Month: May 2008

AS THE school year comes to a close, 300 young Burren experts are preparing to graduate from primary schools all over north Clare and south Galway.

Kinvara-based not-for-profit organ- isation Burrenbeo has been operating its Eco-Beo education programme in 10 national schools for the past six years.

The programme is designed to help the young people of the Burren dis- cover their own unique heritage.

Eco-Beo is made possible because of money raised through the Burren Business Network (BBN) and groups like Burren Connect. The BBN aims

to bring eco-tourism to life on a lo- cal scale by getting local businesses involved in promoting the unique ecology of the Burren and attracting tourism as a result.

“This summer we will have a few hundred new Burren experts graduat- ing from schools in Kinvara, Doorus, New Quay, Boston, Tubber, Corofin, Kilnaboy, Kilshanny and Kilfenora,” said Ann O’Connor of Burrenbeo.

“Next year, other schools will get the benefit of the 20-week course which is made possible by the peo- ple involved in the Burren Business Network. This is the essence of sus- tainable tourism whereby tourists, through the businesses they use, are helping to sustain local communities

and their heritage.”

Burrenbeo first began in 2002 as a high-quality website guide to the Burren and its ecology. The site, which is located at www.burrenbeo. com, now gets a quarter of a million visitors each year who generate al- most four million hits.

Over the years, it has developed into the leading agency for promoting the Burren as an eco-tourist location.

“We want to promote education and awareness and, more than any- thing else, to show the really positive contribution that local farmers give to the area,” continued Ann.

“We are working hard to improve visitor management in the Burren and offer visitors a better tourist ex-

perience. The key to this is giving them top-quality and easily acces- sible information about the area and what they are seeing.

“The overall goal is to promote the Burren as a haven for eco-tourism, a place for ecologically and socially responsible, nature-based tourism that fosters appreciation and under- standing and most importantly con- tribute to the local community and economy.’

Beside the development of the Bur- renbeo website, Burrenbeo has also created an award winning CD-Rom on the Burren and opened a free re- source centre in Cafebeo in Kinvara. For more on Burrenbeo, check out www.burrenbeo.com

ON AUGUST 15, an ancient tradi- tion will return to Tubber thanks to the restoration of one of the Burren’s most historic holy weeks.

The August pilgrimage to the Ri an Domhainaigh holy well has not tak- en place for more than two decades but now, thanks to the Beagh Rural Development Association, the centu- ries-old tradition looks set to return.

“This well is first mentioned in 1669 by a Franciscan friar called Anthony MacBrody in a work pub- lished in Prague. It probably dates back to pre-Christian times and the Church would have put its own mark on it over the centuries,’ said Tony

Diviney of the Beagh Integrated Ru- ral Development Association.

“We started working on these holy wells and ancient sites more than 20 years ago, trying to restore them and improve the look of the parish. We have completed a number of differ- ent projects over the years and we started this about this time last year.

“It was in a very bad condition. The ESB had been through the site a number of years back and you couldn’t even see the well. It was a slow enough process but we are hop- TUOTCMMHaY-T MD LMMY SOO MoLom EDU ToleremDOMBUSOomcO)s August.”

Each August 15, Mass was said at the holy well while people walked around the well and prayed. As

they circled it, they would mark the amount of times around the well by placing a stone on a small holy altar nearby.

“They say that if you turned the stones one way, it was good luck but if you turned them against the sun, you could put a curse on people,” said Paddy Rosengrave of the asso- ciation.

‘The belief that the older people in the parish have in this well is unreal. They came down here to pray on a regular basis, even when the place was nearly inaccessible.

“If the people in olden days got sick, they didn’t go to the doctor. It was off to the holy well that they went. This was their hospital.

“You can see that people have left new money, euros, at the holy altar so people must still be using the well.”

The Ri an Domhainaigh holy well is one of six holy wells located in the Beagh parish. It was historically the busiest local well, thanks in part toa large fair which used to take place in Tubber each August.

The group plans to reopen the well and once again celebrate mass in Ri an Domhainaigh on August 15.

THE railway station in Sixmilebri- dge is poised to reopen within the next 12 months, after an absence of more than 30 years.

That was the message delivered by Clare County Council, in response to a query on the matter last week.

Local Fine Gael councillor John Crowe asked for an update on the project and queried when works would commence.

He specifically sought a date for

the reopening of the station, which locals have sought for a considerable period of time.

In response, acting senior engi- neer with the council, John Bradley pointed out that the council has been working in close co-operation with CIE, with regard to the re-opening of the former station.

“The station lands and railway house has been recently acquired by the council. It is planned to provide a park and ride facility in conjunction with the opening of the said railway

station,” said Mr Bradley.

“CIE have advised that funding has been provided in the 2008/2009 budgetary cycles for the upgrading of CIE’s infrastructural requirements and it is anticipated that the pas- senger rail service will open some time during 2009. No fixed dates are available for the scheduled opening of the facility,” added Mr Bradley.

Councillor Crowe said he was pleased with the response.

“IT am very happy with the re- sponse. At the end of the day, we can

see light at the end of the tunnel,” he pointed out.

‘“T would be hoping it would re-open next March or April. It will benefit the entire east Clare area as people can drive to Sixmilebridge and get the train to Limerick or Galway,” he added.

“The people of Sixmilebridge are thrilled with the update,” he said.

“Efforts have been made to get this re-opened for about lO years now, when petitions were signed,’ said Councillor Crowe.

THE increasing level of interest in an after-school project in Newmar- ket-on-Fergus is leading to its expan- sion.

The project was set up by Obair in 1999 and is open to primary school- going children in the Newmarket-on- Fergus area.

Currently, 20 children from first to sixth class attend and there is a wait- ing list for spaces.

Those who attend are given assist- ance with their homework, while they also get the opportunity to do arts and crafts, computer games and physical activities. The children are also brought on various trips, while summer camps are organised every

year.

Kirsty Horner took over the run- ning of the scheme last year. She ex- plained who the club is open to.

“Our target groups would be the disadvantaged, but it is open to eve- ryone,’ said Ms Horner.

“We have homework support, which is why it was set up. Some of the chil- dren would be struggling with their homework,’ she pointed out.

The project runs for 48 weeks of the year from Monday to Friday. It has gone from strength to strength since its inception and the co-ordinators are optimistic that it will continue to make good progress.

“We just got funding for an ex- tension to the building, so we can have two rooms specifically for the

project,” said Ms Horner.

Currently the group meets in a room at Obair, but this room also holds other meetings. Given the in- creasing numbers of children attend- ing the project specific space is nec- essary for them.

“We will have more space. Our numbers have increased and we have a waiting list,’ added Ms Horner.

“The parents think it is a great Service and the children love it,” she added.

While Ms Horner co-ordinates the project, she is seeking volunteers to help her in the week-to-week running Omi

The project is one of three groups in the Shannon/Newmarket region nominated by AIB bank to win a

Better Ireland award. The prize up for grabs is €10,000 and winners will be chosen from a text message based competition.

To vote for the after-school project, text SHANNON A to 53099. The project which receives the most texts wins the €10,000 prize.

The project has also been shortlist- ed for Clare County Council’s Pride of Place competition, which honours groups which have contributed to their local community. The results of this competition will be announced CLUN@uercametemcibbeeneetosm

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They were filmed at Craggauno- wen with their performance about

the voyage of St Brendan. The group, consisting of teenagers Aine Free- man, Collette Donnellan, James Connor, Niamh Devenney, Gerard O’Dea and Maire Ryan, took part in the television filming.

The culture corner includes consid- erable variety and features folklore, through music, song, dance and sto- rytelling.

According to the group’s co-ordina- tor Kevin O’Loughlin, they focused on St Brendan’s discovery of Ameri-

ca, through imaginative means.

“It is a lovely little interpretation. The six youngsters tell the story of St Brendan’s voyage in a 10-minute show,” he said.

“The television experience is great for the children. It is something they might only get one opportunity to do and gives them great confidence,” he added.

The culture corner group from Sixmulebridge/Kilmurry has been successful at community games

levels both in Clare and nationally, over several years. Such is the level of interest that the club entered three groups in this year’s competition. Along with the St Brendan’s voyage eroup, there was also a presentation featuring the wren boys, while Peig Sayers featured in another group.

THE ongoing failure of pump sta- tions to work has resulted in drains being blocked and foul smells ema- nating in Shannon.

This was the view of Councillor Pa- tricia McCarthy (Ind) who has called for a report to be presented on the reasons for the problems.

She has asked for details to be out- lined as to the number of times the pumps have failed and why the re- serve pumps have also failed.

A written response from Clare County Council executive engineer Liam Murphy accepted that the Shan- non wastewater network is “more

prone to blockages than networks in other catchments. The topography of Shannon results in flat gradients to sewer pipe runs, although they are still within the parameters allowed.”

It stated that: “there is a designated crew responding to all reports of blocked sewers and unusual smells in the Shannon area and they are also proactive by inspecting troublesome areas before and after weekends and following dry spells.”

He stated that the numerous pump houses were continuously monitored by Response Engineering, as part of their operation and maintenance contract to the council and log books were kept at each house.

“Blockages may occur at pump houses occasionally, but there are at least two pumps installed at each pump house operating on a duty and standby scenario as a safety valve,” added the response.

However Councillor McCarthy said she was not happy with certain aspects of the response.

“I am concerned as to why the standby pumps are not working. It is happening at such a frequency. We are all aware it is happening too of- ten not to be noticed,” she said.

Cllr Gerry Flynn (Ind) said, “Shan- non is so low-lying, we are dependent on the pumps and the back-up system we don’t have. We get lots of com-

plaints from Newtown football club, where there pitch was flooded.”

“With modern technology, there is no reason why there shouldn’t be a warning system in place, where they are problems and a second system to kick in,’ added Cllr Flynn.

Councillor Tony Mulcahy (FG) said “a permanent solution” 1s desir- able. “The update report isn’t good enough,” he said.

Senior Executive Engineer Donal Hogan said there are “checks and balances to ensure everything is checked out. There are regular meet- ings. There are daily checks on pump houses. We are up to speed with what is happening.”

LIAM Cleary of Liam Cleary Mo- tors in Ennis and Roche (Ireland) Ltd may know more about the mak- ing of motors and managing motor neurones than making music, but that hasn’t stopped them helping Tul- la comhaltas to make the 2008 Clare County Fleadh one of the best yet.

The two businesses are backing the east Clare music makers to stage the event.

“We are so grateful to them for their support. This couldn’t happen without them,’ said Helen Mulqueen, PRO for the fleadh committee.

Tulla comhaltas was established in September 1957 and went on to host the county fleadh cheoil in 1958.

Which makes it highly appropriate that the town is hosting the 2008 Clare County Fleadh on the 50th an- niversary of that event.

At a fun-packed event last week, the programme was unveiled for Fleadh Cheoiul an Chlair an Tulach 2008 which runs from June 18 to 22.

Along with more than 80 competi- tions there will be public concerts, live music in pubs in the village and all the craic associated with the im- portant music event.

On Wednesday, June 18, there will be a launch of the archive dvd and cd at the courthouse at 8.30pm. Re- freshments will be served and ad- mission is free.

On Thursday, the courthouse is the venue for the fleadh concert at 8pm.

Among the performers will be Brian Rooney, Brian McNamara, Tim Col- lins with Mick Conneely, Lorraine O’Brien and Eoin O’Neill, and this will also feature the official open- ing of the fleadh by Senator Labhras O’Murchu.

Friday sees the launch of a tradi- tional Irish music cd by Senator Lab- hras O’Murchu.

Local concertina player Kate Mc- Namara launches her first cd at Minogues Bar at 9pm

On Saturday, there will be a fleadh céili with Andrew McNamara and friends in Minogues Bar, Tulla, at 10pm. Admission is <8. At llam on Sunday the Fleadh Aifreann will be said and at lpm there’s a singing session with Robbie McMahon at Teach OI. Sunday is also the day to enjoy the gala open air concert with the Tulla and Kilfenora Céili Bands at 7pm. It will also feature guests, Aiden Vaughan and half-set, brush dancers and sean nos dancers. All set dancers are invited to come and kick up their heels in informal sessions in pubs around town on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

EAST Clare councillors have made impassioned calls to have measures put in place to stop Traveller groups setting up camp on the bog road be- tween Kilkishen and Tulla.

Cllr Joe Carey (FG) told a meeting of the Scariff Area Committee of the council last week that tempers were flaring since a large group of Trav- ellers parked up on the side of the road for the second time in less than cimeecennisey

‘This happens twice or three times

every year and we have to do some- thing to stop it. Local people are in- timidated and afraid to drive down that road because of the sheer number of caravans and there are children and vans out on the road every day. There will be a serious accident if we don’t do something.”

The councillor said that recently a local landowner “took the law into his own hands and went down and confronted them. He shouldn’t have done it but that’s the level of frustra- tion that people feel.”

Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) said there was

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a serious public health issue here with so many people parked up there with no toilets and no running water. When previous groups left, they left the place in an awful state behind them. We have to fine them for lit- tering – that’s what would happen anyone else.”

ClUlr Colm Wiley (FF) said that it is “hard to do anything while they are there but when they move off we should make sure no new groups can park up”.

Senior engineer Sean Lenihan told the meeting that he had been in con-

tact with the gardai.

“They have the power to move them on but that just sends them up the road. It’s not council policy to bank up ditches or put in boulders because if you do that in one place, then peo- ple want you to do it wherever there are encampments,” he said.

Mr Lenihan said that the council is “actively pursuing” litter offences on the bog road.

Councilors agree that if the group had not moved off by this week, they would seek an emergency meeting with the gardai.

“THAT Sounds Like Music’ is the project being proposed by a Killaloe after school group who are hoping to scoop the €10,000 which is up for grabs from the AIB Better Ireland aN VETO e

The project aims to make a real dif- ference to the music experiences of the children of Killaloe.

The Killaloe Out of School Project has been operating since August 2006. It started life as a pilot initia- tive and received short-term funding from the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme.

More than 30 children attend the project, the focus of which is “to provide high quality care and crea-

tive learning opportunities for each child,” according to the organisers. Over thirty children attend the after school group each week. During the after school sessions, the youngsters get to listen to classical and world music which they’ve grown to like. “Using music in this way can help children to learn as it helps to focus their attention. How easy it is to learn off Westlife lyrics or the rap tune – so why not the maths tables? Compos- ing music can help with a child’s self-expression, while at the same time improving listening and pro- moting creativity. Learning a musi- cal instrument can help to build con- fidence and to increase self esteem,” a spokeswoman for the project said. If they get the funding, the project

plans an initial ten week period, dur- ing which the children will be in- structed by two members of the Irish Chamber Orchestra to compose and to learn to play music.

Both music facilitators have previ- ously worked on successful children’s music projects. The funding pays for music tuition, and the purchase of musical instruments, computer, computer software, and recording equipment.

‘That Sounds like Music’ aims to uncover untapped musical talent in the young students and to allow the children themselves to learn about reading, writing and playing their own musical compositions.

“The after school team believes that offering children this intensive,

fun, creative, way of experiencing and expressing themselves through music is something that will surprise them and is something that will en- rich the community. The team will use this initiative as a building block for future programmes and will of- fer the use of the music equipment to other community groups work- ing with children in Killaloe,” the spokeswoman said.

The AIB will award the cash to the group which gets the most votes in a text vote. Each group voted for will get a contribution for every text sent. Texts cost 60 cents each.

To help the Killaloe youngsters to make beautiful music, supporters should text the word ‘Killaloe’ fol- lowed by the letter °C’ to 53099.

TENSIONS within an Ennis Travel- ler family have escalated since one brother killed another last year.

The revelation emerged during the sentencing hearing of Patrick Mc- Donagh for the manslaughter of his brother, Charlie, in January 2007.

After hearing prosecution and de- fence submissions at the Central Criminal Court yesterday, Mr Justice Paul Carney adjourned sentencing until this (Tuesday) morning and re- manded the accused in custody over-

night.

McDonagh’s | barrister, Brendan Nix, SC, said his client’s family has ostracised him since the incident.

Sergeant Darragh O’Sullivan told the court yesterday that “there were numerous allegations of incidents on both sides”.

However, Mr Nix replied to this, “On both sides? I suggest not.”

He said that the windows on his client’s caravan, which has been lo- cated on the Bishop’s grounds in En- nis for several months, “were put 1n” Ais CO)M nents glare

Caroline Biggs, BL for the Prosecu- tion, told the court that the DPP takes the view that this case came “at the higher end of manslaughter”’.

The accused’s wife Donna — who is pregnant with the couple’s fifth child — told the court she and her husband “deeply regret the death of Charlie and miss him very much”.

“Patrick used to love Charlie to come down to the house,” she said. ‘Patrick is the best husband there 1s. He does everything for me and the kids. His kids are his life, his prior- ity,’ she sobbed.

Psychiatrist Dr John O’Mahony said the accused suffers from post- traumatic stress disorder and depres- sion and is currently on the maxi- mum dose of anti-depressants.

He said he would have “grave con- cerns” about the availability of such treatment in “an average prison” in Ireland. “There is no forensic psy- chiatric service outside the Pale,’ he said.

Asked did McDonagh have remorse for killing his brother, Dr O’Mahony said, “I have no doubt. He sees my- self and a psychologist and a recur-

rent theme is he would do anything he could to bring his brother back. He has frequently expressed a death wish, if he could be dead and his brother alive.”

Mr Nix read out a letter from the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, who referred to the incident as a “dreadful family tragedy”.

Mr Nix said, “People set out to have a few drinks and enjoy each other’s company. Nobody went out that night to cause any insult or injury to any- body. Tempers certainly got the best of everybody.”