Category: Uncategorized

AFTER almost twenty years, the Kil- fenora branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann has been reformed.

At a recent meeting the following officers were elected to plan a pro- gramme of activities for the branch – Mrs Phil McMahon (President); John Morgan (Chairman); Julie Nea (Secretary); Noel O’Donohue (Treas- urer); Mathew Griffey (PRO) and Sharon Howley (Youth Officer).

The meeting was attended by of- ficers of the county CCE board who

offered every help in setting up the branch.

It was decided to hold a series of concerts with local musicians, sing- ers and dancers starting on Friday next, December 5 in Kilfenora Hall at 8.00 sharp when three generations of Kilfenora traditional entertainers will perform on this very special oc- casion.

To make it an enjoyable night, the new committee hope it will be well supported and give a platform for young musicians, singers and danc- ers to perform .

THE owner of a timber firm lost his life in an industrial accident in east Clare, when a machine he was work- ing on overturned on him.

Noel Reilly (49) – a native of Cavan but who had lived in Feakle – died at Lough Graney Stakes at Leighurd, Caher, on the morning of August 6 last, an inquest into his death has heard.

Mr Reilly’s first cousin Sean Mc- Donnell told Ennis Coroner’s Court he received a phone call from An- thony Naughton, telling him that Mr Reilly was trapped under a machine. He went to the plant, where he saw Mr Reilly’s body trapped under a machine.

Another witness, Seamus Naugh- ton, said that Mr Reilly had been loading trailers with timber waste for about an hour that morning. At one stage, Mr Naughton glanced over his shoulder and saw the top of the arm of a machine moving in a way that wasn’t right. He then saw the ma-

chine capsizing.

“T went down and touched Noel. His face was purple and I knew he was dead,” he said.

Garda Pat McGrath told the in- quest that gardai attended the scene of the accident that morning. Gardai had been told that the owner of the plant had been thrown from a H1- tachi tracker machine and had died. Three employees were on the site at the time.

Pathologist Dr Elizabeth Mulcahy carried out a post mortem examina- tion on Mr Reilly’s body. She said that death was due to cardio respira- tory arrest, secondary to traumatic WN elove-len(emerMUneMDAY IEDM (oKe

Coroner Isobel O’Dea said the ac- cident was “very tragic and sad” and said the only possible verdict was one of accidental death.

She said it must have been particu- larly traumatic for the workers who saw the accident happening, but were powerless to do anything about it. The jury returned a verdict of ac- cidental death.

that doctors are over-prescribing antibiotics as patients continue to look for a quick fix for common ill- nesses. “Patients may not be aware that antibiotics are not appropriate as a treatment for the common cold or

a flu virus. They are effective only against bacterial infections. We need to give antibiotics the respect they deserve and take them only when absolutely necessary; otherwise we are putting lives at risk, not only for patients today but also for future gen- erations. If you are prescribed antibi- otics by your doctor, it is important to take them exactly as prescribed,” he said.

Mr Hillery said that many GPs are very busy with large patient attend- ance and they do not necessarily have the time to carry out the in-depth ex-

aminations they would like.

“Doctors prescribe antibiotics as a means to an end,” he said.

“There is a school of thought out there that antibiotics are prescribed to stop a patient getting a secondary infection.”

This does not work he said.

Patients also put pressure on doc- tors to prescribe antibiotics he said.

“I think when patients go to the doctor they put pressure on to get something. People almost expect an antibiotic,’ he added.

The negative consequences of us-

ing antibiotics inappropriately ex- tends beyond the individual patient impacting on society as a whole re- sulting in the spread of “superbugs” such as MRSA. “Superbugs” are a consequence of more and more bac- teria becoming resistant to common- ly used antibiotics. Ireland has the second highest rate of VRE (a group of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics) in Europe.

“If in doubt patients should visit their local pharmacist who can ad- vise them on whether a visit to the doctor is necessary or if the patient

can manage their symptoms ef- fectively without antibiotics,’ Mr Hillery said.

A survey carried out by pharma- cists at the “Over 50s Show” found that 37 per cent of people would visit a doctor if they had a cold or flu and one in four admitted they have failed to take a full course of antibiotics in the past, therefore risking a recur- rence of the illness.

A third of those polled said they would visit their pharmacist if they were experiencing cold or flu symp- eyeate

A LONG-STANDING promise to a school principal in Quin was ful- filled last week when Tomas O Sio- chain, former principal of Scoil na Mainistreach planted an alder tree in memory of his predecessor, Frank Gordon, who was principal of Scoil na Mainistreach in the 1960s.

Frank Gordon was a member of Muintir na Tire and a prominent member of the Fine Gael party. He passed on his love of nature to gener- ations of local schoolchildren and, in recognition of this, one of his pupils, Frances Conroy promised to plant a tree in his memory.

The Green school committee of Scoil na Mainistreach chose to plant this particular tree as 2008 has been designated the year of the alder. Al- ders are sturdy and fast-growing,

even in acidic and damaged sites. They are common to Ireland and can be used as a producer of simple oy (ols eaten

Tomas O Siochain spoke of the links between Frank Gordon and the present Green School Commit- tee in their love for the environment and the promotion of a greener and cleaner community.

Tomas also presented the school with a newspaper article from

THE work of a Clare art graduate has been on display at the ‘Best in Show’ exhibition in The Digital Hub in Dublin last week.

Ivan Twohig from Inagh is a gradu- ate of the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) and, earlier this year, he was chosen by The Digital Hub to participate in its annual “Best in Show’ exhibition.

‘Best in Show’ is an art exhibition with a difference. Rather than paint- ings and sculptures, it features dig- ital media work produced by gradu- ates of colleges throughout Ireland and the UK.

The exhibits use sounds and im- ages, gaming technologies, music, animation and advertising tools to depict topics ranging from the need for privacy to the golden age of silent cinema.

Ivan graduated with a BA in Fine Art in 2004 and, in 2008, completed his MA in Art in the Digital World at the NCAD. In addition to his in- volvement in “Best in Show’, he has exhibited both nationally and in- ternationally. In 2007, he received the first Tulca Residency award and was awarded artist in residence at the new IMOCA (Irish Museum of Contemporary Art) studio in Dublin beer

For the ‘Best in Show’ exhibition,

The Digital Hub chose a piece by Ivan called “The Fall’, which is made up of life-sized paper figures, sus- pended and falling from the ceiling of the gallery. As they fall, fluores- cent lights illuminate the figures. The piece is influenced by his interest in architecture and the way in which digital technologies are impacting on the conception and creation of built environments. It was previously on display at the Glor Arts Centre in Ennis.

According to Elaine Parsons of The Digital Hub, who curates the ‘Best in Show’ exhibition, the idea for the show came about because of the difficulties faced by art graduates in establishing themselves as serious AMIS Ice

“One of the biggest challenges faced by graduates like Ivan is taking that leap from being a student to be- ing taken seriously as an artist,’ she said. “The feedback we were getting was that it was difficult for gradu- ates to find opportunities to exhibit in a professional gallery environ- ment. Because of this, The Digital Hub established ‘Best in Show’ to give graduates the chance to exhibit at professional level and help them meet key figures in the art industry”.

RATES in Shannon town are to in- crease by two per cent next year, while the overall budget is along the lines as that for the past year.

The proposals are included in the budget for 2009, which was up for discussion at a meeting of Shannon Town Council last Tuesday.

However, the budget, which was due to be adopted by councillors, was deferred after Councillor Patri- cia McCarthy (Independent) walked out of the meeting.

This was after she said she was not comfortable, unless the ethics frame- work was defined and said she would not participate until this was done.

Her comments came in the wake

of a complaint by the Wolfe Tones camogie club, over funding for the development of a skateboard park at the leisure centre. Cllr McCarthy is a member of the board of the leisure centre. However, the Standards in Public Office Commission ruled that there was no basis on which to initi- ate an investigation under the Ethics Act as none of the alleged contraven- tions was “a specified act”.

A number of councillors expressed the view that some members of the town council were also members of various organisations or groups that would be applying for funding from the council.

It was then decided that the county solicitor John Shaw would address councillors at a meeting this (Tues-

day) evening, when any fears could be raised. The budget is expected to be adopted at this meeting.

Under the budget proposal, rates would increase by two percent and would require a town charge of SO Oe

Additional funds have been set aside to cover the cost of the local elections, which will take place next June. They cost almost €15,000 to run in 2004.

The community grants scheme will have €5,300 at its disposal, which is the same as the figure for last year. However, the contribution towards community initiatives, which is a fund to build up a community initia- tives fund, will have a reduced sum of money at its disposal next year;

down €1,000 to €8,000.

It is envisaged that improvements will be made to the Shannon Town Council website, www.shannon- towncouncil.ie next year.

Discussions have been held with Shannon Chamber of Commerce regarding overall development of the website and how it might best be utilised as a wider resource in the promotion of all aspects of activity bom) er-beneCeyee

Town manager Ger Dollard, in putting together the draft budget for the forthcoming year, said it was pre- pared in “a most difficult economic climate and against a background where funding available from Clare County Council is likely to be less than that available in 2008.”

FIANNA Fail is facing the possible collapse of it’s vote in next year’s lo- cal elections – as the county’s 6,000 farmers are on the verge of turning their back on the party.

More than 7,500 farmers attended a protest rally in Ennis on Sunday when farmers were urged to vote with their feet and reject the govern- ment candidates at next year’s local election.

An estimated 4,000 Clare farmers ANA KepOCOLerO MN SCoMB ECD UN AMANO (CKomm OO CoME DUTY] Farmers Association’s Deputy Presi- dent, Derek Deane, urged them to “give the government their answer” at next year’s election.

OF THE many fears and traumas facing patients who have been diag- nosed with cancer, the side effects of chemotherapy loom large.

While the therapy is a life-saving one, many patients and particularly women patients, dread the hair loss that often goes hand in hand with the treatment.

It was why plucky Kilkishen woman, Anne Henry, decided that she would turn something that was personally quite negative into some-

thing which would be positive for many people who are battling the disease.

“IT was diagnosed with cancer on April 4 last and I was told I would be having chemotherapy”, said the mother of three.

“I knew that one side effect of the treatment is that my hair would probably fall out so I decided to do a sponsored head-shave before that happened.”

Anne had her head shaved after the first session of chemo but while she still had her locks.

“I did feel bad about losing it – I had quite long hair but hopefully it will grow back. I’m told it will grow back, but it takes a while after the chemo is finished.”

Anne’s head shave raised an amaz- ing €5,380, money which is going to unit 2 C in the Midwest Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle.

The unit has been accepting pa- tients for some time now but it will have its official opening later this week.

“It’s a fabulous new facility for people who are seriously ill. It has

plasma screen TV’s, very comforta- ble rooms and it’s much more homely than an ordinary hospital ward’, said Anne.

Now that Anne is happily finished her treatment and on the road to re- covery, she decided that on Saturday, she would have a gathering in Gal- lagher’s bar in Kilkishen for friends, family and neighbours who support- ed her.

“I wanted people to know how much was raised and where the money was going. Everyone was so good’, she told

Garda car attack

SANTA may be a while off coming down the chimney but for the young- sters at the Raheen Woods Steiner School, Christmas started at the weekend.

The children at the school were joined by staff, parents, friends and neighbours for their annual Advent Fair.

It was a fair with flair as young- sters got to grips with arts and crafts, making Christmas decorations and gifts that will be treasured for many

a year by older relatives.

Adults visiting the fair had a chance to buy some very special and unique Christmas gifts from the stalls dis- playing the work of local artisans.

Art works, jewellery, apparel and accessories were all on display and quite a few will find their way under Christmas trees in east Clare

Because Christmas shopping and decorating is a hungry business, the organisers laid on delicious soups, teas and coffees.

‘The emphasis in the fair is allow- ing children to participate and there

were lots of activities and games for them as well as a play”, a spokesman for the school said.

After years of campaigning, the two Clare Steiner schools were given official recognition by the Depart- ment of Education this year so they will now receive funding reducing the need for parents and the school to pay for the entire running of the school, including teachers’ salaries.

But that didn’t mean that the an- nual fund-raising Advent Fair was any less necessary than in previous years.

‘Every school could do with extra funds for equipment and activities and we also have a special bursary to help families who need assistance with the costs of schooling so some of the money raised will go towards that”, the spokesman said.