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HIDDEN messages reveal a positive attitude in a new exhibition currently on display in Ennis.

Final year arts student Grace O’Hara is the woman behind the work that can be seen in the front window of Mrs Quin’s charity shop in Ennis.

Embroidered in clothes donated by Grace to the shop, are motivational messages and positive mantras. Some of the messages are visible while others are hidden. The items are part of Grace’s final year project for the Limerick School of Art and Design. The items will then go on display in June at the final exhibition to be held

at the St George’s Quay campus.

Describing the technique as similar to that employed by graffiti artists, Grace said, “I embroider onto my own clothes and given them to char- ity shops. The work is anonymous in the sense that it doesn’t bear my name. The only recognizable feature is the style of the stitching used.

Grace continued, “The reward for me is the notion of the buyer sudden- ly finding the message, reading it and holding onto the positive thought. What I am hoping to do is to spread good will or karma and this proc- ess continues when the clothes get passed on again or end up in another charity shop.”

The project developed as a result

of the pressures Grace experienced during her final year of college.

After reading through self-help and motivational books, she felt com- pelled to weave a positive message into her own work.

She said “The origin of my work stems from the personal stresses that we all endure in everyday life. When I was doing research for this project, these positive messages be- came my motivational tools to cope with stress, as did the calming craft of embroidery. It helped to soothe away my worries.”

Grace received important support from her lecturers in Limerick and the staff at Mrs Quin’s Charity shop.

“Lucy and all of the staff at Mrs

Quin’s were very helpful in letting me use the window. My tutors in Limerick, Sean Taylor, Mike Fox and Amanda Dunsmore gave me great help throughout my years in college.”

None of the clothes currently on display are on sale, as they will be used in the June exhibition in Lim- erick. After completing her degree Grace hopes to pursue a career in Koreans

“The nice part about the work is people do not realize they have bought a piece of art until they in- spect the clothes closely or they may just think it was designed that way”.

The work is on display in Mrs Quin’s charity shop until May 12.

MARY Coughlan met the man with his finger on the button controlling European Agriculture on Thursday when she held her last face-to-face meeting with Peter Mandelson before the start of the World Trade Talks. Speaking after the meeting, Minister Coughlan reaffirmed her “deep con- cern’ about aspects of the current world trade talks.

The negotiations in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) involve over 150 countries and have now been go- ing on without a resolution for seven years. The talks cover agriculture, manufacturing, services, trade rules and trade facilitation but have been

concentrating heavily on agriculture in recent months.

The Director General of WTO has indicated that he proposes to call a ministerial meeting in May to dis- cuss agriculture and manufacturing trade.

“Ireland is a trading nation and as such we have a strong national inter- est in seeing a successful trade round and a strong WTO,” said Coughlan. ‘However we are deeply concerned at the imbalance in the current nego- tiations.”

As things stand, we see EU and Irish agriculture are being asked to carry a disportionate burden in the overall effort to conclude a deal.”

Minister Coughlan said that she

drew the Commissioner’s attention to the dramatic changes in world food markets since these negotia- tions commenced.

“I pointed out that many EU Gov- ernments now share our conviction about the need to maintain a strong agricultural production base in Eu- rope.”

But this critical fact is being ignored in the WTO process to date.” contin- ued Minister Coughlan.

“The agrifood sector in Ireland, built up over years to become the huge contributor that it now is to our economy must not be damaged by a WTO agreement which fails to take account of the new realities emerg- ing in world food supply.”

The minister emphasised the very real difficulties for Irish agriculture and the food industry from some of the proposals emanating from the WTO in Geneva.

Minister Coughlan outlined in detail the dramatic impact of hugely in- creased imports of beef and the con- centration of these imports on high value cuts of meat.

She called on the Commissioner to ensure a meaningful level of protec- tion for our industry.

She also said that our concerns were not confined to the beef sector and underscored to the Commissioner the difficulties some of the propos- als would generate for our dairy, pig- meat and sheepmeat sectors also.

UP TO a quarter of all family doc- tors in Ennis are not taking on any new patients.

Chairman of the Clare branch of the Irish College of General Prac- titioners (ICGP) Dr Michael Harty said that 25 per cent of general prac- titioners in the county town have closed their list.

“In areas of population growth the number of patients is out stripping the number of GPs. In the rest of the county I wouldn’t be aware of any that have closed their list,” he said.

The Clare GP representative con- firmed however that the work of all GPs has increased significantly in the last number of years, an issue that 1s to become even more serious as a huge shortage in the profession is predicted.

“In general terms the work of the GP has increased by 50 per cent. Part of this is due to the population increase but one of the major factors for the increase in workload is the transferral of patients from hospitals to GPs,’ he said.

These transferrals include Warfarin and diabetes clinics.

“We are doing a lot more interven- tion than we used to,” he said.

The Kilmihil doctor said that the public also has greater expecta- tions and are more health conscious, which leads them to visit the doctor

more often.

There are currently 2,500 GPs in Ireland a number that is decreasing due to the older age profile of the profession.

The issue is about to reach crisis point however as not enough doctors are coming on stream to replace cur- rent GPs planning to retire.

“There are a large cohort of GPs that are within 10 to I5 years of re- tiring,” he said.

It takes 11 years for a student to go from first year medicine to a fully qualified GP.

‘We need to plan in advance and at the moment that is not there,’ added Dr Harty.

He said that 121 GPs qualify each year.

This number was to reach 150 but the HSE withdrew funding last year.

Initially it was hoped to bring the number of GPs trained every year to 180.

A survey carried out by the Irish College of General Practitioners showed over 50 per cent of GPs had problems recruiting partners to their practice, while 66 per cent had dif- ficulty-recruiting assistants.

Minister for Health Mary Harney admitted this week that there is a need to increase the number of GPs in the country.

ENNIS is to get a new bridge across the River Fergus as part of a major development by a Galway company which has just got the go-ahead from Ennis Town Council.

Briarlane Development secured planning permission for a major ex- tension to the Abbey Hostel near the existing Club Bridge. The company iS proposing the construction of a

footbridge across the River Fergus to link the development to the Abbey Street car-park.

As part of a four-floor structure, the developers plan a 120-bunk bed extension to the existing hostel building. The development is to also include a restaurant, an internet café and a wine bar with all ancillary oats one

The extended hostel is expected to fill a gap in the local tourist market

where, currently, there are no hostel spaces for independent tourists.

The Briarlane project faced no local opposition and the company was able to satisfy concerns that the Depart- ment of the Environment expressed over otters in the River Fergus.

The granting of planning permis- sion five years after the company first sought to develop the strategic site adjacent to the River Fergus follows a decision by An Bord Pleanala last

year to refuse planning for a project that promised to transform the Ennis skyline as part of a €25 million riv- erside development.

Early last year, Ennis Town Council gave the go-ahead for the ambitious project in spite of warnings from Clare’s Conservation Officer that the plan had the potential to do “ir- reparable damage to a very attractive and uniquely ancient county town”.

The council chose to ignore Con- servation Officer Risteard UaCron- in’s warning that “the design of the proposed development 1s neither con- temporary nor innovative and reflects large city suburban developments of the 1970s and 1980s, many of which are presently being demolished”.

But his stance was endorsed last September by the appeals board which ruled that the proposal would seriously injure the visual amenities of the area and the character of the architectural heritage area.

The development involved a six- storey building opposite the Abbey Street car-park arranged around a central podium and included a plan to develop a 30-bedroom hotel, 58 apartments and a pedestrian bridge across the River Fergus.

The board also ruled that one of the apartment blocks would provide poor quality accommodation and serious- ly injure the residential amenities of future occupants and of property in the vicinity.

THE Ennis Active Retirement As- sociation celebrates two decades of friendship and civic pride next week- end.

The association marks its 20th an- niversary with special event in the Eire Og clubhouse on Saturday May OF

The Ennis ARA offers people over 55 the chance to engage in educa- tional, social and cultural activities.

The primary aim is to make retire- ment an enjoyable and meaningful part of life. The association attracts members from all walks of life and holds regular talks and demonstra- tions along with classes in dance and kTEOle

Twice a year, in spring and autumn, the ARA organizes two trips abroad.

The association is supported by the Clare VEC, which provides free 10- week courses in arts and crafts dur- ing the winter months.

One of the highlights of the asso- ciation’s long history was a visit by group from the Ennis ARA to Aras an Uachtaran to meet with President Mary McAleese. Association PRO Phil Barrow explained that friend- ship has always been the cornerstone of the association.

“We seek to improve ourselves and our community and to enjoy ourselves while at the same time ap- preciating the fulfillment that comes from the companionship of our members”.

Phil said that the association has proved a helpful first point of contact for new people moving to Ennis.

“It is ideal for people who have just

moved to the town. People might come along to a meeting. Now, not all of them will stay, some will drift away. But the most important thing is that people make friends and they know we are there to help them”.

The Ennis ERA was founded in April 1988 by Fionnula Moran, who was working for Clarecare at the time.

The first meeting was held in the De Valera library Ennis and was at- tended by ten people.

Kevin O’Donoghue was elected as the association’s first chairman. Oth- ers who held the position of Chair- person over the years, were Frank Hanrahan, Michael Coleman and Kitty Begley.

The current committee is made up of Mary Meaney (Chairperson), Alice Coote (Secretary), Mary Rose

McMahon (Treasurer) and Phil Bar- row (PRO).

Over the years membership grew steadily until it topped 100. Current membership stands at 65.

Meetings take place every Tuesday in the offices of Clarecare and new members are always welcome.

Phil said “We have always got great Support over the years. We are very active organisation. All the events we organise are for people who are physically active”.

The programme of events for next Sunday’s celebrations begins with mass at 2pm followed by as night of song and dance at the Eire Og club- Le uites

Phil said “Its really a re-union of old friends that have been involved over the years. We have always tried to help each other”’.

IRISH people are not getting enough dairy products according to new re- search released by the National Dairy Council (NDC) last week. At the launch of their organsations strategic plan last week, NDC experts started their commitment to tackle the issue. According to consumer research, four in five adults aged 15 and older claimed to consume milk everyday, yet almost 30 per cent stated they were not consuming the three serv- ings of dairy a day as recommended by the Department of Health.

In addition to this the survey found that 55 per cent of people believed that butter is fattening and detrimen-

tal to their health while 72 per cent said that butter is not good for cho- lesterol levels.

“While there is a high level of agreement on the importance of milk and dairy products in terms of their health and nutritional benefits, it is also clear from this research, that this is not being translated into behaviour and there is clearly a problem with consumer perception of milk and dairy products in these increasingly health conscious times,” said NDC Chief Executive Helen Brophy.

“It is also worrying to note that more than 30 per cent of people do not agree that milk is a natural un- processed food. This image and these attitudes must be tackled as a

matter of urgency and this is a key objective of our new Strategic Plan.”

The new five year Strategic Plan, entitled Dairy: Food for Life, was launched at a large industry event in Dublin and in advance of the open- ing session of the European Dairy Marketing Forum.

Speaking at the launch, Minister of State at the Department of Agricul- ture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Wal- lace, welcomed the new approach.

“The dairy sector is of vital im- portance to Ireland. It provides em- ployment for around 34,000 farmers, workers in the processing sector and those engaged in support and ancil- lary services,” she said.

“Some 85 per cent of Irish dairy

products are exported representing one quarter of all food and drink ex- ports. In 2007 that trend continued, despite the difficulties caused by the dollar exchange rate.

“Last year exports increased by 13 per cent to €2.36 billion, a record performance. Against this back- ground it is very encouraging to see that the National Dairy Council is focused on meeting the challenges which lie ahead.”

Coinciding with the NDC strategy launch, the inaugural meeting of the European Dairy Marketing Forum will take place, which is made up of leading dairy marketing executives from companies and dairy market- ing organisations across Europe.

WHEN Geoff Hurst scored the World Cup Final’s first ever hat-trick on that warm July day in 1966, roughly 300 miles west the men of Newmarket were watching. Inspired by what they saw, within two years Newmarket Celtic was born and football began to take root at McDonagh Park.

But instead of Charlton, Moore and Hunt, the names that drove the fledgling club forward were Ryans, Sheedys and Collins’ as well as Pat Coughlan, Mike O’ Malley and Frank McNamara.

It’s all the more fitting then, that 40 years on the name of O’Malley and McNamara still appears proudly on the Newmarket team sheet.

“This is unreal for the club,” said captain Mark O’Malley .

“We have been waiting 13 years for this, it’s unbelievable. This year now we really put in the effort. We had a good man over us in Paudie Cullinan

in charge of us. Packie Ryan, Seamus Cullinan, Billy Woods – they drove us on all year and it’s to them we owe Wee

“It’s a big club, everyone got right behind us. And the supporters are fantastic, you can see all the people who came out today to cheers us on – all of that matters. We have worked so hard this year, everyone.

“We had a 24 man squad and were able to play 11 versus 11 in training which really helped.”

“We started the match well and it was a good goal. But I suppose we started to get a bit complacent after that. But that happens sometimes – Burren are a very good team, very physical. They sent in a lot of high ball and caused us problems,’ he continued.

‘But once we got in a half time lev- el. We pushed on well in the second half, maybe got as bit of luck with the third goal but we did well.”

They think it’s all over, it is now.

BATS and badgers are to benefit from a local building boom.

The creatures are to get their own means of safe passage around the proposed new Shannon Tunnel.

The €600 million project will take 40,000 vehicles off the streets of Limerick city, but it will be built right in the path of a number of crea- tures who need protection.

Kevin Cleary of White Young Green Consultants said that four badger sets have been identified within the construction site span-

ning the river between Coonagh and Bunlicky and a the same number of protected species of bats have been found along the construction site.

To prevent the badgers from meet- ing a terrible fate if they wander on to the tunnel road, the construction will include badger fencing, which is sunk into the ground to prevent them burrowing and specially constructed underpasses the help them cross the road.

The mature tress which are home to the bats will now only be felled at certain times of the year to allow the bats time to breed and rear young and

once they are cut down , they will be left without further disturbance for 24 hours to allow their winged in- habitants to move home.

The biggest engineering project in the midwest region, the fourth river crossing’s new planned route in- cludes 11 bridges and each will be complete with two bat boxes and a bat fly-over.

“This means keeping the vegeta- tion raised to a certain height to al- low bats, which rely on sonar, to stay clear of traffic and other dangerous obstacles’, said Mr Cleary..

And birds and other wildlife are to

get a newly constructed wetland and dry reserve to compensate for the loss of 15 per cent of habitats in the area.

Rare plant species, meanwhile, will be experimentally transplanted to the Trinity Botanic Gardens.

The tunnel scheme is hailed as the answer to congestion on the roads into Limerick

It will also act as a method of short- ening journeys and cutting costs for commercial transport.

The construction was approved by An Bord Pleanala in 2004 after a five year period of consultation.

STUDENTS at Clarecastle National School rolled up their sleeves for the annual spring clean, to help the school’s bid for another green flag.

As part of Environmental Action Week, staff and student students took part in a major clean up of the school and the surrounding grounds.

The work didn’t end there with stu- dents helping to further enhance the appearance of the school by potting new plants.

Clarecastle National School has already firmly established its green credentials with a number of envi- ronmental initiatives.

The school’s commitment to en- couraging greater awareness of green issues has been acknowledged through the awarding of two green flags.

Everyone in Clarecastle now hopes that efforts of the last few months will be recognised with a third green ne hee

The aim of Green-Schools is to increase students’ and participant awareness of environmental issues through classroom studies and to transfer this knowledge into positive environmental action in the school and, also, in the wider community.

Schools that have successfully completed all the elements of the

JO) ROy:a eH ANUS Oem T Rem RU DRO Lo(OME NO lem Osteo te Flag. This award has now become a well-recognised eco-label. The award has to be renewed every two years.

The Green Schools initiative has gone from strength to strength since it was launched in Ireland in 1997.

Eleven award ceremonies are be- ing held this month. Over 2000 Irish schools are registered for the pro- eramme, representing over 49 per cent of all the schools in the coun- (ry.

290 children attend Clarecastle Na- tional School, representing a number of different nationalities.

The school now has a two stream

system up to second class and 15 teachers, 12 mainstream teachers and 3 resource teachers.

The pupils receive their education in state of the art classrooms equipped with up to date I.T. resources includ- ing interactive white boards.

The school also houses a library/ computer room, resource area and PE/Multi purpose room in addition to 16 classrooms. Work commenced on the new building in 2006, seven years after procedures were instiagt- ed to secure a new school.

Prefabs were erected for temporary use and the old school was demol- ished apart from the original 1935 building which was retained.

TO celebrate the launch of their 2008 range of electrical goods, Ennis Electrical has joined forces with Sie- mens Domestic Appliances in bring- ing T’V3’s Andrew Rudd to Ennis to cook up a storm for their customers.

Andrew will share his expertise with Ennis Electrical customers at the store’s first cookery demonstra- tion, which will take place on Satur- day May 10 at lpm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.

Preparing up to ten different recipes, Andrew will demonstrate healthy and energy efficient options using steam and induction hob appli- ances. The demonstration will also illustrate the user-friendly nature of Siemens kitchen appliances.

According to Paul Flynn of Ennis Electrical, the company is hosting the event to provide customers with an opportunity to see their Siemens kitchen appliances in action and experience the difference a well de- signed kitchen can make to home life. All are welcome to join in the fun and learn of the latest technolo- gies to make cooking more fun, en- joyable and even energy efficient.

“We are using the event as an op- portunity to thank our customers for their continued support. Custom- ers will have the chance to win spot prizes and we are offering 10% dis- count on all

Siemens appliances”, he said.

Siemens will also have experts on hand to talk about energy efficiency in domestic appliances and the most up to date technologies and innova- WOO A BEE e) lon

With two branches in Ennis, on Par- nell Street and in Quin Road Busi- ness Park, Ennis Electrical is in busi- ness over 30 years making it one of the oldest, electrical suppliers in the mid west. With it all under one roof, Ennis Electrical serves the people of Clare and beyond with experienced sales assistants, private parking and free delivery nationwide.

Anyone interested in Saturday’s event should contact Ennis Electri- cal, Quin Road Business Park, to reserve a place. Telephone (065) 6829684.