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WITH the poor weather showing no signs of clearing, The Department of Agriculture last week offered some relief to Clare farmers by lifting some of the restrictions on early up- land grazing in the Burren.

Clare TD and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Tony Killeen, confirmed on Thursday that the de- partment has sanctioned a once off lifting of the restriction placed on REPS 2 and 3 farmers from grazing animals in upland areas of the Bur- ren before October 1.

The north Clare TD confirmed that the decision had been taken in light

of the impact of animals grazing on lowland areas that have been ad- versely affected by record-breaking rainfall this year.

Minister Killeen said that partici- pation in REPS 2 and 3 is guided by traditional farming practices where- by animals are moved from lowland areas to upland grasslands during Aurea

“This year, however, we have wit- nessed extremely wet weather con- ditions, which have made the move- ment and grazing of cattle in lowland areas extremely difficult for farm- eI ae OLomnsy-b (Om

“T am delighted to confirm that the Department has agreed to lift the October Ist restriction on condition

that individual farmers notify the lo- cal Department of Agriculture office of their intention to move animals.

“The approval of once off early ac- cess to the firmer winterage lands in upland areas of the Burren will be of benefit to farmers, the environment and animal welfare.”

Minister of State Killeen pointed out that the Department’s decision comes just three weeks after Minis- ter Brendan Smith announced a six- week extension of the REPS slurry- spreading deadline.

Meanwhile, Clare Fine Gael TD, Joe Carey last week called on the Minister for Agriculture to extend the scheme for investment aid for Farm Waste Management. This

scheme has involved the building of slatted houses in order to comply with EU directives.

Over recent months, extreme weath- er conditions have hampered severe- ly building work. “Summer 2008 has been one of the worst on record for rainfall in Ireland. Records show it was the wettest August for 170 years with between 14 and 21 wet days during the month,” he said.

“There is no doubt that farmers have had a very difficult summer, with tillage farming, in particular, badly hit. We need to ensure that the farming community is given every assistance dealing with the weather conditions and the difficulties the ex- treme weather present.”

IN the great story of sporting come- backs, this one will rank with the best. For the first time in just short of four decades, a Clare dog won the Irish derby but it was the manner in which the title was captured that will stay in the mind.

On the final bend Shelbourne As- ton was still in fifth place but in the final stage, managed a huge rally to see him first across the post. But it took some time for official confirma- tion to come through.

Standing behind the rails and peer- ing into the crowd was part-owned and trainer and Mullagh native Pat Grae

“When the dog crossed the line I thought we’d won but Ian Fortune [RTE greyhound reporter] was be- side me with an earpiece waiting to hear the official result. I kept looking in at the crowd saying to myself, ‘For God’s sake, will somebody put me out of my misery here and tell me if we ve definitely won.

“After a few minutes the announce- ment came through on the loud- speaker but I missed it, my mind had gone blank. So I turned to Ian and asked him what had happened. He said, “Pat, you’ve just won the derby.’ And you know what? I’ never forget those words.”

With that confirmation, Curtin

had reason to celebrate. This was only the third time a greyhound had completed the Champion Stakes and Derby double but the thing is, Curtin isn’t finished there.

Right now, he’s contemplating go- ing for the English St Leger at Wim- bledon, which begins next month.

‘No other dog has ever done the Irish Derby and the St Leger back-to- back and that’s something I’d love to do. And the Leger is over 660 yards which would suit the dog down to the ground.

“But we’ve still to make up our minds on what exactly we’re going to do. Over the past two days, there’s been a lot of interest from Australia and the United States, but we haven’t made any decision yet.”

Part-owners Noel Hehir from In- agh and Mullagh’s Margaret Mont- gomerie will sit down and discuss the situation with Curtin over the next week or two, but for now, it’s ap- propriate to bask in the glow of the DTS d eA ett e

Word had gone out that Curtin had heavily backed the dog at long odds and on Monday, he confirmed that he will take in roughly €500,000 on wagers as well as his share of the €175,000 prize money.

“He started off at 33/1 and I never thought he should be as long as that in the first place. The bookies thought he needed a longer trip, which in

fairness, he might have done but I was always confident he was going to do it.

“T actually backed him at that price for the Champion Stakes as we;; and ended up getting ©250,000 from that and then, when it came to the Derby, 33/1 was always going to get my at- tention.

“T took him at 33/1 and as he pro- eressed, he moved into 20/1, 14/1, 10/1 and I got him at all those prices as well. But as I said, I was confi- dent all along. I trained him to win the Derby and I saved him and saved him for that and for nothing else.”

Curtin — who first Shelbourne As- ton race in Galway against his own dog, Cal Diamond — pursued his then-owner Brian King relentlessly to part ways with the dog. “I just knew there was something special about this dog. I saw him for the first time in December and finally per- suaded Brian King to sell him to me a few months later.”

He now joins the prestigious list of Derby winning trainers, which includes his cousin Tom Doherty whose dog Eoin Pride was the last Clare winner of the Derby in 1969.

PHONE in hand, the Abbess of the Poor Clare Monastery in Ennis, Sr Bernadine stood ready to be made aware of any changes to the Presi- dent’s schedule.

Inside the monastery, everything sparkled for the return visit of an old friend, who this time would be mak- ing a short visit in an official capac- ity to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Poor Clare’s in Ennis.

At llam the helicopter flew over the monastery and minutes later the state car drove into the grounds – there had been no change to plans.

When the President emerged from the car, Sr Bernadine and Sr Gabriel greeted her at the door.

The chatty women had welcomed the gardai, presidential security and the press with open arms, but for the President and her husband there was a special and familiar welcome.

While most present greeted the spe- cial guest as her excellence or Mrs McAleese the sisters in the enclosed order greeted her as Mary, and she in turn called each nun by name.

The President of Ireland has been a private visitor to the monastery in Francis Street for the past 11 years, and just weeks before had visited the

monastery for one of her retreats.

Now she was back to help celebrate the sister’s Golden Jubilee in Ennis.

In what were familiar surrounds to Ireland’s first citizen she prayed with her friends, the dozen sisters in the order, and the seven friars from the neighbouring friary.

Reading the scripture and singing along with the Poor Clare sisters dur- ing the psalm the President fitted in with ease.

In a jovial celebration the presi- dent’s husband Dr Martin McAleese joked at the tea party after, “I would like to thank you personally because you don’t know the great craic I

have when she goes on retreat every year.”

President McAleese had nothing but praise for the women of the or- der. “You are great custodians of the tradition in Clare, great friends, great sisters.

‘I know from times down here how many times the phone rings, how many times the bell goes,” she said.

“You can’t take the burden of sor- row from them but you can go on the journey of life with them and that matters so much – the courage, the faith, the hope. Your prayers give them the little bit of energy to keep looking forward to tomorrow,

keep hoping for tomorrow. That is SO important, just bringing the joy of Clare, the joy of Christ into their lives,’ she added.

In the visitor’s book the President inscribed, “Congratulations on 50 years of prayerful, loving care of so many people whose sorrows you shared, whose joys you enhanced. God bless this lovely community as it sets out into the deep of the rest of the 50 years.”

For the neighbouring Franciscan order, yesterday was also a day of celebration as two new members were preparing to join the Frnacis- can order.

AFTER last year’s stroll through the Burren guided by the wonderful voices of the Lismourahaun Choir, this years Burren Ramble is going to let the land do the talking for itself.

This year’s ramble, which is the main annual fundraising event for the local RNLI, will take place in s1- lence. The theme of this year’s walk is ‘Peace and Contentment’ and or- ganisers are hoping that the families and loved ones of those affected by tragedy at sea will come and take Ova mON MO NomAVo Ole

“The idea is for people to come along and make a few bob for the lifeboats – but more than that we

are hoping that this year the ramble will be a more spiritual event. The theme of our walk this year is peace and contentment, and we are giving a chance to people who have lost someone to quietly walk and have a listen to the rivers,’ said organiser Joe Queally.

“At this time of the year there are more rivers coming up every day and there is great peace in all the sounds of the Burren. We hope that this place might just give people one minutes peace away from their darkness. If it does that then the whole thing has ee M OUP OLUaeNE Con

“In the RNLI, our first mission is to save lives, but our second mission is to try and bring some comfort to

people when a loved one has been lost. A recovery isn’t a joyful event, but it can bring great comfort to the family of the person who 1s lost, and that is very important.”

The walk begins at Fanore Church and will take in some of the Burren’s most spectacular scenery.

“We will be going up by the Cahir River and every step you take you will hear a different sound if you lis- ten for it. We will be starting regis- tration from St Patrick’s Church at 12 pm, and we are asking people while they are waiting for the walk to take off to sit in silence and listen to the river,’ continued Joe.

“The walk will start at lpm and we hope that this year’s walk will be

in silence. As we go into the moun- tain, as the wind starts to blow, every breeze will bring a different sound. As we get up around 800 feet over Galway Bay it will be the experience of a lifetime.”

The Burren Ramble takes place this Sunday, September 21. More in- formation or sponsorship cards are available from Joe on 087 6260301. All walkers are welcome, with or without sponsorship cards.

THE Government has begun work in the 2009 budget even before a firm commitment has been given to capi- tal health programmes for this year.

And among the projects still not signed off for 2008 is the €39 mil- lion for the development of Ennis (lor) elejopleve

Last May, Health Minister Mary Harney promised a Clare deputa-

tion including Oireachtas members and mayors that the Capital Works Programme for 2008 would be pub- lished within weeks and despite ear- lier reports to the contrary, she was confident the long drawn out Ennis Project would be included.

Fine Gael TD Joe Carey said essen- tial investments in healthcare in the mid-west must not be the first casu- alty of the economic downturn.

“The Department of Health have

yet to publish their capital works programme for 2008, despite the fact that we are now almost three quar- ters of the way through the year.

At the end of May, Minister Harney promised funds for the redevelop- ment of Ennis General Hospital as part of the HSE Capital Development Programme 2008.

Since then there has been little mention of the promised €39 mil- lion, which is essential for the rede-

velopment of the hospital. There is the real chance now that the funding will be deferred until the 2009 Cap1- 0m OKO sear: DOD ES LoMMNN OORT: BIG

“T would have huge concerns that funding of essential health services in Clare will not be delivered. This Government has procrastinated on this issue since before the 2002 Gen- eral Election. The continued fail- ure to deliver much-needed funds for Ennis General Hospital makes

a mockery of government commit- ments. How can we believe anything this Government tells us?” asked the elo) vi ate

“The fact is that the Government did not prioritise the redevelopment of Ennis General Hospital up to this point, and they could easily have done so in times of plenty. So it does not bode well in times of economic tightening, that funding is still not forthcoming.”

AS WORRY and thoughts of heart- ache turned to sheer relief, delight and eventually elation on this Mon- day, the work, sweat and tears that this bunch of girls and management have been through to achieve what has been a long time coming is slow- ly becoming a reality.

Twelve years have passed and only Catherine O’Loughlin survives that success. These have been twelve hard years though and the work that has gone in at all levels from county to clubs to schools is now coming to fruition. After many attempts at fall- ing at the final hurdle and a Minor All-Ireland final appearance, Clare have come back to Ennis as Junior All-Ireland champions.

For this team of girls (save for some) and management and myself, indeed this has been (maybe com- pared to others) a short journey. But one with as many twists, turns, lows and eventual highs as any road or journey may have.

Being with the girls in the early months of last year and to see the commitment which they put into the game and their preparations and the dedication which they gave to each other, the team, their management, clubs and all aspects of life, it was total heartbreak to see them defeated last year in the final in Croke Park. And how that broke their hearts.

There is always a flip side though and the character that these girls posess brought them through what was a dark hour. Through the depth- sof Winter, these girls got together and with steely determination re- solved with a frankness that they were going to get back to business and would do whatever it would take to bring back glory to the Banner and camogie.

This proclamation began to come to fruition as the team delivered the National League Division 2 Title, Munster U18 Title and an All-Ireland final appearance. Delivery came in the final two minutes of an agonizing game in Croke Park on Sunday. A

game that I will have to say I am yet to watch again and when I do, I may be able to enjoy it as each minute was sweated out with baited breath in the rafters of the Hogan Stand.

To say that the moment was enjoyed would be a stretch but each moment since has been a joy to the reaction of the players the management. The tears of relief and joy and the humil- ity behind it all and the work that they along with others have put in to become All-Ireland Champions. I can only salute the work and dedica- tion that they have because they have overcome many difficult obstacles and lost team-mates along the way to injury and other commitments and it is this huge family of players and backround staff that we salute.

Thanks for all the memories and well done!

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese paid tribute to the Brothers of Charity Services in Clare for helping to lead the way in providing services for people with intellectual disabilities.

Speaking yesterday (Monday) at the organisations conference enti- tled “Transforming Services – Our Journey so Far” the President said, “Treland has come quite a journey in terms of services for people with disability and, if we have, then the Brothers of Charity Services here in Clare can say with considerable jus- tification that they have helped lead the way.

“From a largely institution based approach to a community based ap- proach, from a patchy set of services designed from above, to a nation “nothing about us without us” proc- ess Ireland, thanks to your advocacy and experience, begun to grow up when it comes to dealing with dis- ability issues,” she said.

In her address to the conference she added, ““We have come to see clearly that people with disabilities can and do make a major contribution to the social, artistic, sporting, political and economic life of their communities and of our nation.”

During the past four to five years, the Clare services have been under-

going a radical change in how we provide supports and services to people with intellectual disability. The traditional approach to service provision created a ‘disability world’ Whereby individuals with intellec- tual disability were placed with ‘one of their own kind’ resulting in little chance to experience life opportuni- Wee

In order to change from support- ing people with disabilities in con- eregated, segregated settings The Brothers of Charity in Clare under- took a number of initiatives to enable people to have valued and inclusive lives with meaningful relationships in their local communities.

It no longer builds special day cen- tres, group homes, training centres and respite facilities and instead uses its resources to create opportunities for people to build, create and main- tain lifestyles of their choosing and self determination.

From the conference in Ennis President McAleese, escorted by her husband Martin, made her way to In- agh where she officially opened the Annagh Duin and Inagh Ark Com- munity Creche.

This state of the art creche was built by Inagh Development Ltd and ac- cepted its first children in November. It caters for 64 children and employs eight staff.

Annagh Duin is a social housing scheme of 12 houses, which have been built purposely for the elderly.

The President then made the short journey to Miltown Malbay to of- ficially open the Spraoi Family Re- source Centre.

The brainchild of a number of lo- cal women, Spraoi Family Resource Centre, has the capacity to care for 80 children in total.

The centre contains a baby sleep and awake room for nine babies, 20 ‘“waddlers” for children aged from nine months to two years and pre- school facilities for 40 children and after school facilities for 20 more Obi lehnone

FARMERS in north and west Clare are being offered a second chance at a formal education with a new free course to be hosted in Ennistymon. With an uncertain future for both the farming and construction sectors, it’s hoped that a number of locals will take the opportunity to broaden their own levels of skills.

The new course is aimed at people who have not completed their Leav- ing Certificate and who feel at a dis- advantage when seeking off-farm employment.

The new 30 hour Career Op- tions course is being provided free

of charge by the North Clare Farm Family Support Service.

It is aimed at low income farmers and family members who are seek- ing part-time employment, those who have recently been made redundant and those who would like to move on from their present employment.

A key component of the course will be one-to-one advice. Guidance counsellors will carry out an assess- ment of participants interests and abilities and identify the most suit- able job opportunities as well as edu- cation and upskilling courses.

Participants will also come away armed with a top class CV which will make them stand out from other

job applicants in a competitive and UbSdaLKey ODO NTSaN LO lONw eet-NU Colm

Furthermore, they will learn how to improve their interview skills which will give them an edge in getting that job or promotion.

Rural Development Officer and course organiser Gerry McDonagh says that the course will also help participants to discover the skills that are unique to them.

‘Many farmers underestimate their range of skills, believing that they do not have those skills required by employers.

“Yet skills such as tractor driving, machinery maintenance, upkeep of buildings, dealing with government

departments such as _ agriculture, maintaining farm records, indeed farm management in general are all important transferable skills,’ he SrNLOE

“While a farmer or family member may have never worked outside the farm, nonetheless they already have the basics upon which to build new skills.”

The course will commence on Oc- tober 13.

A limited number of places re- main which will be filled on a first come, first served basis. To book a place, contact Gerry McDonagh im- mediately on 065 7072467 or 086 COL AO OR

BUSINESS interests in Ennis have welcomed the Government decision to bring forward the 2009 budget in a bid to deal with the economic crisis.

Last week, Finance Minister, Brian Lenihan announced that the 2009 Budget will be revealed on October 14 and a number of initiatives de- signed to boost economic activity will be announced over the next few weeks.

Ennis Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer, Rita McInerney said that businesses will welcome the Governments’ action to take the reins to try and restore economic ac- tivity and consumer confidence.

“T believe this is a very positive move. There is a feeling that some- thing needs to be done.

“This shows that the Government

is taking control, it shows them in a pro-active role and will increase confidence.”

But the CEO warned that there are concerns about what measures will be announced to balance the public books.

“IT would be cautious in terms of cutbacks or reneging on things that have been promised for this region. I’m thinking in terms of things like the water supply and other infra- structural items. If these are not in place, then Ennis will not grow’, McInerney said.

She added that “infrastructure 1s the one area that is causing most con- cern and there can be no cutbacks in that area.”

The Chamber is ‘strong in the be- lief that if the infranstructure is there, “investors won’t be slow to do their job.”

FOR a team that has been on the brink of All-Ireland success so many times this decade, finally winning the title was understandable a flood of emotion for all involved. Howev- er, the dramatic manner of the win brought a mixed bag of both relief and elation as the players attempted to take in the achievement.

After the heartbreak of last year’s defeat to Derry, another defeat would have been almost unthinkable but fortunately Clare persevered and fi- nally got their hands on the elusive New Ireland Cup after a intermina- ble gap of twenty two years.

And there was no-one more re- lieved than manager Colm Hanley.

“Tt’s unbelievable. After all that has happened over the last couple of years, the fact that it’s done now and

we have achieved what we set out to do is fantastic and full credit to the girls, they were absolutely amazing so I’m delighted.”

Despite being behind for the major- ity, Clare never gave up the ghost and kept chipping away at Offaly’s lead but even near the death, Hanley nev- er felt that the game was lost.

“No. To be honest with you, we kind of felt that we always stuck in WeKeEoe

“They didn’t really pull away from us at any point. They went four points up and five points up but we stayed hanging in there and got the few important scores. They never got away from us so as long as that was the case, there was always a chance. I suppose with two minutes to go, It was more out of hope than anything else that we were thinking but we did feel they were capable of pulling it

out of the bag and thankfully they did.”

Tactically, Clare’s switches were all important with Shonagh Enright and Fiona Lafferty playing an important role in the decisive goal and Kate Lynch dominating from centre-back but Hanley feels that it was the whole side’s second half effort that earned Oca heulaoay

“At the end of the day, you make decisions and thankfully they went right yesterday but there is no guar- antee of anything.

‘“Shonagh in fairness to her obvi- ously made a massive impact, Kate Lynch moving to centre-back really turned the tide and deserved to get the player of the game award but the whole team really put their shoulder to the wheel for the second half and pulled out the result so we are de- lighted.”