Month: May 2007

MONEY raised by the west Clare Mini-Marathon was recently distrib- uted to grateful charities including €25,000 to the Regina House Pallia- tive Care Unit at a recent ceremony.

Friends of Regina House, a newly formed group, was presented with the cheque in Keane’s in Carrigaholt at the end of April while other local cancer causes also benefitted from the €160,000 raised by the annual event.

Friends of Ennistymon Hospital received €25,000 while other funds will pay for cancer patients travel- ling for treatment, pilgrimage trips for patients, palliative aids for home

use, professional counselling for pa- tients and their families, the Night Nurse service and the national Life- line Ambulance Service.

This year over 700 participants braved the January cold to contest the race and parish priest Father Donagh O’Meara said that the event was invaluable to cancer sufferers and their loved ones.

“Cancer care 1s a fantastic cause because so many people are suffer- ing. This money means that patients from west Clare can stay in west GET eweleetomnder- bem om selon (onteademcomnsle hospital in Ennis or Limerick or to Milford Hospice. It 1s a great thing to have facilities locally so people can benefit and have visitors,’ he said.

Fr O’Meara added that the mini- marathon meant that funds will go towards getting an extra palliative care bed each for Regina House and Ennistymon Hospital, boosting the number of beds to three in both je eNerene

All of the money, over €1 million over nine years, stays in the area and is distributed between organisations and local individuals.

The idea for the event, held on the last Sunday in January, originally came from Willie and Mary Mc- Grath.

The McGraths are now on the trus- tees committee which distributes the mini-marathon proceeds with Fr O’Meara as vice-chairman and other

local people including Michael No- ete

“It all started with the McGraths because they wanted to do something for cancer patients in the area and it has just grown and grown since then. It is our major fundraiser of the year while different community groups do smaller things. It is always a won- derful day and to get that amount of money in one go is fantastic. Local people are brilliant,” Fr O’Meara said.

The next Kilkee parish fundraiser will be on May 26 with a Greyhound Night in Limerick to raise money for an astroturf pitch and playground.

IS it just me or is it starting to get crowded in here? Greek officials were in Clare last week to dot the I’s and cross the T’s for the twinning of the town with Shimatari in Greece.

Ennistymon is already twinned with the Pozzo Leone in Italy and this second twinning, or ‘tripleting’, takes place as a result of the Italians’ relationship with Shimatari as well as through the work of Clare County Council, Clare Tourism Council and Project Ennistymon.

A group from Shimatari, including the town’s mayor Evagelos Georgiou

with his wife Stella, were in Clare this week visiting the sites and get- ting to know the local people. Aside from Ennistymon, the group also visited the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren as well as parts of west and east Clare.

“Twinning encourages co-opera- tion between these old cultures. It also encourages people to visit areas of the world that they would not have known about otherwise,” said Mayor of Clare, Flan Garvey.

“Another big part of the programme is to encourage students to take part in the exchanges and visit other coun- tries. Twinning here in Clare has al-

ways had a good track record and we have always succeeded through our schools.”

Shimatari is a seaside town some 60 miles south of Athens, with a popu- lation of 8,500 people. The twinning could lead to more visits and ex- changes between the two towns.

A group of schoolchildren from Shimatari have already visited En- nistymon and the Vocational School is looking at making the return jour- ney in the future.

A delegation from Ennistymon will travel to Shimatari later this year, Where the final formal declaration will be signed.

‘It also makes people aware of plac- es that they never would have heard of before. It helps tourism grow and develop back and forth. It’s a great opportunity for us to show off what we have to offer,” continued Flan.

“It is of great benefit to the local tourism economy. When these peo- ple visit here, they spend money on food, drink and accommodation. It is an ongoing thing and something that will continue to grow as the years go on.

“Signing up to the twinning just copperfastens the programme and ensures that it will continue long into som RU IRUD Rome

CHILDREN, teachers and parents connected with Mol an Ojige, En- nistymon’s new Steiner School, gath- ered in Lahinch on Friday in an at- tempt to spell out exactly what they need from the Department of Educa- nee

Some 7/0 people helped form a giant human chain on the sand of Lahinch beach spelling out the letters SOS, Support Our School.

The school, which is located be- side Data Display in Ennistymon, has been attempting to gain official recognition from the Department of Education for the past two years.

“All of the children and the parents, teachers and friends of the school gathered on the strand at Lahinch beach to form a human chain spell- ing out SOS, support our school,’ said Roisin Ni Ghairbhith.

“We feel that now is a critical time

for our school. We received a posi- tive recommendation and approval from the New Schools Advisory Committee. Minister Hanafin then said that under the circumstances she would allow more time to get a new patron for the school and so we did. We received the new school advisory committee’s seal of approval two weeks ago So now we are waiting for approval of our new Patron to secure recognition from the Department of Education.”

Mol an Oige succeeded in obtain- ing a new patron in the last couple of weeks. Lifeways Ireland have agreed to act as patron for the school following indications from the New School Advisory Committee that the VEC would not be suitable patrons. Lifeways Ireland is a Clare-based pre-school and education specialist. The registered charity and Limited Company contains a wealth of edu- cational experience including lectur-

ers from Mary Immaculate College in Limerick and a number of primary – and second-level teachers.

“We want politicians to raise our school as an issue in the run up to the election. We want people to support the school by raising it as an issue When politicians call to the door- steps. We need and deserve to get departmental recognition this year,” continued Roisin.

“Department recognition would be a huge help for the school. We would get state funding to help pay the staff, we would be able to apply for grants, we would not have to raise all the money for the running of the school by ourselves and most important we would not have to charge any fees, nominal and all as the existing ones are. Every school has to raise money but it would be a huge benefit to get some help from the department. We have always wanted our children to attend a recognised school within the

Department of Education. That was always our aim.

“We have done absolutely every- thing that has been asked of us. We are really hopeful that we will get recognition from the department sooner rather than later.”

Sharon Shannon will appear in a fundraising concert for Mol an Oige on June 7 at the Falls Hotel in En- nistymon. Tickets, at a cost of €25, are available form the Falls Hotel, Daly’s Bar and Unglerts Bakery in Ennistymon, the Celtic T-shirt shop in Lahinch, Custy’s music shop and Record Rack in Ennis.

All proceeds go to the school.

THE Burren is proving to be a happy home for the most unusual of resi- dents. Not native to Ireland, and ex- tremely rare in most of the country, the Slow Worm, or Anguis Fraglis, has taken up residence in the lime- stone and rock of the Eastern Burren.

Despite its name and appearance, the Slow Worm is neither snake nor worm. It is, in fact, a legless lizard and was introduced to Ireland some- DUOC DOM UNM ER MOONRETA YA

One such lizard was discovered by a group of locals last week and brought to fascinate the children of Carron National School before being

released into the wild.

“IT was walking down the road with a cow when | came upon the Slow Worm. They like to lie out on the rocks and on the stones and soak up the sun. This is possibly why he was lying out on the road, he was soak- ing up the sun,” said local man Wil- lie O’Reilly who found the unusual reptile.

“We came across another one a couple of years ago in and around the same area. They are not natural to Ireland but were introduced from abroad at some stage in the past. For some reason, they seem to like the area around the east of the Burren.

The Slow Worm is native to main-

land Europe and is usually found in grassy areas and woodlands. It is unknown how the lizards came to Ireland and why they have a strange fascination with the Burren.

“If they get caught by a bird, they can let off their tail and escape. The bird can still feel the tail in their mouth so they don’t come after the Slow Worm. Their tail can then grow back. This one had more of a stump rather than a tail so it looks like he had to shed his tail recently enough,’ continued Willie.

The Slow Worm, discovered in the Burren, was just eight inches long but they can grow to as long as 18 inches. After being given a tour of

Carron National School, the lizard was released back into the wild in a townland know as Glencolumbkille, beside where he was discovered.

Although they are often mistaken for snakes, these Slow Worms have small eyes with eyelids that blink and a notched tongue rather than a forked tongue.

A fully-grown adult can live to about 30 years in the wild and up to 54 years in captivity.

AN exhibition of vibrant paintings by Irish artist, John Hughes will be on exhibition at the Ennis Art Gal- OMAN Woe ©

Born in 1973 in Kildare Town, John left Ireland 10 years ago to live in Spain. The move had a major im- pact on his art.

John explains, “My palette changed from greens, blues and tones of grey to encompass the rich reds, yellows and purples of Spain.”

SERMON Str molBeCnNmPNNELeCo eer! by El Bosch, Breugel, El Greco, Van

De Weyden and Goya.

“My experience of life and constant gallery visits have served to mould me. I enjoy painting nature and peo- ple. Although I feel I’ve taken notes from so many artists that I could eas- ily fill the page with their names.

“T went to Stillorgan art founda- tion course for one year and that was great in that I met other people but I always knew that I wanted to paint. I know what I want so I wasn’t at- tracted any further down that road.”

John continues, “I loved how the tree trunks become stills or support- ing struts in the paintings, they help

to contain blocks of colour and lend a certain order and security to the works. I enjoy the bursts of colour and flares of colour that Spain has to offer, they seem so unreal.”

Up to 50 works or art will be on public display in the Ennis Art Gal- lery with prices ranging from €300 to €4,000. The Ennis Art Gallery is situated in the centre of Ennis and exhibits quality contemporary Irish art by established and emerging art- ists.

The gallery is on two floors-the eround floor exhibits work from var- ious Irish artists and the first floor

holds a mix of solo and group shows throughout the year.

Artists currently exhibiting in the gallery include Brian Ballard, John Brobbel, Gerard Casey, Sean Cotter, Clare Cryan, Jack Donovan, Lesley Fennell, Michael Gemmell, Trevor Geoghegan, Carol Hodder, Amy Hoedemakers, Patricia Jorgensen, Gavin Lavelle, Paddy Lennon, Bob Lynn, John Morris, John Nolan, Sen- an O’Brien, Yanny Petters, JP Roon- ey, Annie Robinson, Rose Stapleton, Ger Sweeney, Carol Ann Waldron, Manus Walsh and Kenneth Webb.

CLARE’S Dail hopefuls are to be evaluated in report cards to be pub- lished two days before the general election.

Residents of Riverview will release findings of their own opinion poll on May 22. The report cards will judge candidates commitment to the two year campaign waged by residents against the siting of a mast at an ESB substation in Cahercalla More.

Residents are currently engaged in a costly high profile legal battle with the ESB. They are seeking a judicial review of An Bord Pleandala’s deci- sion to grant planning permission to the ESB.

The case was due before the courts in March but is not expected to be heard for at least three months.

Residents are unhappy that the pro- posed site is located near the the Eire Og playing grounds and a number of residential areas as well as St Flan- nan’s College.

A spokesperson for the residents said, “over the past two years we have found ourselves in a battle for our democratic rights. One always assumes that the democratic process will protect you if you abide by it. To be told by a government agency that you and your families are to be sac- rificial lambs for your Governments plan in the national interest is simply intolerable.”

The residents admit scoring for each candidate is subjective, but in- sist it needs to be published. They hope the report card will influence the deicisions of voters on polling day.

The spokesperson continued, “The last two years have been very inform- ative for us, when this issue came to light the reaction of our elected rep- resentatives varied greatly. Some of them we never heard from and two years later still have not.

“Others have campaigned tirelessly at the highest level for two years and have publicly acknowledged that in- justice was happening, and others paid us lip service, had the obligato- ry letter sent from their constituency

office and at the same time more or less told us, tough, someone has to suffer, this is good for the economy. “It was very apparent to us that there are three types of politician. The first one just wants to get elected and won’t come near us again for five years, the second type is the public representative who will genuinely try to represent their constituents to ensure that justice applies to all, and the third is the one who feels that they are our political master, and are there to govern us, not represent us. “Many people voting in this elec- tion will, over the term of the next government, find themselves in need of political assistance. We hope that this will act as a guide for them.”

THE Baha’ faith in Shannon is con- tinuing to grow and this was recog- nised in a major conference which NFR K See NO AYA Oo (O DOM BOoM COWIE

More than 50 participants visited Shannon for the conference, which was a reflection of the increasing popularity of this faith in the area.

A local assembly was initially set up in the town 15 years ago and the inter- est continues to grow. Its membership represents people of varying ages.

Membership of the group comes about through word of mouth, as ad- vertising is not allowed. One of the

main rules is that alcohol is not al- lowed to Baha’1 members. Members must also abide by a fast between the hours of sunrise and sunset, during 19 days in March.

Member of the group in Shannon, Patricia Fallon-Barry said the meet- ing point for Baha’1 members is in peoples’ homes, rather than a church. A group consists of at least nine mem- bers, over the age of 21.

‘We meet 1n each other’s homes and there is a feast every 19 days. We dis- cuss community and social aspects at the local assembly meetings. We have no clergy. Everybody is expected to do everything,” she said.

‘“Baha’l is a new religion, just 150 years old. It is centred around the be- lief that all of the religions are one, with one God,” she said.

Ms Fallon-Barry has been a mem- ber of the Baha’1 group for several years.

SoM orl BLA 0Oe powering and great for “‘self-develop- jneto ela

‘“Baha’l was founded by Bahaullah in Iran in 1844. He would claim to have fulfilment of all previous mes- sengers, she said.

Along with being involved with the Shannon group, she also helps to or- ganise childrens’ classes and study

circles in Ennis.

“We cannot advertise. It is through word of mouth. One of the basic prin- cipals is independent investigation of truth,” she said.

“IT became Baha’i when I was 18 and living in Athlone. It was a public meeting. I read a book and | haven’t looked back since. I can’t imagine be- ing without it,” she added.

‘Worldwide, more and more people are interested in this. It is one thing to become committed to your own religion. It is another to join another religion,’ she said.

“The study circles are a very good educational thing,’ she said.

RESIDENTS in Shannon are be- ing asked to get involved in a major clean-up of the town.

The local Tidy Towns committee has just put together a plan for the year and is optimistic that everybody will play a role in keeping the town Ore

Its members are particularly ap- pealing for people to take control of the litter problem, which has cost the town vital points in the national Tidy Towns competition in recent years.

Adjudication for the Tidy Towns competition will take place twice during the summer and hopes are high that Shannon will improve on last year’s success.

Chairperson of the Tidy Towns committee Tess Barry said every person in the town has an important role to play.

“We are asking the residents to clean their own areas. The residents associations are wonderful and they get behind the Tidy Towns. Every- body has a role to play,” she said.

‘However, we have a big litter problem. We are trying to address it at the moment. We are very wor- ried about the cans and bottles being thrown around the park areas. Peo- ple are littering indiscriminately. It is quite bad. If people would just put them into bags and pick them up, we would be delighted with that,” she Cr HTOR

She said that the committee is de-

lighted to hear that additional money has been made available for the up- keep of footpaths, along with the provision of lighting in the town, this year.

The imminent opening of the re- cycling plant – in Smithstown – this summer is also being welcomed.

“The residents are eagerly await- ing this. Hopefully we will have the sculpture at the town centre rounda- bout shortly. It will compliment the area,’ said Ms Barry.

Shannon Town Council has in- creased the resources for cleaning the town. Under a FAS scheme, a cleaner was available for 15 hours last year and this has been doubled to 30 hours this year.

“She is doing a wonderful job,”

said Ms Barry.

Staff at McDonald’s restaurant also helped out with a clean-up last Neto) ©

Owner of McDonald’s, Kieran Mc- Dermott said he takes every opportu- nity to support the local community.

‘When we were approached by the Tidy Towns committee for support, we were delighted to assist and came up with a novel approach of provid- ing staff and expertise, rather than money. We paid our staff members to assist in the weeding and prepara- tion of flower beds around Shannon. The feedback from the Tidy Towns committee has been so positive that we have decided to expand the initia- tive for 2008 and also to make this an annual event,” said Mr McDermott.

THE artistic imagination of 11 young children in Shannon has been recognised by the local Duchas na Sionna branch.

The group organised an art com- petition for primary schools, in con- junction with Seachtain na Gaeilge. 11 of the entrants were lucky to be chosen as the winners and were pre- sented with €20 book tokens, at a function at the Sean Lemass library in Shannon last week.

The theme of the competition was ‘logainmneacha’, (placenames) and the children were given the oppor-

tunity to describe their view of this topic, in art-form.

Greg Duff, who is involved with Duchas na Sionna, said the subject was particularly suitable in Shan- LO) eF

“Shannon would be unique, with the placenames. All of the new pla- cenames are up around Shannon, as Gaeilge. There would be a link to some history going back and we are trying to get the children to go back in history,” said Mr Duff.

Another member of Duchas na Sionna, Labhras O Donnghaile said the Irish language was the main idea behind the decision to run the

competition.

“It was all to do with the language and seanfhocail. The standard was excellent,” said Mr O Donnghaile.

Four schools were represented among the winners. St Tola’s win- ners were Rystis Chihunovas and Eric Mac Mathuna. The Gaelscoil’s winners were Hannah Nic Taidhg and Michelle Nic Amhlai. Ben- jamin O Maolchaithaigh and Lisa Ni Ailpin represented St Senan’s. St Conaire’s had five winners. They were Iskra Marvoka, Prionsias O Maol Dhomhnaigh, Frederika Ve- salenakova, Janella Leedasico and Aichah Ahmed.

Duchas na Sionna was set up a year and a half ago. It is a commu- nity-based local heritage commit- tee, made up of representatives of eroups such as The Shannon Ar- chaeological and Historical Soci- ety, Birdwatch Ireland, The County Clare Biodiversity Group and Club na Sionna, among others.

Since its establishment, members of Duchas na Sionna have carried out a major survey of archaeolog!- cal and historical sites in the area of Shannon town and its environs. This project is continuing and will take some time to bring to full frui- tion.

A FOCAL point for the village of Newmarket-on-Fergus has been erected, in the shape of a piece of sculpture.

Sculptor Michael McTigue was commissioned to assemble a piece of black granite, featuring a statue of a woman – Caitlin of the Weir, who lived in the area in the past – sitting on a wall.

The seven-sided piece, which cost €18,000, represents the seven par- ishes in Newmarket-on-Fergus, with a fountain in the middle. The entire cost of the project is €34,000. It has been made with the name Cora Caitlin, the Irish for Newmarket-on- Fergus, in mind.

Part of the piece of art has been put

in place and the remainder will be in situ by the end of the month. Stand- ing over seven feet tall, it 1s located in the carpark in front of the church.

‘This has been in the pipeline for the best part of a year. When com- pleted, it will feature a fountain and lighting,” said Mr McTigue.

The seven parishes represented in the piece are Kilnasoolagh, Clon- loghan, Bunratty, Fenloe, Kilconry, Drumline and Kilmaleery.

The project was funded by Obair in Newmarket-on-Fergus. Buddy Mc- Mahon, who was involved in the or- ganisation of the project, is delighted with its success.

“The aim was to get a focal point for Newmarket-on-Fergus and to give a little bit of history to the local people. It should be looking good for

the tidy towns,” he said.

Local resident John O’Brien has researched each of the seven areas represented in the sculpture. He has written a short piece of history on each one and his inscriptions will be cut into stone.

‘The most important of the ancient parishes would be Bunratty. There was a medieval town there in 1200 or 1300, run by the Normans. The Nor- mans introduced a lot of reform and organised the church into a parish system. Bunratty would have been one of the first parishes formed,’ said Mr O’Brien.

He said that Fenloe (Tuaim Fionnloch) would be another of the more important parishes, histori- cally.

‘“Fenloe originated in a monastic

site. Reputedly, it was a big school or college in the 700s/800s. Most of the ruins of Fenloe church collapsed about three months ago,” he said.

He said the exact history of Caitlin is unknown, but various theories have been mentioned locally.

“It is believed she lived in the vi- cinity of a crossing place where two streams flowed through the village, but we don’t know. That is folk his- tory, which has been passed down orally. Common folklore would have placed her in the early Christian times,” added Mr O’Brien.