Month: September 2008

CLARE’s motor racing season hits top gear this weekend with the stag- ing of the showpiece event of the year, the Clare Stages Rally. A total of 161 cars will take part, while there will be 42 Clare crews in action over the two days.

The Clare Stages Rally is Round 9 of the” Dunlop National Champi- onship’, which is decided over ten rounds and clare welcomes the newly crowned 08 dunlop national cham- pion Patrick Elliott who clinched his first ever national title driving his Subaru Impreza WRC S12B on the previous round the Galway Sum- mer Rally a few weeks ago. Here in Clare his co-driver Paul Goodman can take a major step and possibly secure the Noel Smith Award for the top co-driver.

Patrick won the Clare Stages Rally back in 2006 with Rory Kennedy

also driving a Subaru.Patrick and Paul are seeded at no.2

Topping this years entry list is last years Clare Stages winners Tim Mc- Nulty and Eugene O’Donnell (Sub- aru Impreza WRC S12B). By the end of last years eight stage event, they finished 22 seconds ahead of newly crowned 07 Dunlop Champion, Aar- on MacHale (Ford Focus WRC).

The rally is also Round 5 of “The Top Part West Coast Rally Champi- onship”, which consists of rallies run in Birr, Kerry, Limerick, Galway and ETc

The Clare rally also includes a jun- ior section and this has attracted an extra seventeen entries. The Club have received a huge local entry with a total of Forty two Clare Motor Club Crews taking part.

Topping the list is Ruan’s Anthony O’Halloran with Ennis man Charlie McEnery calling the notes in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9. Anthony

and Charlie finished the top two Wheel drive car and best Clare club crew on last years rally in their Opel Manta but for the 2008 season they have made the change over to more modern machinery with the Mit- subishi Lancer Evo 9. The car has been built from scratch at Anthony’s workshop in Ruan. Anthony will be very determined to be on the pace in eroup N and will also be hoping to finish the top Clare driver in order to claim the most sought after award in the club for the best Clare crew on the day, “The Noel McCullagh Award” which is presented in memory of an outstanding club member who was killed in an industrial accident back in 1990. Mike Moloney and Marie Casey will also be fighting for that top clare driver in their mazda rotary engined escort. Mike crashed out on the very first stage on last years eNO Ae

Kilmurry’s Alan O’Callaghan will

also be trying for a top place in this years rally, having already finished 16th overall in Birr, 20th in Kerry and 3lst in Munster so far this sea- SO)0F

Other Clare competitors like Christy Carey, Edward Cogan, R1- chard Casey, Pa Malone, Alan Kel- ly, Martin O’Halloran, Joe Baker, John Leirnihan, Tommy Flanagan, Michael Rodgers, Martin Kelly, Robert Ryan, Al and Pat Meaney, Tom Ryan and Michael Fitzgibbon and also the return of Ruan’s Pat Ca- sey will all be fighting for honours in their various classes.

Clerk of the course for the event is Jim Casey from Ennis and together with his organising team have set out four challenging stages which will be repeated twice, two in the Kildysart/ Ballinacally area in the morning and two in the Ruan/Kilnamona area in the afternoon.

The public will also be able to meet

the famous Russell Brooks who will be competing as OOI course car.

The 63-year-old English driver has been invited over by the Clare Club and he will assist in the running of the event by driving as OO1 course car which is the last car to travel through the stages before the first competing car.

Russell will drive his original Sun- beam Lotus which he used in 1980 and 1981. The car (KK V 394V) was originally built for Russell to use in the 1981 Lombard RAC Rally. Brooks won the 1977 & 1985 British Rally Championships driving a Ford Escort RS1800 and an Opel Manta 400 respectively.He was also Welsh Rally Champion in 1973 and Irish Tarmac Rally Champion in 1989.

A MULTI-MILLION euro lawsuit taken by the husband and family of a woman who died after a facelift will take place in the US next week.

Kay Cregan (42), who had family connections in Killaloe, died after she underwent facial surgery at a Manhattan clinic in March 2005.

The case will get underway at the New York State Supreme Court next

Monday. However, there is a possi- bility that the case will be adjourned for a number of weeks, to appoint a judge and swear in a jury.

Ms Cregan, who lived with her hus- band and two sons in Croom, Lim- erick, underwent facial surgery at the Manhattan Clinic of Dr Michael Sachs on March 14, 2005.

She died just three days later at St Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital. She had been rushed there and placed on a

life support machine after the proce- dure at the clinic.

She had paid Dr Sachs $32,000 and had planned the surgery as a surprise for her husband. He was not aware of this until he was notified by the Department of Foreign Affairs that she was on a life support machine. Dr Sachs is the main defendant in the case.

An anaesthetist and a nurse are also UE DOO orem DOM Maem Ny AeEL

A MAJOR television documentary by two Clare-based experts claims that global warming is having a pro- found impact on local wildlife with increasing varieties and numbers of alien invaders moving to the county.

A six part documentary series, due to be broadcast on TG4 later this month, features over a dozen for- eign species never before featured on Irish television. “Coimhtioch Gan Cuireadh’ or ‘Alien Invaders’ takes a broader look at Irish wildlife and re- counts the fascinating stories of how some of Ireland’s alien species ended up in Ireland.

They include the slow worm, which can only be found in the reclaimed meadow fringes of the Burren and the Bank Vole which was introduced to Ireland in the 1920s during work on the Shannon hydroelectric scheme when large machinery was shipped from ports in the north of Germany. Also featured are the Chinese Mit- ten Crab, Mourning Dove, Emperor Dragonfly, Natterjack Toad, Trigger Fish and Slipper Lobster.

According to Ballycar resident and wildlife expert John Murphy, who is a director of Waxwing Wildlife Productions, the documentary fea- tures species many people rarely if ever encounter even though they are present all around them.

He explained that increasingly ex- treme Mediterranean climates had resulted in a dramatic rise in the

numbers of exotic species of birds and maritime fish arriving and set- tling in Ireland.

‘We are seeing more cases of alien species of birds appearing on our shores. The arrival and spread of the Collared Dove, Cattle Egrets and the melodic Blackcap are prime exam- ples of this growing trend. Mean- while, during filming on Inish Bofin in County Galway this year we docu- mented the first every sighting in Ire- land of a Mourning Dove, which had arrived from the USA’ commented Mr. Murphy.

The programme’s editor and pro- ducer Stan Nugent, who lives in Bal- lymacahill outside Ennis, says that the documentary provided real evi- dence of how some foreign species were having a detrimental impact on the Irish environment and on native AUC DEKE

He said that alien fish species were also appearing along Ireland’s coast in greater numbers. The Grey Trig- gerfish 1s a warm-water species with a normal range in the tropical Atlan- tic and the Mediterranean. However, in more recent times during summer months when the seas are at their warmest, they can be found in the waters around Ireland. The same can be said of sea creatures like the Slip- per Lobster, which have only been caught in recent times in Lobster pots in the south of the country.

THE Gods were shining on east Clare on Saturday as the annual Scariff Agricultural Show took place on one of sunniest days of the sum- mer. The show had been in jeopardy during the week as persistent rain forced the cancellation of a number of events – including the show-jump- ing and sportsman classes.

Conditions improved greatly on Saturday, however, baking the hun- dreds who attended the show under warm sunshine with not a cloud in sight. The show is traditionally one of the last shows in the national show calendar and draws a large crowd. One of the highlights of this show was the All-Ireland Year Filly Championship Final which was won by Anthony Gordon from Ballina in County Mayo.

“The filly competition is a real highlight of the festival. We the the top 22 or 23 foals from all over the country here for the competition,” said Joanne Allen of the Scariff Show Association.

“It’s an unusual competition in that it is sponsored each year by the show society itself. When most shows host a major competition they have to get major outside sponsorship, but we

have such great local backing that we can sponsor this competition our- selves.”

The list of winners for this years show represent every corner of the country and will be available in full from www.scariffshow.com _ later this week.

“The entries this year were very good. Our best dressed child, Isa- bell Lobb, coming all the way from Barcelona. In fact there was a huge increase in the numbers entering the indoor competition,” said Joanne.

‘We had to cancel a few of the out- door classes because of the weather which was regrettable. These classes are some of the best supported in the whole show and there is a great local interest in them.”

The Scariff Show committee are examining the possibility of re-stag- ing the showjumping and sportsman classes at a future date – possibly in the new year.

MINISTER of State at the Depart- ment of Agriculture, Tony Killeen has confirmed that his department will be publishing details of CAP payments later this month despite opposition from all the main farm- ing organisations.

Stating that the requirement to publish these details was directly applicable and mandatory in all EU member states, the Clare TD said the details that will be published include the beneficiaries’ name, their partial address and payments funded or co- funded by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) or the Eu- ropean Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

Mr Kileeen’s’ announcement brought an angry reaction from IFA Deputy President Derek Deane who described it as “a case of bureauc- racy gone mad”.

He said it was a particularly sensi- tive issue as it involved the publica- tion of personal financial informa- tion of farmers. “In a lot of cases, Teagasc farm income data would suggest that the Single Payment is the total income of farmers. IFA believe that the Department of Agriculture’s insensitivity 1s mind-boggling.”

This was also the view of ICSA Munster Vice President Edmond Phelan who said that he didn’t see the EU rushing to give us details of the expenses paid to either its own officials or MEPs.

‘As usual, it is the ordinary people that suffer the most from EU bu- reaucracy whereas the fat cats and eurocrats escape closer scrutiny. This 1s a serious invasion of privacy and is unwarranted considering that the average Single Farm Payment in Ireland is less than €10,000. Farm families are being exposed to intru- sion and this will give rise to serious OFT akon

“The Department of Agriculture should not proceed with this until they have further consultations with farm bodies,’ he concluded.

Explaining that his department was obliged to publish the information under the terms of an EU Council regulation, Minister Killeen said the information being published at this

time would relate to payments made between January | and October 15, 2007.

He confirmed that the depart- ment would be publishing certain details before the end of next April of payments made under the Farm Improvement and Young Farmers’ Installation Aid Schemes as well as Single Farm Payments. These de- tails would relate to payments made between October 16, 2007 and Octo- ber 15, 2008.

He explained that the requirement to publish these details should be seen against the negotiation by the Government of an EU-funded CAP package of approximately €12 bil- lion for the Irish Agri-Food sector for the period 2007-2013.

IFA President Padraig Walshe has claimed that due to the very wet weather conditions over the peak summer building period, many farm- ers will be unable to complete work under the Farm Waste Management by the end of the year

Mr. Walshe pointed out that farm building is the only area of the con- struction industry that has shown erowth this year. Farmers are spend- ing over €l1billion on necessary in- vestment on their farms, which 1s generating huge economic activity in rural areas.

“Flexibility on the year end date will have a knock-on effect by ex- tending this economic activity into 2009 and beyond”, he said.

In relation to payments under the scheme, the IFA President said that farmers who complete work must be paid within the commitments laid down under the Charter of Rights.

‘Farmers must be paid on time as the financial implications of any de- lay will have serious cash flow con- sequences on farms” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Teagasc has reported that there has been an improvement in the harvesting of crops especially in the south of the country over the

past week. Approximately 40 to 45% of harvesting has been completed compared to 85% in a normal year. Wheat is typically being harvested at 21 to 27 % moisture content which is higher than in a normal year. Bar- ley is being harvested at 19 to 20% moisture content. Ground conditions are difficult for harvesting in most Weer

Milk supply is down across the country, as a result of difficult graz- ing conditions. Grass supply will reduce much earlier than normal if current weather conditions persist. Very few crops of second cut silage have been harvested which may have

implications for winter feed supplies later on.

Up to last week the problems on beef farms were not too serious, however heavy rains over the last week especially in the west could precipitate problems quite soon. This is impacting on animal performance which is not as good as in previous years. Stocking rates on sheep farms tend to be low so no major problem with poaching grassland. However lambs are growing at a slower rate because of lack of thrive due to high moisture grass. Present conditions may give rise to serious fluke issues later in the year.

AFTER almost 200 years as a cen- tral driving force behind education in north Clare, the Christian Broth- ers last week handed control of the Ennistymon CBS over to a board of BUR Keone

In a move which is being echoed all over the country, the Brothers have handed the overall responsibil- ity for the running of the school over to a specially created Lay Trust. The school will now be run by a limited company called The Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST).

“The establishment of the trust company will ensure a continuity of a tradition generated over two cen- turies by the Christian Brothers. As trustees we are extremely conscious

not only of the tangible value of the network of schools but equally of the invaluable educational ethos estab- lished by Blessed Edmund Rice that has been entrusted to us,’ said Pat Diggins, Chairperson of Directors of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust.

“We will be working in conjunction with the Christian Brother trustees and with all of the relevant stake- holders within our educational envi- ronment to ensure a smooth transi- tion.”

The numbers joining the Christian Brothers in Ireland has been dwin- dling in recent years and Ennistymon is now only home to one Brother, Liam O’Meara.

Br Liam was principal of the now defunct CBS Primary School and has been one of the main drivers be-

hind the Burren Chernobyl Project over the last two decades. Last week he handed over the keys to the school to anumber of students in a symbolic ceremony to mark the beginnings of life under the Trust.

Ennistymon CBS has a long and proud tradition of educating boys from north and west Clare and the school is keen to continue with the traditions and high standards put in place by the Christian Brother.

Drawing students from as far west as Mullagh and Quilty and as far north as Kilfenora and Kilshanny the school has been expanding. With the co-operation of Scoil Mhuire and En- nistymon Vocational School offers a bigger selection of subjects than any stand alone school in Clare.

The school was founded in

1824 when local parish Rev Pe- ter O’Loughlin wrote to Christian Brothers founder Edmund Rice, re- questing that two brothers be send to Ennistymon to educate the many boys in the area who because of the Penal Laws had no opportunity of re- ceiving any education.

Over the following 184 years – through famine, revolution and two world wars – the brother continued to teach and guide the young people of the area.

REVIVING the traditions around holy wells has been part of the work of Beagh Rural Development Asso- ciation during the last 19 years.

One of the most documented wells in the parish of Beagh was the centre of attention as it held its first Mass in 15 years was held there.

Tobar Ri an Domhainaigh or the well of the King of the Sundays is situated behind an old RIC Barracks close to Tubber, on the Clare-Galway

boundary.

This was the sixth well restored in the parish with the help of FAS and Galway Rural Development. The role of the holy wells had been for- gotten by newer generations and had become overgrown.

On Sunday last however the lo- cal community gathered again for a Mass. Now the development com- mittee hope to make the mass an an- LOE oad OL

Traditionally the day for visiting the well was the last Sunday in July.

There remains just a few final touches to be completed at the well that was first mentioned the writings of a friar that took refuge in Prague Anthony McBroady in 1669.

Situated in the townland of Rath- willadoon the well whose origin lies in Pagan times has long been associ- ated with Christian pilgrimage.

According to tradition St Coleman blessed the well.

On the old alter a plaque dated 1717 reads, “Pray for the soul of Helen O’Brien alias Kelly O’Shaughnessy

who made the wall around the well, May 9, 1717.”

A stone plaque also adds historic data to the well. Situated at the west- ern end of the well the plaque is in- scribed with “Pray for the soul of Nelly Ffrench who made this monu- ment 1711.”

The artefact of most note from the well is a medieval bronze crucifix now situated in the National Muse- um in Dublin. A replica of this his- toric cross can be seen in Shanaglish Sie

AN EXHIBITION highlighting the work done by service providers in north Clare takes place in the Com- munity Centre Parliament Street, En- nistymon on Friday, September 19. Minister of State Tony Killeen will formally open the exhibition at 12pm and all are welcome to attend. Organisers hope that by bringing service providers together under one roof they can provide a useful first point of contact for many local peo- ple. The exhibition is being organ- ised by the North Clare Area Learn-

ing Network.

The network is made up of a number of local and national groups.

Organisations that will be repre- Sented at the exhibition include, local secondary and vocational schools, FAS, Clare VEC, Teagasc, Clare Supported Employment Service, Farm Family Support, Citizens In- formation Service and the Brother’s Om Or TulAys

The event will provide information on a wide range of topics and organ- isers are hoping for a large turn out on the day. The diverse range of or- ganisations and community groups

represented at the exhibition reflects the broad spread of services pro- vided in the north Clare area. These include Clarecare, the Irish Farmer’s Association, Burren Connect, Rural Resource Development, Job’s Club, Enable Ireland, Clare Immigrant Support Centre, National Learning network, Family Resource Centre, Money Advice and Budgeting Serv- ice, NUIG access programme, Clare Sports Partnership, the Alzheimher’s association and the Traveller Enter- prise Project.

Information will also be available to the public on many other serv-

ice providers currently operating in north Clare.

A spokesperson for the North Clare Area Learning Network encouraged local people to come along and sup- port the event and to learn more about the services in your local area.

“If you have a half an hour to spare, come along to the community centre and check out what is available in your area.

“You will get the opportunity to make contact with a variety of or- ganisations and meet the people who are providing the services,’ the spokesperson said.

who will present a programme on Exceptional Leadership at New- town Castle, Ballyvaughan from Thursday, 18 to Sunday, September 21. The insight into what the common denominator is between an Obama, a Churchill or a crack business team-

leader, will be given on a programme run under the auspices of The Bur- ren Leadership Forum (www.burren- leadershipforum.1ie).

The forum was established in 2006 in Newtown Castle, Ballyvaughan and it’s founders say that the “Bur- ren’s special natural environment with its rich botanical and archaeo- logical heritage provides an inspiring timeless space for learning, reflec- tion and debate and on the themes of leadership, creativity, purpose and effectiveness.

“In the liberating environment of the Burren and in the intimate set- ting of Newtown Castle, innovative and transformative leadership learn- ing can safely be undertaken.”

EQ is made up of two factors: in- trapersonal intelligence, or the abil- ity to know and accept oneself and to become self-managing and self-

motivating, and interpersonal intel- ligence, or the ability to interact ef- fectively with other people.

“The most powerful and insight- ful tool available to help develop an individual’s EQ,” claims Dr Lapid- Bogda, “is the Enneagram – an an- cient psychological and _ spiritual development system which is now rapidly gaining acceptance in the Fortune 500 companies as well serv- ice organisations, non-profits and Eas ntu selene

Dr Lapid-Bogda has consulted with many of these firms for more than 30 years as an organisation development (OD) expert.

The doctor has married under stand- ing of the ancient system with con- temporary organisational practice. “This synthesis gives unparalleled insights for self-mastery combined with powerful leadership develop-

ment practices tailored to specific leadership styles,” she said.

And to prove that leadership skills do not mean that a person cannot be creative, the programme will hear from Martin Salzwedel who, as well as being a concert level cellist, is an internationally respected Enneagram teacher and business consultant who specialises in integrating the insights of the Enneagram with the creation of high performance teams and ex- ecutive development.

Further information on ‘Excep- tional Leadership – What Makes and Exceptional Leader?’ can be had by contacting the Burren Leader- ship Forum, Newtown Castle Bally- vaughan on 065 7083 949/086 8049 432. Alternatively you can email info@burrenleadershipforum.ie or visit the website at www.burrenlead- SucvepNO)KOM besa loe