Month: June 2008

THE LOSS of connectivity with Hea- throw is being part-blamed for the loss of 48 jobs at Shannon.

Buffalo Technology has reported the unfeasibility to serve its market- place from its location in Shannon as one of the reasons that it had to an- nounce closure at the weekend.

Fine Gael TD, Pat Breen said that there is “little doubt that this “unfea- sibility’ is due to the rising cost of

doing business in Ireland. A further consideration for the Shannon region is the loss of the Shannon-Heathrow service last year which is a consider- able obstacle when attempting to at- tract new investment to the area.”

A spokesman for SIPTU said that while it does not have members among the workers who are losing their jobs “this would seem to show that all the uproar about the loss of the Shannon Heathrow route was not a fuss abut nothing”.

Buffalo Technology Ireland as- sembles, tests and distributes devices used for storing information.

The company said its Irish business had made losses in the past two years and it was no longer feasible to serve its marketplace from its location in Shannon.

Buffalo said the main markets for its products were concentrated in the UK, Germany, Nordic countries and southern Europe, while it was also developing in Eastern Europe and

the Middle East. The company said it had started talks with workers on redundancy packages and was also consulting Shannon Development on the closure.

A spokeswoman for Shannon De- velopment confirmed they had been talking to the company but said she could not make any further comment ZIM MOV B DON LSS

Deputy Joe Carey called for im- mediate action from the Government to maintain Irish competitiveness in

the manufacturing and technology sector, following the announcement of the expected closure of Shannon- based technology company.

“Unfortunately the announced clo- sure of this plant 1s evidence that Ire- land has a huge issue maintaining its competitive edge, allowing an exodus of good jobs to international mar- kets as a result. The statistics show that Ireland has dropped from fourth place to 22nd in international com- petitiveness,’ he said

FOR their first attempt at the Tidy Towns awards, Ogonnelloe Tidy Towns Committee are delighted with the support which they have garnered from the community.

“We thought we might have been a bit overambitious in choosing the projects we tackled first, but people have been very supportive, coming out and giving a hand,’ said PRO for the tidy towns committee, Trevor ee. tF

“Ogonelloe is a beautiful village. We felt it would be right to enter the

tidy village section and it meant we focused in on a few things that need- ed doing,” he added.

Since its inception in February, the group and volunteers from the area have organised the clearing and transformation of what were two overgrown eyesores, planted 52 trees and are currently putting the finish- ing touches to planting flowerbeds and putting in slate surrounds.

Two overgrown areas in the village were cleared of gorse and building debris, which was left in one, has been dealt with.

“One area was quite large, about

200 metres long and we cleared that and planted 40 trees. Now we’re putting in hexagonal flower beds,” said Trevor.

The group have also covered an open drain and got financial support for the cost of the materials from generous local business people.

“We don’t want to put too much on people but we got such great support from people who want to come out and do a couple of hours work that it’s all come together so far,’ said Trevor.

The committee has also organised the cutting of verges the length of the

village which hadn’t seen a trim in years.

“It’s quite a large area with a smaller population than some of the other, more compact areas. Once these projects are finished we’ll sit down and see what needs to be done next.”

Trevor said the committee won’t be expecting to win prizes this year but are happy to have made a start.

‘For any village that enters, it takes afew years before they get anywhere and the judges comments will help us focus on what needs to be done next,’ said Trevor.

IN the unlikely event of a tree falling in the forest at Ballycuggaran, there will now definitely be someone there to hear it.

Coullte are putting the final touches to a scheme which has opened up the magnificent views and provided rest- ing places for weary feet as well as healthy walks.

The woodlands have long been a favourite place for picnics and walks, but having spent in excess of €15,000 on ground works and adding ameni- ties, Coillte have made it possible to walk up to eight kilometres with lots of loop walks and shorter strolls.

The graded walk, which is located just outside Two Mile Gate, will pro- vide a focal point for tourists as well as a valuable amenity for the people of east Clare.

“We did the ground work and opened up the walks and views. We put in seats at strategic viewing points – people get weary when they walk for a bit and this way, they get a rest and a view,” said Christy O’ Dea, of Coillte in Scariff.

The work has also included putting in two small new car parks and pic- nic tables at strategic locations.

In keeping with Coillte policy, the existing conifer trees will be gradu- ally replaced with broadleaf species

which have already been planted in some parts, including oak, ash, alder, beech and hazel.

The new walkway was made pos- sible thanks to a new funding initia- tive announced by Failte Ireland and Coulte last year. In the programme, some €5.3 million in funding has been allocated to help create an up- gerade facilities across the country.

The initiative will focus on provid- ing outdoor recreation facilities for walkers and cyclists across the coun- try and aims at creating some 250km of walking, hiking and biking trails at 34 sites.

Sadly, despite all the good work, selfish litter droppers are costing

Coulte €25,000 a year.

“It’s not just the cost – it’s the em- barrassment of having to ask some- one to deal with litter created by a third party. The motto is “Leave No Trace’, said Christy.

And that includes doggy-do. “One person comes along with two big dogs and the next person comes along with two small children. I’ll say no more other than take home anything you bring with you.”

A COORACLARE man who claims his daughter was the victim of a minor assault in the seaside town of Kilkee during the bank holiday weekend believes there is need for more gardai to be available in the area.

Kilkee town councillor Claire Haugh (FF), who in the past has been vocal about the need for more gardai in the town during the sum- mer months, said while she was not familiar with this case gardai had been maintaining a high profile in

the area during the busy weekends and praised them for their work to CFT Ken

On Sunday evening the Cooraclare man said he had been at the beach with his two daughters when his young teenage daughter decided to go to buy an ice cream.

On her way out of the shop anoth- er teen which, he said, was visibly drunk knocked the ice-cream cone into her face.

He said that he called the gardai in Kilkee immediately but they had gone off duty and when he rang Kil- rush he was told the squad car had

gone out on another job.

A local Garda spokesperson said that there was now a sergeant and two gardai stationed in Kilkee.

He said there was a member of the Kilkee unit on duty from 9am until Spm on the day in question and the squad had driven out to the area on numerous occasions.

Former Kilkee mayor Cllr Haugh said she was happy with the number of gardai on duty during the busy bank holiday weekend.

“There was a lot of coverage at night in the town and gardai on the beat during the weekend, I saw it my-

self,’ she said.

She commended the superintend- ent in Kilrush saying he put exten- sive manpower in to the busy seaside town during the peak summer season and the busy weekends.

During the summer months the population of Kilkee swells to more than 20,000 people or more than 10 times its off-peak population.

Up to approximately two years ago councillors from Kilkee were calling for more Garda coverage during the busy summer months.

This situation has now been vastly improved according to Cllr Haugh.

CLARE County Council are hoping to get the green light from the De- partment of the Environment, Herit- age and Local Government for the long overdue sewerage schemes in Labasheeda and Carrigaholt.

On June 20, 2007, the council sent the revised proposals for the Labash- eeda and Carrigaholt scheme to the department following a requested CS tances

“A positive response to these re- vised proposals is expected shortly.

“Following any DEHLG approval, and subject to the water pricing ele- ment being acceptable to the coun-

cil, the construction works could be expected to commence within 12 to 18 months,” a spokesperson for the council told councillors.

This means that after more than a 30-year wait the people of Labash- eeda and Carrigaholt should see work begin in their sewerage schemes in late 2009 or early 2010.

Councillor Oliver Garry (FG) said it was hoped that the foreshore licence required for Labasheeda would not take as long as previous schemes.

The sewerage scheme in Quilty and Mullagh was delayed for almost two years while Clare County Council awaited the approval of a foreshore licence from the Department of the

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Such foreshore licences must now be rubber stamped by the Environ- mental Protection Agency, a process that should be of shorter time dura- tion than before.

Contractors are expected to begin work on the Mullagh-Quilty scheme at the end of the month.

Cllr Garry said that he was now cautiously confident that work would begin in the Labasheeda and Car- rigaholt scheme within the next 18 months.

“We hope that money is forthcom- ing when the project begins,” he Sr HGe

Meanwhile, following a question

from Cllr Madeleine Taylor-Quinn (FG), a council spokesperson said that site investigation work had be- gun in the Cooraclare scheme.

Cooraclare was “de bundled” from Carrigaholt and Labasheeda almost two years ago.

“The preliminary report for Coora- clare Sewerage Scheme is approved and contract documents are current- ly being prepared.

“Site investigation works are cur- rently ongoing and the land acquisi- tion has been finalised.

‘Construction is due to commence in spring 2009, and is expected to take nine to 12 months,” the spokes- person said.

A TWO DAY programme that teach- es the value of openness and attitude begins in the West County Hotel, En- nis, on Saturday.

The Vision programme developed, by Quin priest Fr Liam Lynch en- courages participants to embrace opportunity in their professional and personal lives.

Fr Lynch explained, “It’s about showing people that there are two concepts out there, the well of scar- city and the well of possibility.

“When people get bogged down

thinking about the well of scarcity, it can lead to negative beliefs and then negative conversations. The net result is people can become fearful and worry.”

He added, “It’s no wonder that life, for some people can become a living hell and that so many people suffer from depression. Its all a matter of PAAOTRELG (ome

Originally from Quin Fr Lynch trained with the Franciscans before going on to teach in Cork.

After travelling in India Fr Lynch spent 27 years in New Zealand where he set about developing the Vision

programme. That programme has since expanded to Australia, Korea an Canada.

Fr Lynch explains, “We try to get people to see that the world of abun- dance is a world of possibility. More than just abundance in the way you live your life. It can lead to generos- ity, having better confidence and bet- ter self esteem.”

He continued, ““To me its never been about religion. It’s about spirituality. Attitude is everything in life.”

Fr Lynch said the reaction in the workshops has been a positive one. “IT get people from all walks in life,

from doctors, teachers to people who are illiterate. It has helped people enormously. You meet people and they say it has changed their lives. There is a great energy in the room. People get excited about it.”

The Vision programme takes place in the West County Hotel, Ennis, from June 14 and 15. Workshops start on Saturday from 10am to 5pm and on Sunday from 10am to 2pm.

Enrolment takes place on Satur- day morning from 9.30am to 10am. The cost of enrolment is €35 or €10 for students. Donations are also ac- cepted.

GERRY Quinn has perhaps more reasons than one for hoping Clare do well in this summer’s hurling cham- eyCoyeleuyey

Quinn has just opened his new pub in Ennis. The Corofin man has a 50 per cent share in the Library Bar and Clare doing well on the pitch could mean a boost in business off it.

Quinn said, “Well the Clare thing could help a small bit but we are hop- ing that the place will succeed any- way, away from that”’.

Originally opened as the Kings Bar in 2006, the building has since been renovated. Quinn explained, “A lot of work was done on the place. It’s

is completely different. The bar ar- eas were changed around. New décor was put in, new furniture. We opened a beer garden out the front. There is a cocktail bar. We were trying to make it different from other bars in Ennis. There is more space upstairs, more seating. We have a function room that will be opening soon.”

Quinn has previous experience of the bar trade. He said the opportu- nity to open a pub at a prime location in Ennis was too good to pass up.

He said, “I had Crowley’s for about two years in Corofin and that went pretty well. That was different to this, it was more of a traditional music type pub. I suppose with The Library, it was such a good opportu-

nity. I liked the location and I liked the building. It’s a new business. We’ve only been for nine days. It’s going great so far. One or two things that have come up but we’re getting Woe

Quinn, who works as a property ne- gotiator with Ennis based auctioneer- ing firm Philip O’Reilly – Property Plus, is also determined to force his way back into contention for a place on the Clare team to face Limerick in the Munster semi-final on June 22.

Quinn didn’t make the starting 15 for Clare’s impressive Munster first round victory over Waterford.

He said, “That’s the plan anyway, to try and get and get back into the team. It was disappointing not to be

involved the last day. But when you look at the result and the way the lads played, I suppose I can’t really have any argument. There have been one or two injuries, so there might be an opening. I’ll just have to work hard and see what happens”.

Quinn joins a distinguished list of Clare hurlers who have opened busi- nesses in Ennis. All-Ireland winning captain Anthony Daly runs a sports shop on O’Connell Street. Solicitor John Callinan, a two-time all-star recipient has an office in Ennis as does double All-Ireland winner and auctioneer, Brian Lohan.

THE Ennis Farmer’s Market is the subject of the RTE programme “Fresh from the Farmers’ Market’, to be aired tomorrow night.

Presenter and food writer Clodagh McKenna visited Ennis on a wet and windy day last October.

Ms McKenna interviewed some of the traders and then cooked a Greek style dish using organic lamb, cu- cumber, scallions, garlic, mint, sun dried tomatoes an olive oul – all pur- chased in the farmers’ market.

She also talked with customers about the appeal of farmers’ mar- kets. One customer from Ruan tells the show, “People should realise what good value the market is. For example, I always buy a bag or two of mixed salad leaves. I wash them and store in the fridge where they last all week, whereas the bags from the su- permarket cost more and the leaves start to go brown once you open the bag. I know that the market salad has been picked that morning, has not been sprayed with any chemical and has not travelled thousands of miles

to get to me”.

The farmers’ market has been up and running since 2004 and consists of a group of dedicated food produc- ers and traders with a wide range of local, artisan and organic foods. Most of the produce is sourced in Clare with some coming from near- by Tipperary.

The market runs on Friday morning in the upper market car park (oppo- site Meere’s Butchers) from 8am to 2pm. This year traders are advocat- ing to customers, the benefits to the environment of eating fresh, local

produce and minimising their carbon footprint.

Another regular customer tells the show, “I really look forward to Fri- day evenings because I know I will have something delicious to eat from the Farmer’s Market.

Today I have a quiche, some local goats cheese, salad and I also have a beautiful bunch of flowers, some new potatoes and an apple tart for Sun- day lunch and some Brussels sprout plants and duck eggs for my dad.”

The programme goes out on RTE 1 tomorrow night (June 11) at 7.30pm.

PEOPLE are being encouraged to get out and show their support for two local charities at a major fundraiser TbO BIN OD NSC (cle) e

Orgainsed by the Clare Classic and Vintage Club, a vintage show at the Showgrounds on June 15, aims to raise money for Clare Haven Serv- ices and Cystic Fibrosis Children’s Light of Hope.

The show will kick off at noon with a display of vintage cars, trucks, and machinery, together with lots of fun events for the family, a mini-digger competition and a hay trashing event. Burren Birds of Prey, golf putting, tractor balancing, a crushed car com- petition, music, raffles and some sur- prises will also feature.

The Clare Classic and Vintage Club started in 2003 with a close- knit group of vintage and classic car

enthusiasts. Over the years,the club has grown, and now, in 2008, has ex- panded to over 100 members. Along with classic cars, the club also dis- plays vans tractors and other vintage pieces of machinery.

Each year the club hosts four main events – the spring and summer runs, the Anthony Barry Memorial Run and the Vintage Show.

Cystic Fibrosis Children’s Light of Hope was set up in August 2005 as a charitable organisation to aid research towards finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

According to organisation member Linda Drennan one of the main aims is awareness. She said, “There is a very dedicated team working with Light of Hope. We are always trying to promote awareness of Cystic Fi- brosis. It is Ireland’s most commonly inherited genetic children’s disease”.

Cystic Fibrosis is a disease which

affects the lungs and pancreas, caus- ing life threatening lung infections and the inability to digest food prop- erly. Cystic Fibrosis does not have to be in the family. It can occur when two carriers meet and their children inherit a defective gene from each parent. Large doses of antibiotics and frequent hospital stays are common among Cystic Fibrosis sufferers. Clare Haven Services was set up in 1995 to provide emergency accom- modation, support and information to women and their children living with domestic violence and abuse. Clare Haven offers a variety of services including a 24-hour confi- dential helpline 065 6822435, a drop- in centre at Munster House, Gort Road, outreach clinics in Shannon, Kilrush, Scariff and Ennistymon, the insights educational programme for women, court accompaniment as well as a refuge where women and

children can safely and comfortably live. More information can be seen on www.clarehaven.ie.

Ms Drennan added, “We are de- lighted that the Clare Classic and Vintage Club are supporting our- selves and Clare Haven.

“June 15 is Father’s Day and we look forward to welcoming a large number of families for a great day out while supporting two worthy lo- cal charities.”

SPENDING more money to keep the profile of the Shannon region top of the list for travellers is the only way to beat the tourism slump.

The Government and tourism agen- cies need to come up with €6 million in promotional cash for next year – in excess of the €10 million spent on national marketing – to keep us on the tourism radar.

Those were two of the major find- ings of a new report which takes a first look at the state of tourism in the region under Open Skies.

Commissioned by Shannon Devel- opment and the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation, “Shannon, Gateway

to the West – A Short Term Market- ing Perspective” argues that Ireland recovered faster from the travel slump in the wake on 9/11 than any other European country thanks to our aggressive marketing campaign. Prepared by Tourism and Transport Consult International (TTC), the re- port calls for a list of actions to com- bat fall off of between 10 and 30 per cent in visitor numbers to the region. The action plan should include Gov- ernment commitment to extra finance for the “Discover Ireland’s Wonder- ful West” campaign for at least two more years, the establishment of a US Customs and Border Protection full pre-clearance unit at Shannon Air- port, increased marketing support for

European routes and continued work to secure all existing transatlantic routes at Shannon.

Delivering better value to visitors and continuing investments to create reasons to visit the region, are also a priority.

Asked at the launch of the report in Adare Manor last week how the Government could be persuaded to put more money in at a time when the economy is cooling, Dick Bourke, Chairman of the TTC said the Gov- ernment will get back what they put in many times over.

“The exchequer take on tourism rev- enue is 48 cents in every Euro. That’s €2.6 billion per annum. We are ask- ing for a drop in the ocean. There are

17,/00 businesses which make up the tourism industry in this country. They support employment for over a quarter of a million people.”

John King, Heritage and Tourism Director of Shannon Development, said that the immediate challenge facing the region was securing exist- ing access and related services in dif- ficult times.

“Many of the current problems fac- ing the sector will diminish in time and Shannon and the west must re- main positioned to take full advan- tage of this recovery.

Connectivity, marketing and tour- ism product development will remain key to this aspiration,’ Mr King add- ed.