Month: December 2007

Justice Minister, Brian Lenihan, has confirmed that over €7 million has been spent on preventing incursions by anti-war activists at Shannon Air- port over the past two years.

Mr Lenihan said that €4.69 million was spent on policing arrangements at Shannon last year and to the end of November this year, the costs for

2007 were put at €3.1 million.

With over one million US troops going through Shannon to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003, Minister Lenihan said that “the con- tinuance of the ongoing policing ar- rangements at Shannon are essential for the integrity of the airport itself , its employees and clients”.

“Accordingly, I remain satisfied that Garda policing arrangements at

Shannon Airport continue to be both necessary and appropriate’, he said. However, a peace activist arrested at Shannon Airport last month, Ed Horgan, said that the policing ar- rangements at Shannon were “gross- ly inadequate and inappropriate”. Prior to his arrest Mr Horgan had telephoned gardai asking them to search an aircraft he suspected of be- ing involved in the US Government’s

rendition flights.

He was arrested for failing to leave the airport terminal.

“It is inappropriate that the policing arrangements at Shannon are direct- ed at the likes of myself who always uphold and abide by the law,” he said yesterday.

“It 1s open for any person with a malicious intent to either walk into the terminal or get through the

perimeter fence to cause mayhem. Frequently, the checkpoint at the en- trance to the airport 1s unmanned,’ he said.

Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) said: “The antics of the anti-war movement through incursions into the airfield have ensured that funding that could Support a programme of searching suspected rendition flights at Shan- non has been diverted elsewhere.”

WALKING enthusiasts and nature lovers are being asked to come out in the New Year for a special charity walk to help raise money for a very worthy cause.

On Sunday, January 13, scores of walkers will descend on Toonagh Hall for the fifth annual New Year Charity Walk, organised by Breda McCullough.

Proceeds from this year’s walk will go towards equipment for St Clare’s School, which will help to prepare some of the county’s most dedicat- ed young athletes take part in the Special Olympics movement.

Walkers will be offered three dif- ferent routes, designed to suit every level of fitness.

“The Special Olympics is expand- ing all the time and we are hoping to raise enough money to fund new equipment and gear for the young children in all the different events. It will allow them to keep being involved. More and more children are getting involved all the time,” said Breda.

“T organise a different fundraiser each year for local charities. In the past I have raised money for things like the Clarecastle Day Care Centre and for the Clare Branch of the Sun- set Foundation.

“It starts in Toonagh Hall and it finishes there as well. We have a two-mile, a three-mile and a six- and-a -half-mile walk. So we have something to suit everyone. It’s a

beautiful walk, it goes around by Dysert Church, Dysert Castle and the high cross as well. You have the old monastery and the graveyard up there, so besides being a lovely walk, there is a lot of interesting things for people to see.”

Helping out at this year’s event will be Conrad McCullough. Conrad did both his county and his country proud when he won a gold medal in the 100m freestyle swimming and bronze medal in the 25m relay at the Special Olympics European Youth Games in Rome in 2006.

“We don’t have sponsorship cards SO we are asking people to just come along on the day itself. It’s usually €3 to walk but people can donate what- ever they want. Altogether, we are

hoping to raise as much a €3,500,” added Breda.

“My son Conrad, who is involved in the Special Olympics, is a special needs child in St Clare’s School, he usually comes along, starts the race and helps out a lot on the day.”

The walk begins at 12.30pm and people are asked to come along for registration from 11.30am.

For more information, BJ ueLer- MO) Ole Mee bee Oe ae

contact

SWIMMERS from all over north Clare and beyond are to brave the cold waters of the Atlantic on Christ- mas morning in an effort to raise money for two worthy causes.

First up 1s Lahinch, where up to 200 swimmers will take to the water for one of the county’s largest and long- est-running charity swims.

“The swim starts off on Christmas morning at 12.15pm and anyone who wants to come along for a dip 1s more than welcome. This year, all money raised from the swim will go to sup-

porting the Clare Crusaders. It’s in memory of Howard Flannery, who did a lot of great work in this area,” said swim organiser, John Fawl.

“If people want to get involved, they can still get sponsorship cards from me, or they can just turn up on the day. We won’t turn anyone away and all donations are very welcome.

“The swim is really going from strength to strength. We had about 170 people in the water last year. It was around that number anyway, there was so many in the water at one stage that it was getting difficult to count.

“It is getting bigger and bigger each year. We have a large crowd now, who come down just to watch the swimmers getting into the water. The prom is usually full of people so it has turned into a huge community occasion,’ he added.

“After the swim the tradition is to go into O’Looney’s for a hot whiskey to warm up the swimmers. All the hot whiskies are sponsored though, we have to keep inside the law.”

Meanwhile, up the road in Doo- lin, St Breckans GAA Club have organised their first-ever Christmas day swim.

“The sponsored swim is in aid of the St Breckans GAA Field Commit- tee. This is the first year that we have tried a swim, so were are hoping for a good turnout. The swim takes place in Doolin from Ipm on Christ- mas Day,” said Susan Neville of the St Breckans GAA Field Committee.

“If people want to get involved, there are sponsorship cards available from all the committee members of St Breckans GAA Club. People can either swim off the pier or off the small beach in Doolin and all specta- tors are more than welcome to come along for a look.”

ENNISTYMON is celebrating a new champion this week with the news that a fifth year student in Scoil Mhuire has received a bronze medal in the Irish qualifiers for Europe’s Junior Science Olympics.

Jacklyn Nagle, who comes from Ennistymon, came third in the coun- try in the physics category in the final national trial for a place in the Irish team to compete at the EU-wide competition in Cyprus in May.

Jacklyn was invited to take part in the trails, which were held earlier this month in Dublin City University, because of her high marks in both

science and maths in her Junior Cert. Unfortunately for Jacklyn, only the top two qualifiers in each discipline qualify to represent Ireland at the event, but as first reserve she will be off to Cyprus should any of the other qualifiers be unable to attend.

“I like physics, it would be my favourite science. And I’m also do- ing applied maths outside of school though,” she said.

“The competition was to choose who will represent Ireland in the European Union Science Olympics. You are sent out an invitation based on how well you did in maths and Science in your Junior Cert. Then you can choose to sit an exam in

either biology, chemistry or physics. I chose physics and there was a two- hour exam, then an hour of multiple- choice questions.

“I came in third place and got a bronze medal. But only first and sec- ond get to go to Cyprus for the Euro- pean Championships. So I am the re- serve for the physics. The European Championships are on in May, so if someone can’t make it for any reason Pll be able to go out there and repre- sent Ireland,’ she added.

Not content with a third place in the junior competition, Jacklyn will also try her luck in trails for the under-19 physics world event in January.

“I will also be participating in the

Irish Physics Olympics after Christ- mas. It’s an under-19 competition and it’s just for physics,’ Jacklyn said.

“The people who get chosen from this one go on to the International Physics Olympics, which is just for people who do physics. Not many fifth years take part in this so I’m just really going along to get a feel for it.

“The Leaving Certs know the course but I’m only really starting on it. But it will be good to get in there and see what it’s all about.”

IF you’re searching for a guilt-free Christmas, then the Burren Charity Challenge might just have the perfect solution for you.

Not only will taking part in the Burren Challenge offer you an easy way of burning off some of those excess Christmas calories, but you can do so Safe in the knowledge that you are helping people who suffer from breast cancer.

The challenge, which is organised jointly by the Burren Cycling Club and Kilnaboy Athletics Club, has been on the go for seven years, with

numbers rising steadily each year. In the past, the challenge has supported charities such as Goal, Trocaire, St John of God Menni Services, the Alzheimers Society, Concern and Galway and Clare Hospices.

This year’s event aims to raise some €30,000 for the development of cancer support services and is being donated to Cancer Care West and Tallaght Breast Unit in Dublin.

“Support for the Burren Char- ity Challenge has been fantastic and Cancer Care West is thrilled to have been nominated as a recipient char- ity for this year’s event,’ said Sharon Fitzpatrick, Cancer Care West’s fun-

draising manager. “We would like to emphasise that this is not just a Clare event. It is particularly relevant to an- yone from western counties who can benefit from the accommodation, counselling and other support servic- es that Cancer Care West offers. We encourage as many people from the western region as possible to come to Clare that afternoon to take part. This is your chance to contribute to the development of cancer support services in the west of Ireland.”

Registration for the Challenge takes place in Cassidy’s Pub in Car- ran from 10am to 12.30pm, with the race itself starting at lpm.

Participants can choose between a 10km walk/run or 40km cycle. Those feeling really adventurous can attempt the duatholon, which is a 40km cycle and a 5km run.

Snacks, soup and sandwiches will be served afterward for all who take part and music for the night will be

provided by DJ Tom Tune. Sponsorship cards are avail- able directly from CancerCare

West on 091-529609, by email- ing info@cancercarewest.ie or by contacting Patrick O’Donoughe on 086-2579682, Fergus Glynn on 087- 2236603 or Liam Glynn on 086- 3537293 at the Burren Cycling Club.

THE people of Miltown Malbay and Kilkee will not be hoping for a white Christmas as they prepare for their annual Christmas Day swim.

At 10am more than 100 warm- blooded swimmers will take to the waters of the White Strand and all in the name of charity.

This year their festive fun will benefit the Mid West Cancer Unit in Limerick.

Last year, the group raised €13,000 for the Doolin Search and Rescue crew.

In its 15th year, the annual swim is one of the highlights of the west Clare Christmas calendar.

After the Yuletide dip the swim- mers partake in a hot whiskey or black currant before making their way home.

Sponsorship cards are available from Tony Cogan.

The swim in Kilkee is now a quar- ter of a century old, making it part of the local Christmas tradition.

Organised by the Kilkee Sub Aqua Club the swim will take place from the pier at 12.15pm.

Half of the proceeds from the an- nual sponsored swim will again go towards the Kilkee astro turf and playground project on behalf of Scoil Realt na Mara.

Last year the club donated €2,000 to the same cause thanks to the gen- erosity of the local community and others who sponsored club mem- bers.

Kilkee Sub Aqua Club, which has over 30 members from Clare, Lim- erick and south Galway, is a member of Comhairle Fo Thuinn, the Irish Underwater Council, the national body for recreational underwater diving, which, in turn, is affiliated to the Confederation Mondiale des Activites Subaquatiques, the world federation of national diving organi- Zations.

MARY Kelly has been a stalwart fundraiser for the excellent work be- ing done by Irish missionaries in the poorest countries for more than 25 years.

But while the Tulla woman has raised untold amounts of cash and organised scores of events 1n her role with the Apostolic Society to sup- port the mission work, she has al- ways wondered what it would be like to go on a mission.

Which is why, now that she has re- tired from the society, she has signed up to travel to Port Elizabeth in South Africa to help with the Build- ing Of Hope Project being run by

Lissycasey nun, Sr Ethel Normoyle and more than 160 Clare volunteers. Mary will be travelling with her son Francis and daughter, Lourda Doyle, who is living in Broadford.

To help raise the €3,000 which she needs to cover her flights and ac- commodation and make a donation to the project, Mary is auctioning a Tulla shirt, signed by every member of the victorious Clare Champion- ship team.

‘“T always said I’d love to see what is it all about and so I signed up to go,” ROMY Eee

The jersey was acquired for her by Tulla team manager, Jim McInerney and, Mary says, it is an appropriate item to auction given that her late

husband’s grandfather, John “Lang- er’ Rogers was a well-know Tulla hurler.

Seven in ten people living in tin and cardboard huts in the township at Missionvale have the AIDS vi- rus. Most have little more than the clothes they stand up in and the mis- sion provides a daily food ration for almost 2,000 people.

Sr Ethel and her team of volunteers plan to build a hospice and care cen- tre at Missionvale over a 40 day pe- riod in January and February.

“TH do a bit of baking and cook- ing – anything I can do to be of help,” said Mary.

Mary is keeping mum about what offers she has had up to now for the

jersey, but she is hoping that it will raise a “good bit of money” for the Oren

While most volunteers will spend ten days in South Africa, Mary plans to stay for two weeks and her son will be part of the team whose tough task it is to get the project off the ground by laying more than 500 blocks per person per day.

Anyone who would like to make a bid on the jersey can contact Mary on 065-6835519 or Francis on 087- 9742090.

THE Christmas swim in Killaloe this year is a fundraiser for the pro- posed community playground.

Killaloe has an ever expanding population with new families com- ing in to live in the scenic location but the Lough Derg town still has no play area.

The local community in conjunc- tion with Clare County Council have joined forces to provide the amenity next year and local people have a tar- get of €50,000 to raise.

The swim at Two Mile Gate takes place at 12.30pm on Christmas Day. The organising committee are ap- pealing for volunteers to get involved in this worthy cause.

A member of the organising com- mittee, Brendan Ryan said: “the Kil- laloe community needs a playground and the Christmas swim will really put the fun into fundraising for the project.”

Volunteers are currently collecting sponsorship for the swim which has been organised every Christmas for the past fifteen years by three local

men Brendan Ryan, Christy Mc- Grath and Paul McGrath.

They have raised funds over the years for different charities collect- ing thousands of pounds.

Anyone who would like to donate to the playground fund can con- tact Brendan Ryan on 061-376963; Christy McGrath on 061-376245 or Paul McGrath or 061-375195.

SINCE the opening of the library building in Scariff last month, hun- dreds of new members have signed up to rediscover the joy of reading.

The library staff are delighted, if a little overwhelmed, with the re- sponse from the public to the airy, state of the art new facility.

‘“We’ve been inundated. It’s amaz- ing,’ said Senior Librarian, Caroline Ahearne.

“We have had literally hundreds of new members joining and a lot of people whose memberships had lapsed have come back to us.”

SU slomebbeKnoi(omrI MBE: bla Comers mmnats new library, which shares it’s home with Clare County Council’s new

offices, 1s tremendous, Caroline ex- plained.

“In the temporary building, the li- brary was only open 18 hours a week – noW we open more than 50 hours, with two late evenings until 8pm and people find Saturday opening from 10am to 2pm good. They can come when the children are off school.”

The new building is home to 20,000 books, a huge leap in the book stock for the Scariff facility, eight internet connected PC’s and a whole range of music and film DVD’s which were never available before.

Photocopying facilities and a full range of newspapers, magazines and other publications are also available.

Last week, the library played host to Christmas storytime, craft and

games sessions for youngsters who came along to enjoy the fun and make their own Christmas cards.

The four full time and one part- time staff who have been brought on board to up the staffing from one part-timer all hope to see many more of these activities in the com- ing months.

“We have an exhibition space so were hoping to stage exhibitions,’ said Caroline. “And we have room for things like regular arts and crafts classes and storytelling so there will be a whole new programme to look ICO) ays: 0 Kem One

In addition to visiting the library, people will also be able to take ad- vantage of the council offices being in the same building to pay bills, col-

lect forms and get information on is- sues such as planning.

“It’s a very exciting new start and we re looking forward to having lots more events for people to attend here as well as welcoming new members,’ said Caroline.

The library will close at 3pm on Friday, December 21 and will re- open on Friday, December 28 at 10 am. They are closing for New Year at Spm on Monday, December 31 and re-opening on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at 10 am.

Telephone 061-922893 for details.

ENNIS woman Imelda King Kennedy has been appointed the national pub- lic relations officer for Soroptimist International in Ireland.

In her new role with the group, Ms Kennedy will be responsible for promoting the work carried out by the organisation around the country.

A long-time member of the Sorop- timists, Ms Kennedy has been in- volved with voluntary work for over 28 years.

Two years ago she released a CD entitled ‘Amazing Grace’ to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society

of Ireland. Apart from performing regularly with the Cathedral Choir in Ennis and the Clare Music Circle in Newmarket-on-Fergus, she practices a form of musical therapy known as Spirit of the Voice.

Ms Kennedy was elected to the position at the 2007 Soroptimists International Conference held in Harrowgate in Britain.

She explained that she is really looking forward to the challenge of the new job.

“There is a lot to the role and I am hoping that I will be up to the challenge. As public relations of- ficer I will be expected to project a

positive image of Soroptimist Inter- national as a professional, caring, committed and aware organisation. I will be working closely with the national association at all times. A big part of the job involves lobbying local politicians and businesses and talking in schools, community and voluntary groups,” she said.

Through international partnerships and a global network of members, Soroptimists aim to create opportu- nities for women and girls by advo- cating for equity and equality.

Ms Kennedy also expressed her support for the women affected by the breast cancer scare at the Mid-

land Regional Hospital in Portlaoise.

She said, “We would like to sympathise with the women who were involved in the recent breast cancer investigations. We sincerely hope that all their results will be favourable.

“It is our firm hope that proper breast check facilities will be rolled out to cover all areas in the country as every woman has the right to have a proper breast check service provid- ed as soon as possible,’ she added.

Soroptimist International has been in Clare for over 40 years and is actively involved in the promotion of education throughout the county.