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VISITOR attractions at Craggauno- wen and Knappogue Castle are to close early this year, with Shannon Heritage pointing to falling tourist numbers and an early start to the sea- son as the reasons for the decision.

Staff at both attractions have been told that they will shut up shop for winter on September 2 this year. Both would normally stay open to daytime visitors until the end of September and some years, until the middle of October.

While many of the staff who work

the summer season at the various attractions are students who would leave to go back to college in Sep- tember, a small number of the sea- sonal staff could normally hope to be employed until October and some would transfer to Bunratty Folk Park and continue into December.

Shannon Heritage Chief Executive Officer, John Ruddle confirmed that the two facilities are closing early. He said that it has “been a difficult season. Tourism numbers are down across the board.

“We have had a drop of eight per cent this year and while that doesn’t

sound like a lot, that’s quite a lot of people in our terms. I would also say that I would hope this is a once-off and that next year will be much bet- ter,’ said Ruddle.

He added that another factor in the decision was that the facilities had opened three weeks early this year to accommodate an early Easter.

Shannon Heritage had been ex- panding it’s programmes this sum- mer, staging Living History events in conjunction with a Clare re-enact- ment group and working on the fa- cilities at the visitor park.

The hugely popular Shannon Herit-

age banquets at Bunratty, Dunguaire and Knappogue are normally booked out throughout the busy summer sea- roe

But this year, the medieval feast- ings, along with other attractions including Bunratty Folk Park, the Irish nights and King John’s Castle, are also down in visitor numbers by eight per cent.

The Shannon Heritage concerns are not the only ones feeling the pinch. According to Barbara Faulkner, of the award-winning Ailwee Caves project, they are down at least one in ten visitors this year.

CLARE hurler Tony Carmody has urged GAA fans to log on to the new ESB/GAA website www.culgreen.ie to help make Croke Park carbon neu- tral. Clare fans will also be in with the chance to win All-Ireland Final match tickets and €20,000 invest- ment in the county’s juvenile clubs. From today, fans and the public can log onto www.culgreen.ie to access details of how they can support the Cul Green environmental initiative by making energy saving pledges.

Prizes will be made to individual fans pledging on the website, includ- ing match tickets.

The website gives details of the level of carbon that can be offset through simple everyday tasks and encour- ages fans to travel to Croke Park at minimum cost to the environment by using public transport, park and ride and car pooling.

Cul Green was launched in May this year and since then Croke Park has contracted its electricity supply from a renewable source and envi- ronmental projects are ongoing at

the stadium.

As part of the Cul Green initiative, a grant of €20,000 will be made to the county that makes the most carbon-saving pledges per head of population. This prize money will fund sports equipment for juvenile clubs in the winning county. Further prizes will be made to individual fans who make a pledge on the Cul GTM (eli Ker

HEADSUP Text, the text support service operated by Rehab and sup- ported by Meteor, is expecting to see a spike in the number of texts received from stressed young people during the ‘results season’. Almost 57,000 students sat the Leaving Cer- tificate this year and with thousands more expecting Junior Certificate and

college exam results over the coming weeks, the last days of summer could be extremely stressful for some of our young people. In August 2007, Head- sup received texts from over 2,500 people highlighting that not all young people are carefree at this time of Merle

Headsup is reminding students who may be feeling under pressure in the lead-up to exam results that help is on

hand. Headsup Text, a free and confi- dential 24-hour text support service, gives access to a range of helplines and support services on a range of topics for young people in difficulty throughout the year. At the touch of a button, the service can be accessed free of charge by all mobile phone us- ers on all networks. By simply texting the word “Headsup” to 50424, young people can receive information on a

range of topics, including teen issues, alcohol, suicide, drugs, relationships and mental health.

“The Leaving Certificate results, in particular, can represent a crossroads in a person’s life and it can be a par- ticularly difficult time for students whether they have concerns over their grades, decisions about their future or anxiety over starting college. While for some, it is undoubtedly a time of

celebration, for others it can still be a time of stress and isolation which is why it is crucial that young people know that they have somewhere to turn to for support and information,’ said Angela Kerins of Rehab.

The Samaritans, AL Anon, Aware, Women’s Aid, Childline, MABS and Bodywhys are amongst the many sup- port services offered through Head- SOF

PREPARATIONS continue for one of Clare’s most popular public events, the Burren Ramble which takes place Od NST =) 01030010 aeA

Registration is at 12 midday at St Patrick’s church Fanore. The walk commences at lpm sharp and follows a six-mile route that takes in much of the Burren’s natural splendor.

From St Patrick’s church, walkers will head towards the Caher valley before crossing over the Caher River and into the Blackhead Mountains and the sweeping views of Galway BeM A

Organisers anticipate that the last of the walkers should have complet- ed the route by 6pm. Participants are also being urged to collect sponsor- ship cards before the event. Cards are available from Joe Queally (087

6260301) and Tomsie O’Sullivan (065 7081022). Clare FM presenter Ger Sweeney will lead out the walk.

Again all funds raised from this year’s event will go towards the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI).

The RNLI provides on call, 24- hour lifeboat service to cover search and rescue up to 100 nautical miles off the coast of Ireland. The crews are made up of volunteers from all walks of life that give up their time and comfort to carry out rescues and train for them, in difficult and often dangerous conditions.

The RNLI has lifeboats stationed on the west coast of Ireland at Gal- way Bay, Kilrush and Kilronan on Inis Mor and continues to play a vital role in water safety along the Clare coast.

Last year’s Burren Ramble attract-

ed 500 people and raised ©20,000 for the RNLI.

Joe Queally RNLI volounteer and Burren ramble organizer, points to the scenic beauty of the Burren re- gion as one of the main factors be- hind the event’s growing appeal.

“In September, particularly, the Burren takes on a new life. The sea- sons are changing over. You have all these streams that would have disap- peared over the summer, re-appear- ing. People taking part in the ramble get to see the different moods of the Burren first hand. It’s a unique op- portunity”.

He added, “The route this year, will take people through some parts of the Burren that people really don’t get to see that often’. The success of the Burren ramble has contributed enor- mously to the ability of the RNLI to perform lifesaving duties.

Recent tragic events along the Clare coast, have, according to Joe, emphasised the continued need for oneaN E-v Neen

“The RNLI has received amaz- ing support from people, even those communities who wouldn’t be direct- ly linked to the sea. People recognize the importance of lifeboat services. Lifeboats go out on average 12 times a day over the year. Its not a service for anyone, its for everyone”’.

OVER 50 events are scheduled to take place around Clare as part of Heritage Week, which takes place from August 24 to 31.

The programme will include a range of talks, field trips and exhibi- tions aimed at encouraging people to take an interest in their local herit- age.

Mayor of Clare Madeleine Taylor- Quinn said that while enjoyment is

essential to the activities of the week it was also reassuring to see the em- phasis on learning that is at the core of Clare Heritage Week.

She paid tribute to the many indi- viduals and community organisa- tions who have decided to partici- pate in and contribute to the week’s activities.

“The council and organisers of the various events are to be commended for encouraging a greater sense of ownership of and respect for Clare’s

unique heritage. Heritage Week has proven to be a wonderful vehicle for raising awareness of the role we all play in conserving and protecting our heritage for future generations,” she said.

Heritage Project Co-ordinator To- mas MacConmara said the event invariably sees an increased engage- ment between the people of Clare and the heritage of their county.

“The strengthening of this connec- tion is imperative to the future health

of our cultural, built and natural her- itage. If it does nothing more, herit- age week performs a very important function in encouraging this relation- ship,’ he added.

This year’s events vary from late night bat walks, a tour of Doolin’s high cliffs and deep caves; a talk on loss of arctic char and changes 1n fish communities in Lickeen Lough; a discussion on the cultural heritage of Miltown Malbay and learning more about Clare’s heritage through the numerous guided walks and lectures taking place around the country and in museums and libraries.

The Clare Biodiversity Group 1s also hosting a series of educational walks outdoors for both adults and ivi elnonmcenony ene

Clare Biodiversity Officer Brigid Barry said that in order to facilitate the needs of families it was decided to hold Heritage Week at the end of August so that parents can participate in the various events with their chil- dren before they return to school.

Heritage week is part of European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union. Locally the event is co-ordi- nated by Clare County Council and the Heritage Council with support from the Department of the Environ- ment, Heritage and Local Govern- ment.

that Cervarix has been tested for six and a half years and 100 per cent coverage has been detected.

The trial has now been extended to nine and a half years.

While Cervarix acts agains two HPV strains – HPV 16 and 18, Gardasil acts against four, which in- clude HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18.

Cancer of the neck of the womb is diagnosed in almost 200 women in Ireland every year. Last year four women in Clare were diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Clare is one of only three counties in the country that has a cervical cancer-screening programme.

Some 70 women nationally die

from the disease annually. If caught in the early stages, cervical cancer has a five-year survival rate of 80 per COMO) mater low

Because of the very strong link be- tween HPV and cervical cancer, giv- ing a vaccine to a woman before she eexeKey eaten wm DONC Kore mmr eI OOM A SCM BD MEK I OT-FS the potential to reduce the number of women at risk of cervical cancer.

HPV vaccines must therefore be given before the recipient becomes sexually active and contracts the vi- Mele

Research suggests the average age at which Irish women become sexu- ally active is between 17 and 23.

A full vaccination against HPV re- quires three separate injections over six months.

As with most vaccines, a local reac- tion at the injection site 1s quite com- mon. Headache, fatigue and tummy upset have been reported following HPV immunisation.

In the US, a possible association between HPV vaccination and a rare neurological condition is being in- vestigated. Three deaths were closely related in time to immunisation with a HPV vaccine, but no link could be found between the girls’ deaths and vaccine administration.

EQUIPPED with a vast experience in the beauty business and numerous professional and teaching qualifica- tions Helen McCarthy has opened her own hairdressing college, La- hinch College of Hairdressing, in Chapel Street, Lahinch.

In 2003 she opened her very suc- cessful beauty and hair salon in Chapel Street providing pampering treatments including facials, body massage, hand and foot massage full hair treatment, jacuzzi and even ear piercing.

For the bride and bridal party Helen offers upstyles and make up to help make the big day extra special.

The college will enrol 10 students annually and has been designed to offer Elementary Foundation Skills and Intermediate Advanced Skills in Hairdressing.

Lahinch College of Hairdressing is the first hairdressing college in Ireland to be passed and certified by Vocational Training charitable Trust (VTCT) with world wide class quali- fications.

The college is recognised by all leading examination boards and VTCT certificates are recognised worldwide.

For more information on prices and dates of courses please contact Helen at Lahinch College of Hairdressing on 065 687082080 or 087 2830728.

THREE very different artists are coming together for an exhibition which will show the character and beauty of their local area of north Clare through the eyes of the talent- ere Mba Keb ara (OLbE-N icp

“Solitary Company” is the title of the exhibition by three artists from the north Clare area in the Court- house Gallery, Ennistymon this Au- gust.

Inspired by their local landscape artists Mona Hynes, Patsy Ricks and Mary Fahy have created a di- verse show highlighting each of their unique visions.

The three were chosen after an in-

vitation from the gallery to submit work, co-ordinator Maria Kerin, said “because of their very different approaches and the way they com- pliment each other. They have three interpretations of their local space, using very different techniques and approaches.”

The exhibtion will be opened by Councillor Flan Garvey in the Court- house Gallery, Parliament Street, En- nistymon, and will run from August 7 to 30.

The gallery will be open to visitors from 12pm to 5pm, Tuesday to Satur- day and Maria will give talks about the works on Wednesday, August 14 and 21 at 1.15pm and 4.15pm.

All of the paintings are for sale and

there is free entry into the exhibi- noe

Galway born Mary Fahy has cre- ated dense landscapes highlighting the edge of things; where sky meets land, where sea meets shore, to twi- light images at the edge of day. In some paintings Mary suggests inter- action between people and environ- ment: a trace of a footprint, evidence of people having passed through.

Being an artist from the Burren, Mona Hynes expresses her connec- tion to it through paintings that are in a fluid expressive style and deal with an emotional and imaginative response to this beautiful and often desolate landscape.

Mona allows the paint the freedom

to form an initial image by dropping and pouring it onto the canvas and then she paints over this. She never knows what the final piece will look like. For Mona Hynes this process reflects the unique and mysterious quality of the Burren.

Patsy Ricks, an artist based in the Courthouse Studios, engages with everyday scenes in Ennistymon and Lahinch such as dilapidated build- ings, old stone walls, rust and even the dogs in the street catch her eye.

She feels it is necessary to record, through the medium of watercolour, the demise of buildings and their surroundings in the local area. Patsy Ricks work is her chronicle of places fast disappearing.

THURSDAY night’s racing at Gal- way Greyhound Stadium featured the four opening round heats of the Killanena Hurling Club A4 525.

The second heat looked a competi- tive affair and so it proved as the red jacketed Cloone Star led on the in- side approaching the opening bend from Nationwide Jack (T3) with Rathmeehan Jimmy (T6) in the °’cat bird’’ seat entering the back straight.

Passing halfway Cloone Star still held the call but the John Browne of Ballyea owned Rathmeehan Jimmy was now looming large on the out-

side and the son of Top Savings hit the front turning for home on his way to a two length defeat of Cloone Star haere

The top graded contest of the night was the A3 seventh contest in which the reserve Jamella Storm was very smartly away into stride and Sean Hehir of Miltown Malbay owned runner led by two lengths from Men- lo Classic (T4) rounding the opening corner where there was some bunch- ing behind.

Racing down the back Jamella Storm (Jameela Prince-Coraveen Lady) went three lengths clear of Green Lane Tops (T6) and although

he briefly looked in trouble at the third bend, Jamella Storm stayed on well to win by 3&1/4 lengths in pa Pelee

In the A5 graded sixth contest there was plenty of trouble at the opening bend which resulted in the red jack- eted Classical Moment emerging in front turning down the far side. Passing halfway the trap five runner Quilty Class joined issue with Classi- cal Moment but the Frank Browne of Quin owned son of Honcho Classic and Belindas Hill was back in com- mand turning for home as she stayed on to win in 29.75.

The two semi-finals of the Galway

Ladies Football Al were the twin highlights of Saturday night’s ten race card.

In the opening contest victory went to the Michael Downes of Kil- laloe trained Carhugar Bobsie for the Clare Connection Syndicate in Pty

The eighth was an A2 graded 525 and here the Pat Hogan of Ennis owned Seamus Fahy trained Aulton George (Droopys Scholes-Dalcash Dive) led his rivals a merry dance as he made all for a three and a quarter length success in 29.07.

In the A3 graded seventh the Mrs Monica Callinan of Kilmihil owned

Shyan Annie came home to vic- tory by two and a quarter lengths in WIAA

In the A5 graded fifth contest was a procession for Baby Mia owned by Denis Torpey of Clarecastle — win- ning by six and half lengths over Tul- lyglass Model in 29.33.

West Clare Gael, owned by Fiona and Kevin Troy of Kilkee was the winner in the S4 graded sprint over 350 yards in 19.23.

There was also success for the Mar- tin and Loretto Sexton from Miltown Malbay as their runner Jacksies High won the A& graded 525 yard contest by four lengths in 29.87.

THE Irish Cancer Society welcomed the minister for health’s announce- ment that a vaccination programme against HPV (Human Papilloma Vi- rus), a sexually transmitted infection that can lead to cervical cancer in Some women, will be administered to 12-year-olds from 2009, if it 1s economically viable.

However, like many other organi- sations the cancer support group has expressed disappointment that a “catch-up” vaccine for 13 to 15-year- olds will not go ahead as advised in a report by the Health Information and Quality Authority.

“Overall the evidence suggests that a combination of a vaccination pro- grammes which vaccinates all 12 year olds associated with an effective screening programme will reduce 90 per cent of cervical cancers. A vac- cination programme on its own will reduce probably only 51 per cent of cervical cancers,” said a spokesper- son for the ICS.

“The society is disappointed that the proposed mass vaccination pro- gramme will not be extended to pro- vide a catch-up programme for girls

up to and including 15 years as this would increase the number of can- cers prevented by a potential factor of 13.8 per cent and would therefore speed up the positive impact of such a programme.”

The National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) also welcomed the announcement.

A spokesperson for the screen- ing service said, “HPV vaccines do not eliminate the need for a cervi- cal cancer screening programme as currently available. HPV vaccines do not offer protection against all types of HPV that cause cervical cancer. Screening will also be neces- sary to protect women who have not been vaccinated. In due course it is anticipated that the impact of HPV vaccination on the incidence of cer- vical cancer will result in changes to the operational structure of a popu- lation based cervical screening pro- reaecbeeve slope

For further information on cervi- cal screening and HPV _ vaccina- tion please call the National Cancer Helpline on Freefone 1800 200 700 (open Monday to Thursday from Jam to 7pm and Fridays from Yam to Spm).