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ON Sunday, March 15, Kilrush will witness one of its biggest St Patrick’s Day Parades ever.

With more than 30 floats, 500 chil- dren dancing and a number of bands and musicians, organisers now have their fingers crossed for good weath- oe

The parade will take place two days before the patron saint of Ire- land’s allocated day, for a number of reasons.

Last year the parade was held on Sunday, which proved popular with families and visitors alike.

This year St Patrick’s Day falls close to the weekend, making Sun- day an ideal day for the festivities again in the west Clare capital.

Sunday will also accommodate floats and acts hoping to take part in the parade in Ennis, or people who wish to go to more than one or two local parades.

The Tulla Pipe Band is an exam- ple of such an act. On Sunday it will help lead the Kilrush parade, while making itself available to other Clare town’s on Tuesday, March 17.

Hell for Leather will also provide a special act to the proceedings in Kil- rush this year.

Celebrating its 25th year, the John Fennel-led dance school will march at the end of the parade. The 500 dancers will then perform in the town square for the awaiting crowd.

The St Patrick’s Day Parade will begin in Kilrush at 4pm. The theme this year is ‘Irish Legends’. Music will begin in the square from 3pm. For further information, please con- tact Vincent 086 0854834 or Karen 086 8091410.

Meanwhile, the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Miltown Malbay will take place on March 17.

This year’s theme is ‘Memorable Moments – Ireland from the ‘50s to

the Naughties’.

Registration for this popular parade is free or charge. Those taking part will assemble in the GAA car park at 2pm and the parade will start at P10

There will be nine prizes in total – first, second and third in the floats section, in the walking section and for the adjudicator’s prises.

Prizes for marks are allocated for each element of the float and group including colour and volume, theme, preparation, and entertainments.

The emphasis of this year’s parade is on participation and a great family day is guaranteed.

UNDER the illuminated night sky of Doonbeg on Friday, it was the home side who fired the opening shots of the new season with a relatively com- fortable victory. In truth, aside from a battling third quarter from the new- ly promoted side that sparked a mini- revival, Doonbeg were in control of this tie and it simply was a case of two sides in contrasting stages of preparation.

Granted, key players were missing, it was only the first game of a long campaign and with a month’s recess until the next round of the compe- tition, there is still a lot of ground work to be undertaken but a lean and sharp Doonbeg are already showing the benefits of their pre-season train- ing while Shannon Gaels battled hard but ultimately couldn’t afford the loss of their key performers and were always playing catch-up

Only securing manger Josie O’Shea in the previous week, it was under- standable that the Gaels would be more sluggish and so it proved as they coughed up possession too many times and Doonbeg, under the assured guidance of David Tubridy, unsympathetically punished on the

scoreboard.

It all could have been so much dif- ferent however had Declan Power converted a 12th minute penalty, with the score at only O-2 to O-1 to the home side. Two beautifully stroked frees from Tubridy opened the scoring before Shannon Gaels settled with a Michael O’Shea curl- ing free and with the Gaels starting to find their feet, a Noel Kennedy ball over the top was caught by David Neylon who was hauled to the ground by Richie Vaughan. How- ever, Power’s resulting penalty went straight down the middle to the wait- ing Keith Egan.

Breathing a huge sigh of relief, Doonbeg upped the ante until the break, turning the screw with supe- rior movement, and seizing on Shan- non Gaels mistakes to push home their advantage. It was county senior Tubridy who was an integral part of all their unanswered 1-7, converting four placed balls, finishing off two more impressive passing moves and setting up a further 1-1 for targetman Colm Dillon. The full-forward had already fired a warning shot in the 20th minute when he got a fist to a pinpoint crossfield ball from new re- cruit Shane O’Brien but although it

beat goalkeeper Ryan, the post came to the Gaels’ rescue.

However, that luck deserted them only six minutes later when another teasing ball over the top, this time from ‘Tubridy, was misjudged by Ryan and Dillon was the first to re- act to dive in and flick the ball to the am

Trailing by 1-9 to Q-1 at the break, Shannon Gaels regrouped and now backed by a sizeable breeze, they re-emerged a more characteristically battling unit and it surprisingly dis- rupted Doonbeg all too easily. Two early Gaels wides followed by a goal opportunity for Francis Cleary, that was only snuffed by an outstanding last gasp block from Padraic Aherne, demonstrated their renewed threat and as Doonbeg began to lose their shape, the Gaels principally led by Brian Cunningham, hit four succes- sive points to cut the deficit to seven lol elem PanlemneuDOeinen

Doonbeg were now in a rut and it took several tactical switches to dig them out, with Shane O’Brien mov- ing to midfield while substitute Brian Dillon was utilised as an extra de- fender. It had the desired effect and once O’Brien grabbed his first point of the evening in the 48th minute,

it reopened the floodgates and quenched the Gaels rebellion. Points from Tubridy, Frank O’Dea, Shane O’Brien and Jamie Whelan followed to retore their commanding lead and although Shannon Gaels never gave up and even secured the final two scores through Cunningham and Shane Tubridy, they were only dam- age limitation measures as Doonbeg eased to the final whistle.

MARCUS Horan may be well know for his stylish playing, but now he’ll also be know for his stylish dress- oor

Marcus is one of the celebrities who will be strutting his stuff on the catwalk on March 23 to raise funds for Clonlara National School.

Clonlara Parents Association are organising a fashion show in the Lakeside Hotel, Killaloe and it promises to be a fun event using chil- dren from the school, Scoil Seanain Naofa, parents, local clubs and guest celebrities.

Joining Marcus on the catwalk will be Leanne Moore and Miss Curvette, Jill Dilmac.

“Everyone is rowing in – parents, teachers, pupils from each class from the tiny infants up,’ said Maeve McGill, chairwoman of the Associa- tion.

Dads are not being shy and they will be taking part too.

They will model a range of mens’ formal and casual clothing.

“Outside of the school, we asked well-known people who have a connection with the school,’ said Maeve.

Marcus Horan’s mother, Margaret, who used to teach in the school, will be modelling and Leanne’s brother is also a pupil there.

So far, there are 11 shops on-board to style the snappy dressers includ- ing Catwalk, Spirit, Lorabees, Fuschia Queen, Aimee’s, Rumples- tilskin, Kelckids, Heaton’s, Shaws, No Name, Whelan’s Pro-Golf and Mike O’Connells.

‘“We’ve had great support between the shops providing clothes and lo- cal businesses providing prizes for the raffle. People have got behind the show and been very supportive.”

Proceeds from the night will go to school funds.

Tickets are available from _ the school and from local committee members.

Concern over coaching

CLARE people from all over the county, and the country, gathered in Dublin’s City West at the week- end for the 72nd Fianna Fail Ard Witahe

One man with more than a passing interest in proceedings was former security garda to the late Taoiseach

Charles Haughey and Miltown Mal- bay man, Martin Vaughan.

The retired Garda is now the driver for Charles Haughey’s son and jun- ior Minister Sean Haughey.

A keen tug-of-war man and boxer, Mr Vaughan began working for the late Taoiseach in 1979, providing se- curity outside his family home.

During his long service, he got to

know the family well, later attend- ing family weddings and becoming a driver to a TD he knew since he was a Schoolboy.

The west Clare man also met his current boss’s grandfather, Sean Le- mass, while he was on duty during the official opening of the Tayto fac- tory in Coolock.

He recalled pleasant memories of

working for the Haughey family, particularly during Charles Haugh- ey’s time as Taoiseach.

“He was a friendly man. He would walk up and down the avenue talk- ing to us. You had to be on the ball though. A few people tried to come in, even the press,” he said with a smile.

The west Clare man is also well

known in tug-of-war circles in OE Iccr

He set up the first Comhairle team in Dublin, which won five All Ire- land Men’s titles.

He also coached the women’s team to 11 All Ireland Titles.

He was also the anchor on the garda team that won the world champion- ship in 1989.

CLARE soccer saw red on Sunday when referee Padraig Sutton refused to play the Premier Division tie be- tween Burren United and Lifford in Doolin, because both sides togged out wearing the same colour socks.

Red was the offending colour, as Sutton who is a League of Ireland referee called time on the game just before the tip off, much to the dismay of both sides. It brought to an end a strange week for the ever-eventful Clare League — a week that saw Tulla Utd allowed back into the Clare Cup after they had inadvertently fielded an illegal player in their second round win over Shannon Olympic.

Sutton was adhering to Football Association of Ireland rules when refusing to play the game with both sides wearing the same colour socks, but it provoked much disappointment from within the ranks of both Lifford and Burren United.

“It’s a new thing to me,” Burren United manager Donie Garrihy told

ROWAN ‘Tree Hostel located in the heart of Ennis will open its doors on the March 17, following an extensive two year re-development project.

The work involved a major resto- ration of the 17th century Georgian building; including preservation of the original hand carved wooden staircase, entrance pillars and main fireplace. In addition, an extension featuring 28 purpose-built rooms with ensuite facilities has been built.

The original building overlooking the River Fergus is one of the oldest buildings in Ennis and is of histori- cal significance. Built around 1740 it was the County Club for the lords and gentry of the land and the Bull Hall was used for lavish balls and occasions. In the 1940s it was used by the military as barracks. It then became the Club House Hotel and most recently operated as the Abbey Tourist Hostel.

Under the management of experi- enced hostellers, Brian O’Neill and Marianne Maurer, the hostel has a capacity for 140. With a variety of rooms including double, twin and multi-bedded dorms sleeping up to 14, Rowan Tree will appeal to both groups and individuals.

Guest facilities are brand new and include a fully equipped self-cater- ing kitchen, coffee shop, outdoor pa- tio, recreational lounges, television

and free WIFI and Internet access.

A licensed café bar on the premises will provide a relaxed setting for so- cialising and meeting guests.

“We are excited to be reopening a hostel in Ennis with all new modern facilities’, says Brian O’ Neill, Man- aging Director of Rowan Tree Hos- tel. “There is a real need for quality budget accommodation in Ennis and we are filling that gap by providing a friendly hostel that will appeal to a wide range of people including;

international backpackers, groups, families and the younger business person. Additionally, we will be cre- ating up to 20 jobs for people in the local area.”

Welcoming the new venture, Siob- han King, Shannon Development Tourism Officer for County Clare said, “Shannon Development is de- lighted to see the reopening of this much needed hostel accommoda- tion in Ennis, the gateway to County Clare. The new hostel will comple-

ment the existing variety of accom- modation in the county”

Beds start at €16 per night and include a free light breakfast. For more information visit www.row- antreehostel.ie.

SCOIL Mhuire Secondary School in Ennistymon was valued at just under €1 million when it was transferred to the state as part of the church sex abuse scandal in 2002, it was re- vealed last week.

While the transfer of a number of properties is yet to take place, it has now been revealed that the Sisters of Mercy struck a deal with the Depart- ment of Education to value the north Clare property at £980,000.

The school was one of a number of properties transferred to state control as part of a controversial deal with the 18 Irish religious orders involved in child sex-abuse scandals.

This agreement, which was one of the last pieces of legislation signed by former Minister of Education Michael Woods (FF), limited the li- ability of the religious orders to vic- tims of abuse to just €128 million.

However, it is now estimated that the total compensation to the victims of child abuse could run as high as €1.1 billion, leaving the tax payers to foot the bill for almost 90 per cent of the compensation.

The church organisations has com- mitted to handing over €66 million worth of properties, €52 million in cash and €10 million in counselling services under the €128 million in- demnity deal. To date however only 21 properties out of a total of 64 have been given transferred to the state.

Mantfacturing facility to change hands

THE world-famous London Sym- phony Chorus will make it first ever Irish appearance this year when they perform as special guests of the Lis- morahaun Singers in Ennistymon.

More than 200 singers and musi- cians from the London Symphony Chorus, the Lismorahaun Singers and the City of Dublin Concert Orchestra will perform Mozart’s ‘Great Mass in C Minor’ in honour of north Clare author and poet John O’ Donohue.

The author, who passed away in early 2008, was born just beside the townland of Lismourahaun in Lis- doonvarna and was the man respon- sible for naming the choir.

The concert also marks the tenth anniversary of the Lismorahaun NTIS ESE

“This is the London Symphony Chorus’ first ever visit to Ireland and they are not going to Dublin or Bel- fast or Cork or Limerick – they are coming to north Clare,” said Archie Simpson, founder of the Lismoura- haun Singers.

“They are so excited about the prospect of singing with us – about the prospect of performing with real people and in front of a real commu- nity. I think the fact that they have decided to make Ennistymon their first ever port of call says a lot about both choirs.”

The London Symphony Chorus is one of the world’s premier choral en- sembles and already has more than

100 recordings to its name.

The Lismorahaun Singers will wel- come back some of its most high- profile exports for this concert, in- cluding Naomi O’Connell who is currently studying at the Juilliard School of Music in New York and Peter O’Donohue, nephew of the late John O’Donohue.

“John has meant a lot to the choir personally over the years. He was al- ways So supportive of us and indeed it was him who first gave us our name,” continued Archie. “When we sang in the early days, we didn’t have a name but John invited us to sing at one of his Masses and introduced us as the Lismorahaun Singers. The name just stuck after that.”

The concert will take place on April 17 in the Church of Saint Michael in Ennistymon.

Tickets, at a cost of €40, will be available from March 6 at Scéal Eile in Ennis, Crosbies in Ennistymon, Jordans in Lisdoonvarna and Moon- eys in Ballyvaughan. For credit card bookings, contact the Burren Col- lege of Art in Ballyvaughan on 065 7077200.