Month: April 2008

THE hurricane and the whirlwind may have blown town, but the mis- sion continues for three Clarecastle girls.

Fiona Donnellan, Emma Clancy and Amy McEnery reaped the re- wards from last week’s exhibition match between snooker legends Alex Higgins and Jimmy White, but the work continues to raise funds for the annual Niall Mellon Building Blitz in South Africa.

Fiona, Emma and Amy travel to South Africa on November 28, to spend eight days working in the township of Khayelitsha in Cape

Town. Before going, the girls each have to raise €5,000.

Established as a ‘dormitory town’ in 1984, during the apartheid era, Khayelitsha is one of the youngest and biggest townships in the Cape. The Blitz will take place in one of the oldest parts of the township.

Housing conditions are very poor and the area is also desperately over- crowded, with up to four families in shacks on one tiny plot.

The Niall Mellon Township Trust will build 800 houses for the com- munity here and 250 of these will be completed by the volunteers during the one-week building blitz.

For one of the group, Emma Clancy,

there is a strong family association with the project. Emma will be fol- lowing in her father Michael’s foot- steps when she goes to South Africa.

She said, “We’re going out on the Niall Mellon building trip. They go to South Africa to do a 10-day stint every year. We’re heading out on No- vember 28 to December 6. So hope- fully it will all go well for us. My Dad, Michael Clancy, has been going for four years. Hopefully we’ll do a bit of building ourselves.”

Last Saturday’s high-profile fund- raiser came about through a meeting between Clare FM journalist Fiona Donnellan and one of the event or- ganizers.

Emma explained, “It was through Kevin. Fiona gave him a bit of air- time on Clare FM and he said if they ever came back to do something like this, he would keep us in mind.”

The Niall Mellon Township Trust was established in 2002 to provide homes to the impoverished com- munities in the townships in South Africa.

HOPES are high that a new public art project will provide a fitting trib- ute to the newly re-developed Clare- castle National School.

During the month of May, a spe- cial subcommittee of the board of management of the school will com- mission a contemporary artist(s) to develop a new art project for the school.

Artists are now invited, through an Open competition basis, to submit proposals to the school and a special site visit is arranged for April 10 for those interested.

The vision is to commission a new art project in the context of the school and/or surrounding area.

The school is keen that the art project will be modern and, in keep- ing with school ethos, would like to see the commission progress in a child-centered way.

However, the school is managing the project in line with the National Guidelines on Public Art, which pri- oritises time for the artist in the com- missioning process.

This public art project is funded through the Department of Educa- tion and Science’s Per Cent for Art Scheme and 1s coordinated by a Pub-

lic Art Subcommittee of Clarecastle national school’s board of manage- ment, with assistance from Clare County Council’s Public Art Pro- gramme and Arts Office.

Seven years after instigating pro- cedures to secure a new school, re- development on Clarecastle National School began in 1996. Apart from the original 1935 structure, which was retained, the rest of the building was demolished.

The new school caters for 290 children, housing — state-of-the-art classrooms fitted with the latest IT resources, library, computer rooms, PE and multi-purpose rooms.

The teaching staff comprises 12 mainstream teachers and three re- source teachers.

A spokesperson for the school said, “The school sees this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for pupils, teachers, parents and grand- parents, of the broader school com- munity, to engage with a major art project.”

Those who wish to view submis- sions made through the open compe- tition process may view images of the proposed art projects in the school hall on Saturday, May 17, when the school will be open for First Holy Communion.

‘BE alert, be involved’ was the mes- sage at the launch of the Ballybeg Community Alert scheme.

Clare’s top ranking Gardai urged communities to support the new partnership initiative, launched in the West County Hotel on Wednesday.

A joint initiative between residents and local Community Guard Den- nis Collins, the Ballybeg Commu- nity Alert scheme is the first to be launched in Clare.

Representatives of community groups in Quin, Sixmilebridge, Lis- sycasey and Crusheen were also in attendance and it is hoped similar schemes will be established in those Kersh

Addressing what he termed the changing dynamic of Irish society,

head of the Clare Garda division, Chief Supt Gerry Mahon, said local communities have an important role to play in crime prevention.

He said, “I would ask that people to be aware of what is going in their own community. We are not asking people to snoop, just to be reasonably conscious of their own safety.”

Chief Supt Mahon continued, “Irish society has changed so much, there are a lot of new dynamics. We have new communities coming in, different cultures, and people aren’t interacting in maybe the way they used to. It has left a gap, particularly in daylight hours. It can leave elderly people vulnerable.

“We are not being overly demand- ing, just asking people to be con- scious of people that need help in their community. It’s down to a few

at the end of the day.”

Supt John Scanlon of Ennis Garda Station urged closer links between the gardai and community groups.

‘Things are good in Clare but from time to time you will have people coming in and doing burglaries. If we get a heads up about suspicious behaviour, we can prevent it. The main problems we are dealing with are burglaries in homes, a small bit of anti-social behaviour and break- ins to cars”.

Supt Scanlon added that an extra community guard would soon be al- located to Ennis.

Garda Dennis Collins said, “We have had great interest in the scheme since last August. Ballybeg has to have one of the most pro-active com- mittees in Clare. It has led to people getting to know each other better and

closer contact with the Gardai.”

Crime Prevention Officer Joe Downey said, “This is about being active, being involved and being alert. It is a joint, co-coordinated and structured approach to crime preven- tion. This doesn’t have to die after this meeting. We want you to bring this message back to your commu- ia Ae

The Community Alert programme was established by Muintir Na Tire in 1984 in partnership with An Garda Siochana, with the aim of providing an effective Community Policing and Crime Prevention Network.

There are now 1250 community alert groups throughout the country.

Bernard Kearney of Muintir Na Tire urged the new committee to publish a regular newsletter and avail of Government funding.

THE fourth member of an east Clare family joined the Irish army on Thursday, the same week as his older brother arrived home from a tour of duty in Kosovo.

The Boyce family from Meelick have a proud history of serving with the Irish Army, as father Company Sergeant Tommy Boyce and his three sons have all served their country.

The youngest son Alan, now Private Alan Boyce, graduated in Clonmel with 34 more recruits from Munster.

The 121st Recruit Platoon was at- tested on November 19, 2007, in Col- lins Barracks, Cork.

Training commenced immediately and was completed on April 3.

As well as Private Boyce, Private John Corry from Clarecastle also

joined the army in November and passed out on Thursday.

While it was an especially proud day for the young man from Meel- ick, it was tinged with an element of saddness. His older brother Tommy lost his life in a car accident on his way to work in Clonmel in 2000.

The officers in Clonmel have since dedicated an award for new recruits to the memory of the late private.

This year Alan was part of the group to win the award, a fitting trib- ute to his late brother.

Meanwhile Alan’s brother Private Jason Boyce and his father served with the 37th Infantry of the Defence Forces in Kosovo for the past six peepee stse

The young private arrived home on Tuesday from his tour of duty with 90 more soldiers, just two days be-

fore his brother passed out.

His father is due back from Kosovo this Thursday with the remaining 150 personnel of the 37th infantry eroup.

Private John Joe Rouine from En- nistymon was the second member of the Defence Forces from Clare to arrive safely back to Shannon last Veto

THE challenges posed to Broadford National School by rising costs have met with a terrific response by the lo- oN ereyeapeeltvaviare

Enrollment numbers at the school are set to jump by 50 per cent in September, meaning that extra strain is being placed on the school’s re- sources.

Like many schools in Clare and around Ireland, Broadford has been hit by cutbacks to the summer works scheme and the imposition of water charges.

In order to raise money to increase the playground area, improve the schools IT facilities and replace doors and windows, a fundraising committee was established in the school.

So far the support received has sur- passed all expectations. The most re- cent event was a race night held over the weekend at Vaughan’s Bar.

Liam Patterson who has been prin- cipal in Broadford since 2006 said the challenges faced by the school are emblematic of those faced by countless other schools in Clare.

“The capitation fees the schools

receives only covers about half of the running costs. The cutback in the summer works scheme has hit us and the water charges are big things. It seems to be endemic of the melt- down that is occurring across the Department of Education. It is the children that are suffering. But we are no different than any other of the hundreds of schools who find them- selves in this position.”

He continued, “The fundraising committee has been extremely well supported by the staff, the parents, the kids and by the wider community outside Broadford.

The number of pupils attending has risen from 66 in 2006 to 90, with the jump largely attributable to the rise in development in the area.

As well as the upgrade work to the existing facilities, an unit for chil- dren with autism will be opened in the school.

Mr Patterson added, “A new hous- ing estate has opened across from the school. We have about 83 families in the school at the moments and all of them have given great support.

“We have had great support from local businesses. It has surpassed all expectations.’

DUST off your best rags, or better yet, come along to the Scariff Fash- ion Show which takes place later this week. The show, which is a charity event, takes place on Friday evening in the Scariff Community College from 8pm.

“The show is a fundraiser for the playground and for the Harbour Fes- tival Family Fun Day. We have all local amateur models, and they will be modeling clothes from the spring/ summer 2008 collection from some fabulous shops in Killaloe, Scaruiff, Feakle and one from Shannon,” said one of the organiser’s, Joan Crotty.

“There 1s good craic to be had out of the show, especially with the local

models. We have around 450 tickets sold at this stage so I would say that people are really looking forward to ia

The show will include a wide va- riety of clothing and is sure to have something to meet everyone’s taste.

“We have one menswear shop, one children’s shop, one costume hire shop and the rest then are ladies bou- tiques, inlcuding one show boutique, ’ continued Joan.

“We even have one shop which includes organic clothing which is something a bit different.”

Work has already began on the Scariff playground and some of the money raised will go to that very worthy cause.

“A lot of events are being organ-

ised to fundraise for the playground and they have received some grant funding also, but there is still more than €50,000 to be collected for it,” continued Joan.

‘The rest of the money will go to- wards the Scariff Harbour Festival’s Family Fun Day. The festival takes place each year on the August Bank Holiday weekend. On the Saturday of the festival we like to organise this fun day for young people and ie Daee sony

“We have puppet shows, bouncy castles, slides and lots of other in- flatables. We try to keep the price as low as we possibly can for people. Last year we were able to give the children access to all of the enter- tainment and a Supermacs meal for

just €3 each. So the more money we raise the more things we will be able to organise for this great fun day for all the family.”

“There will be a superb raffle on the night with over 100 prizes on of- fer, with a value of over €3,500 in total. Prizes include a family week- end break, hampers, concert tickets, gift vouchers, bouquest of flowers, a designer handbag and jewellery, to name but a few.”

The fashion show takes place this Friday, April 11, at Scariff Commu- nity College. It begins at 8pm with a cheese and wine reception.

Tickets are available from Karena’s Boutique, Centra Supermarnet and from O’Meara’s Pharmacy in Scar- hee

AN effort to adapt to the changing needs in a parish in east Clare will be made over the coming weeks When locals compile a community TOTS H ESE

Through the initiative, all 1,200 households in Parteen, Meelick and Coonagh will receive ‘listening census’ forms in the coming weeks. They will be asked to fill out the forms and return them to the organ- isers of the initiative, the parish pas- toral council.

The aim behind this project is to compile a list of events and initia- tives that locals feel are lacking. The organisers then plan to do as much as

they can to implement key changes in the local community and address the needs highlighted in the census.

The forms are divided into three areas – how local communication can be improved, suggestions regarding social improvement in the commu- nity and involvement in church ac- tivities.

Residents are also being encour- aged to make any additional sugges- tions which they think would help develop the community.

Project manager Peter O’ Mahony explained the idea to carry out this research.

‘Towards the end of last year, we realised it was getting more difficult to get in touch with every household

in the county. We then came up with the idea of a listening census.

“It means that we will listen to the community and then inform them we do have an active community. They will be asked if they would like to be involved locally,” said Mr O’ Mahony.

This census will vary in some ways, to the national census of population, which was compiled last year.

“It is different in that it 1s option- al. You are not obliged to fill it out. While the national census 1s to iden- tify future needs, we don’t have in- dependent funding as it is voluntary work,’ he added.

“One of the first things we will do is get an email address, phone number

and postal address for every house in the community. It is about forming a key part of our new communications strategy which is going to allow the community to communicate better with itself,’ he added.

They said that the third part of the census, which relates to the church, will give people the opportunity to get involved in this particular area.

THE players of the Corofin Drama Society will next week make the long trek to Strabane in Tyrone where they will fly the flag for Clare in the All- Ireland One-Act Play Finals.

The society has cleaned the boards in all competitions so far this year, taking four first-place and two sec- ond-place finishes out of six com- petitions, and are full of confidence going up north.

Local people are being offered one last chance to catch their spectacular production of “The Beauty Queen of Leenane’, which will be staged in Corofin this Friday, April 11 from §.30pm.

“It’s a great play in the first place. It’s a lot easier to get an audience to really enjoy a play if it’s a great play to begin with,’ said producer John Clancy.

“Our cast in this play deserve a lot of credit. They have won a lot of awards among them for their per- formances. But the unsung heroes are the guys who work behind the scenes, who set off at eight in the morning and get the show ready and then bring the whole lot home at God knows what time when everything is finished. You can’t do it without these people.”

This will be the society’s last time to play in front of a home audience before they take on the best in the

country at the national finals, which will take place in Strabane from Friday, April 18 to Saturday, 26 of ele

“This is our second time reaching the All-Ireland. The last time was in 1985 with a production of *Phila- delphia Here I Come’. We still have a few of the people involved from those days. We have Eileen Lahiffe, Peter Daffy, Rhona Lyons and Willie Lahiffe, of course,’ continued John.

“We did the play in Corofin before we Started on the circuit. We got a great response. There would always be a good regular crowd here in Corofin who would come along and tell you what they thought about it.

“But now that we have had that bit

of extra success, we are hoping to get some local people who might not usually come to plays to come along. The parish is buzzing with talk about the play so we are hoping that we will get a lot of new people in for a look.”

The Corofin Drama Society are the only Clare group to make it as far as the All-Ireland Final this year.

LIGHT, darkness and all the (lumi- nous) grey areas in between form the driving thematic forces behind this year’s Masters Of Fine Art Exhibi- tion at the Burren College of Art in Ballyvaughan.

The exhibition, which is entitled ‘Quiet Dark Bonkers’, opened over the weekend and features the work of graduating Masters students Pam O’Connell, Aoife Cassidy and Cas- sandra Dorer.

“My focus in this exhibition is darkness in art. When I came to the Burren originally I was focusing on

brightness and happy paintings. But when I had my tutorials, my tutors used to say that my work wasn’t re- ally very happy at all. I disagreed with them and, instead of knocking it, I started to explore the darker side in art,’ said Pam O’Connell.

“T work in a diverse range of medi- ums. I am working firstly with clay and from the clay comes the paint- ings and the photographs. So there is a connection and a progression through the pieces.”

Pam, Aoife and Cassandra are the only Masters of Fine Arts Students that will graduate in Ireland, outside of Dublin, this year.

“Like Pam, I am quite drawn to the darker side, but I use a lot of humour as well. So I use a lot of glitter and fluorescence and childlike materials, so you wouldn’t know straight away exactly what the work is about,” said Aoife Cassidy.

“The work is really a homage to people who suffer from mental ill- ness. In this exhibition, I am really trying to push my own limitations and the audience’s limitations. For example, I have one room, I call it the Bird Hide, and I’m hoping to invoke the feeling of panic.”

Cassandra Dorer said, ““My work is nearly the opposite of the other two.

I am looking to create a quiet area of stillness with the idea that people can reflect on their own thoughts.

“The painting are based loosely on the landscape but there is little or no definite imagery in them. So a lot of it is based on colour as an emo- tive force. I think that the landscape here plays a big part in the work, the feeling or sense of spirituality in this area and in the west of Ireland as a whole.”

The exhibition will run daily until JDuCCl \Avate ul mene

To view some images from the exhibition, turn to page 45 of Clare- LIFE.

AFTER breaking the €100,000 mark last year, organisers of the sixth annual Micheal Dunleavy Walk in Doolin are hoping to push things even further this year.

The Michael Dunleavy Foundation was set up in memory of Michael Dunleavy, who died from a rare brain tumour when he was just eight years old in 2002. The charity organises a number of fundraising events both in Ireland and the US.

Michael himself lived most of his life in America, but often came to Clare to visit his aunts, uncles and erandparents in Doolin. Hopes are

high that this year’s walk will be one of the best yet.

“In total, we have raised more than €100,000 for the Irish Cancer So- ciety. We tipped over the €100,000 mark last year which is really won- derful. It shows the commitment and the generosity of the people taking part,” said Mary O’Connor, organ- iser of the Doolin Walk.

“We usually have about 200 peo- ple. It’s a good day, nice and relaxed. It’s like a family day. We have peo- ple who bring the dog along or bring the pushchair. It’s a good family day with lots of children involved.

“We would usually have walkers from all over. We have people who

come down from Miltown and Mul- lagh and that side of the country. We also have a lot of people from Bally- vaughan and an awful lot of locals. It is something that people really keep in mind and look forward to.”

The walk will take place this Sun- day, April 13, at lpm. Registration will take place at Doolin’s Russell Cultural Centre at 12.30pm.

“It 1s a three- or five-mile circular walk, so there 1s a bit of choice de- pending on how fit you are feeling. It’s going to be a really enjoyable day with great fun and a lot of relaxing.

“If the day is clear, and I hope it will be, we will get brilliant views of all the local scenery and even the

Aran Islands,’ continued Mary.

“All money raised goes to the Irish Cancer Society paediatrics research and to our local fund which is there to assist terminally ill local people and their families.

‘We have sponsorship cards avail- able and people can come along on the day and give a bit.”

Anyone looking for a sponsorship card can contact Mary O’Connor on 7074332 or Maurice Dunleavy on 087 2912916.