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THE issue of accessability and the barriers faced by people with dis- abilities will be addressed at a con- KUO NI DION IIS C Molo)

The event, organised by Enable Ire- land as part of Action Week, takes place at the West County hotel on Wednesday, September 17.

The theme of the week is Access All Areas and aims to promote ac- cess for people with disabilities to all areas of life, from social and leisure activities, education and employment to infrastructure and buildings. Dur- ing Action Week supporters can buy a Gold Badge to raise valuable funds to help take action on disability.

The conference in Ennis aims to provide information on a wide range

of topics related to accessibility, from education to leisure activities.

Speakers at the event include repre- sentatives from Clare County Coun- cil and Clare Accessible Transport and James Murrihy, the sports inclu- sion development officer for Clare.

Anne O’Malley from the Ennis branch of Enable Ireland said acces- sibility remains a significant problem in Clare.

“There are huge barriers with re- gards to accessibility whether that relates to transport or education. This is something we want to high- light, but at the same time we also hope to show that these barriers and problems can be overcome.”

Information stands and members of Enable Ireland will be on hand on the day to offer help and advice. People

with disabilities and their families are especially encouraged to attend, to share their experiences.

Anne explained, “We get a lot of en- quiries from people who maybe have children with disabilities, wondering ~VoJOlUL Mm UND CODN Orca: DeLG mu elO\, au KOmecxO mr: 1ele)011 making their homes more accessible. We want service users to come along and avail of the opportunity to share WeToJD MSD. 4 OLS U (oOo IRY ALO UR

A major focus over the past year for Enable Ireland in Clare has been in the area of leisure activities. The or- ganisation implemented a wide pro- gramme of sports and leisure related activities with particular focus on watersports.

Anne explained, “What we have done in Ennis over the past year is try to create a situation where peo-

ple with disabilities could have pretty regular access to wide range of sports. Watersports was one area we focused on. It’s been a lot of fun for everyone involved. We had two wheelchair users going windsurfing. There was a wheelchair soccer tour- nament, trips to the swimming pool, lots of different things.”

The water theme continues next week when Liam Griffin, water safe- ty officer with Clare County Council, will officially open the conference.

Enable Ireland supports 3,500 chil- dren and adults with disabilities and their families and provide services in local communities throughout Ire- land. Covering childhood to adult- hood, expert teams work with the individual and their family on a plan for each life stage.

REVIVING the traditions around holy wells has been part of the work of Beagh Rural Development Asso- ciation during the last 19 years.

One of the most documented wells in the parish of Beagh was the centre of attention as it held its first Mass in 15 years was held there.

Tobar Ri an Domhainaigh or the well of the King of the Sundays is situated behind an old RIC Barracks close to Tubber, on the Clare-Galway

boundary.

This was the sixth well restored in the parish with the help of FAS and Galway Rural Development. The role of the holy wells had been for- gotten by newer generations and had become overgrown.

On Sunday last however the lo- cal community gathered again for a Mass. Now the development com- mittee hope to make the mass an an- LOE oad OL

Traditionally the day for visiting the well was the last Sunday in July.

There remains just a few final touches to be completed at the well that was first mentioned the writings of a friar that took refuge in Prague Anthony McBroady in 1669.

Situated in the townland of Rath- willadoon the well whose origin lies in Pagan times has long been associ- ated with Christian pilgrimage.

According to tradition St Coleman blessed the well.

On the old alter a plaque dated 1717 reads, “Pray for the soul of Helen O’Brien alias Kelly O’Shaughnessy

who made the wall around the well, May 9, 1717.”

A stone plaque also adds historic data to the well. Situated at the west- ern end of the well the plaque is in- scribed with “Pray for the soul of Nelly Ffrench who made this monu- ment 1711.”

The artefact of most note from the well is a medieval bronze crucifix now situated in the National Muse- um in Dublin. A replica of this his- toric cross can be seen in Shanaglish Sie

A REPAIR works scheme for dozens of homes in Ennis has ground to a halt after funding for the programme “dried up”.

Even as Ennis Town Council nears completion of phase one of a reme- dial works scheme on the council’s housing stock, Town Enginneer Tom Tiernan has said that he “wouldn’t hold his breath” in anticipation of the commencement of phase two.

Mr Tiernan was speaking at the September meeting of Ennis Town Soniete

He said the council had success- fully pursued an application of €4.1

million to carry out remedial works in 46 houses in Shalee Drive and Gordon Drive.

“We have submitted an applica- tion for the second phase and we got a response from the department that more or less told us that fund- ing wasn’t available due to the down- turn’, said Mr Tiernan.

He added, “I’m not in a position to be able to tell people when they might be eligible for the scheme. All we can do is try to push our case with the department. But, I wouldn’t hold my breath.”

“All indications from the depart- ment are that funds have dried up SIRS TUBELOr-vOLO NYA

The scheme mainly involves repair- ing broken doors and windows, and dealing with other structural issues. The works do not cover repairs to central heating systems as that is cov- ered under a separate programme.

Raising the issue, Independent councillor Frankie Neylon asked Mr Tiernan for an updated report on the repairs programme.

He said, “Some people are being told they have to pay to have their windows fixed and others say they elena

Over the next month could we get a report on the type of repairs needed? There is a lot of confusion out there especially in the Cloughleigh area.

People see the work being done in Gordon Drive and then it moves somewhere else. They are just won- dering if the council are going to do this for all the houses”.

Mr Tiernan said there was no emer- gency funding available, but that help would be provided to households in “exceptional circumstances”’.

“We are dealing with the replace- ment of windows as best we can. When there is a need we will respond as positively as possible. We will look at exceptional circumstances. We are sympathetic to people in a lot of cases. We are trying to stretch our resources. We will see what we can Coe

AFTER almost 200 years as a cen- tral driving force behind education in north Clare, the Christian Broth- ers last week handed control of the Ennistymon CBS over to a board of BUR Keone

In a move which is being echoed all over the country, the Brothers have handed the overall responsibil- ity for the running of the school over to a specially created Lay Trust. The school will now be run by a limited company called The Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST).

“The establishment of the trust company will ensure a continuity of a tradition generated over two cen- turies by the Christian Brothers. As trustees we are extremely conscious

not only of the tangible value of the network of schools but equally of the invaluable educational ethos estab- lished by Blessed Edmund Rice that has been entrusted to us,’ said Pat Diggins, Chairperson of Directors of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust.

“We will be working in conjunction with the Christian Brother trustees and with all of the relevant stake- holders within our educational envi- ronment to ensure a smooth transi- tion.”

The numbers joining the Christian Brothers in Ireland has been dwin- dling in recent years and Ennistymon is now only home to one Brother, Liam O’Meara.

Br Liam was principal of the now defunct CBS Primary School and has been one of the main drivers be-

hind the Burren Chernobyl Project over the last two decades. Last week he handed over the keys to the school to anumber of students in a symbolic ceremony to mark the beginnings of life under the Trust.

Ennistymon CBS has a long and proud tradition of educating boys from north and west Clare and the school is keen to continue with the traditions and high standards put in place by the Christian Brother.

Drawing students from as far west as Mullagh and Quilty and as far north as Kilfenora and Kilshanny the school has been expanding. With the co-operation of Scoil Mhuire and En- nistymon Vocational School offers a bigger selection of subjects than any stand alone school in Clare.

The school was founded in

1824 when local parish Rev Pe- ter O’Loughlin wrote to Christian Brothers founder Edmund Rice, re- questing that two brothers be send to Ennistymon to educate the many boys in the area who because of the Penal Laws had no opportunity of re- ceiving any education.

Over the following 184 years – through famine, revolution and two world wars – the brother continued to teach and guide the young people of the area.

THE Heineken Cup will be in Kil- rush for the first time ever on Satur- day night.

Rugby fans from all over the west are expected to gather in the Kilrush Golf Club to meet some of their he- roes from the Munster team and see the impressive silverware for the first Wb Oem oe

Not to be out done on the night the local rugby team will also receive medals to mark its achievement last season.

Kilrush RFC last year won the O’Sullivan Cup reviving an interest in the game in the west.

On Saturday night, medals spon-

sored by PRO of the club David Glynn and Joseph Crowley, will mark the end of a successful season for the winning team and hail a competitive year to come.

While west Clare is synonymous with the large round ball of the GAA, it also has a long if somewhat sporadic history with rugby.

Kilrush RFC was founded as far back as 1924. While its popularity may have waned over a period of time it was revived in the 1970s.

Approximately five years ago the club had a further renaissance with the addition of an underage team, and some enthusiastic mentors.

For PRO David Glynn the club has got a new lease of life.

‘A couple of years ago we couldn’t field a team, then Nevin Farrell and Tom Dillon got involved.”

Two years ago the hard work paid off when the fledgling team got to the final of the Web Cup. Last year triumph was not to evade the de- termined players as they won the O’Sullivan Cup.

On September 21, the rugby team will begin the new season with the first game in the league.

“We are in the Munster Junior League for the first time in five years,’ said Mr Glynn with pride.

“And we are not just happy to be taking part, if you listen to the lads we are going out to win.”

On Saturday the sight of the

Heineken Cup and Munster heroes will provide even more motivation for the team, if motivation was need- ed.

The event will begin at 8pm with a barbecue and there is an entrance fee of €10.

In the meantime the club is always welcoming new players and poten- tial players to their grounds in Mon- more.

Underage training for all age groups takes place on Sundays at 11 am under the watchful eye of John Saunders and a dedicated team of We DN NEC

On Friday at 8pm it is the adults turn to train and David said that all new players are welcome to attend.

IFA President Padraig Walshe has claimed that due to the very wet weather conditions over the peak summer building period, many farm- ers will be unable to complete work under the Farm Waste Management by the end of the year

Mr. Walshe pointed out that farm building is the only area of the con- struction industry that has shown erowth this year. Farmers are spend- ing over €l1billion on necessary in- vestment on their farms, which 1s generating huge economic activity in rural areas.

“Flexibility on the year end date will have a knock-on effect by ex- tending this economic activity into 2009 and beyond”, he said.

In relation to payments under the scheme, the IFA President said that farmers who complete work must be paid within the commitments laid down under the Charter of Rights.

‘Farmers must be paid on time as the financial implications of any de- lay will have serious cash flow con- sequences on farms” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Teagasc has reported that there has been an improvement in the harvesting of crops especially in the south of the country over the

past week. Approximately 40 to 45% of harvesting has been completed compared to 85% in a normal year. Wheat is typically being harvested at 21 to 27 % moisture content which is higher than in a normal year. Bar- ley is being harvested at 19 to 20% moisture content. Ground conditions are difficult for harvesting in most Weer

Milk supply is down across the country, as a result of difficult graz- ing conditions. Grass supply will reduce much earlier than normal if current weather conditions persist. Very few crops of second cut silage have been harvested which may have

implications for winter feed supplies later on.

Up to last week the problems on beef farms were not too serious, however heavy rains over the last week especially in the west could precipitate problems quite soon. This is impacting on animal performance which is not as good as in previous years. Stocking rates on sheep farms tend to be low so no major problem with poaching grassland. However lambs are growing at a slower rate because of lack of thrive due to high moisture grass. Present conditions may give rise to serious fluke issues later in the year.

ENNIS came within a whisker of recapturing the glory of 2005 last night with a stunning performance at the 2008 Tidy Towns Awards. With 300 points from a possible 400, the county capital came within just three points of overall win- ners Westport, with the Mayo town claiming the title for the third time in less than a decade.

There was a number of huge con- solations for the Ennis Tidy Towns committee however, with the town

winning the the awards for Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre as well as claiming the National Le Gaeilge Award. Ennis last won the award for Tidiest Large Urban Centre in 2005, when they also won the overall na- tional award.

Indeed, there was good news all around the county last night with Lissycasey topping the poll for the Best New Entry and both Ennis and Kilrush winning gold medals.

In addition to this Ballynacally won a Silver medal while Kilkee and Mountshannon both took home

bronze medals.

Regional accolades were awarded to Ennis for Best Presented Bring Bank, Labasheeda Community Pride for the Notice Nature project, the Ennis Tidy Towns Committee for their Map of Recycling Loca- tions and the Holy Family Senior National School in Ennis for the Mid-West School Award.

In the county awards, Ennis took first place overall, followed by Kil- rush and Ballynacally, while Kul- laloe won the Endeavour Award for Orcs

THERE are changing times ahead for parish life in rural areas – not least in west Clare.

Where once there was more than two priests assigned to one parish, now a parish is considered fortunate to have a parish priest, and in some cases share a priest. For many par- ishes a retired priest is relied upon to administer the sacraments as a priest in residence.

In west Clare, however, the parish of Killaloe is beginning a process of change within the workings of the church and are appointing a layper-

son to unify a number of parishes into clusters and yet ensure their identities are respected.

The new post of pastoral worker is being created to facilitate pastoral developments among a number of west Clare parishes.

The post will initially be based in Kilkee and Kilrush, and will also cater for the parishes of Carrigaholt, Cross, Killimer, Kilmhil, Coora- clare, Doonbeg and Kilmurry Mc- Mahon.

Parish Priest of Kilkee Fr Donagh O’Meara said that the ideal candi- date for the job would have good community development skills with

a background in theology.

There have been a number of ap- plications for this new post in the Catholic Church in west Clare, but those interested can still apply up to the end of this week.

“We are planning for a future be- cause we have to develop a new mod- el while respecting the identity of the parishes,” said the parish priest.

The appointment of the pastoral worker is part of the Diocesan Pasto- ral Plan derived in 2003.

A director of Pastoral Planning was appointed in June 2003 in order to direct the completion of the plan.

The plan provides a number of sup-

ports for a church in a changing so- ciety including providing guidelines for parish pastoral councils.

In line with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan two Liturgy Groups were also set up in April 2004. These groups represent both sides of the diocese (east and west of the Shannon). They have worked closely together in offering resources and support to parishes. To date they have organised three music workshops for choirs, training for cantors, training for readers, the promotion and resourc- ing of children’s’ liturgies and the provision of Advent, Christmas and Lenten resources.

MINISTER of State at the Depart- ment of Agriculture, Tony Killeen has confirmed that his department will be publishing details of CAP payments later this month despite opposition from all the main farm- ing organisations.

Stating that the requirement to publish these details was directly applicable and mandatory in all EU member states, the Clare TD said the details that will be published include the beneficiaries’ name, their partial address and payments funded or co- funded by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) or the Eu- ropean Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

Mr Kileeen’s’ announcement brought an angry reaction from IFA Deputy President Derek Deane who described it as “a case of bureauc- racy gone mad”.

He said it was a particularly sensi- tive issue as it involved the publica- tion of personal financial informa- tion of farmers. “In a lot of cases, Teagasc farm income data would suggest that the Single Payment is the total income of farmers. IFA believe that the Department of Agriculture’s insensitivity 1s mind-boggling.”

This was also the view of ICSA Munster Vice President Edmond Phelan who said that he didn’t see the EU rushing to give us details of the expenses paid to either its own officials or MEPs.

‘As usual, it is the ordinary people that suffer the most from EU bu- reaucracy whereas the fat cats and eurocrats escape closer scrutiny. This 1s a serious invasion of privacy and is unwarranted considering that the average Single Farm Payment in Ireland is less than €10,000. Farm families are being exposed to intru- sion and this will give rise to serious OFT akon

“The Department of Agriculture should not proceed with this until they have further consultations with farm bodies,’ he concluded.

Explaining that his department was obliged to publish the information under the terms of an EU Council regulation, Minister Killeen said the information being published at this

time would relate to payments made between January | and October 15, 2007.

He confirmed that the depart- ment would be publishing certain details before the end of next April of payments made under the Farm Improvement and Young Farmers’ Installation Aid Schemes as well as Single Farm Payments. These de- tails would relate to payments made between October 16, 2007 and Octo- ber 15, 2008.

He explained that the requirement to publish these details should be seen against the negotiation by the Government of an EU-funded CAP package of approximately €12 bil- lion for the Irish Agri-Food sector for the period 2007-2013.

THERE are now only four spaces re- maining in a draw to win €100,000 cash back on your new home.

Drumquin Construction and Ley- den Auctioneers are offering 15 entrants the chance to win the cash back, while one runner-up will get €20,000 cash-back and all other participants in the draw will receive a weekend away.

Entry is open to those who pur- chase the remaining units in the Gort Leamhan development in Roslevan, SpA Ee

Gort Leamhan is a high-quality development in the suburbs of Ennis

town. The area of Roslevan is beside exits to the Ennis bypass and pro- vides easy links to Shannon, Limer- ick and Galway.

The houses themselves are a mix- ture of three-bedroom townhouses, four and _ five-bedroom semi-de- tached and five and six bedroom de- tached homes.

Features of the houses include gen- erous amount of floor space in each unit, concrete ground and first floor as standard, solid red deal doors, skirting and arhcitrave, internal and external painting, electirc and power showers.

There are also outstanding features in the development such as integrated

lake and amenities, and a low density development in a prime location. The houses are energy efficient and their heating systems are aimed at making the houses greener. To achieve this the houses have the high- est levels of insulation, High Effiency fully Modulated System installed, gas boilers and Solo Conservo Rads which have energy saving software and continually adjust heat delivery to ensure no wasteful overheating. To find out more information about this development contact Drumquin construction on 065 6864788 or email phdrumquin@eircom.net or contact Leyden Auctioneers on 065 6820555 or email info@leyden.ie.