Month: June 2007

THE chickens and ducks of Clare can once again sleep soundly in their coup as the latest Bird Flu Scare has passed. Following a week on high alert, the Department of Agriculture and food last week announced the revocation of a ban on the participa- tion of poultry imported from Great Britain in bird gatherings in Ireland. The ban, which was introduced on May 25 in the immediate aftermath of the confirmation of an outbreak of low pathogenic H7N2 Bird Flu near Corwen in north Wales, mirrored similar moves in Northern Ireland.

The departments of agriculture, north and south of the border, have been working together to create an all-island strategy for dealing with the problem which has, to date, been NA ECLECC OSI EUTE

Last Wednesday’s decision to lift the ban follows the revocation of a ban in Britain on gatherings of ducks and chickens introduced following the outbreak in Wales.

The Minister for Agrigutlure and Food, Mary Coughlan, confirmed that her decision was taken after consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in Northern Ireland, which

also confirmed the revocation of its ban.

During the period the ban was in place, the Department of Agriculture and Food maintained very close con- tact with DARD and the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in Britain, par- ticularly in relation to the possibility that poultry purchased at a market in Cumbria on May 7, which had a con- nection to the H7N2 outbreak, might have been imported to Ireland.

From inquiries made, no connec- tions were established between the Cumbria market and the importation of poultry to Ireland.

“On the basis of information from DARD and DEFRA and the passage of time since the market in Cheshire, we are Satisfied that the Welsh out- break of low pathogenic H7N2 avian flu no longer posed a threat of the introduction of the virus to Ireland and that any risk of an outbreak of avian flu in Ireland remained low,” said Mary Coughlan.

“It is appropriate that the precau- tionary ban now be lifted. My of- ficials will continue to work closely with their colleagues in Belfast, Lon- don and Brussels and will maintain the all-island approach which has worked so effectively to date.”

CLARE County Council has ap- pealed the decision by An Taisce to remove the prestigious International Blue Flag from White Strand, Doon- leeren

While the International jury con- siders the unfavourable verdict, the local authority is continuing to carry out works on the beach, and other beaches along the west coast.

The Doonbeg beach lost its blue en- vironment flag this week, not because of inadequate bathing water quality but due to improvement works at the beach, which Clare County Council expects to complete in the near fu- neko

Sean Ward, Senior Engineer, En- vironment & Emergency Services Directorate, said “we are very dis- appointed with the loss of the blue flag for Doonbeg. Major improve- ments works have been underway at this beach to improve access, and we hope to have them completed by the end of this month. We have appealed this decision to the International Jury and look forward to a favourable out- ey anton

To date this year the council has re- paired steps to the southern part of the beach and provided a new view- ing area on promontory that provides a general outlook and a facility for people with limited mobility who may not wish to go down on to the

beach.

The council also expects to restore the “Biocycle” unit to serve seasonal toilets, guard rails along the south- ern steps, a new ramp to the northern part of the beach to replace existing steps in place in the near future.

Further back the peninsula in Car- rigaholt, on the north side of the Moyarta river plans are in place for ramped access to the beach.

With the support of the local devel- Opment committee the council plans to erect a barrier at the entrance to the pier. The local authority also plans to repair and restore low walls, shrub beds and picnic areas, and de- fine and mark parking spaces.

Repairs and restoration works at

Glasheen Cove, Doonaha are to be completed before the end of the year.

The council has planned short stretches of new footpath to link the car park with existing paths and steps inside the stonewall, as well as providing suitable information and signage at the cove, the picnic area is to be extended and a viewing plat- form provided.

At Brew’s Bridge in Kilrush, the council is to demolish the shelter and replace it with a new, more transpar- ent one.

The derelict swings are to be re- moved and seats installed, with the railway embankment landscaped.

THE long awaited sewerage scheme for the coastal village of Carrigaholt came a Step closer this week, as the council prepared to send a revised proposal for the scheme to the De- partment of the Environment and Local Government.

The fortunes of the scheme has made a complete turn around in the last three months when it appeared that it was facing even further de- JE WAS

At the end of March a preliminary review of the cost of the scheme

had shown that the unit cost for this scheme was still at a high, unaccept- able level.

A further review of the scheme has shown a marked reduction in the cap- ital cost and seems to satisfy specific Department of the Environment and Local Government requirements.

Senior executive engineer for Clare County Council Hugh McGrath, told the west Clare councillors, “we are confident that the revised proposal now meets this criteria, and follow- ing an internal review of the revised document we expect to be able to forward the proposal to the Depart-

ment of the Environment and Local Government in the next week. We also need to submit a new Part III Planning Application.”

Initially a report was prepared for the Carrigaholt/Labasheeda/Co- oraclare Sewerage Scheme bundle and submitted to the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government, but this proved unsuc- COSINE

Cooraclare was then separated from the grouped sewerage scheme and the submission of a revised and reduced proposal for the village was drawn up. As a result approval was

received from the department for the Cooraclare sewerage scheme.

The design review is also complet- ed for Labasheeda. It proposes a re- duced outfall length and the installa- tion of a tidal valve and storage tank arrangement, allowing discharge of treated effluent on the falling tide.

The foreshore licence could hold up the Labasheeda project however by up to two year. Under the new proposal for Carrigaholt it will not require such a licence. The people of Carrigaholt have claimed that they were first promised a sewerage scheme more than 30 years ago.

THE citizens of Kilkee will don their berets, prepare a few baguettes and gather in the Diamond Rocks Cafe this Thursday to celebrate 25 years of twinning with the French town of Plouhinec.

By celebrating the silver anniver- sary organisers hope to form a new twinning committee and reinvigor- ate the relationship between the west Clare seaside town and the small French town.

Kilkee Town Twinning Steering Group is looking for new blood to join the Kilkee-Plouhinec Twinning Association as ordinary, affiliate, or junior members.

It is proposed to form a new man- agement committee to revitalise the twinning arrangements between Kilkee and Plouhinec and realise the benefits of town twinning for the community.

The group are particularly encour- aging young people to get involved as it promises opportunities to travel and broaden language experiences and provide alternative work place- ments.

The steering group is also encour- aging clubs, groups, and organisa- tions in Kilkee and surrounding ar- eas to contact the association with a view to exploring the potential of twinning.

Those interested in joining are

asked to part take in the 25th anni- versary celebrations in the Diamond Rocks Café at 7.30pm.

Kilkee was formally twinned with Plouhinec, the small town in south- ern Brittany, in 1983 after initial con- tacts were made in 1982.

The aim of the Kilkee Twinning Association is to promote and foster friendship and understanding be- tween the people of Kilkee, Plouhi- nec and their hinterlands and associ- aK

It also aims to encourage visits by individuals and groups and the de- velopment of personal and organisa- tional contacts, thereby broadening mutual understanding of social, cul- tural, educational, sporting, recrea-

tional, civic and commercial activi- Woe

The idea of twinning was born after World War II when it was felt that establishing links between lo- cal communities from former enemy countries would contribute to secure peace in Europe. Since then, thou- sand of villages and towns in Europe have established twinning links.

Twinning aims at developing mutu- al understanding and cross-cultural awareness between people from dif- ferent cultures. It helps develop val- ues such as citizenship and tolerance. Above all, twinning is a fun way to discover how other European people live and make friends from different felt bau lone

SPANISH Point got a new meet- ing point last week as local people celebrated the official opening of a much-awaited community hall for the area.

The one-storey structure, based at Christ Church (Church of Ireland) in the town, was blessed by both Catholic Bishop Dr Willie Walsh and Church of Ireland Bishop Michael Mayes in a ceremony last Wednes- day.

Rector Bob Hanna led the service to open the hall, which cost €30,000 to build and has been open since January.

Committee member of The Christ Church Community Project, Vicky Lynch, said that the hall was the re- sult of three years of fundraising.

“Eight of us got together to form a committee and we organised annual barbeques in the Armada Hotel for the last two years, raising around €12,000. Johnny Burke was bDril- liant in helping us with organisation and finances. His daughter, June, is now on the committee since he sadly passed away. Bernadette Queally was great too. Everyone made a big effort.”

The centre will be called “The Johnny Burke Community Hall’ in honour of the local businessman and

his wife Claire cut the ribbon to open the hall on the day as well as giving a “beautiful speech”.

Committee chairwoman Judith Ironside said that everyone was very pleased that the project had brought the community closer together.

‘Various community groups are us- ing the hall including the COI Sun- day School, a Grief and Loss Sup- port Group, Caring for Carers and a Mother and Toddler Group, which was our aim. We are lucky that there is a marvellous relationship between the Church of Ireland and the Catho- lic congregations in Miltown. They have done so much to help us.”

Ms Lynch added: “The barbeques

attract a huge crowd and have re- ally captured the imagination. Years ago there would have been more big community events so they’re like a blast from the past. We are at the half way mark with funds so we will keep working on the project. The next bar- beque is on August 12.”

GORT is preparing itself for its sec- ond new music and cultural festival in a fortnight, with the arrival of Life Festival 2007 to Lough Cutra Castle this weekend.

Following hot on the heels of last week’s hugely successful Changing Colours Multicultural Festival, Life Q7 is a different take on the institu- tion of the Irish summer festival.

After a successful beginning last summer at Charleville Castle in Tullamore, Life Festival 2007 has modeled itself to out-boutique self- proclaimed boutique festivals such as the Electric Picnic and the Garden Party.

This means small crowds, lots of space and more niche acts and artists.

Indeed, event organisers Neutronyx Events Management have put huge energy and resources into bringing together an innovative and quality line-up for Life Festival 2007.

The acts on show will be split more or less in half between European dance and electronic acts and root, folk and trad acts from Ireland and the UK.

Among those headlining the festi- val are London’s Dreadzone who top an international line-up. Also featur- ing are Grooverider, Electric Uni- verse, Alex Peterson from the Orb and Highlight Tribe.

The list goes up to over 100 acts that span a range of styles from DJ shows in reggae, dub, electronica, ambient, down-tempo, folk, psych- edelic, gipsy, african, drum and bass,

latin fusion, breaks, progressive and minimal tech.

The festival models itself loosely on the Glade Festival in the UK, which combines various alternative styles and workshops, environmental awareness presentations, alternative therapies, magic, juggling, perform- ing and music.

Other musical hightlights of the festival include Ronan O Snodaigh from Kila, the DMX Crew, Electric Penguins, Dilinja and Lemon D, Chris Clarke, Talamasca, Wiggle, Intinn, Rootical Reggae Soundsys- tem, Zubzub (ex-Ozric ‘Tentacles) and Ciaran Byrne.

Last year’s festival attracted some 1,500 revellers from over 20 differ- ent countries and organisers are ex- pecting to double these figures next

week.

It is being organised by Neutronyx Events in collaboration with Mantua Project from Roscommon and Brea- kology Dublin and will be the first of its kind to take place anywhere in the west of Ireland. Life Festival takes place in Gort’s Lough Caltra Castle on June 15, 16 and 17.

For more about Life Festival 2007, check out www.life-festival.com, Wwww.myspace.com/thelifefestival, www.loughcutra.com, WwWww.mantu- aproject.com or www.breakology.ie.

Check out page 41 of this week’s

HEINZ has discovered a new and exciting 58th variety. This new fla- vour comes in the shape of promis- ing Dublin artist Orla Walsh, whose latest sole exhibition, “The Ketchup Collection’, is currently on show at Lahinch’s Kenny Gallery.

Walsh’s pop-art still-life collec- tion proudly features the deep crim- son Heinz ketchup bottle in a range which is both striking and instantly recognizable.

Her work examines a range of old and new objects, with food the com- mon thread that joins the collec- tion. She strives to capture the very essence of her subject matter while always treating it with great warmth

and humour.

Indeed, Orla’s unique work could very easily have never made it as far as Lahinch. During one of her early exhibitions in Dublin, a representa- tive of Heinz approached her, stating that she was in breach of copyright and should take down the exhibition.

After studying the quality of the work, however, the employee changed his mind and returned later in the week to purchase six pieces. Indeed, four of Walsh’s pieces now hang in the boardroom of the HJ Heinz Company in Pittsburgh.

Kenny’s is Clare’s oldest art gallery and hosts a wide variety of exhibi- tions all-year round.

The exhibition was opened by May- or of Clare, Flan Garvey, last week-

end and will run until June 23. A representative selection of the work is available to view on www.lahin- chartgallery.com or by calling 065 OLOrdKeterer

Meanwhile, down the road in En- nistymon Courthouse Gallery, more than 50 artists from all over the county have contributed to the Art on the Wall exhibition. The exhibition, which opened last Thursday and runs until June 16, features one work from a wide range of local, national and international talent.

“Tt really is a very interesting exhi- bition. We are talking about 50 artists who have each submitted one piece of work for this exhibition,’ said Catherine Comber of the gallery.

“Essentially, one of our exhibitors

postponed an exhibition, leaving us with two free weeks in the calendar. We put out the call for pieces of work and had a fantastic response.

“We will have work from renowned artists like Fionnuala Graham, Der- mot Tuohy and Sarah Foust to more local artists and a number of com- pletely amateur artists.

“We have pieces on show ranging in price from €2,000 to €100.”

AFTER years of careful preparation and research, the Burren Beef and Lamb Producers Group (BBLPG) and BurrenLife are now ready to take orders for Ireland’s first ever batch of conservation-grade lamb.

The lamb, which is produced and slaughtered using old-fashioned methods, offers a limited number of local restaurants and butchers, as well as members of the public, the chance to sample the flavour of true Burren lamb.

The second and most important el- ement of this lamb is that each of the 15 farmers taking part in the BBLPG

farms using methods that are fully organic and help to maintain the eco- logical integrity of the Burren.

“We are aware that there is a huge interest in the lamb from the general public, people who are cooking at home and have an interest in qual- ity food. We are very confident that there is a marker there for that,” said Ruairi O Conchuir of BurrenLife.

“We are working with an organi- cally-certified, owner-operated abat- toir in Peterswell, who is also a craft butcher. Only the very highest qual- ity of lamb is getting in there. He is hanging that in the traditional, which gets the best taste and the tenderest meat and preserves all of the nutri-

ent value.

“It is then cut in accordance with how the restaurant want it or, if it’s a member of the public, exactly in the way that they want it and it is in- dividually labeled, vacuum-packed and boxed.”

The BBLPG are now taking orders from members of the public for Bur- ren lamb with a live-weight varying from 38kg to 44 Kg, for an initial marketing period, half lambs are be- ing sold for €70 and full lambs for €125.

BurrenLife farmer and BBLPG chairperson, Mr Thomas Holmes, has welcomed the initiative by stat- ing the commitment of the group is

“to our members and stakeholders who are working to develop long- term relationships with quality-con- scious consumers and customers via farmers markets, craft butchers and quality restaurants.”

Each *Life’ farmer has signed up to a code of practice and pledge which ensures that their farms are operated to the very highest standards, both in terms of the quality of the animals produced and the environmentally friendly manner in which they are produced. Further information and order forms can be had from the Burren Producers Group, Old School House in Carron at 065 7089000 or e-mail burrenproducers @eircom.net

AFTER three long years away, Sr Mary Neylon has graced Inagh with a short visit home. Having worked for the past 18 years in some of the poor- est parts of Peru, Sr Mary is hoping that this year’s Clare Mayoral Ball will raise much needed funds for two very worthy charities.

The ball hopes to benefit Caher- calla Hospice by providing an exten- sion from seven rooms to 10 rooms, all ensuite. This will help ensure that the hospice can continue to provide invaluable comfort for the terminally UU TeLe mM elobmB KS ELBA oKe

The other deserving charity to ben- efit from the funds raised is the cen- tre for young mothers currently being developed by Sr Mary in Peru.

“It’s a centre for the personal de-

velopment of women, where we have workshops in personal development, which includes self-esteem, aware- ness and communication and also workshops in arts and crafts,’ ex- plained Sr. Mary.

‘Psychological attention is given to the victims of violence, something which a lot of the women have suf- fered.”

She hopes that the money raised will benefit the work she has dedi- cated her life to.

‘‘T have been renting a place. I would hope that if we get enough money we could build a centre that the women would have for themselves,” contin- ued Sr Mary.

‘‘A new centre would allow for more possibilities for the women; more workshops, more therapy sessions, more therapy of healing, vocational

therapy, more space for skills train- ing and leadership trainings towards the future, empowering us women.”

The exceptional work of Sr Mary has greatly affected the lives of young mothers in Peru, providing them with precious training that helps them to earn their own money and improve their living standards.

‘A number of the women who take part in the workshops have expressed self-confidence, are able to commu- nicate better, are able to stand up for their rights and have also learned certain skills that they didn’t previ- ously have which gives them possi- bilities for income,” she said.

aVidaCelUtcd emmy EDM Yas et- Ree )Il eM LeLUI Kare! So much to this area of Peru, she still feels that it has been a group effort more than anything else.

“It’s not me doing everything. It’s

other people’s help and getting locals and trained professional people such as psychologists and teachers to get involved in the problems.”

The inaugural Clare Mayoral Ball will take place in the West County Hotel, Ennis on Friday, June 15. Cor- porate tables to seat 10 people are available at a cost of €100 per person or £1,000 per table and can be booked by contacting Mairin Hill, Corporate Services, Clare County Council at 065-6821616/ mhill@clarecoco.ie or Mary Moroney, Cahercalla Hospice at 065-6824388.

THE race may be over for Clare’s newest TD’s Joe Carey and Timmy Dooley but it’s only beginning for thousands due to take park in the Clare People 10k walk/run.

Deputy Dooley (FF) and Deputy Carey (FG) were in Lees Road to lend their support to Clare Youth Service, one of the organisations set to benefit from the annual event.

The CYS say there has been a dras- tic shortfall in the level of funding available for the youth sector in the county.

The service has launched an urgent appeal for the development of facil1-

ties for young people around Clare.

The service 1s currently in the proc- ess of building a dedicated youth Space, practice space and recording studio. However despite intensive fundraising €30,000 is still needed to meet the final cost of develop- ment.

Clare Youth Service are calling on any groups or individuals interested in the development of youth orien- tated facilities to make a donation or take a sponsorship card from the service for the Clare 10k walk/run to be held on Saturday, June 23.

Youth Work Manager Margaret Slattery explained that to date the service has received funding towards

the development of the faculties from the Ennis Lions Club.

Young people have also undertaken a number of fundraising initiatives with more than €20,000 collected OMe r-NKon

But €83,000 is still needed to cover the complete cost of development.

The Clare Youth Service bands project, which has been in existence since 1996 has an excellent reputa- tion and is the model on which serv- ices around Ireland are basing the development of similar projects.

The project in Ennis involves hun- dreds of young people each year and the development of the facility would allow the project to offer both

certified and non-certified tuition in sound engineering, multimedia and related topics.

Sponsorship cards are available from Pat McMullin on 68 45350, Jean Tierney on 68 45356 and from Margaret Slattery on 68 45367. Do- nations can also be made to Clare Youth Service, Carmody Street, En- Whe