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STUDENTS faced with the scary prospect of their first year in col- lege will be helped by NUI Galway Students’ Union with advice on finding accommoda- tion, and how to prepare for coming to college.

The Union will be providing articles giv- ing practical tips, such as asking parents for simple recipes, learning how to use the washing machine before leaving home and what to buy in advance of coming to college.

“Starting university is a very exciting time in the life of any stu- dent. However, it can be a very daunting experi- ence, especially those weeks between the Leaving Cert results, the CAO offer and reg- istration in the chosen third level institution. Through these articles, we ll help you through what you should be doing to prepare for the months ahead, for example, sourcing ac- commodation, or find- ing your way in the first few days,” said com- munications Oya ELee me John Hynes.

VOLKSWAGEN were late develop- ing their own version of the midi- MPV, and in the meantime their competitors plundered the market. VW, however, have begun the fight back.

The Golf family has just got big- ger. Quite literally. Not content with the Golf and the Touran, VW have just added the Golf Plus to its ranks which it boldly describes as the ‘rein- vention’ of the traditional hatchback.

The Golf Plus manages to avoid the boxy look of many vehicles in the midi-MPV sector and in every sense, the Golf Plus offers more – more in- terior space, more comfort and more functionality.

With its raised seating and totally flexible interior concept, the new Golf Plus offers endless options and practical solutions.

Among the changes to the market leading Golf, the Plus incorporates trapezoidal-shaped headlights, a small quarter window ahead of the front doors, a more refined V-form in the lower edge of the rear wind- screen and stylish headlamps.

The Golf and the Golf Plus are the same width, but the Plus is 2mm longer, while there’s a big differ- ence in height – the Plus has been increased by 95mm. This alteration leads to increased headroom (plus 20mm), a higher seating position

and more legroom.

Underneath the hood the Plus shares its underpinnings with the Golf.

Weekends away, family holidays, shopping trips, or adventure sports, the new Golf Plus takes them all in it’s stride. Ensuring you get the most out of life – while still enjoying the class-leading performance, legen- dary build quality and sheer exhila- ration of driving a Volkswagen Golf.

You have a 395-litre storage ca- pacity with the rear seat in the rear- most position and 1,450 litres with rear seats folded away, compared to 350/1,305 litres in the standard Golf.

An extra touch of versatility allows the rear seat to slide forwards on its base to provide 505-litres; the front passenger seat also folds flat.

Despite this increased space, the Golf Plus, being based on the Golf hatch, retains that model’s essential qualities which include award-win- ning driving dynamics, value for money and a high level of safety Xe | bay oy eaten

It’s styling is also closely linked to that of the hatch, particularly in key areas such as the bonnet, C pillar and grille. For the first time in this class, LED technology is used for the rear lights, while active curve headlights — which follow steering direction — will also be available.

The suspension is virtually iden- tical to the Golf, bar minor adyjust-

ments to allow for the increased weight (up around 100 kilos) and a slightly raised centre of gravity. VW’s marketing department are curious to discover whether buyers in this mainstream “C” (small family- sized) sector are moving away from traditional hatchbacks into more MPV-like cars. It’s basically an ex- periment made feasible and afford- able thanks to the latest CAD design technology, which enables the rela-

tively cheap development of different variants off a shared platform.

Five engine choices are offered initially, the 1.4 (/S5bhp), 1.6 FSI (15bhp) and 2.0 FSI (50bhp) pet- rol units and the 1.9 TDI (O05bhp) and 2.0 TDI (140bhp) diesels; an entry-level 1.9 TDI (90bhp) _fol- lows next year. The 1.6 and 2.0 FSI models have the option of six-speed automatic transmission and the two larger diesels with the DSG (Direct

Shift Gearbox) clutchless sequen- tial set-up. Volkswagen are adamant however that there will not be a Golf UKRGsbe

Basically, the Golf Plus is a car for the undecided, for those who refuse to admit that they need something more appropriate to their parental status or lifestyle, for those thirty something’s determined to continue to wear the same clothes they did at AeA

THE SCRAMBLE by hotel operators to build and extend new hotels in Clare’s tourist desti- nations, in order to take advantage of tax 1n- centives, is meeting with mixed results.

Clare County Council has granted planning permission for the fourth hotel along Lahinch Main Street, but plans to extend the Liscan- nor Bay Hotel have been thrown out by the Council.

In giving the go-ahead for the Lahinch pro- posal, the Council granted planning to Wil- liam Stackpoole to demolish a cottage on Main Street and construct a small hotel.

Permission was granted despite an objec- tion from businessman, Donal Kenny, who owns the nearby Kenny Woollenmills and the Avondale apartments.

Mr Kenny argued that if the Council was

to allow the development proceed, it would greatly reduce the amenity and value of his property.

As for the proposal for a significant exten- sion to the Liscannor Bay Hotel by Brian J O’ Higgins, the Council ruled that the propos- al would be contrary to the proper planning and development of the area.

The two applications formed part of what the Council’s Head of Planning, Ger Dollard described as “25 years of development” ear- lier this year. In order for the developments to avail of the tax incentives, they must be com- pleted by July of next year.

In all, the Council has received planning ap- plications for 588 holiday homes, 133 apart- ments, 9 new hotels, extensions to 6 existing hotels, a cinema, department store, leisure centre and 2 marinas.

FURIOUS traders in the Merchants Quay area of Ennis are demanding that something be done to improve the upkeep of the area.

They claim that the cobblestone streets are unsafe and have been the cause of accidents. Indeed Ennis Town Council has refused to col- lect rubbish in the area as they also consider is a safety issue with the cobblestone streets. As there is no refuse service for residents living in apartments, rubbish is often dumped in the streets. The overall poor con- dition of the area, traders believe, has led to a downturn in trade and in some instances has forced some businessess to close down.

In May 2001 Ennis Town Council, stated in a letter to solicitors acting on behalf of the traders, that there was safety issues to be resolved in relation to the cobblestreet surface. Mr Desmond Houlihan who is the developer of Merchants Quay, in- dicated to the council the situation would be rectified and that he no longer wished the council to take the scheme into its charge. Local trad- ers point out that very little has been done in the interveening period.

Despite paying rates to both the council and the developer they say

no services are being provided to Weloveee

In 2003 traders were served with enforcement notices for non-compli- ance with planning conditions at- tatched to the granting of planning permission in 1991, by Ennis Town Council. Both the traders and the

developer were threatened with legal action if they failed to comply with the notices. Since these notices were sent out no action has been taken. Traders feel they are being vic- timised as the planning conditions were laid out in 1991 and they only signed the leases for the premises

in 1996. Tony Muffett is the owner of “Patricias International Fashions’ in Merchants Quay which is due to close down.

‘ T ask the question that why is it that the enforcement notice was is- sued in 2003, we are now in 2005 and no action has been taken against the developer by the enforcement section of Clare County Council” he said on Thursday.

He went onto add that the poor condition of the area “is causing a blighting of the street. It 1s expen- sive enough with rates. We are being forced to pay the council and they won’t even come down the street as they consider there is a safety 1s- sue with it. The rubbish overhead 1s being deposited on the streets and somebody needs to take action”’.

The Mayor of Ennis, Frankie Ney- lon, has called on Mr. Houlihan to hold discussions with the traders.

“T would be expecting Mr Houli- han, being the landlord would sit down with the traders. They are the people who are paying the rents and who have the leases. If their busi- nesses aren’t successful there is only one way to go and that is to leave. That would be a huge problem for the centre of the town and I wouldn’t like to see it happen” said Cllr Ney- lon.

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WHETHER it is comedy or classical music, there is something for everybody at Glor this autumn.

Comedian Pat Shortt will bring his brand new show “You Won’t Get Away With That Here” to Ennis.

It will run from November 3-5. Des Bishop will also be dropping by as will Irish comedian Connor Gallen who will appear on September 1.

For the past 4 years, Glor has attract- ed some of the top names in the music industry to Ennis.

This autumn is no different.

One of America’s foremost singer songwriters John Prine will play Glor on November 11.

Other big names to appear will be Damien Dempsey, John Spillane, Flook, and Bell X1.

Highly rated Dublin outfit “the Gug- genheim Grotto’ will perform their first headline show in Glor in September.

Clive Barnes will join veteran per- former Freddie White on September 2.

The inimitable Furey Brothers featur- ing Davey Arthur, Grada and Noelie McDonnell complete an eclectic musi- oF bDatest lop

Classical tastes will also be catered for with an extensive musical progamme.

Flautist Carol McGonnell will be joined by pianist Finghin Collins and

Catherine Leonard on the violin in Sep- tember.

Ballet Ireland return in November, when they perform “Diaghiliev and The Red Shoes’ as a tribute to Ballet Russe.

One of the highlights of the program me is sure to be a performance by U.K. theatre company ‘Fidget Feet’ on Sep- tember 2.

Combining elements of circus, dance and aerial acrobatics, it promises to be a dazzling display.

The simmering tensions of New Or- leans will be brought to the stage when the Keegan theatre group perform “A Streetcar Named Desire” in late Sep- tember.

Clare-based theatre group ‘Brion- gloid’ open the theatre season with ‘Failte Romhat a Mhairtin’ and “Dun na mBan tri Thine’.

Other highlights include, London Classic Theatre’s production of Hugh Leonard’s “Love in the Title’ and Blue Raincoat Theatre Company’s “the Bald Soprano’.

Glor’s ever-popular film club, returns on September 18.

As always the programme includes the very best in English and foreign lan- guage cinema.

The season kicks have with ‘My Sum- mer of Love’ and continues with *Vodka Lemmon’ and slick Hungarian thriller, ‘Kontrol’.

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A KILKISHEN leaving cert student, his brother and sister could be stranded without school transport when school opens after summer.

The three Stewart-Dunne children may have to switch school following a Vocational Education Committee warn- ing that they may not have places on the

school bus in the new term – if they can get a place in a new school.

Anne Stewart, mother of Michael (16), John (14) and Emer (12) says she is “at a loss” to know what to do about her chil- dren’s education after receiving a letter from the VEC last week warning that there may not be any space for her chil- dren on the bus to their secondary school in Shannon come September.

“Michael is about to start in to his Leaving Certificate cycle, John has set- tled into school at Shannon and loves it there and Emer wants to go to school where her brothers and cousins go. For them to change and go to Tulla, which is the nearest school, would be a major disruption. We don’t know if the school in Tulla has places for them – I don’t even know if we should be applying there or getting ready for Shannnon,” said Anne.

A major consideration for Anne – who is a lone parent and works part-time – would be the cost of changing schools.

“It will set me back about €300 for uniforms alone and there is a free book scheme in Shannon. I don’t know if that applies in Tulla. I only work part-time and I don’t have that kind of money,’ the mother of three said.

The letter which Anne Stewart received a few days ago is one of thousands sent out to families nation-wide.

The letters were sent to parents who have opted to send their children to a secondary school other than the one Aeterna com nelsn0

Before now, children who travelled to school outside their catchment areas were classified as “boundary catchment pupils” and were allocated seats on the basis of availability but in practice, al- most every child got a place on the bus.

The letters are a result of the Govern- ment decision to end a “three for two” seating arrangement on school buses.

The Stewart children were enrolled ins school at Shannon so they could be educated with their extended family and be close to their grandad, who provides them with a hot lunch while their mum is working.

“I know that the Department of Educa- tion is trying to improve safety standards on school buses and that’s all to the good but instead of doing the decent thing and putting on more buses, they want children uprooted and taken away from school where they are doing well, “ said Anne.

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CLARE people got a chance to sample what life is like behind the scenes at Lough Derg’s RNLI Lifeboat Station’s first Open Day last week.

The day was a huge success, with many local people visiting the station for the first time. Volunteer crew and committee mem- bers gave guided tours and answered ques- tions about the work of the RNLI and about their local lifeboat.

There were videos of the Atlantic Class lifeboat in action on the sea and slideshows on the development and progress of the Lough Derg Station.

The Irish Coast Guard’s Search and Res-

cue helicopter did a fly by, much to the delight of the young children visiting the station.

August 7 was also the first day of the Lough Derg Yacht Club annual regatta and many sailors visited the station. It is tra- ditionally a day in which the Yacht Club makes a collection for the RNLI.

‘All volunteers at the station would like to extend a warm thank you to everyone who made the journey to visit the lifeboat sta- tion; for their enthusiasm, support and gen- erosity” said Lifeboat PRO Eleanor Hogan. “The Open Day was a tremendous success and helped to raise funds to continue the valuable work of the RNLI and our local lifeboat station.”