Month: July 2008

THE business community in Ennis is seeking further talks with Ennis Town Council ahead of the introduc- tion of new litter byelaws.

The council is tightening the laws on the disposal and storage of litter outside premises in a bid to reduce the amount of litter on the streets, long a source at irritation in the council chamber.

Businesses, however, are concerned at the impact the new byelaws will have. Many of them lack the correct facilities to store rubbish to meet the proposed guidelines.

Rita McInereny, CEO of Ennis

Chamber of Commerce, said that while meetings between businesses and council officials have been con- Structive, further discussions are re- quired.

“The objectives of the byelaws are something that all businesses wel- come and agree on. Everyone ben- efits if the town is cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing. The end result would certainly be welcome and there is no certainly no opposition to that proposal,’ said Ms McInerney.

She added, “The council have been very accommodating so far and have met on a couple of occasions. But there is a lot of concern out there. Businesses are under pressure as it is

and this would make things harder. A lot of businesses don’t have the plan- ning permission for an area to store waste. We would be looking to meet with councillors to put forward sug- gestions and ideas before the byelaws are brought in”

Ms MclInereny said the proposed byelaws have forced businesses to re-evaluate their means of waste disposal and in some cases has even reduced their overall level of waste produced.

She said “It certainly has forced businesses to take a good, hard look at what they are doing, which is no harm. I know some people have sig- nificantly cut down on the amount

of waste they are producing. In one instance, a business has reduced their waste from 13 bins to 4 bins. Businesses are investing in crushers and bailers and different systems of disposing waste. But there are still genuine cases out there, where there is still an issue about where people are going to put their bins.”

She added, “So far there has been problems with suggestions; one per- son’s point of view against some- one else’s. It might be a case that we might have to look at bringing in different bins for different busi- nesses. The problems vary, depend- ing on whether you are talking about a small or large business”.

ENNIS Brass Band received the Presidential seal of approval after a memorable performance at Aras na Uachtaran

All 28 members of the Ennis Brass Band performed for the president and guests along with Riverdance and musicians Sean Davey & Liam O’Floinn at the Aras Garden Party on July 1.

It isn’t the first time the band has per- formed for the President McAleese. Two years ago, the band welcomed the President to the County Museum, on the occasion when Ennis was named Ireland’s tidiest town.

But, according to band member Daragh McAllister, this most recent reception at Aras na Uachtaran, ranks

as the highest accolade bestowed in the band’s 37-year history.

“We had had heard that the Presi- dent hold these type of events pretty regularly. So we sent the letter saying that we would love to perform for the President”, explained Daragh, “It’s the biggest thing that has happened to the band in its history”.

The band marked the occasion by presenting the President with a gift. “We presented her with a piece of Burren Limstone engraved with the name of the band and the date”. President McAleese hosted the event to recognise the contribution of teachers to Irish society.

More than 350 recently retired teach- ers from throughout the country joined the President at the Aras along with representatives from the main

teaching unions – ASTI, INTO and the Teacher’s Union of Ireland. Speaking at the event, the President said, “The Irish story of success at home and success against the odds abroad is not a story of coincidences but of commitment – the commit- ment of those who chose the great vocation of teaching whatever the ups and downs of the times. Through that vocation they introduced each unique pupil to his or her abilities and talents, developed their strengths, helped them devise coping strate- gies to manage and overcome their weaknesses and sent them out into the world as well-equipped as they could, to become the best people they could.”

Another milestone in the history of Ennis bras Band will be achieved lat-

er this week when the band travel to a pocket of southwest France closely linked with Ennis. St Paul de Fe- nouillet was twinned with Ennis in 1989 and the band are due to perform there on Saturday night.

“We are going there mainly as a holt- day for the band, but we got in touch with some people over there and there is going to be reception for us in the town. We are mainly going to be based around Perpignan. Playing at the Aras was the biggest thing for us but this trip is pretty big as well”, said Daragh.

A BUSY few weeks of fun and games drew to aclose last week with the end of this summer’s Clare Federation for Special Needs summer camp.

Based in St Clare’s School, Gort road Ennis, the camp ran for a three week period since throughout July, catering for children with special needs and young people from ages five to 18 years.

The camp is funded by the Clare Federation for Special needs who employed 12 young people to run the camp in conjunction with the group leaders, Helen O’ Neill and Sharon Malone.

Key funding and organisational sup- port for the highly popular summer camp was also provided by Eileen Williams, Chairperson of the Clare Federation, and Bridgid O’ Mahony, secretary of the Clare Federation. Principal of St Clare’s Anne Walshe oversaw the activities at this year’s camp. The summer camp runs along- side the July provision, a system that provides for extra schooling for stu- dents with certain disabilities.

The summer camp was instigated at St Clare’s five years ago to cater for the students who are not eligible for the July provision.

The summer camp has grown from strength to strength and this year 1s

providing three full weeks of ac- tivities and social interaction for 25 children and young people. Many of the students attending were from St Clare’s, but this year organisers have been delighted to open the doors of St Clare’s and welcome students from other schools for the three- week period.

Students had their hands full with the fun filled programme. Activities included swimming, bowling, week- ly visits to Tumble Towers, bouncy castle, cookery, art and sports.

One of the most popular attractions at this year’s camp was the school’s sensory garden.

Opened in 2007 by Bishop of Kil-

laloe Dr Willie Walsh, the garden is specifically designed to allow chil- dren uninhibited access. The design of the garden is such that certain ar- eas are specially planted to appeal to the sense of sound, while other areas appeal to the sense of touch.

The garden and the school’s new play area provided the ideal setting to make new friends. Already, children and teachers are looking forward to next year’s Summer camp.

IT’S full steam ahead at this stage for four men and a 60-year-old Mor- ris Minor.

Peader White, Gerry Dobbin, Ger Sweeney and Cathal Duddy ofm em- barked from Ennis on Saturday on the Bald Eagle Tour – an ambitious voyage that will take them to the four corners of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The journey is a long one. Taking off from Ennis the Morris Minor head south to Ireland’s most south- westerly Mizen Head.

From west Cork the road continued to Rosslare and onward by ferry to the Welsh port of Fishguard.

The next leg took the crew to Brit- ain’s most southerly point, Lands End. Then it was onwards and up- wards to Scotland and Britain’s most northerly point John O’Groats.

All going to plan, the Morris Minor should be, by now, on the road to the Scottish port of Stranraer. There the journey continues by ferry to Larne and the final leg of this exhaustive trek commences with a drive to Ma- lin Head.

Finally, driver Peader White turns

south for Malin Head. Journey’s end should be reached sometime later this week, when the Morris Minor wheels back into Ennis.

The journey is the brainchild of Ennis man and vintage car enthusi- ast Peader.

It all began two years ago when Peader drove a 1954 Austin A40 450 miles from Malin Head to Mizen Head to raise money for the Clare branch of the Samaritans.

Last year, Peader completed the Same journey raising almost €3,000 for the Samaritans and the proceeds raised this year will again go to the

SPV Le Dae

Gerry Dobbin, Deputy Director of Outreach Services for the Samari- tans and one of Peader White’s co- navigators, said, “I’ve never done something like this before. It should be exciting but I hope we make it all the way. We are hoping that we will be able to stop of at some local branches of the Samaritans at some points along the way”.

Gerry added “Peader has been do- ing these types of journeys for the past few years and we at the Samari- tans have always been very grateful of the support”.

THE Carron based Burren Beef and Lamb Producers Group turned a year old last week and to celebrate it an- nounced two major steps forward in the progress of the organisation.

The group will this week start sell- ing meat outside Clare for the first time when it takes up a place at the Limerick Farmers Market in UL. Perhaps more importantly the group will also this week appoint a co-ord1- nator who will oversee progress into the future.

“The first year has been very suc- cessful because we have managed

to survive and keep the group mov- ing in the right direction. We are now Selling directly to customers, in some of north Clare’s best high end restaurants and in the Ballyvaughan Farmers Market. From next week on then we will also be selling in the Limerick farmers’ market in UL,” said Ruairi O Conchuir of the Burren Producers Group. “The first year has been a real struggle but it does take three years for any business, espe- cially one which is trying something a bit different, to really get it’s feet under itself. But things are improv- ing – anew co-ordinator has just been appointed and the producers group

has just bought it’s own refrigerated vehicle for transporting the meat.

“It is absolutely imperative that the project secures some rural develop- ment funding in order to keep it tick- ing over. It’s not a hand out, it’s the same funding that would be given to any project looking to start up in a new sector.”

The group produces top quality or- ganic, conservation grade beef and lamb. Conservation grade products are produced in a way which allows the natural limestone of the Burren to survive and prevents the encroach- ment of scrub.

For more information on the pro-

ducers group or to purchase conser- vation grade beef or lamb contact Cee ee lel eeF

Meanwhile, the BurrenLIFE Project and Teagasc hosted the first in a Series of farm demonstration day on the farm of Ms Philomena Hynes in Carron on Friday evening.

The demonstration was attended by local farmers, officials from national farming organisations and farm- ing experts and focused on grass- land management, enhancement of livestock management facilities, addressing water provision, the use of supplementary feed and targeted scrub removal and re-treatments.

KILNAMONA locals and some of Ireland’s most notable public figures come together last Thursday to cel- ebrate the life of one of the small vil- lage’s illustrious sons.

Just over 100 years to the day since his birth, a plague in memory of Br Thomas Keane was unveiled in Kil- namona church last Thursday.

Family and friends were joined at the ceremony by former GAA President Paddy Buggy and Fr Eoin Haughey, brother to former Taoti- seach Charlie Haughey.

“It seemed like an appropriate time considering that it was the 100 year anniversary of his birth. I have met sO many people over the year who has spoken so warmly about him that

we felt that we had to do something,” said family member Thomas Keane.

‘He continued to teach until he was 64 and he brought a certain ethos to all of the schools which he went to. He encouraged great leadership within the students and had a knack of getting the best out of people.

“He had a different way of teach- ing. People might have looked into his class and thought it was chaos but it was just a different style. He loved group work, he loved working together and opening up peoples ho- rizons.

‘He always pushed them to do the best that they could. Even the weaker students, he would cycle around the town on his bike trying to get them jobs.”

Br Keane’s eulogy was delivered by

Paddy Buggy while the plaque was unveiled by Annraoi O Beollain.

While renowned in many secondary schools for his unique teaching skills and dedication to hurling, Brother Thomas never lost touch with his na- tive parish. For many years he was an honoured guest at the annual din- ner of the Kilnamona hurling club.

Educated in Ennistymon CBS, the Irish Christian Brothers, UCD and UCC – his first assignment as teach- er was to Portlaoise CBS primary school in 1926.

Over the years he served in many schools including Baldoyle Noviti- ate, Mount Sion in Waterford, St Josephs in Marino, Dungarvan CBS and Templemore.

In all his time away Br Keane would always return to Kilkee for

his annual holiday in July. He also liked visiting Kilnamona as often as the Order allowed in those strict pre- Vatican II years but quite frequently in later years.

The death in fairly quick succes- sion of his brothers, Miko and Mar- tin in the States in the late 1940’s and Andrew and Pat in Kilnamona in the early 1950’s in the prime of his voca- tional career challenged greatly his reserves of strength.

FINAL preparations are being made for the 59th North Clare Show which takes place this Saturday, July 26, at the Parish Field and St Patrick’s Hall.

After weeks and months of frantic organisation everything is now in place for one of north Clare’s sum- mer highlights.

“The show will start at 9.30am with the pony and horse jumping in the Parish Field. At the same time things will be getting underway in the hall. People will be coming with exhibits for the hall from 9am or so for judging around llam,” said Mary

McMahon of the North Clare Show Association.

“The jumping section is always very popular and we have huge num- bers of entrants in both the sportsman classes. People would come from far and wide to take part in that. The jumping goes on until around 6pm including the horses, the ponies and the qualifiers.”

This year the North Clare Show will have three qualification classes for the Shannonside league and all- Ireland qualifiers in the filly/foal sec- tion and the sports horse section as well as a gelding qualifier in the pony section.

Like in other years the hall exhibi-

tions will be a great draw for many.

“The hall is always a site to behold. Between the flower entries, the home baking and the children’s categories which are bursting at the seams,’ continues Mrs McMahon.

‘The flower section and the vegeta- bles are looking particularly well this year as is the home baking. Our turf and poultry is strong as well; overall the hall section is very strong. We really try to have something for eve- ryone. This year we have put up the County Clare Home Baking Compe- tition and we will be sponsoring the Fergus View Cup for the best tray of baking.

“The Clare Limousine Club will be

hosting their calf finals in Corofin this year which is a very big coup for us. As well as that we also have a dog show which always proves to be very very popular with people.”

The North Clare Show Committee includes Maurine Roche, Joe Kil- leen, Mary McMahon, John Cahill, Thomas Carroll and John Beakey. Although the closing date in some categories has now passed, any re- POL-HUOUDOTSME SA OL OM oKMr-DOLO Ms DOLOLUUDMlonm Je COlUNCe! be directed to Mary McMahon at 065 6837795.

AS one chapter closes another always opens. Thus it will be in Kilnaboy this month as the last exhibition in the X-PO Project takes up residence. The project, which has brought the old post office back to life as a community space over the last nine months, will however continue into the future as a local committee has been formed to carry on the pilot be- gan by artist Deirdre O’Mahony. Fittingly, the last exhibition in the current series 1s a collect of Deirdre’s own work. The series, which is en- titled Surfacing – Viscaux, includes

a number of paintings and photog- raphy focusing on the increase and eventual decrease of algal-bloom on Lake Inchiquin since 2004.

“After studying the bloom I began to discover that it was a much more complex issue than I had ever imag- ined. It’s not just about farmers and phosphates, it had a lot to do with everyone’s personal responsibility with products such as washing pow- der and shampoo,’ said Deirdre.

“Over the past two years I have noticed a huge increase in the water quality of the lake and I know that last year there was much more fish. So my worked changed from being

didactic, or preaching about the lake, to looking at the changes and how they have come about.

“It ties in a lot with the whole no- tion of the X-PO in a lot of ways. It’s a good representation of the differ- ences between knowing the surface of an issue and then really knowing something deep about it. Bringing this work into the X-PO 1s like show- ing the people what my own work is about. The X-PO has been a lot about me helping local people to look at themselves and their own past where as this 1s me, as a new local person, saying here I am.”

While Deirdre’s work in the X-PO

is coming to a close, a group of lo- cals have come together to continue using the post office as a community Sey: (elon

“I think that it’s safe to say that this is not the end of exhibitions and ac- tivities in the X-PO,’ continued Detr- olien

“All the things that have happened in the X-PO over the last number of months really brought people in and got them to talk and exchange old stories. There is a real desire for a common place where all member of the community to meet.”

The exhibition will run until the end of August.

A LITTLE-KNOWN _— Shannon- based aircraft engine leasing firm employing just 22 people recorded a net profit of $84 million last year.

According to accounts filed to the companies office, Shannon Engine Support Ltd (SES) increased its net profit by 42 per cent on the $59 mil- lion net profit enjoyed in 2006.

The accounts show that the 22 em- ployees received an average salary of $109,000 with the overall salary payout being $2.4 million.

Of the 22 staff, eight work in cus- tomer support, five in marketing, five in finance and four in admuinistra- none

The returns show that the compa- ny’s profits have been rising steadily from $24.2 million in 2003 to $84 million last year.

The $84 million profit enjoyed last year has resulted in the company

now having accumulated profits of $316 million.

SES is a wholly owned subsidiary of CFM International, a company shared jointly between the French- owned Snecma and General Electric Company.

The accounts show that the largest proportion of the company’s busi- ness is carried out in Europe, where last year it recorded sales of $60 mil- lion.

This compares to sales of $29 mil- lion in Asia Pacific and $39 million in the US.

A breakdown of its turnover shows that $125 million has come from “aircraft engine support” and $13 million from “future engine mainte- TEEN eee eo Ee

The accounts confirmed that the company did not pay a dividend in 2005. Under the heading of direc- tors’ emoluments, $212,995 was paid through salary and bonus.

The board is made up of three US and three French directors and one Irishman, managing director, Pat Bergin who was appointed last Feb- Ura

The company’s total assets are val- ued at $567 million, including $35 million cash at hand in bank.

SW slemereynnlor-venas ines shcechexore OOM Nelo Ker vision of a range of aircraft engine management services to the interna- tional civil aviation industry centred on the provision of comprehensive spare engine support and allied serv- Tee

It expects that the business will continue to develop and states that it is well positioned to benefit from any upturn in the aviation industry.

“The principal risk that the busi- ness faces is a sudden downturn in the global aviation industry, in par- ticular, a slowdown in global passen- ger traffic as a result of an economic slowdown or an external shock.”

’s Co- lin Davey and three times UK Sports Photographer of the Year, Bob Mar- tin who selected the top 146 photo- graphs for inclusion in Assignments 3. The book was published to coin- CHT ALAM Neem COP INCOIMWZO OI BKMo.c pected to attract over 200,000 view- ers over its six week run in London.

The two photographs selected from Eamon’s portfolio were a study of Kilfenora boxer Mark Clancy before his fight in Madison Square Gardens on St Patrick’s Day last year and a

photograph of scorekeeper Flan Mc- Namara at Cusack Park in Ennis.

Commenting on his latest success, the 36-year-old Coonagh man said it was a great honour to have two of his photographs considered good enough to be included among the best press photographs from the last year.

“Many of the photographers whose work is included in