Month: August 2008

STUDENTS at Ennis Community College have been rewarded for an- other term of academic achievement

Leaving Certificate student Ruth Ni Chathair was named Roche Ireland Student of the Year at Ennis Com- munity College, at a presentation last week.

The award is based on a number of criteria including academic success achievement and takes into account achievements in external activities such as music and sport. This is the fifth year the award has been pre- sented.

Ruth who has recently completed her Leaving Certificate, receives the

honour for her outstanding personal and academic achievement.

Victor Akujobi, a gold medal win- ner at 2006 Damovo Junior Science Olympiad, was named as runner up alongside fellow Ennis Community College Student, Katelyn Ni Sceir- eR

The presentation was attended by Michael Ledwith and Helen Minihan of Roche Ireland and Matt Power, Principal, Ennis Community Col- lege. The award marks another term where the school achieved success in a national competition.

Earlier this year students Rebecca Murphy, Victor Akujobi, Shona Ni Meachair and James Philips repre- sented Ennis Community College at

the 2008 National Electronic Quiz in Galway. Despite winning the re- gional rounds, the Ennis team had to settle for second place over all after loosing out to a Cork school in the overall standings. The annual quiz took place simultaneously in UCC, DUPRE AMM Tem U

The award also continues Roche Ireland’s strong association with lo- cal schools. Roche participates in the Junior Achievement programme, which is designed to build bridges between classrooms and workplaces. Roche has built strong links with lo- cal national schools, where children have benefited from Roche person- nel teaching JA programmes in their schools. Each year employees of Ro-

che Ireland volunteer to teach classes from local schools. The employee meets their class once a week for six to nine weeks. Junior Achievement outlines the topics to be covered, which are determined by the age of the class concerned.

CLARE V.E.C. students had plenty to smile about after the announce- ment of last week’s Leaving Cert results.

Overall eight students taking part in the Back to Education Initiative sat the leaving cert maths and their results were of the highest standard, with six Als an A2 and a B2.

The group studied part-time for the Leaving Cert since last September with the Back To Education Initia- tive (BTEI). The Back To Initiative provides part-time further education

programmes for young people and adults, with the aim of giving people the opportunity to combine a return to learning with family, work and other responsibilities.

The BTEI is operated by County Clare VEC as part of the National Development Plan and is funded by the Department of Education and Sci- ence and the European Social Fund. It operates throughout the county and has over 900 adults studying various subjects ranging from FETAC Lev- els 3,4 and 5, up to Leaving Cert.

The BTEI, through a preparatory course, also introduces prospective

students to the requirements of stud- ying for the Leaving Certificate

Mike Ryan BTEI co-ordinator, congratulated the students and their tutor Vinnie Normoyle.

“We are delighted with the results, they were excellent. It was down to the hard done by the students them- selves and also the work done with them by Vinnie. I know the students appreciate everything that Vinnie SERCO ComoUNe Mm Nelss 00 Me

Mr Ryan added that further support and guidance would be offered to students on an ongoing basis

TiO rome ilouomr- DuomelluKone a aenelele

learners availing of adult basic edu- cation and a further 700 engaging in community education.

The recent re-development of the Adult Education Centre in Ennis has led to the provision of more services through the BTEI.

The centre provides learning op- portunities in reading and writing, language support, youthreach pro- gression, the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) and family learning.

Services include a créche, night classes, e-learning and adult learners guidance.

AS THE amateur musical and drama season prepares to take hold all over the county, the Shannon Musical So- ciety 1S preparing for a first with this year’s production.

This year the society will become the first amateur society in Ireland to perform Joe DiPietro’s ‘All Shook Up’. The musical, which was a huge success on Broadway, is based loose- ly on Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night’ and inspired by the music of Elvis USA

The society will be having a launch night on Wednesday, September 3, 1n the Oak Wood Arms Hotel at 8pm.

“Each year we host a night to en-

courage new people to come and join the musical society. It’s really more of an informative night, I think a lot of people think that it’s all about music and if you don’t have loads of talent you can’t join,” said Mary O’Loughlin of the Shannon Musical Society.

“It’s much more than that. Every- thing involved in the musical, except for the orchestra, 1s produced by lo- cal people. We have the costumes, the stage crew – the whole set is made from scratch, the front of house team and the booking office. So there is a great amount for people to be doing beside the work on the stage itself.

“It’s a great social outlet for people, especially if you have just moved to

Shannon. The society can be a great way for getting to know people and getting involved. It’s a great team effort and right across the board in terms of ages.”

This years production will be di- rected and choreographed by Oliver Hurley while Carmel Griffin will the musical director.

The musical society are hoping for a good turn out at the up coming launch night.

“Tt can be difficult enough some- times to get new male members but once they join up they stay with us for years and years. They might be that bit shy at the beginning but once they get involved in it they love it,’ she continued.

“It’s going to be afun show this year. The show will use a lot of the Elvis songs to help tell the story. There is a great story running through it, the music is really secondary – it helps to tell the story.”

Anyone interested in joining the So- ciety can take a browse through the website on Www.shannonmusical. com or call Siobhan on 086 2142554 for details on membership.

SOCCER has been a big part of Brendan Wall’s life and the Shannon man has played a big role in develop- ing the game in Clare.

Last week, friends and colleagues gathered in Ennis to mark Wall’s 20 years of service to soccer in the county.

Wall moved to Shannon in 1977 and a year later joined the local New- town soccer club. In 1988, he joined the committee of the Clare School- boys Soccer League, then headed up by founder and Kilmaley man, Frank etry

In those days, schoolboy teams competed in just three age groups

under 11, under 13 and under 15. However, in the intervening years, schoolboy’s soccer has undergone a major transformation, with the num- bers playing the game now at record levels.

19 clubs, some fielding as many as three teams in one age group, now compete across 13 leagues. This summer saw the largest ever expan- sion of the league with the entry of 19 new teams.

Wall served for 15 years as league chairman and says the work of done by parents and coaches at club level is the driving force behind the growth of the game.

He cites the first time a Clare team entered the prestigious Kennedy Cup

in 1996 as one of the highlights of his long association with the game.

“That was a great experience,’ said Wall. “That and the year we drew with the Dublin District Soccer League. They went on to win it out, so that was a great result.

‘There was also the year when Edel Malone from Lifford, who is an Irish international now, captained Clare in the Kennedy Cup. We have a picture from the year of Edel and Katie Tay- lor (World Champion Irish boxer), who was playing for Wicklow at the nb slome

Wall said the appointment of Denis Hynes as FAI County Development Office for Clare and the opening of the Lees Road sports facility in En-

nis, were also major milestones for Or eaNeedoe

He also paid tribute to his col- leagues on the committee of the schoolboy league

He said, “They all do a great job. Ronnie Pyne does amazing work as fixtures secretary. The standard of officials on the schoolboy league is second to none. The newest recruit 1s Clive Slater, who’s work rate makes the job of Chairman a lot easier”.

Wall steps down as league chair- man this year but is still actively involved with soccer with Shannon. He is manager of the Newtown La- dies side that will play St Mochtas in the semi-final of FAI Umbro Junior Women’s Cup on August 31.

THE Shannon fire service has got the go-ahead to extend and refurbish the local fire station.

The Department of the Environ- ment, Heritage and Local Govern- ment has approved the tender recom- mended by Clare County Council under the fire services capital pro- gramme and will contribute more than €1.2 million to the project.

The proposed improvements in- clude the addition of three extra fire bays, developing the drill yard as well as the inclusion of new accom- modation facilities for the crew.

Acting Chief Fire Officer Tom Burke described the announcement as a major step forward in the ongo-

ing development of fire and rescue services across County Clare.

“The fire fighting capability of the local service will be greatly en- hanced through the provision of a refurbished and larger station in County Clare’s second largest town,” he said.

“The completion of these works will enable the Fire and Rescue Serv- ice to allocate additional fire vehicles in Shannon. We also intend develop- ing training facilities in Shannon, similar to those currently being put in place at Ennis Fire Station.”

“Furthermore, the service intends to locate a new water tanker in Shan- non, subject to the approval of fund- ing by the Department. The provi- sion of this unit will help us deal

with structural fires along with fire incidents in rural areas throughout Shannon and the wider region”.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Tony Killeen (FF) said, “Although the existing station has served the area well since 1979, the considerable development in all sectors, including the tourist, com- mercial and industrial sectors in the intervening period necessitated addi- tional investment in the fire services in Shannon in order to deliver a mod- ern service.”

“The proposed works will add fur- ther to the capability of the fire serv- ices in County Clare. The project will now proceed to construction stage and is expected to be complet- ed within 10 months,’ concluded the

Junior Agriculture Minister.

ClUlr Patricia McCarthy (ind), Chairperson of the Strategic Policy Committee on the Environment, Emergency Services and Consumer Affairs, added her approval for the refurbishment.

‘This is great news for the County Clare Fire and Rescue Service con- sidering it follows on so quickly after the official opening of the new Kil- laloe Fire Station and the Depart- ment’s approval of funding for a new fire training centre in Ennis.”

Clare County Fire and Rescue Service is currently made up of 12 Senior Fire Officers, one whole time Station Officer in Ennis and 77 Re- tained Firefighters in seven stations throughout Clare.

SAY ‘basketball’ and most people think of a game they haven’t played since secondary school.

Not so in Shannon and Newmarket, where the game is alive and well and ea cena tetce

‘It’s a great sport for keeping fit. It’s great fun and there’s a brilliant social aspect to the whole thing as well,” said captain of the Shannon/New- market team, Vivienne McMahon

The team has just started back

training for the season and they are hoping to get more people involved UOMO eComAbuOME-Dele mee-Neelonp

‘‘At the moment we have 13 people involved but it would be great if a few more people came along.

‘Anyone over 18 can play but most of us are in our late twenties and ear- ly thirties so people shouldn’t be put off if they’re not in the first bloom of youth,” said Vivienne.

This is the team’s third year com- peting in the Limerick league and they are steadily gaining experience.

“We’re up against the likes of the UL team but the point is to get in there and play’, said Vivienne.

Not having played before or not having played since school is not a problem, Vivienne said.

“The last time most of us played was when we were in school but it all comes back to you.. You might not be very fit at the start but it’s unbeliev- able for fitness – you really notice a difference if you don’t play for a cou- ple of weeks”.

SUK w eM oKOM UOMO Ane

enne for helping team mates improve their skills, given that she teaches basketball in Ennis Community Col- lege.

The team train twice a week, in Shannon on Tuesdays between 7pm and 9pm and in Newmarket on Thursdays between 8pm and 9pm.

‘New players are welcome to come along and see how they like it. Just give me a call,’ added Vivienne.

For more details on the team and training, Vivienne can be reached at 087 6883846.

ALISHA O’Keeffe (9) from Parteen, knew she had a real scoop on her hands as the budding young journal- ist took off at the weekend for her first and biggest assignment – cover- ing the Olympics in Beijing.

Alisha, a keen sports fan, will par- ticipate in a once in a lifetime OI- ympic experience which will see her attending the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing where she will report back on her experiences as a very special journalist.

Alisha’s entry was picked from

hundreds of children aged between 6 and 14 years of age who entered the competition run by McDonald’s and The Sunday World, with entrants be- ing asked to write an article on the Olympic Games.

Alisha said that she has always been a fan of the Olympics and couldn’t wait to enter the competition.

“I’m really excited by the Beiing Olympics and I just can’t wait to get there. I’d really love to meet some of the Irish athletes and I hope they do really well. I’ll certainly be cheering them all on’, the cub reporter said before leaving. ”

The prize is for one child and an adult and it includes a five night stay in Beijing as well as sightseeing trips to Beying zoo, the Great Wall and kite flying at the Temple of Heaven. While at the Games, Alisha will also meet Olympic athletes, attend an Olympic event as well as the post – medal ceremony event and will have the opportunity to experience Chi- nese culture.

According to Claire Lynch, Mc- Donald’s Ireland, “The McDonald’s Champion Kids programme provides a once in a lifetime opportunity for Alisha to be a part of the 2008 OI-

ympic Games. Children from across Ireland participated in the competi- tion and selecting the winner proved to be a very tough job. However, Al- isha’s entry stood out due to her ex- cellent writing skills and her obvious enthusiasm and passion for sports and I’m looking forward to reading her report back”’.

A STROLL through the beautiful surrounds of Lough Derg to enjoy the mellow turning of the leaves and the autumn sunshine 1s on the cards, and it’s all for a good cause.

Scariff Community Council in conjunction with Derg Credit Union and Clare Athletics Association are hosting the first 10 km run and walk on September 14.

“We want this to be a community event and we welcome all runners and walkers, young and old to come out on the day,” said Martin Harti- gan , one of the organising team.

“We don’t expect people to break any records. You can jog, run walk – whatever you like but come out on

the day and enjoy some magnificent views of Lough Derg along the route. All proceeds from the event will go to our local and very worthy cause, the Raheen Hospice.”

The route will start at the Scariff GAA grounds, up towards Cappa- bane, Sheeaun, Moynoe, Mount- shannon Road & back into Scariff with the finishing line located near the GAA grounds.

Registration forms for the event can be found in O’ Meara’s pharmacy or Rodgers Centra shop in Scariff, on- line at www.scariff.com, and can be email to scariff10k@hotmail.com or sent by post to Scariff Community Council, Market House, Scariff. Registration is €10 per person and the closing date for entries is Sep-

tember. Late registration will be ac- cepted on the 14th September up to 1.30pm at a cost of €15 per person.

The event starts at 2pm sharp so all entrants should be assembled by 1.45pm at the GAA grounds.

“We’ll have prizes for the first man and woman home and there will be water stations enroute. We hope this will be just the first of many Scariff 10k’s,’ said Martin.

The Raheen Hoispice provides an invaluable service to the community. The Palliative Care Unit at Raheen has two support beds open to all peo- ple with advanced cancer.

Patients with non malignancies in the terminal stage of their illness re- quiring palliative care may also be admitted to the unit.

Milford Home care team visit on a daily basis and the staff all have had training in palliative care. The beds are always full, and are also used to provide respite to non terminal can- cer patients.

“The staffing is provided by the HSE and we always welcome any extra funding”, a spokeswoman for Raheen said.

The organisers have asked that par- ticipants make every effort to regis- ter in advance so they will have an idea of numbers.

Details and forms can be had from other members of the organising committee also. They are Eugene Moroney, Eileen Crotty, Paula Har- tigan, Sheila Mulvihill and Marie SO e7

64-YEARS-OLD this year and still going strong, the Scariff annual ag- ricultural show will be cause for another great family day out on Sep- tember 6.

The landmark event is being held in the showgrounds again this year. A spokeswoman for the show commit- tee said that “most of our success is down to the support and encourage- ment we receive from our sponsors and the local support of people who come on the day.”

There are loads more activities planned this year, with bouncy cas- tles, a funfair and some new trade stands along with all the old relia- bles.

The show committee is “proud to have the local vintage display at our show again this year and you might be lucky to be crowned Queen of the Plough, a competition kindly spon- sored by Michael Ryan of Scariff”, the spokeswoman said.

One of the most popular events is the dog show, with lots of novelty classes as well as the usual variety

classes. The Indoor section has also got some new classes for adults and children – so it’s time to paint that picture, bake that cake, pick those flowers, or knit that scarf.

The horse classes will include mare and foal, young horses, jumping, show hunter and working hunter, pony classes – with new classes this year – side saddle, donkey and sheep sections. The ISA and Scariff Show All-Ireland Filly Championship will be held at 3pm.

There is also a new and added fun race at our show this year, The Don-

key Derby.

Show judges will be on the look out for the best dressed lady, best dressed child and fancy dressed child as well as the bonniest baby.

The night would not be complete without the show dance, which is held in Craic n’ Back at Rodgers in Scarf.

Any entrants should contact Joanne Allen, County, Scariff 061 921687 or entry@scariffshow.com Entries ler TeUDbelom wa Neeca ti mezee

The website www.scariffshow.com has all the details.

WHILE there’s no shortage of fes- tivals in Clare in summer, the lat- ter part of the year tends to have a CleVade me) msslotee

Which is why an imaginative east Clare couple have got together with some other creative people to stage a festival with family friendly events for the October bank holiday week- end in Killaloe.

Called An Féile Eile – The other festival – the weekend of events is being organised by Diane Daly and Boris Hunker of the Music in the Glenn music school.

“We named it because there is the Féile Brian Boru and the St Patrick’s

Day festival, but nothing at this time of year. And because it’s the Octo- ber, we won’t have any misplaced optimism that it could be sunny, so most of the events will be indoors’, said Boris.

The organisers hope that after this first festival, the event will grow and expand and for this year, they will concentrate on the musical aspect.

Most of the events are happening in the Kincora Hotel and on Friday, children from east Clare schools will come together for singing sessions and that night there will be a family event, with a gig by the band Hunka Burning Love followed by a disco.

On Saturday, there will be screen- ings of Laurel and Hardy’s early si-

lent movies and a quartet will play live to recreate the old silent movie cinema atmosphere.

There will be workshops for young- sters to compose scores for films. “These are designed for any child aged six to 12 to take part. They don’t have to be able to play a musi- cal instrument,” said Boris.

The Music in the Glen school is this year starting a choir and small orchestra and the children who have enrolled will perform in St Flannan’s OTM LONNCE RY

Monday is the shadow puppet thea- tre workshop where kids will have fun learning how to create shadow puppets and then write and perform a shadow puppet play.

There will also be a day of visual arts in collaboration with the Art- farm facility.

“We want to give our own classes something to work for and to start up a festival that will have something for children and parents as well,’ said Boris.

Boris and Diane are now work- ing on a grand finale for the three day festival, details of which will be available shortly.

“There will be a very nominal charge for the workshops and people can equire now and booking will be available shortly’, said Boris.

Full; details of the September mu- sic classes are available by emailing musicintheglen @ftml.net