Category: News

MORE than 100,000 ex-pats and people with Irish roots living in the US will be getting an invitation to come to Clare and be part of the reunion of the Dalcassian clans.

Clare Tourist Council will be travelling to the biggest Irish festival in the States in August to promote the county and travelling with them to Milwaukee will be members of the Brian Boru 2014 committee.

They will take a stand at the event which attracts the largest number of people with Irish connections of any Irish festival.

As part of the promotion of the Banner, the 2014 committee will be extending an invite to the celebrations planned for Killaloe and Lough Derg to all descendants of the Dalcassians.

Sir Conor O’Brien, chief of the Dalcassians, has agreed to be president of the commemorative event and it was he who suggested extending an invitation not just to the High King’s descendants but to all the Dalcassians, said 2014 committee chairman, John O’Shea.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have been invited by the Clare Tourist Council to travel with them. We had planned to go next year but this means we can start promoting the event and give potential visitors from the US two years to plan their trip. This is the Irish festival that all other festivals look to and we will be making the most of the opportunity to let people know about the Brian Boru celebrations,” John told The Clare People .

Confirmed as patrons of the 2014 festival are Rugby hero, Keith Wood and comedy giant, Brendan Grace, both residents of Killaloe

The prestigious Milwaukee festival is a hugely important event for tourism interests hoping to attract lucrative US business to Ireland.

“We are planning to make a second trip next year and we’re hoping to bring some geneologists over with us, just to give people a taste of what they might find,” said John.

Plans are well advanced for what looks set to be one of the most spectacular festivals the Banner county has seen.

It will open with a ‘march of the warriors’ from Killaloe to Clontarf and talks are in train for Killaloe to become the honorary capital of the country for the duration.

The committee are also negotiating with Skyfest to have the spectacular show on Lough Derg for that year and there is huge fun a pageantry planned to mark the 1,000th anniversary of Brian Boru’s passing.

AN ENNIS man who has played an active role in youth services in Clare for over 10 years has been elected to the board of Youth Work Ireland.

Glen Guilfoyle became involved with Clare Youth Service (CYS) as a young child participating initially in the Summer Camps Programme before joining his local youth club as a teenager. He was an active member of the Cloughleigh Youth Club where he excelled in debating.

He participated in national and international youth exchanges and represented the youth service at a number of international conferences. As a teenager, Glen was active as a senior member ( junior leader) in the youth club and volunteered with the youth cafe ‘Elmo’s Attic’ and the Summer Camps Programme for several years.

At 18, Glen became an adult volunteer with the Cloughleigh Youth Club and the HUB Cafe, which is an alcohol- and drug-free project for over18s. He remained an active volunteer throughout his years at college where he studied economics, sociology and politics.

He worked as the Welfare Officer in NUI, Galway Students’ Union from 2002 to 2003 before serving as the Welfare Officer for the Union of Students in Ireland from 2003 to 2004. Here he was responsible for representing and lobbying on behalf of third-level students as well as coordinating campaigns across 50 colleges.

He joined the staff of Clare Youth Service in 2005 where he worked primarily in Club Development and as an outreach worker on a number of projects targeting ‘hard to reach’ and ‘at risk’ young people. He has worked on both rural and urbanbased projects as well as in the area of volunteer support and training.

He left CYS late in 2010 and is currently working in a community-based youth project in Limerick City.

The board of Clare Youth Service proposed Glen for the YWI board. Margaret Slattery, CEO said, “Glen is a strong candidate and will be a real asset for the board of Youth Work Ireland. His wide experience of the realities of volunteering and working in the sector combined with his education and prior work experience make him an ideal candidate.”

As a co-ordinating and development agency for youth services throughout the country, Youth Work Ireland has, since 1962, sought to give voice to the needs and aspirations of young people, to support and encourage trained volunteers and staff and ultimately, to improve the quality of life for young people in the context of community based youth services.

A WEEK after the Queen’s historic state visit to Ireland, a city bearing the Royal Charter has emerged as the biggest obstacle to the € 30m windfall that would come to Ennis if it plays host to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2012. The Clare People has learned that moves are being made within elements of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann to bring the traditional music festival to Northern Ireland for the first time in its history, with Derry emerging as a possible venue to play host to the 2013 Fleadh.

Sources within Comhaltas Ceoiltóirí Éireann have told The Clare People that any decision to bring the Fleadh to Derry in 2013 when it will be UK City of Culture could scupper Ennis’ 2012 bid.

“If it goes to Derry, the chances of it coming to Clare in 2012 will recede,” one Comhaltas insider revcaled this week.

“This is because the usual thing is for a town to get the Fleadh two years in a row, but giving it to Derry will strengthen Cavan’s bid to be given the Fleadh for a third year in 2012 before they would then hand over to Derry the following year.”

The precedent for Cavan to be given the Fleadh three years in succession is there as Tullamore hosted the festival in 2007, ‘08 and ’09, but Ennis is still seen as favourite to host what would be the 62nd staging of the event.

“Ennis put in a great bid,” the Comhaltas member revealed. “And it’s between Ennis and Sligo, unless this Derry thing takes off and happens, which is now a real possibility. But Comhaltas could be split on the issue. There are elements who want to bring the Fleadh to the north and the good- will of the Queen of England’s visit to Ireland in last week could strengthen that view, with traditional music seen as another bridge between Ireland and Britain.

“However, there are elements of Comhaltas Ceoiltóirí Éireann in the north who don’t what the festival in Derry in 2013, principally because it’s the British City of Culture and principally because the Fleadh is an Irish festival,” the spokesperson added.

The Ennis bid to host the 2012 Fleadh, which would be worth an estimated € 30m to the county, was launched in April when the local committee that draws together the local branch of Clare Comhaltas, Clare County Council, Clare GAA, Ennis Town Council and Shannon Development met with Comhaltas Ceoiltóirí Éireann chiefs.

The Clare submission identified 25 venues in Ennis that would facilitate the 2012 event that would cater for up to 200,000 music lovers from across the world, with new Clare County Council headquarters on New Road designated as the hub of operations.

Ennis previously hosted Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 1956 and 1977.

THE founder of a local charity shop has started a new project aimed at giving disadvantaged children a chance to play music. Mary Moroney of the Somalia Shop is looking for donations of musical instruments.

Founded by Mary in 1992, the shop, which trades in second-hand goods, supports local and international aid organisations, including Clare Haven House, the Clare branch of Alzheimer’s Ireland, and others. Mary explained that while money has been raised for charities operating in Africa and Eastern Europe, the shop has also been strongly supportive of local causes and groups.

She said, “With the recession hitting hard down here, we are committed to helping our local causes. In fact, we’re trying to bring some joy to under-priviliged children by collecting and donating musical instruments. We hope to continue with this project for some time.”

Mary added that the shop are always looking for donations. She said that there are also plans to hold an auction at the shop in the coming weeks.

For more details on the music project or any of the work done by the Somalia Shop, contact Mary at 065 6824882.

RUAN musician Tara Breen is living the dream she never had – within the space of five days, she’s showcased her considerable talents as one of the hottest prodigies in traditional Irish music before two of the most recognisable figures in the world.

On Thursday, the 21-year-old played before the Queen of England in Dublin Castle, while on Monday she moved down the road to College Green to play for US President Barack Obama.

“I can’t believe it really,” she told The Clare People on Monday. “To get the opportunity to play before one of them was great, but to be one of the few people for both the Queen and President Obama is unbelievable.

“I feel very privileged to have been given the chance. To be honest, I’m still in shock over it and it probably won’t sink in for a couple of weeks that I got the chance to play for them. It’s certainly a great memory to have,” she added.

The invitation to perform before Queen Elizabeth came from legendary traditional and folk musician Dónal Lunny, whose 2010 TG4 talent show called Lorg Lunny first exposed Ms Breen’s talents to a nationwide audience.

The programme led to the formation of the Ciorrus, a traditional group that also includes Clareman Dermot Sheedy that launched its debut album at last year’s Ennis Trad Festival.

“We got the call for the Obama gig,” Breen told The Clare People . “We were just told to be there at 3.30pm to play on College Green at 5pm. Coming so soon after playing for the Queen, it’s great.

“It was absolutely brilliant to play before the Queen. I don’t usually get nervous before playing a gig, but was petrified beforehand. Once we started, the nerves went and I really enjoyed the performance. Afterwards we got to meet her and I found her very ordinary. We were introduced to her and shook her hand. She had the banter with us and said she loved the music and the dancers,” she added.

THERE’S was no chance for President Barack Obama to echo the famous words of “seeing old Shannon’s face again” – used by President John F Kennedy on the runway of Clare’s international airport as he left Ireland in 1963 after his historic State visit.

The airport link was still present in Moneygall on Monday on the double. President Obama spoke of drinking Guinness in Shannon when he made a whistle-stop visit to his ancestral home during his brief one-day stay in Ireland, while a former Scariff Garda told of his brush with the Kennedy clan at the airport 44 years ago.

Garda Mick O’Dwyer was on duty in Shannon in 1967 when President Kennedy’s wife, Jackie, daughter Caroline and son John Jnr left Ireland through the airport after holidaying in Waterford.

“There was a massive crowd and we were trying to hold them back,” he re- called of the Kennedys’ visit.

“She (Jackie) had a hold of the two children by the hands and the young fella, John Jnr, had a small plastic bucket with seashells and a book. He passed by me and this little book entitled Spr ings of India n Wisdom

THE first step towards the establishment of the first all-Irish secondary school in the county is being taken by the Clare Vocational Educational Committee, on foot of a mounting campaign by Irish language enthusiasts.

As part of this process, Clare VEC has embarked on a wide-ranging consultation process with members of the public on the future status of Ghaelcholáiste an Chláir in Ennis, an arm of Ennis Community College that has catered for the needs of those wishing to receive secondary education through Irish for nearly two decades.

The move by Clare VEC is in direct response to a decision taken last year to accept in principal a proposal to create a new standalone secondary school in Ennis where every subject would be taught through the medium of Irish.

“The Gaelcholáiste currently shares resources with Ennis Community College such as the science lab and music rooms. But it is short of space and, because of its reliance on the facilities of the community college, it is challenging to provide an Irish-speaking environment and the provision of all subjects to Leaving Certificate through Irish,” a VEC spokesperson

“Clare Vocational Education Committee is exploring several options to further develop and expand Gaelcholáiste an Chláir if there is sufficient demand,” the spokesperson added.

As part of the VEC survey to take place between now and deadline date of June 17, respondents are being asked their views on whether the Gaelcholáiste “should establish independent status and move to its own campus”, or whether the school “should remain as it is, operating within Ennis Community College”.

This project to establish all-Irish secondary education was born in 1993 when Ghaelcholáiste an Cháir opened. Since then the school has built up to a full 6 year secondary cycle with an annual intake of approximately 30 pupils.

The project was initiated by parents and involved polling parents of potential pupils as well as supporting the Vocational Education Committee and Department of Education to find the way to fund the project.

TEACHING AT three of Clare’s second level schools has been praised by the Department of Education and Skills. The department has made positive remarks after carrying out inspections at St Flannan’s College, Ennis; Ennistymon Vocational School and St John Bosco Community College, Cahercon, Kildysart.

Subject inspections were carried out at all three schools. Geography was the chosen subject at St Flannan’s; Construction Studies was inspected in Ennistymon, while Guidance was inspected at Cahercon.

According to the report, teaching and learning in Geography was “very good” at St Flannan’s. It stated that the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) into teaching and learning had a very positive impact on students’ learning.

The uptake of Geography in senior cycle was strong, while the achievement by students in examinations was described as “very good”. The inspectors encouraged the school to build on its “very good practice” by introducing assessment-for-learning strategies into lessons. It also suggested that the Transition Year plan for Geography be further developed.

The teaching of Guidance at St John Bosco Community College was also praised by the inspectors. They concluded that students are well supported and that Guidance is perceived appropriately in the school.

According to the report, the facilities for the subject are good, while the Guidance department has engaged with the community and with parents. The inspectors have made a number of recommendations including that a whole-school guidance planning team be established.

The teaching of Construction Studies at Ennistymon Vocational School was also praised by the inspectors. They noted that support for the subject is “very good with regard to the supply of resources such as tools, equipment and materials”. It also noted that provision for students to study Construction in the school is very good.

“The quality of teaching and learning observed in the course of the inspection was at all times very high. The voice of the students formed a central part of the lessons,” stated the report.

In total, 44 school inspection reports were published by the Department last week. Subject inspection reports evaluate the teaching and learning of specific subjects in second-level schools.

GARDAÍ are investigating an incident in which an elderly woman was robbed in her home in Feakle on Friday. A man selling clothes called to the woman’s house at around 1.30pm. While in the house, he stole money from the elderly lady’s handbag, before leaving in a red car.

The man is described as tall with dark hair, of slim build. He is believed to be in his 50s and clean shaven. He was wearing a black suit and spoke with a foreign accent. The man, believed to be from India or Pakistan, was driving a red car with a yellow number plate on the back. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have seen the car to contact them.

Meanwhile, gardaí in Kilmihil are investigating an incident in which the Vodafone compound at Lack West was broken into, after the lock on the gate was cut. 200 litres of diesel and a Wilson generator were stolen.

In Killaloe, a suspicious fire is being investigated by gardaí. The car, which was parked on Radharc na hAglise on Convent Hill, caught fire in what are described as suspicious circumstances at around 3.30 on Sunday morning.

The theft of a car in Ennis is being investigated by gardaí. The grey coloured Fiat Punto hatchback was stolen from Park Avenue in Ennis town between 10pm on Wednesday and 8.30am on Thursday. Also on Wednesday night, two youths were seen running from the Tobarkeel area on the Drumcliffe Road, after a portaloo had been set alight. Both were in their late teens.

In Kilrush, the theft of lead from the roof of the library on O’Gorman Street last weekend is being investigated, while gardaí are investigating an incident in which four car tyres were slashed outside a house on Hector Street last Thursday. And in Sixmilebridge, the theft of two cast iron gates from the gateway of a private house at Castlecrine, Sixmilebridge last Wednesday, is being investigated. Gardaí across the county are investigating a number of burglaries over the past week. Houses in Kilkee, Quin, Kilmihil and Shannon were targeted. A licensed premises in O’Briensbridge was broken into in the early hours of last Tuesday. The cigarette machines containing cigarettes and money were stolen.

GARDAÍ in Ennis are following a definite line of enquiry after a scam involving the office of the Bishop of Killaloe and businesses in the town.

€ 3,000 worth of electrical goods were fraudulently ordered for the Bishop by an individual, during a number of transactions. A member of staff at the Diocesan office’s name was used by the individual who ordered the goods. A request was made that the goods would be collected at another business in the town and that the invoice be sent to the Diocesan office in Ennis.

A version of the Diocesan office stationery and the Bishop’s signature were used to confirm the order.

However, the Bishop of Killaloe Kieran O’Reilly and his staff didn’t have any knowledge of the order and did not receive any of the goods.

The Diocesan office was alerted to the incident when it received a phone call from the business indicating that the remainder of the order was ready for collection. This was after part of it had been collected by an unknown individual from another business premises.

Gardaí say that a number of transactions were carried out in recent weeks, but that similar issues have not arisen previously and say this is an “isolated incident”.

“We are following a line of enquiry on it,” said Ennis Superintendent Peter Duff.

“There were a few incidents but it is not endemic of a crime wave,” he said.

He advised business people in Ennis to be mindful of this incident. “If people get orders in a person’s name, they should check did they make an order. We would encourage all suppliers of goods to deliver to the address on the order,” said Supt Duff.

Killaloe Diocesan Communications Officer Fr Brendan Quinlivan said, “When we became aware of it, we contacted the guards straightaway.”

“We felt it was important to alert people, in case they got caught up in the scam,” he said.

“The idea was they would be left somewhere to be collected after office hours. This is the first time our offices have been used in this way. The Bishop would be very unhappy that his name and the Diocesan office would be used to perpetrate a fraud on small businesses especially in the current climate when they are trying to survive. Ennis is a small town. Trust erodes when you have to put businesses on alert,” he added.