Month: March 2008

FIFTY seven students from County Clare were presented with FETAC Level 6 Agricultural certificates by Teagasc Area Manager, Gerard Mc- Mahon, at the Auburn Lodge Hotel last week.

Education and training are neces- sary for the future of farming and in- centives such as Stamp Duty Relief on the transfer of farm property to a young trainer farmer, Grant on Farm Structures, Installation Aid Scheme, and Early Retirement Scheme.

Farming is a very demanding ca- reer requiring a broad and extensive range of skills, from animal hus- bandry, grassland management, ma- chinery operation and financial man- agement skills, while also complying with animal welfare, traceability and health and safety regulations.

The FETAC Certificate in Farming aims to continue with the process of education in the rural community. Surveys show that a high proportion of those who complete Agricultural training go on to be successful farm- ae

They are more prepared to adopt the better farming practices of re- cent times in housing, milk record- ing, breeding policy, using AI and re-seeding.

McMahon congratulated all stu- dents and especially the 6 prize win- ners, Sean Rodgers from Crusheen who won the FBD Award, Student of the Year and O’Connor Cup, Patrick Rosengrave from Barefield who won the Cattle Production Award spon- sored by Clare Marts, Daniel Has- sett from Quin who won the Dairy Husbandry Award sponsored by Kerry Agri Business, Nuala Mc-

Donnell from Kilnamona who won the ACC Bank Environment Award, Mark Casey from Newmarket who won the Farm Management Award sponsored by Allied Irish Bank and Ciaran Coneely from Ennistymon who won the Farm Planning Award sponsored by Teagasc.

Kieran Burns, Seamus Considine, Kevin Doyle (all Doonbeg), Mark Casey (Newmarket), James Com- mane, Alfred Morgan, Greg O’ Leary (all Ennistymon), Kevin Crowley (Ballynacally), Michael Cullinan (Toonagh), Derek Daly (New Quay), John Downes (Kilmurry McMahon), Padraig Gallagher (Mullagh), Patrick Garry, Gerard Kelly (Kildysart), Gerry Gleeson, Sean Rodgers, (Crusheen), Daniel Hassett (Quin), Colm Hickey, Darragh Vaughan (Broadford), Eoin Malone, Ciaran Malone (Ennis), Paul McCarthy

(Miltown Malbay), Nuala McDon- nell (Kilnamona), Paul McTiernan (Scariff), Joe Moloney (O’Brien’s Bridge), Michael Montgomery, (Quilty), Brian O’Connor (Labash- eeda), Ivan O’Driscoll (Fanore) and Patrick Roseingrave (Barefield) all picked up Advanced Certificates in aN au (CUNAUb ues

Padraig Boland, Michael Browne, Paul Browne, Denis Clair, Padraig Clancy, Ciaran Coneely, Dermot Considine, David Crowe, Martin Enright, Michael Eustace, Cronan Forde, Oliver Galllagher, Donal Harte, Denis Lee, Brian McInerney, Nial Meade, Noel Meaney, Elizabeth Mee, Eamon Meehan, John Mescall, David Minogue, Keith Mungovan, Richard Nagle, Brendan Quinn, Sean Reidy,James Rynne, Daniel Sammon and Sean Torpey picked up 180 Hour Certificates.

GROUP water schemes in west Clare are to benefit from the single big- gest allocation for upgrading of the schemes.

Cahermurphy (near Kilmiuhil), Glenmore/Kiltumper (also near Kilmihil), and Mountrivers (near Doonbeg) are all part of a €1.8 mil- lion investment by the Department of the Environment and Local Govern- ment.

An additional €1.5 million will be used to complete work on the four eroup water schemes involved in the bundled treatment plant project Dysart/Toonagh, Killone, Kilmaley Inagh and Lissycasey).

The west Clare water schemes are also to benefit from the €1.3 million for upgrading schemes.

Farrihy (between Kilkee and Doonbeg), Lisheenfruir (nearly sure itis near Lissycasey), Loophead Ross Section, and Moyasta are to benefit under this scheme.

Making the announcement on Fri- day Clare’s, Minister of State for Environment and Energy Tony Kil- leen said that Clare had received an allocation of €5.5 million under the 2008 Rural Water Programme.

Speaking in Claregalway, where he launched his department’s annual programme, Minister Killeen said that the grant aid, which represents a 50 per cent increase on last year’s

allocation, would fund a wide range of schemes all over Clare.

“T am delighted to be able to pro- vide funding to support Clare Coun- ty Council’s ambitious and compre- hensive work programme for 2008,” he said.

“When the upgrading is completed the schemes will be taken over by Clare County Council and will be- come part of the public water sup- ply network. A further €900,000 is going to Clare County Council in response to the proposals to intro- duce improvements to a significant number of small public water and sewerage schemes around the coun- ty,’ he explained.

Minister Killeen said that the top

priority in 2008 must remain on ad- dressing water quality problems in the county’s privately sourced group water supplies.

“Clare’s allocation will ensure that the county will remain to the fore in the national drive to eliminate sub- standard rural water supplies.

“The headway made in dealing with substandard water supplies has only been possible through their hard work, dedication and spirit of partnership. I would particularly like to acknowledge the contribution of group scheme activists who, for nearly half a century, have worked tirelessly for the betterment of their neighbours and communities,’ the minister said.

MILTOWN Malbay is leading the way in innovative ideas for rural liv- ing.

On Thursday, while the West Clare Resource Centre was celebrating the launch of its new information CD highlighting the many services pro- vided in the old vocational school, the Spraoi Family Resource Centre is already expanding its service.

After years of dedicated work from a group of volunteers, the family resource centre has opened and is catering for more than 60 local chil- Clone

The centre provides pre-school, af- ter school and a drop off service ca- tering for all age groups of children, and all the varying needs of local

parents.

Just weeks into its existence and an outside playground is already being prepared for the centre.

Manager of Spraoi Patricia Lineen said that people are signing up every day for the service.

It is hoped that the state of the art playground will be up and running within weeks.

Meanwhile a bus service brings children for the after school service to the centre from Rineen, Rock- mount and Annagh national schools.

The children are looked after and can do their homework before being collected by their working parents JE ICooup DOM OOlomen osu beTee

A total of 11 people are employed in the centre, five of them part time.

Leasing the land from the VEC the

Spraoi committee set about building the new unit onto the West Clear Re- course Centre.

The newly finished state-of-the-art family resource building 1s providing a variety of support services to par- ents from the area, including child- care facilities, a homework club, in- ternet café and a meeting room.

The brainchild of a number of lo- cal women, Spraoi Family Resource Centre, has the capacity to care for 80 children in total.

The innovated centre will not just cater for working parents, but will provide a drop off service for parents who wish to go shopping or keep ap- pointments and require a baby-sit- ting service.

The centre contains a baby sleep and awake room for nine babies, 20

‘“waddlers” for children aged nine months to two years and pre-school facilities for 40 children and after school facilities for 20 more chil- Clone

Plans are also in place for summer camps in Spraoi during the holidays in July and August.

The camps will cater for sport and music lovers and will be available to schoolchildren.

SW ilomereyrNCosns ecm KOLO eeMDOM Nsom GcNliRe is also available to the local commu- UIA

Just to prove how far the centre has become part of the local commu- nity in a few short weeks, the chil- dren of Spraoi will take part in the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Miltown Malbay on March 17.

For information call 065 7079893.

THE people of the Burren are being given their final chance to get their spoke in ahead of the launch of a number of exciting new tourism ini- tiatives in the area.

The Ennistymon based Burren Connect Project is asking for any last suggestions before a range of new projects designed to foster a partner- ship approach to visitor management and environmental protection in the Burren will be unveiled.

Some of the most interesting ideas put forward by the project include the provision of information hubs at various locations throughout the Burren, the creation of designated viewing points for tourists and an

information booklet for hospitality businesses in north Clare and south Cr Ea

“The project team is currently fi- nalising the delivery of a number of programmes on information provi- sion and education, traffic manage- ment, conservation and access at Poulnabrone and Fanore, market research, and investigating the suit- ability of the Burren for designation as a Geopark,” said Carol Gleeson of the Burren Connect Project.

“In 2008 the team will continue fo- cusing efforts on education, training, socio-economic research, develop- ment of trails, traffic management, conservation and amenity projects, and ongoing monitoring and man- agement of developed areas.”

The Burren Connect Project was established in 2006 with funding from the Failte Ireland Development Scheme Fund, in partnership with Clare County Council, Shannon De- velopment, National Parks and Wild- life Service, National Monuments Service and Burrenbeo.

“The issues surrounding the pro- tection and sustainable use of a land- scape are complex and multiple. A truly sustainable approach to tourism can only be achieved with involve- ment and contribution from local communities,’ continued Carol.

“Thus, an important part of the project’s remit is to facilitate such contributions. The project will con- tinue to hold public consultation meetings on issues that have a direct

impact on communities in the Bur- ren.”

Recent public meetings organised by the Burren Connect Project have concentrated on such issues as traf- fic management on the Coast Road, signage and branding.

‘Future meetings will be advertised in local newspapers, parish newslet- ters and on local radio. They will also be posted on the new project website, which will feature a dedicated dis- cussion area, where people can offer suggestions and feedback in an open public forum,” said Carol.

KILFENORA is_ slowly — starting to return to normal after the week that belonged to Fr Ted. Hundreds of revellers, most of them dressed as priests, nuns and cups of tea, de- scended on the village for the first Fr Ted Festival ever to take place in OE IKe

The week was packed with many events, including an informal ques- tions and answers session with the Fr Ted creators.

“T think that the questions and an- swers session with Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews was one of the real highlights for a lot of people, it was really good. It was great fun,

people shouted up questions from the audience and they answered them. There was a lot of chat about how the series was made and questions like that,” said event organiser Janet KE Merirreaee

“We have a little play before that, a drama group from Athenry put on a reduced Father Ted over 15 min- utes with little segments from loads of the episodes. Besides that the one thing that people really loved was the Cole

“The lovely girls competition was a great success as well. Everyone had a ereat laugh out of it. Katie Vaughan from Vaughan’s Pub in Kilfenora won the competition in the end but it was a close one. She was great craic

though. I saw her yesterday, days af- ter the competition, and she was still wearing her crown and her sash.”

The festival had a big economic im- pact on the area, bringing a host of tourist to north Clare in the normally quiet month of February.

“People were staying in town and as far away as Lisdoonvarna and Ennistymon. Local people had their houses rented out and all the local bed and breakfasts were full,’ con- tinued Janet.

“We are definitely looking at run- ning the event again next year. We have to look carefully at the possibil- ity of making it any bigger because the infrastructure just isn’t here for that. We just about coped with the

numbers that we had.

‘“Kilfenora is the place where most of the series was filmed but some was filmed in Ennistymon, so mov- ing part of it to Ennistymon next year is something that we would look at. But Kilfenora is the real spiritual home of it.”

Following the Kilfenora Festival, the second annual Aran Islands Ted- Fest took place over the weekend.

THE North Clare Farm Family Sup- port Service are inviting all Clare farmers to an information evening to discuss one of the most contentious and confusing issued currently faced eM Denture

Eligibility for the Contributory State Pension is an issue which ef- fects thousands of farmer in every corner of the county with the eligibil- ity of farm spouses a real hot potato.

The information evening, which 1s being organised in association with IFA Skillnets and the IFAC, is open to all Clare farmers and takes place in the Woodstock Hotel in Ennis this

evening, Tuesday, March 4.

Four expert speakers will be in En- nis for the evening, each of which will explore a different aspect of the application process for the contribu- tory state pension.

Pat Coen from the Department of Social and Family Affairs will give an overview of how to apply for the contributory state pension.

The Revenue Commission’s Kitty Maloney will examine how farmers are effected by PRSI and income tax. John Duane from IFAC will also be present and will explain the differ- ent situation that farmers could find themselves in regarding the eligibil- ity for the state pension.

Finally, Mary Shelly, IFA Farm Family Committee Chairperson, will give an update on the eligibility of farmers spouses for the pension.

“In the past a lot of farmers, maybe through lack of information, would not have understood the importance of maintaining their PRSI contribu- tions, and a lot of them would have been disqualified because of this,” said Gerry McDonagh of the North Clare Farm Family Support Service.

“Getting on top of this is something that could benefit a lot of farmers. Farmers need to make sure that once they reach the age of 56 that they must be making PRSI contributions.

“But it 1s a complex situation for

farmers, some of who might have worked off the farm for a time. Basi- cally any farmers who want to secure a state pension for themselves should try and attend on the night. It’s a very complex area.”

The cost of entering the event is €20 per farming family. However admission is free for all IFA mem- bers or present and future clients of the Farm Family Support Service. Complimentary tea and sandwiches will also be provided for all who at- tend. For more information, please contact Gerry McDonagh, Rural Development Officer North Clare Farm Family Support Service at 065 7072467 or 086 8544036.

A GORT whizz kid will next month take on some of Ireland most talent- ed young minds in a competition to design a new version of Space Invad- ae

Finn Krewer, a Leaving Cert stu- dent from Gort Community School, has qualified for a major program- ming competition which takes place at the Tipperary Institute on March iF

Finn will be one of just two sec- ond level students taking part in the competition, with the vast majority of entries coming from third level students and above. The competition is being organised to mark the 30th

anniversary of the creation Space Invades, which went on to revolu- tionise technology and help bring the computer to the masses.

“We all got a starter pack and a very basic version and we all had to design three levels of space invad- ers,’ he said.

“We were asked to keep the game play fairly similar to the original but the functions, graphics, sound and memory are all your own. It’s for the X-Box 360 so you have more abilities in the design than you would iLeyweee NOAA

“It’s difficult enough, you do need some good coding experience. It’s all hard code, there is a nice developing environment but you still need to be

able to write thousands of lines of code.”

The event is also being used to launch Tipperary Institute’s new De- gree in Computing and Game Design and Development. ‘Talent scouts from major computer game companies SEGA, BlackRock Studios (Disney Interactive Studios), Square ENIX and Blitz Games will be in Thurles for the event.

“I started programming pretty young and then last year I represent- ed Ireland in the Imaging Cup which is sponsored by Microsoft. Myself and a friend programmed artificial intelligence strategies for computer- ised robots to move around in and work,” continued Finn.

“IT was also in the young scientist last year where we developed an electromagnetic glove. It was a crazy idea of a friend of mine and I ended up making all the electronics for that. This year we tried to make a virtual chemistry lab. It was very simple but it was really the idea of it that we were trying to get across.

‘Tam also helping a group of second years in the school with their coding. They are taking part in a competition called Schoolbots, which is small lit- tle tanks moving around and trying to blow each other up.”

OF uu (orem Menara Leys feature on the area after one of their journalists enjoyed a stay in east Clare on her holidays.

Theresa Brown of East Clare Tour- ism said her organisation had been involved in helping the newspaper to put together an article on things to do and amenities in the Lough Derg

area.

“They had a huge interest in the lake and the various activities avail- able and they were particularly inter- ested in fishing and other activities,” said Theresa. “We gave them all the information we could. We’re very pleased that the area is getting this kind of exposure and publicity.”

A spokesperson for Clare County Council said the local authority had also been involved in supplying in- formation on places to stay and things to do in the environs of Lough Doyse

Meanwhile, the East Clare Tourism

organisation held its annual general meeting last week, and elected Ea- mon Moroney of Scariff as chair- man, and Bodyke councillor, Colm Wiley as vice chair.

Teresa Brown was appointed sec- retary and Mary Corry of Tulla was elected assistant secretary. Joint treasurers for the year are Vera O’Rourke of Mountshannon and Elaine Rodgers of Whitegate.

Councillor Pat Hayes told the group that funds have been sanctioned by Clare County Council to support their work.

Members of East Clare Tourism

attending the AGM said they were very pleased with the proposed de- velopment of the hotel, golf club and equestrian centre at Tinarana, which, it was felt would greatly enhance the amenities in Lough Derg and the surrounding area.

The next meeting of the group will take place on March 11 in Teach Ui Bhriain at 8pm.

NEW facilities which will help pro- mote the increasingly popular farm- er’s market in Killaloe are being sought.

Local councillor, Tony O’Brien is to ask Clare County Council to cost the provision of facilities such as electricity, running water, signage and road markings for the site of Kil- laloe Farmers Market.

The call will go out to the council’s Director of Services at a meeting of the Killaloe area representatives of the council today.

“The market has become a very popular feature in Killaloe each

Sunday and I have met with some of the traders about their concerns and ways in which the market could be supported and improved,’ Cllr O’Brien said.

He added that those stalls which require power, such as hot food ven- dors and stalls which need chill ca- pacity for fresh food, are currently using generators.

“A power supply would be a big help to the traders and would help create a more pleasant atmosphere at the weekly event,” he said.

Farmers markets are becoming well supported countrywide as peo- ple become more aware of where their food comes from and buying

locally sourced and produced food gains in popularity.

“This is in line with Minister John Gormley’s recent statement about supporting local markets,” said Cllr O’Brien.

He added that he is “not asking the county council to pay for these facilities. just to cost them. Once we know what is involved, then we can look at what finances are available and maybe do some sort of scheme which involves input from the mar- kets vendors and whatever funding 1s available.”

The move to improve conditions for the market comes as Clare County Council finalises details of its desig-

nated casual trading areas.

The new by-laws on casual trad- ing will control where stall holders can set up and the area between the waters has been designated as one of these areas.

Meanwhile, Cllr O’Brien will also be chasing the local authority to check the water supply system in Killaloe to ensure there will be no further loss of supply like the one which affected homes in the town last week.

A leaking main was responsible, dumping 40,000 gallons a day into the ground.

“We can’t have this happening in the long term,” said Cllr O’Brien.

IN 2005/06 Scariff Community College’s Home Economics Depart- ment with the help of Red Branch – an international health and lifestyle consultancy – set about trying to encourage a change of attitude to- wards healthy eating and a healthy Perea (er

A survey was carried out by Red Branch to determine lifestyle pat- terns of students and the four main issues addressed as a result of this Survey were:

To increase water consumption.

To increase fruit consumption.

To encourage the eating of a healthy lunch.

To increase physical activity for girls.

Initially the vending machines were removed from the school cor- ridors and instead bottled water was for sale from the school canteen at a reduced price.

To tackle the low levels of fruit consumption a school fruit micro- business was established. Through this initiative transition year students were responsible for sourcing, order- ing, promoting and selling organic fruit. A local supplier Blue Moon Farm is used and around 4,540 units of fruit are sold per term.

Lunches were the big problem. Foods high in saturated fats, sugar and additives were the mainstay of

lunches and all were easily available from local fast-food outlets. Meet- ings were held between Red Branch, teachers and the student council to solve this dilemma. After a period of trial and error we now have a system in place which suits everybody.

Pallas Foods supply a variety of fill- ings for sandwiches, rolls and wraps. All these have been evaluated for salt, sugar and fat content and only foods that are trans fat free are per- mitted for sale, along with organic soup, smoothies and orange juice.

A group called Teenage Lifestylers introduced hip hop dancing, tae kwon-do and yoga for girls who are not into contact sports. The dancing is a big hit and is a regular feature in

school variety shows and musicals.

‘A healthy mind in a healthy body’ philosophy is promoted in transition year with a trip to an outdoor edu- cation centre for a week’s activities in October, a programme of fitness training with power bags by Fitness Solutions from Ennis in November/ December and a personal develop- ment programme in March.