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has learned that a team of runners will carry a flame from the birthplace of Michael Cu- sack in Carron to the birthplace of the GAA in Thurles for the Munster hurling final on July 12.

The torch will be handed to the Munster GAA chairman Jimmy O’Gorman on the pitch before the senior decider. O’Gorman will then light torches for all the heads of the

GAA in the province who will bring back the flame of Cusack back to their own county.

“In association with the Munster Council and the Clare GAA board we have planned the relay torch run- ning from the Michael Cusack Cen- tre to Thurles for Munster Final day. This would be symbolic of Cusack’s own journey to Thurles to found the GAA,” said Martin O’Loghlen of the Michael Cusacks Centre.

“The torch will then be taken from Thurles to all the counties in Mun- ster, again symbolic of the idea of the GAA spreading out from Thurles and the impact of Michael Cusack.”

The Cusack Centre was developed by Michael Cusack Development

Company, a not-for-profit voluntary group formed in November 2003 to restore Michael Cusack’s cottage which had fallen into disrepair.

“We feel passionate about the con- nection between the GAA, Carron and Michael Cusack. We feel that it is important to remember his legacy to the country, not just the foundation of the GAA but his entire legacy,” continued Martin.

‘We have a number of events com- ing up in the next few weeks to mark the 125th anniversary celebrations. We are trying to encourage as many people as possible into the centre during the anniversary so we are providing a special offer for all GAA clubs over the summer months.

“We are working closely with Clare GAA and the Munster Council and on June 20 we will also have a number of activities up at the centre as a special commemoration.”

The special offer will see all GAA clubs being offered a special reduced admission fee of €3 for adults and €2 for children between six and 16 years throughout the summer.

A 23-YEAR gap will be bridged in 2010 when Clare plays host to the Feile na nGael. News of this coup for the game in the county was delivered at last Tuesday’s monthly meeting of the County County Board by chair- man Michael O’Neill.

“This is a national event that we haven’t had since 1987. It’s a major event for the county,” O’Neill told delegates in announcing the appoint- ment of Ger Hickey as chairman of the organising committee.

Clare hosted Féile na nGael in both 1986 and °87, years that coincided with a golden era in the county’s as- sociation with the underage 14 hurl- ing and camogie festival that was inaugurated in 1971.

Wolfe Tones carved their names into the Féile na nGael history books when winning three All-Irelands in a row from 1986 to °88. Their 1986 and ’87 final victories came in Cu- sack Park over Piltown (Kilkenny) and Eire Og from Ennis respectively, while their 1988 win over Bishop- stown (Cork) make them the only three-in-a-row winners in the history

of the competition.

Other Clare winners of the Christy Ring Trophy down the years include Sixmuebridge who shared the 1995 title with Drom-Inch (Tipperary) and Eire Og who beat Glen Rovers in the 1999 final in Wexford.

Cratloe were Division Two win- ners in 1986 when they beat Smith O’Briens in an all-Clare final; The Division Four final that year was also an all-Clare affair, with Bodyke beating St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield, while ’87 decider saw Ogonnelloe beat Parteen. Kilkee/Bealaha went all the way to the final of the Divi- sion Five final in ’87 but went down to Padraig Pearses of Roscommon.

Clarecastle are Clare’s representa- tive in the 2009 Féile that takes place in Laois and Offaly on the weekend of June 19/21.

THREE Clare schools have been acknowledged for their roles in pro- moting a cleaner and better environ- ment.

Colaiste Muire, Ennis, Doora Na- tional School and Holy Family Na- tional School, Ennis have all been awarded Green Flags by Minster for the Environment, Heritage and Local

Government, John Gormley.

Mr Gormley raised the flags at the three schools during a visit to Ennis last week.

Doora National School was the first port of call for the minister. Staff and students there have been work- ing tirelessly to achieve green flag status. With the formation of a Green Schools committee, students under- took a comprehensive audit of all

the school’s waste. The committee set out a plan to drastically cut paper and other types of waste around the school. Waste paper is now shred- ded and given to the local Equestrian Centre and dog kennels run by the Clare branch of the Irish Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).

Students also maintained gardens and developed a system for getting

rid of old batteries.

At Colaiste Muire, staff and stu- dents have also been engaged in a determined effort to reduce waste. Speaking after Minster Gormley had raised the Green Flag, teacher Sa- rah Griffin paid tribute to the efforts of the students and said the school was already aiming to win a second Green Flag.

Songs and celebration were very much the order of the day at Holy Family National School where stu- dents displayed their keen knowledge of environmental issues to Minster Corunna

Speaking at O’Connell Square af- ter the Green Flag ceremony, Mr Gormley praised the efforts of all the schools. “It’s always a great privi- lege to go from school to school. The Green Schools, I think, is one of the best aspects of my job. I really en- joyed coming to Clare to Colaiste Muire, Doora National School and Holy Family. That was fantastic; the singing was fantastic. Just to listen to the kids talk about the environment and their enthusiasm always inspires me,” he said.

The Green Schools programme is an international education programme, which helps students to recognise the importance of environmental issues. In Ireland, the programme is administered by An Taisce. The Green Schools initiative has gone from strength to strength since it was launched in Ireland in 1997.

EFFORTS by Kilrush Town Coun- cil to buy out of a contract that has already flushed away €305,185.58 of the council’s money, has been blocked by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

This month’s meeting of the town council was told that central Govern- ment refused to allow it get a loan to buy itself out of the contract for the public Superloo.

Last year the public toilet in the square cost the council €38,325, with an income of just €1,250.

This year the Superloo is to flush another €39,806 down the drain with an estimated income of €1,300. This will see the council losing €38,500 again this year.

The town council are bound to the contract until August 23, 2019. To remove itself from the contract, the council would have to give 12 months’ notice and pay a penalty of 25 per cent of the cost per year re- maining on the contract as well as the cost of having it removed.

Kilrush town clerk, John Corry told the members of the council on Wednesday, “The dilemma this council has is the cost of buying out Web ISe

“We have to remain in budget for the year. We are looking at budget- ing the €120,000 (buy out) for the

next year which would be a huge increase in the annual rate of valua- tion,’ he warned.

“We got a loan for Henry Street, why can’t we get a loan?” asked Cllr Deirdre Culligan (Ind).

“We have approached the depart- ment about a loan and they said no way, said Mr Corry.

‘The rent we are paying for the next three years would pay that (the loan) off with no rate increase,’ argued Cllr Marian McMahon Jones (FG).

“We all agree it is crazy, but we cannot raise the loan. Can I ask you to go back to the company?” said the mayor, Cllr Liam O’Looney.

Town manager Bernadette Kinsella told the councillors that their options were restricted.

“You either borrow, which there 1s a limit on nationally, or you look at the levies. You also need to consider what other facility do you plan to provide given Kilrush is a heritage town.”

Cllr Culligan pointed out that the council is not required to provide such facilities.

“If the Government is tying our hands and insisting we waste money, it’s no wonder the country is in the state it is in. If they are letting us squander money on a toilet and won’t let us buy ourselves out,” she said.

Cllr McMahon Jones asked for the costing of a small building for a to1- Colm Kom orom chek, armel oy

FRONT line road staff at Clare County Council could be just four months from being placed on a three-day week following a massive fall-off in the amount of money the local authority has to spend on the county’s roads.

Details of the revised Roads Pro- gramme for 2009 were presented at yesterday’s meeting of Clare County Council and show a further cut of €6 million in the money available to

spend on roads.

Along with the cancellation of a number of road projects and up- grades, the council confirmed yes- terday that they have been in contact with the unions responsible for local authority road staff to discuss ways in which they might manage the shortfall from September on.

“IT am very disappointed that we have another amendment to our roads programme for this year. Having al- ready had cuts earlier this year, now to lose out on a further €6 million is a

disaster,” said Cllr Joe Cooney (FG).

“IT think that it is a total disgrace. I don’t think the council realise how bad the roads are. It’s all that the peo- ple who we are meeting at the door- steps are talking about. I am totally opposing this today. We have had enough cuts since last September in our roads programme and we can’t take any more cuts.”

Concerns were raised that front line road staff could face cuts later this year.

“The worry is that further cuts

might come. There has to be a re- evaluation of the current situation,” said Cllr Pat Hayes (FF).

“If we lose our workers on the ground, it will cause more difficulty in the future. We need to ensure that we still have a workforce in the autumn. There are rumours out there that peo- ple will be on a three-day week in the autumn. There are some critical things that must be evaluated.”

A council spokesperson said that all avenues were being explored to ensure that local authority staff are

retained.

“We are engaged in constructive dialogue with the unions for the road workers and machinery operators staff. We are exploring every avenue for saving money before we look at the reduction in hours for the road maintenance staff,’ said a council spokesman.

‘As regards to further cuts later in the year, I have no idea. The funding agencies for this are Clare County Council, as well as the NRA and the Department of Transport.”

MODERN-DAY warriors will march through the mists of time in Killaloe this summer to contend for NOUN CeN ONO A CO

On August 8, hundreds of tri-ath- letes will contest the title Ard Ri on territory adjacent to the ‘Forth of Brian Bort’ and ‘Greenanlaghna’ the seat of the great Munster Dalcas- sians.

The inaugural Brian Bort Triath- lon Challenge will require different skills to those which sustained the ancient warriors, but endurance and preparation will still be needed.

“The intensity and heat of battle over the course of one day’s racing will produce the worthy heir. There will be a winner and the heir will be bestowed with the crown and title

Ard Ri Cill Da Lua,” a spokeswom- an for the organisers said

Keith Wood and Anthony Foley, International Rugby legends and Killaloe’s modern day warriors were on hand to launch the triathlon at the Kincora Hall Hotel last week.

OW slommbets) ovbeclaCeyemm Cem seUKMmnur-l#el ley! stemmed from a challenging charity cycle, which is currently under way. Thaireland is a charity cycle from Thailand to Ireland by three Killaloe lads who aim to build a holiday vil- lage for sick children and the Share a Dream Foundation.

Brothers Brian and Michael Cul- hane from Killaloe, and Paul Ryan from Ogonnelloe, set out from Bang- kok last December with the goal of cycling 14,000 km back to Ireland. They are currently in Turkey and expect to arrive back in Killaloe in

CRU RAM LeU A

Any proceeds raised from this tri- athlon will go towards the €50,000 target the three cyclists have set themselves. Their adventure can be followed on www.thaireland.1ie.

Triathalon swimmers will take their marks on the lakeshore at the Twomilegate and, on completion of the open water 750 metre swim, competitors will then race over a 22 km cycle course on the most scenic roads overlooking Lough Derg, pass- ing by the Brian Bort oak tree and St Cronan’s 10th century church, loop- ing around the East Clare Memorial Park at Tuamgraney before return- ing through the picturesque village of Ogonnolloe.

The challenge doesn’t end there, on completion of the cycle, a 5km run still awaits any would be Ard Ri.

The run will take place on the steep slopes of the peaceful forest at Bally- cuggeran. Having surmounted these challenges, first over the line will be ceremoniously crowned Ard Ri 2009 on the ancient site of Kincora, the seat of Brian Bort: Killaloe and Ireland’s last high king.

Those who are developing their skills in swimming, cycling or run- ning can enter the relay event with three individual warriors participat- ing and covering the same course.

THE availability of free legal aid for people with multiple previous convictions represents an “absolute abuse” to taxpayers and victims of crime, a meeting has heard.

Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) was com- menting at yesterday’s monthly meet- ing of Clare County Council, where he called for an urgent reform of the free legal aid system.

The Shannon councillor raised the matter in a motion calling for the Minister for Justice and all relevant ministers to review the possibility of removing the facility of free legal aid from serial criminal repeat offenders.

Cllr Mulcahy proposed that a limit be placed on the amount of times se- rial offenders be allowed to avail of free legal aid, possibly three times.

Cllr Mulcahy also said that these in- dividuals should be means-tested and asset-tested prior to be being granted full legal aid. Cllr Mulcahy told the TPaeceL BD OTSMNOT:LMOCOMWE RM ECU DOTSMO Sem NOreLAKo because of a “serious lift in the level of violent crime and assaults”.

He said that under the current sys- tem, taxpayers were underwriting the cost of violent crime. “As long as

we are going to continue to pay we are not going to get criminals behind bars and they are going to go on giv- ing the two fingers to justice,” said Cllr Mulcahy. He said the system was in need of urgent reform. “They (se- rial offenders) are not means tested or asset tested. We need to put a stop to this activity,’ said Cllr Mulcahy.

He added, “We have a duty to pro- tect people from this abuse. I believe this system is an absolute abuse. We have to put a stop to this”.

Cllr Pay Hayes (FF) said the cost of free legal aid was being picked up by taxpayers. He said the system had contributed to a “constant merry go- round of crime”.

Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) said that while there were cases where people were genuinely entitled to free legal aid, the system was being abused by “thugs and gurriers and people with a catalogue of crime”.

“It’s hard to defend the indefensi- ble. I don’t see why taxpayers should have to pay for it.”

Cllr Mulcahy said he appreciated the views of the legal community on the matter and acknowledged that those charged with breaking the law were entitled to representation.

TWENTY-SIX auditioned and now it is down to 16 finalists in West Clare’s Got Talent.

Last year a group of people set up the competition to raise money for the ISPCC under the umbrella “chil- dren helping children”.

Following on from the success of the 2008 event, the talent show has now become an annual event.

In total 26 acts performed for judg- es Charlie Killeen, Linda O’Gorman, Karen Hogan and Paddy Hohnan,

who had the unenviable job of pick- ing just 16 acts for the grand final.

On May 16 the final acts will battle it out for the title in the Community School Kilrush, from 7pm sharp.

The participants are aged 10 to 18 years old and their acts include, hip hop and Irish dancing, set dancing, singers ranging from sopranos to al- tos and musicians playing the harp and accordion.

The new judges for the night – Anne Marie Doyle, Doonbeg; Mor- gan Roughan, Michael Vardin form the Ennis School of Rock, and Mary

Corry, along with guest adjudicator and last year’s winner Cooraclare girl Lisa Falsey will decide who will win the shield on the night.

Last year’s winner, Lisa will also perform on the night and will be joined by two special guests – Bert and Victor from the All Ireland Tal- ent Show.

The singers’ mother hails from Kilrush and the talented teens will be back in her old school performing again for those who supported them during the talent competition.

Last year West Clare’s Got Talent

raised €2,000, and this year the or- ganisers are hoping to double that sum.

Tickets on the night cost €5 for OAPs and students and €10 for adults.

There will also be a raffle and spot prizes.

Main organiser Kilrush woman Teresa Carrig said that the commu- nity has really got behind the event.

“Tt is very much community driven and it is great to see all the commu- nity involved in something like this,” said Ms Carrig.

LIFFORD B asked their big broth- ers in the A set-up for a pre-season friendly last August — the story goes that the A team declined the invita- tion, but when they then went knock- ing on Rineanna Rovers’ door they were met with a more positive re- sponse.

Rineanna didn’t bring their strong- est side to the Fair Green for that friendly, but they fielded a team as they used it as an exercise to free the cobwebs after a summer of inactiv- ity.

Rineannna were taken aback by what greeted them — Second Divi- sion Lifford B had a huge squad out and beat their Premier Division op- ponents. The game itself will have no bearing on Saturday’s cup final, apart from the fact that Rineanna are certainly taking nothing for granted.

“You look at it,” says Rineanna Rov- ers manager Colm Ryan “and you see a Premier team against a First Divi- sion team. That makes us favourites in a lot of people’s eyes, but we’re looking on this as a 50/50 game. They’ve had some huge scalps along the way — Lifford A in the semi-final, Newmarket Celtic in the quarter-fi- nal and Mountshannon Celtic before that. We’re not taking them lightly, they’ ll be very confident coming into 1d aComeeeDoatemr-00(6 mI Mere] UNG mxO Mss 10 0(o) MAUR Val adds Ryan.

It’s not a case of Ryan talking up the Opposition, more a case of treading carefully as Rineanna Rovers stand on the brink of history. For years they’ve laboured in the shadows of illustrious neighbours — around them

Bunratty, Newtown and Newmar- ket Celtic have won league and cup titles, Rineanna have been close but the eternal bridesmaids.

“Last year in my first year as man- ager we reached the semi-final and went down 2-1 when Rock Rovers got a very late goal. Five of the squad were on the 1999 team that reached the final. They were Hugh Kelly, Pa Fahy, Brian Kelly, Declan Devitt and John Earls. They’ve been around a long time with the club and given great service. It’s been a long road back to the cup final for them.

“This year we’ve done well in cup competitions. We got to the last 16

of the Munster Junior Cup where we went down to Fairview Rangers by a goal, while the previous round we had a great win against Gran- ville. Hopefully that good cup form will continue for another day,” adds Raven

Ryan and everyone associated with the club are also hoping that front- line players like Stephen and Enda Kelly, Kieran Devitt and Daithi O’Connell will be able to play, even though they’re involved in Saturday’s senior hurling championship clash between Newmarket-on-Fergus and Wolfe Tones.

“There’s be a bit of a hullaba-

loo about the hurlers, but we can’t be worried about that,’ says Rayn. “When they’ve been available for training they’ve been with us. We have a squad of 20 players and hope- fully we will be ok. We have to con- centrate on the game.

“It’s going to be a great day. Being in a cup final is something to enjoy and hopefully we will come out on top. It’s going to be hard though.”

Cup finals generally are.

, that parts of Drumbiggle had been affected by the feud, Ferdie O’Donoghue of the Drumbiggle Residents Association, said the area had not experienced any problems. “In no way has it affected our area. We had our problems in the

past but the area is settled now. There are some small things, but they are the usual things that happen in any privately run council estates. If it does come to our area we will deal with in an appropriate manner.”

The Drumbiggle area covers over 300 houses in Clancy Park, Water- park Heights, Waterpark View, Wa- terpark Court, McHugh Villas, Rad- hare na hInse, Ard Carrig and Stone Court. Mr O’Donoghue said that the actions of a “small minority” had cre- ated difficulties for residents and had given some housing estates in Ennis,

“a bad name”.

He said, “We do have sympathy with the people living in Cloughleigh and what they have had to go through. It’s terrible what a small minority of people can do to an estate. I’m sure that the residents, the Gardai and En- nis Town Council are doing the best they can to sort out the problem. If there is anything that our residents groups can do to help them, we will be more than willing to help.”

Mr O’Donoghue continued, “It’s a small amount of people that are caus- ing the difficulties. It only takes one

or two people to give an estate a bad name. 99 per cent of the people liv- ing in estates around the town are law-abiding people. It 1s that one per cent that gives a place a bad name and that’s not a fair reflection of what a place is actually like. But that’s the way it is, | suppose. All it takes is one bad apple.

“It’s important that everyone works together, the residents, the council and the Gardai. But you’ll find that as estates get older, things start to settle down. Time is a healer for all these things,” said Mr O’Donoghue.