Month: June 2012

THE Office of Public Works (OPW) has been urged to leave the historic 13th-century Ennis Friary visible to the public when it closes for winter.

The Friary, which had been closed to the public for three years to facilitate restoration works, re-opened last week.

Ennis Friary is open daily from 10am to 6pm up to October 31. The last admission is 45 minutes before closing. Public car and coach parking facilities are provided close to the site. A visitor leaflet providing background to the Friary has been translated from English into Irish, French, German, Italian and Spanish and is available on site.

The purpose of the estimated € 100,000 works project is to provide protection for the collection of carved features which survive at Ennis Friary.

A roof has been installed over the 18th-century church in order to pro- vide protection for the collection of carved features, which survive at Ennis Friary.

The OPW also plans to improve visitor access at the site.

Authorities on medieval sculpture have highlighted the importance of the Friary’s unique collection, which contains a complete set of panels representing the 12 apostles and stages of the Passion of Christ.

One Ennis man, whose father kept the keys of the Friary at his nearby business on Abbey Street, welcomed the re-opening but urged the OPW not to repeat the mistakes of previous years.

Cllr Tony Mulqueen (FG) said, “I spoke to the OPW and I asked them not to put up those horrible hoarding boards that were up for the past few years. Everyday, particularly during the summer, you could see tourists standing outside trying to get a look in. It was a disgrace because this is one of the town’s main tourist attractions.”

Cllr Mulqueen added, “It’s a relief to have it open again but I’m not sure about the timber frames they have around the windows. I think it would have looked better if they’d been toned down a bit to blend in with the rest of the building. But I’m delighted it is open.”

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Peter Considine (FF) said, “I would encourage anyone interested in discovering more about the origins and early days of Clare’s county capital to pay a visit to the Friary during the summer months.”

REGINA House has been embracing all that is positive about aging for 40 years. This weekend staff, residents and their families celebrated the service the Community Nursing Unit, Residential and Day Care Services have provided in Kilrush and West Clare for four decades.

The building on the Cooraclare Road began life as a welfare home in 1973, the first of its kind in the country.

It provided care to people who were mobile but in need of a little care so that they could live independent lives.

As the years passed, so too did the needs of the residents and the community and, subsequently, the role of Regina House also changed.

Today, the unit provides 30 beds for long-stay residents.

It also provides two outreach palliative care beds for Milford Hospice.

The attached day care centre provides a get-together and facilities for older people from Loophead to Lissycasey and from Labasheeda to Quilty.

When the centre is not in use at the weekends, it becomes a treatment room for the out-of-hours GP service Shannon Doc.

The community physiotherapist is also based there, with carers groups using it at night for meetings and training exercises.

On Saturday last, the 40-plus staff, along with residents, service users and their families, celebrated Regina House’s 40th anniversary.

Following an address by Director of Nursing Anne McNamara, a cake was cut to commemorate the day by John Woulfe, the longest resident; Mary O’Dwyer, who has just recently retired from Regina House after 37 years; and Mary Hassett, the longest serving member of staff.

The party organised by the Health Promotion and Standards Group, with the support of the staff and the director of nursing, included a blessing by Fr Sheedy PP followed by refreshments and entertainment by local schools, the community and family members of former residents.

While those present were celebrating 40 years of change at the HSErun Regina House, they were also celebrating a philosophy that has remained constant – “to embrace a positive approach to flourishing in later life”.

“We promote independence, health and well being and we aim to provide a safe therapeutic environment where privacy, dignity and confidentiality are respected,” the HSE said of the home.

IN A WEEK when the retail and motor trade were severely hit in the county, there was good news for the hotels industry.

As many as 170 jobs were saved when the Clare Inn hotel was purchased for what is believed to be more than € 1.8 million by Dromoland Castle Hotel.

The value of the Clare purchase was further compounded by the interest in the 188-bedroom hotel from the time it went on sale.

Selling agents Savills Commercial said there was a lot of interest from home and abroad in the 8. 5 hectareor 21-acre site.

“An asking price of under the million mark would have drawn a lot of people to put an interest forward,” said a spokeswoman for the company.

In the end, Dromoland Castle Hotel paid just over twice the asking price of € 900,000.

The three-star hotel, which was owned by the Lynch Group, went into examinership in July 2009.

It first opened for trade in 1968, with 123 guest bedrooms. In the 1990s, it extended to 183 bedrooms and has an extensive range of facilities.

Now Dromoland Castle plans to develop its new sister hotel even further. Between € 250,000 and € 500,000 is expected to be spent on the refurbishment of the Clare Inn.

Each hotel will continue to trade separately and serve distinct markets, but the informal relationship between the neighbouring hotels, which has existed for years, will likely become more structured.

Dromoland Castle Hotel continues to be one of the most successful in the county, with latest accounts showing that it had accumulated profits of € 11 million at the end of 2010, with net assets totalling € 21.7 million.

THE owners of a missing ferret in Ennis say they have been plagued by pranksters since they launched a poster campaign to find the animal.

Daniel Drzeweecke and his girlfriend have appealed for help from people in Ennis to help find their pet ferret – Ceara – who has been missing in the town for the past two weeks.

Daniel says the couple has received numerous helpful phonecalls from members of the public.

However, pranksters have rung the couple with false sightings. They also received a call from a person who claimed they had found their beloved pet dead.

Daniel explains, “We have got many different phonecalls, some prank calls. Sometimes it’s a joke or a prank.

“Once somebody called and said they had found the ferret dead. But it was actually only an old piece of clothing, a piece from a jacket.”

Ceara, who is microchipped, has been missing for the past two weeks since getting free while being brought for a walk near a fountain in the Mill Road area of Ennis.

The couple are asking anyone who sees Ceara not to be afraid to approach her.

Alternatively, they can contact Daniel on 085 1465752, Julija on 085 1316651, Egle on 085 1315841 or any local vet, pet shop or dog pound. Daniel says that any information is useful.

The couple have had Ceara for three years.

According to Daniel, ferrets are an increasingly popular pet.

Daniel has not given up hope of finding his ferret.

He explains, “I was talking to some other ferret owners and they say that ferrets go missing a lot.

“One person told me that their ferret was missing for a month before they found it again. They enjoy their freedom.

“They are not really a pet. They are able to live outdoors and kill their own food. She can handle the outdoors.” AS the switch to digital television gets closer, SAORVIEW targets half a million affected homes with onscreen message across RTÉ One, RTÉ Two, TG4 and TV3. Latest figures show there are 491,000 households with an estimated 800,000 television sets in Ireland that must switch to digital to avoid blank screens when the old analogue signal is switched off on October 24th, 2012. Starting this week, in a drive to ensure that affected homes know how to respond to the changeover, a brief on-screen message will appear at regular but infrequent intervals on sets receiving the old analogue TV signal. The message does not appear on sets already receiving a digital television signal. Almost a million households already subscribe to a digital service and therefore need take no action unless they choose to switch to the free SAORVIEW service. Commenting on the reason behind the on-screen caption, Mary Curtis, Director of Digital Switchover, SAORVIEW said: “Understandably, lots of people have been asking how they will know if they must get ready for SAORVIEW and digital television. The answer is straightforward. If you have an old analogue television and aerial, you will need to convert to digital otherwise you will lose your free Irish channels next October. By transmitting this message periodically on analogue sets, we hope to prompt viewers to take taking action sooner rather than later. SAORVIEW is available now so we are advising those affected not to wait until the last minute particularly as upgrading to RTÉ Two HD (High Definition) will make sports viewing more pleasurable this summer”, said Curtis.

The on-screen caption gives viewers the basic information they need to get SAORVIEW. As most will already have a UHF aerial, they simply need a SAORVIEW Approved settop box or a SAORVIEW Approved TV (which has the digital tuner built in). The caption also directs analogue viewers to the SAORVIEW website and call centre if they have any questions about getting SAORVIEW. Once sets have been upgraded to receive SAORVIEW, viewers can sit back and continue to enjoy Irish TV for free.

In addition to the caption, a date reminder “bug” will appear on these same TV sets. In welcoming this initiative Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, said “The ‘bug’ which those still using the analogue TV network see on the top left corner of their TV screens will appear until they switch to a digital TV network will allow us to make it very clear to them that they need to take action and change to a digital TV service if they are to avoid losing their TV signal on Wednesday 24th October. Along with the information booklet which will be delivered to every home in the country at the end of June, the introduction of the ‘bug’ to analogue TV screens is an important part of our communications campaign to encourage people to get informed and take action. These initiatives, along with the decision by RTE, TG3 and TG4 to introduce reminder captions to analogue TV viewers, will serve to remind people that they need to move to a digital TV service of their choosing in advance of Wednesday October 24th and that they can take action now. We hope that analogue TV viewers will understand the reasons for the introduction of these devices and that it will prompt them take action sooner, rather than later”.

The date reminder in the top lefthand corner of the screen will be permanently on screen in the countdown to analogue switchover date, October 24th.

HISTORY was made in Ballyvaughan yesterday as passengers from both sides of Galway Bay travelled between Ballyvaughan and Galway city centre in minutes on the first sailing of the Ballyvaughan Bay Hop.

The fast ferry made the crossing in perfect conditions with everyone present adamant that they would use the service into the future.

Present on the 12.30pm crossing was Mary Unglert from Unglert’s Bakery in Ennistymon, who went to Galway for the day for a spot of shopping with her mother and daughter.

“This is a service that is definitely needed and a permanent link from Ballyvaughan to Galway would be great. With the business that I am in, we wouldn’t need to use it but for anyone who is commuting from Clare to Galway, this is ideal. This can also help to bring more tourists from Galway into Clare,” she said.

“I’m not worried about getting seasick, we’re on ferries and boats the whole time and we like going out to Doolin from the Aran Islands so there’ll be no problem with that.”

Doolin resident Dolores Delaney is hopeful that the Ballyvaughan Bay Hop will be made into a full-time, year-round service.

“I have been waiting for this to happen for years and years. I think it’s wonderful. My husband and myself are going to have a bit of lunch in Galway, do some shopping, have a little walk around – then we are coming back on the 6pm boat,” she said.

“This is a great way of beating the traffic. Sometimes it can take us more than two hours to get from Doolin to Galway. I can guarantee that I would use this service at least once a week, maybe even more.”

There was also some exciting news from Dave Brocklebank from the Burren Yoga Centre, who believes that he can incorporate the Ballyvaughan Bay Hop into the yoga packages that he offers through his business.

“We run yoga courses all year around and, as part of that, we take people on different trips. For us, this would be a fantastic thing, to be able to take people over to Galway city as part of their course,” said Dave.

“We would be able to support the service but, more than that, this surface would help to support our busi- ness, by providing another attraction to bring people to the Burren Yoga Centre.”

The Ballyvaughan Bay Hop is the brainchild of Ballyvaughan resident Gwen Ryan, who is hopeful that a full-time, year round service will be available soon.

“I am thrilled that this is happening. It is brilliant to see the positivity of everyone around here. The response has been so encouraging. This really does present so many opportunities for the area,” said Gwen.

For more information or to book, visit www.ballyvaughanbayhop.com.

ENNIS Chamber of Commerce has warned local businesses to be extremely cautious when advertising in publications that they are not familiar with and to do their research before placing any advertising.

The warning comes following a disagreement between three Clare businesses and a UK-based publications company over advertisements published in the ‘Friend for Life’ magazine.

The local businesses claim that they were sold the advertisements under false pretenses by the Vision Group, who publish the magazine. The Vision Group however, claim that the advertisements were sold to the Clare businesses legally and in good faith.

According to Rita McInerney of the Ennis Chamber of Commerce, proper research is the key for ensuring that Clare businesses get the most out of their advertising budget.

“Ennis Chamber would advise any business considering advertising with a publication that they are not familiar with to exercise caution. Businesses should ensure that it is a legitimate business and conduct a background check through some research on the internet or by requesting a company registration certificate or a charity number and then verify this with the authorising organisation,” she said.

“Dun and Bradstreet offers a credit check service on any business world- wide at a reduced fee through Ennis Chamber, which is worthwhile when considering doing business with a company you a not familiar with.

“This is particularly relevant for international trade, where business legislation can differ from country to country and it is more difficult to find out information. Businesses need to advertise to ensure their customers know what they have to offer but such marketing has to be conducted in a targeted way and businesses should investigate to ensure that the advertising does actually reach the audience to which it is intended,” she said.

“With tight budgets, businesses have to receive the most return on investment when marketing their products and services.”

LONG serving Fianna Fáíl councillor Peter Considine was last night elected Mayor of Ennis.

It is the seventh time Cllr Considine has held the office having last been elected mayor in 2008.

He beat off competition from Fine Gael councillor Johnny Flynn at the council’s AGM. He replaces outgoing Mayor, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind), who held the chain of office for the past 12 months. Cllr Considine was proposed as mayor by Cllr Frankie Neylon and seconded by Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind).

Cllr Flynn was proposed by Cllr Paul O’Shea (Lab) and seconded by Cllr Mary Howard (FG).

Councillors Neylon, Considine Brennan, Brian Meaney (GP) and Guilfoyle voted for Cllr Considine.

Councillors O’Shea, Howard, Flynn and Mary Coote Ryan (FG) voted for Cllr Flynn.

Cllr Considine urged members to be conscious of economic circumstances of the council. He added, “Local authorities don’t escape the austerities that are around.”

He added, “I would urge all councillors to temper their expectations with the resources of the council in mind.”

However he said progress could be expected on certain projects including the completion of the Inner Relief Road and the development of new facilities for Tim Smythe Park.

On the future of local government, Cllr Considine said, “We would expect rather than hope that Ennis Town Council would be left to administer services in Ennis. It would be shocking if Ennis were left as a sub-committee of Clare County Council.” Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) was elected as Deputy Mayor ahead of Cllr Mary Howard (FG), Cllr Brennan was proposed by Cllr Guilfoyle while Cllr Howard was proposed by Cllr O’Shea.

Prior to the election of the deputy mayor, Cllr Meaney said he had not been asked to vote for Cllr Howard. He urged those councillors supporting her to do a little “groundwork” before hand. Cllr Flynn said he had competed for mayor on nine different occasions and never once canvassed councillors for votes. He said he would not be competing next year due to work commitments.

Cllr O’Shea was returned as Chairman of the Ennis Joint Policing Committee (JPC). Tributes were also paid to outgoing mayor, Cllr Guilfoyle.

A COUPLE who said they were discriminated against on the basis that they are Travellers have won their case against an Ennis pub.

John Mongans (33) and his wife Anne Marie Mongans (31) said they felt “humiliated” and “embarrassed” after being refused a drink at All Bar One, Abbey Street, Ennis on November 3, 2011.

The Ennis couple brought a case against Tradewell Pub Company Ltd under the Equal Status Act.

The case was heard at Ennis District Court on Thursday. Tradewell Pub Company Ltd was not represented in court.

Mr Mongans said he and his wife entered the bar at around 9.15pm on the night in question. He said the barman came over and told them that the bar was closed.

Mr Mongans said other customers in the bar were drinking at the time and “nothing looked out of the ordinary”.

The couple left the bar and came back at around 10.15pm. Mr Mon- gans said he asked for two drinks but the barman refused. According to Mr Mongans, the barman said that he was closing the bar in order to control the crowd in the pub. The court that Mr Mongans went outside and rang the Gardaí.

He said, “I felt totally embarrassed that I had to go and get the guards.”

He said “settled people” whom he played soccer with had seen what had happened at the bar.

Asked by solicitor Andrew Darcy why he believed he had been refused service, Mr Mongans said, “I was re- fused on the basis of being a member of the Traveller community.”

He added, “I don’t hide the fact that I am a Traveller.”

Ms Mongans was described in court as a proactive member of the Traveller community. She said she was a member of a committee that worked with Clare County Council on the issue of Traveller accommodation.

Ms Mongans told the court that people she knew from her children’s school were in the pub on the night. “I felt very, very humiliated,” she added.

The court heard that the couple had not been drinking on the night. Judge Timothy Lucey said that he found the case proven. He said there was no good reason why the couple should have been refused.

Judge Lucey added, “To be refused because you are a member of the Travelling community, when you are well behaved, is very upsetting.”

Mr Darcy said the couple were not seeking the closure of the bar.

Judge Lucey ordered that that couple be given € 500 compensation each, plus costs of € 250 and VAT.

THERE are now more than 3,000 uninsured drivers in Clare, new figures released by an insurers watchdog have revealed, with these offenders being held up as responsible for hiking up the premiums of lawabiding drivers.

The figures have been released by the Irish Brokers Association which has called for Clare Gardaí to be given the power to confiscate the cars of uninsured drivers.

“There are 51,725 licensed private cars in Clare and it is estimated that 3,100 of these could be uninsured,” Brian McNelis, Director of General Services at the Irish Brokers Association told The Clare People .

He continued, “What the general public in Clare may not know is that these uninsured drivers could be indirectly costing them an additional € 30 on their annual car insurance premiums.

“The UK have now made it illegal to own an uninsured vehicle, even if it is kept off the roads, in an attempt to stamp out uninsured driving.

“However, we believe that such measures may be a little harsh on those who have fallen on hard times and have had to take their car off the road for a period of time.

Mr McNelis went on to say, “We do, however, feel that the current penalties are not acting as a sufficient deterrent and would urge compliant drivers to report those that don’t have insurance as they are ultimately paying their insurance for them.”

Motor insurance offences are pun- ishable by a fine of up to € 2, 500, disqualification of one year or more for a first offence, and two years or more for a second offence, and, at the discretion of the court, a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months, though these maximum penalties are rarely imposed.

Where the court decides not to impose a disqualification, drivers convicted of a first offence of driving without insurance will incur five penalty points on their licence record in addition to any other penalty imposed by the court.

THREE Junior Certificate students from Ennis have been hailed as heroines by Clare Civil Defence chief Liam Griffin this week after their quick thinking helped save the life of a woman who got into difficulty after going into the River Fergus to retrieve her dog.

Rice College students Ellen McMahon (15), Aisling O’Sullivan (15) and Eve Copley (15) came to the rescue of a woman, who hasn’t been identified, who was out walking her dog on Tuesday evening last near Steele’s Rock in the Lifford area the town.

“The three of us were walking past at about 7.15pm, having been up town for something to eat after our Business Studies exam,” revealed Ms McMahon. “When we were passing, the woman was standing behind the wall and the dog was on the steps at Steele’s Rock. We walked on a bit and, when we looked back, the dog was being dragged downstream and the woman had moved to the steps and was calling him.

“Then she went in after the dog and was taken away by the flow of the water down towards the FBD offices. She was very tired because she had swum out to get the dog and the current was so strong there was no way she would have been able to swim back to the steps,” she added.

The three students quickly raced back to get the lifebuoy that’s located near Steele’s Rock and came to the aid of the woman, who was getting into difficulty.

“She had a hold of the dog and we raced up got the lifebuoy and threw it in to her and slowly dragged her in. We didn’t get her name because, after being soaked to the skin, she got a drive home from a passing motorist,” revealed Ms McMahon.

“Their quick thinking helped save that woman’s life,” Clare Civil Defence chief Liam Griffin told The Clare People . “It just shows the importance of lifebuoys,” he added, “because sometimes they get vandalised and the people who do that can cost a life. Luckily in this case, it was there and the girls were able to use it and come to the rescue of the woman.”