Month: October 2007

A NEW creche is to be built in the grounds of Kilrush Adult and Com- munity Education Centre on the Co- oraclare road which served as the Kilrush Vocational School for many years.

The existing creche operates in prefab units and the new facility will provide a permanent base for this much needed community facility.

Clare Vocational Education Com- mittee Chief Executive, George O’Callaghan, announced at the com- mittees’ monthly meeting that over

€600,000 in funding has been se- cured from Pobal for the project.

“This will be a state of the art modern facility of similar design and scale as the one being built in the grounds of West Clare Resource Centre in Miltown Malbay by the lo- cal Spraoi Group,’ he added.

The funding body, Pobal, is a non-profit company that manages programmes on behalf of the Gov- ernment and EU. Its mission is to promote social inclusion, reconcilia- tion and equality through integrated social and economic development within communities.

Meanwhile, an opportunity for early school leavers to continue their education presents itself at the Mil- town Malbay Youthreach Centres

The Vocational Education Com- mittee runs the centre and is inviting applications for places at the Mil- town centre.

Early school leavers over 15 years interested in taking part in the Youthreach Programme can study for the Leaving Certificate Applied and Further Education and Training Awards Council of Ireland certifica- tion. They can also learn a range of new skills including art and crafts,

music, stained glass, cookery, leath- erwork, woodwork and sport. Career guidance is available to all students.

Successful candidates receive a training allowance that includes a subsidy towards travel and meal costs from Clare Vocational Educa- tion Committee.

Youthreach programmes in Clare have proved particularly worthwhile over the years, leading many persons into gainful employment and some into self-employment. Further infor- mation is available from Josephine or Enda at the Miltown Malbay Youth- reach project at 065-708 4774.

CONSTRUCTION work is expected to begin on some of the long awaited west Clare sewerage scheme within the next few months, while more await approval from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

According to Clare County Coun- cil officials it is expected that con- struction of the Cooraclare Sewerage Scheme will begin in Spring 2008.

Work will only begin however sub-

ject to land being purchased in the area for the local authority project.

Cooraclare was “debungled” from Labasheeda and Carrigaholt last year, as the later two villages had extra requirements including an off shore licence adding to their costs.

A revised cost proposal for the La- basheeda and Carrigaholt schemes are now under consideration by the Department of the Environment.

According to the council the con- struction of these schemes are ex- pected to begin in nine to 12 months

following approval by the Depart- ment of the Environment.

Once again this will be subject to planning and land purchase.

It was good news for Quilty and Mullagh as the sewerage network for the villages and surrounding area 1s expected to begin in the next two to four months.

The scheme must also get the ap- proval of the Department of the Envi- ronment for the tender recommended by Clare County Council.

The scheme will preserve water

quality at local beaches and rivers and will allow development to take place to facilitate growth and expan- sion in the residential, commercial and tourism sector, according to the Department of the Environment.

The plant will be built under a single design, “build and operate contract” incorporating Scariff and Feakle.

Meanwhile Kilrush and Kilkee are still awaiting approval for their schemes. The department requested extra information about these two schemes from the council last July.

MORE than 300 people turned out to witness the induction of four leg- endary east Clare musicians to the Tulla Comhaltas roll of honour.

To coincide with the 50 year anni- versary of Tulla Comhaltas, Paddy Canny, Kathleen Moloney, Martin Hayes, Seamus Connolly, Vincent Griffin and Mary MacNamara were all recognised for their significant contributions to Irish music and dance.

Each musician was presented with a token by Senator Labhras O’ Murch, Ardstiurthoir of Comhaltas Ceoilte- oiri Eireann.

Paddy Canny, who won the senior

all-Ireland fiddle in 1953 and recent- ly celebrated his 88th birthday, was honoured for a lifetime contribution to traditional Irish music.

Kathleen Moloney, who has won four all Ireland set dancing titles, was recognised for her teaching of set dancing in the east Clare area over a 20 year period, and giving every young child in the area the chance to learn the Caledonian set.

Indeed, many of her students have gone on to win county, provincial and national awards of their own.

Vincent Griffin was recognized for his marvellous contribution to the teaching of Irish music over the past 40 years. Vincent, who is still teach- ing music in the Ennis and south

Galway areas, is also the holder of a Senior All Ireland medal for the fid- dle and for the slow airs.

Mary MacNamara was recognised for her wonderful achievements with the teaching of Irish music. Today the Tulla ‘Music Room’ is full of as- piring young and not-so-young mu- sicians all learning her lovely east OES AY (or

Many of her students have had great successes at provinical and all Ire- land fleadh’s. Mary won all Ireland senior solo Concertina tile in 1979 and duet with Martin Hayes.

Both Martin Hayes and Seamus Connolly were honoured for their in- ternational contribution to Irish Mu- sic by putting it on the world stage.

Martin and Seamus are all Ireland senior fiddle champions.

The Tulla Céili band received their award in recognition of their contri- bution to Ceili music over the last 60 years. Mark Donnellan accepted the award on behalf of the great Tulla Céili band.

The Tulla Ceili and all musicians mentioned above will appear on RTE Radio’s Céili House with Kieran Hanrahan on Saturday, November 17. The show will be broadcast from St Joseph’s Secondary School in Tulla as part of the 50 year celebrations.

A book based on the musical her- itage of east Clare entitled The Hu- mours of Tulla was also launched on the night and is available locally.

CLONLARA woman Trisha Mason confirmed her status as one of the rising stars of Irish kickboxing by claiming victory at the recent John Hoban Kickboxing tournament.

Mason was part of the Ennis Kick- boxing Club that travelled to Limer- ick to take part in one of the newest tournaments on the Irish kickboxing calendar.

While club members performed with distinction at the tournament, the real glory of the day belonged to Mason who achieved a near flaw-

less victory over the experienced and highly fancied Cliona Goodwin.

Ennis Kickboxing Clubs quickest rising star boasts an impressive near- ly flawless fight record of six fights five wins and on controversial split decision. Mason’s preparation for the bout was far from ideal.

The east Clare woman took her fight at just one hours notice against a heavier and much vaunted oppo- nent. But that proved far from dis- ruptive for Mason, who produced an assured and confident performance that ranks among the best in her fledgling career.

From the moment the bell went, the Clonlara Cyclone was a whirlwind of devastating hand and leg combi- nations that her opponent had no an- Swer to.

The fight ended as a (TKO) techni- cal knockout when the stunned Clio- na Goodwin simply could no longer defend herself against the much stronger and skillful Mason, who is now well on her way to challenging at the very top for the ladies 60kg Irish Kickboxing Federation title.

Mason wasn’t the only Clare com- petitor who performed well in Lim- erick as two of her Ennis teammates

achieved notable success as well.

Adam Leyden re-affirmed his po- sition as one of Ireland’s best young kickboxers when he retained his title and status as Ireland’s number one 60kg

Fighter Seamus Geoghegan, anoth- er fighter from the Ennis kickboxing stable, ensured a good day for the club when he also added yet another victory to his fight record.

Anyone wishing to join these fighters, martial arts and fitness enthusiasts please contact Tony O’Donnell on O87 2796401 or enniskickboxing@hotmail.com.

KILLALOE woman, Aine Conacur (nee Kierse) and her Roscommon- born husband, Michael, are the pro- prietors of a unique toy shop, Think- ing Toys, which focuses on carrying a range of educational/activity based toys that assist the development and stimulation of children of all ages through play and fun.

The range of toys featured in the shop at Ballina/Killaloe includes board games, brainteasers and logi- cal deduction games, science and nature kits, construction kits, books, jigsaws and baby/toddler toys.

What makes Thinking Toys unique in Ireland is its extensive range of

toys, equipment and books that can assist the development of children with special needs or learning dif- Wt eles

Aine and Michael’s eldest child had major brain surgery when she was just two years old and the frustration and the difficulties they endured in trying to source suitable products that would assist in her development, was a catalyst in deciding to try and reduce this frustration for other par- ents in similar situations.

Over the past number of months, they have been sourcing appropri- ate products from around the world and have worked closely with occu- pational therapists, speech and lan- guage therapists and psychologists.

The products they source must be of acceptable quality, affordable and competitively priced.

Aine and Michael liase with par- ents and relevant professionals to get feedback and advice when expanding their range of products. All requests and inputs are welcomed.

In recent times, Thinking Toys has sourced and made available such items as bodysox, sloped writing boards and weighted products such as weighted vests, each of which arose from specific requests.

Aine and Michael demonstrate and display their products any- where in Ireland to groups including schools, professionals and support groups. They have both travelled

throughout the country during the past few months carrying out these demonstrations and can be con- tacted by interested individuals/ groups at 086-8792769 or by email: aine @thinkingtoys.ie. All products are available from the shop in Balli- na/Killaloe, or www.thinkingtoys.ie Recently Aine and Michael launched a voucher scheme specifi- cally aimed at supporting local pri- mary schools. It is a simple scheme whereby a voucher worth 20c is giv- en to the school for every €10 spent. Thinking Toys will participate in a toy fair organised by Enable Ireland, which will be held in O’Donovan’s Bar and Restaurant, Derg Court on October 16 from 10am to 9pm.

TENDERS have been appointed for the construction of a playground in Mountshannon.

‘Go Play’ from Galway has been chosen from the nine applicants to build the facility.

This is the latest development in a project, which is expected to come to fruition next year. As the prepara- tions for the construction get under- way, the fundraising drive is continu- ing in the locality.

Earlier this year, Clare County Council allocated €41,500, under

the Community Playground Grant Yel torneo

This was after the committee had put in considerable groundwork, in terms of fundraising, and had se- cured a site for the facility.

At the time, Administrative Of- ficer with the council’s community and enterprise section, Catherine O’Hara, said Mountshannon had “a need of these facilities and they have already done a lot of fundraising and planning before their application came in”.

“The residents committee still has to fundraise, take charge of the area

when it is finished and come up with money every year for insurance and maintenance and while we can’t guarantee top up funding, they are free to come back an put another ap- plication in the future,” she added.

While the council’s money was welcomed by the committee mem- bers, they are aware that several thousands of euro will have to be raised locally.

Co-ordinator Jane Murray is urging locals to get behind the project.

“The project will cost €120,000 in total. We will submit more applica- tions for funding, while collection

boxes are still located in shops and pubs,” she said.

Further applicants will be made to Pobail and Sugradh, in the hope that a significant amount of the initial costs will be covered.

“We are hoping to start construc- tion early in 2008,” said Ms Murray.

The committee was very happy with the level of interest shown in the applicants from potential tenders and are pleased with the company that was selected. Anyone interested in donating towards the playground fund should contact Jane Murray in Mountshannon.

A MONTPELIER publican, who is causing controversy locally by em- ploying a topless barmaid, has said his next move is to employ a male model to work behind the taps wear- ing “the bare minimum”.

A defiant John Joe Fitzpatrick of Browne’s pub has had a topless bar- maid working on his premises every Thursday night since the beginning of September.

But he has been getting a mixed re-

action locally to the promotion with some residents branding the move as “tasteless and degrading”.

People living in the village and neighbouring O’Briensbridge were reluctant to be named when making comments about John Joe, who lives locally as well as being the publican.

“It’s degrading. There are plenty of publicans around the country strug- gling and they don’t resort to this kind of thing. That might be alright in Soho but not in a pub in a small country village,’ one local man said.

Another local resident said that the move “shows no respect for this community. It’s a cheap stunt and he’ll drive away more people than he’ll bring in.”

The resident said that many local people are “completely disgusted by this. It’s degrading for the woman who works there and it’s not what we want our area to be known for. It’s just low.”

An irate woman living in Montpel- lier said it is “disgraceful that this is happening right across the road from

the Church and the community cen- akon

But the publican last night defended the move. “All over the country pubs are losing business. People need something to prompt them to get up and get out again.”

John Joe said that he does not agree with his detractors . “There’s no vul- garity involved. The lady in question has several items on at any given time – she just has less on on top. She doesn’t have a problem with it and the customers are very happy with it.

A lot of people said that it’s a wonder no one thought of doing this before and some of the married ladies say it’s put a bit of sparkle back in their love lives.”

The Montpelier businessman said that he currently has a male model in training who will be taking up his station behind the taps some time in November on Tuesday nights.

‘We have to ensure we have equal- ity and I think the lady customers will be delighted with him” said John Joe.

ENNIS Chamber is hosting an Inter- active Leadership Seminar entitled, ‘Hidden Giants: How to Lead Your Business Successfully’? on Wednes- day, October 10 from 6pm to 8.30pm at the Old Ground Hotel, O’Connell Street, Ennis.

Admission is open to all members of the business community and ac- cess to the seminar is free of charge.

The seminar, held in conjunction with LEAP, a Galway-based_ busi- ness advisory company, is designed to provide business owners and sen- ior management with practical tools for immediate improved business performance.

The correlation between effective leadership and marketing will be ex- amined by the speakers while also focusing on the particular challenges faced by business leaders in today’s dynamic economic environment.

LEAP are Business Advisors for the Leaders of Irish businesses who are dissatisfied with the lack of meas- urable impact and understanding of their challenges that traditional con- sultants provide.

The company continually measure the impact of development work- shops by providing ongoing support through a team of professional busi- ness advisors, who are experts in their specialised areas

The seminar will be delivered by

Mike Gaffney of LEAP. Mr Gaff- ney’s theories on leadership and management have galvanised a large number of managing directors to take full responsibility for the leader- ship of their businesses, resulting in significant, positive impact on their organisations’ performances.

Mike will discuss the specific leadership challenges facing Irish businesses and examine how these challenges can be overcome by Un- derstanding Your Personality Type and Playing to Your Strengths.

The second speaker is Dr. Aidan Daly, Head of Marketing NUI Gal- way. Dr Daly’s area of speciality is that of services marketing and re- lated issues. He is a consultant to a

number of organisations and com- panies in Europe, Africa and the Far East. An accomplished writer on marketing related topics, he will present “Effective Marketing on a Limited Budget”.

Dr Daly will provide practical tips and techniques on how to promote you business successfully without breaking the budget.

The invitation to this event is open to all business owners, leaders and senior managers in the Clare region. Places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.

For further information contact on LEAP or any aspect of the seminar Paula Crowley, LEAP on 091 755 736

ORGANISERS are hoping that a bumper programme will attract the crowds for the 14th annual Ennis Trad Festival.

This year’s event takes place from November 8 to 12 across numerous venues in the town. The festival fea- tures free day and night sessions with afternoon, evening and night con- certs, recitals, singing, workshops, presentations, CD launches and the ever-popular Trad Disco.

Legendary accordion player and composer Finbar Dwyer will open the festivities on November 8. Finbar, who recently returned to performing after a break of 17 years, will be ac- companied by Brian McGrath.

On Friday night Four Men & A Dog will unleash their highly ener- getic repertoire on the festival.

The band comprises Cathal Hayden (fiddle), Donal Murphy (accordion), Gino Lupari (bodhran, vocals), Ger- ry O’Connor (banjo) and Kevin Do- herty (guitar, vocals).

Workshops dominate Saturday’s events, with classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced level given by the some well-known names in music and dance. A new addition to last year’s festival was the trad-themed table quiz, which will test knowledge of trad musicians, records, CDs and trad triviality.

This year will see the presentation of the Ennis Trad Festival Gradam Ceol to concertina player Sonny

Murray. Sonny, from Knockalough, Kilmihil, is one of the many fine concertina players who have hailed from the area including Solus Lillis, Bernard Sullivan, Tom McCarthy and 2005 Gradam recipient Tom Ore

Sonny lives in Ennis and has had a major influence on the Ennis music scene over the years and this pres- entation is a fitting compliment to a man regarded as a master.

A new feature of this year’s festival is the Ard Gasce na mBuinte Senior Ceili Band competition, which will be adjudicated by a panel of four ad- judicators and audience.

Some of the best bands in Ireland and abroad, such as The Thatch, Tribes and Ceolteori na Mainstreach,

will compete. The night’s festivities will be recorded for Ceili House.

There will be many CD launch- es during the festival events this year including artists such as Kane O’ Rourke and Geraldine Bradley.

The guiding ethos for organisers since the festival’s inception has been to bring musicians of all generations and styles to Ennis to share their tunes, songs and steps in a relaxed session environment.

A spokesperson for the festival said, “The festival committee has orchestrated the sessions to allow Opportunities for artists to perform with others that they wouldn’t nor- mally get to meet. Accordingly a great social dimension is always Ooo) OI Mr B SDRC UAE:

CONCERN has been expressed that the Family Resource Centre in Shan- non has not had a co-ordinator for the past nine months.

The centre offers a wide range of support for families and runs various initiatives including a parent and tod- dler group, traveller health initiative, personal development programmes and out-of-school pilot development schemes.

The absence of a co-ordinator was

raised by Fianna Fail councillor Ger- aldine Lambert, who said a number of representations have been made to her on the issue.

“The Family Resource Centre has effectively been without a co-ordina- tor for some time,” she said.

“It needs a co-ordinator to drive it. Without a co-ordinator, it is very dif- ficult for a voluntary committee to drive it.

“One person recently was look- ing for a room to do something and because there was no co-ordinator,

they had to wait for a committee. That is a very unfair burden,” said Cllr Lambert.

She urged Shannon Town Council to meeting with the board of man- agement, with a view to assisting them with the services it provides.

Councillor Tony McMahon (La- bour), who is on the board of the centre pointed out that the post had been filled, but the successful appli- cant turned it down.

‘The board decided the post would be advertised again,” he said.

“IT have been involved in the Re- source Centre for a long time. It had a lot of difficulties and there has been a lot of changes 1n personnel, because it is so dependent on voluntary con- tributions,” said Cllr McMahon.

He said it would be “ideal” for representatives of the board to meet with the town council.

Cllr Greg Duff (Labour) said he would support the motion. The coun- cillors agreed to invited the board of the Resource Centre to attend a meeting with them, later this year.