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THE voice behind one of the most memorable songs of Clare hurling’s glory years is now calling on fans to ‘Stand for the Banner’.

Kieran McDermott, who famously sang ‘The Banner Roar’ in Clare’s Munster and All-Ireland winning year of 1995, has released a new song to celebrate the Banner County’s latest march on Croke Park.

‘Stand for the Banner’ sees Kieran team up with sound technician Matt Purcell, world famous fiddle player Martin Hayes and Ennis chamber choir Cantare.

Kieran’s son Tiernan and Matt Purcell’s father also contribute to the song which had it’s first airing on Clare FM on Thursday.

“It’s a kind of an anthem rather than a ‘Banner Roar’ type song,” explains Kieran, “It’s a Clare anthem we’re angling at rather than a hurling song. It’ll either take off or it won’t. It’s not as jumpy as the ‘Banner Roar’ but it’s more of a rallying march. That’s the idea anyway!”

The song, along with other wellknown Clare hurling hits, will be available to download on iTunes. Proceeds raised will go towards the Clare Hurling Supporters’ Club.

Kieran explains, “‘The Banner Roar’ is now defunct, you can’t buy it anywhere and the one from 1997, ‘You’ll never beat the Banner’, you can’t get that anywhere either. In ‘95, I flew around the county trying to get all the songs into one place. We brought out an album of all the songs that were out at the time called the ‘Banner Rises And Sings’. Things like ‘How’s it Goin’ Lohan?’, Aaron Esley’s song, a mix-up of Matthew McMahon’s commentaries called ‘Weird on the Wireless’. You can’t get that stuff anymore. The idea now is that we’ll put the new song, ‘The Banner Roar’ and ‘You’ll Never Beat the Banner’ on iTunes and people can download it. But all the money from that will go the Clare Supporters’ Club.”

If ‘Stand for the Banner’ can replicate the success of the ‘Banner Roar’, the coffers of the Clare Supporters’ Club could soon be overflowing.

Kieran says, “Back in 1995, I was running around the county to places with tapes. We had tapes in Anthony Daly sports, Feakle, Kilkishen, Maxol Stations, everywhere. It was nightmare of a fortnight before [the AllIreland] trying to keep them stocked but things have moved on from that with technology. It would be nice as an alternative fundraiser for the lads. Hopefully it might build up.”

A LOCAL shop-owner has expressed concern that proposed traffic calming works at the entrance to Corrovorrin could lead to reduced business and a loss of jobs.

Councillors in Ennis have called for improvements to the Corrovorrin junction on the R352 Tulla Road to alleviate access problems in the area.

A report on the proposed € 50,000 project was presented to members at yesterday’s monthly meeting of En nis Town Council.

In a report to councillors, town engineer Eamon O’Dea stated that funding for the project had been se- cured from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Mr O’Dea explained, “The proposed layout has been confirmed with the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport road safety engineer during each stage of the design process. It was not possible to make significant amendments to the proposed layout to take account of the submissions received, however some minor adjustment to the parking opposite Tierney’s Shop on Kevin Barry Avenue were made.”

Mr O’Dea recommended that councillors approve the scheme at Corrovorrin Junction.

The proposed low cost safety scheme at Corrovorrin junction would involve a reduced carriageway width to give a “greater sense of enclosure” and the “reduce the crossing length for pedestrians”.

The council are also proposing courtesy pedestrian and combined crossing points along with an off road combined pedestrian and cycle lane

A preliminary deign report on the scheme states that traffic volume on the R352 ranges from 14,000 to 16,00 vehicles per day and 1,400 to 2,000 vehicles per day on Kevin Barry Avenue.

Alan Morrissey, Executive Engineer, stated, “Based on traffic flow levels the appropriate junction type is a priority junction.”

The report also states that analysis indicates, “There does not seem to be a speeding problem on the R352 east of Corrovorrin junction.

“An additional benefit of this design will be a reduction in crossing distances for pedestrians and cyclists thereby promoting sustainable travel modes” adds the report.

The council received three submissions on the proposed works.

Local shopkeeper John Tierney objected to the scheme at Corrovorrin junction. In his submission to the council, Mr Tierney stated that he is being penalised for complying with previous planning application. He stated insufficient background information was provided while adequate consultation procedures did not take place.

Mr Tierney referred to a brief re- port from the Chief Supt of the Clare Garda Division, John Kerin, which stated that according to Garda records, no accidents have taken place at the Corrovorrin junction in the past five years.

Mr Tierney also expressed concern that the proposed works would result in reduced business and loss of jobs.

Philip Coll, a resident of the nearby Kevin Barry Avenue, stated that he could not recall any accidents at the junction.

In his submission, Mr Coll told the council that he considered that filter lanes were required on both Kevin Barry Avenue and the Tulla Road. It was his view that a yellow box was required at the exit from Kevin Barry Avenue.

SURFING could soon become Clare’s most valuable tourism product as a study on the impact of the sport in the Lahinch area has put its annual local payout at a whooping € 33 million. The study, which was completed by professional town planner Neil Cooney, records the financial impact of surfing on the coastal towns from Doolin down as far as Doonbeg. As well as the direct impact on surf towns such as Lahinch, the report also looks at the impact on satellite towns close to surfing areas like Miltown Malbay and Liscannor. The reports is based on similar monitory analysis of surfing in Spain and includes extensive interviews of Ireland’s estimated 60,000 surfers. It tracks the direct employment of businesses such as surf schools as well as many indirect effects such as accommodation. “Surfing has brought international attention to Lahinch as a surf location and to Clare as a place for activity-based tourism. It has had a massive impact but really the possibilities of where it could go are endless; the Burren is brilliant place and adventure tourism is a major contributor to the Irish economy,” said Neil. Despite financial benefits of surfing, Neil is of the opinion that not enough is being done by the powers that be to promote and develop surfing. “I like surfing in Australia now and the difference between there and here is massive. The infrastructure there is better, there are grants to encourage new businesses to start up, there are lots of supports and I just don’t see that happening in Clare. “Some simple things could go a long long way. Things like changing room, warm public showers in surfing areas, how difficult would that be? Some simple things would really boost the product and that benefit the businesses in the area. “In addition to infrastructure, the sponsorship and promotion of the surfing clubs and events would be a great benefit which would be enjoyed by not only the surf community but also the many businesses in the area that thrive on the activity.”

GARDAÍ in Clare are continuing the fight on drugs with the seizure of thousands of euros worth of cannabis plant and resin in East Clare on Tuesday last.

Gardaí from Shannon seized the drugs with an estimated street value of € 12,000 during the planned search of a property at Magherabaun, Feakle.

The seizure of a number of cannabis plants and resin was part of an ongoing operation targeting the sale and supply of cannabis in County Clare. According to Gardaí, during the course of the search, the cannabis was recovered.

No arrests have been made, and the area was sealed off for a technical examination. Investigations into the find are ongoing.

TWO Meelick lads reckon the Liam McCarthy trophy is Banner Bound in the latest song to celebrate Clare’s appearance in the All-Ireland hurling final.

Eanna Mulvihill and Oisín Hickey have teamed up for their acoustic anthem, ‘Banner Bound’.

The song’s lyrics reference some of the Banner’s summer heroes such as David McInerney and Darach Honan. “ ’Cos you’ll never bea t the Ba nner Boys in saffron a nd blue”, sing Oisín and Eanna, “ So sing along with us from Ennis to Killaloe. When Da vy Ma c a nd the Duck a tta ck, the rest will follow suit, ‘Cos you’ll never bea t the Ba nner boys on sa ffron a nd blue”. The lads look back at Clare’s victories so far this summer. They sing, “ We’ve hea r d it a ll, hea r d it a ll before – The Ba nner won’t be hea rd a nymore. But we showed the Déise, We showed the Tr ibes, We showed the Trea t y up on Liffeyside.

“ So ga ther a round, let’s hea r you roa r – Lia m McCa r thy’s Ba nner Bound once more.” Eanna and Oisín also predict that Clare captain Patrick Donnellan will have one final journey to make come the final whistle on Sunday. “ In Croke Pa rk, we’ll hea r the roa r. Hill 16 ha sn’t seen the likes of us before. When the fina l whistle blows – up the Hoga n Pa ddy Donnella n he will go.” Meanwhile the band behind ‘The Banner’s Back Again’ are working on a statue of Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald.

MC Banner, the singer with MC Banner and Killaloolas plans to erect the statue on his lawn in time for Sunday’s All-Ireland final.

The singer said, “I think it’s going to look a lot like Davy but my wife doesn’t think so.

“She’s not mad about the idea at all at all but she understands my devotion to the Clare team. I checked with all the neighbours and they have no problem with it.

“One of them is knitting a jumper for it for the winter.”

MC will rig an MP 3 player to the statue and when a person touches Davy’s hand it will play ‘The Banner’s back Again’.

MC continued, “We will unveil it on Friday, September 6, at dawn and I am hoping to have a Clare legend to do the unveiling.

“I hope Davy will visit it after the All Ireland. I think it’s the image of him, my wife says it looks more like Marty Morrissey.

“If I had time I would make a statue of Marty too, I am a huge fan of Marty’s.”

MC Banner and the Killaloolas are heading out on their tractor pulled stage. They plan to perform ‘The Banner’s Back Again’, in every Clare town this week.

THEY may be married just a month but newly weds Cathal Crowe and Maeve Fehilly admits they will be pulling in different directions on Sunday.

Cathal is a well-known member of Clare County Council living in Meelick, a border town with Limerick.

Maeve is a native of another town that borders Limerick, but this time it is on the other side of that county – Charleville in County Cork.

“There is a very heightened sense of identity when you are that near the border,” explained Cathal, and each of them are loyal to their own county.

“There will be two different jerseys going off in the car that morning,” he added, knowing there will only be one happy newly wed arriving home on Sunday evening – bar a draw of course.

This will be the second game the couple has attended as man and wife.

The first was the less controversial semi final Clare against Limerick.

“We arrived back from honeymoon that morning to Shannon Airport and drove straight to Dublin. Maeve drove home afterwards,” said Cathal who was that day celebrating victory.

The big question now is who will be driving home on Sunday evening and will they still be travelling together?

THERE have been calls for the Government to assist families with the cost of transporting children to the new Ennis National School.

The new school at Ashline opened its doors for the first time to pupils last week. The school was previously located at a site on the Kilrush Road closer to the town centre.

In a motion due to be discussed at yesterday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle urged the council to contact the Minister for Education and the Minister for Finance to allocate a grant to assist families, that are being asked to pay to transport children to the new school.

Cllr Guilfoyle said, “A lot of families now have an extra journey to make and I think the Departments should make some contribution to the cost of travelling to the school.”

The future of the former site of Ennis National School is unknown though it has been earmarked as a potential site for a major town centre retail development in the future.

In a submission to Clare County Council, Ennis Parish, the owners of the site, say it would be an ideal location for the future development of a commercial retail centre. Prepared by engineering firm Paddy Coleman and Associates, the sub- mission states, “It is their opinion that Proposal Site PS1 is ideal and should be promoted by the council through the Ennis and Environs Development Plan to cater for the identified retail deficiency. It is stated that they own part of the said site (the land associated with the Boys National School) and that the land will be available in the short term when it is vacated for the new school currently under construction at Ashline.” Supermarket giant Aldi have also emerged as potential purchasers of the site after signalling their intent to develop a second store in Ennis. However Cllr Guilfoyle says residents on the Kilrush Road would have concerns about any potential development in the area. He explained, “It seems it has been earmarked for a shopping centre. That may be a good bit down the line, if it happens, but I would have concerns. And there are people living there in peace for a long time that would have concerns about it.”

SEAMUS Heaney’s love of County Clare that shone through until his untimely death last Friday has been recalled this week by the chairman of Cumman Merriman, Liam Ó Dochartaigh. Heaney made his last visit to the county over under three weeks ago when attending the annual Merriman Summer School in Lisdoonvarna on an occasion when Ó Dochartaigh revealed he had his audience “in the palm of his hand and blew us away”.

The world renowned poet and Nobel laureate was patron of Cumman Merriman for the past five years, following in a list of distinguished patrons that went before him, all of whom were presidents of Ireland – Eamon de Valera, Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh and Dr Patrick Hillery.

“On the passing of President Hillery in 2008, Cumann Merriman decided to invite Seamus Heaney, who had translated a large portion of Brian Merriman’s famous poem, ‘Cúirt an Mheán Oíche’ to be its Éarlamh,” revealed Mr Ó Dochartaigh.

“He accepted our invitation willingly thereby honouring the memory and legacy of Brian Merriman and the annual Merriman Summer School far more than we could ever have honoured him,” headed.

“He featured memorably in a number of Merriman Summer Schools but most memorably and most recently, a little over two weeks ago, on Friday evening, August 16, in the Pavilion Theatre in Lisdoonvarna.

“Along with his life-long friend, fellow Northerner, and fellow poet, Michael Longley, he read turn and turn about. The Pavilion Theatre was packed to capacity, with some 400 patrons in attendance to hear them; it was a night to remember, a night of our lives, which will live long in the memory. Both poets’ affinity with County Clare was evident on the night but it can be said that with the reading of the last poem in his own selection, and the final poem of the evening, Seamus Heaney had us in the palm of his hand and blew us away,” continued Mr Ó Dochar- taigh.

In reference to driving along Clare’s Flaggy Shore on a windy day in September or October, Heaney read: ‘You are neither here nor there, A hurry through which known and strange things pass, As big soft buffetings come at the car sideways, And catch the heart off guard and blow it open’.

“But another deadly breeze came in the night,” said Mr Ó Dochartaigh mourning his death, “caught us off guard and swept our hero-poet away. Cumann Merriman mourns the loss of Seamus Heaney but our loss and the nation’s loss is as nothing compared to that of his wife, Marie, and their children, Michael, Christopher and Catherine Ann,” he added.

A 33-YEAR-OLD man from County Clare has been charged with possession of child pornography, and is to appear again at Ennis District Court tomorrow (Wednesday).

The accused, who cannot be named by order of the court, was before a special sitting of Kilrush District Court on Friday. He is accused of possessing images of naked boys.

Supt Seamus Nolan requested reporting restrictions be imposed, as he said the investigation was continuing.

The Kilrush Superintendent said that identifying the accused, or the location of the alleged offence, would impede the continuing inquiry.

The accused man was charged, that on June 28 at a location in Co Clare, he did knowingly have in his possession child pornography featuring naked male images, contrary to section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998.

Solicitor for the man William Cahir made an application for free legal aid, which was granted by District Court Judge Eugene O’Kelly.

There was no application for bail but the accused reserved his position in relation to the matter.

He was remanded in custody.

A FATHER figure for councillors, a wonderful ambassador for his native county and a gentleman were just some of the words used to describe Clare County Council’s longest ever serving member who was laid to rest on Saturday.

PJ Burke, also known as Pa Joe, represented the Miltown Malbay Electoral Area from the 1940s up to the end of the 1990s, spending a record 45 years an Independent member of Clare County Council.

Cllr Christy Curtin (Ind) who gave the oration at the late West Clare man’s large funeral said Mr Burke would say he was “a councillor in the 1940s when council expenses were a penny ha-penny a mile”.

Describing him as an iconic figure Cllr Curtin said, “He gave good description of what a democratic representative should be. He was honest in all of his dealing and was an example to any public representative on how to deal with the public.”

The late councillor began his political career as a member of Sinn Fein but later declared as an Independent councillor. Coming from a long local political lineage, PJ Burke was first elected to Clare County Council in 1941. He held the position for only one year before Minister Sean McEntee announced the abolition of the local authority and the appointment in its place of a commissioner.

PJ successfully ran for election again in 1945 when the council was reconstituted. He lost his seat in the 1950 Local Election but regained his Council position in 1960. He retained his seat in the Miltown Electoral Area in five subsequent elections until 1999.

His father Tom was also a County Councillor from 1924 until his death, at the age of 65, in 1941. His grandfather, Garret Burke, was elected a Sinn Féin Rural District councillor in 1905 and later became a County Councillor.

Mayor Cllr Joe Arkins said, “PJ was very genuine. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was always seen as a father figure for colleagues. He was very much involved in the campaign for the development of health services at Ennis General Hospital and vehemently opposed any downgrading of the facility.”

Tom Coughlan, Clare County Manager, added, “He was a gentlemen and a pleasure to work with.”

Labour TD Michael McNamara said Pa Joe was a man who represented the best values and traditions of rural Ireland. He is survived by his wife Mary and family.