Month: September 2007

ENNIS and Kilrush have once again won gold medals in the national Tidy SKeaelsmereyesloreisialeyee

The county capital scored 295 points, which is just four points be- hind the overall winner, Aughrim, from Wicklow, the results of which were announced yesterday. It shows an increase of seven points on Ennis’ tally of 288 last year.

Kilrush finished second in Clare, with 290 points (an increase of eight on last year), while Mountshannon was third, with 279 points.

Ennis won a gold medal, the county award for Clare, a national regional biodiversity award, along with a ‘building a bilingual society’ acco- lade. “Ennis is just four points behind the overall winner. For a town this size, this 1s a major achievement,” said the secretary of Ennis Tidy

Towns committee, Margaret Neylon.

Ennis, which won the overall na- tional competition in 2005, has in- creased its points tally, in impres- sive fashion, over the past few years. It scored 272 points in 2004, 279 in 2005 and 288 last year.

Many villages, townlands and towns in Clare showed huge im- provements in their scores in the na- tional competition.

Although Mountshannon scored

279 points, it dropped one point from last year. The village, which won the competition outright in 1981, has been impressive in Tidy Towns over the past few years, increasing its tally in fine fashion.

There were significant improve- ments for many areas, with Ballyna- cally top of the pile in this section, scooping an impressive increase of 21 points, which showed an increase of 8.4 per cent on 2006. Not far be- hind Ballynacally was Kilkee, which increased its tally by 14 points. Thir- teen-point increases were recorded in Quin (256), Ruan (238) and Kilmihil (243).

Ballyvaughan increased by 12 points (256). Tuamgraney increased by 11 points, to 259, while Labash- eeda increased by 10 points to 259. Nine-point increases were awarded in Lahinch (230), Scariff (230) and Carrigaholt (214).

Kilrush scooped eight extra points (290), as did Killimer (227), Kildysart (230) and Newmarket-on- Fergus (241). Seven-point increases were scored by Ennis (295), Feakle (233) and Tulla (218).

Sixmilebridge (254), Killaloe (230) and Ennistymon (224) increased by five points each. A three-point in- crease was recorded in Broadford (208), while Mullagh (214) and Shannon (254) increased by two points each.

KILRUSH is Ireland’s tidiest small town with a population of 2,501 to 5,000 people. The west Clare capital was awarded the gold medal in the National Tidy Towns competition having received the highest marks in the Category D section.

Members of the hard-working Tidy Towns committee were celebrating, having secured the coveted gold af- ter two years of winning silver. For the committee and the town council it was a huge ambition achieved.

According to Murt Collins, Chair-

person of the Kilrush Tidy Towns Committee, “Key to our progress in the Tidy Towns scheme has been the partnership approach that we adopted some years ago. There is a broad range of groups and organi- sations now involved in promoting and enhancing the appearance of the town including the local Tidy Towns committee, FAS schemes, outdoor and clerical staff from Kilrush Town Council, the local business sector and the community of Kilrush.” Kilrush Town Clerk, Fiona Mooney said taking part in the Tidy Towns competition has impacted positively

on the appearance of the town.

“In recent years, Kilrush has been scoring consistently high in the areas of overall developmental approach, the built environment, landscap- ing, wildlife and natural amenities, litter control, tidiness, residential areas and general impression. This improved appearance has been ob- served and commented upon by the many thousands of visitors to the town each year. This can only have positive consequences for the town’s image and future growth,” she said.

“Winning a gold medal is a mas- sive achievement for everybody

involved,” Councillor Tom Clyne, Mayor of Kilrush added.

“T would like to particularly ac- knowledge the Kilrush Tidy Towns committee which has worked tire- lessly and selflessly to improve the ap- pearance of Kilrush. The volunteers have toiled throughout the summer in various public areas to create and maintain flowerbeds, keeps streets tidy, cut grass and pick up litter.”

Kilrush scored 290 points, an in- crease of eight points on last year when it secured silver for the second year in a row. It received bronze in 2003 and 2004.

THE people of Ballynacally were in celebratory mode last night as the village scooped a county Endeavour award, at the national Tidy Towns competition.

Ballynacally increased its points from last year by 21, from 250 to 271. In doing so, the area recorded the single biggest improvement in Clare and won the Endeavour award for the second time, having first scooped it five years ago.

Frank Gavin, who is a member of

the hardworking Tidy Towns com- mittee, said everybody is thrilled with the results. ;

“It’s thanks to the residents, FAS and everybody that contributed. It was decided not to enhance the area too much, not to overdo it, and keep the village character,” said Mr Gavin. “Obviously it’s paying divi- dends. Flowers and colour can do a lot,” he said.

A committee of six people spear- headed the campaign to keep the area neat and tidy. They were backed by people living in the area. “We or-

ganised work evenings on Thursdays and some people turned out. We were delighted with that. The aim is to continue on and do well,” he said.

Mr Gavin said winning the En- deavour award was a huge reward for locals. “We are delighted with this award. We have been doing well in the Clare in Bloom competition for the past few years,” he said.

Kilkee also showed a remarkable improvement, with its points tally in- creasing from 256 to 270. That was the second highest increase in any part of Clare, when compared to last

year’s figures.

Secretary of the Tidy Towns com- mittee in Kilkee, Pauline Barry said she was thrilled with the result.

“Over the years, we have had major problems with Hodge’s Green and Allander’s Field. Major work has been done on both of those areas. They had previously been two ma- jor blackspots. I’m sure the marks in those areas increased,” she said.

“We are hoping to keep it going. The aim is to identify projects for the coming year, now that those have been completed,’ she added.

EU Enivironment Committee pro- posals aimed at restricting and re- ducing the use of all crop protection products by 50 per cent over the next ten years have been condemned by the IFA President Padraig Walshe.

In astatement this week, Mr Walshe announced that there is “no scien- tific justification whatsoever” for the proposals to reduce the use of her- bicides, fungicides and insecticides in the agricultural, horticultural and amenity sectors.

He also declared that “all crop pro-

tection products currently used in the EU are fully approved as safe by the competent EU authorities, who al- ready apply the highest standards in the world.

“It 1s a matter of grave concern to farmers that products that are scien- tifically proven to be safe would be subject to non-science-based restric- aCe) ee

Continuing his address the Presi- dent said, “The proposed measures are draconian and will severely limit cereal and horticultural crop produc- tion potential in Ireland and across the EU, at atime when stocks are ata

thirty year low and this is resulting in higher food prices. These measures will further reduce the competitive- ness of EU agriculture and ironically lead to a dependence on imports from non-EU countries, with much lower phytosanitary and environ- mental standards than the EU.

“Irish farmers are professional us- ers of crop protection products as evidenced by ongoing EU monitor- ing programmes.

Imposing regulations based on per- ceptions rather than science is non- sensical and will result in lower qual- ity produce with avoidable insect and

plant disease damage.”

Finally Mr Walshe warned that “the EU Parliament Environment Committee is putting the cart before the horse. They would be better em- ployed investigating viable alterna- tive strategies based on science, if they wish to reduce pesticide use. Suggesting that we revert to 1930s- style agriculture 1s not sustainable.

“Putting unnecessary obstacles in the way of safe food production at a time when global demand for food is increasing poses a real threat to the security of quality food supply in Europe.”

THE North Clare Farm Family Support Service will be running a number of individual Skills Training Courses specifically for farmers over the coming months.

These will be of specific benefit to those who are planning on get- ting an off-farm job, setting up their own business or who just want to

gain some extra skills for use on the eee

The courses on offer will include Welding, Landscaping, Bog oak carving, Basic computers, Comput- ers for farmers, Grow your own fruit and veg, Childcare, Care of the Eld- erly and CV preparation.

The first four courses listed will be of 40 hours duration, growing your own fruit and veg will be 50 hours

and the CV preparation skills eight hours. The Childcare and Caring for the Elderly courses will be provided by Mary Immaculate College in Lis- doonvarna and consist of approxi- mately eight hours per week over two years leading to a FETAC level 5 Certificate.

The courses, which are free to farm- ers receiving or eligible for Farm As- sist, are currently being finalised and

will commence on the last week of September.

They will continue over the win- ter months at locations around north ET Ke

However, places on all courses are limited and farmers are advised to immediately contact Gerry McDon- agh, Rural Development Officer at 065 7072467 or 086 8544036 to book their place.

A NORTH Clare painting school has played host to Ireland’s first ever out- door painting competition.

The contest, open to amateurs, was organised by the Burren Painting Siem EM (ss).

28 amateur artists travelled from all over the country to participate in the event, which was based in three locations.

Competitors were given the choice of three venues where they could paint – Whitethorn in Ballyvaughan, Ballinalacken Castle and Hotel near Lisdoonvarna and Liscannor Har- lereltbe

They were given the opportunity to participate in three different catego-

ries – oils and acrylics; watercolours and pastel gouache or mixed media.

Organiser Chris O’Neill, who has run the painting centre for the past RUA er VEIN EMO SD ETA a LKore MAY aU OMB OComCLU (Or cess of the event.

This year’s competition was open to amateurs only and Ms O’Neill now plans to include a professional category next year.

“T had heard a little bit about some- thing similar that goes on in Amer- ica. We run an outdoor painting course here and I thought there was very little opportunity for reasonable good amateurs to show their work and meet with a challenge. There is quite a lot for professionals but there isn’t for those who are not profes- sionals,” she said.

“Next year, I might have a catego- ry for the professional section,” she added.

“This is the first time an outdoor painting competition has been done in Ireland.

“The whole concept was that peo- ple came on the one day. They reg- istered in the morning, went out to one of three sites and get an idea into their heads on what is available,’ she said.

Margaret Kent from Wexford was the overall winner. Using oils, she painted a picture featuring the Bur- ren. Mark Doughlas-Smith from Killanena won in the mixed media category, while Joan Turner from the UK received first prize in the wa- tercolour section. All received cash

prizes and vouchers from various art material shops.

Lady Alison Ross travelled to Lisdoonvarna from Birr Castle, to present the prizes to all of the win- ners.

Ms O’Neill was particularly im- pressed by one disabled participant who travelled from the midlands in his wheelchair, and went home with a merit award!

‘His carer had to squeeze out the paint before he started, as he hasn’t the power in his hands. He was just fantastic,’ she said.

The event took several months to organise and Ms O’Neill is optimis- tic that next year’s competition will again attract the interests of several artists.

GORT sisters are doing it for them- od Aone

GWEN (Gort Women’s Equality Network) is looking for women to participate in a study that will define women’s equality needs in the Gort region.

The aim of the study is to identify barriers to women being able to par- ticipate in decision-making process- es at local level. It will also explore barriers as to why more women do not, or cannot avail of further educa- tion or participate in the workforce.

Programme organisers said that the

most important aim of this study 1s to give women a voice.

The programme was created by Dr. Niamh Clune and Douglas Johnson of GRACE (Gort Regional Alliance for Community and Environment) in partnership with the Family Re- source Centre. Initially, a group of women were invited to participate in a training programme designed to enable them to conduct a women’s equality study, which will then be submitted to Pobal.

Pobal manage programmes on be- half of the Irish government and the EU. The study will help inform fu- ture policy in the National Develop-

ment Plan.

The training programme received by the newly formed women’s net- work (GWEN) means they will be able to conduct PLA (Participatory Learning and Action), which is an innovative way of gathering informa- tion. It is hoped that all participants in this process will feel involved and empowered, whilst at the same time, learning new skills. The whole programme is designed to build con- fidence in women who might oth- erwise not have the chance to voice their concerns. This exercise is to discover some of the issues as to why women might feel marginalised or

unable to participate in new oppor- MUD AVL Cone

GWEN will host two public meet- ings on Wednesday September 19 from 7.30pm-9pm and Thursday September 20 from1lam-12.30pm in the Lady Gregory Hotel. The reason for the two meetings 1s to facilitate the kind of flexibility necessary to enable all women interested in at- tending. “It is a chance for women to voice their needs and help to influ- ence government policy in relation to woman’s place in our society,’ organisers said. For further informa- tion, please contact: 0863381773, or just turn up.

INAGH cheesemakers, Siobhan Ni Ghairbhigh and John Harrington are celebrating this week, having scooped two major awards at the first Bord Bia organic competition.

The couple – who make St Tola Or- ganic Goat’s Cheese – were singled out for the overall best organic prod- uct prize as well as an award for best chilled/frozen product.

“We were absolutely delighted, par- ticularly because it wasn’t an award in a restricted section. We were up against everything from babyfood to full meals’, said Siobhan.

The couple have won many awards for their cheese in the past, and say they owe a huge part of their success to their four full time staff, Petru and Carmen Gal, Grainne Casey and

Guillemette Allut.

“Without them we couldn’t have achieved so much,” said Siobhan.

The couple said they were de- lighted even before the awards were announced “as these awards are a recognition of the importance of the organic food industry.”

St Tola has been made in Inagh since the early 1980’s. Originally made by Meg and Derrick Gordon, the business was taken over by their neighbour, Siobhan in 1999.

Since then, new premises have been built, the process has been brought up to HACCUP standards and in 2001, St. Tola became a registered organic producer with I.O.F.G.A, The Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association. Both the farm and the cheesemaking operation are inspected individually, by LO.F.G.A

inspectors, twice a year.

Among the awards which St Tola has previously won are: 2006 British Cheese Awards gold and bronze med- als, 2005 Irish Farmhouse Cheese gold and bronze awards, 2005 IFEX Awards, bronze award, 2004 Irish Farmhouse Cheese Awards, Su- preme Champion and gold awards, 2002 British Cheese Awards, gold medal.

The awards, organised by Bord Bia in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, attracted more than 7/0 entries.

Bord Bia chief executive Aidan Seay UCM Oe A WALD RDUMAEloMo Nl et-velee trade and consumer awareness of Irish organic capabilities and cre- ate a platform for organic producers to demonstrate the broad range and high quality of products available.

“Organic food is one of the fastest erowing segments of the European food market and has a growth rate of 15% -20% in Ireland,’ he said.

“Bord Bia will continue to work with and support the organic sector with significant optimism towards its further development in Ireland.”

Mr Cotter said Bord Bia, in con- sultation with the Organic Market Development Group (OMDG), has drawn up a three-year marketing plan for the development of Ireland’s organic food market.

IRISH history’s most important painters will feature in an exhibition at the Courthouse Gallery in En- nistymon.

Beginning chronologically with a work by Paul Henry, the exhibition “Not What You’d Expect; Irish paint- ing 1919-2007” includes works from such legendary painters as Gerard Dillon, Jack B. Yeats, Mainie Jellet, Mary Swanzy and Norah McGuin- ness. The selection of exhibited works represents a broad survey of painting practice in Ireland.

Curator Fiona Woods of the Clare Arts Office said, “We are delighted to welcome works from some of Ire- land’s best-known painters, as part

of one of the most high profile art exhibitions ever held in this county. Many of the featured works have been sourced from the collection of the Arts Council of Ireland and Lim- erick City Gallery of Art’s perma- nent collection.”

“The work reaches right up to contemporary times, incorporating a number of genres such as Land- scape, Interior/Still-life, Portraiture, Abstract and Narrative approaches,’ she explained.

To coincide with the exhibition, the Clare Arts Office is organising a se- ries of guided gallery tours, public talks and workshops for artists.

Catherine Marshall, Chief Cura- tor with The Irish Museum of Mod- ern Art, currently on secondment as

Visual Arts touring and Collections Advisor with the Arts Council, will provide the opening talk on Irish Painting.

On Saturday, September 15 En- nis-born artist Mick O’Dea RHA will talk about his work, followed by a closed workshop for artists. The former National College of Art and Design tutor has won numerous awards at national and international Aon

On September 22, Micky Donnelly, a leading contemporary Irish artist and member of Aosdana will give a talk about his work, followed by a closed workshop for artists. Don- nelly has exhibited in many countries around the world.

His work is represented in most of

the important public art collections in Ireland. Every Wednesday, Marie Connole MFA will give tours for school groups, complete with educa- tional material at 1.30 pm. A guided tour for the public will be available at 3pm each Wednesday, or at another time by appointment.

The Fine Art Graduate of The Burren College of Art received the Spiresart Outstanding Student in Art, an accommodation and studio residency award in 2005 and tuition fees bursary in 2006/07 from The Clare Arts Office, and recently The Burren College of Arts Presidents Award.

The exhibition will run until Sep- tember 23, 2007 at The Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon.

NOSTALGIA was in the air for a Shannon woman last week, when she took up a teaching post in the school she attended 22 years ago.

Joanne O’Sullivan (nee Meehan) was a first year student at St Caimin’s Community School, when it first opened its doors in 1985. Now, 22 years on, she returns to the school as a special needs teacher.

The 34-year-old has now joined a number of her own former teachers Omen om even

Joanne is thrilled with her new job, in somewhat familiar surroundings.

“T’ve had plenty of jobs, but this is the most welcoming place I have ever worked. It is brilliant,” she said.

“11 or 12 of the teachers that taught me are still on the staff. They are still exactly the same,’ she added.

“*T have never felt so comfortable in any place,’ she said.

“When I was in school, I had never had a desire to have a career. The principal Mary Hanley wanted me to be a teacher,’ she laughed.

Nine of her relations are students in the school, so there is something of a family feeling at work.

Joanne left school at 17 and later married her childhood sweetheart Don O’Sullivan. The couple have since had three boys – DJ (9), Adam (7) and Cian (5) – and Joanne decided to take up a full-time job this year. Cian also started primary school last week.

Joanne substituted in St Conaire’s primary school for the past few years and 1s now re-adjusting to the sur-

roundings at St Caimin’s.

There is one key difference how- ever. The old St Caimin’s school building has since been replaced and Joanne is getting used to the new loleunKebuetss

She also plans to assist in training the school’s camogie team, having starred in the sport when she was in school. One familiar face on the staff for Joanne is Deborah Dalgarno. She was in Joanne’s class and is the school’s secretary.

Three other teachers – Dara Dunne (Metalwork), Niamh McDonnell

(Religion) and Patricia Maguire (English and History) – are also past pupils of the school. Current deputy principal John Cleary has been a member of the teaching staff since the school first opened.

Mary Hanley, who has worked at the school since it opened – she was appointed principal five years ago – is delighted to have the former pupils Om aomE-UEe

“Joanne is like as if she never left the place. We are delighted she is going to help out with the camogie,” she said.

She also pointed out that the parents of 23 of the school’s current students also attended St Caimin’s.

“T was shocked to realise that the parents of so many students attended the school,’ she said.