Month: May 2007

PRESSURE is mounting on the Eu- ropean Commission to introduce an all out ban on Brazilian beef follow- ing an IFA survey into the South American beef sector.

IFA President, Padraig Walshe, presented the results of the study to EU Commission officials in Brussels last Thursday which he claims in- cludes “extensive factual evidence” that raises major questions over sec- tor.

During the 7-day visit to Brazil, a team from the IFA and the Farmers Journal visited 15 farms in the states of Parana, Mato Grosso de Sol and Mato Grosso. In addition, the team observed farming practices on a fur-

ther 27 farms on their travels.

‘Based on the evidence we found of non existent cattle traceability, wide- spread illegal removal and cutting out of tags, totally inadequate move- ment and FMD controls and the use of hormone growth promoters, the only conclusion for the EU Commis- sion is to immediately impose a total ban on all Brazilian beef imports into Europe,” said IFA national livestock chairman John Bryan, who was part of the Brazilian trip.

Bryan went on to accused the EU Commission, particularly ‘Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou, of pursuing a politically-motivated trade agenda on Brazilian beef imports.

“On the few farms where there were tags, we found routine and widespread removal and cutting out of the official SISBOV tags in order to facilitate illegal movement,” he SrHTOR

“It is clear from our visit that the movement of cattle from FMD re- stricted states into unrestricted clear states 1s widespread.

“This explains why actual imports into the EU have fallen by only 2 per cent, despite restrictions on states which accounted for over 60 per cent of EU imports before the FMD crisis new lO ey

“We saw evidence of large scale cattle movement across state borders driven by higher prices in the unre- stricted states.”

Bryan went on to say that Irish and European farmers operated to the highest international standards of food safety, animal identification and traceability and strict controls on animal medicines and residue KRU NTS

‘European consumers expect that all beef on sale in the EU meet these standards. Producers and consum- ers rely on the Commission to up- hold European standards across the board,’ he continued.

“By accepting Brazilian beef im- ports, which clearly fall below Euro- pean standards, the EU Commission are failing in their duty to European consumers and undermining Euro- pean producers.”

CLARE farmers are being urged to attend an IFA Skillnet training workshop which takes place later this week at the Auburn Lodge Hotel in Ennis

The survey, which has been or- ganised by the newly appointed IFA Skillnet Network Manager and Clareman, Karl Skehan, will provide IFA members with the opportunity to get trained in completing the Farm Safety Code.

“Tax planning for succession 1s

very important, there were a number of tax issues which should be consid- ered when transferring assets such as the family farm,” said Clare IFA county chairman Seamus Murphy. “Any farmer making a will needs to clearly state the allocation of the Single Farm Payment in their wills that where the Single Farm Payment was not addressed in a will that it falls into the residue of the estate and were this to happen it may become inactive as there may be no land on which to activate the payment.” Meanwhile, IFA President Padraig

Walshe, launching the IFA Skillnet Safety Training Project in Dublin last week.

‘Already in 2007 there have been six farm deaths. These are great tragedies for the farm families con- cerned.

“The IFA Skillnet courses will as- sist farmers to manage their farms with safety and health to the fore, by completing the new Code of Prac- tice,” he said

IFA Skillnet is a member of a na- tional group of learning networks. These provide innovative, non-man-

datory training for a range of sectors. Skillnet organisations are funded by the National Training Fund operated by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment.

The workshop will take place from 10am 4pm at the Auburn Lodge Hotel, this Friday June 1. Places are limited and should be booked through the IFA Office in Limer- ick on 061-314196. There is a €50 charge per place for IFA members and €100 for non members. Lunch will be provided for all who attend the training event..

A NATIONAL charity won’t be looking a gift horse in the mouth this June bank holiday weekend as a line of horse-drawn carriages makes a 150 mile journey to west Clare in a bid to raise money.

The unusual cavalcade, benefiting the Barretstown therapeutic recrea- tion programme, will saddle up in Kildare at 6am on Saturday, June 2 before travelling south.

Local volunteer Noreen O’Brien said that at least 20 carriages as well

as horse boxes and support staff from the Kildare Horse Driving Club will pass through Killaloe on Saturday afternoon before stopping in Inagh for the night.

“I got involved because my kids are into showjumping and we have friends in this club in Kildare. One of the organisers, Pat Commane, 1s originally from Miltown Malbay so that inspired a ‘Kildare to Clare’ trip. We are distributing lines locally and there will be buckets for dona- tions as they pass through.”

The cavalcade will leave Inagh at

midday on Sunday, June 3 arriving in Miltown Malbay an hour later and finishing in Quilty in the afternoon. There will be more fundraising that night in the Quilty Tavern with mu- sic and a raffle as the club try to pass the post for their €15,000 target.

Ms O’Brien added that the entire operation would be massive.

“The line itself is only one thing. They will have lorries with horse boxes because they will change to fresh horses every 10 miles, as well as a bus in front of them. Barrets- town is the only facility of its kind

in Ireland. It is like a summer camp for children recovering from serious illnesses so it’s a huge effort but for a very worthy cause.”

She said that anyone with their own carriage can join the line along the way but regretfully sulkies are ex- cluded because they are not covered by insurance.

It is hoped that the event will be successful enough to ride again next year.

To make a donation and support Barretstown, telephone Noreen on 065-7084708.

ACTIONS speak as loud as words for Cooraclare School of Speech and Drama with five of its students win- ning awards for performing from the Irish Board of Speech and Drama. Three students won gold medals and two senior students were given special awards with distinction for their achievements after completing their final grade examinations. Grade Four student Jenny Ryan from Kilrush and Grade Three stu- dents, Saoirse Griffin from Cappagh and Breda Quinn from Cooraclare

were awarded gold medals by the board while the other distinctions were given to Kate O’Gorman from Cree and Edel Tubridy from Coora- OE NKeor

Founder of the school, Bernie Tu- bridy, said that the examiner had congratulated all of the girls on the high standard.

“They all put in a lot of work get- ting ready for the exams. Different exams consist of recitation of po- etry, reading, mime and dramatic solos. The younger students would have given an impromptu talk about themselves as well.”

Ms Tubridy added that all of the school’s students, over twenty be- tween the ages of six and 16 years, also took part in an annual show.

“All of the children performed on the stage in Cooraclare Community Centre for parents in March and there was a variety of short plays, solos and poetry that night. They all take a great interest in it- especially on the drama side of things. We put a big emphasis on that and communi- cation skills of course.”

Since 1994, the school has had many graduates from its weekly classes perform in local drama pro-

ductions.

‘“Cooraclare has a strong dramatic tradition with well-known producer Tom McNamara organising plays for the Doonbeg Drama Festival. One of our award winners, Edel, played Molly in this year’s Cooraclare Dra- ma Group play –

WEST Clare was the last stop for events on Saturday as Clare Biodi- versity Week came to a successful end with a walking tour of the Van- deleur Gardens in Kilrush.

Members of the West Clare Wild- life Club were instrumental in or- ganising the inaugural awareness and activity week which involved a variety of events all over the county.

One of the founders of the wild- life club, National Parks and Wild- life Service (NPWS) ranger Barry O’Donoghue, led a walk around Loop Head on Tuesday, May 23.

“It was a lovely evening with beau- tiful scenery, moody seas and a va- riety of wildlife on display such as

gannets, chough and dolphins. The club supplied binoculars to all the walkers and everyone really enjoyed it.”

The woodland walk and talk later in the week focused on flora and fauna, with moth traps set the night before to put moths and butterflies on display. Other events included Dr Simon Berrow, one of the founders of Clare Biodiversity Group and the wildlife club explained what Biodi- versity Week was all about.

“The week gives everyone a chance to enjoy and explore the glorious wildlife and wild places of Clare. The county has everything from lakes in east Clare to the Burren in north Clare. Biodiversity is the vari- ety of life on our planet. We are hop-

ing that the week becomes an annual event. Last year, there was a day but the weather can be unpredictable so spreading the events out is a good idea.”

The West Clare Wildlife Club runs all year round and is now preparing for its Summer outings.

“We started it up last winter and arranged different guests speakers, both with local knowledge or broad- er interests. Generally, we have a talk once a month on the last Thurs- day and a trip out on the Sunday after to see what we spoke about. We have 80 members and usually get 30 on average at events,” said Dr Berrow.

The summer programme is now in motion with a trip to Scattery Island as one possible event.

When the winter programme be- gins in September, some of the lec- ture subjects will include underwa- ter marine life with John Flynn and diving with Robert Tweedy. One of Ireland’s foremost wildlife and land- scape photographers, Mike Brown, will also pay a visit to the headquar- ters of the Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation in Merchant’s Quay, Kilrush where the 8pm talks ANKoM IO

“Clare has led the way for biodiver- sity in Ireland and we will continue working to maintain that enthusi- asm,’ he added.

For more information on the West Clare Wildlife Club, membership and club events, log on to www. WCWC.1E.

TOM Munnelly, one of the founders of the Old Kilfarboy Historical and Archaelogical Society and promi- nent folklorist, has been honoured with a book on his life’s work.

Twenty-eight friends and_ col- leagues contributed essays to the book on subjects such as traditional music, folklore, traditional singing and Mr Munnelly’s own work in col- lecting and cataloguing the largest number of songs ever by any one in- dividual in Ireland.

The first copy of the book, Dear Far Voiced Veteran: Essays in Honour of Tom Munnelly, was presented to Mr Munnelly at the Bellbridge House Hotel in Spanish Point on May 19

and it will soon go on general sale.

Contributors and friends gathered from all over Ireland and the world to attend the presentation. Guests were entertained by traditional music and storytelling into the early hours.

The book’s editor, Anne Clune, said that Mr Munnelly’s work was an outstanding achievement and the presentation was a testament to it.

“The presentation was one of the best kept secrets ever but we still had over 200 guests simply by word of mouth. He was delighted and he got a standing ovation. Director-Gen- eral of RTE, Cathal Goan, presented the book and lots of figures from the world of traditional music were there. So many people helped out on the project that it would almost re-

new your faith in humankind. The whole event was surrounded by a spirit of happiness.”

She added that Mr Munnelly, who lives in Miltown Malbay and cel- ebrated his 63rd birthday last week, was not just a legend in west Clare historical circles but a “national fig- Vi Kome

‘He has done incredibly important work in terms of indexing and pre- serving music. In the Encyclopedia of Irish Folk alone, he has a four page entry so he is very deserving of debecm eCeyecelen mm

Mr Munnelly’s career has spanned decades since he first began collect- ing traditional songs in the field in 1964. He has also catalogued poetry and stories.

He began working in the Depart- ment of Folklore in University Col- lege Dublin in 1975 and has lectured to every folklore and folk music body in Ireland and in all Irish uni- versities.

He founded the Clare Festival of Traditional Singing before forming the Old Kilfarboy Historical and Ar- chaelogical Society in 1999.

The society has gone from strength to strength and holds twelve walks and excursions a year.

WHAT does a Californian boyband, reality television and the Burren have in common? Manband, a new feature film by Lisdoonvarna writer/director Dermott Petty, ties all three together in a seamless dark comedy.

The film, which was shot in Los Angeles last year, receives it’s Irish debut in Glor this weekend.

“Tt’s a feature film that I made in California. It’s a dark comedy about a boyband made up of middle aged men and a reality TV show,” said Dermott.

“It starts with a pair of record pro-

ducers who are going through a bad ey lKeee

“They decide to try the band with a group of middle aged men but it’s all a mess from the start. They can’t sing, can’t dance, they are hopeless. A video of them somehow get broad- cast by accident as a reality TV show and amazingly becomes a hit.”

Originally from Lisdoonvarna, Dermott left Ireland in the 1980’s and has been based in Los Angeles for the last 11 years.

“It was shot on a really small budg- et. If fact it was all shot on weekends because we all had full time jobs during the week. It was a really great

experience,’ he continued.

“We were able to break all of the rules, there is about 50 speaking roles in the film for example. After doing it I felt like I could do anything. That is one of the reasons why I decided to return to Ireland.

After years trying to break into the business as a writer, Dermott felt the time was right to go it alone and pull together a feature film off his own bat.

“T directed and wrote the film as- well-as doing a little bit of everything else. | have done a short movie before and a load a scripts.

A lot of them were close to being

taking up but for some reason or an- other they never quite made it,” con- tinued Dermott.

“So I figured I would just go out and make a feature film myself. I was a punk rocker years ago and it’s start- ing to become a similar situation in Hollywood. You have to go out and make things happen for yourself and be bold.”

Manband will be given it’s Irish debut in Glor in Ennis on Saturday, June 2, at 2.15pm.

For more information on_ the Manband gig check out www. burrenproductions.com or _ email dermottpetty@hotmail.com

AS the Hunt Season comes to a close this weekend, one north Clare trainer can look back at a very successful last few months over the fences. In his debut season as a trainer, Tub- ber’s John Staunton has made great advances, winning a number of com- petitions along the western seaboard from Cork up to Galway.

John has hunting in his blood, as both his father and grandfather schooled him in the art from a young age. With horses always around, it was no real surprise that the training came so naturally to him.

“We had a couple of thoroughbred. I started off with my own and then a couple of lads asked me to take on theirs. It started just a year ago so it

is happening very quickly,” he said.

“T ran two horses properly this year but I had a couple more getting them ready and a few breakers that prob- ably won’t run until the harvest. Pier Deal won the point-to-point up in Bellclare, which is up near Tuam and Volcanic Rock won down in Cork.

“The competition that Pier Deal won would have been against horses from all over Galway and Sligo, the competition in Cork was an open competition so any horse of the right age could enter. So there was good competition in both races. It’s hard to win any race with a horse.”

John has developed a technique for getting the best out of his horses by training them up in the heart of the Burren.

“It’s the same as any sport, you get

them as fit as you can. You start them off slowly, build them up and then get them as fit as possible. After that you school them, get them jumping fences. We try to school them in as many different places as we can. You could school them at home but the more places you go to the better. It smartens them up, makes them better able to tackle different situations,’ he Cr HTOR

“We would usually start off with the road work. About six weeks of road work and build it up from there. You can see when they are starting to get fit and then you need to go away to school them from there. The more places that you can get them schooled the better. There’s no point having them fit if they can’t jump.”

John is in the process of complet-

ing a number of new features at his stables including a walker, sheds and a two and a half furlong long glass gallop.

“It’s a all weather glass gallop for exercising the horses. Even around here the rock is too sheer, in the win- ter time the horses would be cutting into it and they might get injured. It’s about 2 1/2 furlongs all the way around it,” he said.

“It has been a big investment but if you are going at it you have to go at it right.

FINAL preparations are being made this week for one of the first heralds of the summer in north Clare, the an- nual Ennistymon Agricultural Show. The two-day show, which takes place this Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3, attracts large crowds to Ennisty- mon’s Falls Hotel, both to watch and take part.

This year’s show includes a number of new events which should keep young and old entertained over the bank holiday weekend.

“One of the new elements of this year’s show is the adult art section. Children’s art has always been very big, there was hundreds and hun- dreds of entries over the last number

of years. So we have a qualifier this year for the adult art All-Ireland,” said show PRO Maurice Harvey.

“There is also a new competition this year for the best dressed mother and child up to the age of 10. That’s a new one. The dog show has been growing very rapidly. It was surpris- ing last year, there were more people around the dog show than around e1- ther the cattle or the horses.”

Alongside the many arts and craft competitions, there is also a large ag- ricultural section which 1s a big draw for spectators.

“There would be about five horse All-Ireland qualifiers at the show and probably about the same in cat- tle. The standard has got so high in Ennistymon that the qualifiers would

normally be there or thereabouts at the All-Ireland,’ said Chairman James Garrahy.

“One great achievement, about three years ago, was our number one and two horses finished first and sec- ond in the All-Ireland. The fact that it is early in the year encourages a lot of the people who would be bringing horses and who would be anxious to get them out and get them active.”

Although hundreds will come to the show to compete in competi- tions, many, many more will come to spectate and soak up the festival atmosphere.

“We would normally get a great crowd on the Sunday. The Saturday is all jumping, it popular with its own group but you would get a much big-

ger crowd on the Sunday. The biggest factor about the crowd on Sunday is really the weather,’ continued Mau- rice.

‘The one thing that really helps the show is that we have the hospitality of the Falls Hotel. It really helps a lot. There are very few shows who have a four -star hotel in the middle of everything. It means a lot, people can take a break to have something to ear or watch a match on TV. It is ereat to have it.”

SURFING and orienteering have be- come firm favourites among the stu- dents of the Ennistymon Vocational School who have this year been of- fered the chance of doing both as part of their school curriculum.

Last Thursday saw the last group of students from the school finish their surfing course with the Lahinch Surf NY storey

The groundbreaking programme, which received a grant aid from the Clare Sports Partnership, is designed to encourage non-traditional sport- ing activities in the school.

“We ran two periods of six weeks of surfing where we organised les- sons through the Lahinch Surf School. As a result of that, we had 26 students who did surfing on Thurs- day from all the different classes and right through the years,” said school principal, Enda Byrt.

“We had an awards night during the week and a lot of the parents were coming up to us and saying that we had cost them money because their children were taking up surfing. That shows the interest in it and how it was successful.”

Alongside surfing, orienteering has proved very popular among the stu-

Cle

“It’s about introducing people into something new. The second element of this was the orienteering.

“We got the Falls Hotel grounds professionally mapped so we have our Own orienteering area here,’ con- tinued Enda.

“We competed in Munster this year, ran orienteering throughout the year at different stages and we sent a team to the All-Ireland and we had a young first year who came eleventh.”

The idea of offering non-traditional sports and activities is to encourage people who have interests and skills besides the traditional team sports

like football, hurling and soccer.

“We have the wonderful resource here at Lahinch which is turning into a surfers’ paradise. We have our map of the Falls Hotel which is also a great resource.

“They are established and popular now so we would definitely like to continue them on,” said Enda.

“If there was a student who had a particular interest or expertise in an- other activity, then we could have a look at that also.

‘But it would be on the basis of the philosophy that it is something that they can keep on in later life for a while.”