Month: May 2007

FORGET the general election, it’s the European Union that has been cap- turing the imagination of students in north Clare over the past few weeks.

Mary Immaculate Secondary School in Lisdoonvarna and Scoil Mhuire in Ennistymon have taken part in a number of exciting interna- tional events all centered around Eu- rope Day and the 50th anniversary of the EU.

First came Dublin, and a mock sit- ting of the European Council featur- ing the fifth-year students from Mary Immaculate.

The students, who were the only

ones from Clare chosen to take part, were asked to represent the Europe- an Commission on the day and pre- sented a report on global warming and terrorism.

Thirteen students from Mary Im- maculate were then joined by 12 more from Scoil Mhuire for a Eu- ropean trip to take part in the Euro Schola programme.

The students, along with teach- ers Marian O’Callaghan, Mary O’Flaherty and Helen Cleary, joined 650 students from every corner of Europe who took over the EU Parlia- ment in Strasbourg for a day.

“We found the discussion very good, especially in term of the dif-

ferent languages,’ said Marian O’Callaghan from Mary Immaculate Secondary School in Lisdoonvarna.

‘Each student received a certificate and this was the first time that they were printed in Irish. Later in the af- ternoon, there was a mini quiz with questions in all different languages.

‘The students had to go around and try and communicate with people from other countries to find out what the questions meant.

‘There was an Irish question so we were very much in demand from the 0) ates mi AUCOCo LAS

“Fifth-year student, Daniel Col- lin, then addressed the parliament in Irish, which was a very proud mo-

ment for all of us.”

Ennistymon’s Aisling Geraghty was also given the chance to address the Parliament.

“We went over as acting MEPs for the day. We were broken into dif- ferent groups, discussing different topics. The group I was in was En- vironment, Energy and Transport,’ she said.

“IT was chosen as president of my committee and had to report back to the parliament in the evening. It was scary, but it was a brilliant experience as well. I was asked questions from the house and it was really exciting. It would give you a real insight and wake you up to that sort of career.”

MEP Sean O Neachtain was in En- nistymon on Friday to meet with the staff and students of Scoil Mhuire in Ennistymon. The Galway-based MEP was in town to examine the European Studies projects of some 40 students of the school.

O Neachtain is the latest in a series of MEPs to have visited the school in recent years, with Dana and Brian Crowley also paying a visit.

“At the start of the year, we re- ally didn’t know all that much about European studies or how the EU worked. At first we were introduced into the basics of how the parliament is divided and how there is so much

peace between the counties now,” said Hannah O’Brien, from Lahinch.

‘But we were also introduced to the cultural side of it and were allowed to decide what topic we wanted to take on for ourselves.”

The projects ranged from politi- cal issues such as immigration and economic matters to more cultural topics.

“My topic focused on the develop- ment of film in three countries — France, Italy and Spain,” continued Hannah.

“We were given loads of choice as long as it had some connection with the EU. Some people chose more politically-orientated subjects, like for example the inclusion of Turkey

in the EU. If you were good at mu- sic, you could branch off into that or horse riding, whatever, as long as you looked at the cultures of the different countries.

‘“T looked at the beginnings of film, and how things like religion and war effected them. I also looked at the progression to modern day and how European film is now standing up to big Hollywood films.”

Sean O Neachtain was elected as a MEP for the north and west region in 2004. He currently sits on commit- tees for fisheries, transport and tour- ism and is a substitute on the com- mittee on the budget.

“I guess I wouldn’t have known who Sean Neachtain was this time last

year,’ Hannah continued. “Now we know what he looks like at least. No, we also know a lot more about the work he does and how it all works. We all definitely have a better idea of it now than we had coming into the year. I see how Ireland has benefited so much in term of funding and how the EU has promoted so much over there.”

SHARON Shannon returns to north Clare early next month for a spe- cial once-off concert in support of Ennistymon’s Mol an Oige Steiner school.

The trad legend will play an inti- mate concert at the Falls Hotel and Spa Resort on Thursday, June 7, along with her sister Mary and Jim Murray on guitar.

Renowned in the past for taking on causes such as animal welfare, the Ruan musician has joined the likes of the Frank and Walters in putting on support concerts for the school.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have

Sharon coming up and putting on a concert. It’s areal boost for the school to have someone of her calibre who is willing to get behind it and help,” said Mary Fahy of Mol an Oige.

‘There is a great buzz around about it already, even the young kids are getting excited about it. Tickets are selling out so quickly and we would advise people to get theirs sooner jel elo) mm Oe- DOM Esl Kos ie

Also appearing on the night will be vocalist and guitarist Jack Maher, Eoin O’Neill, Quentin Cooper, Tara Connaghan and Jon O’Connell from The Walls.

All proceeds from the concert will go directly to the Mol An Oige

primary school, which does not, at present, receive any government funding. The school instead relies heavily on fundraising events and donations to cover the costs of run- ning the school.

‘Numbers are good at the moment. We have 40 children attending which is all that we can accommodate.

‘Numbers are high for next year and the year after already. The local community is really getting behind the school,” continued Mary.

‘Fundraisers like this are essential for wages, for classes and for equip- ment.

“We have had a lot of donations from local businesses, and local

craftspeople have been doing a lot of work at the school for free.

‘The fundraising is essential. We wouldn’t be able to survive without it.”

Tickets, as a cost of €25, can be bought in Ennistymon from the Falls Hotel itself, Daly’s Bar and Unglert’s Bakery as well as from the Celtic t- shirt shop in Lahinch.

Custy’s music shop in Ennis and Record Rack (065 6820769) will take credit card bookings.

The Falls Hotel has accommoda- tion on offer on the night and can be contacted on 065 7071004 for all overnight booking requirements.

ENNIS Town Council are to write to the government requesting a change in the current rules on displaying election posters in urban centers.

Members opted to do so after de- ciding against adopting a policy that would have seen posters be given a designated area.

The proposal was put forward by Green Party councillor Donal O’Beara and follows a similar sys- tem to one used in France.

Proposing the motion, Cllr O’ Beara called for “the council to adopt a sys-

tem of providing a designated area of panels for posters would avoid the cost, litter potential, inequality due to differing means of raising finance and waste associated with traditional postering. It would continue the pro- motion of elections and democratic system and assist Ennis Tidy Town’s OKO) a ae

Prior to the general election cam- paign, Ennis Town Council wrote to all candidates requesting they refrain from erecting posters within the town. The request was made in light of the town’s success in the an- nual Tidy Towns competition.

Cllr O’Beara added, ““We’ve taken a step forward with the current sys- tem. I think we should take it to the next level and lead the way on this”.

Town manager Tom Coughlan sug- gested more information would be required before the policy could be fully adopted.

“We make informed policy deci- sions but we can’t advise here be- cause we don’t have the full informa- nln

“[’m not opposed to the proposal. I would have to know whether it is possible to do it and I don’t know if we can do it or not.”

Cllr Tatwoo Matthew (Ind) stated more information would be needed. Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) said ‘Everyone has respected the current system, if it is working so well why change it”.

Cllr Peter Considine (FF) proposed that the walls be multi-functional “There is a growing cult of graffiti walls in towns and cities that are used by artists. You could set aside two or three panels for it. If we are doing this we might as well go the whole hog”. Town Clerk Eddie Power said problems could develop in enforcing the policy.

AFTER 34 years as principal of St Anne’s School in Ennis, Mary Han- rahan is retiring from her post.

She has marked her departure by raising €5,000 for Cahercalla Hos- pice and a nursery in Rio de Janeiro.

Mary raised the money at an event she organised shortly before Christ- mas 2006. As a teacher Mary has al- ways encouraged her students to take a keen interest in humanitarian issues affecting third world countries.

Every year students raise money for different aid projects in countries around the world.

St Anne’s has also played host to a number of renowned speakers in- cluding Fergal Keane. The respected

Irish journalist talked to the students about his experiences reporting for the BBC.

Mary’s own interest in aid work stemmed from meeting Terrence Gallagher, an assessor with the UN who has worked with the organiza- tion in some of the world’s poorest areas.

Mary says “I’ve been lucky. I’ve been able to travel to places like Peru and Chile. The children have helped raise money for some of the projects Terrence has worked on”.

A vastly experienced teacher, Mary has worked in schools in Ireland, England and Canada.

For a time Mary taught at Hollies comprehensive school in Manchester where she counted among her pupils

the children of football legends Matt Busby and Bobby Charlton.

She says she enjoyed immensely working in St Anne’s and is happy at how the school has continued to develop as a centre of learning.

Located on St Senans road St Anne’s School is a_ progressively modern primary and_ secondary School that specialises in providing programmes designed to cater for students with learning difficulties ranging in ages from 4 to 18.

The school emphasizes that each student should have a well-balanced education along with an appreciation of self and others. The school’s motto is “To Be All That You Can Be”.

Mary says, “I’d say I’ve missed about five days in around 40 years.

I’m looking forward to the rest of my life. There are a lot of things I would have liked to have done bet- ter, but you can’t roll back the clock. I have always believed that school should be about continuous learning. It gives students dignity and purpose hebben

THE first part of a major €250,000 project to upgrade pitch facilities at Wolfe Tones GAA club is due to be completed within the next fortnight.

The irrigation system for the main pitch is currently taking place and will be finished before the end of the peareyelnen

As part of the club’s major devel- opment plans, floodlights are to be installed on the main pitch. This part of the scheme is due to be finished by

the end of July. Drainage work on the second pitch is also due to commence Them ee Cece lbe aya

Last year, the club launched its 300 Club draw. Several people in the town have got on board and are contributing to the scheme. However, Wolfe ‘Tones PRO Colman Garrihy is continuing to appeal to those who have not yet signed up, to dig deep.

‘Club members and other supporters who have not yet joined the 300 Club draw in aid of this vital project for the town are urged to sign up straight

away, said Mr Garrihy.

The club is stressing that the new facilities are part of the plan for the future and it is the young people of the town who will benefit most from the work being undertaken this year. Wolfe Tones is also appealing for former players to get involved in coaching the underage teams.

“Between all three projects, there will be in the region of €250,000 in- vested in additional and improved fa- cilities at Wolfe Tones over the com- ing months,’ said Mr Garrihy.

“While there are very welcome Lotto grants approved for the develop- ments, there is still a very significant investment required from the club and the local community,” he said.

“The club is greatly appreciative of the support received from the mem- bers and from the wider community, including businesses, for their overall activities to date,” added Mr Garrihy.

Forms for the club can be download- ed from Wwww.wolfetonesshannon. clare.gaa.ie or by contacting Gerry McIntyre on 086 8283751.

THE water in Shannon is being moni- tored on an ongoing basis, to ensure chlorine levels do not reach an unsat- isfactory or unsafe level.

That was the message delivered by Clare County Council last week, in the wake of complaints regarding chlorine levels in the town’s water supply.

The issue was raised by Independ- ent councillor Gerry Flynn, who said he has received complaints regarding chlorine levels in the water.

“There is quite a distinct smell of chlorine in the water in Shannon from

time to time,” he said.

Clare County Council senior engi- neer Walter Walsh said the issue arose in Smithstown a few years ago, when the council took over the running of the town. As a result, there was “quite intensive’ monitoring of water in the area. He said the current chlorine lev- els in the water are acceptable and it Thee ae LOyeH KO) Kerem ucscaUNE-NU RVs

“Ultimately we have to be satisfied that the water we are supplying is safe. The water in Shannon 1s perfect- ly safe to drink, currently,” he pointed out.

In reply, Cllr Flynn said, “We are delighted in Shannon that we are one

of the few areas we can drink water from our taps.”

Councillor Patricia McCarthy (In- dependent) said it appeared that there were high levels of chlorine in some areas and not others.

S)itomeeD om oLe)PelCole Melt MnO eT LMU SOMA Cols pressure was lower at night-time than during day-time. She said many peo- ple living in Shannon work on shifts during the night and need the use of water prior to leaving for work at 3am or 4am.

Mr Walsh replied, “As a matter of policy we would see it as a proper thing to do to reduce the pressure at night, when the water isn’t used,” he

said. He added however that ensuring the people of the town had enough water was a priority.

“There was excessive pressure on the system and it was resulting in the bursting of the mains. We have people looking at that all the time,” he said.

The mayor of Shannon, Council- lor Tony McMahon asked were there many complaints made to the council about an odour emanating from the water in Shannon.

Mr Walsh said he was not aware of odour-related issues with the water supply and said there was no prob- lems regarding quality with the Shan- non water supply.

ILLEGAL parking outside SkyCourt in Shannon is being addressed and offenders are being hit with fines.

This was revealed to councillors last week, during a meeting with lo- cal garda representatives.

Inspector Tom Kennedy and Ser- geant Dermot O’Connor met with Shannon-based county councillors, Where the issue of unauthorised parking was top of the agenda.

Councillors expressed concern about cars being parked on double yellow lines, close to Xtra Vision and the pass machine, outside SkyCourt.

The mayor of Shannon, Cllr Tony McMahon said the traffic situation is becoming “hazardous” outside the shopping centre.

‘There seems to be a difficulty with applying the law to the problems that arise here. I fear there is going to be a serious accident in that area,’ he Sr AKOE

Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Independ- ent) said the issue of unauthorised parking is of huge concern.

‘There are Road Traffic Acts there. If they are being broken, they should be enforced,’ she said.

Inspector Kennedy said, “It would seem to me that there is a danger by people parking there. We will con- tinue to enforce the Road Traffic Act.”

Sergeant O’Connor said the issue had been discussed previously.

‘“T understood there were plans in place to put in parking bays. The gardai are issuing several tickets

there in relation to illegal parking. If people continue to park there, they will continue to be fined,’ he said.

Councillors rose a number of other issues with the gardai, at the meet- ing.

Councillor Gerry Flynn (Independ- ent) said there was a need for Shan- non Garda Station to be upgraded, Where a Superintendent would be located, permanently.

Currently, Superintendent John Scanlan, who is based in Ennis, is responsible for the running of Shan- neve

Cllr Flynn said the addition of the garda bicycles in Shannon has been welcome, adding, “You might see fit to get a motorbike too.”

He also expressed concern that the majority of gardai who are attached

to Shannon garda station live outside the area.

“The percentage of gardai liv- ing locally has changed and that is a backward step. There have been a few forward steps, but there also have been backward steps,” said Cllr ahaa

SC NINe mo. qo) Keniore CONC UI UTR te tion to drinking in public in Drum- geely. This, he said, stopped one family from walking in the area.

Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) said there is a problem in relation to speeding between Clonmoney and Sixmilebri- dge and between Sixmilebridge and Cratloe.

“It is unbelievable. The speed go- ing down that road is phenomenal . . well in excess of 120kph,” said Cllr WZ TUN Core N ahve

PUBLIC TRANSPORT is the main is- sue concerning people in the Shannon and Sixmilebridge areas, according to a survey undertaken locally.

The Shannon Community Network has concluded that people living in the area are most concerned about lack of suitable transport.

They believe that the re-opening of the railway station in Sixmilebridge 1s long overdue, while the frequency of bus services serving the area is insutf- ne toele

Secretary of the Shannon Commu- nity Network, Richard Cahill said the transport issue was identified at the re-

cent AGM.

“The main topic people wanted in- formation on was when will the train station be re-opened. Public transport was the main issue,” he said.

In response to the feedback, the Net- work has now organised a meeting on transport in Sixmilebridge next month (Thursday June 7, at Teach Cuirte, Sixmilebridge). Iarnr6d Eireann’s Re- gional Manager Jim Meade and the Regional Manager of Bus Eireann Paddy McGuinness will attend, as will Laura Ward of East Clare Accessible Transport (ECAT).

They will give powerpoint presenta- tions and will be the focus of a ques- tions and answers session, where issues

of concern will be addressed.

“We have asked politicians running in the election will they commit to come along, if elected,” said Mr Cahill.

The Bridge Complex provides a bus service for senior citizens, who travel from Sixmilebridge to the daycare cen- tre in Clarecastle every week. While this service 1s welcome, there 1s a need for additional bus services for people of AV Toe

‘People want more than that. For the past four years, ECAT has echoed that it would be wonderful to have services around the train station in Sixmilebri- dge,” he said.

He said that locals are also concerned about the state of access roads into and

out of Sixmilebridge.

‘The roads are poor. At best they are regional roads, with just enough room for a car and truck. If two trucks meet, one has to pull in so the other can pass,” he said.

sixmilebridge councillor John Crowe (FG) is hopeful, meanwhile, that the railway station will be built within the next year.

“The money has been allocated by the Government, Clare County Coun- cil now has to allocate funding for the development of a car park. The land has been sterilised for the car park. It is badly needed and we are hoping it will be started within the next year,” said Cllr Crowe.

THE smaller parties continue to keep the faith that they will be in the final shake-up when it comes to announcing Clare’s four TDs for the 30th Dail.

With the Green Party’s Brian Meaney tipped by many to be one of the contenders for the coveted “fourth seat”, the Barefield na- tive says that if “all of the positive feedback we’ve been getting trans- lated into first-preference votes, I’d have two quotas”.

“T think Clare people will recog- nise that I’m a safe pair of hands,” he said. Meaney feels the Green agenda is an idea whose time has fey nner

“The economic realities have en- sured there is a move towards the Green agenda. You only have to look at the cost of fuel. People see this and are seeing that the Green agenda makes economic sense.”

Labour candidate Pascal Fitzger- ald is also staying positive.

“IT am going out to win a Seat. People won’t make up their mind

until the day of the election,” he Said.

The Clare councillor is aware of the disadvantage of living just out- side the Clare constituency, in the Limerick east constituency, but believes this campaign will help raise his profile.

“Everyone had Bhamjee written off and we saw what happened there,” he said.

Progressive Democrat candidate, Murt Collins said on the canvass in Kilrush that he is getting “very positive feedback” on the door-

steps. “The future of the hospital and the state of the roads are is- sues that come up a lot, as does the creation of jobs in west Clare.” Collins said that it is “important to get a good vote. I’m looking for- ward to strong support on election day. A lot of people have promised me their number one or two.”

Sinn Féin’s Anna Prior has been experiencing a “very positive reac- tion’ for a new candidate, accord- ing to her spokesman. “The issues people are bringing up are the fu- ture of the hospital and healthcare

generally as well as maintaining the rural environment, provid- ing transport and services such as broadband.”

The spokesman said that the “northern situation doesn’t come up very much and when it does, people are pleased with the devel- opments there.”

In terms of party politics, the Sinn Féin candidate believes that people “are interested in who they can trust to deliver on the impor- tant issues. There is a lot of disil- lusion out there.”