Category: News

CLARE women are waiting longer than ever before to give birth to their first child with the average age of a first-time mother in the county now almost 31 years old. This means that Clare mothers are amongst the oldest in the country with only Galway and Cork City recording older first time mother.

New figures produced by the Cen- tral Statistic Office show that only 30 teenage births took place in the county last year with more mothers giving birth between the age of 30 and 40 than between 15 and 30.

According to the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, the number of babies born to teenagers has dropped by 44 per cent over the last 10 years. This represents the lowest level of teenage pregnancies since the foundation of the organisation.

“It is welcome that we are seeing a decline in the number of births to teenagers. This year for the first time, we have evidence from a number of sources that indicates why the birth rate for teenagers has declined,” said Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency.

“There have been improvements in sex education, the age of first sex is stable at 17 years of age for men and increased slightly for women to 18 years of age. Ninety per cent of young people are using contracep- tion when they have sex for the first time and 80 per cent of young people use contraception every time they have sex.”

A total of 1,748 children were born to Clare-based parents last year or just under five new babies per day. Of these babies 887 were male with just 861 females babies being born. The birth rate in Clare last year was 14.9, which was well below the Munster average of 15.5 and the national average which was 16.3.

ANGLERS, beach users and ferry operators in the North Clare area are on high alert following satellite imagery which shows a large swell of sea algae approaching the Clare coast. The large bloom contains a phytoplankton known as Karenia which makes the water appear a reddish colour and is harmful to shell fish and bottom feeding fish.

The bloom is harmless to humans but can cause major fish deaths by cutting off sunlight to shellfish and other species which live at the bottom of the water.

The bloom can also disrupt boats and sea anglers by tangling up turbines and fishing lines.

Unlike river or lake algae bloom, which are often the result of man made pollution or run off from farm land, blooms of sea algae are naturally accruing.

However, it is rare that a large bloom like this would come ashore on the Irish west Coast at this time of year.

The presence of this bloom is being blamed on the redirection of the Gulf Stream south of its normal position this year – a change which is also partially to blame of the unseasonable wet and cold summer that we have experienced to date.

The bloom last week forced the closure of two beaches in Donegal and North Clare locals are keeping a keen eye on the sea waters, especially in Galway Bay.

“The bloom is just another element of the unusual summer that we have had this year as a result of the Gulf Stream positioning itself more southerly than we would expect,” said James Linnane of the Lisdoonvarna/ Fanore Sea Angling Club.

“This has resulted in lower sea temperatures but also in increased onshore winds. These wind can create bigger than normal swells so the club has to be very very careful to study the weather before we host a sea angling event this year.”

A NEW information booklet for school leavers was launched yesterday by Clare’s 2011 minor winning captain and Munster minor hurler of the year Tony Kelly

The booklet has been produced by The Citizens Information Service (CIS) in Clare to address what they say is a “serious lack of knowledge amongst school leavers about their rights and responsibilities when they first take up paid employment”.

Paul Woulfe, CIS Manager, explains, “With many young people after leaving school and now entering first time employment it is important they are aware of a wide range of employment and equality legislation that has been enacted to protect them.”

Speaking at the launch, Tony Kelly said, “It is really important that young people have access to information when they need it. This resource pack and booklet is filling a vital role in ensuring that young people are aware of their rights across a variety of topics.”

He encouraged young people to make sure they are informed whether its leaving home for the first time as a third-level student and renting accommodation or pursuing another option such as the world of work.

Mr Woulfe says, “We also receive a significant number of calls from people who have no idea as to how their tax or PRSI contributions will be calculated or even as to whether or not their employer will be making these contributions on their behalf.”

“You should receive a pay slip with your wages/salary, which indicates tax, PRSI and union dues deducted from your wages.

“At the end of the tax year you should receive a Form P60 which indicates how much you earned, how much tax you paid, how much PRSI and the number and class of PRSI contributions. This is an important document, which you should keep and will be required by the tax office when you go to claim tax back.” Copies of the booklet are available from your local Citizens Information Centre,” he added.

THE Banner County’s multicultural community will be celebrated on Saturday at the eighth annual Clare Intercultural Festival.

The festival, which takes place at St Flannan’s College is organised in collaboration with the Clare Women’s Network, Ennis Community Development Project, Clarecare and the Clare Immigrant Support Centre.

The festival’s showpiece event is an intercultural seven-a-side soccer tournament that brings together people from all communities living in Clare.

Gaelic football, hurling, camogie, handball and cricket also for part of a busy sporting programme.

Workshops will include drumming, fun yoga, laughter yoga, qigong and Louise L Hay’s positive thinking, zumba and set dancing.

Fun for children will include an art workshop, drama workshop, face painting, hair braiding and a special visit from Elmo the Clown.

There will be music and poetry from many countries. Mayor of Clare, councillor Pat Daly (FF) will be guest of honour on the day and will present the winning trophies.

Alphonse Basogomba from Clare Intercultural Network said, “Since the festival began in 2005, it has be come a popular gathering of people coming from many different countries and backgrounds and celebrates the enormous diversity of nationalities living in Clare and truly reflects Clare for the global village which it has become.” He added, “Last year the festival attracted people from more than fifty countries including Ireland. This year promises to be an even greater and more popular event. Treat yourself and come along with your friends and families.”

This event is free of charge.

CLARE has officially suffered its wettest June since 1947, with farmers across the county facing major bills this winter as grass growth and fodder harvesting are both well behind normal.

According to new figures produced by Met Éireann, June 7 was the wettest June day recorded at Shannon Airport in 65 years.

These record rainfalls have been compounded by unusually low levels of sunshine in the county – which have been disturbing beach users and holiday makers, as well as the county’s farmers.

Indeed, according to the the Irish Meteorological Service, Shannon Airport recorded its dullest June since 1993, 19 years ago, with average temperature for the month also below normal. This is despite the average temperature for the month being higher in Clare, at 13.6 degrees, than anywhere else in the county.

This unseasonably wet June has created a situation where many Clare farmers have yet to harvest their first cut of silage. A number of dairy farmers in the county have been forced to return cattle to shed at night and supplement their feed in order to keep milk supply up.

“This is adding serious cost to Clare farmers. They are keeping them inside and there is a big extra cost on meal in order to keep cows milking. If you let cows back this time of the year it is impossible to get them back again,” said Martin McMahon, Clare President of the ICMSA.

“This is a disaster for farmers. The ground conditions are unbelievable we never saw land as wet before as we are seeing it now. The big problem is coming down the line. A lot of farmers need two week of good fine weather before some farmers in the county will be able to cut anything.

“They are in trouble now but that is going to put them in serious trouble this winter when they don’t have the feed to feed their cattle. There are some farmers who would normally do two cuts of silage and they haven’t even got their first cut in yet.

“Farmers don’t know whether to chance cutting the land or not. Farmers are getting desperate and taking chances and they are needing up with fodder down for maybe a week or more and that means that the quality in the fodder will not be there.

“There is going to be a big scarcity of fodder over the winter – and the quality is going to be very poor,” he said.

THE team behind the Ballyvaughan Bay Hop have vowed to restart the commuter ferry service as soon as possible, despite the cancellation of the last three days of sailing during its week-long trial.

The service was halted on the morning of Thursday, June 31, with “unforeseen circumstances” on behalf of the chartered boat operator cited as the reason.

All sailings for Friday and Satur- day, July 1 and 2, were completely booked out, with more than 70 per cent of seats on the June 31 sailing also booked.

According to Gwen Ryan of Ballyvaughan Bay Hop, everyone who booked tickets for these days will receive a full refund.

“It was very disappointing that the service was cancelled but, on the up side, the few days we did run the service have indicated a huge demand and interest in this transport option,” said Gwen.

“It has also demonstrated for a lot of people, just how central the harbour is in Galway City. And we have learnt a valuable lesson from the unexpected aborting of the service. The project group will be meeting soon to reflect on the results of the trial service and to plan the next stage in the project.

“I can’t shed any light on what these next steps might be until we have met and decided them but we will certainly have to look at the funding options available to source a cabined passenger rib and we will have to engage Clare County Coun- cil on the possibility of getting a floating pontoon for passengers so that they can disembark comfortably.

“We have a lot of work to do yet before the service is up and running on a permanent basis but our efforts to date have been buoyed by the fantastic reaction and support the trial service received.”

The fastest crossing time recorded during the trial was 27 minutes more than an hour quicker than the average commute time by car of the same journey.

THE inclement weather put a dampener on the fun in Kilrush at the weekend as almost all of the Féile Sona festival had to be postponed.

Organisers decided on Thursday night to call off all the outdoor family events as the weather forecast pointed to a complete wash out.

The brainchild of Cllr Ian Lynch (FG) and Christine Murphy, the successful family fun weekend was in its third year.

“We hope to run the Saturday and Sunday events again later in the summer when the weather improves,” said Cllr Lynch.

Describing the weather so far this summer as a disaster, he said a heavy rainfall would make family entertainment such as the bouncy castle very dangerous.

As well as a health and safety risk, running the event under such circumstances was causing a headache for the event’s insurers.

It was therefore decided on Thursday evening to call off most of the events.

Cllr Lynch said it was very disappointing to have to make the decision especially as the weekend had grown so much in the last year with the FAI coming on board this year.

Not all was lost however as two of the indoor evening events went ahead.

The seven-aside soccer competition took place as did the singing pubs competition.

The competition involved all of the local pubs putting on a 30-minute act, with four pubs taking part in the final on Sunday night.

DESPITE predictions of a wash out, Ennis is after having a bumper weekend. The inclement weather of the last week did not dampen the spirits of visitors to the county town for the Street Festival, Senior Inter-county Hurling Championship game and general tourist activities.

It is not yet known the exact net financial worth of the busy July weekend, but local estimates put it at hundreds of thousands of euro, with the more optimistic suggesting up to € 1 million.

The county spirit as well as the local economy got a boost after the two days of activities topped by a Clare win against Dublin.

President of the Ennis Chamber of Commerce Brian O’Neill described it all “as the best weekend of the year”.

All accommodation was booked out on Saturday night as the Dublin hurling team discovered when they searched for a bed for the night shortly after 10pm.

Mr O’Neill, who owns the popular Rowan Tree restaurant and hostel, said that he had a lot of the Dublin hurling fans staying with him, and although there was no room at his inn when the team called, he was sure they were accommodated elsewhere.

As many as 2,000 Dubliners are understood to have stayed in Ennis on Saturday night to enjoy the party atmosphere, despite their disappointment.

The fallout of the Volvo Ocean Race in Galway saw more bed occupied.

Mr O’Neill explained that Ennis accommodated a lot of the overflow from the Ocean Race, as many people opted to stay in Ennis and travel to Galway for the different events.

Many also stayed around the town’s street festival, which brought life to the town on Sunday according to the chamber president.

He also paid tribute to what is proving one of the biggest tourist attractions in the town this year – Ennis Abbey.

“Since Ennis Abbey re-opened it is driving a lot more tourists into the town centre and keeping them there. It is free of charge but benefiting the local economy as people stay around to buy a bottle of water, a sandwich, cup of coffee or another gift,” said the business man.

“The attitude and atmosphere is so much better when people are seen around the town,” he added.

RIVER levels in Ennis remain under constant observation amid rising concerns from local businesses over flooding.

A senior official with Ennis Town Council said yesterday that rainfall and water levels in the Ennis area probably the most “watched pieces of data in the county”.

Eamon O’Dea was responding to concerns sparked by recent heavy flooding in Clonakilty, Cork.

Cllr Tony Mulqueen (FG) told a meeting of councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area that businesses in the Abbey Street area fear a repeat of damage suffered during unprecedented flooding in November 2009.

He said, “When people saw what happened in Clonakilty, it made them more conscious of flooding.”

Mr O’Dea said council staff had recently conducted round-the-clock observation of water levels around Ennis.

He said an alert system is in place and that measures such as sandbags and electrical pumps are on standby in locations around the town.

However Mr O’Dea warned that there are certain extreme rainfall events that could not be planned for.

The meeting also heard that work on the lower Fergus Certified Drainage Contract is anticipated to commence in October.

The information was released in response to a motion tabled by Cllr James Breen (Ind).

“I am asking the up to date position in relation to the elimination of future flooding at Abbey Street Car Park. When will work on the river begin?” he said.

In his reply, Mr O’Dea stated, “The Office of Public Works (OPW) are presently carrying out a tender assessment on the lower Fergus Certified Drainage Contract. The works include the Abbey Street car park and area behind houses opposite the Abbey. The OPW anticipate that work will commence on the scheme in October 2012. The Council has requested that the work in this area is prioritised by the OPW contractor.”

The project was delayed earlier this year after the OPW was forced to abandon its tender process.

Mr O’Dea said that process had now re-commenced but that it may take some time before a contractor is appointed. “It is a fairly laborious process,” he added.

Cllr Breen said, “Its disappointing. This is the third year that this project has not started. Rate payers in the area are very concerned.”

The scheme will see improvements to river walls and other flood defenses on the Fergus from Bank Place to Doora Bridge. Phase one of the scheme is credited with preventing floods in large areas of the town centre during November 2009.

WATER levels on the River Shannon rose by a massive 500 centimetre in just 10 days in June, raising fears of unprecedented summer floods affecting parts of East and South Clare. Water levels on the river are currently on a par to the levels normally seen in October and November.

This has sparked concerns that an unprecedented summer flood could hit East Clare communities who are sometimes affected by winter flooding from the Shannon.

Concern has also been expressed that waterlogged area in parts of the county could be more susceptible to winter flooding this year – if the backlog of water doesn’t get a chance to clear.

The overall water levels on the River Shannon last month were more than 300 centimetre higher than the average for June of 2011.

According to figures released by the ESB, who control water flow at Ardnacrusha, water levels on the river rose from 37.7 metre on June 6 to 38.2 metres on June 16 and stood at 38.3 metres at the end of June.

The June water level was on a par with the November 2010 level, while it was marginally higher than the peak level in October 2009 – when many Clare towns were devastated by flooding.

It is as yet unclear how much of this massive backlog of water can be cleared by the ESB’s management of the Parteen Weir and Ardnacrusha.

A build-up of water which began in October of 2009 eventually contributed to widespread flooding across many areas in South East Clare later that year.