Month: August 2012

FOR Dan Furey, set dancing was a way of life and a labour of love – something that will be celebrated once more in Labahsheeda this weekend when the 18th annual festival bearing his name will be staged.

“We would have been one of the first set dancing weekends around the country,” says Liam Woulfe of the organising committee, “and like last year, we’re holding the festival in the last weekend in August before the school holidays end.”

Dan Furey’s dedication to set dancing was legendary in Labasheeda and beyond, with his dedication in passing on the dances of the Labasheeda area over six decades winning him a permanent place in the history of traditional dancing in Ireland.

He is best remembered by dancers for having given us the Paris Set, and the Labasheeda Reel Set, and also some solo dances such as The Priest and His Boots, Single Time and the Gabhairin Buí.

“To bring the festival about each year, there is a lot of community effort. A lot people help out. This year’s festival will be opened by Fr Tom McGrath who spent over 40 years in Kenya as a missionary priest.

“Stephen McDonagh is a local his- torian who, along with Heritage officers from Clare County Council, will give a talk on the Battery Fortress in Kilkerrin – around now is the 200th anniversary of the erection of the Napoleonic fort.

“There is usually an impromptu céili at The Battery on Sunday morning, re-enacting the tradition of locals going there to dances hosted by the British soldiers based there. It’s a unique part of the festival and there’ll be a good crowd there, with people travelling through the fields to get to the point,” he adds.

THE recession is hitting Clare couples hard with the a marked increase in the number or people getting divorced and separated in recent years. The number of divorces granted to couples in Clare grew by 40.8 per cent last year – the largest year-onyear increase since divorce was made legal in Ireland in 1996.

According to new figures for the county released by the Central Statistic Office (CSO) 69 divorces were granted to Clare couples last year with a further 66 application for di- vorce being made.

According to Paul Woulfe of the Ennis branch of the Citizens Information Service, these figures are the tip of the iceberg, with many Clare people seeking judicial separations – because they cannot afford the cost of an official divorce.

“There are many more people going down the route of a negotiated separation rather than going for a divorce. We get a lot of people coming into us because their marriages have broken up and the cannot afford the cost of a solicitor,” he told The Clare People.

“People come to us and they don’t realise that there are other option to having a full divorce, but there are. Of course there are many other couples who have been cohabiting for years and have a family – these people do not need a divorce at all and would not show up on the statistics.

“When a marriage or a relationship breaks up people have a lot of questions. A lot of them either don’t realise that you can get a separation agreement or a judicial separation and they will give you the same protections as a divorce. Really, the main difference for a divorce is that it allows the party’s involved to remarry – but a person can always get a judicial separation and then apply for a full divorce down the line at some stage.”

Meanwhile, just one annulment of marriage has been granted in Clare over the last five years. A total of five application of annulment have been made in the county since 2007, with only one being granted. An annulment is a declaration that a marriage was deemed never to be valid and is declared on rare occasions – such as when one of the people involved is found already to be legally married.

Anyone who wishes to contact the Clare Citizen’s Information Service for can call 0761 075260.

DESPITE the torrential rain, students from North Clare were in high spirits when they collected their Leaving Certificate results last Wednesday.

While each of the local secondary schools reported good results, the cream of the crop for 2012 was at the CBS in Ennistymon, where two students achieved six A1 grades and the maximum 625 points.

Lawrence Egan and James Cotter, who are both from the Ennistymon area received the full six A1s in the exam.

Both students have applied for engineering courses in university.

“Everyone was very happy and very relieved with the results. There were a few people in honours maths who were a bit concerned but they all came through it well,” said Anne Tuohy from CBS in Ennistymon.

“The bonus points are definitely attracting more people [to maths]. I just hope that it doesn’t distort the points too much for people who didn’t do honours maths. I think it will be a few years before we know for sure what it is doing to the points system.

“Overall we are very happy with the results, especially with the two students who achieved six A1s. That was a fantastic result for both – they have their full 600 points and the 25 bonus honours maths points to spare. We had a lot of very solid results along with that so they are all very pleased.”

There was also a great performance from the students at the Ennistymon Vocational School, where Ciaran Roche from Liscannor was the top points earner on 550 points.

“We are very happy with all of our students. Everyone got on really well, especially in higher level math and in Irish,” said Elizabeth Flanaghan from Ennistymon Vocational School.

“The number of people taking higher level math definitely increased this year since the bonus points were introduced. The students were definitely attracted by the extra points on offer.”

There was also a series of very good results at Scoil Mhuire in Ennistymon, where principal Seosaimhin Ui Dhomhnallain congratulated the students for all their hard work.

“It is wonderful to see the girls’ hard work rewarded. They were a wonderful group of co-operative, hard-working girls, who made a very valuable contribution to all areas of school life,” she said.

“The parents, students and teaching staff of Scoil Mhuire are to be congratulated on their splendid re sults, for their support and hard work throughout the girls’ school years and I wish them all the very best in the next stage of their lives,” was the principal’s final words.

TEACHERS have credited a new focus on maths as helping boost the results achieved by Clare students in the Leaving Cert.

As students of Coláiste Muire gathered in the Ennis school on Wednesday to collect their results, school principal Jean Pound said there had been a good response to the Project Maths initiative.

Project Maths involves the introduction of revised syllabuses for both Junior and Leaving Certificate Mathematics. It involves changes to what students learn in mathematics, how they learn it and how they will be assessed.

Much greater emphasis is also being placed on student understand- ing of mathematical concepts, with increased use of contexts and applications to enable students to relate mathematics to everyday experience.

Ms Pound said students had scored “excellent” results.

“They’re delighted with the results so far.

“The Project Maths aspect of it seemed to go well. The students seemed very thrilled. We had some very good results. A few of the students had all A1s.”

She continued, “We had 90 students altogether sitting the exams, which was our smallest group for a number of years.

“We had 13 students sitting the Leaving Cert Applied. The students achieved some very distinguished results.

“Overall I’d say it was probably on a par with other years.”

Ms Pound also urged students awaiting third-level offers from the Central Applications Office (CAP) to carefully consider their options.

“They should be very pleased with what they have achieved.

Students shouldn’t get too worried if they did not get their first choice. They will always have options.”

IT WAS a day to remember for one group of adult learners, as they became the first students at the West Clare Adult Education Centre to complete the Leaving Certificate.

11 students received their results at the VEC centre in Kilrush on Wednesday.

According to Back to Education co-ordinator Michael Ryan, many of the Kilrush students intend to continue to third-level courses.

He said, “Kilrush went very well. It was the first time we had Leaving Cert results from there. It was very successful. There were six women and five men, they got some superb results, all honours marks. It was a diverse group of people. They gelled very well and great credit is due to them.”

He added, “The effort that the students put in was great. They worked from a nine-month period from October through to the end of May. Some of them came in to Ennis to study.” Adult learners in Shannon and Ennis were also celebrating Leaving Cert result last week. Mr Ryan explained, “We had 10 students in Shannon. Three are going onto third level education, three are going to do Post Leaving Cert Courses (PLCs) and two are continuing with the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI).” He added, “Ennis again had excellent results. We offered the full five subjects, if students wanted to take them all. This year we had 13 men and 17 women sitting exams. It seems to be evening out in terms of the gender balance. It used to be 2/1 in favour of women. Quite a number are going onto further education and third level.”

The Back to Education Initiative offers students the chance to study maths, English, history, business organisation and geography.

Mr Ryan said the VEC hopes to offer the Leaving Cert to students in East Clare next year.

For adults interested returning to learning or studying for a Leaving Certificate, the Back To Education Initiative are organising information evenings at the Adult Education Centre in 4 Bru Na Sionna, Shannon, on Monday, September 3, at 7.30pm and at the Adult Education Centre in Ennis on Tuesday, September 4, at 7pm; in Scariff on Wednesday, September 5, and in Kilrush on Thursday, September 6, at 7.30pm. For further information contact the BTEI office on 065 6897652.

CLARE students, who may be eligible, have been urged to apply for their third level grants as soon as possible.

The student grant system has been reformed and a unified application process will be implemented by one body, Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). In January 2011 new grant rates and qualification criteria was introduced.

Ennis councillor Mary Howard (FG) explained, “SUSI will replace the 33 VECs and 33 local authority bodies currently processing applications, so new students should apply for their grant though SUSI,”

She continued, “Students seeking financial assistance can apply now, regardless of whether they have chosen a college course yet. This is a phased scheme, so it is important to point out that students already in receipt of a grant and who are progressing to the next year of their course will continue to be assessed and paid by the existing award- ing authorities. However, if you are changing your course or progressing onto a new course, you should apply to SUSI.”

According to Councillor Johnny Flynn (FG), a recent Bank of Ireland survey has shown the average cost to a family of sending a student to third level away from home is € 40,000.

Students or parents with queries on the application process can contact the SUSI Support Desk on 0761 087874 or by email at support@susi. cdvec.ie.

Further information can be accessed on www.studentfinance.ie. This site gives detailed instructions on how to apply for a maintenance grant and also give information if you are eligible.

STUDENTS assessing their options after the first round of offers for places in third level colleges have been urged not to panic.

Thousands of Clare students yesterday discovered if they had secured a college place as the Central Applications Office (CAO) released details of the points required for courses in Universities and Institutes of Technology.

It is a record year for the CAO with 49,862 applicants receiving an offer yesterday.

And students who do not receive their first preference have been urged to consider all of their options.

John Burns, Vice Principal of Rice College, Ennis, said students should not feel too disappointed of they do get the points for their first choice courses.

He said, “They need to consider all of their options and review their second and third choices. If they do not get what they want for their first choice, the important thing is not to panic. What I would say is that students should seek the help of guidance counsellors and teachers. The main thing is not to panic. There are helplines like the National Parent’s Council and other supports out there.”

He continued, “If any student is upset all they have to do is call into the school and someone will be here that they can talk to.”

Mr Burns said students at Rice College were in the main happy with their results, with a number scoring over 600 points.

He continued, “We had 92 kids doing the Leaving Certificate this year. A number of students scored over the 600 points mark. The rest of the kids got what they wanted. Everyone was in good form. There was a good atmosphere around the school on the day. Career guidance teachers, the chaplain and the principal were on hand.

“The kids were very happy. Some scored very high. The paper seemed quite fair this year. The students definitely benefited from high attendance throughout the year. They put in the work and we’re very proud of them,” he added.

PLANNING permission has been approved for the construction of new parish offices in Ennis.

St Flannan’s (Killaloe) Diocesan Trust had applied to Ennis Town Council for planning permission to demolish part of the Maria Assumpta Hall and to construct new parish offices with meeting rooms and ancillary facilities including site works and to carry out alterations to the retained portion of the Maria Assumpta Hall, Station Road, Ennis. The proposed developments are within the curtilage of the protected structures of Ss. Peter and Paul’s Cathedral and the Presbytery.

In granting permission, the council stated that the proposed development “would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of the property in the vicinity and will be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

Planning permission was granted subject to a number of conditions :

The roof must be finished in natural quarry slate or natural slate effect to be dark grey, or blue black in colour. The colour of the ridge tile must also match the colour of the roof;

No changes are permitted to agreed window sizes or the agreed external wall finishes;

No floodlighting of the development is permitted while any stone facing shall be of local natural stone.

The council adds, “Prior to the commencement of the development, the developer shall submit to the planning authority for agreement, full details of construction and demolition waste management plan.”

The developer must provide details on how all materials will be removed from the site; proposals to mimimise the environmental impacts of the demolition work such as dust, noise and flying debris.

Adequate temporary car parking must be provided on the site for employees engaged in construction work. The council states that facilities must be in place to avoid the parking of vehicles on road fronting the site and in the interest of safety.

All surface water generated within the site boundaries must be collected and disposed of within the curtilage of the site. It is also a condition that no works shall take place to the existing front boundary wall onto Station Road without the prior approval of the planning authority.

In his report, Conservation Officer, Risteard Ua Cróinín stated, “The proposed new build elements appear to respect the existing buildings in scale and proportion and are considered appropriate in materials and design in the context of adjacent protected structures. This office does not intend to object to the proposed development.”

Mr Ua Cróinín states that the existing Maria Assumpta Hall, which dates back to the 1950s-60s, is “of little architectural or historic merit.” PREPARATIONS are well underway for the 68th annual Scariff Show, which will be held on Saturday, September 1, in the Showgrounds Scariff. With numerous exciting and entertaining events promised, including a range of horse classes from show/ working hunter pony classes, Connemara, show-jumping, sportsman classes, as well as a sheep section and a dog section. The highlight this year is the Yearling Filly All-Ireland Championship, jointly sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland and Scariff Show. But the Scariff Show is not just an event for farmers and horse breeders. There are contests for the best in home-baking, arts and crafts, roots and vegetables, flowers and amateur photography and numerous children’s competitions including the ever popular bonny baby competition. Due to the cancellation of shows this year – Scariff Show are delighted to accommodate the Irish Shows Association by hosting the All Ireland Gain Dog Food Championship in Scariff also. This year’s show sees the reintroduction of cattle classes, with exhibits from some of the leading dairy and beef herds in the country on display.

Scariff Show attributes its longevity to the fact that it is rooted in the community and all the committee work is done on a voluntary basis.

Scariff Show schedule is available to download from www.scariffshow. com.

Scariff Show is fortunate to always have been able to count on the support of business in the community for the last 68 years said a show spokesperson this week.

Closing date for entries is this weekend. Please contact Show Secretary Joanne Allen 087 366771 or visit our website www.scariffshow.com.

IRELAND’S original heritage tree is returning home to Ballyvaughan with an ambitious new project by locals to reintroduce the Ballyvaughan Seedling Apple into the locality.

The Ballyvaughan Apple Tree was one of the first local species of tree identified by Irish Seed Savers more than 20 years ago, when it was classified as Ireland’s first Heritage Tree.

A number of samples of the tree were recovered and propagated by the East Clare-based organisation and have since been planted in several locations all around Ireland.

Despite this, however, the number of Ballyvaughan Apple Trees has dwindled in North Clare.

To coincide with Heritage Week, a group of locals have begun a quest to reintroduce the Ballyvaughan Seedling Apple to Ballyvaughan. A number of trees will be planted at ceremonies at Ballyvaughan Church and Fanore National School this Thursday, and an information evening will take place afterwards at the Burren College of Art.

“There is still a small number of Ballyvaughan Apple Trees in the locality but their numbers are dwindling. There are a number of very old trees, but they are dying out, and there are also three trees at the national school which were planted eight or 10 years ago,” said Conor Fahy, organiser of the tree plant.

“Thanks to the work of the Seedsavers, these trees have now been planted all around Ireland so we want to make sure that the Ballyvaughan Apple Tree survives in the area and that there are more trees here than anywhere else in the country.”

The Ballyvaughan Apple Tree produces a good supply of apples which are ideal for cooking or cider-making. The trees need to be planted alongside other varieties of apple trees to aid in propagation.

The trees were first identified by an American tree expert who was visiting the area in the 1980s and it is still unclear where the first Ballyvaughan Seedling Apple Trees were discovered.

“The exact location of where the original trees were found remains a little controversial among local residents. As they say, time is a great storyteller, and some details have become slightly distorted and exaggerated,” said Clare Biodiversity Officer, Shane Casey.

“A more recent survey of the parish, carried out by the Ballyvaughan Development Committee, has uncovered several orchards, with the poten- tial for many more specimens of the Ballyvaughan Seedling Apple to be discovered, as well as interviews with some of the older members of the community.”

Lynne O’Keeffe-Lascar of Kinvara Sustainable Living and Eoin Keane of Irish Seed Savers will be on hand at the Burren College on Thursday evening to advise local people on how best to look after the trees.

Lynne has recently completed a similar project of mass tree planting in Kinvara, while eight members of the Ballyvaughan community will also attend a course at Irish Seed Savers to train them in apple tree maintenance.

A NORTH Clare man has been laid to rest almost three years after going missing in the River Lee in Cork.

Brecan Mooney (31) died after falling into the River Lee during heavy floods on November 19, 2009.

It is thought that Mr Mooney was swept into the river by strong winds as he crossed the Christy Ring bridge in the city centre.

Despite an intensive 21-day search conducted by rescue services, family and friends, Mr Mooney’s body was never recovered. Attempts to locate the body were hampered by dangerous water and weather conditions.

An inquest into Mr Mooney’s death returned a verdict of accidental death due to drowning.

In September 2011, Mr Mooney’s family were informed that the remains of a body had been discovered in the Lee.

The length of time the body had been in the water, along with the fact that the vertebrae could support a body of similar weight and height to Mr Mooney’s, indicated that they were the remains of the missing Clare man.

His identity was confirmed when the results of an 11-month series of DNA tests were made known to the family on Wednesday, August 15, the same day as Mr Mooney’s birthday.

Brecan Mooney had been working as a geologist with the Environmental firm White, Young and Greene and had also been studying for a doctorate at University College Cork (UCC).

Friends and former classmates came out to say goodbye to Mr Mooney as the funeral procession passed through Glanquin, Carron and Kilfenora on Saturday.

Mr Mooney was laid to rest at Shanakyle Cemetery in Kilrush.

Brecan’s father, Brian Mooney, said the burial had brought some consolation to the family.

“His teachers were on the road to say goodbye, his friends from national school. He would’ve loved it. He was terribly close to people here.”

Brian Mooney added, “We found the last few days emotionally very draining. It had an almost cathartic effect for me, almost cleansing.”