Month: June 2007

KILRUSH town will soon be on the information superhighway as one of eight towns to benefit from 52kms of broadband fibre network to be laid around the mid west with work start- TbercaB ee MM Lease

“In today’s knowledge-based econ- omy and society, the availability of high speed, competitively priced broadband 1s critical. Once complete, this network will have major benefits for the people of Kilrush,” said Clare County Manager, Alec Fleming.

“The applications for Broadband

are many and varied and include; the business sector, the retail service sector, and public services, but also it is just as important for home users, local communities and education, and this is why Clare County Coun- cil is delighted to be playing its part in the development of this critical in- frastructure,’ he added.

He said that a big effort would be made to minimise disruption while the work by Clarke Quarries (for Shannon Broadband Ltd) was ongo- ing.

“Advance work in laying duct- ing has already been undertaken on

some roads by the local authorities during work on other construction projects, which should keep disrup- tion to the public to a minimum in those streets,” he said.

Announcing the appointment, Kevin Thompstone, chief executive of Shannon Development and chair- man of Shannon Broadband Ltd said: “We are delighted to be undertaking phase two of the Metropolitan Area Network project. The aim of Shan- non Broadband is to develop world- class broadband infrastructure and services network throughout the Shannon region.”

The work will ensure “fast, cost effective broadband services…key to attracting inward investment and creating more jobs in the future,” he added.

Other towns to benefit from the work will include Abbeyfeale, New- castle West, Nenagh, Roscrea, ‘Tem- plemore, Banagher and Birr. Work 1s expected to finish by the end of the year.

A phone line has been set up to answer any queries from the public on 061-402233. Further information on the project can be obtained from Www.shannonbroadband.com.

include

field identification of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) at sea and from remains washed up on shore including skull characteristics. The course, on at the Shannon Dol-

phin and Wildlife Centre on Mer- chants Quay in Kilrush, will also look at ways of recording cetaceans and the validation procedure for ac- cepting records.

The centre has a large collection of skulls, bones and other interesting cetacean on display and the work- shop will also examine these.

Dr Simon Berrow of the Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation and IWDG co-ordinator will lead the workshop and he explained what people could expect to see.

‘The group has a large sighting and

stranding project so we do courses all over the country. I recently saw a minke whale and a basking shark off Loop Head. This time of year there could be dolphins, porpoises, hump- back or killer whales.”

He added that he hoped that ordi- nary people would “contribute to knowledge and conservation” by voluntarily reporting and recording information.

The workshop will start at 10am in the centre with introductory infor- mation and weather permitting, will include an afternoon trip to Loop

Head and Kilcredaun Head to prac- tice whalewatching in the field. The workshop ends at around 5pm.

Participants are asked to bring bin- oculars or a telescopes if they own them as well as any interesting bones or material they might have found washed up on the shore.

The cost of the course is €25 for members of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and €40 for non members

For more details contact Dr Simon Berrow on 086 8545450 or email si- mon.berrow@1wdg.ie.

that the latest test taken from the drink- ing water supplied to the west Clare village and surrounding areas came back clear, but the local authority will not be removing the warnings until the next test shows a similar KeUO Le The “Miltown Malbay Public Wa- ter Supply” taken from Rockmount Treatment Works was found to have

aluminium levels above those rec- ommended.

Users were experiencing a strong taste from the water when the alert was issued.

According to the council and the local Health Service Executive in the short term there is no “evidence of increased ill-health due to drinking water containing levels of alumin- ium which are higher than recom- mended”’.

However, people with poor kid- ney or renal function are advised to source alternative drinking water until advised that the aluminium lev- els have reduced.

This includes water used in the preparation of hot beverages and soft Clann ecp

A spokesperson for the council ex- plained that boiling the water has no effect on aluminium, and is effective only if bacteria were found in a water supply.

Aluminium is added to the water at the treatment plant to clean the water, but more than is required was found in the water in the past weeks.

Clare County Council has since rectified the situation at the plant and altered the dosage of aluminium as required.

The local authority plans to carry

out another test on the affected water next week. The test will be sent for independent testing as well as being analysed in its own lab.

The council must then meet with the HSE before the water warning is lifted.

The notice also applies to the Bal- lard, Dunsallagh/Killeran, Glendine, Leagard South and Dough (Spanish Point) group water schemes.

Local County Councillor Christy Curtin said he was delighted that the water tests were beginning to prove positive. He said there was a lot of uncertainty about the water supply, but that was “being cleared up”.

THE council came with two lorries and left with each filled to overflow- ing and a sparkling clean beach in Fanore behind them. Over the last number of months, local man Wil- liam Verhulst has been walking the shoreline and coast, gathering rub- ten

Since February, William has col- lected more than 120 bags of rubbish and greatly improved the view from one of Clare’s most scenic villages.

“I covered the area from Creggagh up as far as the beach, fields as well as coastline. After every storm, it keeps coming in. It 1s a global prob- lem. It is inevitable that fishing boats

would lose some of their material during storms or whenever, but in terms of the bottles and rubbish, I think that they should be stored in appropriate places until they get back to harbour,” he said.

“IT started in February. My doctor advised me to take a lot of exercise. So I asked Patsy Corrucan for per- mission to walk across his fields and I thought to myself, ‘this doesn’t look right’.

“So I started collecting the rubbish. I then spoke to the area office of the county council in Ennistymon and they said that they would come out and take the rubbish away. But they said that they wouldn’t come out for 20 or 30 bags. I contacted them in

April to say that there were over 100 bags now.”

Originally from Holland, William retired to north Clare four years ago. A keen traditional music fan, he had been coming to Ireland for years to the Fleadh Nua and other festivals.

“IT found large plastic contain- ers that had come in from all over. One was from Norway, I discovered from reading the writing on the con- tainer. There were some from Spain and Portugal and some with Chinese characters, they probably came from passing ships,” he said.

“There is no telling where the rub- bish comes from, but I would imag- ine that a lot would come from ships, being thrown overboard.

‘From the way that it had been dis- integrated, I would guess that some of it has been away for up to four or five years.”

William continues his work clean- ing the shoreline and hopes that oth- ers will join him in the task.

‘I do hope that this will inspire oth- er people to help clean up the beaches in their own area,” he continued.

“Now I have started working my way towards Dorreen and so far I have collected another eight bags with Bernie Conway who looks after the beach here 1n Fanore.”

INAGH native, Sr Mary Neylon, re- turned to her native town this week in preparation for a major fundraiser which could drastically improve the lives of countless women living in poverty in Peru.

A mid-summer ball will take place in the West County Hotel on June 15, with all the proceeds going to the work of Sr Mary and the Cahercalla Hospice. Sr Mary is a Columbine nun and has been based in Lima for the last 20 years.

“She went to Lima in Peru, she

is there since 1989 or ‘90 and she comes homes every three years. She works with the poor, women’s groups mostly. She is trying to improve their situation, teaching skills and crafts so that they can make a bit of money and have a bit of independence for themselves,” said her sister, Brid Ca- eas

“There are a lot of poor people out there, especially in the remote parts. There are extremes. There is a lot of wealth, but there is an awful lot of poverty as well.”

The ball is being organised by fel- low Inagh native and Mayor of Clare,

Flan Garvey.

“When I became mayor, I said dur- ing my inauguration speech I would be listening very closely to what peo- ple needed and to help them out as best I could,’ said Flan.

“T am a director of the board at Ca- hercalla and Cahercalla Hospice is very dear to my heart. They give tre- mendous comfort to the terminally UU MeVele maetssbmBKo EIB Lore

“T said that I would organise this ball to help that cause. Then I was in contact with an old neighbour of mine, Sr Mary Neylon, who is in Peru. I asked her what help she

needed and she gave me a request of roughly €3,000 for an initiative with the women in Lima.

“The project involves setting up schemes where they can work them- selves and make a few bob of their own, make them feel good and make them feel wanted.”

The night will include a pre-dinner reception, a meal and then an evening of entertainment from Johnny Car- roll of the Famous Golden Trumpet and his band.

Tickets at €100 each are available from Flan Garvey or through the West County at 065 6823000.

C’S DRY e iene namee ulus Ireland are oiling their bikes and stretching out their calf muscles in preparation for the fourth annual Tour the Burren which will be hitting the roads of north Clare on June 16.

This year’s tour will have two sepa- rate routes and is designed to cater for everyone from the experienced cyclist looking for a challenge to the day tripper after a bit of fun.

“We cater for all kinds of cyclists, from the slow to the fast, from the tall to the small. We accommodate everybody, for as long as they want to take part they will be looked af- ter,’ said Patrick O’Donohue of the Burren Cycle Club.

“We will have a broom wagon go- ing after the cycle, picking up anyone who needs a lift. We will also have full assistance for anyone who has any mechanical problems.

“We have two routes. The first route is 16O0km and has four main climbs at Ballaghtdine, up Corker Hill, up the Cork Screw Hill and at the Cliffs of Moher. It leaves Ballyvaughan at 9.30am and 1s for cyclists who have a bit of experience.

“The second route leaves Bally- vaughan at llam and is 60km long. There will be a food stop with food, beverages, sandwiches the whole lot at the Royal Spa in Lisdoonvarna. Afterwards we will have a celebra- tion at Monks Pub in Ballyvaughan with a jazz band.”

Since its formation in 2003, the Burren Club has gone from strength to strength and this year boasts more than 40 members. Some 120 people took part in the tour last year and or- ganisers are hoping for an even big- ger turnout this year.

“We just finished the Croi tour last weekend round Lough Corrib, some of us are going to do the Wicklow Tour in early June and then we have the Tour de Burren. We are also look- ing at doing the Ring of Kerry in July if people are interested in taking part in that,” continued Patrick.

“The challenge of the tour is the climbs but more important than that is the scenery. It’s spectacular. A few people will take the race seriously but it’s mainly for average cyclists to

have a good day out. The last person home is the most important person.”

Tour de Burren takes place on Saturday, June 16, with registra- tion taking place in Ballyvaughan between 8.30am and 930am. Entry for licensed members is €10, €20 unlicensed. For more info, contact Patrick on 086 2579682, John at 086 8405449 or www.burrencyclingclub. onee

SDE still available to buy in local shops, the success of the inaugural festival should guarantee a continued early summer festival in Gort for years to Koya lon

“It was a great day, a day that Gort can be really proud of,” said Niamh Clune, managing director of GRACE and organiser of the Changing Colours.

“So many people contributed in

the festival, people like Anne Kelly who never flinches no matter what the task, the GRACE directors and volunteers, all our sponsors, the mu- sicilans and technical team, Garry Connolly for his help on the day, my husband, Doug who was always behind the scenes helping and my daughter, Aleisha, for the music and friendship.”

Giant puppets and jugglers walked the streets, the ICA arrived on pony and trap to signify the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in 1857, as the his- tory of Gort was depicted in graphic action.

The carnival atmosphere contin- ued with Marie Gavin’s dancers

who performed a war and fire dance, before Euro-Samba played some au- thentic samba from the San Paolo region and were joined by Brazilian CN eo ace

“There are too many people to thank, but I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all the teachers and loop leaders for their brilliant guidance and participation; to Michael O’Grady, Frank Murray, Nilton De Viera Souza and Isaiais for helping on the day and with the Brazilian translations,’ she contin- tere

“T would also like to thank the Garda Siochana, the Court Serv- ices, Galway County Council Spe-

cial Events Licensing for Arts and Crafts Fair, the brilliant staff of the Lady Gregory, Dennis Corry and the Board of Trustees at Gort Com- munity School and the business people of Gort.

‘To Pat Howley and the Red Cross team, to all those who provided out- lets for ticket and CD sales, to James Lee and staff of the Gort Communi- ty Centre and to Mayor Mullins for helping us to launch the festival.”

The

ENNIS has been named as the venue for the 2008 International Pipe Band Association Championship.

Over 30,000 visitors are expected to descend on the town for the event, which takes place next July. Bands from both sides of the border along with entrants from Scotland, Canada and North America will compete at the championships, which will take place in the Showgrounds.

The championship is traditionally alternated between counties on both sides of the border. Ennis beat off stiff competition from Kilkenny and Limerick to be selected as the 2008 venue.

It is anticipated that a huge number

of visitors will generate a significant economic windfall for the town.

Ennis was highlighted as a poten- tial location following a statement made earlier this year by hotelier John Madden.

During his term as president of En- nis Chamber of Commerce, Mr Mad- den said Ennis was a suitable location for a major international festival.

Members of the Tulla Pipe Band approached the Irish Pipe Band As- sociation to put forward Ennis as a oF NLECOR

Capt Michael Egan, vice-president of the Irish Pipe Band Association said Ennis proved the ideal location.

“It’s close to the airport, you have rail connections. Space was another consideration, you need a ground

that can cater for the numbers, and plenty of hotel accommodation. En- nis has the new bypass. It’s ideal re- ally, its so close to Shannon its easy to get here by rail.

“Certainly we’d be keen and proud to have it in Clare. We’d like to have it in Limerick but we didn’t have the JeYeu DBL Bony

“Being from Munster myself, I take a personal interest in bringing it down here. We got a very posi- tive response from Ennis and Clare in general; they were keen to have it. And were keen to be down here, GET rem ole bercmdelem elena erm mm aten the strong traditional music.”

Capt Egan explained the event has always drawn big attendance num- leTouce

“You re talking between 20-25,000 maybe even 30,000 people would travel. Between 60 and 80 bands aoe eas

‘The top ones from the country es- pecially the north, they’d be heavy into it there.”

John Madden said he was delighted at the decision to award Ennis the ak-WeaheyCovervevl ence

“After coming back from Milwau- kee last year I saw the need for an Irish festival in Ennis, because I thought it was ready for it.

“The Fleadh Nua was in existence and I asked for it to be reorganised and for it to become and interna- tional event. We are very happy that today we have seen the conclusion of a lot of work”.

THE students of St Caimin’s in Shan- non have lent a hand to a former stu- dent of the school, who is undertaking charity work overseas.

Brian Deighan is going to Zambia, doing volunteer work, next month. The St Caimin’s students engaged in three bag-packing days in Shan- non Town Centre, and in the process raised €1,000. This is being divided between Mr Deighan’s project and The Four Peaks Challenge, which is being undertaken by Shannon busi- ness Connor Winfield Limited.

The Students Council, second year classes and students who are involved in the french exchange, took part in

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Mr Deighan (22), from Sooreeney, Sixmilebridge, will travel to Lusaka, Zambia, in July, working as a volun- teer in St Lawrence’s Home of Hope for street children. This is a project of the Irish Jesuit’s outreach organisa- tion, Sli Eile.

Brian – who is a neuroscience re- search student in ‘Trinity College Dublin – and eleven others will work with the street children at St Law- rence’s through music, sport and teaching. They will be living in the local community, a shanty town, for the duration of the three-week project and will undertake ways in engag- ing young boys in activities such as sports, music, basic reading and writ-

ing for three weeks. Each volunteer has to collect almost €2,500 and all of the money will go directly to the project’s work.

Brian will depart on his trip on July 4 and will return on July 24.

In a separate fundraising project, Shannon electronic company, Con- nor Winfield is fundraising for Focus Ireland, through the Four Peaks Chal- lenge. It aims to advance the right of homeless people to live in a place they call home, through quality services, research and advocacy.

Focus Ireland responds to the needs of people who are at risk of becom- ing homeless, through a range of ap- propriate high quality services. It also provides emergency transitional and

long-term accommodation for people out-of-home and campaigns for the rights of people with no homes.

Focus Ireland organises The Four Peaks Challenge every year and in- vites teams of between three and five walkers, along with two drivers per vehicle, to climb the highest moun- tain in each of four provinces over one weekend. Each team must raise a minimum of €4,500 in sponsorship, to help homeless people. This is the second year that this company Is par- ticipant in The Four Peaks Challenge.

“We are very grateful for the very generous donation to our fundrais- ing efforts by St Caimin’s Secondary School,” said Connor Winfield man- aging director John O’Connell.

UNDERAGE hurling and football in Shannon has received a timely boost, with the announcement that SkyCourt is to continue to sponsor Wolfe Tones na Sionna juvenile club, for the next three years.

The town centre company has ex- tended its current three-year backing for the juvenile section, up to and in- cluding 2009.

The juvenile club has enjoyed con- siderable success over the past three seasons, winning a number of county

titles in different grades. The club has grown during this time, and there are almost 400 young boys and girls under the age of 18 playing football, hurling and ladies football.

Since 2004, Wolfe Tones has tak- en top honours in football in minor (twice), under-16 championship and league, and under-12A champion- ship grades. In hurling, it won the minor B, under-12 hurling shield and under-12 B hurling titles. Underage ladies football honours were won by the minors, under-16, under-14A and B teams, and under-12s.

“We were delighted to be associ- ated with such success and with the wonderful efforts of Wolfe Tones members and mentors to coach and field up to 25 juvenile teams in all,” said Pat Kelly, SkyCourt Shannon manager.

“The company is strongly com- mitted to assisting local groups and sporting bodies in Shannon, and we are pleased to build on this partner- ship with such a successful organisa- tion as Wolfe Tones, by committing support for a further three years to the juvenile club,” he added.

Welcoming the announcement, Wolfe Tones Chairman, ‘Tony O’Connell thanked SkyCourt for its continuing support. He said it will greatly assist the club in its efforts to promote healthy recreation for the growing population of young people in the town.

“The task of preparing and provid- ing facilities and equipment for the different teams and age-groups is a formidable one for a voluntary or- ganisation. Help received from the business community 1s crucial to our efforts,’ he said.