Month: July 2007

KILBAHA is a small west Clare vil- lage that is proud of its history and traditions.

The tight-knit community has now made that unique history avail- able to tourists and visitors with two projects that bring the past to life and celebrates the creativity of the areas many artists.

Looking out on to the Atlantic is the newly completed Garden of Re- membrance and the year old Five Pi- lot Memorial.

The projects are the brainchild of the Kilballyowen Development Company and the work of the Rural Resourse Development Scheme.

Local men Eddie Fennell, John O’ Dwyer, Gerard Collins and Pead- ar Keniry are proud of the stonework that will ensure the two projects live

on for generations to come.

The beautiful stonewalls are built from local stone, with limestone flags underfoot.

The top of the wall is encrusted with beach stones giving the struc- ture a rope like effect.

The men’s stonework skills were also used to create a water feature in the shape of a milk churn at the front of the garden, and an open fireplace at the back.

A bog oak tree from Tulagher Bog makes up the centre of the bronze Diarmuid and Grainne sculpture.

The piece representing the two lov- ers whose story is part of the Loop- head folklore was designed and cre- ated by father and son team, Jim and Seamus Connolly.

Along the right hand wall, that has been created to look like a scroll, is the wroth ironwork of local man and

former teacher Paddy Murray.

The ironwork is made up of eight pieces reflecting seven moments in history for the peninsula.

Not surprising the Little Arc Church makes up part of the sequence under the title of “Religion”.

“Fishing” features artic explorer Captain Michael Brennan, while “music” features the late John Kelly and the Clare Set.

Two of the scenes depict traditional farming methods, with the scene on the “Irish language” featuring por- traits of Seamus O’Dea and Eugene O’Curry.

“Emigration” tells its own stark sto- ry aS women on the shore wave good bye to their sons and daughters.

It is his final scene entitled “Sport” that begins to tell a lot of the penin- sula’s hidden history. Depicted in the iron is Peter Foley who was a record

holding weight thrower from 1889.

Yet to be added to the garden are two pieces by Michael McTigue, re- flecting the history of the “yellow men” who perished in a shipwreck approximately 150 years ago and all who lost their lives at sea.

The second pieces is “the flame of freedom” remembering all of those involved in the Irish move towards Independence.

The Sides family, who have a hol1- day home nearby, donated the piece of land on which the garden was een ne

that some of the positions have oLeres OMB UU OLSLO Mmm A100 MmmaSE-DOODURVammBu lo I(C0 bY, work arrangements” more common- LY ented ware em (elem stcvuberce He said that the office in Kilrush is

part of the Collector General’s Divi- sion of the Revenue, which is respon- sible for the collection of all major taxes.

These include VAT, PAYE, PRSI, income tax, capital gains tax, and corporation tax.

It is believed that up to a third of the staff are coming for civil servant jobs in Ennis, another third is mov- ing from Limerick, while the major- ity of the remainder are returning to west Clare or moving there for the first time from Dublin.

The 50 posts in the Kilrush Reve- nue office will be made up of 31 cler- ical officers, nine executive officers, three higher executive officers, three Staff officers, three service officers and an assistant principal.

According to the Revenue Press Of- fice, the Collector General’s Division collected €50.7 billion last year.

Mayor of Kilrush Councillor Tom Clyne (Ind) welcomed the new em- ployees to the town, and wished them well in their new life in west Clare.

The newly elected mayor said that the vast majority of the 60 workers would be living in the Kilrush area.

“It is great for the town. It is good for the commerce of the town, and the schools and the economy in gen- eral,’ he said.

“We have plenty to offer them as well. There are lots of leisure facili- ties here you would not find in the midlands,” said the Westmeath born town councillor.

“We have sailing, yachting, great

golfing, leisure walks and of course the walled garden. They are very happy with the facilities in the town,” |atemncy- BG

The Integrated Shannon Decen- tralisation Network (ISDN), which was established in November 2000, promoted a joint approach to decen- tralisation by the towns of Kilrush, Listowel and Newcastlewest, follow- ing a public meeting chaired by then local TD Brendan Daly.

The ISDN was a partnership be- tween Shannon Development, town councils in Kilrush and Listowel and the Community Council in Newcas- tlewest together with the area repre- sentatives of Limerick County Coun- cil and supported by the Chamber of Commerce in each town.

ALMOST 300 people are alive to- day thanks to the brave efforts of the Kilkee Marine and Rescue Service.

Irelands oldest voluntary sea res- cue service is this year celebrating a quarter of a century in existence, with local man Manuel diLuici still a member 25 years on.

The original crew was made up of himself, Eamon Murnane and Joe Haugh, with John Nolan, Martin Tweedy, Kieran De Loughry, Barry O’Shaughnessy, Kevin Heenan and Eamon Nunan some of its longest serving member.

Today up to 20 local people are part of the totally voluntary service.

The youngest member is trainee ’7-year-old Sheena Nolan, who has joined her father and brother as a member of the service.

The teenager is not fazed by the amount of time and dedication re- quired by the service.

“T love being involved. I don’t mind the commitment, it is great fun,’ she Cr HTOe

The crew train twice a week, with other routine checks and procedures also part of the commitment.

The crew are also on standby 24 hours a day seven days a week in case of a call out via mobile phone.

The service was set up in 1982 un- der the auspices of the Kilkee Devel- opment Association.

The fist ever call out for the Kilkee Marine Sea and Rescue Service 25 years ago was to a trawler in diffi- culty.

The crew responded to the call in force eight winds and brought it and its crew safely back to Doonbeg har- lereltbe

In 1986 the Kilkee crew were forced to recover the bodies of two of their own members – JJ Hartington from Castletownbere who was work- ing in Moneypoint and Ian Benson from Kilkee.

Both men were in there twenties and were out fishing when the trag- edy occurred.

“It was one of the saddest incidents of my career,’ said founding member Manuel diLuici.

The rescue service has recovered 28 bodies during the past 25 years and saved 280 more.

Despite the crew, some 160 mem- bers throughout the 25 years, giving their services for free it costs be- tween €30,000 and €40,000 to keep the service running.

Ennis businessman PJ Howard sponsored the first of the services four-life boats.

The boats need to be replaced eve- ry five to seven years with the engine usually the first piece of the equip- ment to give trouble.

The current boat was purchased in 2003, but the service must already start thinking about how it will fund the €150,000 necessary to buy next the state of the art boat.

Over the years members of the service have brought honour to the seaside village due to their bravery. John Cosgrove, his son Frank and Eamon Nunan received a certificate of merit from the minister for the ma- rine for a rescue in October 2000.

The three men risked everything to save a young Limerick man who got trapped in the propeller of a boat.

The thankful family later held a huge fundraiser to say thank you.

The links between Limerick and Kilkee are strong so it 1s not surpris- ing therefore that the links between the service and the Treaty County are equally tight.

Many of the Limerick people who spend summer in the west Clare town also sign up to be part of the life saving service.

RESIDENTS in Drumgeely are los- ing patience, as no progress has been made on redeveloping their local community hall, nine months after it was destroyed by a fire.

A blaze totally destroyed the der- elict building last October. It took several months to clear up the site, and while the debris has now been removed, the site is still lying idle.

The hall, which had previously been owned by Shannon Development, was taken over by a private company

in 1992.

Locals are concerned that no use is being made of the site, and they would love to see facilities created, for young children in the area.

Chairperson of the local residents association, Beatrice Keville said lo- cals are still not happy that no move- ment has been made on ensuring the site will benefit the local community.

“The site was in an awful state, with a lot of rusty stuff hanging there. It has been cleared up, but the wire net- ting around the old tennis court is broken. It 1s an eyesore,” she said.

“While the debris has been removed from the actual site, the old netting and supports are sagging and rusting. They are horrible to look at,” said Ms Keville.

“This is after how many years? I’m disgusted. As it is in private hands, Clare County Council say there is nothing they can do about it,” she SrHLGe

“It is pretty sad for the young peo- ple and for those of us who have lived here all our lives. Hopefully it will be sorted out,’ she said.

“Before shops and schools were

built in the then new town of Shan- non, Drumgeely Community Hall was where these and social needs were met. Drumgeely was the first residential area of Shannon and was a thriving place, with a great com- munity spirit. There was an active tennis club, one of the first sporting clubs in Shannon,” she said.

The hall was the centre of activity for the people of the area for sev- eral years and locals say that a huge void has been left in the community, through the unavailability of a valu- able site.

A SHANNON youth club for people with special needs is recruiting vol- unteers to help with its fun activities when it resumes in September.

The S Club gives children over 12 the chance to break from routine with everything from bowling to karaoke to cinema to art classes, as well as giving parents some respite.

The club meets every Wednesday from 6.30 to 8pm during the school year but because its membership 1s limited by volunteer numbers, any-

one who can give a little time to the project is welcome.

Leader Aoife Wright said that help- ing with S Club is both rewarding and great fun.

“It is really enjoyable for volun- teers. The young people we work with get very excited and have a brilliant time. They’re so loving and caring and entertaining aswell so it’s a good opportunity for everyone. People might think that it takes a lot of time too but it doesn’t – you might only do a night every three weeks.”

She added that no experience is

necessary although it always helps.

“I started when I was doing social work in college and it’s definitely good if you have worked with people with special needs and some volun- teers are doing related courses. But people should know that it’s not es- sential because a lot of our volunteers are mothers with a bit of time free in the evenings. The only specification is that you need clearance from the Grier a

S Club has been running for four years, most recently in the Respond Centre, since the need was identi-

fied for a social outlet in Shannon for young people with special needs.

“Local councillor Tony Mulcahy was very involved in setting it up and his own daughter is a very enthusias- tic member,’ said Aoife, “There was just five of us at the start but it’s 1m- portant to have something like this. We have a lot of interest from peo- ple with younger kids so hopefully it will keep going.”

Anyone interested in volunteer- ing their time to the S Club youth eroup can contact Aoife Wright on 086 1698987.

HERITAGE group, Duchas na Sion- na, has outlined a number of concerns regarding the proposed major over- haul of Shannon town centre.

In its submission regarding the pro- posed development, Duchas na Sion- na has referred to archaeological and wildlife concerns, while it has also made recommendations relating to pedestrianisation.

“A primary site of archaeological concern would be the old roadway that joins the Sli na Mara boreen. This is the oldest existing roadway in the entire Shannon area, featuring on the Ordnance Survey map of 1841

and also dating back to an appearance on Henry Pelhams map of 1787. We strongly feel that it must be a matter of the highest priority that the remain- ing sections of this road should be preserved and maintained so, that no further sections of the existing road are lost or destroyed,” stated the sub- mission.

Duchas na Sionna has suggested that the road and boreen be incorporated into any new development, “in an im- aginative way.

“Tt could be a unique aspect of a new town if surrounded by a parkland or nature reserve, thereby incorporating the ancient and modern as part of a new development,’ stated the submis-

sion.

It is also calling for the placename ‘Slina Mara’ to be preserved and used as an integral name of central signifi- cance in any new development.

“The archaeological group on our committee also strongly suggest that a full archaeological audit and survey be carried out, prior to the commence- ment of any preliminary works on the Site,” it stated.

The group is also calling for the provision of a number of areas of parkland, shrubbery and indigenous hedgerow, which would “be conducive to and harmonious with the wildlife which currently inhabits the site”’.

Among the other issues raised in-

clude a recommendation on pedestria- WURS-1B COEF

“We submit that the current main road running past the Oakwood Arms Hotel and between SkyCourt Town Centre and the proposed site should be largely pedestrianised, with only very limited vehicular access, which should be subject to a very low speed restriction. This would effectively link the existing shopping area to the new development,” it stated.

Duchas na Sionna is also proposing that the proposed arts and cultural centre be located within the area of the proposed development, as it would be central to the existing housing ar- SHIDO) OFT ON ALO)OF

A CLOCK tower, water feature or specially commissioned piece of sculpture should form the central fo- cal point of Shannon town, when it is overhauled.

That’s according to the local Cham- ber of Commerce, which has submit- ted its proposals on the development of the town.

The chamber’s detailed submission on the development of Shannon also suggests the provision of a skate- boarding park or an ice skating rink.

It also stated that “it is crucial that mistakes made in the development of the existing [Cl (current town cen- tre) are learned from, while working to integrate each of the three town

centres with each other.”

The architects behind the project plan to create a new ‘urban retail en- vironment’ and a ‘living centre’, on a site across the road from SkyCourt, while the inclusion of a traditional streetscape 1s also expected to be a priority.

The chamber suggests the estab- lishment of a commercially-orientat- ed theatre, a multi-functional social amenity and an outlet facility, which would consist of medium-sized units, that would attract vendors of design- er goods at discount prices.

Its submission also suggests a “unique attraction” in the shape of a “state-of-the-art skate boarding park or an all-year ice skating rink”.

The submission was compiled by

the chamber’s interim chief execu- tive Laurie O’Connor, in consul- tation with its board of directors, which represents 150 companies in the Shannon region.

It has also addressed access routes into the proposed development.

“The proposed Shannon Light Rail Scheme needs to be integrated, with a centrally located station in place. In tandem with this, public transport links from this centrally located sta- tion need to be provided for,” stated the submission.

“Provision and design of foot- bridges and road links over the cur- rent airport road must be central to the masterplan. The people of Shan- non need to be central to the design behind these modes of crossing be-

tween the two development areas,’ it AYOCe(oxen

The chamber has also advocated maximising current routeways.

“Approach roads to and from Shannon town centre and Shannon Airport must be maintained to the highest of standards. Current levels of landscaping, grass cutting and hedge maintenance is below stand- ard and there is a considerable lack of floral displays located in strategic locations such as roundabouts, town entry points and at the entrance and exit points of Shannon Airport,” said Ms O’Connor.

Murray O’Laoire architects hope to have a draft plan completed by Sep- tember, before final plans are drawn

vee

A 300 kilometre bike ride to raise money for Belarussian children started at the weekend — with a game of golf.

Anthony Foley and Ger O’ Loughlin were among the players on 36 teams of three who took a swing at help- ing to raise money for the East Clare Chernobyl! Project in the golf classic at Clonlara Golf and Leisure on Sat- WaKOE: WA

The day was organised by Johnny Murphy and his five Clonlara com- panions who will be cycling from Minsk to Malech, starting on Sep- tember 21.

Johnny and fellow Clonlara cy- clists, Daithi O’Shanahan and Denis McKeown did the cycle last year and raised €18,000 for the cause.

This year, they are being joined by two more Clonlara residents, Trish O’Shea and Eoin Begley, with 23 cy- clists from Clare and Limerick join- ing in the ride.

“I think I can retire from it after this year — the whole thing is getting so big they won’t need me,’ joked Johnny.

Much of the money is spent on im- proving life in orphanages in Bela- rus, where children live in appalling conditions.

The project spent more than 60,000

there last year, with some of the fund- raising being used to bring young- sters to Clare for a little r ‘n r from the radiation which they live with on POE DEWAN Oye FSS ESe

The golf classic, barbecue and night of music and fun served to raise money to get the cyclists out there as well as kick-starting their fund.

On a serious note, Even if he takes a break from organising, Johnny says he will still be involved in the ride. “When you see the terrible condi- tions the little children have to cope with, you couldn’t but go back.”

The gruelling ride will take two and a half days and the riders will stay in the orphanages and meet the

children along the way.

Johnny is training by cycling to and from Shannon while other members of the team have taken on challenges such as the Limerick to Kilkee and Ring of Kerry rides.

“We’ll have great craic and most importantly we’ll make some money for the projects. We’re delighted that sO many people have decided to get involved this year and we’re hoping there will be even more next year,” said Johnny.

FUN – hopefully in the sun – is on the agenda for Feakle people this weekend with the second summer Family Fun Day all organised, de- spite the weather.

The day is designed to have people come out and enjoy spending time as a family and with neighbours.

Whether you think your forte is welly-throwing or tug-of-war, there’s bound to be something eve- ryone excels at. Or at worst enjoy the

hilarity of being soundly trounced by a more Serious welly-slinger. Among the fun competitions being staged from 2pm at the hurling field are the bungee run, sheaf throwing, sponge throwing, the aforemen- tioned tug-of-war and welly throw- ing, a limbo competition, an assault course a penalty shoot and a clothes hanging competition, of all things. ‘The men are welcome to try their hand at this if they are confident in their abilities – this is an equal op- portunities event,’ a spokeswoman

for the organisers said.

The day is the brainchild of the pastoral group and the youth group and is the second after a very suc- cessful debut last year.

Also on the day, there will be a prize for fancy dress and everyone is welcome to try their hand by coming dressed up.

There will also be a Feakle ver- sion of “odd one out” as well as a mini-treasure hunt.

To slake the thirst of all that sheaf, welly and sponge throwing, there

will be tea and coffee and a shop on site.

There will be a canopied area and a sheltered toddlers play area as well.

“What we are saying to people is to come out, bring a picnic and spend the day. There’ll be music and great fun and it’s a chance for people just to relax, enjoy the day and have fun. Hopefully, we’ll get a couple of dry days this week for the pitch to dry out,’ the spokeswoman said.

THE BATTLE of the bands brought tunes and toe-tapping to Tulla at the weekend. Members of the Tulla Pipe Band played host to the Munster Pipe Band Championships.

The event follows on their hosting of the championships last year, to mark their 70th birthday.

The musical gathering saw more than fifteen bands, including almost two hundred musicians, helpers and supporters flock to the town on Sun- day.

Between lpm and 5pm, the bands

played their hearts out for the honour of being the best in Munster.

For the finale, all of the musicians joined in a musical parade through the village and the grounds of the national school were busy with per- formers and locals who came along to enjoy the music and support the competitors.

There were four grades of competi- tion, with the Tulla band competing with the best of them.

Michael O’ Rourke of the Tulla Pipe Band said they were “delighted and honoured” to be hosting the impor- tant competition for the second year

running.

“Even the weather was kind to us on the day – we had a fine afternoon and everyone enjoyed it,” he said.

While hosting of the Munster Championship is up for grabs next year, the Tulla organisation is hoping to have some input into the organi- sation of the All-Ireland Champion- ships, which will be held in Ennis next year in July.

The event will see up to 100 bands from all over the country come to town to play and compete.

‘Ennis will never have see the likes of it. It’s a massive event and a real

boost for Clare,’ Michael said.

Pat Danagher of the Tulla Pipe Band was named the Munster Cham- pion Bass Drummer. The Tulla Pipe Band finished runners up to Youghal with Togher coming in third. Limer- ick City Pipe Band were the overall competition winners with another Limerick band, Corpus Christi also among the prize winners.