Month: August 2008

FLAGMOUNT youngsters have been creating a splash for almost 30 years and they are all set to do it again this year.

The annual water safety classes at Flagmount Pier have taught hun- dreds of youngsters to swim over the years and dozens have learned skills that have saved lives.

Local secretary of the Water Safety Association, Kathleen McNamara, said that she herself first took the plunge in the lake.

“It’s where I learned to swim and it’s a great place to learn. People who learn in the lake are stronger swim- mers in the long run, I believe,” said Kathleen.

For two weeks every year instruc- tors give basic swimming lessons as well as taking experienced swim- mers through rescue and life-saving ROA SOLUN Kee

Children as young as five come along to the classes, which are run in half-hour slots every day.

Older people are also welcome and many of Clare’s qualified lifesavers

have got their stripes at the annual Flagmount water safety course.

More than 60 people signed on for last week’s course with instructor, Michael Donnellan and this week, Lorraine Tracey is the woman in charge.

There is a fee, but it is at a reason- able price to encourage as many peo- ple as possible to learn to swim.

‘We want people to be able to enjoy the water safely and the best way for them to do that is to have lessons and advice on staying safe,” said Kath- leen.

“It’s a great thing to have a facility like this in an area. You need these facilities in rural communities,’ said Kathleen.

The classes are open to everyone. Anyone who would like to join can still do so, just turn up at the pier be- fore the 10am off and sign on.

THIS week, east Clare will become the first leg on a journey which will end in the heat of the African bush.

A bunch of brave bikers will risk saddle-sores and other discomforts on aride of 1500 kilometres to raise money for children’s charities on the Enduro Africa run.

Clare biker, Mikey Bergin is kick- starting his journey with a final fund- raising run on August 9.

He hopes to be joined by 99 other bikers who will each make a donation

to take part in a ride which will take the participants across the bridge in Westbury, through Corbally, Ard- nacrusha and on to Killaloe, through east Clare to Ennis and finally on to Miltown Malbay and Doolin, where he’s planned a party.

The African run – organised by the Ride For Life organisation – will take place in November and Mikey has spent the last year raising the Stg£5,000 necessary to take part in the challenge.

“With the money, we will buy bikes over there – that’s all been organised

in advance and when we’re finished the ride, the bikes will be donated to health workers in Africa,” said Mikey.

The organisers also guarantee that a minimum of £1,500 from each rider’s participation fee will go to the childrens’ charities involved, UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Chil- drens’ Fund and the Prince’s Trust, with 400 riders in all taking part.

The trip starts in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and continues on a 1500 kilometre circuit.

Mikey has been “doing all kinds

of stuff to raise money. I had a 7/0’s night, a rock night, a poker classic – you name it. But I’m almost there and this will be my last event.

‘“That’s why I’ve thrown a bit of a party afterwards, with bands and a barbecue.”

Mikey, who has “been a biker for a few years” normally rides a GXR 600 but bought “an off-road bike to practice for this because a huge amount of the ride will be off-road. I’ve never done anything like this be- fore so I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a challenge,” he said.

PLANS are underway to establish a walking trail in the Shannon and Bunratty areas.

It has been suggested that the trail will be in the shape of a loop, tak- ing in Shannon and Bunratty and also linking up with the Mid-Clare Walkway.

A public meeting took place in Shannon a number of weeks ago, during which a high level of inter- est in the proposal was expressed. Locals felt that it would be a huge boost to the Shannon area, while it would also play a significant role in promoting the town on national and

international levels.

It was suggested that a plan for the initiative would be drawn up and that is now underway.

The proposal is the brainchild of the managing director of the Oak- wood Arms Hotel in Shannon, Victor O’Sullivan. He said if the plan gets the go-ahead, it would be the first of its kind in this geographical area.

“It would be the first one for Shan- non. It is something that is badly needed and would make good use of the Shannon estuary banks. A lot of the walk is there already. I was hop- ing to create a full extensive loop,’ said Mr O’Sullivan.

“It would be a great opportunity for

tourism,” he said.

What has been suggested is a 10 kilometre trek, which would appeal to both local residents and tourists alike.

A route would have to be mapped out, while the issue of crossing the R471 would also have to be ad- dressed, prior to any final decision being made.

Cyril Killeen, who is the walks of- ficer for Clare, said the proposal is currently being considered.

“We are assessing the facilities for developing a walking trail in Shan- non and surrounding areas. We are looking at developing a loop in the town and out to Bunratty and up to

link with the mid-Clare way and Newmarket-on-Fergus,’ said Mr Killeen.

“It can happen. It will take time. If you are crossing into private land, it can take a long time, depending on how easy you get access,” said the PN eme Noe

He said that the possibility of set- ting up walkways in other parts of the county, including west Clare, the Burren and Ennis, has also been mooted.

“We are trying to get walks all over the county,’ added Mr Killeen.

It is hoped that Shannon Develop- ment or Failte Ireland could play some role in funding the project.

CHILDREN in the Shannon area have been engrossed in their work at the town’s library over the past few weeks.

Staff at the Sean Lemass library have put together a varied pro- gramme of events, specifically geared towards children. It includes workshops and special events given by guest presenters, as well as the regular arts and crafts and storytime sessions every week.

The art workshop was particularly entertaining as Brendan Gordon helped the youngsters to make a pa- per maché tree, by pasting strips of newspapers over a skeleton of wood and chicken wire. This was left to dry for a week and the enthusiastic youngsters then finished the work- shop by painting and decorating the nKcton

While the past few weeks have been very busy, there is still plenty to look forward to over the coming weeks, in advance of the schools re-opening.

Children aged between eight and 16 will be invited to take part in the Playstation 3 competition. Playsta- tion and Penguin books have linked up to promote the games console as a device whose sole function is not only to play games, but to watch movies, upload and listen to music, access the internet and upload, store and browse through photographs. “The competition is aimed at eight to 16-year-olds, who are asked to take a digital photograph which cap- tures an image they feel best repre-

sents their favourite Artemis Fowl book,” said Marie Clohessy of the Sean Lemass library.

The Playstation team will visit Shannon library on August 15, be- tween 10am and 5pm, to upload the entries that children are asked to bring along, stored on their digital or Naas eek

SIXMILEBRIDGE has gone inter- national – in the shape of a balloon. A helium balloon which was released GLUT N Toa NACoMM DUE ToM MEK COONMmmCIUIOONDELoIA festival made its way to Italy, while another flew all the way to France, much to the amusement of the organ- isers.

The balloons were among a batch of 500 released into the air during the festival on July 20. Each balloon had

a plastic label attached, with direc- tions to return it to the local Bridge Complex.

While one balloon made its way to Scotland two years ago, no one could have envisaged that any balloon would make its way as far afield as France or Italy this year.

‘About four days after the race we got one back from France. We couldn’t believe it came all the way back from France, then last week another came back from Italy,” explained one of the

festival organisers, Vicky Ward.

“Tt was just so exciting that it went to Italy. In fact the man who sent it back found it the day after the race. We were really excited that it went to Scotland two years ago and now this,” she laughed.

However the identity of the person who bought the balloon at the festi- val for €5 – and who stands to win a Smyth’s toyshop voucher, along with a place in the history of Sixmilebri- dge, no doubt – will not be revealed

until the deadline for the return of the balloons on September 1.

“We are leaving it until September | and we will then look at what balloon went furthest and whoever owns it is the winner. If one went to Italy, there might be another,’ said Ms Ward, with optimism.

This was the third balloon race in Sixmilebridge and given the excite- ment of this year’s event, it undoubt- edly will continue to be a significant part of the festival in the future.

A CENTRE that could potentially become a major tourist attraction in Shannon has been a hive of activity during its first fortnight in operation. The Atlantic Air Venture has opened its doors in Smithstown, Shannon, following more than two years of oe-vevenerce

The facility has held aviation sum- mer camps since it opened and is ex- pected to become a haven for tourists over the coming months.

Its current facilities include an aviation education centre and a flight simulator. It is expected to acquire a second flight simulator in October, while plans are also underway for the

construction of a museum on site.

The initiative is the brainchild of Ballycally resident Eddie Ryan, a former aircraft electronics engineer. Project development director Jane McGill said the first couple of weeks have been hugely successful.

“We have something very different and very unusual and will be the start of Shannon’s Aviation Museum,” she Sr NLGE

She said the remit of the centre is set to expand over the coming months, as educational programmes will possibly be set up.

“The feedback has been great. Everybody is very interested in the project. The children have really enjoyed the summer camps, making

models, using flight simulators and learning about meteorology. We are trying to push the sciences and the maths subjects in a really nice way,” said Ms McGill.

“In September we will hook up with schools and transition year pro- grammes. This will including bring- ing young people up to the air traffic control tower and they will have a point of contact that they haven’t had before,” she explained.

“This is the start of something big for Shannon. If we get to where we want in five years, it will be a major tourist attraction,’ she said.

Management will also look at the possibility of hosting children’s par- ties and various social events. “One

of the big things will be to encourage women in aviation. It has been such a man’s world in aviation,” she said.

The summer camps are continuing to take place at the centre, until the end of August.

The camps are open to eight to 12-year-olds from 10am to lpm and those over 12 can enroll for the af- ternoon sessions, from 2pm to 5pm. The cost 1s €75 per person for the (ste) ©

ENNIS man Brian Howe was among the thousands of climbers who braved the steep climb and awkward terrain to conquer Croagh Patrick last week.

Walking in his bare feet, it took taxi driver Brian close to five hours to reach the summit but at no point did he think about turning back.

Whenever the going got tough, and it was tougher than he had antici- pated, Brian recalled his reason for climbing.

Two of Brian’s friends, Pat Tuttle and Michael McInerney, died six

months ago. When Brian decided to climb Croagh Patrick, he decided to do so in memory of Pat and Brian.

Brian explained, “Michael died on New Years eve. Pat had died a week before. Myself and Pat used to do eve- rything together and I knew Michael through a friend of mine, Catriona. I was glad I made it up there and I was glad I was able to do it for the lads”.

“I’m glad I did it,’ added Brian, ‘When I had it done I was very hap- py, its good to be able to do some- thing to show your appreciation of a lifetime.

Brian first climbed Croagh Patrick

eight years ago but found the climb a whole different proposition this time around.

“T definitely found it a lot harder than the first time I did it. The first time there seemed to be a lot more rocks and boulders that you could hold onto and get across. This time, the stones were a lot looser. It was like gravel, very sharp, and it would cut into your feet. In saying that the weather wasn’t too bad. The rain was kind of misty but it wasn’t too bad.”

Still, at the halfway mark, Brian didn’t think he was going to make it to the top.

“Honestly, I didn’t think I was go- ing to do it. I thought I was going to have to be airlifted down. My feet were in bits. But I kept going and got to the top”.

Brian, who keeps fit by jogging every morning, is keen to return to Mayo next year.

This year’s Reek Sunday event at- tracted close to 20,000 people and was marked by the first ever tel- evised mass on the summit of the 2510ft mountain. The mountain, a place of pagan worship before it was christened by St Patrick, is regarded as one of the holiest sites in Ireland.

A CAMPAIGN by two Ennis fami- lies is helping to heal the hurt caused by the “devastating effect” of suicide. The Molloy and O’Brien families and the local community in Cloughleigh have just completed the third annual Suicide awareness and fundraising event.

This year’s event, organised by Keith Molloy, Gerard, Sasha and Sheree O’Brien is dedicated to Peter O’Brien and Sara Finn and all other community members who have died by suicide in recent times.

Clare Living Links, a volountary organisation that offers practical, confidential support and information to families bereaved by suicide, are the recipients of this year’s funds.

A spokesperson for Clare Living

Links thanked the families for their support.

“Due to the generosity of the Mol- loy and O’Brien families and indeed the many other individuals and or- ganisations who generously support us, Clare Living Links will be able to continue to provide much needed Support and continue to recruit and train new volunteers”.

The spokesperson added, “Keith Molloy, Gerard, Sasha and Sheree O’Brien would like to extend a huge thank you to all who supported them and helped to make this year’s event a great success once again. Clare Living Links would also like to work more in the community to increase awareness of and understanding of suicide and the devastating effect, which such events have on individu- als, families and communities’.

Trained volunteers working with Clare Living Links are available to offer confidential, practical support and information to families who have experienced a death by suicide. At the request of the family, the Sui- cide Outreach Support Person will call to the home or meet at a loca- tion appointed by the individual or eUNOUU As

Along with a listening ear the vol- unteer will offer help and advice on practical matters such as funeral ar- rangements, the inquest, and entitle- ments and how to break the news to children. The volunteer will continue to liaise with and provide families with support and information on relevant services available in the re- gion.

A very popular aspect of the serv- ice provided by Living Links is the

eroup-healing programme, which brings together individuals and fami- lies with similar experiences and en- courages them to establish and foster ongoing support among themselves.

Clare Living Links welcomes new volunteers to train as out-reach sup- port workers or to join the commit- tee. The organisation is constantly evolving and would like to support all families and individuals in Clare who are touched by suicide.

To contact Living Links or to be- come a member, call the confidential phone line on 087 0565373 or write to the Co-ordinator C/O Kincora House, Kincora Pk, Ennis, Co Clare.

THE success of the Ballybeg Com- munity Alert scheme will be marked by a community summer festival on August 24.

Launched in April, the scheme sees the local community liaise closely with the gardai on the issue of crime prevention.

In building on the success of the scheme so far and in a continued effort to increase the community awareness and participation, the Bal- lybeg and Rockmount community alert group are facilitating the festi- val for all the community young and old. The event will take place on the

grounds of Clarecastle GAA club.

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 coun- try.

It evolved in response to a rise of crime in rural Ireland, particularly attacks on vulnerable people (in- cluding the elderly) living alone. It is a voluntary crime prevention pro- gramme for rural communities and it encourages the community to pro- actively participate with Muintir na

Tire and An Garda Siochana in im- proving the quality of life and safety of the community in general.

There are now 1250 community alert groups throughout the country. Each group is organised on a rec- ognised local community basis and has an elected committee, a Liaison Garda and Community Relations/ Crime Prevention Officer who link the garda and local communities to- gether to provide an effective Com- munity Policing and Crime Preven- tion Network.

Community alert is community driven and is absolutely flexible in serving the needs of local communi- ties. Local volunteers identify com-

munity needs and collectively ad- dress them in a holistic way.

It is hoped that the community fes- tival will build to an annual event that the whole community can par- ticipate and contribute to.

The festival programme will reflect old traditions and emerging cultures, new businesses, arts, crafts, music, dance and exhibitions.

The organising committee would like to hear from all community members that would like to exhibit, demonstrate, dance, play music, or- ganise games or participate.

You can contact Joe Murphy on 087 6777178 or Martin McDonnell on 087 7637899 for futher information.

CLARE farmers could loose out on essential grant payments if the De- partment of Agriculture does not adopt a flexible approach to the man- agement of the Farm Waste Manage- ment Scheme.

The scheme, which was brought in to allow farmers to complete works in order to bring their farms up to the standards set out by the nitrate regulations, is set to wrap up this December.

However, many farmers have in- vested money in farm improvement but now fear that they wont be able to complete the work and collect the grant in time.

Last week IFA Rural Development Chairman Tom Turley said that the momentum of completed work un- der the Farm Waste Management Scheme can be sustained if flexible arrangements are put in place at the end of the year to allow all farmers who commence work to secure grant zaTen

‘A record number of farmers have completed work with €160 million already paid out in grant aid to over 5,000 farmers this year,” he said.

“IFA predict that a further 20,000 farmers are currently carrying out work under the scheme but many will have difficulty in completing their work by the end of year dead- line.”

The IFA Rural Development Chair- man called for flexible arrangements to be put in place by the Department of Agriculture to ensure that any farmer who has commenced work is not denied grant aid. Completing work by the end of the year is going to be very difficult due to a lack of capacity of farm builders.

“The recent Teagasc National Farm Survey clearly highlights the scale of investment on Irish farms with €1.4 billion spend in 2007 and at least an equivalent amount in 2008.

‘This investment can be continued if the Government show flexibility to the end of year deadline, which in turn will have a huge knock-on effect in sustaining employment in the con-

struction industry in rural areas.

“Tf all farmers are allowed to com- plete work it will generate further investment in 2009 and will have a knock-on effect in the wider econo- neha Meanwhile, the Road Safety Au- thority is advising the public that the deadline for the submission of views on the use of agricultural vehicles on public roads has been extended.

The closing date for receipt of com- ments is now Friday September 26, 2008.

The Road Safety Authority is invit- ing the public to submit their views on a consultation document regard- ing the use of agricultural and works vehicles on public roads.