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THE 14th annual Ennis Trad Festival kicks off this week and organisers are hoping that a bumper programme will attract big crowds.

This year’s event takes place from November 8 to 12 across numerous venues. An intensive programme features free day and night sessions with afternoon, evening and night concerts, recitals, singing, work- shops, presentations, CD launches and the ever-popular Trad Disco.

The legendary accordion player and composer Finbar Dwyer will Open the concert programme on Thursday, November 8. Finbar, who recently returned to public perform- ance after a break of 17 years, will

be accompanied by Brian McGrath. On Friday night Four Men and a Dog will unleash their highly energetic repertoire on the festival.

The band comprises Cathal Hayden (fiddle), Donal Murphy (accordion), Gino Lupari (bodhran, vocals), Ger- ry O’Connor (banjo) and Kevin Do- herty (guitar, vocals).

Workshops dominate Saturday’s events with classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced level given by the some well-known names ThA Mpa el Utss Come: baXe MOE-bO(Gos

A new addition to last year’s festi- val was the Trad-themed table quiz, which will test knowledge of trad musicians, records, CDs and trad triviality.

This year will see the presentation

of the Ennis Trad Festival Gradam Ceol to concertina player Sonny Murray. Sonny, from Knockalough, Kilmihil, is one of the many fine con- certina players from the area such as Solus Lillis, Bernard Sullivan, Tom McCarthy and 2005 Gradam recipi- ent Tom Carey.

Sonny lives in Ennis and has had a major influence on the Ennis music scene. This presentation is a fitting compliment to a man regarded as a master of the concertina.

A new feature of this year’s festival is the Ard Gasce na mBuinte Senior Ceili Band competition, which will be adjudicated by a panel of four adjudicators and an audience. Some of the best bands in Ireland and abroad such as The Thatch, Tribes

and Ceolteor1 na Mainstreach will compete. There will be many CDs launched this year including artists such as Kane O’Rourke and Geral- dine Bradley.

The guiding ethos for organisers since the festival’s inception has been to bring musicians of all generations and styles to Ennis to share their tunes, songs and steps in a relaxed session environment.

The festival committee has pur- posefully organised the sessions to allow opportunities for artists to per- form with others that they wouldn’t normally get to meet. Accordingly, a great social dimension is always present at this festival.

CLARE County Council has ex- pressed “a number of very serious concerns” over plans for a €25 mil- lion housing development in south east Clare.

Earlier this year, Greenband Invest- ments lodged plans with the council for a 103 housing development ex- tension to what is already in place at Westbury, Athlunkard near the Clare-Limerick border.

The proposal has attracted a large number of objections from local

residents and now the council has re- sponded to the residents’ concerns.

In a request for a large raft of new information on the plan, the coun- cil has requested that revised plans be submitted, but, in a move that will disappoint local residents, has pointed out that the density of the development is not high enough and that additional homes will need to be included.

However, the council has also re- quested that the developers submit an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as part of the further informa-

tion required.

In its request, the council states that it “has a number of very serious concerns in relation to the proposed development and it not favourably disposed to the development as pro- posed.

‘The concerns of the council relate to the design and layout of the devel- opment as proposed, the lack of mix of housing types and design, the ef- fect the proposed development will have on traffic safety at this location, the residential amenities of existing residents and the lack of provision of

community facilities and open spac- es in the existing Westbury estate.”

The council goes on: “The con- cerns arise in particular to the lack of community facilities to provide for the number of existing and proposed OM CAUDDANSAc MAUI ODEO MOO CoMon ie: Nome

The council has ordered a revised layout providing for a better sense of place and revised housing designs incorporating a “much better’ mix of housing types and styles.

“You are advised that due to the scale and nature of existing permit- ted development within the West-

bury estate, no further large scale de- velopment can be permitted without the submission of a master plan to provide for the comprehensive devel- opment of the entire Westbury estate to provide for appropriate land uses, including residential uses, public Open spaces, community facilities, services and road layouts.”

The developers have also been told to submit a Traffic Impact Statement (TIS).

A decision from the council on the development is not now expected un- til sometime next year.

EAST Clare firm, Finsa Forest Prod- ucts more than quadrupled its profits last year, but is facing large costs to meet new environmental require- ments at its plant.

According to accounts returned to the Companies Office, the Span- ish-owned firm recorded a profit of €601,000 last year, increasing from a €141,000 profit in 2005. The size of the company’s business increased from €35.8 million in 2005 to €39.6 million last year.

The cost of sales also increased

from €31 million to €34 million, while the company’s retained profit now stands at €4.1 million.

The principal activity of the com- pany is the sale of timber. A geo- graphical breakdown shows _ that sales of €27 million in Ireland and €12 million in the EU.

Underlining the importance of the company to the east Clare economy, the accounts show that 156 people were employed at the firm with a wage bill last year of €5.9 million.

According to the documents, “turn- over has increased considerably in 2006 to €39 million as against €35

million in 2005 due primarily to in- creases in prices during the year.

‘Margins available continue to be very tight due to supply constraints and rising fuel and electricity costs. Other factors impacting on margins are the increased cost of staff, re- CSmUNLOeatoselmrcDeOMbe-DDODeSloomeEm

“The main challenge facing the company in the immediate future will be to improve current margins.”

In relation to the company’s envi- ronmental obligations, the company is currently using an old chimney that needs to be replaced with one fitted with suitable filters to limit

emissions to levels specified in the operating licence.

The company 1s currently consid- ering a number of options identified and has submitted a preliminary re- port to the EPA.

“The technology involved is com- plex, specialised and evolving, and as aresult the company will continue to consider its options in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“Planning permission needs to be obtained for the construction of the new generator and chimney,’ the documents confirm.

MANAGERS at all levels of experi- ence have been invited to hone their skills in Ballyvaughan next month by taking part in a leaders for busi- ness programme.

The programme, which has been developed by the Burren Leadership Forum, will take place in the Burren Coast Hotel in Ballyvaughan from November 25 to 28.

“We are bringing together a group of 15 managers from various dif- ferent levels to take part in the pro- eramme. The premise of the ap- proach is that, in order to be able to lead others, we have to be first able to lead ourselves,” said Barry Walsh,

leadership coach and organiser of the Leadership for Managers Pro- eramme.

“We will look at ourselves as indi- viduals and establish what kind of leaders we want to be. So each in- dividual will then develop a specific plan for becoming the leader that he or she wants to be.”

The organisers have developed a programme of modules over the last number of months which they believe is unique to the industry of developing managers.

“One good example of this is a module on leadership through crea- tive thinking, which we hope will be a great success. Another is ‘Leader- ship Through Finding Your Own

Voice’ where we will be working with a vocal coach and a psycho- therapist on body posture and find- ing your authentic voice. The core programme is to develop a strategic personal plan and finding one’s own leadership goal.”

The programme uses methods such as reflective enquiry, detached ob- server and Enneagram personality profiling, which organisers claim are unique to developing an authentic leadership style.

The programme is different from others as it helps participants to work from the inside out as opposed to tra- ditional approaches that encourage information download from the out- side in. This is very much the core

of the Burren Leadership Forum phi- losophy.

Those leading the modules include Barry Walsh, leadership coach, Mar- tin Hawkes, entrepreneur and per- sonal development specialist, Mary Hawkes Green, founder of the Bur- ren College of Art, Professor Timo- thy Emlyn Jones, artist and dean of the Burren College of Art, Mar- tin Myler, psychotherapist, Archie Simpson, vocal coach and Padraig Cleary, management consultant.

“Rather than getting more support as a Single parent and carer I feel like

I am being punished or penalised. They [the Government] put too much red tape up without looking at the needs of the people

Deborah’s daughter, Marie, is a beautiful eight-year-old girl with a

heart-warming smile and infectious laugh. She is very close to her two- year-old brother Ben and loves hors- es. Despite the challenges facing her on a daily basis, the brave young girl favours activities such as go-karting

and cycling her bike.

The determined little girl and her equally resolute mother fight on, de- spite the uphill battle.

Marie suffers from hypotonia, sen- sory integration disorder and global

developmental delay but, despite nu- merous tests in Ireland and France, no name has been found for her con- dition. “In terms of services or sup- port, you have to fit into a slot,” said Deborah.

While acknowledging that the ther- apists within the HSE are doing their best, Deborah believes that, even with new therapists coming from Australia, there will continue to be a shortage in certain therapies on a regular basis.

Marie is now availing of the serv- ices of the Clare Crusaders, much to the delight of her mother.

“Now you realise that if all of these services were available to children so much earlier, how different their lives would have been. I am really seeing the benefit of the different therapies provided by the Crusaders.”

Deborah is the founding member of Connectabilities, a support group for parents with children with spe- cial needs and disabilities. Through the organisation, parents meet and exchange information and provide a newsletter.

The next meeting of Connectabili- ties is on November 7 at 8.30pm in the Old Lodge in Shannon.

AN BORD Pleanala has overturned Clare County Council’s “locals only” rule to allow a German couple build anew home and organic herb farm in east Clare.

Earlier this year, the council re- fused planning permission to Tobias and Agnes Oertel to develop a herb farm and a home near Tuamgraney.

Permission was refused on the basis that the site is located in an area that is under pressure from urban devel- opment where it is council policy to limit single rural houses for perma- nent occupation of rural people with a genuine requirement for housing.

The planner’s report concluded that as the Oertels had not lived in the area for the requisite 10 years, their appli- cation could not be permitted. They had also been operating the farm at this location for a number of years without needing to live on the farm.

In their submission to the council, the Oertels stated that for the past three and a half years they found the separation of their farming work from their rented living accommo- dation increasingly difficult as the more the business developed, the more challenging their home situa- tion became.

But the council refused permis- sion on the grounds that the proposal would be contrary to proper planning as the Oertels had failed to satisfy

criteria for local rural housing need with regard to the length of time that they have resided in Tuamgraney and the small scale of the farm on which

their justification for housing need was based.

However, the appeals board over- turned the council’s decision because the applicants had demonstrated lo- cal housing need and the proposal would not constitute urban generated development. Neither would it ma- terially contravene the development plan nor would it seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity.

The board noted that the plan- ning authority refused permission because the proposed development would constitute a material contra- vention of the Development Plan but having regard to the provisions of the Planning and Development Act, the board considered that planning permission should be granted for the proposed development.

“In deciding not to accept the in- spector’s recommendation to refuse permission, the board considered the rural based need for a dwelling at this location had been demonstrated by the applicants in the planning ap- plication and appeal documentation, ’ the board ruling concluded.

THE dedication of Shannon chess club over the past decade will be rec- ognised by Shannon Town Council next month.

The local authority will present the club’s members with a Liosta na Lao- chra accolade, to honour its efforts in promoting chess among young peo- ple in Shannon.

The council will present a fine chess set to the club, at a function in the town.

The junior chess club in Shannon has become one of the most success- ful junior clubs in the country.

Shannon librarian Carmel Daly has instigated much of the events of the chess club.

“It all began about 10 years ago.

I was seeking a volunteer to coach children to play draughts or chess better. Both games were available for children to play in the library. It took a little while to find a coach, but then Stephen Danaher answered the call,” she said.

“The enthusiasm of children for learning has been fantastic. With confidence they progressed from learning draughts to playing chess competitively. Stephen got the club to compete in the Community Games chess competition every year. Win- ning out regularly in the Clare and Munster competitions, teams from the club have also won the coveted All-Ireland title in 2002 (gold, un- der-12), 2003 (gold, under-12), 2004 (silver, under-16), 2005 (gold, under- 16) and 2006 (gold, under-16),” she

Said. Members of the junior team, Shane O’Connor, Catherine Danaher,

Stephen Hanly and Liam Normoyle have also held individual Champion All-Ireland titles. Many members such as Eanna Ryan, Karl and Olivia Fitzmaurice, Shane O’Connor, Cath- erine Danaher, Stephen Hanly, Liam Normoyle have had the honour of representing their country in tourna- ments abroad even in the prestigious Junior World, and European Chess Tournaments.

“The centuries old game, once a pastime for aristocracy and royalty in courts, has changed to adapt to competitions and society. It provides an opportunity for regular meetings for fun and_ friendships, building concentration, confidence and ca-

maraderie, and their community,” enthused Ms Daly.

“Shannon Town Council has always demonstrated a positive attitude and support of the Shannon Junior Chess Club. In the past it has recognised the achievements of members,’ she said.

“This recognition is most valuable both as a moral support in produc- ing a greater sense of belonging, and acts asa motivator to potential mem- bers ensuring the club’s continuity. It builds on personal development, our community confidence, and leader- ship roles,’ added Ms Daly.

The Shannon Junior Chess Club meets in the Sean Lemass Public Library from November to March every Friday evening from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

A MAN has been convicted of ex- posing himself as he sat in his car on the outskirts of Ennis.

Patrick Nono Unshevla (39) of O’Connell Street, Ennis, was con- victed of exposing his penis in such a way as to offend modesty at Gort Road, Ennis, on September 6 last.

A 30-year-old woman told Ennis District Court last Wednesday that she was walking along with her young son at 4pm when she saw a white car parked outsider River House.

As they walked by the car she saw man who was sitting in the car with his trousers open. He had his hand down his trousers. She immediately rang Ennis Garda Station.

Defending solicitor William Cahir said his client would say he was re- siding in his car and was washing himself at the time.

‘He is homeless and he was at-

tending to his hygiene… At no stage did he expose his penis,’ said Mr Cahir.

Garda Shane O’Connell said he went to the scene. “I saw a black man sitting in the car masturbating. I asked him to step out of the car. He stepped out of the car. I noticed he had an erection,’ said the garda.

Mr Cahir said the car was parked in a “discreet” area and wasn’t on the side of a main road. He said his client “wasn’t in an aroused state”’.

Garda O’Connell replied, “I wouldn’t call it discreet. The whole road can see.”

The accused, who has lived in Ire- land for the past eight years told the court his penis was not on display when the gardai arrived.

Judge Eamonn O’Brien said he had considered the evidence. He convicted the accused and also con- victed him of engaging in threaten- ing, insulting or abusive behaviour. He fined him €200.

THERE was plenty of excitement in the air as St Caimin’s Community School in Shannon played host to the RTE symphony orchestra last week.

The school hosted two concerts performed by the orchestra, as part of a week-long residency in Clare.

The initiative was carried out in conjunction with Glor and the Clare County Arts Office and is focused on primary and secondary students in the county.

Students from eight schools in the

mid-west travelled to St Caimin’s for the visit by the orchestra. Those included St Patrick’s Comprehensive School, Shannon; Scariff Commu- nity College and Ardscoil Ris, Lim- erick.

Art teacher Anne Whitty, who or- ganised the visit, explained the back- ground to the idea.

“Tt all started with a phone call, months ago. We were asked if we were interested in hosting the event. Representatives from the orchestra came down and viewed the gym, where we chose to host it,” she said.

“This was an enormously signifi- cant event that provided a unique op- portunity to students to experience at first hand the musicianship and pro- fessionalism of a performing group with over 90 members. St Caimin’s school was honoured to be part of an exciting and enriching educational experience,’ said Ms Whitty.

“It is a coup to host this orchestra. It will be one of the highlights of our Arts calendar.

“We are trying to raise the arts pro- file in the school,’ she added.

The programme included extracts

from ‘Symphonie Fantastique’ from the Leaving Certificate curriculum. It also included Brittens’

A YOUNG man had his two front teeth knocked out when he was punched after a night

out in Ennis.

Luan Heta (36) of Ivy Hill, Ennis, was convicted of assaulting Rory Clohessy (20) in the early hours of No- vember 11, 2006.

Mr Clohessy told En- nis District Court that he saw Heta pulling a girl’s hair outside the Queen’s nightclub.

“T walked up and told him to cop himself on. He told me to r** off and he hit me to the face. My two front teeth were knocked out,” said Mr Clohessy.

Defending solicitor John Casey said his client admitted punching Mr Clohessy, but that it was in self- defence after Mr Clohessy and his

friends were “stuck in his face’’.

Heta, who is a bouncer but was not

working on the night of the assault, told the court he was “very scared”

and hit Mr Clohessy. However Inspector Tom Kennedy said, “Mr Heta, you are considerably larger than Mr _ Clohessy. Mr Clohessy is a very slight young man. It 1s incredible to suggest you were threatened by Mr Clohessy. You assaulted Mr Clohessy unprovoked.” Judge Eamonn O’Brien convicted Heta of assault. After hearing that he had two previ- ous convictions for assault, he im- posed a 12-month jail term, suspend- ed for two years. He fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.