Month: March 2012

THE loss of the Sky Ride Etape Hibernia cycling race has been described as a “devastating blow” for the Clare tourism and cycling sectors.

The event, which has generated more then € 2 million for the local economy over the past two years, will not take place this year after race organisers, IMG Challenger World, decided to end their involved with the race.

The event attracted more then 3,000 cycling enthusiasts to Clare over the past two years with stars such as Irish cycling legend Sean Kelly and British Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis taking part.

According to Patrick O’Donoghue of the Burren Cycling Club, a new event should be organised to fill the gap left by the Etape.

“|t is a devastating loss for the Clare cycling community but it is more of a loss for everyone involved in tourism in the county,” he told The Clare People .

“What we need now is for Shannon Development and Clare County Council to come together with the Clare cycling clubs and between us we can come up with an event to take its place and build on the momentum which has been built up over the past two years.”

These sentiments were echoed by Shannon Development’s Tourism Marketing Manager, Paul Ryan.

“We are disappointed with the news that IMG Challenger World will no longer be involved with the event. However, Shannon Develop- ment and Clare County Council will work with the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau to secure a similar cycle event for the county,” he said.

“We understand that IMG Challenger World, although acknowledging that the event attracted significant numbers of cyclists and their families to Clare, felt the number of participants didn’t reach their projected levels and therefore was not commercially viable for IMG.

“The 2010 Lonely Planet Travel Guide named County Clare in the top 10 super cycling routes in the world. This is testament to the amount of work that has gone into the development of the tourism cycling product in the region in recent times. We will continue to build on the county’s growing reputation as a cycling destination.”

In August of 2010 the inaugural Sky Ride Etape Hibernia became Ireland’s first ever closed road mass participation cycling event. A similar event organised by IMG in Scotland attracts more than 5,000 participants each year.

THERE are more Clare people attending the private Galway Clinic in the last year than ever before, despite six per cent of Irish people giving up health insurance.

The Banner county has surpassed Mayo in providing the clinic’s second largest number of patients, now making up 16 per cent of the hospital population. In 2008, at the peak of health insurance ownership, just 12 per cent of the hospital’s patients were from Clare.

Asked why 4,426 Clare people opted for the services of the Galway Clinic in 2011, Business Development Manager Mark Sheehan said the main reason was its locality but the reduction of health services in the area also played a major factor.

“Many of the 4,426 patients were seen at our Emergency Department which has extended its hours of service now daily from 10am to 7pm,” he said. 24-hour accident and emergency services at Ennis General Hospital closed in April 2009, and acute services were later moved to the Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick.

Mr Sheehan said that demand for cancer services in the west also far outstrips supply, so when the hospital opened its new unit, beds filled up immediately. “In 2009, we expended the range of cancer care services available at the Galway Clinic. This expansion comprised of a new linear accelerator for the provision of radiotherapy, a new oncology day unit and two new inpatients wings comprising of 46 beds. The new floors were im mediately full.”

People are also staying longer at the private hospital, with the average stay increased from 3.6 days to 4.3 days. The extended stay is due to an increase in the range of treatments and diagnosis.

The numbers of surgical cases performed in the Galway Clinic has seen a slight decrease, which can be attributed to the cessation of the NTPF (National Treatment Purchase Fund), according to Mr Sheehan.

“With occupancy levels of 91 per cent last year, the fall off in surgery has not impacted the demand for services. We are currently developing a new multi-storey car park, which will be complete by December 2012. We are also considering building a whole new accommodation wing comprising of approximately 70 single rooms and a new 20-bed ICU department,” said Mr Sheehan.

And while the Galway clinic is looking to expand, Irish health insurers are slow to reveal a county-bycounty break down of the number of people cancelling their insurance.

George Field from VHI told The Clare People that the state-supported health insurer could not reveal the exact number of people from Clare that discontinued their insurance due to commercial sensitivities, but the number was down.

UP TO 50 councillors past and present formed a guard of honour on Saturday night to bid farewell to one of the former first citizens of Clare.

Former chairman of Clare County Council Seán Hillery had passed away on Thursday morning following a short illness, and thousands gathered in Shannon over the weekend to pay tribute to the former Fianna Fáil councillor.

Born in Miltown Malbay, he took a number of odd jobs after graduating from St Flannan’s College in Ennis, before moving back to his native town to take up a position in the West Clare pharmacy.

After serving two years in the working pharmacy, Seán went to university in Dublin and qualified as a pharmacist in 1963.

He then moved to Sixmilebridge and opened a pharmacy there.

After a number of years he relocated with his family to Shannon where he opened two new pharmacies.

A community activist, Mr Hillery was elected to Clare County Council in 1985 and served as a councillor and as chairman at different intervals until 2004.

He served on Shannon Town Council from 1994 to 2009.

The 76-year-old was also the first Chairperson of the Clare County Development Board and was President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) between 1982 and 1984.

Mr Hillery was a first cousin of former President of Ireland Dr Patrick Hillery and serving Clare County Councillor Michael Hillery (FF). Cllr Michael Hillery described Seán as a man that was very active and full of energy.

“He had great foresight and vision. Years back in the council he was talking about Radon gas in houses and the dangers before anyone else was. He was ahead of his time.”

Cllr Michael Hillery also paid tribute to the late pharmacist’s love of his native Miltown Malbay. “He came back whenever he could,” he said.

Sean Hillery was a keen sportsman, having played football with Miltown and was involved in one of the team’s last county final wins.

A strong swimmer, he served as a lifeguard in Spanish Point in his early years, and continued to be involved with water, boating and swimming.

He was also a keen golfer and enjoyed the social interaction of the sport.

Mayor of Clare Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) paid tribute to his dedication to elected politics and said, “Sean was well known and respected throughout Shannon and the wider county. He also was held in high esteem by colleagues as evidenced by his election as President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland.”

Clare County Manager Tom Coughlan added, “Sean was a very popular public representative who will be remembered by those who knew him for his work ethic, humility and sense of humour. The fact that he held the office of Mayor in both Shannon Town Council and Clare County Council is something I know both he and his family were very proud of.”

Sean was predeceased by his wife Paula, and is survived by his sons Barry, Feidlim and Shane and his daughter Majella.

INJECTIONS, finger pricking, and measuring carbohydrate intake could be a thing of the past for 300 adults and children from Clare with type one diabetes, as progress in made on research into an artificial pancreas.

Latest developments in the area have given new hope to the 300 Clare people, and the findings of the latest research will be presented to those from the county with diabetes on Tuesday next, March 27.

While many Clare patients are still waiting to be fitted with the most up- to-date treatment form – an insulin pump, the new artificial pancreases, which would make life easier for those with diabetes, could be available within the next decade.

The long-sought system will be made up of insulin pumps and glucose sensors that deliver insulin to diabetics, mimicking the function of a real pancreas.

“While the current state of insulin replacement therapy is appreciated for its life-saving capability, the task of manually managing the blood sugar levels with insulin alone is arduous and inadequate. The goal of the artificial pancreas is to improve insu- lin replacement therapy so that blood glucose control is practically normal and to ease the burden of therapy for the patient with type 1 diabetes,” explained Gráinne Flynn, Secretary of the Diabetes Ireland Clare Branch.

Cambridge University researcher Janet Allen, who is working on the Artificial Pancreas Project, will be among the speakers. The Artificial Pancreas Project focuses on developing an artificial pancreas system, which hopes to solve one particular aspect of living with type 1 diabetes – controlling glucose levels overnight. The team at Cambridge are developing a system that would be able to take over managing insulin delivery at bedtime and will keep the glucose levels in check until the patient wakes up in the morning. They are also working towards getting a system ready for families to test out at home.

Organised by Diabetes Ireland Research Alliance (DIRA) in association with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) the meeting will take place in The Greenhills Hotel next Tuesday at 7.30pm during which the public can hear from the experts on the latest cutting edge type 1 diabetes research and how to help find a cure.

THE local community in North Clare will come together next month to undertake the biggest independent tourism launch in the history of the county. Six community-run festivals, which has a combined benefit to the local economy of more then € 10 million, will be launched at the Aillwee Caves on April 13.

The “Super Launch” which is being co-ordinated by the Ballyvaughan Community Development Group, will include six existing and new local festivals, which will bring thousands of tourist to the area this year.

Included in the launch will be the month-long Burren in Bloom Festival, which takes place in May; the Clare Burren Marathon; the Tour de Burren cycling event; the newly revived Ballyvaughan Races; The Burren Law School and the Féile Na Samhradh weekend, which will take place in June.

“This shows you what can happen when small dedicated groups in a villages come together, instead of people going off and doing their own thing. When people work together it works out much better for the village and nobody is clashing,” said Patrick O’Donoghue of the Ballyvaughan Community Development Group.

“When you put all of these together it really is an impressive collection of events. This is about coming together for one big launch, and then each group is free to get down to the real business of organising their own event. This is a way for us to showcase the area in one big event. We want to create something different, something unique. There is a lot going on in Ballyvaughan and we want to show that to people.”

The Ballyvaughan Community Development Group would like to invite other local groups to become involved in the event.

“We want to make this launch into a really big event. This is our chance to showcase the village and what is has and to show that the village is working together. It is not about splinter groups. We want to show that we can work together and put on several events properly,” continued Patrick.

A FINAL exhibition of work by Roma families living in Clare will take place next month at Ennis Community College.

Clare Family Learning Project will welcome its Turkish partners for the final meeting and exhibition of families participating in the EU Comenius Regio Project.

The project has been successful in engaging Czech and Slovak families living in Ennis in a number of classes. In total, 42 adults are currently attending a number of classes including family music, family cookery and health and exercise with the Clare Family Learning Project.

Some of the participants have now moved onto more formal learning with workplace education and English language classes. Schools who are partners have now moved onto more formal learning with workplace education and English language classes. According to those involved in the project, schools that are partners have mentioned improved attendance by children of those parents. The exhibition takes place at Ennis Community College on April 30 and May 1.

A new booklet aimed at helping Czech and Slovak children to adapt to the Irish education system was launched in Ennis last September.

‘Helping Children To Do Well in School’ is collaboration between the Clare Family Learning Project, Ennis Educate Together School, Ennis Community College and Clare Immigrant Support Centre.

The views of Czech and Slovak parents with children attending Ennis Community College and Ennis Educate Together were sought during the preparation of the booklet, which received funding from the European Union’s Comenius Regio Project.

The Ennis project is twinned with a similar EU initiative in Aydin, Turkey.

The Clare Family Learning Project was developed by Clare VEC’s, Clare Adult Basic Education Service. The project provides support to parents helping their children’s literacy and numeracy skills.

A DREAM come true is how a Barefield pre-third level student described his experience of an all-expenses trip to Hong Kong last year.

In the meantime, Dan Hassett of Trinaderry was also awarded the President of Ireland’s bronze medal.

That accolade was achieved through a multi-activity programme which included community involvement working with inter-cultural youth groups, personal skills development with a voluntary network, physical recreation programme and an ad- venture journey which took him to the summit of Croagh Patrick and a 40km two-day cycle in Mayo also.

Dan was the first ever learner in the Youthreach Programme delivered by County Clare Vocational Education Committee in its Adult & Community Education Centre in Ennis to undertake a Gaisce award attempt.

Not alone is he now going for the silver level of the Gaisce awards but, by virtue of his exemplary success, the entire group of Youthreach learners in Ennis has begun to take part in the elementary level of the Gaisce adventure. Example is everything, it shows.

The Youthreach learners will, among other things, be out to match the achievements of students of St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart, who can boast a remarkable series of successes in Gaisce awards for several years.

Dan Hassett, son of Winnie and Brendan and sibling of five sisters and four brothers, put in for the trip to China after Eddie Keane, co-ordinator of the Ennis Youthreach Programme, indicated to his students that EIL Ireland was seeking four Youthreach applicants to join with an equal number from mainstream schools to sample what was on offer.

“My jaw dropped when I got a reply saying my essay application had been short-listed,” recalls Dan.

He will be forever grateful for the opportunity afforded by EIL Ireland, the learning organisation based in Cork. This is a not-for-profit body promoting relations through a range of cultural, educational and voluntary activities. Dan’s particular project is run in association with Hong Kong Commission on Youth.

“A truly life-changing experience I will never forget began on 9 August,” recalls Dan. “I had never seen a place like Hong Kong whose buildings are to close that all seem to be high-rise, apparently reaching the sky and going on for miles and million.”

Eddie Keane looks on Dan’s experience as a great honour for the Youthreach Programme and all associated with it in Ennis. Undoubtedly, he adds, it was a wonderful experience for someone never outside Ireland before. “Dan had to be admired for taking the challenge on board by virtue of the mentoring system in place in the Youthreach Programme,” he adds.

THE County Final of the Student Enterprise Awards supported by Clare County Enterprise Board was held in the West County Hotel, Ennis, on the March 8 last.

According to Sinéad Dixon of Clare County Enterprise Board, this year the county final has been a huge success with 260 students participating on 62 projects. The mentor visits provided by the County Enterprise Board for each team to work with a business consultant to help with their mini-company has also proven very beneficial to students getting their business plans completed. Sinéad said she was delighted to see so many innovative and good business ideas being showcased. Clare County Enterprise Board aims to foster and develop enterprise awareness among secondary school students and to use the experience of setting up and running an enterprise as the primary means of learning about self-employment as a career option – she said that speaking to some of the young entrepreneurs she was very impressed with the confidence, enthusiasm and business acumen displayed by the students. According to Sinead, participation in the Student Enterprise Awards Programme is a great learning opportunity for students as they gain invaluable, on the ground experience outside of the conventional classroom environment. The role of the teacher involved is also of great importance.

Clare County Enterprise Board sponsored all of the prizes at the event. The awards were adjudicated on by Seamus O’Sullivan and John Quinlivan, Business Consultants; Mary Rogers, Enterprise Ireland and Eoin Tynan O’Mahony, Manager of Plato Mid West. The first prize winners of the junior and senior categories will go on to represent Clare in the National Final of the Student Enterprise Awards, which takes place in Croke Park Dublin on April 18. For more information on the awards or on other services being offered by Clare County Enterprise Board contact Sinéad Dixon, Clare County Enterprise Board, Enterprise House, Mill Road, Ennis, by telephone at 065 6841922 or by email- ing sdixon@clareceb.ie. Winners on the day included: Junior Category Winner – First place went to Knot Me from St Anne’s, Killaloe; second place went to Green Lights from St Anne’s, Killaloe; and third went to Festive Fun, also from St Anne’s in Killaloe. Senior Category Winner First place was awarded to Inky Pinky from Colaiste Muire, Ennis; second to Rí Rá from Scariff Community College; third went to Vege Box from St Anne’s, Killaloe. The special award for Business Plan was awarded to Beatz, Colaiste Muire, Ennis, while the special award for Best Stand Presentation went to Fusion from St Joseph’s in Tulla. The special award for Innovative Concept was awarded to Communiflash, St. Patrick’s Comprehensive in Shannon. Teachers Draw went to Michele O’Sulluvan from St Joseph’s, Tulla.

AMATEUR dramatics are alive and well in Clare, as groups from the county won out at the prestigious West Clare Drama Festival.

The Doonbeg Drama Group won the confined section on their home turf, while Corofin Dramatic Society was equally successful in the hotly contested open section.

As well as winning the overall confined section of the festival, Doonbeg also won three subcategories for its performance of Conor McPherson’s play ‘The Weir’.

Mark May won the best actor accolade for his performance as Jack, while his co-star Ken Blowers was announced as Best Supporting Actor when adjudicator Myles Purcell made his decision known.

The play’s producer Mary J Egan was also honoured on the night.

The Amphitheatre Company from Kilkee also did well at the Doonbeg festival.

The group came third in the confined section for its production ‘Agnes of God’.

Kilkee’s Emer Gleeson also won the best category award for her portrayal of Agnes in the play.

Schull Drama Group came second with its production ‘The Birthday Party’ and the group’s Joan Giller won Best Actress for her role as Meg.

As well as winning the open section for ‘The Subject was Roses’, Corofin Dramatic Society also secured the Best Producer award, when John Clancy was declared the Overall Winner.

The group’s Maura Clancy was also named Best Actress for her role as Nettie Cleary, with James Raleigh declared Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Timmy Cleary.

Last year’s All Ireland winners Kilmeen Drama Group came second in the open section for its production of ‘The Weir’.

While Nenagh Players came third in the category with their play ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’, it also succeeded in winning the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress awards.

Kevin Walshe won Best Actor for his Dr Jekyll while talented young actress Jenny Bracken won Best Supporting Actress for Elizabeth Jelkes.

The adjudicator Mr Purcell also awarded Doonbeg for producing the most entertaining play; Helen Aherne from Brideview Drama Group for the best comedy moment; and named Bridget Keaveney from Garrymore Drama Group as the most promising actor. Best Set went to Nenagh Players, as did Best Lighting Effect.

AN EMERGING writer from Shannon was the toast of the Clare diaspora in New York and the families of victims of 9/11 after her play ‘Liberty’s Ladder’ hit the Broadway stage as part of the St Patrick’s festival weekend.

Kelly O’Keeffe and the cast of ‘Liberty’s Ladder’, which includes John Higgins, a brother of the President of Ireland, were honoured at a number of functions after the play was performed in the Stage Left Studio off Broadway and Rory Dolan’s in Yonkers.

The play, which commemorates 9/11 and Ireland’s links with America, was written by 31-year old O’Keeffe 10 years after her own brush with 9/11 – she was on her way for breakfast in the Windows of the World restaurant at the World Trade Centre when the first plane hit plane hit.

“It was a very special moment for the cast as they met family members directly impacted by 9/11 and the loss of so many people,” Kelly told The Clare People . “They were really moved by the play and thanked me and the cast for the moving tribute. Teresa Mullan, the mother of Michael Mullan, presented a memorial patch to us as a token of her appreciation.

“Rosaleen Tallon, sister of Sean Tallon, a firefighter lost in 9/11, invited us for dinner in Yonkers and we used Sean’s Ladder 10 firefighter helmet for the performances in New York. There were people in the audience who had been in America 55 years; others, like Denis Meehan, had travelled 150 miles from upstate New York.

“New York Irish DJ Tony Fallon, members of Clare County Council and the Mayor of Clare, Pat Hayes, who have supported the project from the start, paid tribute to all involved and made a moving tribute to family members of those lost in 9/11,” she added.