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IT’S going to be as much about style as sizzle when the Queens Hotel in Ennis hosts a Tarantino theme night to kick off its line-up of spectacular summer events on this Friday night, August 8.

There will be fancy dress, a twist competition, music inspired by the films of Quentin Tarantino, Taranti- no twist cocktails, Tarantino burgers and hot dogs – all that will be miss- ing will be the enigmatic filmmaker himself .

Security staff will be dressed as the cast of Reservoir Dogs — with Mr. Black, Mr. Blonde, Mr. White, Mr. Pink, Mr. Blue and Mr. Red making sure that everything runs smoothly on the night.

Bar staff will be kitted out in retro movie outfits and a touch of glamour will be provided by a bevy of Taran- tino beauties.

The iconic director, who burst onto the scene with his hyper-violent de- but Reservoir Dogs, is sure to inspire some outlandish fancy dress efforts. as his films such as Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill and Jackie Brown are laden with iconic characters.

Prizes for best – and worst – dressed Tarantino characters should exer- cise the imagination and stretch the boundaries of good taste.

And the prizes are nothing to be sniffed at.

Top prize for the twist competi- tion will include a table reservation

at Q nightclub for up to 12 people with champagne on arrival, design- er cocktails by “BarlOder” for all guests, pictures of the winner’s party on the new Queens website and big screens as well as invitations to the Queens customer appreciation night

for the entire party to bring the value of the prize package to over €1000.

The Queens Hotel is made up of two clubs — the main room which focus- es on chart and commercial sounds and The Sanctuary which features a broader range of music.

Next on the line-up at the Queens summer series will be celebrity DJ’s RED N’HED on Friday August 22.

AN ENVIRONMENTAL blackspot is about to be transformed into a ma- jor recreational facility which will provide top class sporting and leisure amenities on the outskirts of Ennis. Clare County Council and Ward and Burke Construction Ltd of Gal- way have signed a contract that will result in the delivery of recreation facilities and the remediation of a

closed landfill site at Doora.

The €1.26m Doora Landfill Reme- diation Contract will remediate the closed landfill, in accordance with the conditions of the Environmen- tal Protection Agency licence. The project also involves the provision of a new entrance and parking area, two playing pitches, scenic nature walks and extensive landscaping works.

Additional works include the cap- ping of the old landfill site as well

as the provision of necessary infra- structure works to facilitate the on- going monitoring of the site.

The plans for the remediation project were drawn up by Tobin Con- sulting Engineers, in conjunction with Clare County Council Environ- NOONE N OE

Speaking at the contract signing, county council acting director of service Sean Ward described the contract signing as “a significant

and positive step forward in both the remediation of the old landfill site and the provision of amenities to the Doora, Gaurus and Ballaghboy area’.

He added that the proposed works were further evidence of the county council’s ongoing commitment to dealing with historic environmental issues. “The inclusion of recreational amenities and nature walks in the project will add excellent value to

the overall scheme.”

Cllr Patricia McCarthy, Chairper- son of the council’s Strategic Policy Committee on the Environment, welcomed the continuing redevelop- ment of the site and said she looked forward to its transition and eventual transformation into an active recrea- tional area.

The contract will commence short- ly and is expected to be complete in 12 months.

THIS week, east Clare will become the first leg on a journey which will end in the heat of the African bush.

A bunch of brave bikers will risk saddle-sores and other discomforts on aride of 1500 kilometres to raise money for children’s charities on the Enduro Africa run.

Clare biker, Mikey Bergin is kick- starting his journey with a final fund- raising run on August 9.

He hopes to be joined by 99 other bikers who will each make a donation

to take part in a ride which will take the participants across the bridge in Westbury, through Corbally, Ard- nacrusha and on to Killaloe, through east Clare to Ennis and finally on to Miltown Malbay and Doolin, where he’s planned a party.

The African run – organised by the Ride For Life organisation – will take place in November and Mikey has spent the last year raising the Stg£5,000 necessary to take part in the challenge.

“With the money, we will buy bikes over there – that’s all been organised

in advance and when we’re finished the ride, the bikes will be donated to health workers in Africa,” said Mikey.

The organisers also guarantee that a minimum of £1,500 from each rider’s participation fee will go to the childrens’ charities involved, UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Chil- drens’ Fund and the Prince’s Trust, with 400 riders in all taking part.

The trip starts in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and continues on a 1500 kilometre circuit.

Mikey has been “doing all kinds

of stuff to raise money. I had a 7/0’s night, a rock night, a poker classic – you name it. But I’m almost there and this will be my last event.

‘“That’s why I’ve thrown a bit of a party afterwards, with bands and a barbecue.”

Mikey, who has “been a biker for a few years” normally rides a GXR 600 but bought “an off-road bike to practice for this because a huge amount of the ride will be off-road. I’ve never done anything like this be- fore so I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a challenge,” he said.

A MAN who did not remember driving without insurance because he was under the influence of drugs could have killed someone, a judge remarked yesterday.

Gerard Delaney (22), of Inis Ealga, Shannon, was stopped by gardai driving without insurance, twice – at Inis Ealga Shannon on April 16, 2007 and at Finian Park, Shannon, on May 25, 2007.

He also pleaded guilty to assault- ing Adrian Gilligan, at Supermac’s restaurant, Shannon, in the early hours of March 18, 2007.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told En- nis District Court yesterday that Mr Gilligan was headbutted into the side of the head by the accused. He sustained a wound over the fore- head, as a result. He said it appeared that the taxi driver had got caught in the cross-fire of an incident.

Defending solicitor Caitriona Car-

mody said her client’s problems stemmed from a Serious addiction to drugs and said he hailed from a very difficult background.

‘At times he does things he can’t remember why he did them. He’s on a methadone programme at the mo- ment. He’s determined to deal with these problems,” she said.

Referring to the road traffic mat- ters, she said he did not remember the incidents mainly because of his problem with drugs.

Judge Leo Malone remarked, “You are saying he doesn’t remember the road traffic offences because he was under the influence of drugs. Sure he could have killed somebody.”

He imposed a three-month sen- tence for the assault, and suspended it on condition that Delaney pay €1,000 compensation to the injured party. He imposed fines totalling €1,500 for the motoring offences and fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.

“AT LAHINCH the sea shines like a jewel”. So the old song goes and on a nice clear day in the Summer – when the throngs mill from prom to strand and the rich salt air fills the lungs – there can be few better places in the eyulee

An ancient outpost on the great Atlantic frontier, Lahinch has a long and proud history. From ancient leg- ends of a secret submerged island in Liscannor Bay, to the birth of Irish golf and then – more recently – Irish surfing, the village has captured the imagination of all those who came.

And now, despite it’s increased size, Lahinch remains very much a village. Not a simple community, bound together with a single shared history and common values, Lahinch is a multifaceted community.

A modern melting pot, where local business people and farmers share bar counters happily with golfer, surfers and artists. Each engaged in the happy pursuit of living life in a

west Clare paradise.

Traditional businesses such as The Corner Stone, Leyden Auctioners, Kennedy’s Centra, Kenny’s Wol- len Mills, the Village Inn, Vaughan Lodge and Fitzgeralds bar provide the backbone of the town’s commer- cial success while new ventures such as the Lahinch Surf school and shop, the Green Room, Ocean Scene and Lahinch Seaworld cater for a new clientele.

When Lahinch is mentioned around the world it is most often spoke of in golfing circles. Ever since 1892, when the Black Watch Regiment dis- covered a secret paradise in the dunes and hills on the Liscannor Road, the village has attracted scores of golfers – happy to judge their skills against the onshore breeze and rough.

Lahinch’s reputation as an inter- national class golfing destination 1s underlined each year by the South of Ireland championships which re- mains one of the premier events on the Irish golfing calendar.

First shaped by Old Tom Morris

and then redesigned by the world famous Alister MacKenzie, the St Andrew’s of Ireland 1s a true jewel in WeTomeruehate

Yet of late, the word Lahinch has gained repute as the home of Irish surfing. While surfing has been prac- ticed in Lahinch for decades, it is just in the last 5 years that it has captured the imagination of the masses.

So these days, a typical Lahinch afternoon in July or August will un- doubtedly include dozens of surfers, each taking their first braze steps (hopefully) into the world of surfing.

And like all of Lahinch’s many communities, the surfers strive to be the best they can for their village. This led the villages surfers to win a place in the Guinness Book of world Records back in 2006 and again a year later for the most surfers ever to surf a single wave.

Proof once more, if it was needed, that the village of Lahinch captures the imaginations of all who visit – leaving the cleansed, relaxed and above all else inspired.

FLAGMOUNT youngsters have been creating a splash for almost 30 years and they are all set to do it again this year.

The annual water safety classes at Flagmount Pier have taught hun- dreds of youngsters to swim over the years and dozens have learned skills that have saved lives.

Local secretary of the Water Safety Association, Kathleen McNamara, said that she herself first took the plunge in the lake.

“It’s where I learned to swim and it’s a great place to learn. People who learn in the lake are stronger swim- mers in the long run, I believe,” said Kathleen.

For two weeks every year instruc- tors give basic swimming lessons as well as taking experienced swim- mers through rescue and life-saving ROA SOLUN Kee

Children as young as five come along to the classes, which are run in half-hour slots every day.

Older people are also welcome and many of Clare’s qualified lifesavers

have got their stripes at the annual Flagmount water safety course.

More than 60 people signed on for last week’s course with instructor, Michael Donnellan and this week, Lorraine Tracey is the woman in charge.

There is a fee, but it is at a reason- able price to encourage as many peo- ple as possible to learn to swim.

‘We want people to be able to enjoy the water safely and the best way for them to do that is to have lessons and advice on staying safe,” said Kath- leen.

“It’s a great thing to have a facility like this in an area. You need these facilities in rural communities,’ said Kathleen.

The classes are open to everyone. Anyone who would like to join can still do so, just turn up at the pier be- fore the 10am off and sign on.

A WORLD title in fly fishing has been landed by an east Clare angler.

Ruari Costello (31) from Scariff has been fishing since he was just five years old and years of practice on the lakeshores of Clare has now Oem) ee

Ruari took the world Salt Water Distance Championship with a cast

of 41 meters recently.

He won the title, one of two which were up for grabs, at the CLA Game Fair in Blenheim Palace in Oxford.

The CLA Game Fair is one of the world’s original, largest and most prestigious countryside exhibition. The fair celebrated its 50th anniver- sary this year at Blenheim Palace.

Now a very capable May Fly fish- erman, Ruari started fishing in the

lakes of Clare at his father’s knee and has been hooked on the hobby ever since.

‘“T’ve been fishing since I was five but I’ve only been involved in com- petition in the last few years”, said NUE ee

Ruari is being sponsored for his equipment and his travel by Scot- tish-based tackle company, Carron Jetstream. He is part of a team of an-

glers sponsored by the company, the others all being Scottish.

“We came together by accident re- ally. They saw me casting at a game fair in England four years ago and the following year, they asked me to join the team.”

Since then, Ruari, who is also a member of Mountshannon Angling club has travelled extensively to com- pete and has cast in three competi-

tions in San Francisco, in Norway, Scotland, England and he is hoping that he and the team will be able to travel to Japan in October to com- pete there. Closer to home, Ruari has a boat on Lough Derg, which 1s his favourite place for fishing in Clare.

He says that the lake water has im- proved and the fishing “is very good. The real problem is the weather now – that’s just rotten.”

A NUMBER of newly formed com- munity groups are likely to have a large say in the outcome of next year’s local elections, with cam- paigns starting in Ennistymon and OTM em dN icrel.e

Tonight will see the first official committee meeting of the Ennisty- mon District Community Organisa- tion (EDCO), which has attracted more than 400 people to three pub- lic meetings in the area over the last four weeks.

This committee, which contains a

number of high profile locals includ- ing retired Garda Sergeant Michael Gallery, formed as a result of local dissatisfaction with the develop- ment of the town in recent times.

“The amount of people attend- ing the meeting reflects that the public has serious concern over the way that Ennistymon is being managed,” said EDCO chairman, Patrick Clarke.

‘People have expressed their views and the strong feeling out there is that there is a real lack of amenities in the town.

“We will be putting out monthly

statements so that the local people can monitor our progress while we will be lobbying everyone up to the TD’s to make sure we are heard.

“The local people will know ex- actly what is going on and we will be lobbying everyone we can. There is a real feeling that we are being left behind here.”

The EDCO have denied that they plan to run a candidate in next year’s local election and said that they will decide at tonight’s committee meet- ing how best to move forward.

Meanwhile, in Kilrush, local busi- ness people are considering running

a candidate for the local election.

There are currently members of Kilrush Chamber of Commerce on Kilrush Town Council, with Coun- cillors Deirdre Culligan (Ind), Liam Looney (FF) and Marian McMahon Jones (FG) members of both bod- toe

It is believed that business people in the town are considering putting forward a candidate for the county council and town council election.

The west Clare capital already has two sitting county councillors, Mayor of Clare Cllr Madeleine Taylor Quinn (FG) and Cllr Tom

Prenderville (FF).

Talks of a business candidate emerged following the purchase of the site of the Inis Cathaigh hotel on Francis Street for the new civic offices in the town.

Local businesses feared that rates would be increased to cover the cost of the multi-million euro project.

Those being considered as the “business” candidate are not neces- sarily members of the local cham- ber of commerce, but they could put even more pressure on an elec- toral area that is already to lose one councillor.

BEACH goers in Kilkee will have the opportunity to sample a unique rugby event that goes ahead on the sand in front of the Strand Hotel this Saturday.

Organised by the Limerick Lep- rechauns – made up of former play- ers from the Clare, Limerick, north Kerry and Tipperary regions – all proceeds from the beach game will go to the Clare Sunset Foundation, which provides assistance to almost 100 sight impaired people across Oe

As has become tradition, the game will also usher in the new rugby sea- son in Munster.

“This will be our 25th year in ex- istence,” said president Vinny Ryan. “The Leprechauns bring together players from rugby clubs throughout the mid-west and gives players an Opportunity to extend their playing careers as well as the chance to raise funds for charities in the area.

“Essentially, those are the twin reasons why the club was first es- tablished. And the Kilkee game will

mark a major watershed in our his- tory as it’s going to herald the first game in our quarter of a century year of celebration.”

On the day, members of the char- ity rugby club will walk the beach in order to provide an opportunity for members of the public to provide funds. Afterwards, a barbecue will

take place at Scott’s Bar in Kilkee.

“It promises to be a great day out,” said committee member Packie Dur- kan. “The rules of the game are gov- erned by the IRB and come under the veterans rules. All those taking part will be over 35 years-of-age and the eldest member we have is actually 74. So we’re an eclectic bunch.”

The Clare Sunset Foundation has a membership of 96 at present and the organisation arranges trips to Lourdes for those whose vision 1s impaired.

This week, the Leprechauns also announced that they have just signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Shannon Precision which is set to ensure a strong foundation for their endeavours up to 2011.

To date, the club has raised just short of €1 million with every cent ploughed back into local charities. Last season they raised in excess of €75,000 and with the new season about to unfold, the plan is to match that fundraising figure.

It all begins in Kilkee this Saturday at 3pm.

For further information on the Clare Sunset Foundation contact 065 6824875 and to get in contact with the Limerick Leprechauns visit www.limerickleprechauns.com

YOUNG Brazilians in Gort are be- ing denied access to third level edu- cation in what amounts to an educa- tional apartheid.

Fears have been raised locally that the integration of young Brazilian children could be severely hampered if provisions are not made to allow them to continue their education af- ter the Leaving Certificate.

At present, non-EU nationals must be in full-time residence in the state for a minimum of five years before they can even begin the application process for Irish citizenship.

In addition to this, all non-EU citi- zens must pay fees of up to €3,000 per year to attend university in Ire- land and are not eligible for any form of grant assistance.

This situation has led to a growing number of Gort’s Brazilian commu- nity being forced out of the education system – despite completing their Leaving Certficate and being full- time legal residents in the country.

“What’s going to happen to the kids who are leaving school now – are they going to have to wait for four or five years until their residence can be sorted out? These guys are ready to go, they have worked really hard,

got really good Leaving Certificates and then they are in a dead end situa- tion,” said Frank Murray of the Gort Brazilian Association.

“These kids are the first members in their families to get any education. They are grabbing it with both hands and doing so well in school. This situation just puts them back into a cycle of family poverty.”

Fears have also been raised deny- ing these young Brazilians access to education could have a very negative effect on the integration which is taking place in the community.

“The single best area for cultures to mix is in school. The Brazilian kids

and the locals have been hanging out, playing sports together and getting on the last six years. There are mixed relationships where a Gort youngster will be off to college and their girl- friend of boyfriend just won’t be able to,’ continued Mr Murray.

“We are already creating toler- ance and understanding through the schools and it is working well. Some of these kids have been together for nine years, all their best friends are getting ready to go on to third level and all of a sudden they are told that “we don’t want you”.

“They are being separated and seg- regated and it makes no sense.”