Month: August 2007

FURTHER questionmarks were placed over the future of Council- lor Brian Meaney within the Green Party, arising from the Shannon Aer Lingus crisis yesterday.

Last Thursday, Cllr Meaney met with Green Party leader, John Gorm- ley at the Temple Gate Hotel to out- line the concerns of the region over the Aer Lingus decision to end the Shannon-Heathrow service.

Cllr Meaney was accompanied

at the meeting by Chairman of the Shannon Regional Tourism Board, Michael Houlihan, Cllr Madeleine Taylor Quinn (FG) and tourism rep- resentatives, Michael Vaughan and Mary Gleason.

Prior to the meeting, Cllr Meaney confirmed that he was considering his future in the Green Party.

“If the Green Party is complicit in a Government decision that un- dermines the economic stability of the west, I will be unable to remain a member of the Green Party,” said

ST eras

In a letter to Minister Gormley prior to the meeting, Cllr Meaney said, “I have been a loyal, hard-work- ing, founding member of the Green Party here in Clare. I have stood for the Greens at every election in Clare since 1997.

“IT have no difficulty in supporting the Green Party in Government im- plementing hard but necessary deci- sions. I cannot support a non-inter- ventionist policy by a Government of decisions that tear the heart out of

services that promote employment and act as a counter measure to runa- way development in the east.”

Speaking yesterday, Cllr Meaney said, “Everything 1s still at issue. I am not making any further statement on that matter. I will wait and see what happens in January.”

Cllr Meaney said that he was not happy with the lip service Clare Government TDs are paying on the issue. “I am also not happy that with the establishment of the high level departmental committee.

“It is straight from

SIX years of hard voluntary work, responding to call-outs in every kind of foul weather at every hour of the night and day, reaped rewards in Kil- laloe last week when the local rescue team officially became operational as Irelands first inland waterways coast guard unit.

The former Killaloe/Ballina Search and Rescue unit became the Killaloe Coast Guard, when Director Des- ignate of the coast guard, Mr Chris Reynolds formally launched — the service on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the IRCG said the decision was taken to set up its first inland waterways unit in Killa- loe due to the level of traffic and risk on Lough Derg which has 17 public

marinas, four ferry companies, two major water leisure activity centres and 3,500 cruiser hires in 2006. In 2004 10,000 boats passed through Portumna bridge and the estimated total carrying capacity on Lough Derg is 6,437 persons.

The new unit continues to be housed in the ESB site in Killaloe.

To prepare the team for going fully operation, the coast guard replaced their original boats with ‘D’ class in- flatable boat with 40 HP engines for use on local rivers and shallow lakes and a new 7.5m rigid inflatable boat with twin 90 HP 4 stroke engines, GPS, radio, chart plotter, self right- ing system and automated identifica- tion system. This craft can do 30 plus knots, operate in all weathers and rescue up to nine people at a time. To

launch these boats the team has also been given a 4×4 jeep fitted with blue lights and sirens.

Training was also given in first aid, pyrotechnics, radio procedures, search training and advanced boat skills. Additional equipment consist- ing of personal protective equipment, generators, lights, radios, medical stock, stretchers and spinal boards have also been issued to the unit to assist them in their search and rescue work.

The area officer of the team is Michael Quigley. Its deputy area Of- ficer 1s Denis Dillon.

Launching the service, Chris Rey- nolds said the former search and res- cue service was “run on a voluntary basis by the local community doing sterling work in raising public aware-

ness of water safety and in respond- ing to those in peril in the waters”’.

He added that as volunteers of the coast guard units “you are only too well aware of the dangers of the wa- ter. You serve your community in a most hazardous environment per- forming tasks that often take their toll on you emotionally and physi- or Nh ae

“IT wish to thank all 19 volun- teer members of the Killaloe team for their dedication and hard work in training and operations led by Michael Quigley, Area Officer, with the assistance of Dennis Dillon, Deputy Area Officer.”

THERE was a feel of little France about Killaloe at the weekend when cycle star, Sean Kelly, led a team of cyclists out of the town for the Tour de Munster.

The team of cyclists were starting the second day of the seventh annual Tour de Munster, where a team of ‘leisure’ cyclists take on a demand- ing and challenging four-day 600km charity cycle.

The ride took the peddlers through all the counties of Munster with all funds raised going directly to the

Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ire- land (CFAI) which will benefit spe- cific Cystic Fibrosis (CF) projects throughout Munster including “Build4Life’, a major fund-raising drive to build a new dedicated CF unit at Cork University Hospital.

The first stage of the tour took the eroup from Cork into County Water- ford for a big climb at the Vee and through Tipperary and Limerick to Killaloe.

They spent the night at the Lakeside Hotel, before renowned international cyclist Sean Kelly will officially lead them off again.

The aim of the 2007 Tour de Mun- Ster 1s to raise €80,000 towards the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ire- land. The association is a voluntary, non-profitable, charitable organisa- tion, set up to increase knowledge and awareness of Cystic Fibrosis and to give advice and support to people with CF and their families. Martin Cahill of CFA Ireland said, “At present there are over 1,100 CF sufferers in Ireland and while there has been a welcome increase in the life expectancy of people with CF over the years, the demand for the services of our association has also

increased dramatically during this time. As we are totally dependent on voluntary donations and fundraising to provide services, we were delight- ed to be asked by Tour de Munster to be the beneficiary of this year’s fund- raising cycle.”

Taking part from Clare were cy- clists John Casey from Quin and John McDonnell of Wine Australia in Ballyvaughan.

KILKEE Parish Church is getting a makeover, the aim of which is to open up the imposing building to the community.

As well as dressing up the aesthet- ics of the 1960s building, practical work is also being undertaken.

Leaks in the facade and window are being sealed, the car park is being made more users friendly, and the church is being made more Wheelchair accessible.

Kilkee Parish Council Finance Committee are over seeing the project, with local artist Paddy Mur- ray declared the brainchild of the new design.

Parish Priest Donagh O’Meara said

that the church was originally built in 1963 with a summer congregation bomeeneeren

As aresult it can hold 1,200 people. During four to five weeks during the summer the church 1s filled to capac- ity as 10,000 people make Kilkee their summer home.

Come the winter however, when the local population reaches approx1- mately 1,500 people the church can be quiet empty.

Work has already began in the €200,000 renovation project but Mass and ceremonies are continuing as usual.

“The church needs to be opened and made more friendly and acces- sible,’ said Fr O’Meara.

“We need to make it part of the

community rather than having it en- closed.”

The grounds of the church have been the scene of numerous organ- ised community gatherings such as barbeques.

By lowering the walls so the peo- ple can sit on them and merging the three entrances into two it is expected that the grounds will be more easily available for community gatherings.

While the building is very “func- tional” it is not the most aesthetically pleasing church in the county, so trees are to be added to its surrounds for a less imposing and warm effect.

The leak in its brick walls is caus- ing dampness in the church especial- ly in the sanctuary and the front of Weom@slerKeee

“The problem is the salt air does damage,’ said Fr O’Meara. “The bricks get porous from the air.”

While the bad weather has ham- pered some of the work to date it 1s hoped that it will all be completed in October.

Fundraising is continuing in the area for the project.

FOR the first time ever the Ellen (Nell) Galvin Traditional Music Weekend will feature music classes.

OW sem Y COE Me Co OR DM Tmm DOB LACES OD AO S| year and takes place from August 31 to September 2.

The festival will officially open on Friday night at 9pm with a mu- sic session by John Kelly, Peter O’ Loughlin, Maeve Donnelly, Frank Custy, Patrick O’Loughlin, Paul Smith and John Everist and friends from Missouri USA. A Ceili with music provided by Four Courts Céili

band will follow.

On Saturday for the first time ever tin whistle and bodhran with Karen McInerney, fiddle classes with Vin- cent Griffin, flute classes with Paddy O’Donoghue and set dancing classes with Mary Murrihy will take place, all free of charge.

Music sessions will continue as al- ways on Saturday with Ann Hayes and her group, Mick Crehan, Ira Crehan, Angela Crotty, Paul Smith, Kitty Hayes, Peter Laban Frank Whelan and Cois na hAbhna Group, Michael Falsey and Lissycasey Jnr set dancers.

On Sunday Mass in Lisdeen Church begins at 9.30am followed by a visit to Nell Galvin’s grave. Music ses- sions will continue all day until late in Clancy’s Bar.

Local Legend Ellen “Nell” Galvin was born in Ballydinneen Knocka- lough on March 1, 1887.

She learned to play the fiddle un- der the watchful eye of blind Piper Garret Barry. She could also play the concertina but concentrated on the fiddle. Nell was the first Clare woman to broadcast traditional Irish Music from Radio Eireann known at the time as 2 RN.

In 2003 the residents of Moyasta got together and a committee was set up to organise the weekend.

“The intention was to give some recognition and pay homage to one of our own,’ said Mary Haugh secre- tary of the committee.

The event takes place each year on the first weekend in September to co- incide with the anniversary of Nell’s death on September 5, 1961.

“The committee would like to thank Clare County Council, the Arts Council, CCE and our loyal sponsors for their assistance,’ said Ms Haugh.

KILRUSH is on the crest of a wave as yachts man Ger O’Rourke has won the prestigious and hotly con- tested Rolex Fastnet Race for the local club.

The Limerick native has long been associated with the Kilrush Western Yacht Club and has owned a number of both very large and small racing yachts.

Chieftain sails under the flags of the Western Yacht Club and under her nominated homeport of Kil- rush Ireland, and thanks to her suc- cess the club and Kilrush are being brought to the attention of a world- VA Celomr- LOCO BCA ron

Last week the Cookson 50, was declared the overall winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race and its captain presented with the Fastnet Chal- lenge Cup and a Rolex Yacht master timepiece at the prize giving on Fri- day at the historic Royal Citadel in Plymouth.

The Farr-designed carbon fibre yacht finished Wednesday night at 19:43:44 local time with an elapsed sailing time of 55:04:43.

Ger O’Rourke previously brought honour to the local yacht club by winning the Cork Dry Gin Sailor of the Year 2006 and the Cork Dry Gin Sailor of the Month for January, 2006.

Ger is the director of the Limerick

based Civil Engineering and Con- struction Company Chieftain Con- struction Ltd and is a mechanical engineer with a marketing degree.

The engineer is an avid competi- tive sailor and has taken part in yacht racing for a number of years including the 2004 BMW Round Ireland Race in which he finished well up the field.

However in 2005 Ger decided to have his own custom built yacht and put a programme in place to achieve that ambition.

He planned a Cookson 50 racing yacht with a canting keel built and awarded the construction contract to a boatyard in New Zealand.

The result of this endeavour was

the now famous Chieftain. With it he took part in the internationally renowned Southern Hemisphere, Sydney, Australia to Hobart, Taz- mania Race in December 2005 and won the event, which was a most auspicious start to his racing ca- KsLo

Following the yacht’s success in the Southern Hemisphere, Chief- tain came north and in 2006 won a string of major races in North- ern Europe and the Mediterranean. Chieftain was named as the Irish Cruising Racing Association Yacht of the Year for 2006.

Chieftain is sailed with a crew of 12 to 15 people depending on race requirements.

WEST Clare beauty Grainne Larkin has been crowned “Maiden of the Mourne’.

Grainne won the coveted title at the Warrenpoint Festival last weekend.

The 22-year-old Kilkee woman staved off competition from as far afield as America, Northern Ireland and Russia to secure the title for the Banner County.

Grainne won the Clare Maiden of

the Mourne title in Limerick during the summer.

Forty girls in total competed on that night for five titles – Miss Clare, Miss Limerick, Miss Universe repre- sentative and Maiden of the Mourne for Clare and Limerick.

The Limerick “maiden” was unable to travel to the final leaving Grainne as the only representative from the Republic of Ireland.

The Kilkee beautician enjoyed her first trip to Northern Ireland for the

festival, and could not believe she won the international competition.

“T nearly lost my life when they an- nounced the winner, my legs were shaking, I couldn’t believe it,’ she Sr HLGe

“It was definitely the best experi- ence of my life getting that crown,’ she said.

The Clare woman enjoyed the week of the festival, which is very similar to the Rose of Tralee.

“It was excellent. It was a really

good experience. We were not al- lowed to go out very late and were just allowed one glass of wine. They were every good to us and treated us like little princesses.”

The ten contestants were up every morning at 7.30am to begin their very busy schedule that went on until 10.30pm.

As well as touring Northern Ire- land, the girls were brought to Stor- mount, where Grainne’s claim to fame was sitting on First Minister Jan Paisley’s chair.

The girls also took part in a parade, visited senior citizens and youth projects, as well as paying visits to their many sponsors.

As well as the banquet ball, the contestants also had to go through numerous interviews before the Sat- urday night public interview on stage at the town hall.

Grainne was second after the break to speak to UTV news presenter Paul Clarke in front of a packed crowd. The talented woman also sang the Christy Moore song “Ride On”.

During her reign as Maiden of the Mourne, the Kilkee woman will have to return to Warrenpoint to turn on the Christmas lights, be part of the St Patrick’s Day festivities and other official functions.

Among the many prizes she re- ceived was Newbridge silverware jewellery, a designer dress and every girls’ favourite, a designer handbag.

She also received €750 on the night and will receive a second cheque for the same amount when her year is completed.

Grainne is the daughter of Delia and Patrick Larkin and has one sister Roisin.

Formerly a pupil of St Joseph’s Community College, OT rer Grainne now manages the beauty el- ement at the Sentosa Spa at the Kul- kee Bay Hotel.

AN African country struggling to deal with an AIDS epidemic is set to benefit from money raised by staff at Ennis General Hospital.

Through a series of fundraising initiatives, hospital staff collected money for the Faraja Centre in the Singida region of Tanzania.

The money will go towards alle- viating problems facing the Singida communities 1n relation to the spread of the AIDS and the increased bur- den on family resources, especially grand parents and parents struggling to look after young children.

Staff member Teresa Conlon re- cently visited the region to observe first hand the work done by volun- teers a the Faraja Centre.

Connie O’Halloran is one such per- son who has spent the past two years working in Tanzania. She praised the efforts of Teresa and her colleagues, saying the contribution would pro- vide a major boost in halting the spread of AIDS in the region.

“T have been working as a volunteer in the Faraja project, Singida, Tanza- nia for almost two years and I was overwhelmed with the generosity of the people of Clare who supported fundraising activities for the project. The fundraising events which were organised by Teresa Conlon were supported by our friends and Teresa’s colleagues at Ennis General Hospi- tal’”’.

Tanzania 1S experiencing a gener- alised AIDS epidemic, with 10 per cent of the population directly af-

fected. This constitutes not only a health crisis but also a development crisis for the country.

In Singida Town ‘Tanzania, the Faraja centre operated by the Med1- cal Missionaries of Mary offers vol- untary counseling and testing (VCT) for HIV/AIDS.

VCT is vital to the early diagnosis and therefore treatment of those suf- fering from HIV/AIDS. Early diag- nosis of HIV infection is crucial for two reasons; this support can go a long way towards reducing the risk of the transmission of the diseases to others.

It also provides an opportunity to initiate treatment early to prolong survival and improve quality of life. The centre offers a wide range of methodologies to implement their

programme, to educate and to prevent the further spread of HIV/AIDS”.

In the Singida community in which the Faraja centre operates, people can come freely to be tested for HIV/ AIDS and take control of their health status and avail of this continuum of oF Kes

Connie added, “We at the Faraja Centre sincerely wish to thank eve- ryone that attended and supported Teresa’s parents – your efforts and generosity are greatly appreciated by all here in Faraja.

A special thank you to all who donated spot prizes for the draw at Ennis General Hospital. Also a big thank you to my friends and Teresa’s friends who cooked various dishes for the meal at her house and all who donated so generously”.

MANAGEMENT at Tesco Shannon have moved to reassure locals and staff that they have no intention of deserting the town.

The supermarket chain’s recent announcement that they are closing up their store in the centre is due to the fact that they cannot extend their lease any longer.

“We would like to reassure our customers and staff that we are fully committed to having a Tesco store in Shannon,’ a spokesman for manage- ment said.

“With our current lease due to ex- pire in March 2008, we have been ex- amining a number of short and long term options for a store in Shannon. These include temporary, replace-

ment and new store possibilities. We are currently working through these options with the appropriate author1- ties,” he added.

There were concerns in the town this week that Tesco might be pull- ing out altogether. Concerns were also raised for the jobs of the 50 staff working in the store, but manage- ment said they will be given other options.

“Staff in Shannon will be offered the chance to transfer to other stores in the locality, such as Coonagh Cross. We will be discussing these options with staff and their repre- sentatives over the coming weeks,” the management spokesman said.

The company is also “planning to develop an alternative new store at Shannon as soon as it becomes pos-

sible”’.

‘Following over 30 years of loyal support from our customers and staff in Shannon, Tesco Ireland would like to reiterate our long term com- mitment to the town,’ a statement from the company read.

Commenting on Tesco Ireland’s announcement in relation to the fu- ture of its Shannon store, Eoin Hoc- tor, Shannon Chamber President said, “Shannon Chamber is sorry to see a short term loss of shopping facilities. However, we are delighted to see in Tesco’s statement that there is a long-term commitment by Tesco to maintain a presence in the Shan- non area.

“Shannon chamber would urge all interested parties, Tesco Ireland, SkyCourt and Clare County Coun-

cil to ensure that the transition is a smooth one.”

He added that the development “highlights the need for a quick resolution in respect of the masterp- lan for Shannon Town Centre 2 and Town Centre 3”.

Mayor of Clare, Cllr Patricia Mc- Carthy, contacted the chain and was told “that in the event of deciding to opt for building a new store it would not be ready before mid 2008. In that event they would be looking at the possibility of applying for planning permission for a temporary store”’.

‘I intend to do everything possible to ensure that the employees will continue to have security of employ- ment and that the store will be able to continue trading in Shannon,’ she said.

FIVE thousand people marched in solidarity with Aer Lingus workers in Shannon on Friday night to signal their anger at the company’s con- troversial decision to terminate the Shannon/Heathrow route.

The event was organised by the Shannon Action Group and was at- tended by workers, local politicians, members of the local business com- munity and community and sporting organisations.

The march took place from the Drumline roundabout and concluded at the Ballymurtagh roundabout on the approach road to Shannon town centre. The crowd was led by the Tulla Pipe Band.

Addressing the crowd assembled at the Ballymurtagh roundabout, Fine Gael TD Pat Breen said there would be “no surrender” until all the Heath- row routes were restored.

Fianna Fail TD Timmy Dooley told the crowd that the Aer Lingus dec- sion placed jobs and future invest- ment in the region at risk.

Deputy Dooley, who topped the poll in Clare, was also critical of Government ministers.

He said, “It is extremely difficult to speak out against the actions of your own government and your own party. But unfortunately the kind of brief- ings that some of our ministers have been giving to the media have shown a scant regard for the concerns of this region.”

Independent MEP for Ireland South, Cathy Sinnot urged people in the mid-west to fight the Aer Lingus decision.

“Open Skies insists that there will be two airports in Europe, Heathrow and Frankfurt, and after that there will one layer of minor hubs and Dublin is fighting very hard to be one of those minor hubs. The big threat to Dublin has always been Shannon.”

Mayor of Shannon, Sean McLough- lin said Shannon wanted all of the Heathrow slots back.

Mayor of Limerick, Ger Fahy said, “The people of Limerick city are absolutely incensed with these pro- posals and they are 100 per cent full square behind the campaign to save our slots.”

The 5,000-strong crowd also heard from Frank Prendergast, Chairman of the Shannon Airport Marketing Consulting Committee, Aer Lingus workers ‘Tony Kinnane and Paul Barry and Jan O’Sullivan, Labour TD for Limerick East.

One of those taking part in the march was Paramyjit Neote, a busi- ness consultant with Cratloe-based PSN consulting.

He said, “We have our own busi- ness here in the aviation industry so we are going to be losing that con- nection to India. If you are taking a flight to India, the Aer Lingus flight was the only connection to Heath- row to catch the flights to India. So it is vital that these flights are main- tained.”