Month: October 2011

SIXMILEBRIDGE’S ambitions to be crowned kings of the Irish language have come to an end.

The ‘Bridge lost out in the semi-finals of TG4’s ‘An G-Team’, which is a project aimed at reviving the Irish language across the country. A team from TG4 has travelled to towns and villages across the country in recent weeks as various areas competed against each other.

The people of Sixmilebridge had put in a huge effort in their attempts to win the overall prize of € 40,000.

However, they were defeated at the semi-final stage and the Glen of Aherlow will now go on to contest the final against Donabate from Dublin.

The ‘Bridge did well in the early stages of the competition and their new website promoting the use of Irish caught the attention of the adjudicators. As a result of their efforts, there has been a renewed interest in the Irish language in the area.

While they did well in the latest challenge, in which they were tasked with producing an hour-long radio programme, they were not chosen as one of the finalists.

During the radio show, they presented their own news and interviews, including an interview with Presidential hopeful Michael D Higgins.

Rita Costello read the news in Irish, assisted by reporters PJ Fitzpatrick and Eimear Murphy.

“Overall, it was very good. We were delighted with how it went. We couldn’t have done anything much better. We are waiting for feedback. They were very complimentary about the standard of Irish. The others (competitors) were very strong,” said the co-ordinator of the committee in Sixmilebridge, Brendan Walsh.

“There is a huge new interest in Irish. The big change is that there is a bit of Irish spoken in the pubs at night,” said Brendan.

“The big thing it did was connect community groups in the village,” he added.

“People have identified other people in the village who speak Irish. There was a core group of between 30 and 40.

“There are families who speak Irish in the ‘Bridge and nobody knew that,” he said.

Irish language classes take place every Monday, from 7pm to 9pm, in the old courthouse in Sixmilebridge, while a comhrá group meets at the Mill Bar every Friday at 9pm.

The village will feature prominently when TG4 broadcasts the G-Team initiative in January over 10 weeks.

THE newly appointed director of Glór has said that Irish music will still play a key part in the future of the venue. Gemma Carcaterra was last week appointed as the new director of the centre, succeeding Katie Verling who has been suffering from ill health. Gemma, who was born in the UK but now lives in Clare, also hopes to have a large focus on local groups getting involved in hosting events in Glór.

“We have a great team here in Glór, with lots of strengths and lots of experience. The building here is amazing and is a unique selling point for Glór but there is also such a wealth of local groups and organisations that we can work with. We are looking to promote Glór as a venue for the county as well as locally here in Ennis,” said Gemma.

“Glór was built for the traditional arts and traditional music and that will be taken into account but it will be right across the board from music to theatre, children’s events, community arts and film. Glór has a great foundation. These are difficult times in the arts and everyone needs to look at streamlining but Glór is in a very good place to come through this recession in a strong position and grow after that. I have big shoes to fill and I will do my best to continue on the good work already done by Katie and Patricia.”

Later this year, Glór will celebrate its tenth birthday and a number of events are being planned to mark the occasion.

“We do turn 10 this November which shows longevity of the organisation. We will be celebrating the birthday throughout the month through a number of events and the programme that we have already planned,” continued Gemma. “I’m really looking forward to meeting all the local artists, musicians and organisations.”

A trained artist and designer, Gemma has worked with a wide variety of organisations including museums, galleries and design companies over the last 15 years. One of the highlights of her career to date was being part of the team who designed and delivered a number of exhibitions at the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich in London. She has been living in Clare since 2007 and worked with Daghdha Dance Company until earlier this year.

CLARE’S fastest growing primary school is still awaiting permanent accreditation from the Department of Education, despite being in operation for the last six years.

The Mol an Óige school in Ennistymon will become Ireland’s second Department of Educationrecognised Steiner school if it is granted permanent official recognition later this year.

The school has been operation with year-to-year accreditation for the last three years, which has hampered its efforts to make plans for the future, including for the purchase of a permanent school building.

INTO national president, Noreen Flynn, paid a visit to the school last week to show her support and to officially launch the new school website.

“We have recognition on a provisional basis which is extended year by year. We have had inspectors in from the department and a report has been done up and we are now coming to the end of the recognition process with the Department,” said principal Una Ní Gháirbhith.

“We are very hopeful that permanent recognition would be awarded at some stage this year. The big difference that that would make to us is that we could start looking at having our own school building because, at present, we are at a rented site in rented prefabs. The permanent building is the final piece in the jigsaw.”

Having formed with just 11 pupils in 2005, Mol an Óige now boasts 120 pupils with five classroom teachers and six auxiliary staff members.

“There have been a lot of cutbacks in education in recent times and we did take the opportunity to discuss with Noreen how cutbacks are affecting the school, and the future cutbacks which may be coming down the line,” continued Una.

“These cutback are really going to make a difference to schools all over the country. The problem is that more and more children are coming into the primary school system and, instead of increasing the number of teachers, they are looking at upping the pupil/teacher even more and cutting back in other areas.

“Li ke ever yone else in the countr y, we are just waiting to see how these new cuts will affect t he school. Increasing the st udent /teacher ratio by one st udent doesn’t seem li ke a lot but, when you consider the par ttime teachers and resource teachers who are also counted, it can quickly have a ver y big impact on schools.”

To view the new Mol an Óige website, visit www.steinermolanoigens. org.

THIRTY businesses and community groups exhibited at the launch of Clare Supported Employments’ 10year celebrations at the Temple Gate Hotel last Monday.

The event, which was supported by ACIST Skillnet, provided an op portunity for the public to learn more about local community groups and businesses and hear at first hand from employers who have successfully recruited through CSES and candidates/employees who have used the service to secure employment.

To mark the week of celebrations, the Clare Adult Guidance Service, Jobs Club and Patrick Mercie, Business Coach, held a series of workshops on career coaching, interview preparation, manual handling and training and education opportunities for adults. In addition, the service held open information sessions across the county. On Wednesday, CSES raised € 1,105 for Clare Crusaders at a fun table quiz at the Temple Gate Hotel.

CSES has built a strong reputation with Clare employers over the last decade. Team Leader Alice O’Carroll explained, “We have placed 26 people in employment in 2011 to the end of September. This is two more than the same time in 2010.”

Despite the current climate, placements have remained consistent since 2009. The service placed 34 people in 2009, plus an extra 19 people in short-term self-employment; 33 people were placed in 2010; and CSES expect to meet or exceed this figure in 2011.

Eilish Hatchett, with her husband Andrew, is currently setting up her business, The Pastry People, with the help of Clare Supported Employment Service.

In 2000, Eilish was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. A qualified chef, Eilish was 27 years old and had only just come back from Australia with Andrew. “I never thought I’d be diagnosed with MS, yet I wouldn’t be here today trying to start a new business if every moment before hadn’t happened exactly as it did,” says Eilish.

For further information on Clare Supported Employment Service, call 065 6844007 or email info@claresu pportedemployment.ie

CLARE looks set to have a tangible link to the next president of Ireland as a number of opinion polls place Michael D Higgins and Sean Gallagher in a two horse race for a seven year residency of Áras an Uachtaráin.

The current front runner, Sean Gallagher was officially nominated for president after he was given the backing by Clare County Council in September. More importantly for the Gallagher campaign was the backing of Clare County Council at a council meeting on June 20.

At this meeting, which was also addressed by fellow candidates David Norris and Mary Davis, as well as unsuccessful candidates Pat Jones and Ennis man Dermot Mulqueen, the councillors showed their intention to vote for Gallagher – even though they were not constitutionally allowed to support him at that time.

This proved a major boost for the Gallagher campaign and helped to make him a realistic candidate.

Newmarket native and current second favourite according to the polls, Michael D Higgins, also has impeccable Clare connections having spent much of his youth in the county and attended St Flannan’s Secondary School in Ennis. Higgins lived in Ballycar with his aunt and uncle for years during his youth and worked in Shannon before moving to Galway to attend university.

Should he be elected after Thursday’s poll, Mr Higgins will continue a long tradition of Clare presidents follow Michael Hillary and Eamon deValera who was first elected in Clare East in 1918 before representing the Clare constituency from 1922 until 1959.

Whoever is elected President this week, they will be a card carrying supporter of the Cliffs of Moher after the north Clare tourist centre confirmed that all seven candidates have officially pledged to back the final stages of the Cliffs bid to become one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

“We very much welcome the support of all of the Presidential candidates for the Cliffs of Moher. It is the only Irish entry in this world wide competition and has done tremendously well to make the shortlist from the initial 440 sites that competed,” said the Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pat Hayes (FF).

“We have been mounting a very strong campaign to secure one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature for Ireland and I am delighted that the next President has given full backing to the Cliffs of Moher.”

GARDAÍ in Clare are warning that they are cracking down on the circulation of illegal fireworks in the runup to Halloween.

Every year, various quantities of fireworks are seized and while the numbers seized in Clare this year are small, gardaí are warning of the dangers associated with them.

“There have been a couple of seizures. They are dangerous,” said the Clare Garda Division’s Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Joe Downey.

Operation Tombola, which targets the possession, use and sale or supply of illegal fireworks, kicked off last Thursday and will continue until next Tuesday.

As part of the nationwide initiative, gardaí can take measures to prevent the use of illegal fireworks.

“Misuse of fireworks can cause great injury and distress; annoyance to older persons; can cause stress to animals and can damage property by fire,” said Sgt Downey.

It is an offence to possess fireworks with intent to sell or supply to another; to throw an ignited firework at a person or property; to ignite a firework or cause it to be ignited.

On conviction, fines of up to € 2, 500 can be imposed in the district court, and/or six months in jail. Penalties are higher in higher courts.

Sgt Downey said that parents have a role to play to ensure that fireworks do not circulate.

“If you discover that your children have bangers or fireworks, please remove them and hand them into your local Garda station,” he said.

“Know where children are at all times and be even extra vigilant at this time of year. Ensure that your children are aware of the dangers associated with fireworks.

“Stay with your children and escort them on trick or treat visits, parties or events,” he added.

He is also urging parents to ensure that pets are kept indoors on Halloween night, which is next Monday.

Precautions should also be taken when lighting bonfires and people are urged to stay a safe distance from bonfires and fireworks. “Keep dangerous substances such as oil, petrol and diesel away from fires and fireworks,” he said. “Contact the local authority if you see a bonfire being built close to buildings, trees or overhead cables. If you see materials such as pallets or tyres being hoarded in advance, ring your local authority or garda station. Do not facilitate illegal bonfires or firework displays on or near your home or property,” added Sgt Downey.

AS NEW drink driving limits come into effect, gardaí in Clare are warning that they will be out in force this bank holiday weekend.

Drink driving, speeding and non wearing of seatbelts will be the main targets as members of the Clare Garda Division traffic corps set up random checkpoints all over the county.

From this Friday, October 28, the legal blood alcohol limit will be lowered from 80 mgms of alcohol per 100 mls of blood to 50 mgms of alcohol. Those found over the new limit will be given three penalty points and an on-the-spot fine of € 200.

Those found to be over the existing limit of 80 mgms will be automatically disqualified from driving for six months and fined € 400. The option of taking a fine and points rather than going to court can only be availed of once in a three-year period.

Those who drive for a living and learner drivers will be subject to a ‘virtually zero’ limit of 20 mgms per 100mls of blood. Those caught over the limit will be disqualified for three months and fined € 200.

Experts say the only way people can guarantee not being over the new limits is not to drink and drive.

The head of the Clare Garda Division, Inspector John Galvin said the limits are “being reduced dramatically”. He said that Garda presence will be visible during the bank holiday weekend.

“Expect to see us. We will be out in force. We will have random checkpoints throughout the county. Expect to be stopped,” he said.

Inspector Galvin is advising car owners to ensure their vehicles are in good working order during the winter, when road conditions deteriorate.

“Coming into the winter is the time to get the car checked. Make sure it is mechanically sound. Check the tyres, lights and wipers. There are slippery road conditions, high winds and rain. Adjust speed accordingly. The advice for pedestrians and cyclists is to light up and keep in,” he said.

He is also advising joggers to run on footpaths and not on the roads.

So far this year, two people have been killed on the county’s roads – a driver and a pedestrian. While gardaí welcome the reduction in fatalities, they say that “it is two too many”.

“While the figures are down, we don’t want to become complacent,” said Inspector Galvin.

THE Save Ennistymon’s Heritage group say they will use similar tactics to those used by the West Coast Surf Club should a Part 8 planning permission be granted to demolish the historic listed buildings at Blakes Corner in Ennistymon.

Members of the West Coast Surf Club last month halted the development by Clare County Council of a new pier in Doolin by using a Bord Pleanála regulation to force the local authority to commission an Environment Impact Statement (EIS) for the project.

It was only the fourth time in the history of the state that this method was used to overturn a Part 8 planning permission and has resulted in major delays in the construction of the pier and ensured that entire project will have to go before the planning board again before it can be officially ratified.

“We are looking at a variety of options open to us at the moment. Part 8 planning means that the council can proceed with the demolition of the iconic and listed Blakes Corner without any reference to any external body. Further to this no appeal can be made to an mBord Pleanála,” said Denis Vaughan of Save Ennistymon’s Heritage.

“We are receiving legal advice on this but we are encouraged by recent events at Doolin Pier where a Part 8 was successfully overturned.

“We consider this move excessive and undemocratic and stinks of dic- tatorship. Why don’t the council proceed with the normal planning process? What are they trying to hide in not publishing the Southgate Report on Blakes Corner?”

A consultant’s report was completed on the development earlier this year but it is still unclear whether Clare County Council intend to circulate the findings of that report to its elected members before a Part 8 planning application comes before the council.

It is likely that the elected mem- bers of Clare County Council will be asked to vote on the Part 8 planning permission at the December or January meeting of Clare County Council.

Local councillor Bill Slattery (FG) yesterday called for a speedy resolution to the impasse at Blakes Corner.

“Whatever decision is reached by Clare County Council, I would like to see a resolution brought to the very serious health and safety risk and the traffic gridlock that these two buildings are causing for pedestrians, mo- torists and school children who are crossing the road at this dangerous junction,” said Cllr Slattery.

A spokesperson from Clare County Council said that it was up to “Save Ennistymon Heritage and the public in general to decide how they wish to react to proposals or decisions made and put into the public arena in relation to Blakes Corner”.

The spokesperson also confirmed that Clare County Council has not yet made any application in relation to Blakes Corner.

A NEW secondary school through the medium of Irish has moved much closer to reality, following last Thursday’s announcement of a major capital investement in Ennis Community College. The Clare People has learned that the building programme at Ennis Community College, details of which were reavealed at October monthly meeting of Clare VEC, is set to pave the way to incorporate a new premises for Gaelcholáiste an Chláir.

Since Gaelcholáiste an Chláir was established in 1993 it has been part of the community college but now the green light for new building programme, in tandem with overwhelming support from the public for the development of second level education throught Irish, is being held up as major step forward.

“This major announcement of a 2800 sq m development is great news for Ennis Community College,” said college chairman Dónal Ó hAiniféin, “but it is also brilliant news for Gaelcholáiste an Chláir as the development of new facilities will enable the school to access the sort of facilities it needs to develop.

“This will be a purpose-built facility and Gaelcholáiste an Chláir will have access to the state of the art facilities that it needs,” added the chairman of Ennis Community College.

These words have been echoed by Ennis Community College principal, Matt Power, who said that the new developement announcement is “a vote of confidence in the vocational education system, while the new facility will be able “to provide all the resources that Ghaelcholáiste an Chláir needs”.

The annnouncement, which will see the new school facilities developed by the September 2014 school year comes on the back on the publication of findings of a major survey which investigated the demand for second level education through Irish in Ennis.

Key figures contained in the report secured by The Clare People showed that 88 per cent of the 854 respondents to the survey “agreed or agreed strongly that Irish medium education should be available at second level”, while 69 per cent of survey participants said that Gaelcholáiste an Chláir would move to its own campus.

These report was commissioned by Clare VEC in January when it “appointed an independent external consultant to conduct a survey to assess the demand for second-level education entirely through the medium of Irish in Clare and to inform future planning and options for Gaelcholáiste an Chláir”.

As part of the process participants were asked their views on whether the Gaelcholáiste “should establish independent status and move to its own campus”, or whether the school “should remain as it is, operating within Ennis Community College”.

“There was clear evidence from respondents’ comments that more parents will be encouraged to enroll their children in Gaelcholáiste an Chláir if it can provide full immersion education and establish its own ethos and identity,” the report says.

“In 2006, Limerick VEC established a very successful standalone independent Gaelcholáiste. Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh began with 30 pupils and now attracts over 100 applications annually and has an intake of 80.”