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MAPPING the future economic de- velopment of Ennis, forms the main focus of a meeting of the local busi- ness community next week.

Ennis Chamber has launched details of the upcoming Planning and De- velopment Forum entitled ‘Business in a By-Passed Ennis – Sustainable Economic Development for Ennis’, sponsored by Ryan Brothers (Ennis) Ltd located at Toonagh Quarry.

SU stem CedeeeeMM, sul meUn eK MMa(omeLbNB KSDI! issues for the development of Ennis over the next five years from a busi- ness perspective and will take place from 5pm to 8.30pm on Tuesday September 30 in the Old Ground Ho- tel, O’Connell Street, Ennis.

Speaking on the forum, Ennis Chamber President Niall Garvey said, “The objective of the forum is to formulate the opinions of the busi- ness community, which will form the basis of submissions to relevant bodies.

‘This includes the Draft Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2008, which 1s a vital document in the shap- ing of the future economic growth of the town and surrounding area.”

Speakers to the forum will include private sector interests as well as Clare County Council senior person- nel who will display the maps relat- ing to the Draft Ennis & Environs Development Plan 2008.

The topics for discussion include: ‘A Vision for the Infrastructure of

the Mid West Region and Ennis as a Hub Town’; “Tourism Branding of the Mid-West Region and the Ennis Area Sustainable Development as a Driver for Future Growth’; ‘The Fu- ture Retail Experience of Ennis’ and ‘Ennis as an Employment Genera- Koue

Those attending will then be in- vited to participate in two workshops relating to these topics in order to garner key points from the business community which will form the ba- sis of a submission to the Draft En- nis and Environs Development Plan 2008 and other bodies as appropriate going forward.

Attendees will also be equipped with the knowledge and assistance to prepare their own individual submis-

sions to the Draft Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2008.

Ryan Brothers (Ennis) Ltd. op- erating from Toonagh Quarry on the Corofin Road outside Ennis are sponsors of the event.

The quarry is a key local enterprise, employing 20 people as well as indi- rect employment to hauliers among others.

General Manager, Martin Tierney, stressed their support for the forum and for the future development of business in the town.

“We are delighted to be involved with the Ennis Chamber Planning and Development Forum as _ the growth and enhancement of the area of Clare’s capital town is a vital part of our business’, said Mr Tierney.

HARVEST traditions from over 100 years ago will be brought to life by farm workers at Bunratty Folk Park which hosts a 19th century Harvest Day next Sunday afternoon, Septem- er aPzLe

According to Shannon Heritage chief executive John Ruddle, the event will recreate a cameo from the past and give visitors, especially younger visitors, a chance to enjoy Tere KO aA

In olden days, harvest time cre- ated a sense of urgency, especially before the arrival of the harvesting machinery. At other times of the year, everyone had their own work, the men in the fields, the women in the house and the children at school. Only at harvest time were they all to- gether engaged in the same work.

Visitors to the Folk Park on Sunday next will be given a flavour of rural Irish life over 100 years ago. Vin- tage threshing machines will be used to demonstrate the art of threshing. The Bean a Ti’s will demonstrate bread baking and butter making. The village school master will be greet-

ing children who will hand over the customary sod of turf for the tiny school room fire. Visitors will also be able to experience live horse shoe demonstrations at the forge and a sheaf throwing competition.

Younger visitors to the Folk Park will be encouraged to leave their par- ents in school while they enjoy the atmosphere created by the musicians and strawboys who will be perform- ing around the Folk Park during the afternoon.

All are welcome to enjoy tradition- al storytelling by the resident Sean- achai, and the village policeman in his 19th century uniform will be on site to create an ‘arresting experi- ence’ if the harvest celebrations get out of hand.

A special family ticket will be available for © 34.25 covering ad- mission for two adults and up to four children. Adult admission 1s €15 and the rate for children is €9. Admis- sion for senior citizens is ©9 and the student rate is £10.

THE feature race on the card at Galway on Friday night was the fi- nal of the Playing For Life A2 525. The prize crossed the border into Clare, with the appropriately named Drimeen Border taking the honours.

On the run to the opening bend Drimeen Border trained in Tubber by John Burke just held the call from Killuran Gorm (T2) who moved off the rail rounding the bend allow- ing Ms Fireparker (T1) slip through along the inside to take over in front entering the back straight.

Racing down the back Ms Firepark- er led by three lengths from Drimeen Border who began to close between the final two bends though. Turning for home the leader was searching for the line as Drimmen Border put in a turbo charged finish to gain the day by a neck in 29.20.

The seventh was an A3 grade 525 and as the traps rose the striped jack- eted

Unique Pose (T6) came away very smartly and despite heading straight for the inside rail the daughter of

Droopys Kewell and Reknay led by two lengths

from Free Toll (T5) rounding the opening two bends. Racing past the halfway mark the Ciara Malone of Liscannor owned Unique Pose held a three length advantage over her ri- vals and although she looked vuner- able for a stride or two turning in she defeated Birr Chris (T4) by three and quarter lengths in 29.21.

The semi finals of the Galway Hurl- ing Board A5 Stake were also down for

decision and in the opening semi final the Kevin Callinan of Kilmihil owned Shyan

Digital (T1) headed the market and the son of Digital and Shyan Anna- belle also headed his five rivals on the run to the opening bend where although he ran a little off the rail he led by two lengths from Forever Black (T2) entering the back straight. Approaching the home turn Forever Black closed to within a length on the inner but Shyan Digital kept on for a half length win in 29.57.

The fifth was an SO graded sprint over the 350 yard extended sprint trip

and after Battlefield(T1) had broken best to lead early on the inside the black jacketed Gowerhass Hope(T4) swept by on the run to the opening corner to lead from the improving Cushcallow Rebel(T5) on the out- side.

Racing around the crown of the bend Cushcallow Rebel moved quite wide allowing Gowerhass Hope to slightly extend his lead and the son of Top Honcho and Conies Kate just had a neck to spare at the line in a slick 19.05.

The fourth contest was an S2 grad- ed 350 in which trap two was vacant and as the traps rose West Clare Gael (T3) came away like the win and led by three lengths racing to- wards the opening bend from Crafty Cebato(T6) and Mysterious Molly (T1). As the leader swung for home Mysterious Molly switched to the outside to deliver her challenge up the straight but the Fiona and Kevin Troy of Kilkee owned West Clare Gael(Tucks Mein-Querrin Razor) just lasted it out in front to the line for a neck success in 19.27 .

Thursday night’s Galway card fea-

tured the semi finals of the Croi New York Marathon A3 575 In the second semi final the trap four runner Sars- field Lass showed the best pace on the run to the opening bend from Kid Mullins (T6) on her outside.

Turning down the back the pair were locked in combat as Cool Re- minder (T5) tried to close in third place.Approaching the penultimate corner Kid Mullins took a slight lead but as they turned for home the Michael Browne of Kilrush owned Sarsfield Lass(Droopys Vieri-Meg- ans Friend) was back in front as she won by a length in 31.99.

In the A4 graded eighth contest the Noel Moroney of Mullagh owned Tiermana Fly (T2) led at the second bend before holding the determined challenge of Garraun Maldini(T5) by 1/2 a length in 29.64.The win- ner got a dream un on the rail at the opening bend as early leader Scat- tery Vieri left a gap on the rail. Rac- ing down the back Tiermana Fly held the call as the challengers loomed on all sides but Tiermana Fly held them all at bay up the straight.

The third contest was an S6 graded

350 yarder and as the traps rose Kil- luran Vieri (T5) was very smartly into his stride and he led by three lengths from Bofin Squire(T3) racing to the opening bend. Rounding the bend the Donal Cooney of Broadford owned son of Droopys Vieri extend- ed his advantage to six lengths over his rivals as he stormed to an eight length success in 19.43.

In the A2 graded fourth contest over 550 yards on Saturday night the Master Christioan and Rian Cum- mins of Ennis owned Buddhas Babe overcame two bouts of interfearence as he came home three and three quarter lengths clear of Mi Sonic Gee rimsltk te

The winner was in second place rounding the opening bend when he was knocked sideways and back to fifth spot as Killuran Blue (T5) led the field by two lengths passing halfway. Approaching the third bend the win- ner was once again hampered when the leader suddenly checked leaving Mi Sonic in front but Buddhas Babe swept past early in the straight on his way to a deserved success.

has learned that Cliffs of Moher safety rangers have been questioned by members of the public, who later return when the pa- trol is off duty to commit suicide.

SU ioor-NKeRe HURON MD Or- Tonnes tte ployed at the Cliffs of Moher, with three on duty at any one time. There is aranger presence at the cliffs until 9pm each day.

“We have stopped people and they have come back again later. We would be here until 9pm each evening but people would come back

after that. People might come up and ask us what time we are finishing up for the evening and you don’t know are they just curious or are they planning to come back when we are not around,” said Cliffs ranger Tom Die) aa

“A million people come to the cliffs each year. Eventhough there are lots of signs, a lot of people will move away from the designated walking area.

“We can’t patrol all along the cliffs, and we can’t force someone not to go into certain areas. All we can do is talk to them and usually people are very good about it.”

Mr Doherty, who is also a member of the Doolin Coast Guard, believes that it may not be possible to patrol

the entire cliffs area 24 hours a day.

“I spoke to a girl one day and she just said in passing what a lovely place the cliffs would be to die. She said there was something romantic about it. People would often say that there is a draw to it. I don’t know myself but it there does seem to be something that brings people here.”

“To patrol from all the way from Liscannor to Doolin would take a massive amount of manpower. I mean we would sometimes get a call at 2 in the morning from someone at the cliffs who wanted to say good- bye or leave a message for his fam- UMA

“T don’t know would it work, or even if it would be possible to patrol the whole thing.”

IT’S been a long, sometimes difficult journey for Valentyna Dalifhevska, but she is now looking forward to the next chapter of her life in Ennis.

12 years ago, Valentyna left her home in the Ukraine to move to Ire- land. It was a hard start to life in a new country. Valnetyna’s young son was very ill and needed to be hospi- talised. Over the course of the next year, he underwent 18 operations at hospitals in Dublin and Limerick. The treatment was successful and af- ter a while Valentyna and her young family settled in Ennis. On Sunday, Valentyna opened Valans Bistro, in the Friary Car Park, Ennis.

The bistro specialises in serving mainly eastern European food but the menu also includes many famil- iar dishes.

After the trials of her early years in Ireland, Valentyan is delighted to be opening her own business in her new home.

“It was very difficult for us when we came here first. My son was very sick, he was in hospital a lot. He 1s still living in Ennis and he is doing fine now and my daughter is has just finished school.”

Valentyna worked for a while as chef’s assistant in Ukraine. It has always been her dream to open her own restaurant.

“We will be serving eastern Eu-

ropean food, Russian food but also we will cook Irish meat, Irish food. There are a lot of Russian type res- taurants in Dublin and Limerick. This is my idea, to open a restaurant in Ennis. It is my dream to do it”.

During the period of her son’s ill- ness, Valentyna received support from campaigner Adi Roche. Roche is the founder of the Children’s Cher- nobyl Project (CCP) and has worked tirelessly over the past 20 years to provide aid to the children of Belarus and the Ukraine.

Roche along with the former Presi- dent of Ireland, Mary Robinson, championed Valentyna’s case for staying in Ireland when she faced deportation.

So, by way of thanking Roche, Valentyna turned the opening day of her business into a fundraiser. Food at Valans Bistro was free but custom- ers were asked to make donations to the CCP.

“She (Adi Roche) helps a lot of chil- dren in Belarus but also sick children in Ukraine. I wanted to do something to pay them back. I wanted to do something from my heart”.

Valentyna feels she has really set- tled in Ennis, where she calls home.

‘It is the best town in the world. I have settled down for good. I can still visit my family in Ukraine but I love this country. I can start my life again from the first page. My children are happy and I am happy.”

The Citizens Information Service will host an information seminar on wills, inheritance and tax at the Temple Gate Hotel Ennis on Monday September 29 at 8pm.

The event which is open to every- one and free of charge will explain the steps to drawing up a will and will also discuss the legal situation where a person dies intestate. There will be a detailed consideration of the tax implications on gifts and in- heritances and the various reliefs and exemptions that are available.

The information evening will also address the rights of spouses and children to the estate of a deceased person and the issue of legal compe- tence in making a will.

Research undertaken by Amarach Research for the Irish Banking Fed- eration (IBF) indicates that only 45% of all adults have made a will; and among those who have not, only 21% intend to do so in the next 12 months. and only one in five intend to make a will in the next 12 months

Paul Woulfe Manager of the Citi- zens Information Service believes that for Irish consumers property- based wealth has made the issue of drawing up wills more urgent than ever because legacies can be conten- tious and having a will simplifies matters for those you leave behind. The costs should not be excessive and can be invaluable when offset by the benefit of exercising personal

planned choice and control in your affairs while also likely reducing tax liabilities.”

‘Everyone who has both property and loved ones should have a will. The reality of the human condition cannot be denied. Do you want your property ultimately to be distributed in accordance with your wishes or a forty-year-old statute? Arrange to see a solicitor today. Make a will. It won’t kill you!” added Paul Wolfe

Catriona O Connor BCL LLM Dip Property Tax with Kerin, Hickman & O Donnell Solicitors will discus the legal formalities to be satisfied when drafting a valid will. She will also consider the limitations on a person’s freedom to dispose of their property as they wish in a will and what happens to a person’s property where they die without having made a will. Also discussed will be the various steps involved in adminis- tering an estate and explain what the role of an executor 1s 1n this process. She will explain the tax implications for beneficiaries of inheriting prop- erty and detail the various reliefs and exemptions that could be availed of in order to minimise any potential tax liability.

For further information on your rights and entitlements you can contact your local Citizens Infor- mation Centre who offer a free and confidential service by phone and to personal callers at any of their of- fices throughout the county Tel : 065 6841221

THERE were times when Kilmurry Ibrickane looked irresistible. The Wheel that they’ve used this past generation and more was turning nicely; Shane Hickey in his debut as permanent captain was having a blinder; Odran O’ Dwyer was charg- ing through tackles; Noel Downes was showing that fleetness of foot

and class that should have him as a fixture and fitting in Clare teams for years to come.

All this with a bench top heavy with Munster club medal winners. It looked as if Kilmurry could cruise to a comfortable victory, but somehow manager Micheal McDermott knew it would never happen.

“Wolfe Tones are a very good team and we knew it would be close,’ Mc-

Dermott said seconds after his side had weathered Wolfe Tones’ sec- ond half comeback. “We knew they would come at us in the second half — they were put out of the hurling championship last week and this is all that was left for them, so we knew they were going to give it a right lash. We showed a lot of character, a lot of fight and a lot of heart to hold out when we were reduced to 14 men.

That’s what championship football is all about.

“From our point of view the timing of the goal was superb — it gave us that little bit of breathing space going into the second half. It was a big turn- ing point when Declan Callinan got the goal. I’ve always said that when you get to this stage of the champion- ship it’s goals that win games.”

Now for Kilkee, something that

McDermott relishes. “We’re two very evenly matched teams. There’s nothing between us, which was proved when we drew in the first round. They seem to be a bogey team going back a few years, so hopefully the draw we got might eliminate that kind of fear. You are going to have a rip-roaring contest with two teams going hammer and tongs at each oth- er to try and to a county final.”

CANCER patients who may have been misdiagnosed at Ennis Gen- eral Hospital were last night urged to come forward. The call was made by Karl Henry, the husband of Ann Moriarty, whose cancer was misdi- agnosed at the hospital. Mr Henry reiterated his calls for a full inde- pendent enquiry. Ms Moriarty died from cancer last April, at the age of 53. She had been given the all- clear at Ennis General Hospital, just months earlier.

He made the comment in the wake of another misdiagnosis case emerg- ing over the weekend. 26-year-old Edel Kelly lost her battle with cancer in June, having also been misdiag- nosed previously.

“My concern from day one was there may be others. I wasn’t expect- ing there would be another situation quite as appalling as that of Edel Kelly appears to be,” he said.

“The Department of Health seems to think the people of Ennis and Clare are entitled to a sub-standard health system,” he added.

In the wake of Mr Henry going pub- lic with details of his wife’s misdiag- nosis, the HSE said it was an isolated case. The revelations about the Edel

Kelly case angered him, but he said he is trying to leave those feelings to one side and continue the fight on be- half of his wife.

“That my wife’s case was an isolat- ed one has a particularly hollow ring to it,” he said.

Mr Henry met with the Health Minister Mary Harney last week. Although he did not receive a com- mitment that an independent enquiry would be carried out, he feels that his case was listened to.

“I was reasonably happy. She is now very familiar with the full facts of my wife’s case,” he said.

He will continue to fight for an in- dependent enquiry. “All we have is Ennis investigating Ennis. That is not acceptable,” he said.

The Kellys yesterday called for Minister Harney to resign. However, Mr Henry said he would not support Wee

“IT wouldn’t support calls for the re- moval of the minister that this time. We do need to know what is going on. There are serious failings,” he said.

Both the Kellys and Mr Henry have expressed an interest in meeting up, to discuss their cases.

‘I know the difficulties they are en- countering,” he said.

to every primary school in Northern Ireland.

Jim, who is chairperson of Rural Resettlement Ireland, wrote the book in an effort to help bring communi- ties together and reflect on the posi- tive elements of the human condi- n(n

“I have been involved in humani- tarian work for the whole of my life.

It is of great interest to me and that is what was in my mind when I wrote the book. I believe that there are ba- sic humanitarian principles which are natural to all of us and in a sense they are counter balanced by a number of animal instincts which are in us all as well,” said Jim.

“The book is trying to articulcate these ideas in some acceptable form – in a non-judgmental form which doesn’t mention religion, God or morality – but basic humanitarian principles. It was to help promoting or exploring the better sides of our human nature that I decided to write this book for schools.

“The book starts off with ‘I am a human’ because that is the basic

starting point for all of us.”

The book is illustrated with photo- graphs from St Nicholas’ School in Galway. The school, which houses more than 40 nationalities, was in part the inspiration for the book. Jim hopes that the book might prove a help for people to overcome divisions in society, whether formed around gender, ethnicity or religion.

‘“T approached the Northern Ireland Counsel for Integrated Education be- cause I heard him speaking on the radio one morning. I thought that the ideas in my book might be some- thing that would assist up there, so I sent him a copy of my book.

“I offered to donate one copy of the book to each and every primary

school in Northern Ireland to mark the amazing transformation that has been going on there since the Good Friday Agreement. They were de- lighted to take the book and we have sent off nearly 1,000 books to school sin Northern Ireland,’ he continued.

“IT was shocked to find out that nearly 95 per cent of the schools up there were separate, either Catholic or Protestant. I am delighted that they found the book acceptable and that all the different church authori- ties found it acceptable.

“IT have got some lovely feedback from the book – with cards from some of the children. I’ve got a great response and I’m delighted that I am fulfilling a function there.”

THE Clare ladies football panel won’t be resting on their laurels for two long if they win Sunday’s AIll- Ireland intermediate final against Tipperary in Croke Park.

Instead, they be looking to the fol- lowing weekend as a number of them have pledged to take part in the Run to Africa, which a “Playing for Life’ abu NCebe-DKSDONoMNDODIOT-IN Ros

Playing for Life was founded by well-known sportswoman and broadcaster Tracy Piggott following a visit to Ethiopia in 2004. Tracy

was determined to do set up a project that would use sport as a tool to help young people in some of the worlds’ poorest places, since sport has al- ways played such a huge part in her own life.

In order to continue providing sup- port to some of the world’s poorest countries and communities, Play- ing for Life is undertaking a major fundraising initiative throughout the island of Ireland with the support of Tesco Ireland, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, Sport News Ireland and well-known sports per- sonalities like Sonia O’Sullivan and

Eamon Coghlan.

The Run to Africa will take place over the first weekend in October. Volunteers, who will be asked to raise €100/£100 per kilometer, will be able to see the collective progress of the 9500 km run from Dublin to Addis Ababa on a video screen (similar to the flight path display on a plane).

The Clare contribution to the project is being spearheaded by the ladies intermediate team, with Emma O’Driscoll coordinating their efforts. ‘There are six of us on the team who form the committee Louise Henchy

our captain, Majela Griffin, Niamh Keane, Aine Kelly, Marie Considine and myself. Many of the other girls on the team are also helping out,” O’Driscoll reavealed.

“To raise money we have asked schools around the county to hold a colours day where by they wear the jersey of their favourite team into school and bring in two euros so far 18 generous schools have agreed from the 24 pupil school of Rineen outside Lahinch to the Holy Family here in Ennis.

‘Teachers from these schools then can either run the kilometres them-

selves on the treadmills or nominate one of the clare ladies or one of the other sportspeople who will be run- ning. Many of us are past pupils of these schools so they have kindly nominated us! The colours day will take place the week of the 29th to the 3rd.

“Diarmuid McMahon, Niall Gil- ligan, The Clare Camogie team, and Seamus Power are some of the well known sports people who will run. Clubs all over the county will be asked to run as we have to cover 300km,’ she added.