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KILNAMONA locals and some of Ireland’s most notable public figures come together last Thursday to cel- ebrate the life of one of the small vil- lage’s illustrious sons.

Just over 100 years to the day since his birth, a plague in memory of Br Thomas Keane was unveiled in Kil- namona church last Thursday.

Family and friends were joined at the ceremony by former GAA President Paddy Buggy and Fr Eoin Haughey, brother to former Taoti- seach Charlie Haughey.

“It seemed like an appropriate time considering that it was the 100 year anniversary of his birth. I have met sO many people over the year who has spoken so warmly about him that

we felt that we had to do something,” said family member Thomas Keane.

‘He continued to teach until he was 64 and he brought a certain ethos to all of the schools which he went to. He encouraged great leadership within the students and had a knack of getting the best out of people.

“He had a different way of teach- ing. People might have looked into his class and thought it was chaos but it was just a different style. He loved group work, he loved working together and opening up peoples ho- rizons.

‘He always pushed them to do the best that they could. Even the weaker students, he would cycle around the town on his bike trying to get them jobs.”

Br Keane’s eulogy was delivered by

Paddy Buggy while the plaque was unveiled by Annraoi O Beollain.

While renowned in many secondary schools for his unique teaching skills and dedication to hurling, Brother Thomas never lost touch with his na- tive parish. For many years he was an honoured guest at the annual din- ner of the Kilnamona hurling club.

Educated in Ennistymon CBS, the Irish Christian Brothers, UCD and UCC – his first assignment as teach- er was to Portlaoise CBS primary school in 1926.

Over the years he served in many schools including Baldoyle Noviti- ate, Mount Sion in Waterford, St Josephs in Marino, Dungarvan CBS and Templemore.

In all his time away Br Keane would always return to Kilkee for

his annual holiday in July. He also liked visiting Kilnamona as often as the Order allowed in those strict pre- Vatican II years but quite frequently in later years.

The death in fairly quick succes- sion of his brothers, Miko and Mar- tin in the States in the late 1940’s and Andrew and Pat in Kilnamona in the early 1950’s in the prime of his voca- tional career challenged greatly his reserves of strength.

A SEVERE shortage of burial spaces in Shannon and surrounding areas is leading to huge concerns among lo- cals, who are finding it increasingly difficult to acquire graves for their JEVOOBE BLE

Three cemeteries in the area may not be extended, due to the presence of archaeological remains.

That was the view expressed last week by Fine Gael Councillor John Crowe, who raised the issue at a Shannon electoral area meeting.

He asked were extensions to Bal- lysheen, Clonlohan and Bunratty graveyards held up due to archaeo- logical issues.

In response to his query, Acting Senior Executive Officer with Clare County Council’s water services Myles Carey clarified the issue.

In a written response, the council offical said that the Clonlohan cem- etery was deemed unsuitable for extension, due to the presence of ar- chaeological remains in the area of WRK Ae

He said that an archaeological as- sessment had been carried out at Ballysheen and had been forwarded to the National Monuments Section AW OCG M RoLON LMAO) KOM AUDIKO

He pointed out that an archaeologi- cal assessment is to be carried out at Bunratty burial ground and suitable firms are currently being sourced for this work.

“We have a major problem with burial grounds. I believe it is all over the county. Bunratty is completely full, Ballysheen is full and I think Oi CoyelCo)sk: tem iwaeel mrerer

“It is being held up by the National Monuments Section. We will just

have to break down these barriers,’ said Councillor Crowe.

He said that a site was available for the extension of the cemetery in Bunratty for a number of years, but the plans did not proceed.

“The one thing communities have is their graveyard. It’s very, very wrong,” he said.

“In the last 10 to 15 years, these ar- eas have grown so much. They have no place to bury their loved ones. Some people have had to moved out of the area to get a graveyard,” he added.

Councillor Pat McMahon (FF) agreed with Councillor Crowe.

“It’s absolutely crazy where you have voluntary groups putting in a lot of work and obstacles are being put in place. These are voluntary groups. They are doing magnificent work and are being hindered by depart-

ment rules. People get so frustrated,” he said.

SCR VCCMO erm asses DO MONT M Or velIOR Newmarket-on-Fergus, has found it difficult to get a grave, despite living there for 20 years.

Councillor Gerry Flynn added that IIlaunamanagh graveyard was al- eee aUOUE

“Tt is at a critical stage now. I don’t know hoe many spaces are left. It is pretty limited. They are putting the onus on community groups. If we can’t provide for people who have died, we are going down a very bad road,” he added.

Councillor Patricia McCarthy (In- dependent) pointed out that the areas in question were fortunate to have archaeology and this must be pre- served. However the importance of balancing this with people’s needs was critical.

A YOUNG man lost consciousness in an early morning row at a garage forecourt in Shannon during which kicks were thrown.

Christopher McGorrian (19), of Rossbracken, Shannon, pleaded guilty to assaulting Gordon Call- inan causing him harm, while Mark Hayes (19), with addresses at Aidan Park and Rossbracken, admitted as- saulting David Malone causing him harm, on New Year’s Day, 2006.

Garda Liam Reilly told Ennis Cir- cuit Court yesterday that the incident occurred at 2am.

He said that when gardai arrived at the scene, David Malone was lying unconscious on the ground. He and Gordon Callinan later made state- ments to gardai. Mr Callinan claimed he had been kicked in the head.

Mr Malone said he had been struck and this caused him to fall to the ground, hitting his head off a kerb in the process. Mr Malone sustained a fractured jaw and spent five days in hospital. Mr Callinan suffered a lac- erated eardrum in the assault.

Garda Reilly said that the two men had been out celebrating the arrival of the New Year. The two went to the Shell garage, where they met the two PYCe sel 6 Bs

“Words were exchanged and this resulted in the assaults,’ said the garda.

The court was told that both ac- cused came from broken homes. McGorrian had no previous convic- tions, while Hayes has a number of previous convictions.

Hayes’ barrister Michael Collins said that there was no doubt his cli- ent was involved in assaulting Mr Malone, but a number of witnesses told gardai that two or three people had kicked him while he was on the ground. Garda Reilly accepted this.

“Mark Hayes admits hitting him, but he didn’t kick him,’ said the bar- rister.

McGorrian’s barrister Mark Nicho- las said the incident was a result of “words being exchanged” and said his client had co-operated with the garda investigation.

Judge Carroll Moran adjourned sentencing until next week.

has learned. This, coupled with an increase in the num- bers leaving the town, is likely to see the overall Brazilian population in Gort drop for the first time in more than a decade.

This Samba-exodus has _ been brought about by a number of dif- ferent factors including the sharp de- cline in the construction sector and the relative strength of the Brazilian Real against the euro.

“The ones who have arrived re- cently, in the last year or year and a half, haven’t been here long enough to really put their roots down – to acquire the language and get them- selves settled,’ said Frank Murray of the Gort Brazilian Association and

NUI, Galway.

“The ones who would have come to Gort in the last year or so would be much more inclined to return to Brazil now that things are not go- ing so well. You can also see around the town that less people are com- ing over. Word is getting out back in Brazil about the difficulties over here and less are coming.

“The Brazilian currency is now worth more against the euro. It’s a big difference from four or five years ago. So if a Brazilian did come to Gort on a three year economic mis- sion, that now becomes a five year mission just to make the same mon- Ne ‘There is a huge Brazilian popula- tion in places like London and with the Olympics coming up there will be a lot of Brazilians heading over there. A lot will also probably head to Italy and some might go to Por-

tugal, Switzerland and places like deren

Earlier this year the International Organisation for Migration in Dublin began a voluntary repatriation which has been inundated with request in recent months.

“A lot of people have decided that enough is enough and have decided to go home. For one reason or anoth- er they are falling on difficult times and have no real option but to leave. But things are still not great in Brazil so even the worst scenario here may well be better than the situation back in Brazil,” continued Mr Murray.

“Some people will leave, but it is sure that there will continue to be a Brazilian presence here in Gort.”

THE Carron based Burren Beef and Lamb Producers Group turned a year old last week and to celebrate it an- nounced two major steps forward in the progress of the organisation.

The group will this week start sell- ing meat outside Clare for the first time when it takes up a place at the Limerick Farmers Market in UL. Perhaps more importantly the group will also this week appoint a co-ord1- nator who will oversee progress into the future.

“The first year has been very suc- cessful because we have managed

to survive and keep the group mov- ing in the right direction. We are now Selling directly to customers, in some of north Clare’s best high end restaurants and in the Ballyvaughan Farmers Market. From next week on then we will also be selling in the Limerick farmers’ market in UL,” said Ruairi O Conchuir of the Burren Producers Group. “The first year has been a real struggle but it does take three years for any business, espe- cially one which is trying something a bit different, to really get it’s feet under itself. But things are improv- ing – anew co-ordinator has just been appointed and the producers group

has just bought it’s own refrigerated vehicle for transporting the meat.

“It is absolutely imperative that the project secures some rural develop- ment funding in order to keep it tick- ing over. It’s not a hand out, it’s the same funding that would be given to any project looking to start up in a new sector.”

The group produces top quality or- ganic, conservation grade beef and lamb. Conservation grade products are produced in a way which allows the natural limestone of the Burren to survive and prevents the encroach- ment of scrub.

For more information on the pro-

ducers group or to purchase conser- vation grade beef or lamb contact Cee ee lel eeF

Meanwhile, the BurrenLIFE Project and Teagasc hosted the first in a Series of farm demonstration day on the farm of Ms Philomena Hynes in Carron on Friday evening.

The demonstration was attended by local farmers, officials from national farming organisations and farm- ing experts and focused on grass- land management, enhancement of livestock management facilities, addressing water provision, the use of supplementary feed and targeted scrub removal and re-treatments.

A GROUP of talented young musi- cians have been presented with bur- saries, through the Shannon Music Project.

Clare County Council’s Arts Of- fice provided the bursaries for the 13 musicians to attend the Ennis Guitar and Rock School workshops in Shan- non last week. The recipients were Simon O’Donnell, Frank Goggin, Natasha Miller, David Park, Andrew Park, Garry Mc Kee, Patrick Collins,

Barry Shannon, Lindsay Carroll, Pa- draig Bambury, Steven Rainsford, Chris Quigley and Elsa Mann.

The Shannon Music Project (SMP) is a Clare Youth Service project based in Shannon. It provides young people aged between 15 and 25 with opportunities to get involved in musi- cal events and avail of practice space and high quality musical equipment.

The project is run by a committee of young people who are supported by the Shannon youth workers.

The SMP has been running for over

10 years and this year received fund- ing from Clare VEC and Shannon Community Grant Scheme to help with equipment purchases.

The project has organised bands nights, acoustic performances and competitions in Shannon and also liaises with Ennis Music Project for similar events and workshops.

‘This is a great opportunity to work with community groups in Shan- non. We have worked previously with Clare Youth Service Ennis and now we hope to further develop the

partnership between the Arts Office and the Clare Youth Service here in Shannon,” said Tara Connaghan, Traditional Arts Co-ordinator based bom) ercbeyeCeyee

“T am delighted to see Clare Arts Office come on board with the work the music project is doing in Shan- non. The funding provided for these workshops is of great benefit to the young people involved and no doubt will help them further their own in- dividual skills,’ said Shannon Youth Worker, Cathal Dillon.

A QUICK preview of life under the river Shannon as it will be in 2010 will go on display this Saturday, as the general public are invited to a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Limerick tunnel before it is bur- ied under water.

The open day will run from 10am to 4pm with visitors asked to gather

in the Shannon Rugby Club in Coon- agh. The contractors DirectRoute will provide an information centre with a scale model of the scheme and will operate a pick and drop bus tour from the rugby ground carpark.

The guided bus tour will take visi- tors around the casting basin for a close-up view of the tunnel and as- sociated site works.

Following two years of design, five

immersed tube tunnel elements are currently being fitted out for the next major phase of the tunnel construc- tion – immersion in a pre-dredged channel.

The Limerick tunnel is part of the final phase of the Limerick South- ern Ring Road. This phase starts at the Rossbrien Roundabout on the N7 and continues westward along six kilometres of dual-lane dual car-

rlageway crossing Greenfields Road, St Nessans Road, the Dock Road and Bunlicky Lake before diving under the Shannon through 915m of tunnel and emerging at Coonagh.

The route continues north west for another four kilometres before con- necting with the N18 to Ennis.

The road also includes 11 bridges, six underpasses and two toll plazas. while each tunnel element is approx- imately 100 metres long or the length of a football pitch.

It is as high as a two-storey house (8.5m), wide enough for two lanes of traffic in each direction (25m) and weighs in at 20,000 tonnes, giv- ing a staggering combined weight of 100,000 tonnes.

This massive piece of infrastruc- ture is too big for any modern crane to move so modern engineers have been forced to look to the builders of the pyramids and Stonehenge.

DirectRoute will first flood the cast- ing basin in late August to float the tunnel elements. The 100,000 tonne tunnel elements will then be floated out and immersed beneath the river in a pre-dredged channel.

According to General Manager of Direct Route Tom King this Saturday is the perfect chance for the public to see this marvel of modern engineer- ing before it is buried beneath the longest river in Ireland.

THEY say that figures never lie and if that’s true then there is no disguis- ing the poor state of the Clare econ- omy. According to figures obtained from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) unemployment in the county has climbed by more than 25 per cent since June of last year.

More worringly, the latest figures available show the greatest single jump in Clare people signing on the live register. Numbers shot up from

5,036 in May of this year to 5,505 in June or an increase of just under ten oaceonle

This increases represents the larg- est single, month on month, jump in unemployment figures in the county in more than five years.

Each area of the county has been hit with the spike in unemployment but Tulla appears to be suffering more than most.

Between June 2007 and June 2008 the amount of people signing on in Tulla increased from 446 to 678.

This increase of 232 people sign- ing on represents a massive jump of more than 40 per cent in the space of just a year.

Ennistymon has also been hit heavily by the increase with unem- ployment figures jumping from 573 to 806 (40 per cent) in the same pe- riod.

The situation is less drastic in oth- er parts of the county with number jumping in Ennis from 2,502 to 3293 (30 per cent) and in Kilrush from 609 to 728 (15 per cent).

IT’S full steam ahead at this stage for four men and a 60-year-old Mor- ris Minor.

Peader White, Gerry Dobbin, Ger Sweeney and Cathal Duddy ofm em- barked from Ennis on Saturday on the Bald Eagle Tour – an ambitious voyage that will take them to the four corners of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The journey is a long one. Taking off from Ennis the Morris Minor head south to Ireland’s most south- westerly Mizen Head.

From west Cork the road continued to Rosslare and onward by ferry to the Welsh port of Fishguard.

The next leg took the crew to Brit- ain’s most southerly point, Lands End. Then it was onwards and up- wards to Scotland and Britain’s most northerly point John O’Groats.

All going to plan, the Morris Minor should be, by now, on the road to the Scottish port of Stranraer. There the journey continues by ferry to Larne and the final leg of this exhaustive trek commences with a drive to Ma- lin Head.

Finally, driver Peader White turns

south for Malin Head. Journey’s end should be reached sometime later this week, when the Morris Minor wheels back into Ennis.

The journey is the brainchild of Ennis man and vintage car enthusi- ast Peader.

It all began two years ago when Peader drove a 1954 Austin A40 450 miles from Malin Head to Mizen Head to raise money for the Clare branch of the Samaritans.

Last year, Peader completed the Same journey raising almost €3,000 for the Samaritans and the proceeds raised this year will again go to the

SPV Le Dae

Gerry Dobbin, Deputy Director of Outreach Services for the Samari- tans and one of Peader White’s co- navigators, said, “I’ve never done something like this before. It should be exciting but I hope we make it all the way. We are hoping that we will be able to stop of at some local branches of the Samaritans at some points along the way”.

Gerry added “Peader has been do- ing these types of journeys for the past few years and we at the Samari- tans have always been very grateful of the support”.

ST JOSEPH’S Secured their division one status with this remarkable win that condemns Eire Og to relegation.

This was must win for both teams with both hovering dangerously close to the bottom of the table be- fore throw in.

Level at half time, Joseph’s pulled away in spectacular fashion. Goals from Paul Dullghan and Sean Mc- Mahon put Barefield seven points clear by the 39th minute. Dullaghan pounced again for Barefield’s fourth goal in the 44th minute, by which time the Eire Og challenge had well and truly expired.

The end was slow and painful for the townies. Joseph’s took full ad- vantage of their collapse, hitting their opponents for seven points in the final quarter.

Barefield impressed in midfield where Kevin Dilleen and Conor Has- sett covered a lot of ground and con- tributed ten points. Ken Kennedy was

again the lynchpin at centre back and McMahon is adjusting well to life at full forward. Strong enough to cause a bit of bother under the high ball, McMahon exhibited a sure touch when the ball came in hard and low.

Manager Kevin Kennedy can be pleased too that his side never eased up despite the blatantly one-sided nature of the contest in the closing NE TLoe

The second half was the stuff of nightmares for Eire Og. They con- ceded and 3-12 and scored just two points. The townies drop down a lev- el, but of more pressing concern will be the psychological damage inflict- ed ahead of the club’s make or break championship clash with Kilmaley.

It started promisingly for Eire Og. Danny Russell’s struck two points from placed balls either side of a free from Hassett. Russell was then involved as his swift handpass set up Cathal Whelan for a goal in the 6th eepeeleikon

Hassett (2) and Russell traded points

before McMahon forced an opening for Michael Cullinan to strike a goal on the 15th minute.

Dullaghan’s point put Joseph’s 1-4 1-3 ahead. Tadgh McNamara’s point levelled it and points from Hassett and Adrian Flaherty ensured a half time score of 1-5 1-5. Barefield were soon in charge after the re-start. Kennedy hit over a point before Dullaghan poked a goal in the 37th minute as the Eire Og full back line dithered over Marty O’Regan’s clear- ance. Still, it was nothing compared to the destruction about to be visited upon Eire Og.

McMahon turned Whelan and fired a goal in the 39th minute. Even at this stage, and Barefield ahead by seven points, Eire Og looked shot of one

Hassett, Dilleen and McMahon added three points before Dullaghan rifled in his second goal, to leave 4-9 1-6 ahead.

The townies were done for. Damien Kennedy picked of four late points.

Hassett and Dilleen added a couple more. Eire Og’s sole response came from Ronan Cooney who scored two late points.