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Banner county remembers Riobeard

FORMER assistant county manager Roibeard O Ceallaigh, who passed away at the weekend, has been re- membered as a great motivator for WTR UK emOvis ba tey

Mr O Ceallaigh (64), died in hos- pital in Dublin at the weekend, fol- lowing a short illness. He had suf- fered from a rare heart disorder for a number of years.

The Kilkenny native had worked in the local authority sector for 40 years, during which time he was SETA ANOKe kDa Mm Oba eee) and assistant county manager and Ennis town manager (1985 – 1994),

He also served as county manager in Limerick and Meath and also

worked with Kilkenny, Waterford and Wicklow county councils, prior to retiring in 2001. ;

Over the years, Mr O Ceallaigh had played a key role in the Irish lan- guage and had been pivotal in Ennis winning several national awards for Gere

He had been chairman of Conradh na Gaeilge in Ennis, while he was also chairman of the board of Clar na Gaeilge, a community language development programme for the county.

He was also chairman of Glor na nGael in Ennis, which won a national award last year.

Mr O Ceallaigh’s last public func- tion was in Glor in Ennis last March, when he accepted this prestigious ac-

colade, on behalf of Glor na nGael.

He was the founding chairman of Gaelscoil Cios6g in Ennis in 1983 and was also on the committee of Féile na hInise, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

His colleague with the various Irish organisations in Ennis Donal O Loinsigh said, “He was in his ele- ment that night.

‘“Roibeard was a man who learned Irish. He acquired Irish and learned it in Ballyferriter (Kerry) every sum- noe

“In his professional career, he pio- neered the use of Irish in the public service. He came up with the concept of having people in every section of the council to have proficient Irish even before the language Act,’ he

Cente

“Clare County Council was the first local authority to produce fully bilingual application forms and he was a pioneer of that,’ added Mr O Loinsigh.

“He was the driving force behind anything that catapulted Ennis into the limelight nationally.

“He was a great motivator,” he Teeter

Mr O Ceallaigh had retired to En- nis and had lived in Roslevan with his wife Carmel. He had three sons Roibeard Og, Ronan and Eoghan.

He will repose at his home from 4pm today (Tuesday) and will be laid to rest in his native Kilkenny, follow- ing [lam mass at Ennis Cathedral tomorrow.

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Packed jet flew with hole in wing flap

A PACKED passenger jet travelled almost 5,000 kilometres (3,000 miles) across the Atlantic Ocean with a gaping hole in one of the its wing flaps, but the damage went undetected until the plane landed at NJetvevslelswaeeu seu m

It was only after the scheduled Del- ta Airlines flight from New York’s JFK International Airport arrived at Shannon on Friday morning that the damage to the flap and a tyre were spotted.

The outer tread of one tyre on the Boeing 757 jet was completely miss-

ing. However, the main highly pres- surised section of tyre remained in- tact.

It is understood that the tread shred- ded during or soon after take-off in New York and a piece of rubber pen- etrated the wing flap.

The Delta aircraft was grounded for further inspection and repairs by aircraft maintenance company Shan- non Aerospace. The hole in the flap was described as “sizeable”.

According to an airport source, “If the damage had been spotted when the incident occurred the pilot would have had to declare and emergency and land at the nearest airport im-

mediately.”

Airport sources also said the crew and passengers on board the flight were oblivious to the incident, heard nothing out of the ordinary and saw no debris or damage to the flap. There was no indication in the cockpit at any time that anything had occurred while the plane continued to function and land without difficulty.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Transport has confirmed that it 1s investigating the matter.

Meanwhile two aircraft have made emergency diversions to Shannon in the past few days.

On Friday evening a transatlantic jet which was almost half way across the Atlantic was forced to Shannon after one of its two engines failed in jubheaale

The Continental Airlines Boeing 757-200, with 144 passengers on board, touched down safely after the pilot managed to restart the troubled engine shortly before arriving at Shannon.

On Monday morning a _ female member of the cabin crew of a Virgin Atlantic flight from Boston to Lon- don was taken to the Mid Western Regional Hospital with suspected appendicitis.

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Mary Coughlan’s roller-coaster ride

IT’S been real roller-coaster ride, but after almost four years of bargain- ing, horse trading and achievement, Mary Coughlan left the Department of Agriculture for the last time on Thursday morning.

The last 5 year have been some of the most eventful and controversial in recent memory for Irish farmers, although Minister Coughlan has certainly left the office with more friends than she had back in 2004.

The Donegal woman will now take up a new position as Minister for En- terprise, Trade and Employment and will also act as Tanaiste.

Speaking on Thursday, IFA Presi- dent Padraig Walshe wished Minis-

ter Coughlan well in her new posi- tion and said she could look back on a number of achievements during her four-year term as Minister for Agri- TTA Ken

He also congratulated Brendan Smith on his appointment as Min- ister for Agriculture. Walshe said he looked forward to working with Minister Smith and dealing with the issues in agriculture.

ICSA president Malcolm Thomp- son has welcomed the appointment of Brendan Smith as the new Min- ister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

“We worked well with the minis- ter when he was a minister of state before and look forward to a positive and pro-active relationship with him

into the future,” he said.

“However, we would urge him to ‘hit the ground running’ so to speak on WTO issues, as he will have to vigorously defend Ireland’s agricul- tural interests both in Europe and at WTO.”

Macra na Feirme also welcomed the appointment of Brendan Smith and wished Mary Coughlan the best of luck in her new post as Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment.

However, it was not all kind words from the young farmers organisa- tion.

“We want to warn Brendan Smith that the task ahead as Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Food will have immediate challenges such as

WTO and the CAP health check, farm waste management scheme along with young farmer specific 1s- sues such as the reintroduction and the continual supports and incentives to young farmers to readdress the age profile in agriculture,’ said a spokes- person from Macra.

Indeed questions have been raised about the timing of this Government reshuffle and the impact that it might have on the upcoming WTO negotia- tions. Minister Coughlan had almost single-handedly been managing the Government’s plan for handling the WTO negotiations.

Fears have been raised that Minis- ter Smith may not have enough time to fully understand the complex is- sues on discussion.

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Farm leader McMahon welcomes ban

CLARE farm leader Martin McMa- hon, has welcomed the ban imposed by the Minister for Agriculture on the import of animals from blue- tongue infected regions.

In one of her last acts as Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan in- troduced the ban following on from a unilateral move by Ireland some months ago.

McMahon, who is Chairman of ICMSA’s Beef and Cattle Commit- tee, argues that, to some extent, the Irish Department of Agriculture has forced the EU Commission to act in a sensible way to stop the spread of bluetongue.

He has however, expressed concern about any possibility of bluetongue being imported into the country.

“Given the serious potential losses from bluetongue, ICMSA’s view is that the import of animals which are still legally allowed should be reduced to the absolute minimum,” he said.

“Tt is essential that every precaution is taken against the spread of blue- tongue to Ireland and we feel that voluntary restrictions combined with the legal ban from bluetongue infect- ed regions may be required.

“Our second concern is around the area of vaccination.

“Tt is crucial that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has

adequate stocks of vaccine should an outbreak occur.

“In this connection, ICMSA notes that Ireland still has not got a sup- ply of vaccine unlike other countries whose vaccination programmes are well under way. We need to do two things immediately: firstly, we need to secure a supply of the vaccination and, secondly, we need to consider voluntary vaccination by individual farmers who wish to protect their herds against any possibility of an outbreak.

“ICMSA is going on the record to express our concern about the degree of complacency that seems to be set- ting-in around the possibility of a bluetongue outbreak which would

put a beef industry already under threat under the most severe strain imaginable.”

Speaking after the ban Minister Coughlan said that notwithstanding the introduction of these new meas- ures, she would continue to insist that the EU must keep the bluetongue control measures under ongoing re- view and that if necessary these must be modified should evidence emerge that would demand such action.

“My priority continues to be to keep bluetongue out of this country and I will not hesitate to introduce additional safeguard measures, as I did in February, if I consider that Such action 1s warranted,” said the Minister.

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Hitting some new musical heights

ORGANISERS are confident this year’s Fleadh Nua will exceed the standards set by previous events.

There is a strong international di- mension to the programme as well a renewed emphasis on education.

Some 54 events are scheduled to take place over eight days includ- ing performances from a Congolese drum band and the Ulster Scots band, the Hounds of Ulster.

Focus in recent times has also switched to incorporating a more ed- ucational aspect to the festival. This is reflected in the growing popularity

of Scoil Fleadh Nua, which this year takes place in St Flannan’s College on May 24.

Rory Casey is a long time member of Fleadh Nua who is credited with pioneering Scoil Fleadh Nua. He is also the man responsible for publish- ing Nasc, the Fleadh Nua electronic newsletter.

According to Casey, the workshops are an integral part of the Fleadh Nua experience. He said, “Each year we are saying this year will be the biggest and the best, but this year it’s shaping up definitely, to be one of the biggest ever.

We have added to the programme

and there is something happening every night in the town.

“There is a lot of street entertain- ment, sessions, storytelling, Irish nights.

“We have the workshops for young- er musicians and they have become a really important and very popular element of the Fleadh Nua.”

A series of workshops in some of the more popular traditional music instruments forms the backbone of Scoil Fleadh Nua.

Teachers for this year’s event in- clude All-Ireland winning accor- dion player Damien O’Reilly, Caitlin Nic Gabhann (concertina), Siobhan

O’ Donnell (bodhran/singing), Anne- Marie Grogan (flute), Jack Talty (concertina), Aine Bird (fiddle) and Michael ‘Blackie’ O’Connell (uil- eann pipes).

It’s fitting then, Casey believes, that this year’s Fleadh Nua, recognises the career of one of Clare’s most respected music teachers, Frank Custy.

He said, “I suppose the main thing and perhaps one of the biggest high- lights is the tribute night to Frank Custy. Frank is recognised as a leg- endary teacher in Clare and around Ireland, so that should be a great night in Cois na hAbhna”.

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Fleadh Nua is breaking new ground

THIS year’s Fleadh Nua breaks new ground while at the same time ac- knowledges the architects of the fes- tival’s rich tradition.

History will be made with the first ever performance at the fleadh, by a band from the Ulster Scots tradition of music when Hounds of Ulster take the stage in Glor, on Saturday, May pz

They will be joined by uileann pip- er, Mickey Dunne and his daughter, Brid on the fiddle – proud standard bearers of the Dunne family who have made an enormous contribution to traditional music for years.

Also appearing on the night and making a first appearance at Fleadh Nua are Sliabh Notes. Matt Cran-

itch, Donal Murphy and Tommy O’Sullivan will no doubt fill the air with the slides and polkas beloved of the Sliabh Luachra tradition. Séamus Mac Mathuna will also be on hand to sing a song or two.

The festival launches in Cois na hAbhna on May 18 with a tribute to the legendary music teacher, Frank Custy.

Widely acknowledged for the key role he has played in shaping the modern history of Clare traditional music, Custy’s pupils include Sha- ron Shannon, Noel Hill, Tony Lin- nane, Siobhan Peoples and the Healy Brothers.

Custy was also a driving force be- hind the construction and devlop- ment of Cois na hAbhna in the late seventies and early eighties.

The Fleadh Nua runs until May 26, and, as always, a bumper programme is expected to draw huge crowds to sively

The passing of tradition from one generation to the next is celebrated on May 23 at the Aos Og Brog agus Bodhran concert in Glor.

Appearing on the night are Clare singer Eimear Arkins and All-Ire- land Fiddle Champion, Sorchadha Costelloe, who will be accompanied on stage by her brother, Padraig. Dancers featured include mem- bers of Scoil Rince Ui Ruairc, the Michael Ryan Dancing School and sets from the Helen Hehir School in Lissycasey.

Night owls will love the music at midnight session in the Auburn Lodge Hotel on May 24.

The event is hosted by rising band Cruinniu, recently described by broadcaster and ex-Stockton’s Wing member Kieran Hanrahan as a “great gathering of some of our finest young musicians and singers from various parts of the country who have a com- mon understanding of the tradition”.

The Fleadh Nua culminates on Sunday May 25 with a parade and céili mor in the heart of Ennis.

The programme is littered with cd launches, recitals, workshops and plenty of sessions, ensuring there will be something for everybody at Fleadh Nua 2008.

See full event details at www.flea- dhnua.com.

Fleadh Nua is organised by Com- haltas Ceolt6iri Eireann on a volun- tary not for profit basis.

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Call for speedy resolution on hospital

ENNIS Comhairle Ceantair Fianna Fail has called for a speedy resolu- tion to the ongoing doubt over the proposed upgrading of facilities at Ennis General Hospital.

Chairman Tom Malone informed a meeting on Thursday night last, that officers of the comhairle ceantair had made contact with Fianna Fail leadership urging them to approve the €39 million package designated for Ennis General Hospital in the

HSE Capital Programme 2006-2011. Similar representations to party leadership have been made on behalf of Ennis No 1 Cumann, Fianna Fail, by its secretary, Garrett Greene.

The meeting heard that Clare Fi- anna Fail TDs past and present had lobbied for the proposed hospital funding to receive the greenlight. Delegates welcomed the work of elected representatives in this regard. As a member of the HSE West Fo- rum, Cllr Pat Daly declared himself ‘hopeful’ that tenders to carry out the

upgrade would be invited very soon.

Deputy Timmy Dooley also con- veyed his support for Ennis Com- hairle Ceantair’s efforts.

Minister Tony Killeen who at- tended the meeting applauded the delegates and all party members for their hard work on behalf of the party and thanked them for their ongoing support in relation to Ennis General Hospital and other issues.

Minister Killeen assured the meet- ing that every effort was being made to ensure that the Ennis General

Hospital project proceeds to tender at the earliest possible date.

Delegates pledged to campaign strongly for a “Yes” vote in the up- coming Lisbon Treaty Referendum and welcomed a recent public in- formation evening held in Ennis and addressed by Minister Willie O’Dea, Minister Tony Killeen, Deputy Doo- ley, former deputy Brendan Daly and local MEP Sean O’Neachtain.

A minute’s silence was observed at the meeting in memory of late Presi- dent Dr Patrick Hillery.

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St Clare’s are counting on your vote

STAFF and students at St Clare’s School are counting on your vote in the AIB Better Ireland awards.

The school was shortlisted for the annual awards ceremony, which takes place in June.

The school is one of three groups from Ennis nominated. The Ennis branch of AIB Ireland will award €10,000 to the local project that tops the poll in a public text vote over a four-week period from May 6 to June oF

The local community can simply text ENNIS followed by C to 53099 to vote.

The award is part of AIB’s Better Ireland Programme which supports children with physical, sensory and

intellectual disabilities and also chil- dren affected by drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness or a lack of ac- cess to mainstream education due to poverty.

St Clare’s appearance on the short- list reflects the enormous contribu- tion the school has made to the com- munity in Ennis since it first opened its doors in 1967.

The school has operated from its present site on the Gort Road since 1986. Work on an extension to the original premises was completed in 2005.

St Clare’s caters for children with all disabilities, physical, sensory and intellectual.

There are currently 57 children en- rolled in the school supported by a highly dedicated staff. Last year was

one of the most significant in the his- tory of St Clare’s with the opening, by Dr Willie Walsh of a sensory gar- Clo

The garden is specially designed OMS AoMOOVECCUKcIIMMEDI COE IDONLOyI Kore mE:eeronts around the garden and allow them to discover something new at every nubaee

Children in electric wheelchairs are free to roam and to enjoy the beauty of the garden. The design is such that certain areas are specially planted to appeal to the sense of sound, while other areas appeal to the sense of touch.

If St Clare’s are successful in the awards then a large slice of the prize will be spent on adding to the sen- sory garden.

Deputy principal Clare McInerney

hesitates to say that work on the gar- den has been completed. Such has been the positive impact on school life; everyone at St Clare’s views the sensory garden as on ongoing project.

Clare said, “We are always looking to add to the garden because it’s been hugely positive for the students. A lot of our students spend a long time on the bus travelling to and from the school, so it’s good to have a place for activity”.

Students from St Clare’s have also participated in events for the Special Olympics.

A group representing St Clare’s also successfully took part at artistic and rhythmic gymnastic competi- tions which took place in Limerick and Cork.

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Taking some time for a bite to eat

THEY say that time waits for no-one. In Lisdoonvarna later this month however, time will gladly take a little rest and wait for a nice bite to eat.

After a gap of three years, the Bur- ren Slow Food Festival returns to north Clare from May 23 to 25. The three day festival will promote all that’s best about local produce and natural ingredients and all that is good about eating.

“Slow Food is all about local pro- duce. It’s about good food and pro- ducing food with heart that’s fresh and sourced locally. It’s about the way the chef puts all his heart into

producing something great for some- one else to eat. It’s about the way we eat it – about making time to sit down around the table and have a meal to- gether,” said festival organiser Bir- gitta Hedin-Curtin.

“Slow food is the total opposite of fast food. It started in Italy in 1986 when the first McDonald’s came into Rome.

“There was a movement to protect the traditional food culture and that has spread all over the world.

“We need to start educating chil- dren about what good food is. To look at what they have in their lunch- box and what they eat when they come home.”

The festival, sponsored by Shannon Development and Flo Gas, will be officially opened in the Lisdoonvar- na Town Hall before an evening of Slow Food will be hosted at local ea- teries including Sheedys, Cullinans, the Roadford House, Ballinalacken Castle and Gregan’s Castle.

Some highlights of Saturday in- clude a cookery demonstration from celebrity chefs Clodagh McKenna and Aidan McGrath of Doonbeg Golf Club, a presentation from John McKenna of the Bridgestone Guide, talks from local producers including Siobhan Garvey from St Tola’s goats cheese and a gala dinner in the new Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre.

On Sunday local guides Shane Connoly and Mary Howard will lead a walk through the Burren. The walk will end up at Gregan’s Castle for a slow food lunch featuring dishes in- cluding local honey.

“It’s going to be very pack week- end,’ continued Birgitta.

“The festival will finish on Sunday night in the town hall with Supper Theatre. It’s a three act play – the au- dience will watch an act, then have some slow food, and then back to the theatre.”

For more details or to book tickets contact the Burren Smoke House at 065 7074432 or check out www. slowfoodireland.ie

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Burren set to come alive this summer

WITH the arrival of Summer, the Burren is set to come alive this month with a host of flora and fauna coming into season.

To celebrate this re-awakening, the Annual Burren in Bloom Festi- val will take place throughout the month of May with a range of events designed to help people fully enjoy iW Ntomrs Baste

“The original festival was started about three years ago as a way of try- ing to increase tourism and try and keep people in the village of Bally- vaughan and make their stay more

pleasurable. The obvious option was to give people information about what is going on at a time of the year when it is really coming into bloom,” said organiser Jim McCarthy.

One if the central elements of the Burren in Bloom is a series of il- lustrated talks by leading botanists and environmentalists at the Burren College of Art. Contributors include George Sevastopulo, Paul Clements, Susan Sex, David Lyons, Tony Kirby, Mary Angela Keane, Bill McNamara and Brendan Dunford.

““Tt’s really to help show people what the Burren has to offer and the rich- ness of the Burren. It’s all about the

different walk and the different illus- trated talks – it’s about giving people a key to unlock the unique place that the Burren 1s,” said Pauline Burke of Burren in Bloom.

“Tt’s really an event for the locals and for the tourists. The communi- ty really comes together to make it work. All the lectures and talks are voluntary – there are a few things that we have to charge for, but we try to keep it down to a minimum where ever possible.”

Wilms clUomusemebOMs oy lole snmp Mme)ececTIN Kier! by the Ballyvaughan Development Group and has been growing solidly since it was first staged four years

ago. One of the highlights of the fes- tival each year has been the Dawn Chorus Walk led by Jim McCarthy.

“We all meet up here outside the supermarket at 5.l5am and have some coffee and fresh croissants be- fore we head off. We go from here out to Lough Rask, which is about a mile and a half outside the village. It’s a leisurely walk. The birds out there are fantastic. It takes about two hours in total and then we come back to the Hyland’s Hotel and have a champagne breakfast.”

For more on Burren in Bloom con- tact 065 7077464 or check out www. ballyvaughanireland.com