Category: News

THE cream of schoolboys’ soccer in Ennis will take on some of Europe’s best at tournament in Germany later this year.

A team representing Ennis will travel to the German city of Langenfeld to take part in a soccer tournament, from September 6 to 8. Details of the trip were outlined at the May meeting of Ennis Town Council.

Accommodation and food costs for the 20-strong group will be covered by the tournament’s hosts.

Ennis Town Council is proposing to make a contribution of € 3,000 to travel costs. Soccer clubs in Ennis are also being asked to make a contribution.

Town clerk Leonard Cleary explained, “A group of 20 from Ennis consisting of 15 under 13 schoolboys and four mentors/coaches and one manager will represent Ennis at the sports (soccer) initiative in September 2013 in Langenfeld. The u13 schoolboys’ coaches/mentors will be representative of each of the four soccer clubs in Ennis. One of the mentors/coaches will be the FAI Development Officer for Clare, Denis Hynes. The tournament will involve up to three matches that will be held on September 7 to 8. Other teams confirmed to date for the tournament include Montale (Italy), Senlis (France) and Langendfeld (Germany) with other teams anticipated to confirm shortly.”

He continued, “Langenfeld, the organisers of the Sports Exchange Initiative have confirmed that the cost of accommodation and food from September 5 to 9, will be covered by them. Ennis Town Council proposes to make a contribution towards the travel costs of the group of € 3,000. The four soccer clubs will cover the cost of jerseys, tracksuits, gear etc. through direct contributions and fundraising activities.”

Mr Cleary states the visit to Germany will be beneficial to the players and may result in a similar tournament being held in Ennis in the future.

Relations between Ennis and Langenfeld have been developing over the past three years strengthening links in the areas of culture and youth affairs. A delegation from Ennis Town Council visited Langenfeld in late 2010, while a group of students from Ennis also attended an International Youth Conference in the West German city. The Mayor of Langenfeld, Frank Schneider, led a delegation from Germany to Ennis for the recent St Patrick’s Day parade following on from the establishment of links between Ennis and the German town, which lies between Düsseldorf and Cologne.

COROFIN actress Maura Clancy is the toast of the Irish drama world today after capturing the Best Actress title at this year’s RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival. Maura’s victory is a milestone for the Corofin Dramatic Society, having qualified for the All-Ireland Open Finals for the first time just last year. The society also took the top prize for Best Set and Best Stage Management to round off a remarkable week for the players of Corofin. Maura’s success came in the role of Hester in their production of ‘By The Bog Of Cats’, directed by John Clancy. “I am really delighted; it is a huge honour. There are a lot of fine actresses and actors out on the circuit, including a number in our own group, and to win this is a hugh honour,” Maura told The Clare People yesterday. “I see this very much as a group honour; it was a big group effort and I was singled out. We had such a huge cast for this show that it was all about the whole group. Even just to organise rehearsals was a lot of work so everyone involved pulled out all the stops this year. “In 2008 we won the confined All Ireland, so we have only been competing in the full open competition for a few years. Our plan was to work really hard and see could we some day get to Athlone for an All Ireland. “We were over the moon that that happen so quickly for us last year. Our aim this year was to prove that we could do it again, and that is what we did. So we are all over the moon. We are all so delighted with how this has turned out for us this year.”

AMERICAN tourists were “horrified” at the poor standard of customer service they encountered at banks in Ennis, it has been claimed.

The group from Phoenix, Arizona, which is twinned with Ennis, visited the town in March for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Ennis councillor Mary Howard (FG), a member of the Ennis / Phoenix Twinning Board, said some of the group, that included students from St Mary’s Catholic School, had problems trying to convert $100 bills to euros.

She told the May meeting of Ennis Town Council that one bank refused the change $100 bills because no one in the group had an account.

She said the students were told they “couldn’t take over the bank” and that they were “disrupting customers”. Cllr Howard says the tourists were dealt with in an “incourteous manner”. She said the group were “shocked” at their alleged treatment.

Cllr Howard added, “This is the year of the Gathering. It was horrifying.” She told the meeting incidents like this “create a bad impression” of Ennis.

She raised the issue in a motion discussed at the council meeting. Cllr Howard called on the council to request, “The Minister for Finance investigate the issue regarding $100 because financial institutions are refusing to accept same. This is causing difficulties for our tourism sector and causing embarrassment to tourists in the year of the Gathering.”

Cllr Howard said she raised the matter at the meeting because the group were guests of Ennis Town Council.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Peter Considine (FF) told the meeting that banks have become “unwelcome and a nuisance” to customers. He said this was not the fault of frontline staff but decisions taken by senior management in the banking sector.

He added, “This happening was a serious embarrassment to the town.”

Deputy Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) said, “We shouldn’t just write to the Minister but to the Taoiseach, not only for tourists but for local people. It’s a disgrace.”

Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) said the group should have demanded to see the manager. He said he is always treated in a courteous manner by staff in banks.

In a separate motion passed at the meeting, Cllr Paul O’Shea called on the council “to ensure that banking executives will include Ennis in the provision of ATM machines that dispense € 10 notes, so as to facilitate those on social welfare and on low incomes.”

A PUBLIC meeting concerning the construction of a controversial fish farm off the Clare coast will take place in Ballyvaughan this week.

The meeting, which has been organised by local fishermen and others in the local community, is the first formal opposition meeting to take place against the fish farm on Clare soil.

The meeting follows on from a general meeting, organised by Clare Labour TD, Michael McNamara last month.

At that meeting, which was held at the Russell Centre in Doolin, a pro- posed talk about ways of improving the local fishing trade was overtaken by a large number of complaints about the proposed fish farm.

The project is the brainchild of Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and will be the largest fish farm of its kind in Europe if they are given the go ahead. The Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney (FG), will decide on whether to licence the development later this year.

The twin fish farms will be located around six miles off the coast of Doolin and Fanore and locals are worried that the farm will have a negative impact on the existing local fish trade and have a negative impact on the Burren’s tourism industry.

A number of different studies have been presented by BIM and other group including Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) about the possible impact of the farm.

The chairman of the World Register of Marine Species last week sent a letter to Minister Coveney warning him about what the described as “incorrect data” released about the potential effect of sea lice from the farm on local wildfish.

“Salmon lice from aquaculture farms have proven difficult to control on farms, especially large farms and have been linked to mass fatal parasite infestations on wild salmon and trout in Ireland, Scotland, Norway and Canada,” said Mark Costello, who is also a Marine Ecology Professor at the University of Auckland.

“If there are a million fish on the farm with one egg-bearing louse each, the farm may release 500 million lice larvae. A key consequence of this is that on large farms, it is possible to keep the number of lice below what is harmful to the farm fish but they may still be producing a lot of lice larvae.”

The meeting will take place from 8pm at St John’s Hall in Ballyvaughan this Friday, May 17. Local politicians as well as a representative from BIM have been invited to attend.

BUSINESSES are to be consulted on plans to increase use of the River Fergus and turn Ennis into Ireland’s Venice.

Proposals for boat tours and horse drawn carriages were discussed at the May meeting of Ennis Town Council.

In a motion, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said in order to capitalise on the popularity of the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, Ennis must be promoted as Ireland’s premier romance town.

He called on the council to draft byelaws to permit and regulate horse drawn Jarveys in and around the town centre.

He also called for permits to allow for gandelow journeys on the River Fergus from Knox’s Bridge to Steele’s Rock.

The meeting heard that gandelows are boats traditional to the Shannon and Fergus estuary. Cllr Flynn told the meeting that the opening of the Wild Atlantic Way would create tourism opportunities for Ennis. However he warned that there was a danger Ennis could also be bypassed if tourists are not given enough reasons to visit the town.

Cllr Flynn said there are three gandelows in Clarecastle and that members of the Fergus Rowers club are interested in getting involved in the initiative.

Cllr Paul O’Shea (Lab) described the proposal as “innovative”.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Peter Considine (FF) welcomed the initiative, saying, “Anything we can do to enhance tourism in the town should be accepted.”

In response to Cllr Flynn’s motion, town clerk Leonard Cleary states, “Ennis Town Council will discuss this proposal with Promote Ennis to establish if the business community would be interested in investing in such a project. If the business community would be interested investing in such a project. If the project were feasible, Ennis Town Council could research byelaws based on best established practice in other towns.”

Town manager Ger Dollard said the council would first have to see “workable solutions” before byelaws could be drafted. Mr Dollard added, “It would be premature until we have some discussions as to how it would work.”

A CLARE local development company that has invested € 86.5 million in the county over two decades has described Government plans to dissolve it as little more than a “grab” for its resources. Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) has hit out at plans to give local authorities control of community-led programmes, such as LEADER.

CEO of CLDC Doirin Graham said, “There is no credible justification for this change other than a grab for the resources of LEADER. Minister [Phil] Hogan has failed to back up his contention that a local authority-led model will deliver a better service to the public and will save money.”

According to figures released yesterday (Monday), almost 1,200 local businesses and community projects have benefited from communityled development funding, totalling € 86.5 million since the first LEADER contract was awarded in Clare in 1992. During this time, 1, 550 jobs have been created or sustained and training provided to 3,000 people in County Clare. A further 250 people were assisted into employment.

Further spin off jobs, especially in the building sectors, were created locally as many of the projects required buildings or outdoor areas.

Currently the company in Clare employs 68 people on a wide range of programmes, including LEADER, Local Community Development Programme, Rural Recreation Local Training Initiatives and community work schemes.

This year, the company will also be responsible for the employment of a further 312 people on community work placement schemes including, Community Employment, the Rural Social Scheme and Tús.

CLDC has vowed to “fight tooth and nail” against Minister Phil Hogan’s proposed local government reforms, which would allow new County Council-led bodies replace local development companies as the organisations responsible for LEADER and other local development programmes. It also rejected what it described as “efforts by the Minister to discredit the contribution made by local development companies and their staff across the country”.

“Our organisation has 21 years experience of bottom-up development, a huge voluntary input, strong relationships with communities and people on the ground, and provides better value for money,” said Ms Graham.

“The European Commission and the OECD have praised Ireland’s local development organisations strongly for their ability to deliver EU supports and policies on the ground. CLDC and the 49 other Local Development Companies around the country will fight the Minister’s proposal tooth and nail.”

THE people of Kilrush did themselves, their county and the nation proud on Sunday as they led the National Famine Memorial Day Commemoration.

As many as 3,000 people braved the elements that reflected the mood of the time being commemorated, better than the time of year.

As dark grey clouds gathered overhead the Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht and chairman of the National Famine Commemoration Committee Jimmy Deenihan walked through Francis Street and on to the newly constructed stage, accompanied by military honours.

He told the people it was a “fitting tribute” to host the national commemoration in the town of Kilrush, a town that suffered most during the famine.

Then thousands of cameras and camera phones were sent into over drive as the man described by earlier speakers as a man “coming home”, President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, made his way through the wide street accompanied by his wife Sabina.

Overhead residents of Francis Street looked out of their upstairs windows, and from that premier vantage point saw military honours, the presidential salute and the inspection of Captain’s Guard of Honour, 1 Infantry Battalion, 1 Brigade take place below.

Despite the large crowd spanning in age from three to 93 and the howling winds sending a haunting whistle through the town, respect was shown at all times for the ceremony which took more than three hours.

The local community for its part of the ceremony, provided a poignant and appropriate mix of song, poetry, readings, music and drama.

PJ Murphy’s ‘West Clare Famine Song’ opened the platform for readings by Mayor of Kilrush Mairead O’Brien and Mayor of Clare Pat Daly from the ‘Illustrated London News’.

Dr Ciarán Ó Murchadha then read the poem ‘An Droch Shaol i gCill Ruis’, which was followed by a memorable performance by Crack’d Spoon Theatre Company.

Prayers for the victims of the Great Famine were led by leading members of the different churches, with those of all denominations and none answering “Amen” for the call for no more hunger and pain.

As Imam Sheikh Hussein Halawa finished the prayer service with some verses from the Koran, a large and unexpected wind blew up from the Marina causing the flag at half-mast to flap so hard it almost sounded like it was applauding the prayers.

A performance of ‘Lone Shanakyle’ by local woman Assumpta Kennedy was followed by a reflection read by Aideen Henry of the Humanist Association of Ireland, and then the rain came in.

The crowd huddled together under umbrellas, hats and plastic ponchos, and no one complained.

A people renowned for whinging about the weather stayed still and silent, with the evidence surrounding them reminding them that things could and have been worse.

A commemorative dance piece by Banner Productions encouraged the rain to stop for a short while, as the people peeked out again to see local talent represent them on a national stage.

And then the president spoke. For 23 minutes he recalled the horrors West Clare had suffered in the Great Irish Famine, and reminded those present that their ancestors had lived and died in one of the three places worst affected by it.

“Today, we particularly remember the victims of this great tragedy in our history who hailed from Kilrush and its environs, and indeed from the province of Munster as a whole. Along with Connacht, Munster was severely impacted by An Gorta Mór. When the Famine ended, it had lost the greatest number of people of any province through death and emigration. A contributing factor to this outcome was that famine conditions were sustained throughout Munster for five years or more,” he said.

“Within Munster, the county of Clare was the most severely affected during the Famine and Kilrush shares the unhappy distinction of being one of the three areas worst hit by death, disease and evictions. In fact, it is estimated that Kilrush lost 50 per cent of its population between 1846 and 1851. It is very fitting therefore that we should gather today in Kilrush to honour the memory of its Famine victims. I wish to thank the people of Kilrush for so generously hosting us and for all the effort, care and imagination they have invested in this solemn national commemoration.

“Many of our Irish people died believing that their lives were of no value; that they counted for nothing. By our presence here today, we honour their lives, we remember their suffering and we grieve for them all,” he concluded.

The President then planted a tree and unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.

The state commemoration took over from the community at approximately 4.30pm, and the crowd stood in silence for another half an hour.

During this time the Head Chaplin of the Defence Forces Monsignor Eoin Thynne led prayers followed by the piper’s lament.

The President then laid the rememberance wreath.

Afterwards 36 ambassadors from all over the world lay their own wreaths of remembrance.

A minute’s silence was observed as thousands of people continued to defy the blustering wind and rain.

The National Famine Commemoration in Kilrush then concluded with the national anthem as the national flag was raised to full mast.

PRESIDENT of Ireland Michael D Higgins praised the work of the people in West Clare who worked to prepare for the National Famine Commemoration.

Speaking after the event from Glynn’s Mills, he described the performances by the local people as “a very fine production by the people of Kilrush”.

He paid special tribute to the drama piece, which had brought a tear to his wife’s eye.

“Sabina’s training is in the theatre and she is a founding member of the Focus Theatre with Deirdre O’Connell, and she identifies very clearly with it. That was a very moving piece. The [piece] about the eviction scene and the starvation scene was also very realistic. It is just simply a fact,” he said.

The president had spent almost an hour meeting with local people, hav- ing his photograph taken and signing copies of the Commemoration booklet.

“It was a great pleasure to come down to Clare. Earlier I was over in Carrigoran in the parish of Newmarket where I spent a long time,” he told reporters, referring to his childhood home.

The President who received his primary and secondary school education in Clare was well informed of its famine history.

“Clare had a particularly bad time with the famine because the blight lasted into the sixth year, and that meant you were still losing people. I think the deaths in Kilrush in one 18-month period were about 1,400 or 1,500. I remember seeing it when I looked at the figures over in Ennistymon,” he said.

“At one stage the two work houses in Kilrush and Ennistymon, the number in the workhouse exceeded the number in the population. And then in five years Kilrush itself lost 50 per cent of its population, but obviously for those who survived who are related this is very, very important event in terms of collective memory,” he added refereeing to information supplied to him by the Kilrush and District Historical Society.

“And then there are those who left and some of those would have died on the way to North America. If they were heading for the Canadian ports they were probably at far greater risks.

“Really in a curious way, I made reference in my own speech, that the ‘London Times’ was often unsympathetic during the middle of the famine, but 20 years afterwards said how a great mistake had been made, because now the Irish were in the country that was one of the most powerful in the world, and they would never let people forget the famine and who was responsible for it,” said the president.

THERE have been renewed calls for the installation of a pedestrian crossing near the Eire Óg GAA grounds.

It follows concerns expressed for the safety of children attending the club every week.

Concern was also raised over the lack of a pedestrian crossing on the Gort Road.

At yesterday’s meeting of councillors in the Ennis East electoral area, Mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Daly (FF), requested an update on a proposed pedestrian crossing at the Eire Óg GAA grounds.

He told the meeting that as many as 200 children are attending the club every week. He described the situation as “treacherous” and “deadly dangerous”.

Cllr Daly warned that someone could be killed if a crossing is not put in place.

Senior executive engineer Eamon O’Dea stated that Ennis Town Council will carry out the evaluation process for the provision of a pedestrian crossing on Clonroadbeg this year “and subject to evaluation will proceed to consultation process”.

He continued, “The available resources are being used to develop works where funds are provided this year and the evaluation process will follow this work. The provision of a pedestrian crossing will be subject to the evaluation and available funding.”

Mr O’Dea told the meeting that Eire Óg is one of a number of areas around the town where the council has been asked to install a pedestrian crossing.

There were also calls for pedestrian crossing on the Gort Road, close to Ashfield Park. The request was made by Cllr Brian Meaney (FF) at a meeting of councillors in the Ennis West electoral area.

Cllr Meaney said there has been an increase in the number of people crossing the road since the opening of the Lidl store. He said there is also a need for a crossing to assist some people with special needs who are living in the area.

Mr O’Dea stated that the council will carry out an evaluation process. He added, “The available resources are being used to develop works where funds are provided this year and the evaluation process will follow this work. The provision of a pedestrian crossing will be subject to the evaluation and available funding.”

Mr O’Dea told the meeting that the council will engage with residents throughout the process.

CLARE County Council has ruled out the possibility of allocating a caretaker specifically for Ballyalla Lake.

Speaking yesterday, Ennis Town Manager Ger Dollard said there is a much bigger council presence at Ballyalla Lake than was the case 18 months ago.

Mr Dollard was responding to motion tabled by Ennis councillor Tony Mulqueen (FG) at a meeting of councillors in the Ennis West electoral area.

Cllr Mulqueen called on the Ennis area engineer to provide a caretaker at Ballyalla Lake “as this amenity had a caretaker in the past who carried out excellent work”.

Cllr Mulqueen told the meeting that it might be beneficial to have a caretaker in the area during summer season.

In his reply, senior executive engineer Eamon O’Dea stated that the council is providing the services required from existing operation personnel in conjunction with the local residents.

He continued, “The litter bins are collected by Ennis Town Council, the grass cutting is done by the grass cutting contractor covering the Ennis town and environs area, the gardening section of the council maintain the hedges near the car parking and the council area staff maintain the walks. The council has carried out improvement works at Ballyalla amenity area under the Smarter Travel Funding in 2011 and are seeking funding for further works.”

Mr O’Dea told the meeting that he could not see the caretaker position being re-introduced. He said area staff have been allocated to carry out maintenance work around Ballyalla and the system is working “reasonably well”. Mr O’Dea said the council is aware of issues that arise in the area on weekends.

Mr Dollard said that given the current financial climate, it is hard to see a caretaker being allocated to Ballyalla.

The meeting heard that one major works scheme is planned for Ballyalla. However that has been delayed pending approval of funding under the LEADER scheme.

A working group comprising residents, councillors, businesses and wildlife services has been established to examine proposals in relation to Ballyalla.

The group, former following a public meeting in Ennis last month, are due to hold their first meeting in June.