Category: News

A NEW initiative is underway in Ennis aimed at raising awareness about the increasing incidents of domestic violence.

The Ennis Access Programme is a Local Training Initiative based in Ennis, which is sponsored by the Clare Local Development Company. Members have created a handmade patchwork quilt using only natural fabrics and recycled materials. The quilt is constructed in the form of patchwork and applique in rainbow colours with a black background.

The learners had taken part in several workshops, which were funded by the HSE, which had highlighted the increasing numbers of women suffering from domestic violence locally, nationally and internationally.

Clare Haven, who provide services to women and children affected by domestic violence, state that 174 women have been murdered in Ireland since 1996. It is estimated that 213,000 (one in five) Irish women suffer severe abuse.

In response to the training received, the learners decided they would like to raise the awareness of the increasing incidents of domestic violence and also raise funds to support the vital service provided by Clare Haven.

The quilt will be on display at the Credit Union Office, Friars Walk, Ennis, and the raffle will take place on the December 16.

Tickets will be available from the Ennis Access Programme Training Centre located on the Clon Road Business Park, Clon Road, Ennis. Proceeds will be donated to Clare Haven Services. Tickets are € 2 for one ticket and € 5 for three tickets. For further information contact Ennis Access Programme at 065 6848466.

CURRENT and former members of Ennis Brass Band will gather in the Temple Gate Hotel on Friday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the band’s formation. After the main meal, at the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis, the members and friends of the band will welcome all former members to join in the night’s reminiscing.

Re-formed in 1971, the brass band have competed numerous times at national and international level on behalf of the town and county. Over 40 years, the band has brought AllIreland and regional glory back to Ennis on numerous occasions.

The band have performed for the visit of high-profile politicians and dignatories to Ennis. In 2008, members were invited to perform at Arás an Uachtaran by former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.

Countless young people have also passed through the ranks of the band, learning new musical skills and making friends for life.

This year, as part of the band’s celebrations, everyone who has ever played with the band is invited to join with current members at 9pm on Friday November 25, for an informal social night. Founders of the band and their partners will join with the band and their families to celebrate the anniversary and all former members who have played with the band over the years are invited to join.

Anyone who in the past has played with the band is invited to the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis at 9pm to join in the fun.

A 68-YEAR-OLD north Clare woman who has been working as a carer for 20 years is to be forced to retire at the end of 2011 – because she is too old for the job.

Lahinch native Bridie Kennedy, has written a letter to newly elected President of Ireland Michael D Higgins who, at 70 years of age, would also be forced to retire five years ago if he worked as a carer.

Bridie has been looking after a neighbour who suffers from Alzhe- imer’s Disease for the past four years. Before that she worked in a local nursing home for more than 15 years. She received a letter last month informing her that she would be forced to retire at the end of the year. Bridie is employed by Clarecare and says that organisation has been very supportive of her position.

“I’ve been doing this for 20 years and it is very rewarding work. I wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl of 18 years, I would have made a really good nurse,” she said.

“I think it is a real shame what is being done. This new rule has just come in and according to it I should have stopped working when I was 65. One of the reason why I went for the interview with Clarecare is that there was no upper age limit. Clarecare have been very good to work for – I don’t know what a lot of people would do without them.

“I work four hours each day with a neighbour of mine. She is just a five minute walk away and I walked up to her house every day last year during the snow and ice. She is a neighbour and I have known her for years. The family are very upset. They have known me for years and year and having a familiar person there is very important – especially with Alzheimers.”

According to Bridie, being forced to retire is going have a negative impact on her social life as well as her financial situation. “I’ve been working for 50 years and now, all of a sudden, I’ll have nothing to get up in the morning for. It’s just not fair. I’ve never been sick in my life and I’m never tired. It isn’t much money but it’s great to have a few extra pounds coming in every month. More than that though it’s about getting out and meeting people. I love older people and the stories that they tell. I tell my grandchild their stories and he thinks I’m making them up. I will miss that.”

The director of Clarecare Fiachra Hensey confirmed yesterday that the official age of retirement for carers with Clarecare is now 65 years old.

“The official age of retirement is 65 and that is a fact. I have the utmost sympathy for any carers who are in good health and want to keep working. I really do,” he said.

A MAJOR new job creation drive could be on the cards for Clare in 2012 after Shannon Development was one of a small number of regional organisation granted an increase in funding by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton (FG), last week.

The regional promotional and job creation agency has been granting a year-on-year budget increase of almost 40 per cent and will see their operations budget swell from € 3.6 million to € 5 million next year.

It is as yet unclear what this € 1.4 million budget increase will be spent on or whether a particular major project has already been identified for the money. It is also unclear whether some of all of this budget increase has already been accounted for in the € 3.2 million in tourism funding which was announced for the Shannon region by the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar (FG), earlier this month. The Clare People contacted Shannon Development in relation to the funding boost but no comment on the increase or the possible use of the funding was forth coming at the time of going to press.

Speaking on the budget increase, Shannon Senator Tony Mulcahy (FG) said it was a vote of confidence for the work being on the ground in Clare to promote the region to foreign tourists as-well-as foreign investment. “This funding is good news for Clare and the region and it just highlights the positives work that is being done. I mean, we had an Olympic Handball event here [Shannon] last week and that saw about 400 extra people here for a week,” said Senator Mulcahy.

“Even sporting events like the Munster match the other night will help boost the profile of Shannon Airport and the region as a whole.”

Meanwhile, a major seminar for the promotion of walking tourism in Clare has been announced for the Pavillion Theatre in Lisdoonvarna on Wednesday, November 23.

There will be a number of speakers in north Clare for the event including experts from Shannon Development as-well-as members from the Clare Trails Steering Group.

The purpose of the seminar is to let the public know of recent developments in the provision of way marked trails and to announce a special two-day training programme for walk leaders.

Walking tourism is now Clare’s fastest growing tourism attraction, attracting more people to the county each year than traditional favourite golf.

THIS year celebrates Ennis Players 26th anniversary Supper Theatre at the Old Ground Hotel from Monday, November 21, to Thursday, November 24. One of the town’s premier pre Christmas social occasions, Ennis Players will be performing two one act productions this year.

Rae Shirley’s hilarious comedy “What shall we do with the Body” is set in a lonely country cottage. Miss Temple played by Carmel Quin, a famous crime writer is dictating her latest novel to her enigmatic secretary, Miss Worthington, played by Ailbhe McMahon. However they become increasingly worried by a number of unusual events and especially the sudden arrival of a strangely dressed visitor, played by Tony Coffey. This is a great little thriller and the audience is kept guessing as to the identity and motives of the murderer right up to the end.

The second production is a wonderfully written comedy, “The Way of All Fish” by Elaine May, whose screenplays for “Heaven Can Wait” and “Primary Colours” have earned her Academy Award Nominations. The play is set in the New York office of a high- flying businesswoman, over an impromptu dinner with her meek hard working secretary. A power game is played out between the two with sharp American humour, enriched with sinister overtones. The cast is made up of Bairbre de Barra and Amy McEnnis.

Tony Coffey takes the reins for the first time as a director with the Ennis Players and will produce “What shall we do with the Body”, with the veteran Joe Varden directing “The Way of All Fish”.

Ennis Players have reduced their ticket price this year to € 15 which includes the two plays and a wonderful supper. The show will begin at 8pm each night and tickets can be booked through the Irish Shop in the Market at 065 6820769.

Ennis will be hosting the MACE All Ireland One-Act Finals in Glór from December 2 to December 4, so you can expect a feast of the very best in amateur theatre over the next few weeks.

CLARE has become the first county in Ireland to go to Britain and market itself directly to the Irish diaspora abroad.

More than 2,000 new UK tourist are expected to travel to Clare over the next two years, generating an estimated € 1 million for the county, following the London to Clare event which took place last week.

The event was organised by the Clare Tourism Forum who invited special guests such as Killaloe native Keith Woods along to help promote the county. Despite an estimated 10 per cent year-on-year growth of tourism to the area, the UK market remained sluggish in 2011 with the majority of the revival coming from American, French and German travellers.

The event was organised to coincide with World Travel Market, one of the world’s largest conferences of tour operators held in London each year. According to Maureen Cleary of the Clare Tourism Network, this groundbreaking event could be replicated in other parts of the world.

“We decided to host our own event in London at the same time as the world market and focus both on the tour operators but also on the diaspora over there,” she said.

“Clare was the only county who was out there marketing itself in this way. We feel that London is the perfect starting point for this sort of project. We have at least three flights each day from Shannon to London, it is an English speaking destination so it made sense to use London as the first trial run for this. We hope to do more of this in other locations, it was very successful trial and we are looking to go further afield with this sort of event next year.”

It is hoped that by taking a co-operative approach to marketing the county will show both tour operators and members of the Irish diaspora that Clare has much to offer for a long-stay holiday.

“Clare has so much to offer so it makes sense that we would partner up and run an event like this together. People are not going to come to Clare for one experience – we need to sell the county as a package of different attractions and a place where people can come and visit for a number of days,” continued Maureen.

“Clare has changed a lot in recent years – there are a lot new products in Clare. The diaspora know Clare as home and they might know of Bunratty and the Cliffs, but they might not be aware of all of these new products that we have in Clare – everything from the new walking and cycling routes in Clare to the festivals which are happening nearly every weekend in Clare.”

STUDENTS from Ennis Educate Together National School enjoyed a day to remember as they shared in the celebration of Michael D Higgins’ inauguration as the ninth President of Ireland.

Ten students from fifth and sixth class were accompanied on their trip to Dublin Castle by two teachers and a parent.

After receiving a Garda escort through the streets of Dublin, the group from Ennis Educate Together watched the inauguration ceremony unfold before meeting with the Clare reared President when he came outside to welcome guests afterwards.

“We were really honoured and privileged to attend”, said Principal Sean Ó Conf haola yesterday.

Mr Ó Conf haola said the students, who represented Ireland, Czech Republic, Morocco and the traveling community, were excited to meet Ireland’s first citizen,

He added, “They were all really excited to meet him. It was as good as meeting Justin Bieber.”

The school’s presence at one of the country’s most prestigious public occasions was sparked by an invitation from Ennis Educate Together to Mr Higgins for the former Galway TD to attend the school’s annual graduation ceremony in June.

In a letter to the school, Mr Higgins explained that he could not attend but praised the work of students and teachers.

“My wife Sabina and I have it as one of our warmest members that individually and together we served on the board of Galway School project, one of Educate Together’s first schools in Ireland. Educate Together will be a great patron in education, celebrating as it does the great values of diversity solidarity, inclusion and participation. Creativity is at the heart of everything Educate Together do. Sí an cruthhaíocht bun-cloch fealsúnachta Educate Together”.

CANDIDATES from Clare who contested the General Election last February spent over € 100,000 in their efforts to get elected to the 31st Dáil Éireann, figures secured by The Clare People this week have revealed.

Details of all the expenditure made by candidates in the Clare constituency are contained in the ‘Candidates Election Expenses Statements’ that have been released by the Standards in Public Office Commission.

These figures reveal that € 113,892.11 was spent by Clare election candidates – this total is drawn from the returns made to the Standards in Public Office Commission by 15 of the 16 election candidates who contest the Februay 25 poll, the largest number ever to contest a Dáil election in the county.

Six candidates spent over € 10,000 on their campaigns, while two of the candidates, independents Sarah Ferrigan and Anne Cronin who contested the election on a ‘Balance the Ballot’ manifesto spent nothing on their respective campaigns. A limit of € 37,650 is put on spending per candidate in a four-seater constituency.

The biggest election spender was Fianna Fáil candidate, Dr John Hillery, who was attempting to win a Dáil seat that his father, the late former President of Ireland, Dr Paddy Hillery held for 22 years from 1951 to 1973.

Dr Hillery, who was drafted onto the Fianna Fáil election team in place of the retiring Minister for Defence, Tony Killeen, spent € 16,673.16 during his unsuccessful campaign for a Dáil seat, while his party colleague and Deputy Timmy Dooley, who retained his seat only spent € 9,574.35 in his campaign. The highest expense incurred by Dr Hillery during the campaign was for € 4,840.

Fine Gael were the biggest election spenders in Clare – between them the three candidates, Deputies Pat Breen and Joe Carey, as well as Senator Tony Mulcahy spent nearly € 40,000 during the campaign.

Deputy Carey, who was the third candidate elected was the biggest spender with a total of € 14,535, followed closely by poll topper Deputy Breen who spent € 14,252. Meanwhile, Tony Mulcahy, who was added to the Fine Gael ticket by party headquarters spent € 10,661 on his unsuccessful bid, before embarking on another campaign immediately afterwards when he won election to Seanad Éireann.

Labour’s Michael McNamara, who was the third canidate elected was the fourth highest election spender with a figure of € 14,248.42, while the highest spender from the independent benches was James Breen who incurred € 11,686.99 in election expenses in his bid to win back the Dáil seat he held from 2002 to 2007.

Independent candidate Patrick Brassil was one of 23 candidates around the country referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for failing to furnish expenses statements to the Standards in Public Office Commission.

DRAMA groups from all over Ireland will descend on Clare this weekend for the annual One Act Drama Festival, organised by the Doonbeg Drama Group.

Groups from Galway, Cork, Limerick and Dublin as well as a large chuck of local talent will descend on west Clare for the event which, it is hoped, will provide a timely boost for the local tourism trade.

This year’s festival will include a wide range of shows to suit everyone’s tastes with a large number comedy and farce as well as a number of more serious productions.

The local challenge will be led off by on Saturday night by the Kilkeebased Amphitheatre Theatre Company with their production of ‘Two for a Girl’ written by Mary Kelly and Noni Stapleton.

Cratloe’s Castlewood Players, will perform one of several George Bernard Shaw productions at this year’s festival when their version of ‘The Shewing Up of Blanco Posnet’ takes to the stage on Monday, November 21. The festival will be finished off by the Corofin Drama Society’s production of ‘What’s for Pudding’ by David Tristram.

The Doonbeg One Act Drama Fes- tival, in its current format, has been taking place since 1989 and occurs in November each year. It has established itself as a very popular festival with groups and audiences alike and is looked forward to as a welcome relief from the long winter nights. Almost 200 different productions have been presented to date.

Nine different plays will be shown over three nights in both open and confined sections during this year’s festival. The winners of each festival will qualify for the All-Ireland One Act Finals which take place in at Glór in Ennis this year.

This year’s Doonbeg Festival will see a number of new innovations including a cheese and wine reception which will be served between the first and the second plays, while tea, coffee and biscuits will be served between the second and third plays each evening. The festival has also introduced candle-lit tables and cabaret style seating, which the organisers hope will bring a unique atmosphere to the festival.

The festival will take place on November 19, 20 and 21 and price for admittance each night is € 10 for adults and € 5 for children. Doors open each night at 8pm with curtain up at 8.30pm. For more information visit www.doonbeginfo.com.

THE former GAA grounds at Roslevan has emerged as a possible new home for Ennis Educate Together National School

The 5.25 acre site on the outskirts of Ennis will be among the sites recommended to the Department of Education and Skills as a new location for the school.

The land on the outskirts of Ennis will be included in a “portfolio of sites” currently being prepared by the school’s Board of Management.

The development comes after the Department stated that a new 16classroom unit should be provided for the school.

In a statement yesterday, Principal Sean Ó Confhaola explained, “The Department of Education and Skills has informed Ennis Educate Together NS that a 16-classroom unit should be provided for the school.” He added, “It is projected that this accommodation begins to be required by September 2012. The department is currently looking for a suitable site for Ennis Educate Together NS.”

The school is currently located on the Gort Road and caters for almost 200 children. Mr Ó Conf haola told The Clare People that the Gort Road and Roslevan “would be the most preferred areas for a new school”.

Among the other potential areas currently being examined by the school is the former GAMA site on the Tulla Road.

Our Lady’s hospital, which was mentioned as a possible site in a recent report by Ennis Town Council, has also been touted. “We have looked at Our Lady’s that’s a possibility too”, said Mr Ó Conf haola.

He said the communication from the department is a boost to the school’s long-term search for a new permanent home. “It wasn’t completely out of the blue. The slight difficulty was always getting a suitable site.”

Interest in the former home of St Joseph’s Doora Barefield has been high in recent months. A number of local sports clubs have been credited with an interest in the grounds. Last month town manager Ger Dollard said that while Ennis Town Council had given detailed consideration to purchasing the grounds, a bid had not been lodged and that the local authority was no longer interested in the site.