explain by our children why regional towns no longer exist. Why did they follow our villages into a serviceless, jobless obscurity? By then, the joke will be entirely on us. Our towns’ retail industries are beginning to slowly die in front of our eyes. Consumers in Clare, and particularly young-to-middle aged consumers believe they’re winning. Saving money. Saving energy. Increasing their options. In reality, they’re killing the local economy, killing opportunities for local prosperity. Slowly squeezing the life out of our towns’ heartbeats. If this trend continues, not only will local retail business suffer; so too will our vital services and even our tourism trade. The knock-on could be a knock-out blow. When the storm hit, employees were
gifted a four-day weekend while business people’s first thought turned to the potential cost to them. Margins can be so tight that even one week’s loss can have lasting impacts for SMEs. Ennis is one of the country’s last great examples of a thriving and (mostly) content local business community, with great thanks to the likes of our Chamber and forward local planning. Take for example Tralee, a similar sized town that has already been half-emptied into the retail park on the town’s peripherals; and that’s before you take into account the growing shift towards online spending. People need to start questioning their actions. Don’t take Ennis for granted. If the day comes, God forbid, when local retailers are consigned to flattened 5x7 spaces in nostalgic photo albums - or more likely online photographic databases - we will all live with regret that we didn’t support them. The message here is clear. Shop local. Shop local. Shop local.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR email: editor@clareecho.ie post: The Clare Echo, The Square, (above Sherry Fitzgerald), Ennis, Co Clare
SLICE OF IRISH LIFE (the best thing since) Coming from hardy South Africa, I’m no stranger to national panic. We jokingly refer to ourselves as ‘load-shedding refugees’, as we arrived in the Northern hemisphere at the time of planned power saving in the mother country, which saw stoic Saffers without electricity, daily, for hours at a time. (Before anyone gets cross, that’s not why we left!) But those distant waves of ‘community crisis’ can’t hold a candle to the apocalyptic-prepping, bread-buying survival course that has gripped our small town Clare. The Beast from the East was paying us a visit with close friend Storm Emma, and nothing would ever be the same again. Especially not the bread. Like all great snow storms it started with a flurry of activity. Sulky Teenager debating the likelihood of school closing. Me researching recipes for ‘hearty broth’ and ‘stick to your ribs puddings’ and clumps of mams in the local store debating ‘stocking up’. Sure enough, as with most emergencies, the litmus test was the schools – and when the announcement came through that they would be closed for the rest of the week, the Beast was unleashed! We were to be a town in lock-down from 4pm Thursday to 6pm Friday – and by all accounts, by the weekend, Ennis would make Fargo look like Tenerife. I gave the fire a good seeing-to, smallies stood outside looking to the heavens for ‘a sign’ and Sulky Teenager, now school-less, took to her bed with YouTube and chicken goujons. And as the count-down began, all thoughts turned to making sure we would all have enough supplies to sit it out. I’m thinking, tins of peas. Water. Baked beans. Peat. Non-perishable items that would hold out to the bitter end. Well, how wrong can you be? In the beautiful, surprisingly, eccentric and random way I’ve come to love Ireland, it was all about the bread. Buy it NOW while you still can! Word spread like butter on hot toast. Women with determined strides and set mouths began ploughing through
the bread aisles, cleaning up the last crumb of survival. “Are ye all stocked up, Mary?” Triumphant customers emerging from shops clutching their spoils of war. And of course there’s always ‘Yer one’ – Mrs Smug who has to take stuff to the next level: “I’ll be making my own, Mary!” Friday morning and I’m sitting in an unlit parked car, at dawn - waiting for Dunnes to open so I could score a hit. I had embraced Crazy Town. But by 9.01, Twitter’s ‘Bread Watch’ lit up with news that the store would not open! Panic gripping our chests like bread induced heartburn, I, with a convoy of 86 other cars, moved off to that next great beacon of light – Tesco. But the real beauty is that it’s all done with a twinkle in the eye. Because no one has the ability to laugh at the human condition quite as much as the Irish. As instructed, we were all safely inside by tea - and so we sat. Soup on the stove. Fire roaring. Bread proudly on counter top. If I knew where my hatch was I would have battened it down in no uncertain terms, Mrs. Like a good Enid Blyton story, the snow came silently in the night and we woke to a billowing duvet of powder-soft white. The town stretches out white, as far as you can see. A local photographer sharing images of Ennis under snow, said that he loves the way snow ‘simplifies’ everything. No sharp lines – just seamless, clean softness. I can’t help feeling that as much as the snow has covered up, it has also revealed. It’s let us glimpse the softness and joy for life that is here in this resilient corner of rural Ireland. The unselfconscious authenticity of people getting to grips with life. Looking out for each other. And having a good laugh while we’re at it. This 48 hours on ‘snow island’ has also pointed out that we probably need very little to get by. Everything we need is right here. I shall be sad when the kill-joy snow ploughs come to tidy up. But not to worry, I’ll be far too busy looking up recipe ideas for left-over bread. Lisa Christopher, Ennis
An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum
S
OMETHING that many people would have missed in all the Storm Emma furore was the announcement of the latest figures on homelessness. Regrettably, they didn’t make for good reading. For the first time ever, the number of homeless people in Ireland has topped 9,100, a third of which are children. It’s fair to say that this constitutes a national embarrassment. When the global financial crisis hit, we were complaining of an abundance of housing stock and ghost estates. Now, just a decade later, we’re setting homelessness records. You might ask how we got to this position. It’s a numbers game really. As budgetary cuts intensified, the focus of those cuts changed with a change in leadership. This means that the number of social houses built in the first half of the financial crisis was far greater than the latter half. From 2007, when it began to the end of 2010, there were 14,581 social houses built according to the then Department of the Environment, Communications and Local Government. The same department confirmed that between 2011 and 2014 inclusive, when the first green shoots of recovery were seen, just 1,252 social houses were built in Ireland. This 91.41% drop, coupled with the crippling of the construction industry and lack of private builds meant that for years, there was scant housing built despite rising population figures. A study published last year by the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland found that, in 2017, only 48 per cent of the cost of a new house here goes on the “brick and mortar” plus labour associated in the building of the house. The other 52 per cent is made up by a combination of local authority fees, utility connection fees, professional fees, regulatory oversight costs, land, stamp duty and other taxes. For this reason, coupled with regulatory changes, it’s no longer economically viable for developers to build affordable housing off their own bat. It’s clear to anyone working in the construction and property industries like myself that there is only one
clear, viable solution, or packet of co-dependent solutions as it may be. Firstly, NAMA (National Asset Management Agency) needs to be reconstituted as a housing agency for the State. The body has largely fulfilled its brief of dealing with bad commercial property loans but now the focus should be on dealing with individual house owners in mortgage arrears and helping local authorities deal with their housing list. The State has a good track record in this regard. When DeValera and Lemass came to Government in 1932 they set about dealing with overcrowding in Dublin city centre. The successful plan saw the construction of new city suburbs like Drimnagh and Crumlin with a mix of social, affordable and private housing built alongside schools, churches and other services. The State once again needs to step in and directly tender housing schemes to contractors to provide the social and affordable housing stock the country needs. nother item they need to tackle is the non-construction costs so that builders would see such tenders as being worth their while. Like what has been done with the hospitality sector, the VAT on building supplies could be temporarily dropped from 13.5 per cent to 9 per cent to stimulate growth in the sector. Such a move would cost an estimated €240 million to the exchequer, however, much of that would be made back via increased building output and the income taxes that would result in heightened employment in the industry. Therein lies another problem, however. Who is going to build all these houses? In 2015, just four apprentice plasterers qualified in all of Ireland. There are similarly low numbers qualifying in other trades. Many of those I went to school with, who went into apprenticeship programs in 2003 and 2004, are now living abroad and many have no plans on returning despite the upturn in the economy. The reason is they’ve no incentive to. In the like of Canada, Australia and New Zealand they enjoy a great quality of life, great public services and largely better weather. The
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Government must do more to entice these people home and one way of doing that would be to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment. Giving the same tax credits to the self-employed would be a start but better supports to entrepreneurs, especially young entrepreneurs is a must. Ireland current has the worst level of youth entrepreneurship in all the EU. A suite of measures including mentoring, micro-financing and changing “family employment” conditions, thereby covering them in terms of social insurance, would go a long way to addressing that. hen you look at Clare, the ghost estates are largely gone, housing is hard to come by and rents are on the rise, yet many small contractors are shutting up shop still as running a small building firm just isn’t a viable prospect for those striving for a work-life balance anymore. Ironically, over regulation now is deterring people from being involved in construction, an industry that famously had scant regulation until recent times. The mountain of paperwork from BC(A)R (Building Control Amendment Regulations), the ever-increasing workload from Revenue (basically mandating main contractors to do their work for them with regard sub-contractors) and chasing down ‘Declaration of Performance’ certs means that when the 8am to 5pm on site work is over, there’s still a mountain of work to get through back at home. That’s part of the reason that young people don’t want to get into contracting and why, instead, we’re heading to the cities to work in large firms with dedicated teams that sit in ‘9 to 5 offices’ dealing with said work. Death by over-regulation. If we want to see this turned around, the head in the sand approach from Government will have to stop. Four housing strategy announcements later and supply is still far behind demand and homelessness is still rising. The definition of insanity, according to Albert Einstein, was to do the same thing over and over and hope for a different result. The time to actually do something has long since come.
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18 SPORT
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
Clare ready to size up Déise men Result not of paramount importance but Banner hurlers will get closer look at Championship opponents NHL Division 1A Round 5 at Walsh Park Sunday @ 2.30pm Best place for coverage: Clare FM (match not televised)
JAMES MULVIHILL ‘Brick’ Walsh and will expect their character to shine when it matters. These sides will meet in round two of the new-look Munster Championship on May 27th, when Clare will have home advantage in what will be both teams’ first outing in the 2018 Championship, as they have a bye for the first round. Both managements are likely to say that Sunday’s clash will have little bearing as regards their upcoming Championship meeting, but the reality is that both will be keeping a close eye on match-ups. Clare will also be looking to straighten out free-taking issues, and more pressing, increasing the conversion rate on chances created. The Clare management team have another opportunity to test the likes of Ryan Taylor, Gearoid O’Connell, Mikey O’Neill, Ian Galvin and Diarmuid Ryan in heated waters ahead of the Munster Championship. And while Clare are already in the play-offs, they will be determined to win and guarantee a top two finish. To finish in either third or fourth place would mean a quarter-final date against either Limerick or Galway, which they would prefer to avoid. The quarter-finals will be on a home and away basis. Having had just two games at home so far, Clare will have a home quarter-final, provided their opponents have had more than two games at home. Should two teams drawn to face each other have had the same number of home games, the venue will be decided on the toss of a coin.
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In Walsh Park on Sunday we can put some theories to the test about personnel and styles of play. Clare will look to move the ball faster in this game, avoiding the traffic pile-ups that proved fatal against Wexford
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LARE travel to Walsh Park this Sunday to take on a rejuvenated Waterford team who finally got off the mark in this campaign with a win over Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. The Banner men - while they will be determined to return to winning ways following their loss to Wexford - will revel at the prospect of facing a Déise side with their backs to the wall. Waterford will be well aware of their own position - with just two points from four games - already looking to claw their way out of a relagation scrap and as such, they will be forced to play high-tempo, pressure hurling. From Clare’s perspective; while the Wexford defeat was a shunt on their momentum, it was a first flat performance after three worthy (if incomplete) victories over Tipperary, Kilkenny and Cork. Wexford served as a welcome reminder that we can have issues with teams that drag us into a scrappy contest. Again the result won’t be of paramount importance this weekend, but the performance will be. In Walsh Park we can put some theories to the test about personnel and styles of play. Clare will look to move the ball faster, avoiding the traffic pile-ups that proved fatal against Wexford. Given the progress they have made over the past couple of seasons, Waterford’s results in this campaign have been disappointing - however they have some leading players in the game at present in Tadhg De Burca, Austin Gleeson, Noel Connors, the Mahony brothers, Kevin Moran and Michael
l COMPETITION FOR PLACES: Conor McGrath will hope for extended game-time this weekend Credit: Martin Connolly
Clare must place distractions aside NFL Division 2; Clare v Roscommon Sunday @ 2.30pm, Cusack Park CLARE will have to overcome the significant distraction of recent weeks as they look to back up their impressive defeat of Derry in Cusack Park this weekend. Visitors Roscommon - who sit one point ahead of Clare - will prove more than tricky opponents; but the run of results across Division 2 has proven, if nothing else, that not much seperates top from bottom with the notable exception of languishing Louth who are still without a point from the campaign.A win for Clare here would go a long way to securing Division 2 status with that Louth fixture still to come. However manager Colm Collins will have to do without Gordon Kelly and Jamie Malone, following their respective bans resulting from incidents in the drawn game against Tipperary. Collins earlier this week described his frustration over the three-month suspension handed to Kelly for allegedly squirting a water-bottle at an official while Malone remains unavailable for
this week’s re-fixed clash after an appeal of his two-match ban was rejected. Collins, meanwhile, is himself also serving a month’s suspension for comments made to a linesman during the same match. Speaking to reporter Declan Rooney, Collins said; “There was a ridiculous decision at the end of the match when Gordon Kelly was cleaning water out of a water bottle and one of the umpires alleged that he hit him with the water. Gordon got three months for that, which is absolute insanity. “All he did was clean out the water bottle before he drank it, like every player in the country does. The umpire says he hit him, which Gordon denies, and he got three months for it. “By all means protect the officials, but let there be something to protect them from if you are going to suspend a player for that long. “Even if he deliberately squirted water at an official - which he adamantly claims he didn’t - three months is a bit much.”
SPORT 19
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
Keating wants ‘field of dreams’ Cllr Gabriel Keating, former Chairman of the Clare Football Board, says climate change has prompted his proposals for an indoor stadium CLARE County Councillor Gabriel Keating has hit out at the playing conditions endured by young GAA stars and has insisted that the current state of affairs “is not acceptable”. Keating, a former Chairman of the Clare Football Board, has outlined a set of proposals in a bid to actively find a solution to the rise in matches being played in unsuitable conditions which Keating says has been brought on by climate change. In the letter, which was obtained by The Clare Echo, Keating states: “The past six months of non-stop rainfall and the consequent disruption of our Gaelic Games programmes has focussed the minds of GAA people of the challenges of climate change.” In a week following record snowfall across the country, Keating continued: “It is obvious to everyone that intercounty games and colleges football and hurling matches played on sodden pitches under rainy and wind-swept skies during the months of November, December, January and February is not the way to foster a love for our games in the youth of Ireland. To compound the problem we witnessed a chaotic pile-up of National League, Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cup fixtures recently where some players turned out for three games per week. “The state of affairs is not acceptable. There must be and is a better way.” With that objective in mind, Cllr Keating went on to ouline 10 proposals which all centre on the development and use of an indoor games stadium “in the style of Cardiff Arms Park with open/closed roof provided”. Mr Keating suggests that the stadium be built in a central location and that it be used for a number of competitions, including the
Padraig McGrath
GOLF ANALYSIS
Balance key to striking consistency PGA Golf Professional #PadraigKnowsGolf
l PROPOSALS: Cllr Gabriel Keating Credit: Eamon Ward
concluding stages of the All Ireland Club Championship, the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cup final stages, along with ladies football and camogie’s showcase games and one International Rules game. “The stadium should be available for NFL games called off at venues where the pitch is unplayable,” he said, adding that the so-called weaker counties in hurling should be able to avail of the stadium for coaching skills and special games. Cllr Keating conludes that the new stadium would be “a template of the GAA’s commitment to the youth of Ireland who see it as a Tír Na nÓg. It would be their field of dreams and a stepping stone to their ultimate ambition of playing in All Ireland finals in Croke Park.”
G
OLFERS generally sway due to them being off-balanced when they swing the club. Swaying side to side causes inconsistencies and also leads to more off centered strikes. A golfers posture and the width of their stance are key areas that need to be understood to help improve your balance and consistency. WIDTH OF STANCE Firstly the width of your stance is important, if it is too narrow you will move easily side to side because of your narrow foundation in comparison to your shoulder width. A narrow stance is a common fault I see with most golfers and leads to them finding it impossible to keep
Weight - Centered
driver long irons medium irons short irons wedges
l AMBITIOUS: Keating wants a Millenium Stadium-style playing ground in Ireland
their balance during their swing. The longer the club you swing also the wider a stance you should take because your body will be moving faster therefore it is even more vital to maintain that balance (i.e. My widest stance would be with the driver). It is also possible to have too wide of a stance. Standing too wide will restrict your hips from turning and will cause other issues causing you to swing more with your upper body mainly your hands and arms because your lower body can’t rotate correctly. Therefore it is important to explore and find the right width that benefits your game. POSTURE Poor posture can also cause a lack of balance and will also lead to excess movement during a golf swing. Posture issues generally cause a golfer to have too much of their weight towards their toes or heels. When this occurs the golfer generally moves towards the ball or away from the ball on the downswing. With this movement it is extremely difficult to strike the ball consistently off of the centre of the club face. These golfers will generally strike closer to the heel or toe of the golf club due to a forward (towards the ball) or backward (away from the ball) movement. A good way to check your balance is set up with a golf club as normal and get yourself into the address position and close your eyes. Try holding that position and you will feel straight away if you are struggling because you will feel yourself loosing balance. If you feel the weight is towards your toes then you need to possibly stand a little taller and stick your backside further back until you find your weight closer to the centre of your feet. On the contrary if you find the weight closer to your heels you need to possibly get your upper body over the ball more to move more weight towards your toes until you find the weight more evenly in the centre of your feet as in the image attached. Next time you pick up a golf club start to take more notice of your balance at the address position and while you swing the golf club. Have a look at the width of your stance and also where you feel the weight is in your feet, is it in the centre and don’t be afraid to explore to possibly find a better set up. Improving your balance will certainly improve your consistency and benefit your overall golf game.
20 COLUMNIST
Caroline Bourke
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
MAKE-UP AND STYLE
BACK TO BASICS 'A concealer, to me, is like a little magic wand'
R
ECENTLY, I reviewed my top three foundations, but no great foundation is complete without an amazing concealer. A concealer, to me, is like a little magic wand that corrects and erases blemishes, under eye circles and imperfections in a few simple strokes. It brightens the face and makes it appear even more flawless than with a foundation alone. My top concealer has got to be the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Flawless Wear Concealer, which lasts for an astounding 15 hours! It delivers medium coverage, which helps achieve that flawless complexion. The lightweight formula goes on seamlessly and doesn't crease due to its transfer-resistant, colour-true formula. Although the formula is oil free, it is really blendable because the concealer is infused with vitamins and emollients which nourish and condition the skin. I highly recommend this! It really is budge proof makeup. Secondly, I love the Dior Diorskin Nude Skin Perfecting Hydrating Concealer. This is a lightweight formula which cre-
ates a natural finish. I mentioned the Diorskin Forever Flawless Foundation in my last post. This concealer offers the same buildable coverage and satin finish as the foundation. It is also hydrating for the skin as it is made from mineralized water which is enriched with a natural floral water which nourishes the skin, improving its overall tone and elasticity. Finally, I use the Clinique Airbrush Concealer which is a handy flow-through pen that allows me to airbrush where I need to. The light, creamy formula is light reflecting, and helps to diminish the appearance of under eye shadows, while softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by illuminating the skin. This is a great one for hiding shadows and imperfections by using light reflecting particles. The Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat pen works in a similar way to this as well. What are your favourite concealers? Do any of these make the cut? Let me know on Facebook, or tag me on Instagram or Twitter.
lNATURAL FINISH: The right concealer makes a difference
lSMOOTH FINISH: Concealer brightens the face and makes it appear even more flawless than with a foundation alone
NEWS 21
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
Mary Cashin Legal Matters
ENJOYING THE EVENT: Women in Business Network hosted by Local Enterprise Office Clare and Limerick, Bunratty Castle Hotel on March 6. L-R Veronica Murphy, The Discovery Partnership, Linda Earlie, LEO Clare, Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise Local Enterprise Office, Clare, Colette Twomey, MD Clonakilty Pudding and Sinead Dixon Slattery, LEO Clare.
‘Mediation has a high success rate’
Women in Business event is big success T O Photo by Arthur Ellis
VER 100 women attended this week’s Women in Business Networking event in Bunratty Castle Hotel as part of Local Enterprise Week. Guest speakers included Colette Twomey, Clonakilty Blackpudding Co., Veronica
Murphy, the Discovery Partnership and Harriet Cotter, Enterprise Ireland. Commenting on the event, Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise said “Networking for any entrepreneur is invaluable and has a positive impact on the capability of the entrepreneur to drive the business forward.
Our Women in Business (WIB) network is a vibrant and dynamic support to our female entrepreneurs and as a Local Enterprise Office, we are pleased to facilitate this WIB network and help female entrepreneurs to achieve the success they aspire to”.
HE practice of law covers all areas of everyday life and our Courts are busy hearing cases daily of disputes between parties. After many years lobbying the Mediation Act 2017 has now been brought into law. Under this new Act solicitors are now obliged in advance of issuing any Court Proceedings to advise their client that mediation should be considered as a means of attempting to resolve the dispute. Mediation is a voluntary process where an independent Mediator assists parties in dispute to reach a mutually acceptable resolution. The Mediator does not decide who is right or wrong but assists the parties in arriving at a mutually agreeable solution. Because Mediation is not an adversarial process it is often the case that parties may resume a positive relationship after mediation than is often the case following litigation. The enactment of the Mediation Act 2017 is a clear attempt by our legislators and the long standing advocates of mediation to give parties in dispute an alternative method of resolution, which will help relieve the pressure on currently busy courts. Why should you mediate instead of litigate?
The process is relatively inexpensive and can avoid costly Court expenses. l The parties can decide the agenda for each mediation session and avoid the delays of waiting for Court dates. l The parties maintain dignity and privacy in a private settlement. l Mediation is entirely confidential and if unsuccessful neither party is entitled to advise the Court of what went on in mediation.
NETWORKING: Pictured L-R Davnet Dwyer, L3M, Laura Murillo, LEEUWENHOEK Health Screening, Grace Gallagher, Conor Kenny and Associates and Laura Jane Allis, Breakthrough Dance Company Ennis. Photo by Arthur Ellis
GUEST SPEAKER: Pictured speaking at the conference is Veronica Murphy, The Discovery Partnership. Photo by Arthur Ellis
Mediation has a high success rate and unlike litigation is a fast process. It can be held over the course of a day or over the course of a number of sessions, all of which will be agreed in advance between the parties and the Mediator. Under the new legislation, a mediation settlement is generally enforceable as a legal contract between the parties. It is important to state that where an opinion is expressed in any of these articles, it is the personal opinion of the author only and not of my firm or the paper. l For further information, contact Mary Cashin of Cashin & Associates Solicitors, 3 Francis Street, Ennis, Co. Clare. Tel: 065 6840060. Email: mpc@cashinlaw.com
CREATIVE FOLK: L-R Justyna Przikling and Malgorzata Zaki of Party Creations Ennis. Photo by Arthur Ellis
ENTERPRISING BUNCH: Pictured L-R Vera Leynor, Ballylanders Co Limerick, Susan Connolly, Limerick, Mandy Davis, Meelick Co Clare, Doreen Drennan, Lisdoonvarna Co Clare and Bernie Carroll, Bruree Co Limerick. Photo by Arthur Ellis
Ceara Barry
Functional Naturopathic Clinic CEARA Barry trained and graduated as a Registered General Nurse from the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in 1996. Ceara has over 20 years experience as a Staff Nurse , Senior Staff Nurse and Clinical Nurse Manager. After qualifying Ceara spent many years working in the Mater Hospital in a busy, high pressure acute Cardiology and Coronary Unit. Ceara specialises in BPro and Cardiovascular Screening . The BPro heart screening is a non-invasive and completely pain free test . It measures the health of
Aillwee Caves & Birds Of Prey Centre
3,000
Crème Egg Hunt
EASTER SUNDAY 1st APRIL 2018
Tina Robinson Design 086 8674320
Find the Hidden GOLDEN EGG
ENTERTAINMENT
Arrive at 1pm on site and Get Ready! Get Set! Get Hunting! Listen for the Bugle at 1.30pm to start Egg Hunting Face painting during the day Find the “GOLDEN EGG” where could it be this year! Bring along your “Easter Bonnet” and enter it in the competition to win a prize Fancy Dress competition “Easter Theme”, and take part in the Parade with the Easter Bunny FUN TRAP - party Games for the Grown-Ups and Children throughout the afternoon Enjoy the Flying Displays at the Birds of Prey Centre throughout the afternoon From 4.30pm Prize Giving by our Easter Bunny for the Golden Egg & all the competitions Our D.J. will be here to entertain everyone all afternoon
THIS EVENT IS FOR ALL THE FAMILY, SPECIAL TODDLERS HUNTING AREA FOR UNDER 4 YEAR OLDS.
All children must have parental supervision at all times. Tickets available at the gate on the day:- Adults €7.00 each & Children €7.00 each Tickets can be purchased in advance on line:
www.aillweecave.ie
*Normal cave tour admissions will apply on the day.
Aillwee Cave, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare. Tel 065-7077036
Aillwee_easterA4_2018.indd 1
Ceara believes that this Screening is one of the fundamentals to maintaining a healthy Heart along with recommending to people to manage blood pressure, improve diet, stop smoking , control cholesterol and blood sugars, get active and lose weight. Ceara is passionate about promoting better health and intends to continue her education and work with a Postgrad in Health Promotion approaches to Cardiovascular Health and Diabetes Prevention.
Nuala Mulqueeney B.A H.Dip (Business & Tourism)
The Aillwee
Lots of fun and games for all the family on the day 3,000 Cadbury’s crème eggs hidden with care around the grounds
the Heart, flexibility of the Arteries , Blood Pressure and Central Aortic Systolic Pressure (CASP) giving an overall Heart Health result. The device will also detect an irregular heart beat which many people develop through their lives and may be completely unaware of it. The test can detect early warning signs of a pending stroke or heart attack, as the device also measures stiffness in the arteries.We also offer Arteriograph screening.
21/02/2018 15:35
NUALA Mulqueeney is a second generation director of Aillwee Cave and Birds of Prey Centre, a family run visitor attraction, that has been welcoming and educating visitors to and about The Burren, for 42 years, the last 20 of them being open all year round. Aillwee Cave and Birds of Prey Centre were awarded ‘Best Tourism Experience’ in the most recent FBD Ennis Chamber Awards for 2017/2018 and are also the current ‘Family Venue of the Year’ 2017/2018 awarded by the Irish Hospitality Awards Born and bred in Kilfenora, North Clare, Nuala feels very privileged, as the business has allowed her family to settle and live in the region. At work, along with a great team, Nuala is responsible for ensuring Aillwees’ visitor numbers remain at a level that sustains the 85 full time equivalent jobs it provides in The Burren. Over three generations, Aillwee Cave has been sympathetically developed three times to the now 800 meter, 35 minute fully guided underground tour. Aillwee is home to the award-winning Burren Gold Cheese at The Farm Shop, which has been produced there for over 35 years.
The Birds of Prey Centre at Aillwee, opened in 2008, is now home to one of the largest collections of Birds of Prey in the country. Even Santa himself has been meeting with families in his Underground Workshop at Aillwee for the last 18 years. Aillwee Cave and Birds of Prey Centre is a Geosite within The UNESCO Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark and a member of The Burren Ecotourism Network, on the Board of which Nuala currently sits as joint secretary and PRO. At home Nuala’s interests include community development projects, singing in the local choir and being a glorified taxi driver to her two daughters, Emma (16) and Joanna (11) around the county and beyond!
Catriona Considine
Moher Cottage CAITRIONA Considine, along with her husband Kevin, transformed a shed and pigsty into the blossoming new Moher Café and craft shop, complete with an outdoor terrace. Here visitors can enjoy the finest barista coffee and Caitriona’s own artisan Cliffs of Moher Fudge at their viewing terrace with spectacular vistas of Liscannor Bay. The new business was established on the family farm at St Brigid’s Well, near the Cliffs of Moher.The farm is home to 30 Simmental and Charolais suckler cows, not to mention the stunning views along the Wild Atlantic Way. Raised in Galway city, one would be forgiven for thinking that Caitriona had never set foot on a farm as a kid. That wasn’t the case though, as she spent a lot of time on her uncle’s farm just outside Ennis growing up. Caitriona studied Engineering, completed an MBA and worked in wind energy and IT before embarking on her new venture. She often commuted from St Brigid’s Well to Galway and even as far as Kildare over the years. Caitriona decided she wanted to do something with the shed that was sitting idle and she credits Kevin with the idea to convert it into a café and craft shop. As the shed was made from famous Liscannor stone, it was too precious to tear it down. Caitriona was accepted in to the Acorns programme. Acorns stands for Accelerating the Creation of Rural Nascent Start-ups and helps early stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland.
Julie Moore-Neylon BSc (Hons) Optometry
Wild Atlantic Opticians OPTOMETRIST Julie Moore-Neylon set up Wild Atlantic Opticians in Kilrush in September 2016, after deciding that she wanted a better work-life balance for her family. Julie comes from a medical background as her father, sister, brother and uncle are doctors. Another sister is a pharmacist. After doing work experience in an opticians, Julie fell for the optical world and decided to pursue a career in optometry. Julie went to Cardiff University in 2000 to train as an optometrist and completed her pre-reg year in Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital. She worked in practices in the UK for a number of years and returned to Dublin to work for a multinational practice in 2007, before transferring to her home county of Galway to manage a city centre opticians. “I came to a bit of a crossroads professionally a few years ago and said if I don’t make the jump now, I might end up regretting it if I don’t try it,” Julie said. “So far, moving to West Clare and setting up this business has been one of the best decisions I have made. It’s challenging, like every small business, but it’s worth it in terms of quality of life.” Julie is passionate about providing excellent patient care. As a qualified optometrist with 15 years’ experience, her focus is first and foremost on the health of her patients’ eyes. But she also likes the fashion side of owning an opticians. She follows the latest trends in eyewear and sourcing original and quirky styles of frames. According to Julie, the biggest challenge she faces is trying to balance being
a mum to her two little girls, while trying to grow her business Julie opened the business when her first girl was seven months and with another new addition three months ago, it has been a hectic two years in Kilrush. Luckily she secured a local Optometrist a few weeks before her maternity leave last November. “The juggling act that women in business need to do was always something I had heard about. But living it is a completely different story. I always had huge admiration for ladies who have done it before. I’m very conscious of trying to keep the business going and growing but equally I didn’t want to feel that I had short changed the children,” Julie said. Trying to grow her customer base is also a challenge as many people don’t go for an eye test more than once every two years. Julie pointed out that medical card holders and those paying PRSI can avail of a free eye test every two years and are also entitled to free glasses with their eye test. “There isn’t enough awareness of the importance of getting our eyes screened more regularly as a lot can change in two years. A lot of problems we detect are asymptomatic (not showing symptoms) and there is a misconception that you only come to an optician if you are having trouble with your vision. In Ireland, we often complain of getting nothing back from the government but in fairness, they are giving us all the opportunity to get our eyes screened every couple of years for free along with free glasses, if they are needed.” Julie explained.
Caitriona was accepted on the Acorns 2 programme, under lead entrepreneur Alison Ritchie, MD of Polar Ice, Ireland’s leading manufacturer of dry ice products. Catriona felt that setting up a business on her own would have been quite daunting, so she was glad to be a part of the Acorns programme. The Café and craft shop is also a source of employment in the areas as employs two people on a part time basis. Caitriona’s café has already won some awards, claiming the title of the Best Coffee in Ireland as voted by Today FM listeners. The café was also shortlisted in the creative retail category in Bank of Ireland’s Start Up Awards 2017, one of only two shortlisted in Munster.
Geraldine Hetherton
Power’s Pharmacy GERALDINE Hetherton took over Power’s Pharmacy in Kilmihil over two decades ago. The pharmacy has been in the village since 1957 and has built up a loyal customer base over the years. “The people are good to support and keep the village going and keep the village up. I get great support and people are very kind,” Geraldine said. Geraldine graduated from Trinity College Dublin before moving to Kilmihil, where she still lives. Things have changed since Geraldine started out as a pharmacist, particularly the amount of detail that now goes into prescriptions. However, Geraldine enjoys the challenge of running the pharmacy and providing veterinary care products. “There’s a lot more in service now that you’re required to give people. There’s a lot more detail involved in the work, pharmaceutical care has become much more complex. “There’s a lot more detail in it so we have to keep up our learning and interact much more medically with people as well. So there will be a lot of background work, a lot of accountability,”
Geraldine said. Some would argue that there are many challenges facing women in business in today’s economic environment, but Geraldine believes there is no difference between the genders in her industry. “The main challenge is to stay accurate, to keep your learning up and I don’t think its gender related. If people feel you are trying to do your best for them, gender doesn’t come in to it. “There might be some areas that a man would prefer to go to a man or a woman to a woman, but really if you keep your learning up and you really try to engage somebody, that comes across and that’s what people really want. “When you’re sick you’re vulnerable and you want to be minded, Geraldine added. She has huge admiration for Hilary Devey, an English businesswoman known for her role in Dragon’s Den. Hilary suffered a stroke in 2009 and showed huge personal strength to recover and return to work.
Oonagh Minogue
Classes4Kids.ie OONAGH Minogue spotted a gap in the market last year when she realised that it was difficult and time consuming for parents to organise activities for their kids. She created classes4kids.ie last September and it has really taken off. Her website is a collection of all of the kids’ classes available in a particular area.
Classes4kids.ie currently lists classes in Clare, Cork, Dublin, Galway and Limerick. The site aims to save parents time, stress and hassle from hours of scrolling the internet for information by placing everything at parents’ finger-tips on her one stop site for kids classes, party entertainment, preschools and camps in their area. It is simple, easy to use and par-
www.
C he ck O ut our
EA S T E R C AM P
s ec ti o n fo r a var i ety o f Eas ter C a m p s .
NEW One Stop Website making it easier then ever to find that Dance Class Swim Lesson Yoga Class
& many more activities all placed under the one roof...
ents can have their little ones sorted within five minutes of logging on. “Parents spend a lot of time scrolling the internet and trying to find out where there are things on. This is where I came up with the idea for the website, that everybody could just open up the website and have a look and they didn’t have to be on Facebook,” Oonagh said. Oonagh trained in Montessori and worked for a few years in Dublin before moving to Clare and setting up a Gymboree franchise. Gymboree programs are specially designed to help young children learn and develop as they play. “Gymboree was the best thing for me because I was only working for three hours in the morning while the kids were at school. Now it’s the same with the website. I can work from home with the website and can work around the girls,” Oonagh said. Oonagh believes there are great business opportunities out there for both men and women, as long as they are willing to reach out and grab them. “I think there’s opportunities there for everyone really. It depends on the person themselves whether they be male or female depending on what they want to do with their businesses. “There’s a lot of businesses in around town and Clare that are all run by women and I think there’s a lot more women coming in to business and a lot more in business now than ever before,” Oonagh added.
If you are interested in getting your Classes or Party Business listed with us please contact Oonagh today:
o n 08 6 - 3 540253 | 065-68 373 7 1 e-ma i l : c l as s es 4kids @h otmail.c o m
Patricia Farrell
Wilde Irish Chocolates
Collette Hanley
Clare Tipp Properties I HAVE always had an interest in buildings and houses and even though I worked in a different industry which was tourism related, I found myself admiring Georgian artistry especially but also noting styles of houses, their uniqueness, the manner in which each owner put their own stamp on the exteriors and the like. Any house, from the humble to the magnificent, had my complete interest and attention. I believe what anyone is sincerely drawn to in life, they should seriously consider pursuing either from the start of their career or, like myself, much – much later on! Being the oldest person in the entire Limerick Institute of Technology whilst completing a BSc(Hons) degree was especially daunting and I have the greatest respect for all students ever since. My thanks also goes to the lecturers of L.I.T. for their understanding, patience and excellent work. ClareTipp, to me, is about representing the property owner, enjoying the challenge of serious marketing, the unique “calling” of each property to be presented as a distinct entity in its own right. Each must have a selection of quality colour
AT WILDE Irish Chocolates in Co. Clare are mad about chocolate and they have been up to their elbows in it since 1997. They are in a truly beautiful location on the shores of Lough Derg and Trisha Farrell has definitely cracked the code of making tasty chocolate. Patricia Farrell and her team handmake over 80 different yummy chocolates in their small artisan chocolate factory. Want to see how we make our huge range of chocolate goodies? They have an open plan production area where you can see the chocolates being made and packed, entrance is free and you will be able to taste what’s in production, ask questions, make suggestions and most importantly taste the freshly made choccies. They are always looking for guinea pigs!
Linda Kelleher
Ennis Bridal Boutique Linda Keheller, a Clare woman herself, had always wanted to open her own business. She saw a gap in the market and combined with her eagerness to help people, she opened Ennis Bridal Boutique at 85 O’Connell Street, Ennis in 2014. Linda loves a challenge and if she isn’t helping Brides to choose the dress of their dreams, she is busy visiting Irish and European Design Houses to choose the latest styles in Wedding Dresses, Bridesmaids Dresses, Veils and Wedding Accessories. Linda is thrilled with the success of her Bridal Boutique and to celebrate Women in Business – there is up to 50% off at Ennis Bridal Boutique this Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
photographs and, especially, a definitive description befitting the property. The uniqueness must be emphasised or I am not doing what I love. It also means looking after the purchasers or tenants with respect and factual information so that they, as adults, are in a position to make their decisions clearly and positively. There are three qualified auctioneers here in ClareTipp and we all love our careers passionately. If we had to narrow down the many excellent business people in Ireland, both Gillian Bowler and Nora Casey are, in our opinion, business people to emulate. Clare Tipp Properties Main Street Killaloe Mobile: +353-(0)86-6000388 Telephone: +353-(0)61-376550 Fax: +353-(0)61-376550
Dr Emma Kearney & Tricia Russell Ennis Medical Aesthetics Gort Road, Ennis, Phone : +353 87 607 3849 info@ennismedicalaesthetics.ie
Dr Emma Kearney and Tricia Russell discovered a mutual passion for facial aesthetics when they began working together in General Practice. The pair decided to set up Ennis Medical Aesthetics and have been going strong since September 2017. The company offers the most up to date and top of the range treatments on the market including dermal fillers, anti-wrinkle injections, laser hair removal, laser ND:YAG and IPL treatments, medical grade peels and medical grade skin care ranges. “We felt that there was certainly a need out there for medical grade aesthetic advice and treatment. Over the years, I was seeing quite a few patients in the practice who were getting various medical and cosmetic treatments for acne, rosacea and scarring and pigmentation. There really seemed to only be a limited number of treatments available, and with maybe mixed results,” Dr Emma said. Emma graduated from NUIG in 2005 and spent a number of years working in hospital medicine before
Ennis Medical Aesthetics
training as a GP. She took on the challenge of starting a new business with three small kids in tow, as well as moving into a new home. “I’m sure plenty of people thought that I was crazy to put on extra pressure but I suppose it was a case of there was never going to be a right time. I would have to give huge credit to Trisha though. “There were days after our last baby arrived when I was sleep deprived, and we were preparing to open the clinic when she really drove things on. That’s why it was great to have a partner in the business,” Dr Emma added. Tricia Russell qualified as a nurse in 1991, completing her training at the Bon Secours Hospital in Cork. After she qualified, she worked and travelled all the way from London to Australia. She was also one of the first nurses to run and manage one of the first laser clinics in Dublin. “I was never a businesswoman up to a year ago, always an employee. It’s exciting, it’s challenging. I love it. “Because of the industry that we’re in, it’s constant-
ly moving, constantly upskilling, constantly retraining. There are changes every day of the week. It’s never boring. It’s always rewarding,” Tricia said. Tricia and Emma are determined to drive their business forward and bring the best service possible to the people of Clare. “We are the only full time aesthetic clinic in Co. Clare and have become well established and trusted in our area of expertise. The industry is challenging and always changing and we are determined to stay ahead with continuous upskilling and training,” Tricia added.
Vittorina Sampaolo
Numero Uno Pizzeria Maria Carmody
Carmody Shoes
Maria Carmody believes that customers are the best teachers when it comes to learning about her business. Her background is in running a college and she took a couple of years out to take over the shoe shop when her husband passed away. “Your customer is key and you have to listen to them. They want comfort but they want fashionable comfort as well and a something that’s a bit more funky and affordable,” Maria said. Carmody’s Shoes are only the second shop in Ireland to carry Catwalk, a European brand known for its comfort, stylish creations and affordability. Other popular brands include Perlato, a Portuguese brand that is reckoned to be the most flexible leather shoe in the world, as well as Romika, Emu and Fly London. Carmody’s also carry Caprice, which have the added advantage of a removal insole for feet prone to swelling. Maria said that business is quiet but the shop is holding its own in the market as it has a lot going for it. She has huge admiration for any woman that has a career outside the home. “I admire any woman that’s in business, that is running a home, and that is running a family. I would admire every single woman that gets out and has a career,” Maria added. 5 Nationwide House, Bankplace, Ennis Call (065) 682 1688
VITTORINA Sampaolo opened the first pizza place in Ennis over two decades ago and is one of the best examples of a successfull woman in business in the county. Numero Uno broke the culinary mould back in the 1990s when it arrived in Ennis, as one of the first authentic Italian dining experiences in the county. Numero Uno’s super tasty pizzas and fast food have stood the test of time not only due to their amazing flavour, but also the quality ingredients that go into them. “Everything is made from scratch. All Italian ingredients. All the vegetables are fresh. That’s what we’re known for. We cook our burgers, our fast food everything in front of the customer. “It’s all cooked fresh, there’s nothing reheated. We’ve got quality. Quality is our main thing,” Vittorina said. Though Numero Uno have a loyal customer base, the business is not without its challenges. “There’s so many more rules and regulations than ever before. It’s way harder, more things to do. It’s changed an awful lot since I started,” Vittorina added. 3 Barrack St, Ennis; Phone: (065) 684 1740
Mary Cashin, Sheila Lynch and Marguerite Phillips
Cashin & Associates Solicitors
IN A week when new figures published by the Law Society of Ireland reveal that 52% of practising solicitors are now women, Cashin & Associates are certainly proving that trend. Mary Cashin, Sheila Lynch and Marguerite Phillips, Solicitors comprise Cashin & Associates, Ennis and are proud successors of Georgina Frost of Sixmilebridge who in the early 1900’s, in a time when women were considered “unfit to work as Lawyers”, became the first woman to successfully challenge the prohibition of women to hold public office in Ireland and Great Britain. She took a case to the High Court, then to the Court of Appeal and ultimately to the House of Lords where she succeeded in being appointed Clerk of the Petty Ses-
Marina Clancy
The Good House / Hair Boutique
MARINA Clancy has been working in the hospitality industry for nearly 20 years. She took over The Good House Bar and Restaurant in Inagh in July last year and has completely refurbished it. The Good House is open all year and has a warm, cozy atmosphere with locally sourced food, fresh fish and homemade desserts. “I always aspired to own my own business & in the current climate where it is hard to get finance, I had to save hard over the years. It was a struggle to buy the place but I got there in the end. I felt that the bar & restaurant in Inagh was a good opportunity and I had my eye on it for a while. With the way motorways are, I am lucky to be one of the first stops on the road to
the Cliffs of Moher which means we cater for a lot of tourists. I have a lot experience working within tourism industry in Lahinch over the years so I feel I know what they want. We have plenty of parking, great quality fresh food & people in a hurry can get in & our quickly.” Marina has a qualification in business management and IT, but she reckons her life experience is far more valuable when it comes to running a business. She said being a woman in business has its challenges, but I have great staff which allows me to do a lot of work behind the scenes associated with running a business. “You have to keep everything maintained. It can be hard but it’s very rewarding at the end of the day when you see things working out for
sions for the District of Sixmilebridge and Newmarket on Fergus in 1920. Cashin & Associates Solicitors was established in May 1990, Mary having practised law in Ennis since 1983. The firm grew quickly and is now a three solicitor practice who pride themselves on their integrity, honesty and loyalty to their clients. The aim at Cashin & Associates has always been to give comprehensive professional legal advice in plain English, to represent clients be it by way of pursuing a case through the Courts or, where possible, to settle it in the client’s best interest. Their approach is one of inclusivity, and not making any decisions without consultation of the client. Sheila Lynch Solicitor joined the Firm in 2004 and is an experienced Personal Injury and Family Lawyer. Sheila also practises in Wills and Estate Planning. Marguerite Phillips Solicitor who hails from Newcastle West and qualified in 1991 specialises in Commercial and Residential Conveyancing, Probates, Wills and Taxation. Mary feels extremely fortunate in the quality of staff all of whom specialize in their respective areas of Law and are seriously committed to ensuring a cost effective and quality service for clients. The firm are members of a number of legal bodies including the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland, the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, Resolution U.K. and the Mediators Institute of Ireland.
you,” Marina added. However, she acknowledges that she would not be where she is today if she didn’t have her family behind her. “My family are so supportive and have helped me every step of the way,” Marina said. Not one to sit on her laurels, Marina is always looking for ways to grow her business. “At the moment we are preparing for the 2018 tourist season and looking forward to a busy summer. I know we have made a lot of improvements but we are always looking to improve things further,” she commented. Inagh/Kilnamona is a big parish and the locals are very supportive which is a big help. We have recently set up trad sessions on Friday and run a gamble every Sunday night. We cater for all types of family functions. Marina is also the proprietor of the Hair Boutique in Lahinch, which has been open since 2009.
Mary says “Initially, there was a slow progression of women in law since Georgina Frost took her ‘brave stand’ in 1920. Mary Dorethea Heron was the first woman admitted to the Role of Solicitors in 1923. Access to higher education and, perhaps, the Women’s Movement in the 70s and 80s led to a much higher influx of women into Law. I started my legal studies in the 70’s at a time when it was very difficult to get an apprenticeship and required great determination, particularly as a woman. The numbers of women qualifying in the 90s and ‘00s has increased considerably now culminating in women exceeding men in the legal profession. “I think I can speak for myself and my female colleagues in saying that being a female lawyer as opposed to a male lawyer hasn’t made any great difference to our experience as Solicitors. They say that ‘justice is blind’ and I don’t think that gender makes any great difference before the law. To be a successful lawyer requires hard work, intelligence, empathy and application. What gives me great encouragement is that today’s young solicitors are well educated, well-travelled, confident and ambitious, all of which helps them on their career paths. I am proud to have been part of the early change in the gender balance of lawyers in Ireland and I hope that days such as International Women’s Day will encourage young women and help them to realise that the ‘glass ceiling’ is there to be broken at every level”.
Helen Gallery
Helen Gallery Auctioneers & Valuers HELEN Gallery has been working as an auctioneer in the Clare area for over 30 years and established her own company Helen Gallery Auctioneers and Valuers in 2009. When asked about her motivation to open her own business Helen explained, “The market took a turn in 2007 and there was a lot of changes in the property market and in the firms that were in the business at the time. I saw an opportunity for a small independent firm that gives a personal service where the emphasis was on looking after the client’s individual needs”. Her keen interest in property and experience as a Staff officer in the housing section of the local authority along with the completion of the Property Valuation and Management course in LIT, has now turned her passion into a very successful business. Helen is a chartered surveyor and a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Ireland. The firm is going from strength to strength, so much so that Helen Gallery Auctioneers and Valuers have moved to a larger premises at 68 Parnell Street, Ennis in September last year to
accommodate a growing team. On the topic of gender in the auctioneering business, Helen stated that she believes that gender was not important. She added, “I think having a good work ethic, whether you are male or female, is what’s needed to be successful in business. The work has to be done, just get out there and do it.” Demand for property is currently very strong, keeping Helen and her team, Rita Kitson and Stephen Barry, very busy. “We have sold over seventy modern new houses in Clarecastle for Fitzgibbon Developers as well as a mix of second hand homes across the county in Ennis, Shannon, Lahinch and Ennistymon,” Helen added. Her company features a wide range of properties to suit every budget - the starter home for those looking to get their foot on the property ladder, the dream cottage in a rural location, the site to build your own home and the larger secondhand home for families. There are also some great opportunities from a range of commercial properties in Ennis, Clarecastle and Mullagh. When Helen first opened in 2009 the initial business was in the property rental market and this has remained a strong section with properties available for rent in Ennis, Shannon and Lisseycasey. Why not call in to see Helen, Rita or Stephen in their bright new offices to discuss your property needs “where your property is not just listed”. Helen is available on 086 250 4671.
Maeve Wilson
Fairgreen Stoves & Fireplaces
FAIRGREEN STOVES & Fireplaces Lifford Road, Ennis, Co. Clare.
065 6797 453 Donagh Galvin Maeve Wilson
SHOWROOM | INSTALLATION | SERVICING
WHEN Maeve Galvin was looking for inspiration to establish Fairgreen Stoves, she didn’t have to go far. She comes from a long line of entrepreneurs, including her great grandmother who had her embroidered cloth stocked in Macy’s in New York City and Harrods in London. Her great grandmother started a cottage industry in Donegal and providing employment for women who embroidered cloth. As well as having a shop in Donegal where she sold her wares, there is also a story that Maeve Galvin’s great grandmother used to smuggle embroidered cloth over the border to Northern Ireland. “You always kind of think back. It’s quite inspirational that in my great grandmother’s time she was running a business,” Maeve said. Maeve and her husband Donagh worked for a stove company in Scotland before moving home to Ennis to start their own company. Fairgreen stoves stock solid fuel stoves, free standing stoves, electric stoves and pellet stoves. They also have a range of stunning fireplaces and accessories. Maeve and her crew offer a unique service that they brought home from Scotland. It’s common practise in Ire-
land that customers buy their stove from one company and employ someone else to install it. Fairgreen Stoves are a one stop shop for all of the customers’ needs not only can they buy their stove there, the company will also install it for them. “When people come in to the shop here we try to give them the best advice that we possibly can just to make sure that they are getting the right thing for their needs and my husband goes out and does the survey out at the house,” Maeve said. All of Fairgreen Stoves’ fitters are trained to HETAS standard; this means that the installation that you get will comply with Irish Building Regulations and comply with house insurance requirements. Maeve believes that being successful in business comes down to working hard and facing up to the challenges that come about. “It’s difficult for anybody to be in business. But you just do what you have to do and that’s it. “The Government are making it easier and they’re trying to give you some kind of support and they’re doing a lot of support at the moment which is great so that’s very positive,” Maeve added.
Shirley Gillespie & Emily Ryan
Supermac’s Ennis & Charleville GO INTO Supermac’s in Ennis or Charleville and you will more than likely see franchise owners Shirley Gillespie and Emily Ryan working on the shop floor. Shirley (pictured below taking part in the recent Lahinch 5k) was working in Supermac’s in Dublin when she came to Ennis to cover the All Ireland Final in 1997. She loved Ennis so much, she decided to stay. Shirley has worked in catering from an early age, having moved to London to work as a waitress in the 1980s. She worked her way up to become a manager and moved up the ranks
again to become an area manager. Emily Ryan started out working part time in Supermac’s in Galway while she was in college. Emily holds multiple qualifications and has been working in the industry for over 20 years. She decided that she wants to dedicate her career to running the business in partnership with Shirley. Shirley and Emily took over the Supermac’s in Ennis in 1999 and have had a Supermac’s franchise in Charleville for eight years. Shirley and Emily employ 45 staff, with 28 team members in the Ennis store.
Shirley said the business would not be as successful if it wasn’t for their hardworking staff. “We have been extremely lucky, we have some excellent staff working for us in both shops and we all pull together as a team.” Shirley pointed out that the catering industry has its challenges, but being successful comes down to how you deal with those issues. “We had the downturn which affected everybody and we have been very lucky. It’s not back to what it was, I don’t think it ever will be but as with any challenge that you take on and see in life, as long as you learn from it and just become better from it. “There’s always two ways of approaching any opportunity so it’s a matter of if you go down one road and it doesn’t work, you just have to go down the other.” Shirley is a great admirer of Jo Malone, who has built an empire of luxury candles and fragrances. “I think her story is quite interesting, what she has done with her life and the fact that she has sold on her business and then restarted again.”
100% Fresh Irish Chicken Breast with Red Onion, Lettuce & Chipotle Mayonnaise less than 388 kcals*
F R E S H *Calorie count based on sandwich with Chipotle Mayonnaise. Light Mayonnaise option also available. E&OE. All Rights Reserved. Supermac’s © 2018
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always fresh • never frozen
ENNIS - 065 682 0914 PROUD PARTNER OF RUN CLARE SERIES 2018_0036 Ennis Support Advert - Run Clare Series .indd 1
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Excellence, convenience Upgrading a home, fixing the lawnmower, business supplies or killing time with the kids, Quin Rd Business Park has an answer THE Quin Road Business Park is a onestop destination for all your home and family needs. The easy to reach, easy to park, and easy to browse set-up are among many reasons to visit the Quin Road Business Park - but it’s the quality of business that will make you stay and keep returning as your first port of call. The Quin Road Business Park has gained a reputation as a go-to location for home improvement shopping - and as we’ll discover here, that title is well deserved. But it’s much more than that - so here The Clare Echo takes a look at some of our favourite businesses at the Quin Road Business Park.
BUSINESS / EVENTS Secure Self Storage
A new service to Ennis, secure self storage provides residential storage, commercial storage and document and file storage for businesses. The secure
self storage units are based in the Quin Road Business Park. To enquire about rates call 086 812 5723.
Realprint
Do you need logo design, business stationery or signage, personal printing for weddings, birthdays or any of life’s events? Realprint provides expert printing and design services to businesses and individuals throughout Ennis, the mid-west and nationwide. What they say: “We have the best printing solutions, creating the right impression, at the right price. Printers with 20 years of experience ready to work for you with cutting-edge design and modern printing technology.” Contact: 065 68 44545
HOME IMPROVEMENT / GARDEN HARDWARE US Wholesales
US Wholesales are importers and dis-
tributors of Craftsman, EGO, Weibang, DeWALT and Hitachi. Established in Ennis since 1998, US Wholesales aim to give customer the best quality machinery at the lowest possible price and maintain 100% customer satisfaction. What they say: “With our wealth of knowledge over the years of garden machinery, ride-on mowers and grass care management, we are able to provide professional, helpful advice regarding the choice of machine to suit customer needs. Whichever model you choose the one thing you can be sure of is that you will be delighted with your new ride on mower.” Contact: 087 051 5323
Barry Smyth DIY
Contemporary or traditional kitchens, fitted bedrooms, sliding wardrobes, Barry Smythe DIY has you covered. Barry and the team can boast a personal and creative design service, bespoke manufacturing and high quality installation service.
& choice on the Quin Rd Also agents for leading appliance brands including Neff, Nordmende, LG, Elica, Franke & more. What they say: “We pride ourselves in offering an unique and exceptional service to all our customers in order to give that personal touch to your bedroom or kitchen.” Contact: (065) 682 4323
fer you a great selection of furniture to suit all homes. Whether you want to make your dream wardrobe come true, personalise your home with decorative on-trend accessories, or just pick up high-quality Irish made products from carpets to dining furniture, Classical Décor is well placed to meet your every need with their top class customer service and wide selection of furniture. Contact: (065) 684 1605
FARMING Kerry Agri
Kerry Agribusiness works closely with all its customers and in particular with the 3,250 milk suppliers in the south-west of Ireland. Patrick O’Connor and the team in Ennis look after customers relating to management of all activities relating to farmers, ensuring the efficient production of grass-based, sustainably produced and high-quality milk, thereby making it a source of premium-quality dairy and nutritional products for customers across the globe. Contact: 065 682 0330
FOOD
The Peppermill
There’s always a warm welcome at the Peppermill Restaurant. A firm favourite to the people of Ennis and its surrounding areas, the Peppermill is open from 7am, 7 days a
Banner Carpets
week serving breakfast, soup and sandwiches and delicious hot lunches throughout the day. What they say: “We are recommended by top food guides including Taste of Ireland, and our breakfasts are famous. “Our food is all homemade and with plenty of free parking and a relaxed atmosphere it is the perfect place for a hassle free, satisfy-
ing lunch. Have a look at our sample menus and we look forward to seeing you soon.” Contact: (065) 689 1010
HOME DECORATION Classical Décor
Classical Decor Furniture Showrooms of-
Rory O’Connor, Quin, established Banner Carpets & Flooring in early 2010 with the aim of providing all your flooring needs under one roof. With up to 60 rolls of carpet & vinyl Banner Carpets are confident that you will not find a better range of flooring from which to choose! They also claim to have the largest range of quality laminate flooring in the county, incorporating brand leaders such as QuickStep, Balterio and Kaindl. What they say: “Our mantra is simple.. We aim to perfect your home. We do this by focussing on the three most important aspects of any flooring business. “We do not use sub-contractors when it comes to our fitting. All our fitters have
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 a wealth of experience and, more importantly, skill. We guarantee all our fitting because we have huge confidence in our craftsmen. Contact: 065 6842111
Ennis Home Furniture
furtniture to bedroom mattresses, Hogan Furniture has esquisite pieces to suit all tastes. Excellent quality furniture & friendly knowledgeable staff. (065) 684 3647
HOME ENTERTAINMENT Ennis Electrical
Ennis Home Furniture are an Ennis based furniture company offering a huge range of high quality pieces to our clients. The team has more than 20 years of experience in the furniture industry. From modern to contemporary pieces, Ennis Home Furniture have something to suit all tastes and décor. What they say: “Our showroom has everything from living room furniture, to mattresses and occasional pieces. Call in and see our furniture up close. Our team are more than happy to help you find the right piece. We offer a free delivery service, so you never need to worry about getting your furniture home safely.” 065 6866704
Operating since 1976, Ennis Electrical supply both domestic and commercial customers throughout Ireland. Ennis Electrical operates a trade counter supplying electrical components for use in commercial and domestic electrical installation in addition to its retail counter. What they say: “Our staff are well trained and are very knowledgable in all our products. With branches on Parnell St and Quin Road Business Park, Ennis. Ennis Electrical are part of Expert one of the largest electrical retailers in Ireland. 065 682 9684
Best Price Tiles
This place really needs no introduction – and the Ennis store is located in a beautiful unit …. Selling wide range of toys for boys and girls both indoors and out + nursery department instore! (065) 684 2388
Whether it’s tiles, stoves, fireplaces or flooring, Best Price Tiles has a great range of stock. With a stunning and huge showroom, Best Price Tiles will be one of your first stops for browsing if you’re looking to upgrade your home or if you’re a first-time buyer who wants to put your own stamp on the place. David O’Connor and his team offer great customer service and high quality produce. And they’re also open on Sundays from 2-6pm.(065) 686 5658
Hogan Furniture
Hogan Furniture & Flooring Ltd based in the Quin Road Industrial Estate, specialises in traditional hand-crafted mahogany furniture. From beautifully designed kitchen
FOR THE KIDS Toymaster
Dennis’s Den – Funworld
Dennis’s Den is an Irish owned, family run business. The owner, Patricia Taaffe, was a nurse for ten years before setting up Dennis’s Den in November 1997. Patricia has five children of her own. Patricia has completed courses in Health and Safety, First Aid, Food Hygiene and Marketing. “The safety of all our customers is very important to us.” Open 10 to 6 PM 7 days a week. Contact: 065 682 9648
BestPrice
Doing up the home? Interior design and renovations can be daunting - so we bring you five tips before visiting the Quin Road
l PICTURE PERFECT: Creating the perfect spaces at home and filling them with the right furniture is difficult - so it’s a good idea to be prepared when shopping
THE Quin Road Business Park is the quintessential stop for all your home interior needs - but before diving into splashing out on a beautiful table or luxurious curtains you’ll need to consider what will suit your home. It’s always worth starting out by browsing what’s on offer before returning to the drawing board. Here are five tips well worth following when shopping for your home at the Quin Road Business Park.
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Fail to prepare, prepare to fail: Don’t go hell for leather into ripping your home apart without taking the time to really consider what you want. Sit down with your partner (and kids if you have them) to see what your family really needs from the nest. Do you really need that second sitting room? Is it really a good idea to put the kids’ playroom next to your chill space?
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Ask around: Similarly, it’s always a good idea to get a quote from a few different contractors. Get some recommendations from friends rather than hiring a company you have never heard of. Where possible, go with a local contractor. They need the business and the money will go back in to your local area. Stick with your head rather than
your heart and if an offer seems too good to be true, it definitely is.
Theme it up: For that expensive interior design feel, try to keep a constant theme going throughout your home. Something as simple as a constant colour theme can really add a touch of class to your home. Keep paint muted and add a pop of colour to your soft furnishings. Think ivory walls throughout and dot teal cushions, lamps and blankets in different rooms around your home. Go for quality: It’s all well and good picking up a cheap flat pack cabinet that will do the job for a few years, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that you are better off to invest in something that will stand the test of time. Investing in a few quality pieces will save you money in the long run and they will age a lot better, too.
Ommmmm: Your home should be your haven. A refuge from the outside world where all your daily stresses melt away. So with this in mind, try and create a space in your home where you can totally chill out. Treat yourself to a ginormous bathtub, or why not make yourself a little meditation spot?
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
BUSINESS FEATURE 35
Based in the Quin Road Business Park, Ennis, Classical Decor Furniture Showrooms offer you a great selection of furniture to suit all homes
20% OFF ALL MATTRESSES AND BEDS this Thursday Friday Saturday open 9.30 to 5.30
Contact:
Phone: 065 6841605 Email: info@classicaldecor.ie
Home DIY: have you got the skills We bring you the do’s and don’ts when it comes to tackling the job yourself
THE Quin Road Business Park is the perfect place to start if you’re planning on doing some DIY - whether it’s materials, or just as important, advise from the experts. Here’s our do’s and don’ts for tackling a DIY project. Start small. Change a lightbulb, then DO: move on to hanging a picture. Then you might be ready for painting the kitchen. Before long you will be tiling the bathroom.
DON’T: Tackle something unless you are sure you can do the job. The last thing you want is to have to hire someone to clean up your mess. It will be expensive, not to mention embarrassing. Make sure you have all of the equipDO: ment you need before you start the job. There’s nothing worse than finding out
half way through a task that you have to run to the hardware shop for supplies. DON’T: Touch anything electrical. There’s a reason electricians have to train for years before they are qualified. Messing with wires poses a serious health risk, with a good chance of electrocution or creating a fire hazard.
Clean up after yourself. When workDO: ing on your own home, it’s tempting to leave the mess for another day. But remem-
ber that a professional wouldn’t leave without cleaning up and neither should you. DON’T: Take short cuts. When you are doing a job, it’s tempting to take an ‘ah sure it will be grand’ approach. Trust us, you are better off to do the job properly. Follow the instructions. Whether DO: it’s machinery that you have never used before, or assembling a cot, take your time and make sure you read all the steps. And no, there are no spare parts!
DON’T: Be afraid to enlist some help. Going the DIY route doesn’t mean that you have to go completely lone wolf. Ask a friend or family member to help out and make sure you return the favour for them some day. Wear protective equipment. It goes DO: without saying, but sometimes it’s necessary to point out the obvious. Protective
eye wear is especially important and make sure you wear a dust mask for any jobs that are well…dusty. DON’T: Forget to enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done. Follow these instructions and make sure you give yourself a pat on the back for Doing It Yourself. l TEAMWORK: Don’t be afraid to enlist some help when tackling a DIY project
BUSINESS FEATURE 37
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
Quin Road Business Park, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland OpenIng Hours: Mon to Fri 8am to 6pm Sat 9am to 5pm
Tel: 065 6844790 Email: sales@uswholesales.ie www.uswholesales.ie
US WHOLESALES HAVE AN EXTENSIVE RANGE OF NEW & USED RIDE-ON, WALK-BEHIND AND BATTERY POWERED LAWNMOWERS, HEDGETRIMMERS, STRIMMERS, CHAINSAWS AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT
Ennis 4x4 Car Sales
CONTACT JUST SOME OF OUR LARGE SELECTION OF USED CARS 2014 Kia Carens 7 Seater, 1.7 Diesel, 13,400 miles 2014 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 Diesel, 73,500 miles 2012 Ford Focus 1.0 Eco Boost, 41,700 miles 2017 Renault Captur Auto, 1.5 Diesel, 4,170 miles 2014 Citroen DS5 2.0 DSport, 25,400 miles
John: 087-2541972 Martin: 087 051 5323 Damien: 086 045 9462 Dermot: 086 811 9061
Call and Visit us in our SPACIOUS STATE OF THE ART PREMISES in Quin Road Business Park
WHAT WE SELL WE SERVICE We are stockists of:
l CLASSY: One of the showrooms at Ennis Expert Electrical
40 years of Expertise...
E
NNIS Electrical has recently celebrated its 40th anniversary of supplying leading electrical goods from its premises on the Quin Road Business Park and at Parnell Street, Ennis. The family-run local stores specialise in a wonderfully wide range of fully modern domestic appliances. Expert staff are specialists in built-in appliances and can guide you through every step of your home fit-out
With large showrooms and specialised kitchen layouts, Ennis Electrical offers you an unrivalled opportunity to visualise your dream home. With expertly-trained staff, they provide knowledgeable advice to all consumers, helping them to make the right choice for their lifestyle and home. They also offer free delivery. The stores are open Monday to Saturday. Phone 065-6829684 or shop online at enniselectrical.com.
Motoring COOL KIA
MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS
ROAD TEST: KIA STINGER GT
W
AY back when, Kia made cheap knock-offs of Japanese and European car, stacked them high and sold them for not much. In fact, Kia’s first European model was actually based on an ancient Mazda 121, rode on white-wall tyres, and was called the Pride. Great it was not. Since then, Kia has come on a long, long way. The Korean car maker has moved on from those bargain-bucket days, with impressive model after impressive model. It all really started in 2006 with the first-generation Ceed hatchback, the car that first told us that Kia could create a car truly competitive with the best from Europe and Japan. That was followed, variously, by the Picanto, Sorento, Sportage, and Rio — all of which garnered critical acclaim, and no small sales. For its next trick, Kia wants to take on not just the likes of Ford, VW, Peugeot, and Toyota, it’s after bigger, grander, set of scalps. How about BMW and Audi? Yes, Kia, that one-time maker of cheap hatchbacks, is now building a proper sports saloon, one with rear-wheel drive and a big, turbocharged V6. Not one for doing things by halves, the Koreans. This is it, and it even has a name that sounds halfway between that of a classic American muscle car, and something from a Marvel comic book. It’s the Stinger. The Stinger is a big car, slightly larger than the BMW 3 Series with which it competes, and it shares a rear-wheel drive platform with Genesis G70, a new luxury sports saloon due shortly from Kia’s sister brand, Hyundai. Style-wise, there’s a certain amount of cues taken from Kia’s relatively humble, front-wheel drive, Optima saloon. The way the back of the roof comes down to meet the rear doors, the shape of the chrome trim, all harks back to the Optima. Around the back, though, the Stinger looks lower, sleeker, and more chiselled than the Optima and that goes double for the front. While the familiar Kia ‘Tiger Grille’ is there, the wide-spaced headlights and broad front wings give it the look of a striking cobra, and there’s more than a little of Porsche about it. The German connection is hardly accidental. The car has, as have all Kias for the past decade, been designed by a team led by Peter Schreyer, a former Audi designer and the man who created the original Audi TT. Schreyer has been instrumental in Kia’s transformation from low-cost car maker to
lLUXURIOUS: Kia Stinger GT is a car that you can really enjoy driving
full mainstream. Can he now move it into the premium sphere? He has some help, in the shape of Albert Biermann. Another German legend of the car industry, if you’ve lusted after a recent BMW M-car, then you’ve appreciated Biermann’s work. He has since transferred from BMW’s performance division to transform the driving experience of both Kia and Hyundai models. His fingerprints are also all over Hyundai’s new hot hatch, the i30 N. The Stinger gets its power from a 3.3-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine. There will be rather more sane engine options arriving shortly, including a 2.2 diesel, but Kia decided that its first sports saloon should be properly sporty. 370hp sporty, with a 0-100km/h time of just 4.9secs. So it’s fast, then. Well, mostly fast. Actually, in spite of the prodigious power of the V6 engine, the Stinger’s chunky kerb weight ensures that it feels brisk, rather than crazy fast. The engine’s power delivery is also surprisingly smooth and linear, without the sudden onrush that you get from some turbo engines. It’s also surprisingly refined, very quiet at a cruise, and actually (rather disappointingly) a bit too quiet and lacking in drama when you rev it out to the redline. A bit more sturm und drang wouldn’t go amiss, here.
There’s nothing wrong with the handling, though. The Stinger has terrific steering. Skip past Comfort and Eco modes and go straight for the Sport setting, which brings much welcome extra weight and feel to the helm. Find an appropriately twisty road, and you’ll find a car that reacts beautifully, sticking well to a chosen cornering line, nipping into the apex of a corner with enthusiasm, and even drifting a little bit at the back if you provoke it. It’s huge fun. It’s also practical. There’s a decent 406-litre boot, plenty of space in the back seats (although headroom is a little tight back there) and a really lovely cabin up front. True, there are a few components that are a bit too cheap and too closely related to ‘lesser’ Kias but the rest looks great (more than a hint of both Audi and Mercedes in here) with lovely seats and a very good infotainment system. Is it a step too far for Kia? Can a Korean firm, once best known for its warranty and its low prices, really compete head-on with BMW? Yes. Yes, it really can. The Stinger is not without fault, but it’s a hugely impressive first go at a sports saloon, a car that you can really enjoy driving, that looks great, and that will likely prove more reliable, long term, than its German rivals. A car to take pride in.
FACTS & FIGURES: Model tested: Kia Stinger GT 3.3 V6T Pricing: €66,895 as tested. Range starts from €53,000 (approx) Engine: 3.3-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol Transmission: eight-speed automatic, rearwheel drive Body style: sports saloon CO2 emissions: 225g/km (Band F, £1,250 per annum) Combined economy: 28.5mpg (9.9 litres/100km) Top speed: 270km/h 0-100km/h: 4.9 seconds Power: 370hp at 6,000rpm Torque: 510Nm at 1,300 -4,500rpm Boot space: 406-litres (seats up), 1,114-litres (seats down) EuroNCAP rating: Five-star; 93 per cent adult, 81 per cent child, 78 per cent pedestrian, 82 per cent safety assist
40 MOTORING
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
Motoring News
New Leaf has longer electric range than most
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ISSAN IRELAND has announced full range pricing for the next generation of the world’s best-selling electric vehicle. With first customer deliveries of the New Leaf starting in March 2018, entry- grade XE models are available from just €26,290 (including €5,000 Government Grant), rising to €32,600 (also including Govt. Grant) for range-topping fully equipped SVE grade versions. The range pricing includes the €5,000 Government Grant which is offered to electric vehicles and excludes dealer delivery charges and metallic paint. XE models start from €26,290; SV from €28,690; there’s a Special Launch Edition for €29,590, then the SV Premium from €29,940 and the top-spec SVE from €32,600. The all-new Nissan Leaf offers a significant update over the previous model with dynamic new styling, advanced technologies – including ProPILOT lane-keeping and active cruise control tech – and a higher capacity battery. On top of these improvements, there’s
a 50 per cent increase in range to 378 kilometres (NEDC) and a 38 per cent increase in power to 150PS compared to the outgoing model. The new Nissan Leaf is very well equipped throughout. All models come with Nissan e-Pedal as a standard feature. When switched on, the e-pedal function allows the driver to start from a standstill, accelerate and brake and even bring the
car to a controlled stop solely by using the throttle pedal. Standard safety features include lane departure warning, intelligent emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, intelligent lane intervention, cross traffic alert, and high-beam assist. The base model also comes with Nissan Intelligent Key and start push button, 6.6 kW on-board charger and 50kW ChaDeMo rapid charge port as standard.
The SV Version boasts NissanConnect EV seven-inch touchscreen telematics system which includes active charging, eco-routing, driving range, and nearby charging stations. Smartphone app integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also available as standard on THE SV. SV Premium adds features such as heated seats, around-view monitor, electric folding door mirrors, auto-dimming rear view mirror, moving object detection and 17-inch alloy wheels, and it includes the option of ProPILOT. The launch edition Leaf grade, which is now sold out, includes the above mentioned SV Premium features, with the addition of ProPILOT function as standard. ProPILOT is a revolutionary driver assistance technology combining steering assist, acceleration and braking that can help the driver in heavy motorway traffic and long commutes. Nissan Ireland has received phenomenal interest in the new Leaf since it’s unveiling in Japan in September, with waiting lists beginning to form across dealerships. First Leaf deliveries to dealerships will take place over the next two weeks.
Renault KADJAR
The Renault Kadjar offer with:
3% APR 3 Years’ Servicing €1,000 Cashback Model shown: KADJAR SIGNATURE NAV ENERGY dCi 110. starting RRP €31,290 (excl. Renault i.d. metallic paint RRP €675). Finance example: KADJAR Exp + TCe 130, RRP €25,490. Deposit €8,779. Term 36 monthly payments of €199. APR 3%. Total cost of credit €1,096 inc doc & completion fee €75 each. Includes €1,000 Cashback offer. Optional final payment €10,502. Includes 3-year service plan. Offer exclusive to Renault Bank. Excess mileage plus excess wear-and-tear charges may apply upon return of vehicle. Offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. Subject to lending criteria. Terms and conditions apply. See Renault.ie [Warning: You will not own these goods until the final payment is made]. Renault Bank is a trading name of RCI Banque Branch Ireland and is authorised and regulated by the French banking authority and supervised by the Central Bank for conduct of business purposes.
HOGAN MOTORS ENNIS Gort Road, Ennis, Co. Clare Tel 065 6821704 www.hoganmotorsennis.ie
Book a test drive
MOTORING 41
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
YEAR 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2015 2015
MAKE
MODEL
VARIANT
Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Toyota Renault Nissan Nissan Nissan
X-Trail Juke Juke Note Note Pulsar Qashqai Qashqai Qashqai Qashqai Juke Juke Note Yaris Capture Micra Qashqai Qashqai
1.6 DSL SVE Full Leather Blue 1.5 DSL XE Grey 1.2 PET SV Silver 1.5 DSL SV Ink Blue 1.2 PET SV White 1.2 PET XE Black 1.5 DSL SV with Safety Grey 1.5 DSL SV with ConnectSilver 1.6 DSL SV with Safety Silver 1.5 DSL SV Premium Silver 1.2 PET SV Ink Blue, White, Red 1.5 DSL SV Grey 1.2 SV Sport White 1.0 Luna Red 1.5 DSL Life Bronze 1.2 PET SV Grey 1.5 DSL SV Grey, Silver 1.2 PET SV with Safety Ink Blue
COLOUR
YEAR 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014
MAKE
MODEL
VARIANT
COLOUR
Nissan Nissan Opel Nissan Toyota Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Mazda Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan
Qashqai Qashqai Astra Micra Auris Juke Note Pulsar X-Trail NV200 Pulsar 3 Qashqai Qashqai Qashqai Note Qashqai
1.5 DSL XE with Safety 1.5 DSL SV with Safety 1.6 CDI Hatchback 1.0 SV 5dr 1.4 DSL SOL Hatchback 1.5 DSL SV High-Spec 1.5 DSL SV Sport 1.5 DSL SV 1.6 DSL SV with Tech Pk 1.5 DSL Van 1.2 SV Automatic 1.5 PET Executive 1.5 DSL SV 1.5 DSL SV with Safety 1.5 DSL XE with Safety 1.2 PET SV 1.5 DSL XE Mag
Pearl White Dark Red Grey Silver, Grey Black Silver Black Dark Red Black Grey Red Red Silver, Bronze Bronze Bronze Silver Red, Silver
YEAR 2014 2014 2014 2014 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011
MAKE
VW Toyota Ford Nissan Hyundai Mazda Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Nissan Toyota Peugeot Mazda Nissan
MODEL
Jetta Rav 4 Focus Juke I40 3 Qashqai Juke Qashqai Qashqai Qashqai +2 Qashqai Juke Auris 3008 3 Qashqai
VARIANT
COLOUR
1.6 DSL T-Line Silver 2.0 DSL Luna 2 WD Gold 1.6 DSL Special Edition Silver, Blue 1.6 PET SV Automatic Black 1.7 DSL CRDI Style Black 1.6 DSL Executive Red 1.5 DSL SV Black, Mag Red 1.6 PET SVE Automatic Black 1.6 PET SV with Connect Black 1.5 DSL XE with Safety Black 1.5 DSL XE Silver 1.6 DSL XE Silver 1.6 PET XE Black 1.4 DSL SOL Hatchback Red 1.6 DSL HDI Sport Grey 1.6 DSL Executive Grey, Black 1.5 DSL SV High-Spec Grey
Property
Beautiful homes all over the County UNLOCK YOUR DREAM
BRIGHT & SPACIOUS 2 CUL DAIRE, LISSYCASEY, CLARE €200,000
T
5 BED
3 BATH
HIS bright, spacious and well proportioned detached 5 bedroom property offers all the conveniences of modern family living. Accommodation includes 2 reception rooms, kitchen, utility, sun lounge, 5 bedrooms (one ensuite), main bathroom and downstairs WC with generous enclosed garden to rear with side access. Conveniently located in the village of Lissycasey fronting onto the Kilrush Road and only a 15 minute drive to Ennis Town Centre. Viewing is strictly by prior appointment with Sole Selling Agents. PSL No. 002295
Contact: Cormac O’Sullivan, DNG O’Sullivan Hurley Tel: 065 - 6840200 Partner Director
Modern & efficient DRUMULLAN, TULLA
T
4 BED
HIS outstanding modern and energy efficient 4-bedroom (2 en-suite) family home located on a landscaped 1.1-acre site is finished to show house standards. The property showcases bright and spacious rooms - main reception, separate formal dining, kitchen/dining/ family area, sun lounge, utility, separate larder room, downstairs cloak room and downstairs wet room with 4 bedrooms to the first floor and 2 rooms to the second floor (concrete floors between the levels).
4 BATH
€350,000
Each room contains its own thermostat to operate underfloor heating. Close to Tulla Town (4.5km) and all its amenities and 17km from Ennis Town Centre. This property is a must view to truly appreciate. Viewing is strictly by prior appointment with Sole Selling Agents. PSL No. 002295 Contact: Cormac O’Sullivan, DNG O’Sullivan Hurley Tel: 065 - 6840200 Partner Director
GREAT LOCATION
1 STATION TERRACE, ENNISTYMON
3 BED
THIS 3 Bedroomed end of terrace property is finished to turn key condition. Within walking distance of all Ennistymon’s amenities and only 5 Km from the resort town of Lahinch. Can be sold to include
2 BATH
€139,000
all contents. Viewing is strictly by prior appointment with Sole Selling Agents. PSL No. 002295 DNG O’Sullivan Hurley Tel: 065 - 6840200
PROPERTY 43
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
74 O'Connell Street, Ennis, Co. Clare Phone: (065) 684 0200
O’SULLIVAN HURLEY
LAND FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION
87.27 Acres (Folio CE22033) Shanaway Road Ennis, Co. Clare Price: AMV €450,000 at The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare Friday March 23rd 12pm
Located on the Shanaway Road, one of Ennis’ premiere residential areas, DNG O’Sullivan Hurley are delighted to offer for auction, circa 87.27 acres with vehicular access onto the Shanaway Road. The lands slope gradually from road level to the Inch River, Ennis is 2km, Shannon 22km. PSL No. 002295 Solicitor: Paul O’Brien, McMahon O’Brien Tynan, Mill House, Henry Street, Limerick 061-315100 Agent: Cormac O’ Sullivan cormac@dngosullivanhurley.com
44 CLASSIFIEDS
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
Classifieds ACUPUNCTURE
COUNSELLING
CONTACT SALES
065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie
GARDENING
DOGGIE DAY CARE CAR REPAIRS JOBS
DIVORCE
CARPENTRY
Place your Classified here Phone 065 671 9021
CLASSIFIEDS 45
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
Classifieds KITCHENS
CONTACT SALES
065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie
TRAVEL
PLUMBING
WORK FROM HOME Excellent home based opportunity for those who want to earn extra income. Work your own hours around day job. Full training provided. CALL 087 290 7702 FOR MORE INFO.
PHOTOGRAPHY PAINTING & DECORATING
Be Seen, Be Heard
PERGOLA RUBBISH REMOVAL
BOB’s RuBBIsh RemOvAl FOR All TYPes OF RemOvAls House, Attic, Garage, Yard Clearance, White Goods, Earth, Rubble, Timber etc.
We will even call for ONE single item. Fully licensed & insured. Receipts Available.
One Call Does It All Call (061) 457 979 or (086) 375 4717 Permit Number WCP-10-05129-05 52-26/1/19
Contact our sales team Ger or Ciara to place an ad 065 671 9021
46 CROSSWORD/HOROSCOPES
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
Your Horoscopes March 8 Gemini
LOVE may just reveal itself when you least expect it, but you have to stop searching for it so frantically first. Instead, think about what it is that you enjoy doing, the people you like having around and what kind of goals you want. You may end up becoming so absorbed in having a life that you forget all about love. This is exactly what the stars are waiting for when they hit you romance.
THE key to long-term achievement is keeping everything on the down low when a certain boss type is going mad with power. While it may be tempting to point out areas in which they could, er, improve things in the workplace (or their own attitude), they won’t take kindly to any suggestions right now, no matter how well-meant. Save any constructive criticism for later, when they’re more in the mood to deal with it.
Cancer
Leo
Virgo
SOMEONE you care about may be acting a little distant, but it’s not you -- it’s them, so don’t take their mood to heart. It’s doubly important that you don’t let their funk put a damper on your high spirits. Motivate yourself to take charge and stir up some action, whether it’s renovating your love life or your home. Perhaps it’s even time to take a look at some ways to climb up the career ladder. Don’t hesitate to dive right in.
SITTING there in limbo? That’s absolutely normal, so stop pressuring yourself and take a break instead. It’s an excellent time to take off on a vacation, even if that means sitting in the park and listening to music while you watch the sunset. (Hey, every little bit counts!) Go ahead and let your mind roam far afield before you try and collect your thoughts. By the evening, you’ll feel revived and ready for action.
LIFE is far from ordinary for you right now. The stars stir up your world and bring lots of unusual and unpredictable influences into your daily routine. This affects everything you do, think or say, so don’t be taken aback if you hear the most surprising things coming out of your mouth. The best thing to do in a situation like this is going with the flow -- and enjoy the motion while you’re at it. You might just learn a (life-changing) thing or two along the way.
Libra
Scorpio
Sagittarius
PINNING your hopes on one prospect? Be careful, or the glitter might wear off, especially the more you burden it with your aspirations. Take a look at its real worth before you consider abandoning it. Dig deep within yourself and feel confident that you’re someone of considerable determination and ingenuity, and you can finesse this opportunity into something invaluable.
9) (5)
Capricorn
Aquarius
Pisces
und in difficult - just lso an ideal
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12 Prisoner is useful and is not wasteful (9) s 16 Information about catalogue showing sparkle (7) 17 Morning exam is quite unethical (6) o 19 Plant poles in Scottish river (5) 22 An Ottoman governor raised some eyebrows (3)
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CROSSWORD ANSWERS N
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2 Allow nettle to grow wild around island (7) 3 Stray in the summer rain (3) 4 Getting thumped, a graduate took off (6) 5 Family gathering is not real (9) 6 In a tree start to sing a song (5) 7 Enriched sand processed to make porcelain (7,5) 8 Havana has rug designed for jazz singer (5,7) 12 Prisoner is useful and is not wasteful (9) 16 Information about catalogue
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river (5) 22 An Ottoman governor raised some eyebrows (3)
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showing sparkle (7) 17 Morning exam is quite unethical (6) 19 Plant poles in Scottish
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1 Don’t forget about one who’s in the club (8) 6 Stuff initially plain as day (3) 9 Moving wine? Right! (5) 10 Rescue brute that’s left inside (7) 11 Recital represented in magazine feature (7) 13 Faint-hearted chap marginally improved (5) 14 Capital city in which girl meets another coming back (6) 15 No drink brought back for monster (6) 18 Family member doesn’t start to let loose (5) 20 She aims to orchestrate Handel’s work (7) 21 Linger round an old royal house (7) 22 Outlaw getting around to stick
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The Clare Echo Crossword
WINCING at the thought of some less-than-stellar behavior on your part and feeling, oh, just a touch defensive? Brush off criticisms -- including your own -- and focus resolutely on the present and future. Flagellating yourself will only lead to a treacherous bog of low self-esteem. Instead, take a look at what you can change for the better, resolve to correct any inappropriate behavior and apologize when necessary. Now move on.
lly 12 Prisoner is useful and is not wasteful (9) ets 16 Information about catalogue showing sparkle (7) 17 Morning exam is quite unethical (6) t to 19 Plant poles in Scottish river (5) 22 An Ottoman governor raised some eyebrows (3)
AN EXTRAORDINARY alliance with a work mentor or office buddy will help you break free of a limiting role on the job, and you’ve never been more grateful to be given the opportunity to spread your wings and fly. While you’re overcome with gratitude, remember that it was your willingness to speak up and take a chance that got the ball rolling. The lesson? Go ahead and dare to be different. It sure beats the alternative.
ick
GET off the fence and be clear when communicating with a group. You’ve been trying too hard for too long to be everything to everybody, and it’s making you crazy -- and not winning you the fans you hoped it would. (Not only that, you’re not feeling too hot about yourself lately, either.) You have only your self-respect to gain by speaking up for what you believe in -- and any losses you might incur, well, the universe promises that it will ultimately be your gain.
YOUR colleagues adore you, and it’s no wonder -- you work extremely hard and don’t think twice about pitching in when someone else needs a hand. Your office practically feels like a second home and your coworkers like a second family. However, it’s still a good idea to remain wary if someone new keeps offering help when you least need it. Play your cards close to your chest.
g
ISN’T it time you, well, grew up? You can pay your bills, buy a house and hold down a job, and still, that’s not really the mark of a truly mature person -- those are just the accessories that we think signify adulthood. The stars are telling you that it’s time to take responsibility for your actions and be accountable for the consequences that follow.
1/1
cult - just an ideal
THERE’S nothing quite so satisfying as a job well done. Remind yourself of that if your enthusiasm starts to wane in the face of what seems like a mountain of details all clamoring for your attention. Why not hand some of those tasks over to a trustworthy associate? Tell them the results you need and the timeline you’re on. Just remember that once you do, it’s strictly hands-off.
Taurus
Aries
QUIZ 47
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
The Clare Echo Quiz BREADAGEDDON
Where is this? Credit: Eoin O’Hais this? Credit: Randaddy’s 8 gan 5Where Lahinch, Doughmore, Kilkee Holy Island, Mutton Island, Scattery Island
Where is this? Credit: Gene Clo3 hessy Kilkee, Loop Head, Lahinch Where is this? Credit: Michael 1Killaloe, Sharkey Mountshannon, Scariff
Where are these cool guys hangis this? Credit: Eoin O’Hagan 6 ing out? Credit: Eoin O’Hagan 9Where Tuamgraney, Corofin, Kilmaley Kilkee, Killaloe, Ennistymon
Where 7 is this? Credit:
ANSWERS
Where is this? Credit: John Man4 gan Photography Ennis, Kilrush, Shannon
And finally, where is this? 10 Aldi, Ennis, Dunnes, Ennis or Tesco, Ennis
1. Killaloe 2. Kilrush 3. Kilkee 4. Ennis 5. Lahinch 6. Killaloe 7. Ennis 8. Holy Island 9. Tuamgraney 10. Dunnes, Ennis
Where is this? Credit: Niamh 2 Whelan Kilkee, Kilrush, Lisdoonvarna
Padraig Moc Ambrois Scariff, Ennistymon, Ennis
OLD IMAGES OF COUNTY CLARE
Paddy Reynolds from Kilfenora. Ennistymon fair, County Clare Ireland, 1954 by US photographer Dorothea Lange
48 ADVERTISEMENT
THURSDAY, MAR 8 2018
The Auburn Lodge Hotel & Leisure Centre, Galway Road, Ennis, Co Clare. Ireland Tel: +353 65 6821247 | E: info@auburnlodge.com
Create beautiful memories at The Auburn Lodge Fantastic Value offers from just €36.95 pp including Wine & Evening Buffet for all your guests