Month: August 2008

NEWLY released figures for the first six months of the contentious Bel- fast Heathrow service show that it is more than 50,000 passengers below the numbers from Shannon for the same period last year.

It is now a year since Aer Lingus announced its controversial move to abandon its Shannon Heathrow serv- ice and transfer the lucrative slots to Belfast.

Figures provided by the UK Civil Aviation Authority show that be- tween January and June, 109,309

used the new Belfast link compared to the 169,999 passengers that used the Shannon-Heathrow link during the same period last year — a differ- ential of 33 per cent.

22,102 passengers used the Bel- fast Heathrow service in June while 32,111 used the Shannon Heathrow service in June 2007.

Overall figures for the first six months show that Aer Lingus has se- cured only 10 per cent of the Beltfast- Heathrow service and are now offer- ing seats for free excluding taxes and airport charges during August in a bid to boost passenger numbers.

An Aer Lingus spokesman said the airline had a load factor of 74 per cent during July on its Belfast Hea- throw service and the Belfast base is expected to be profitable by the end of the year.

BMI is Aer Lingus’ sole rival on the Heathrow route with the UK- owned airline flying 219,512 passen- gers from January to May this year which is 132,215 passengers more than Aer Lingus.

The figures show that Aer Lingus passenger numbers are on an upward trend going from 17,520 in its first full month of service in February to VOU OAM lb ier

The Aer Lingus decision to end its Heathrow link resulted in Shannon experiencing a 16 per cent loss of 57,000 on London routes for the first six half of this year.

A spokesman for Aer Lingus workers at Shannon said the figures confirmed that the decision by Aer Lingus management to abandon Shannon and move to Belfast where there was an already saturated mar- ket was a bad commercial decision.

At a Dail Transport Committee last month, Aer Lingus chief executive, Dermot Mannion said he regretted the damage caused to the airline’s reputation in the Shannon last year, adding that they had not ruled out future short-haul operations from Shannon.

CLARE’S Under 18 camogie team are just 60 minutes away from an All-Ireland final. That is how the Banner girls will be approaching the semi-final fixture this weekend. Clare play Tipperary on Saturday in what is hoped will be a double bill of Under 18 semi-finals with Kilkenny and Cork also vying for a spot in the NUON

Clare are facing into this game well prepared as a group and while they have every reason to be quietly con- fident going into the fixture they will be prepared to fight to the end and will be leaving no stone unturned in their final preparations this week.

Clare have had the better of the ex- changes over Tipperary throughout the last number of years and on that form along with vast improvements this year Clare will be hoping to con- tinue in that frame.

Clare will not be without their own difficulties though as they look to be without the presence of Roisin McMahon and Niamh Martin. Both have been starting in the Banner’s rearguard with McMahon dominat- ing the center back position in all the games so far and Martin shoring up on the right corner.

Stephanie Moloney who had a very strong game against Galway may also be in doubt for the tie as she picked up a groin strain in the

first round of the championship with Broadford, when they were defeated by Newmarket. These changes will have to be accounted for when the management of Fintan McNamara, Eamon O’Loughlin, Maura Sheedy, Kevin Halpin and Davy Fitzgerald sit down to finalise the team towards the end of the week.

Clare haven’t played a game since the overwhelming defeat over Gal- way in Clareabbey on July 2. That was Clare’s third win (Antrim and Cork being the others) and with a walkover in the final round to Dub- lin, top position in the group had been secured.

The long lay off since that Galway game will be the only worry for the

panel going in to this tie. But prepa- rations have gone well and the posi- tive attitude to the training sessions will help in bringing the final prepa- rations together. The win over Cork in the early stages also gave Clare a much coveted Munster Final win and with the attitude shown on that day coupled with the desire of this bunch to go further, this should be enough to bring Clare to the final.

Team wise, Susan Vaughan in goal has been very dependable this year with a strong defensive unit outside her. Aine O’Brien and Chloe Morey have held the midfield area comfort- ably and with Niamh Corry, Shona Enright and a fit Stephanie Moloney Clare have a very strong center for-

ward line that will cause trouble.

Inside, Carina Roseingrave will captain the side from the full for- ward line and Roisin O’Brien and Aoife Griffin have been working very hard this year. With Martin and McMahon looking likely to miss the game, there will be room for the re- turn of Aiveen O’Shea who missed the Galway game. There could also be room for Eimear Considine, with Mary Clune, Michelle Caulfield and possibly Aisling Hannon also in the running these can be ready for action either way as the strong Clare panel should have enough in the tank to overcome the challange of Tipper- ae

THE 2008 Galway Races will once again be remembered for the remark- able achievements of Dermot Weld who won the leading trainer award for the 22nd year while also record- ing a landmark 200th winner at the Ballybrit track on Wednesday.

But it will also be remembered in Cooraclare for Thursday’s success of the Thomas O’Doherty owned Skip Two ridden by Barry Cash came home to victory at 9/1 in the Guin- ness Novice Steeplechase.

Weld ended the week with ten win- ners for the fifth time at Galway hav- ing made a flying start to the meet- ing with an impressive four winners on the opening day of the seven-day festival. Bookmakers were running for cover after two more winners on both Tuesday and Wednesday and Weld must have been a short price after the first three days to set a new

Galway record of more than ten win- ners but, much to the relief of the lay- ers, he drew a blank on Thursday and DUCA A

The highlight of Weld’s opening day four-timer came in the feature race, the GPT Amateur Handicap, where Majestic Concorde ran out a convincing winner under Robbie McNamara. Given a fine ride by the stylish amateur, the 7/1 chance went for home on the uphill climb and he stayed on strongly to win by four lengths from Power Of Future with Arc Bleu and Fantoche making up the places. This year’s victory con- tinued Weld’s fine record in the two- mile handicap which he first won as a jockey on his father’s Ticonderaga in 1964 while also training and riding Spanner to win the big race in 1972, 1973 and 1975. The other three win- ners which completed the 494/1 four- timer for the ‘King Of Galway’ came from Broad Meaning (/f maiden),

Ghimaar (1m4f handicap) and Battle In Hand (2m bumper).

The bookmakers were left reeling following the William Hill Galway Plate as Oslot proved a hugely popu- lar winner of Wednesday’s feature having been backed from an open- ing show of 11/2 to 11/4 favourite. The €240,000 handicap chase was a long-term target for the Paul Nichol- Is trained six year-old who became only the third British trained winner of the Plate under an exemplary ride from Ruby Walsh. The locally owned Oodachee ran a fine race for connec- tions and trainer Charlie Swan to fin- ish second at 14/1.

The mighty Ansar continued his love-affair with Galway when stay- ing on strongly for Denis O’ Regan to snatch third place from Brave Right. It was another great effort from Der- mot Weld’s twelve-year old who was appearing in his sixth Galway Plate and running at the Ballybrit sum-

mer festival for the tenth consecutive year.

The Guinness Galway Hurdle, the big race on the fourth day, was won by the John Kiely trained Indian Pace who provided his trainer with ample compensation for the absence of the long-time ante-post favourite, King Rama. A good fifth in Monday’s big race, the well-backed 7/1 chance ap- preciated the underfoot conditions under a great ride from 17 year-old Paul Townend who rode the first winner of his career at last year’s fes- tival. Last year’s third placed horse, Eagle’s Pass, ran another fine race to finish second with the well-backed favourite, Northern Alliance, close in third under Ruby Walsh.

In a week that was highlighted by the big race victories for the younger brigade of jockeys, Danny Mullins, Paul Townend and Chris Hayes, 18 year-old jockey Sam James provid- ed Kevin Prendergast with another

big Galway success when guiding the 12/1 chance Almass to win the feature race on the final day, the 7f Michael McNamara premier handi- cap.

Despite the effect of the current economic downturn, there were still some phenomenal attendances and betting figures over the course of the seven days at Galway. The total number of people who paid through the turnstiles for the week was 174,521 which was only a 5% reduc- tion on last year’s attendance figure. Unsurprisingly, the biggest crowd of the week came on Thursday when there was a massive turnout of 46,186 people which was a huge crowd con- sidering the poor weather on Ladies Day. The Tote turnover of almost €7.3 million was down 14% on last year’s figure while Ruby Walsh and Pat Smullen claimed the top jockey prizes with three and six winners re- spectively.

THE young people of north Clare will be toddling off to a brand new eco-friendly creche this September with the opening of the Lisdoonvar- na Community Childcare Centre.

The new créche, which will hold an open day this Saturday, August 9, has been built to be friendly to the environment and includes solar pan- els and environmentally friendly un- der-floor heating.

The creche is the latest develop- ment to come online in the North Clare Sports and Amenity Park. It follows the re-opening of the Pavil- ion “Town Hall’ Theatre last month while a community playground 1s set

to be completed in September.

“We can cater for children from four months and up which will be very useful for people. These days most families have to have both peo- ple employed so it’s very important for people to have good child care,” said Patricia O’Leary-Darcy, man- ager of the new facility.

‘As well as that, a lot of parents job-share so we will do our best to Ie-TOoUDLE-IKommn NOY: I MMR SLO 0 UME N OD KccomrOr:hYAnrO) em three-days-on and things like that. We will try to be as flexible as pos- sible.”

The creche has been built to the highest modern standards, including a number of energy saving devices.

“It’s great to have the solar panels

and the under-floor heating. It has been up and going for a while now and is working well. It’s great to have that bit of independence when it comes to energy,’ continued Patri- cla.

“There is really a great need in the area for a service like this. It’s not just for the people of Lisdoonvarna, we have a lot of interest from all over the region – from Lahinch right up to Ballyvaughan.

“We have a capacity for around 50 kids or the equivalent of 50 full-time children. We could have maybe 60 children attending but some of them could be part-time.

“Because we are a community scheme it means that we get some

funding from the Office of the Min- ister for Children. This means that we can cater for a wide range of peo- ple and offer a range of fees to suit peoples particular circumstances. Anyone who wants more informa- tion on this should contact me and we can discuss all the options avail- able for people.”

For more information on the créche contact Patricia on 065 7075668 or 087 0525986.

THREE young chefs have taken the Ballyvaughan Farmers Market by storm this summer with their very special selection of confectioneries and cakes. The budding bakers are 9- year-old Hannah McDonald, her 11- year-old sister Molly and their friend Aine Fahy who is just 10 years old. For the last two months the young entrepreneurs have been wowing locals and tourists alike, regularly selling out their full stock of cakes NICO MOLISE

“Our mom is really good at baking and she has always been getting us to help out with some baking. We

went on holiday to Kerry and friends of ours were baking for their local market down there. We helped them out and it was really good fun,” said WZ Cold hia

“So we figured we’d give it a go. We were able to bake before that, but we only really started baking seri- ously when we decided to join the market.”

The girls have been involved in eve- ry market this year – a huge achieve- ment considering that all of the work is undertaken on a Friday evening, often after a full day at school.

“We bake all different kinds of cup cakes – we have lemon, chocolate, coconut and vanilla,” said Hannah.

“Tt’s a lot of work, it takes us about five or six hours every Friday. We always do the baking on Friday eve- nings so that everything will be extra fresh for the market.”

The girls, who attend Ballyvaughan National School, became interested in the market when their school was visited by market organiser Tracey Kelly. “I like the selling best I think. The baking is nice too, but when we are doing the selling we get to meet a lot of people. Lots of times people come back and buy more. I think that once they try them they want to have more and more,” said Aine.

“Three people from the market came to visit our school and told us

all about it. They told us that they would like to make a picture to be displayed at the market. We all got interested then and started hanging out at the market.”

The market will continue at St John’s Hall in Ballyvaughan every Saturday from 10am until 2pm. For more information on the market con- tact Tracey Kelly on 065 7076963 or email ballyvaughanfarmersmarket@ eircom.net.

THE madness is about to return to Lisdoonvarna this weekend with the second Road Rocks Lisdoonvarna Fringe concert on Sunday. The open air free gig will begin at 4pm with You’re a Star favourite Onya, which will be followed by Fran E Fray, the T’Zerz and the Sons of Ginger- bread.

The free outdoor concert will take place at the Roadside Tavern in Lis- doon, there the first Lisdoonvarna concert was hosted earlier this sum- noe

“The first one went well, there was

a great cross section of people. At the early part we had a lot of young kids dancing. It was almost a family experience at the beginning and then in the evening we had a different vibe,’ said Peter Curtin of the Road- side Tavern.

“Tt was a bit of a marathon really – when you consider that we had seven and a half hours of music without stopping. We had a nice coming and going of people all day.”

First up on this weekends gig will be Onya, star of this weeks You’re A Star programme.

“Onya is areal heavy hitter – some- thing in a Joni Mitchell. So that

should add something interesting to the gig,” continued Peter.

‘Next up we will have Fran E Fray who is a local woman and this will be her first time ever getting up on the stage. She’ll be doing six num- bers.

‘Following that we have the T’Zerz from Ennis. They have a fairly lively set and should get the crowd going.

‘After that we have Sons of Ginger- bread back, they are the only band who we have back from the first gig. They will finish off the night and play to 11.45pm at the latest. We like to make sure that everything is done and dusted at that stage. It’s nearly

eight hours of music so they are all shagged out after it anyway.”

Like the first Lisdoon Fringe gig, this concert is offered completely free of charge.

‘Human beings are extraordinary. It’s written on the posters that’s it’s free but still some people don’t seem to think that it’s free,’ continued Pe- ter.

“It’s written on the poster and still some people don’t believe it. I think Pll write ‘I swear to God it’s free’ on the next poster. It’s free, free, free.”

The second Lisdoonvarna Fringe open air gig takes place this Sunday, August 10 from 4pm.

WHEN Crack’d Spoon Theatre was formed just over 12 months ago the fledging theatre group promised to introduce new forms of theatre to west Clare.

The Kilkee group has delivered on that promise as it brings the first taste of physical theatre by a Clare group to west Clare.

Influenced by local artist and Ger- man native Astrid Adler the latest production draws from the European Experience of Theatre.

The mime artist, who now lives in Monmore was part of the group that led a workshops held in Kilrush through May and June.

She worked with the production team comprising of Rob Hopkins who concentrated on improvisa-

tion and co-founder Mick Daly who worked on Group Dynamics.

A powerful creative force was un- leashed at the workshops and the result was a series of interconnected sketches drawing on physical theatre techniques and using light and shad- ow to create strange and wonderful atmospheres.

Working on this the group made up of actors, professional theatre producers and members of the local community put together the produc- tion “The Trip” – which according to Mr Hopkins “takes a side way look at the tourist experience 1n west Orem

In the process of developing the show the group started to experiment with the stage as a black box, and created a black box theatre.

“We got away from talking and

guided tours, and gave people a more physical experience of what hap- pens,’ he said.

The play consists of comedy sketches without or with minimised dialogue, elements of dance, pup- petry and song.

With this form of theatre objects come to life and animals appear as if by magic.

“We fish, birdspot, cliff walk and coach tour in the company of this enigmatic troupe who give the West Clare Experience a surreal twist,” said Mr Hopkins.

“Tt is slightly farcical or slightly bi- zarre.”

The show will take place in the Kilkee Community Centre on Fri- day next, August 8, and the follow- ing Friday, August 15, having re- ceived its first outing on Friday last.

Door opens at 8pm with curtain at oe) 9) 008

Crack’d Spoon Theatre plans to take the show on the road in Septem- ber or October.

The advantageous theatre company planned an old fashioned variety show just two months after it was formed in July 2007.

The brainchild of Kilkee thespians Kenneth Blowers and Mick Daly, the company achieved its goal then and is Just as determined to reach the new goal it has now set itself.

THE world famous Artane Band for- ever linked in the GAA psyche with All-Ireland Sundays will now bring its marching music to Kilkee.

As part of a series of concerts or- ganised by the Kilkee Civic Trust to bring entertainment to the seaside town during the peak summer season while also helping local voluntary or- ganisations. The band, in it’s red and blue uniform, will play Kilkee Parish

Church on Thursday next at 8pm in aid of the local GAA club.

St Senan’s GAA Club is one of the best-known senior football clubs in the county.

With 150 members and numerous players, the funds raised will go to- wards general funds for the club.

The Artane band under the musi- cal direction of Ronan O’Reilly will be joined for part of the programme by the Kilkee Parish Choir under the direction of Choir Mistress, Peggy

Us

O’Reilly said, “’We are delighted to be playing for the first time in the wonderful resort town of Kilkee and to bring a little of the Croke Park at- mosphere to help raise funds for the local GAA club, St Senan’s.”

The programme will feature some well-known pieces from the light classical, the musicals and a newly arranged Irish medley.

Continuing with the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Richard Har-

ris’s 1968 hit MacArthur Park, the band will play its own rendition of this classic in a special arrangement by the director.

The concert which is part of the Kilkee Civic Trust summer series 1s presented in association with Sum- mer Music on the Shannon, another County Clare based initiative, cur- rently underway in UCH, Limerick.

Tickets can be purchased from Wil- liams Pharmacy and Nolan’s Delica- tessen Kilkee and on the door.

THE popular Miltown Malbay week- ly farmer’s market is staying put for the foreseeable future.

Despite claims last week by a mar- ket member that accessibility to the market was problematic, it has been hailed as an ideal location with shop- pers and market officials coming out in support of Miltown’s newest shop- ping experience.

The farmer’s market found its home on the edge of the original Fair Green in the recently restored Miltown Business Centre in Miltown Malbay during the May bank holiday

weekend

Although it is just three months old it is already attracting locals and tourists to that part of town every Friday evening from 4.30pm to 7pm.

The stalls are set up on a Friday af- ternoon inside the original stonewalls which flanked the market green. The cobbled stone courtyard, with tradi- tional shop fronts and lighting, cre- ates an idealistic atmosphere for a vibrant, bustling, intimate market.

The colourful umbrellas of stall holders coupled with the delicious smell of fresh baking entice shoppers to browse among the stalls and many of them linger for the chat.

Local people are particularly pleased with the new market and Fri- day evenings in the Miltown Busi- ness Centre have become a regular, social gathering for many.

“Stall holders are pleased with the venue as the enclosed, Victorian style courtyard provides shelter from the west Clare weather while retaining the authenticity of an outdoor mar- ket. The stall holders are very grate- ful that the Miltown Business Centre welcomed them, free of charge to hold their market in such an ideal location,” said Hilary Gleeson, Rural Development Officer at EIRI Corca BE ONONEE

The market stalls provide a variety of fare such as farmhouse cheeses, sun dried tomatoes, home baking and confectionary, local vegetables, summer fruits, plants and delicious, hot crepes.

The new farmer’s market in the Miltown Business Centre is always encouraging more local food produc- ers especially vegetables, meat, poul- try and fish to join by contacting Ms Gleeson at 9056611 or 086 8235598 or local baker and stall holder Cora O’Grady on 087 1354192.

BEACH goers in Kilkee will have the opportunity to sample a unique rugby event that goes ahead on the sand in front of the Strand Hotel this Saturday.

Organised by the Limerick Lep- rechauns – made up of former play- ers from the Clare, Limerick, north Kerry and Tipperary regions – all proceeds from the beach game will go to the Clare Sunset Foundation, which provides assistance to almost 100 sight impaired people across Oe

As has become tradition, the game will also usher in the new rugby sea- son in Munster.

“This will be our 25th year in ex- istence,” said president Vinny Ryan. “The Leprechauns bring together players from rugby clubs throughout the mid-west and gives players an Opportunity to extend their playing careers as well as the chance to raise funds for charities in the area.

“Essentially, those are the twin reasons why the club was first es- tablished. And the Kilkee game will

mark a major watershed in our his- tory as it’s going to herald the first game in our quarter of a century year of celebration.”

On the day, members of the char- ity rugby club will walk the beach in order to provide an opportunity for members of the public to provide funds. Afterwards, a barbecue will

take place at Scott’s Bar in Kilkee.

“It promises to be a great day out,” said committee member Packie Dur- kan. “The rules of the game are gov- erned by the IRB and come under the veterans rules. All those taking part will be over 35 years-of-age and the eldest member we have is actually 74. So we’re an eclectic bunch.”

The Clare Sunset Foundation has a membership of 96 at present and the organisation arranges trips to Lourdes for those whose vision 1s impaired.

This week, the Leprechauns also announced that they have just signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Shannon Precision which is set to ensure a strong foundation for their endeavours up to 2011.

To date, the club has raised just short of €1 million with every cent ploughed back into local charities. Last season they raised in excess of €75,000 and with the new season about to unfold, the plan is to match that fundraising figure.

It all begins in Kilkee this Saturday at 3pm.

For further information on the Clare Sunset Foundation contact 065 6824875 and to get in contact with the Limerick Leprechauns visit www.limerickleprechauns.com