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IRISH language group, Glor hInse has won first prize, €50,000, in the annual Glor na nGael awards.

Comharchumann Rath Cairn, County Meath, won the second prize of €12,500, while Cumann Forbar- tha Ghaoth Dobhair, came in third place, winning €7,500.

Praising the work of Glor na hInse, Glor na nGael director, Lorcan Mac Gabhann, described the commit- tee as an example for Irish groups throughout the country.

“The committee enjoys broad rep-

resentation from the community and uses an effective planning system. The adjudicators were particularly impressed its strategic plan and the work arising from it,” he said.

Mr Mac Gabhann said the win re- flected the strong gaelic movement that existed in Ennis. He said

‘“T congratulate the people of Ennis and Clare for this Glor na nGael win, achieving first place in the competi- tion for the third time, a feat achieved only once before.”

“Ennis enjoys a strong Irish gaels- coil movement. As well as that, the committee manages to exert influ-

ence on all the schools in the area through drama, debating and other major events.

“There has been significant growth in participation of Ogras. From the start of the year till the end, young people are supported through Féile na hInse, schools’ drama and a sum- mer camp.

He praised the large number of events organised by Glor na Gael throughout the year. He said, “A large number of events are also or- ganised for adults such as a reading circle and public lectures.

“The Irish language is central to

other cultural events such as an Flea- dh Nua. The committee received particular praise for organising Fili an Chlair.

“The committee is working suc- cessfully with the state sector, par- ticularly with Clare County Council and has achieved much. A demand for state services in Irish 1s advanced and encouraged.”

In total, Glor na nGael announced awards to the value of €141,950, giving recognition the work being carried out by many committees to promote the Irish language at home ~NOlemr-lesKers(en

THE Ennis General Hospital Devel- opment Committee is in the black following a very busy year for the lobby group.

According to the accounts present- ed to last week’s AGM of the com- mittee, the group has carried over €8,804 from last year.

Its treasurer, Fine Gael Deputy Joe Carey (FG), told the meeting that the

committee spent a total of €19,576.

Last year proved a busy and expen- sive year for the committee as it cam- paigned during the general election campaign for commitments to the future of the hospital and organised a protest rally for the streets of Ennis.

The greatest expense for the group was media advertising which totaled €7,951.

This included the cost of advertis- ing in the four local newspapers and

the local radio station.

Printing costs came to €4,151, which did not include car stickers, the cost of which was sponsored.

Postage costs for 2007 came to €3,520, public relations cost €300, Clare Cancer Concern was afforded €800, photography €1,098, the pub- lic health alliance €50 and bank charges came to €117.

The hospital committee raised most of its fund from church gate collec-

tions totalling €6,843.

Sales of the lobby group’s CD raised €5,/41, with further donations reaching €1,550.

The collection on the day of the hospital rally came to €2,800.

In total, the committee raised em eres

A carry-over of €10,646 from the previous year saw all the bills paid and the books in good stead for the Ley eaBNTSaA orb

KILRUSH area councillors have agreed that holiday home owners in Clare should pay for the water sup- as At last night’s (Monday) meeting of the council, Cllr Madeleine Taylor Quinn (FG) said that holiday homes were a commercial interest and as such the owners should have to pay for the water supplied to them.

Under Government policy, all non- domestic water must be paid for but local authorities, such as Clare Coun- ty Council, cannot charge domestic users for their water supply.

As many as 3,092 non-domestic water users in the Kilrush area have been identified but this does not in- clude holiday home schemes.

“People who are trying to make a living in the county are being charged and those making money from the county are not contributing at all,’ said the former TD.

Supporting Clir Taylor Quinn, Cllr Patrick Keane (FF) said, “There is a lot of revenue that can be collected.”

The 3,092 non-domestic water cus- tomers identified by the council in the Kilrush Electoral area includes all non-domestic customers on group schemes supplied with public water.

According to Derek Troy, Execu- tive Engineer with Clare County Council, “The process of surveying, compiling lists of works and meter installation is currently ongoing and the total number of customers may change due to additional connections being made or non-domestic connec- tions being removed.

“This project should be complete over the next number of months.”

Revenue that may accrue from non- domestic connections will depend on total usage. However, current rates are €1.10 per cubic metre for water supply, €2.08 per cubic metre for the consolidated supply (water and

sewerage connections), and a fixed charge of €1.45 per customer,’ he said. Installation of the meters will cost €145.

It was argued at Clare County Council level that the installation of such metre should be borne by cen- tral government.

The cost, however, will have to be paid by the customer. Clare County Council must also find €80 million to upgrade the county’s treatment plants, to maintain water schemes, and to monitor them if it is to reach the targets set in the first report on the Provision and Quality of Drink- ing Water in Ireland, 2006 – 2007.

STUDENTS from Ennis Commu- nity College proved to be the bright sparks at the 2008 National Elec- tronic Engineering Quiz.

Rebecca Murphy, Victor Aku- jobi, Shona Ni Meachair and James Philips came first in the regional round of the 2008 National Elec- tronic Engineering Quiz in GMIT before narrowly missed out winning the overall prize.

The annual quiz took place in si- multaneously in University College Cork, Dublin Institute of Technology and Waterford Institute of Technol- ogy and the Galway Mayo Institute

of Technology on January 26. The quiz attracted schools from across Ireland and this year the standard of entry was again very high

Having won the regional round in GMIT, the Ennis team was tied with a team from Cork for the national wa Con

It came down to one question; what was the record time for winning the Dublin City Marathon?

The closest answer deciding the BUONO Coe

Unfortunately for Ennis Commu- nity College, their opponent’s answer was closer and the Ennis team had to settle for second place.

All teams from the four simultane-

ous events were competing for the national title and a national prize worth €2,000 donated by MIDAS Ireland to the winning school.

MIDAS Ireland (Microelectronic Industry Design Association) is a joint industry and academic organi- sation, which defines and develops the future direction of Integrated Circuit design in Ireland.

MIDAS as an organisation was launched in February 2001 by the Minister of Enterprise, Trade & Em- ployment Mary Harney TD.

It is a national cluster consisting of the microelectronics design com- panies and third level institutions in Ireland, building on the already-

strong relationships between them.

The quiz success is just the latest for Ennis Community College. In 2006, Victor Akujobi, who repre- sented Ennis Community College in GMIT, won a gold medal at the Irish Science Olympiad. Victor qualified for the competition based on his ex- cellent results in junior certificate maths and science.

INDIVIDUALS, groups and organi- sations interested in undertaking works aimed at protecting Clare’s biodiversity are being invited to ap- ply for funding under the Biodiver- sity Fund for 2008.

The fund was established last year by the Department of the Environ- ment, Heritage and Local Govern- ment following the Interim Review of the Implementation of the Nation- al Biodiversity Plan 2002-2006.

Administered by the Heritage Council, with the support of Clare County Council, it aims to encour- age and enable people to undertake capital projects that help protect Clare’s abundance of wildlife and

wild places.

The types of works being targeted by the Fund include enhancement, protection and conservation of Bio- diversity, creating wildlife areas, re- moving invasive species, and plant- ing native wild flowers and trees.

“The objective of this fund is to Support site conservation and man- agement for the enhancement of bio- logical diversity at a local level,” said Congella McGuire, Heritage Officer, Clare County Council.

“Priority will be given to high qual- ity and well thought-out applications that assist the management of sites that contain habitats of special con- servation importance in Ireland, or which support threatened or vulner- able species.”

A grant allocation can cover up to 50 per cent of the project cost and can be used in conjunction with grants from other sources.

Individuals, community groups, properly constituted non-profit or- ganisations, local authorities, statu- tory institutions, academic institu- tions and private companies are eligible to apply to the Fund for grant assistance.

“Clare has a rich variety of dif- ferent animals and plants as well as some of the best examples of habitats in Europe. However, our biodiversity is disappearing fast with animals and plants becoming extinct and habitats being damaged.

Therefore, I would urge anyone interested in protecting their local

biodiversity to consider applying for funding,’ said John Murphy, Biodi- versity Officer with Clare County Council.

“Biodiversity is all living things from the tiniest insect to the mighty oak. It is the variety of life on our planet. Our health, economy and quality of life depend on a healthy environment rich in_ biodiversity. Here in Clare, its presence is every- where, in our parks and gardens, by our roadsides, in our rivers and seas, and our ‘living landscapes’.”

Application forms will be automat- ically sent out to all previous appli- cants, and may also be downloaded from www.heritagecouncil.ie. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 15 February 2008.

TALKS over a timetable for pedes- trianisation in Ennis will get under- way at the end of the month.

It follows yesterday’s monthly meet- ing of Ennis Town Council where the results of a survey carried out on December 20, 21 and 22 revealed a largely favourable response to pedes- trianisation in Ennis at Christmas.

The survey, carried out for Ennis Town Council by Amarach research, found that between 79-81 per cent of respondents indicated that pedes- triaisation was a good idea in each

of the four areas surveyed. The four areas surveyed were Abbey Street, O’Connell Street, O’Connell Square and Lower Market Street.

Town Clerk Eddie Power said he expected talks between Ennis Town Council and the local business com- munity would resume at the end of February. “The next stage would be to meet with traders from the areas to see when and what days would be the most suitable. I would suggest a meeting take place in February with a final report to be presented at the March meeting,” he said.

The survey found that the principal

reasons given by those who viewed pedestrianisation positively was that it improved safety (58 per cent), cre- ated a more pleasant atmosphere (38 per cent) and that it would be easier to get around (37 per cent). Some 41 per cent of those surveyed cited this as a reason. 273 people were polled for this section of the survey.

46 per cent respondents felt that parking facilities were conveniently located and facilitate shopping in Ennis. However, this opinion var- ies between drivers and non-drivers, with just 35 per cent of drivers agree- ing with the convenience of parking

facilities.

The key reasons given by those who view pedestrianisation nega- tively were concerns about vehicular access to the streets, concerns about getting around and concerns about access to shops and banks.

96 per cent of respondents felt their frequency of shopping would not de- crease, with 36 per cent indicating they would shop more often in Ennis should the streets be pedestrianised.

SW ilo Kom sku hd ucoeelo NL MBDOMMAOlomeler-Nene ber that the introduction of pedestri- anisation was now a matter of “when’ and not ‘if’.

STUDENTS from Colaiste Muire will head next week to Dublin to take part in the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras Festival.

Rehersals are already well under- way at Harmony Row, Ennis for the event which takes place on Febru- ary 9 at the National Concert Hall in Dublin.

The also get the rare opportunity to receive one on one specialist tuition from the renowned American con- ductor and arranger Sandra Dackow.

An annual American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers

(ASCAP), award winning arranger, Dr Dackow has generated over sev- enty published works for orchestras and is an author of the Orchestra Ex- pressions curriculum.

She is active as a guest conduc- tor, adjudicator and clinician across the nation and Canada, in England, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ukraine, South Africa and throughout Aus- tralia and Ireland

The event is part of the annual youth orchestra festival that features the best ensembles in the state. In a unique collaboration, Colaiste Muire will play with two schools from Lein- ster in an all Mozart programme.

The orchestra has a busy time in February as they will host a visit by guest conductor, Malcolm Greene, director of Limerick Choral Union and cellist with the Dolmen String Quartet for an afternoon workshop at Colaiste Muire

The Colaiste Muire’s orchestra is growing rapidly. Its ranks were boosted this year with the addition of a bank of cellos and double basses as part of the Board of Management’s and principal Jean Pound’s policy of investment in music.

Orchestra director Cathy Des- mond has initiated a novel cello & double bass programme to enhance

the orchestra and to encourage more students to experience ensemble playing.

The orchestra members range from prize-winning music students to be- ginners. It is open to students of all Ao ise

The orchestra plays at a range of events in the school and recently received an enthusiastic reception from residents and staff at Carigoran House nursing home in Newmar- ket-on-Fergus. Future plans include a chamber music workshop to en- courage ensemble playing in smaller eroups and a collaboration with the school choir.

ANIMAL health issues were high on the agenda at an IFA meeting in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture held in Ennis last week.

Silom rnleoeelcmm Yen Oemue mo ar-sbusem ey Seamus Murphy, Clare IFA County Chairman, included guest speakers James Hannon, Senior Veterinary Inspector; Aileen Tighe and Mary Bourke, Veterinary Inspectors of En- nis DVO.

James Hannon’s_ presentation showed that there were 88 more herds restricted in 2007 than 2006. There were also 1,117 more cattle removed from Clare herds in 2007 than in 2006.

Farmers were not alarmed by these figures, according to Seamus Mur- phy, as TB is becoming an epidemic in some parts of the county.

The senior inspector said that farm- ers have to make every effort to pre- vent interaction between wildlife and cattle. This can be done by making water-feeding troughs inaccessible to badgers and by fencing off badger sets.

Farmer assistance is vital in the badger removal programme and farmers need to respond to the let- ter when a survey is being carried out, talk to neighbours and gather as much information as you can.

Full cooperation between all par- ties involved will help reduce the

incidences of TB in the county, the chief inspector said.

Aileen Tighe gave a detailed and informative presentation on BVD with regard to transmission and sources of BVD, BVD infection dur- ing gestation and the keys to control- ling BVD.

In summary, Aileen said that con- trol of infection relies on identifica- tion and culling of PI animals from the herd.

Vaccination must continue once started, good bio security and closed or test and quarantine of replace- ments.

Mary Bourke, Veterinary Inspec- tor of DVO Ennis gave a presentation on Johnes disease. This included the

history, symptoms, how and when do cattle become infected, risk factors and consequences of infection.

Some of the control factors include improved hygiene at calving time and at calf feeding times in dairy herds, do not pool colostrums and to take care when purchasing replacement stocks said Mary Bourke.

James O’ Keeffe, who is head of the Department of Agriculture Wildlife Project Unit, and Michael O’Flynn, Chairperson of the IFA Animal Health Committee answered many questions from the floor regarding TB issues in the county.

Seamus Murphy closed the meeting and he thanked the large gathering for their participation.

ALLEGATIONS were levelled yes- terday that the Ennis Town Manager hid information pertaining to pro- posed development at the Post Office nCOAKG

At Monday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council, Green Party council- lor Donal O’Bearra accused Town Manager, Tom Coughlan of not shar- ing information collected in a report compiled last year.

After Cllr O’Bearra and Fine Gael

councillor, Johnny Flynn co-tabled a motion calling for a cost benefit anal- ysis prior to any development taking place at the field, Mr Coughlan said a study about the viability of such a project had already been completed.

Cllr O’ Bearra said, “I find it bizarre to say the least. What’s the point of me asking for a cost-benefit analysis when the manager has hidden infor- mation? You said you would keep us informed and I think that is relevant information.”

Mr Coughlan replied, “I was going

to bring all the information when a decision had to be made.”

Cllr O’Bearra said, “I consider that bad judgement on your behalf.”

Mr Coughlan rejected the accusa- tion he had withheld the information from the council and said he would forward copies of the report to all councillors.

The independent study, carried out by Hughes and Roll associates, found there were significant obstacles to re- developing the existing site of the De Valera Public library in Ennis.

It also recommended an infill sec- tion of the Post Office field, located between the post office and St Co- lumba’s church, as the most commer- cially viable site for any new library OlAVolley evento

Mr Coughlan stated that without the sale of the De Valera library, it was unlikely a new library would be event

He said, “It’s an unrealistic assump- tion that it could happen elsewhere.”

Following a lengthy and at times intense debate, members proposed that consultants be engaged to draw up a master plan setting out potential OCSAIeA Co) oy ea erslmr-lmm i elomSI COR

Fianna Fail councillor, Joe Reidy said, “As far as I’m concerned, it’s going ahead. It’s a pity people are changing their minds.”

Fine Gael councillor, Johnny Flynn said he had raised concerns when the project was first mooted about the sale of the original library site.

Fine Gael councillor, Mary Coote Ryan called for a report into the potential effect of construction on flooding.

Town Engineer, Tom Tiernan said a previous flooding report had found the proposed infill section of the field had a “miniscule” effect on flood eynlnKeye

Independent councillor Taiwoo Matthew requested more information on the level of funding available.

FINDING hotel rooms for more than 100 cats is not a job most people would relish.

But for two ladies from Killaloe, it’s a labour of love. Carmel Byrne and Shirley Ward of the Midlands Cat Club have been doing their bit in staging the club’s annual show for the last ten years

Shirley is chairwoman of the club and Carmel is show organiser and, says Carmel, the show gets bigger and better every year.

“This year we have more than 100 cats and they are coming from all

over Ireland and the UK,” said Car- mel. Siamese, Ballinese, Bengals, Burmese, Snowshoes, Abysinni- ans, long-haired, short-haired, lilac brown, chocolate and plain old love- able household pets – the show has a place for all of them.

Carmel got involved with cats af- ter a friend gave her a present of a Tonkinese. “I thought I should get a little friend for him, a Ballinese and I started entering shows. Well, he took first prize and never came second af- ter that.”

Carmel still has Rossie, her cham- pion cat, who is now II years old but she doesn’t enter her own cats in

shows anymore.

“After a while I got involved in helping to oranise shows and from there I became show organiser. Peo- ple organising don’t enter their cats, it wouldn’t be seen as fair.”

On the subject of booking hotel rooms for cats, Carmel can’t say enough about the Kilmurray Lodge Hotel in Castletroy, where the show has been staged for five years now.

“They are absolutely fabulous to us and can’t do enough. They ac- commodate cats and owners and not every hotel will do that. They’re so efficient that all I have to do is to put names on the rooms.”

Carmel explained that owners do their bit to keep the good will of ho- tels by ensuring that the feline stars stay in the bathroom for the dura- nO)

The show is sponsored by Royal Canin pet food manufacturers and it goes ahead this year on Sunday, February 17. It’s open to the public from 12.30pm to 5pm and anyone interested in entering can get details from Carmel on 065 6821616.