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A MEMBER of the Newmarket- on-Fergus Gun Club was the star of the show as Ireland took part in the Home Countries international tour- nament last week.

Although the Irish lost out to Eng- land, by 40 targets, Seamus Ryan of the Newmarket-on-Fergus club per- formed impeccably.

The two-day event took place at Llandegla shooting grounds in

Wales. Winning his first cap, Ryan stole the show, particularly as he outshone professional shooters Peter Cole and John Winn from England. He outscored the duo, who have fine reputations at international level, and in the process finished near the top of his class.

He finished with a total of 192 targets, which was a single target behind the tournament overall high gun Ian Mullarkey.

According to Pat McCoy of New-

market-on-Fergus Gun Club, Seamus Ryan’s performance was fantastic.

“He did very well against two of the top guns in England. They scored 99 and he scored 100,” said Mr McCoy.

Mr Ryan (53) 1s a native of Limer- ick and was previously a member of the Castleconnell Gun Club in Lim- erick. He has been a member of the Newmarket-on-Fergus club for more than two decades.

He runs a garage Newmarket-on- Fergus and lives in the area. He has

shot for County Clare on several oc- casions over the past few years and his selection on the Irish team was a welcome boost for his dedication over SO many years.

“It was a dream come true for me. I didn’t think I would make the team, having hurt my shoulder in qualify- ing,’ he said.

He hopes to compete for Ireland again next year and also has ambi- tions to participate in the Olympic trench event in 2009.

ENNIS Chamber is lending its sup- port to the inaugural Clare Enter- prise Week, which takes places from October 6 to 10, by organising two free seminars in the county capital to assist business with their day-to-day ey oe: (Oy eke

The first seminar entitled “Ready for Business” presented by Niall Garvey, Chartered Accountant and Solicitor William Cahir, will take place on Wednesday, October 8.

The seminar is aimed at those em- barking on their own business and wish to know the financial and legal steps to take. It would also benefit those already in business who wish to increase their knowledge of these vital areas of business. Some of the Topics to be covered include; Finan- cial Planning, Taxation, and Record Keeping Requirements as well as the Legal Format, Protecting Intellectu- al Property and Business Names, and Business Types.

Then on Thursday, October 9 Pe- ninsula HR will present an “Employ- ment Law Seminar” for the small to medium enterprise. It is very difficult for businesses to keep on top of all the new employment law legislation as well as Health & Safety require- ments. Yet failure to do so can lead to awards and fines that can cripple even the most financially robust business. This fast paced seminar, specifically designed for business owners, man- agers and directors, is full of useful information, tips and advice to assist businesses in understanding their obligations. Everyone businesses at-

tending will have the opportunity to avail of a free consultation to review their current Employment Law prac- (Che

The Chamber Enterprise Week Seminars are scheduled from 6pm to 9pm on both evenings in the Ban- ner Room of the Old Ground Hotel, O’Connell Street, Ennis.

Speaking on Clare Enterprise Week, Ennis Chamber President Niall Garvey said “Ennis Chamber is delighted to be involved with the first ever Clare Enterprise Week and to lend our support by organising relevant and informative seminars for the benefit of the business com- munity.”

Everyone is welcome to attend and there is no charge to attend either seminar. However booking 1s advisa- ble as places are limited. Booking can be made by contacting Ennis Cham- ber, 54 O’Connell Street, Ennis, Co. Clare by telephoning 065 684 2988 or emailing info@ennischamber.ie by Monday, October 6.

TWO young men have pleaded guilty to charges in connection with a fa- tal road accident which claimed the life of an elderly man in Ogonelloe a year ago.

John Cooney (89) was killed in- stantly when he was struck by a pass- ing car, as he crossed the road after attending Mass at around 8.30pm on the night of September 8 last.

Two men were later charged in connection with the incident and returned for trial to Ennis Circuit Court. Both entered guilty pleas yes- terday, when a date for their trial was due to be fixed.

Tadhg O’Flynn, of Canal Bank, Killaloe, admitted dangerous driv- ing causing the death of Mr Cooney,

on September 8, 2007.

He and another defendant, Patrick Hannon, of Clarina Park, Ballinacur- ra Weston, Limerick, both pleaded guilty to intent to pervert the course of justice, by setting fire to the motor vehicle that had been involved in the accident in which Mr Cooney was fatally injured.

O’Flynn’s counsel told the court yesterday that his client is receiving counselling arising out of this mat- ter. Hannon’s counsel pointed out that he is currently in custody on an- ols slosmpeerelanel a

The court was told the case has OTe ENT OMS SS STUB AYALA (ok Meme: DOC6 MAA) Mam ole given priority on the sentencing date, November 10 next. Evidence in the case will be heard in full on that date.

THE holy grail of Irish surfing has been re-forged and this weekend scores of surfers will compete to be the first to lift the Irish Trophy Cup in almost four decades.

The cup was one of I[reland’s first surfing competition and attracted dozens of surfers to the fledgling sport when held in Lahinch in 1969, ‘70 and °71.

This weekend, hoards of surfers are expected to descend on Lahinch as the West Coast Surf Club and Kenny Bar re-stage the competition for the first time in 37 years.

The inspiration behind relaunching

the competition came when one of Ireland first and most famous surfers visited Lahinch a number of years ago.

“The idea of this came about four or five years ago. One summer, Brian Britton came into the pub. To look at him you wouldn’t think he was a surfer but he walked over to the counter and said that 33 years ear- lier to the day he had pulled into the same parking space and walked into the pub,” said Kenneth Kenny.

‘He was telling us all about the old days of surfing and he mentioned the surfing competition. So eventually we decided to get it going again.”

The original winners of the compe-

tition were awarded a carved stone trophy, which quickly became the most recognisable prize in Irish surf- ing. Having since been lost, com- petition organisers contracted local sculpture Shane Gilmore to remake the holy grail of Irish surfing.

“The trophy is wonderful, like the original it’s made out of stone and has four sides that show off the dif- ferent elements of surfing in Lahinch. We also have a carved bog-oak surf- board that the winner will be able to keep forever. We will also have a larger bog-oak surfboard in the pub which will carry the winners name each year,’ continued Kenneth.

“It’s really going to be more like a

celebration of surfing than a compe- tition. The whole idea is to bring the past and the present together and to celebrate the West Coast Surf Club and the wonderful surfing that we have had over the years in Clare.

“We are hoping that this will turn into an annual event and host it in Lahinch every year.

The competition will take place on October 4, 5 and 6, in Lahinch. For more information or to enter check out www.westcoastsurfclub.com.

FUNDING has been provided for the appointment of an addiction coun- selor at the Bushypark Treatment Centre in Ennis.

It was announced last week that €57,000 had been allocated to the centre by the Department of Com- munity, Rural and Galetacht Affairs. One of the main roles that the new counsellor will fill will be the estab- lishment of weekly aftercare groups to assist cocaine users who have completed treatment in one of the four centres in the mid-west region.

Welcoming the announcement, Minster of State Tony Killeen said ‘“Bushypark has provided many years of invaluable service as a resi- dential addiction treatment centre for those addicted to alcohol, drugs and gambling. I hope that the funding allocated to the centre will help in- dividuals and their families recover from cocaine addictions and regain control of their lives.”

Minister Killeen added that tack- ling cocaine use and implementing the recommendations of the Report of the Working Group on Drugs Re- habilitation remained priorities for

Government.

“It is important that we continue to treat the problem of cocaine use. This funding will assist Bushypark Treatment Centre assist in develop- ing vital services for those experi- encing problems,’ he concluded.

Bushypark Treatment Centre is a facility designed to help individu- als and their families by providing a comprehensive addiction treat- ment programme. This programme is based on the Minnesota model of treatment, using 12-Step work as its foundation.

The recovery-oriented activities

offered at the centre include group therapy, addiction education, coun- seling, study, meditation, therapeutic duties, and 12-step meetings.

Family or other concerned persons of the individual in treatment can also participate in an education and Support programme. This is as nec- essary for them as it is for the person in treatment.

Weekly group meetings over a two- year period follow residential treat- ment. These sessions assist ex-resi- dents and family members make the necessary adjustments to living that are part of early recovery.

NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS scouts have regrouped for the forth- coming season, after a well-deserved break over the summer.

An exciting range of outdoor pro- grammes has been organised for the next few months.

Dozens of young beavers, cubs, scouts and venturers will meet weekly over the coming weeks and

those who organise the meetings are encouraging all young people in the area to join.

The cubs, scouts and venturers have already commenced their meetings, at the local community centre.

The cubs – aged eight to ten-and-a- half – meet every Monday, between 6pm and 7pm. The scouts – aged between ten-and-a-half to 15, get to- gether every Friday evening between 6.30pm and 8pm, while the venturers

– aged 16 to 18 – meet on Tuesdays, from 6pm to 7pm.

The beavers, aged between seven and eight, will hold their first meet- ing on September 30, between 6pm and 7pm.

As usual with all scouting pro- grammes, the emphasis will be on outdoors events.

The beavers will have regular days out, a Halloween party and a slumber yep hca ale

Cubs will have an overnight activ- ity each month while the scouts will have a jamboree.

The venturers will also have a number of exciting days out planned in the coming months, having ran a hugely successful surfing programme during the summer.

The club is advising parents of all scouts that the insurance for the year is €40 and should be paid by De- cember.

THE recent re-emergence of blue- tongue in the UK poses a serious threat to the livestock and sheep in- dustry in this country according to Macra na Feirme.

Chairman of Macra’s Agricultural Affairs committee, Eddie O’ Donnell, also last week called on all imports of animals for breeding or slaughter from the UK to be suspended on a voluntary basis.

“The Department of Agriculture must also be particular vigilant in terms of implementing the necessary

bio security measures to preserve our Bluetongue free status including extra bio security measures for cargo at ports,” he said.

“Protecting our all-Ireland blue- tongue free status is critical, we must take a very stringent approach when it comes to implementing control measures in relation to Bluetongue, otherwise Irish herds would be prone to sickness, infertility, distress and even animal deaths in some cases from the Bluetongue disease as well as the massive economic loss and implications for Irelands export sta- nthe

O’Donnell said results of a recent survey carried out by Macra indi- cated that young farmers believe there’s a lot to be done in reassuring the Agri sector that the government is doing enough to keep Bluetongue out of Ireland.

“In the unfortunate event of an outbreak, vaccination would be re- quired,” continued O’Donnell. “A farmer administered vaccination scheme would be the most effective means of quickly and effectively protecting Ireland’s sheep and live- stock from the disease.

‘“Farmer’s professionally adminis-

ter vaccines to their animals routinely to prevent illness and Mr. O’ Donnell believes that farmers must be given the choice to administer the vaccine themselves or through their veteri- nary surgeon.

“Many EU countries have a vet- erinary administered vaccination scheme; however, their Governments are co-funding the administration of the vaccine.

“In the absence of Irish Govern- ment funding, farmers who are the professionals in animal husbandry must be in a position to administer the vaccine.”

The production itself is already an historic one, as it will be the first Opera commissioned by the DIT

Conservatory of Music and Drama’s in more than a quarter of a century. Indeed, the conservatory has already invested more than €500,000 in the redevelopment the Gleeson Theatre in Dublin, where the opera will be staged.

‘This is an incredibly difficult chal- lenge. The opera last for about two hours and | think I’m physically on

stage for about an hour and a half of that. It’s a huge huge challenge so it will either make me or break me as a performer. We have a VIP night on the first night of the show which will have all the industry insiders as well as people like Mary McAleese,” said Peter.

“It’s a huge physical challenge as well. I have been going to the gym

three times a week, haven’t being go- ing out and have been going to bed early every night.

‘The is the fist time in a long, long time that the conservatory has put on an opera so it a very big deal up ite) Kemet

Peter is currently in the final year of his honours degree at the DIT Con- servatory of Music. After he com- pletes his formal studies in Ireland, Peter will have to go abroad, proba- bly to Italy, to continue his training.

‘Next year I’m going to take a year out, go back to Clare and work on the farm with my dad. I’m also go- ing to do a bit of teaching with Ar- chie Simpson from the Lismorahaun Singers and try to save some money, ” he continued.

“I’d like to do a two year Masters in Performance after that and Ill have to go abroad to do that, as it is not available in Ireland. It is very diffi- cult to find a teacher to take you on for this but I’d love to go to Italy and learn from the masters over there.”

Peter began singing as a young teenager with the Lismorahaun Singers alongside fellow Clare sen- sation Naomi O’Connell from Bal- lyvaughan and Dean Power from Clarecastle.

AN Ennistymon banker has packed in his ledgers and calculator in fa- vour of the artist’s easel and is now starting to make waves in the world ODay ore nenlwetee

After giving up a senior role with the AIB just over a year ago, Michael Hanrahan has quickly forged a repu- tation for himself as a budding artis- Wem E-NCoonl

Michael, who is about to take up a studio at the Courthouse Gallery Stu- dios in Ennistymon, will this month form a central part of the latest Do- lan Art Auction which takes place in the Marriott Hotel in Galway on

September 30.

‘I was always interested in painting and drawing, even from when I was a young man at the Ennistymon CBS, art was my favourite subject,’ said Mr Hanrahan.

“So after 37 years with the bank, I took early retirement back in 2006. Banking is a very high pressure busi- ness and I really wanted to give the painting a try. I felt I had some talent at it and I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to get out there and put in plenty time at it.”

Michael has just completed a sum- mer residence at the Burren Col- lege of Art in Ballyvaughan and has painted extensively around the Clare

countryside.

“Tm a landscape painter really and I’m a realist – I paint what I see. I love the colours, I love the changing moods of Ireland – the sunlight and the shade,’ he said.

“I love painting around Clare. I’ve painted in Ballyvaughan, Lahinch, Liscannor and in Ennistymon. I’ve done a number of painting in En- nistymon actually, I love the shop fronts up there.

“The art auctions are great. The general public is allowed to view all the works for a number of days be- fore the auction, they can just walk into the hotel and see what they like. But then the auction starts and they

just hold up your work and people bid. There is no name given with the paintings so the works really have to stand on their own two feet.

‘The people at Dolans do a fantas- tic job and they give great encour- agement to emerging artists like myself.”

For more information about his work contact Michael on 086 8251550 of e-mail mphanrahan55 @hotmail. com or preview some of the paint- ings on www.dolansart.com.

EXCITEMENT is reaching fever point as thousands of Clare farm- ers make their way to the National Ploughing Championships which open in Kilkenny today. Millions of euro 1s expected to be spent in Kil- kenny over the next few days as the largest farming event in Ireland this years takes place.

An estimated 200,000 people are expected to converge the champion- ships which will this year play host to 19 All Ireland ploughing finals over the course of the three days.

Besides the competitions on the field, the championships will also

feature hundreds of stalls drawn from every corner of country life.

Indeed, Specsavers in Ennis will join forces with the Road Safety Au- thority for the Specsavers Focus on Driving Campaign which will take place at the championships.

Last year, Specsavers screened more than 1000 people’s vision at the National Ploughing Champion- ships, in one of Ireland’s largest-ever eyecare studies and they hope to do even better this year.

‘‘As autumn looms and the evenings become darker, it is more important than ever to ensure that your eye- sight isn’t putting you or other road users 1n jeopardy,’ said the director

of Specsavers in Ennis, Mayleen van der Merwe.

“By joining forces with the RSA, we aim to educate drivers on the im- portance of eyesight.”

Meanwhile, Macra na Feirme has announced a packed programme of activity for this year event. Apart from showcasing all the best the or- ganisation has to offer, with details of upcoming Macra projects, events and travel opportunities for mem- bers, Macra will host a number of key activities which will undoubt- edly prove popular with the crowds attending this year.

These include competitions with the Gleneagle Hotel, programmes

to promote farm safety and an inter- county and company bucking bronco eee

The FBD young farmer of the year will also be on site along with Kil- kenny Macra members who will be present on the stand to recruit new members to local Macra clubs in the area.

Galway Macra will be on hand to provide details of the upcoming Na- tional Conference (Rally) in Salthill in October.

Macra na Feirme’s national presi- dent, Catherine Buckley, will also be on site over the three days to meet and speak with visitors to the Macra display area.