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AN exhibition featuring more than 300 images of different members of the famous Kilrush-based Vandeleur family, their relatives and friends will be launched this evening in OTK Ti Koleteee-laey eee

The exhibition, which in entitled The Vandeleur Photographic Collec- tion, will be launched my the Mayor of Clare and Kilrush native, Patricia McCarthy, and comes to Ennis after a successful two week run at the Van- deleur Walled Gardens in Kilrush.

The photographs date from 1857 to 1871, the post famine years when West Clare was struggling to recover from the devastation of crop failure,

evictions and starvation.

“This photographic collection is an import window into a period of our history. History is what forms us and makes us what we are. The Vandeleur family and their period in this county is a typical example of what is good and bad,” said Cllr McCarthy.

“Kilrush benefited from the influ- ence of the Vandeleur family and its development could well be an exam- ple today of good planning resulting as it has in a well planned Town, with wide streets, some striking buildings and a Market Hall forming a central focal point for the town.

“They also saw the potential of the Shannon Estuary and established a thriving port, which brought employ-

ment to the Town and surrounding area. The family had a long military tradition and this involved them in the recruitment of locals to fight in numerous wars including the Great A ETe

“All the Vandeleur landlords were not as progressive however. Unfortu- nately Kilrush like many other areas throughout Ireland suffered under an absentee landlord, a period, which saw many evictions, take place.”

According to Rene Franklin, Clare County Archivist, the Vandeleur Photographic Collection reveals much about both the public and pri- vate lives of one of County Clare’s most influential families in the years after the famine.

“The collection provides a rare and fascinating glimpse into the daily lives of the Vandeleurs; their homes; leisure activities; families and friends; travels; and fashions of the day, at a time when the rest of the county was struggling to survive,” she said.

“The photographs themselves are all black and white although a small number have been tinted with col- our. Further colour is added to the album through the use of beauti- fully sketched borders and the use of stamps (both personal and official) on some pages. Each page of the photo- graphic album contains annotations, and the volume is indexed with the name and date of many images.”

STEP aside Chris Tarrant, the real Who Want to Be a Thousandaire is coming to Ballyvaughan’s brand new Burren Coast Hotel this October.

The charity evening, which is be- ing organised to help fund exten- sion work at Ballyvaughan National School, will take place on October 13 and will offer locals the real chance to grab some cold hard cash.

The game will follow the formula of the popular television programme, and will even include a video up- link to the competitor’s ‘Phone a Friends’.

“In terms of numbers, the school is fairly solid with 65 or so students. The problem is the size of the class- rooms. It is quite small at present.

The department has guidelines which say that if you are building a new school, each class should be 72 Square metres, our classes are only 36 square metres,’ said school prin- cipal, Michael Canavan.

“We decided that the best thing would be to put in three proper sized class rooms. A principles office, staff room and two smaller room for our two learning support teachers. The Government will provide a certain amount of the money, but we do need to raise in the region of €60,000 or €70,000 to complete the project.”

Once the extension has been com- pleted, the school plans to convert an upstairs area in the extention to a new computer room and library for the students.

“It’s a real community thing. We

have three main sponsors – the Bur- ren Coast Hotel, the Ailwee Caves and M&M Construction. They are all local which is great,’ continued Mr Canavan.

‘“Ailwee cave have children in the school, M&M will soon have chil- dren in the school and the Burren Coast have just opened up down the road from us and have been very generous.

“We have about 40 or 50 smaller advertisers, who are mostly all lo- cal people who have also been very generous. A lot of people who have holiday homes in the area have also given money.

“School is becoming a very fo- cal point in the community. A lot of times, school is the only place where parents would meet these days.”

Tickets for the big ‘Who wants to be a Thousandaire’ are available lo- cally from all members of the fund- raising committee or at the door on the night. The evenings competitors will be drawn from the tickets sold.

THIS Wednesday, the Mol an Oige primary school in Ennistymon take their fight for Department of Edu- cation recognition to Dublin where they will engage in a protest as the Dail reconvenes.

Parents and pupils will make the trip to Dublin in a bid to keep the 1s- sue at the front of the mind of Minis- ter for Education, Mary Hanafin.

“We’re simply trying to highlight the plight in terms of our application to open a new multi-denominational primary school in Ennistymon,” ex- plained Mol an Oige spokeswoman, Mary Fahy.

“We intend to give a letter to our Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, to remind him of the public commitment he made to our school during his elec- tion campaign when visiting Kilrush earlier this year.

“With all the recent media attention on two new multi-denominational schools in the Dublin area, we as a parent group are asking that the Min- ister for Education grant children in rural areas the same right to choice in education.”

Two years ago, the group began an application process to open a multi- denominational school implementing the National School Curriculum us- ing the Steiner model of education.

But because of a lack of commit- ment from the Department of Educa- tion to recognise the school, parents of those attending the school have had to organise educational matters.

“Despite having met all the crite- ria and complied with the process laid out by the Department of Edu- cation and despite having received two positive recommendations from the New Schools Advisory Commit- tee, we still await an answer from the minister.”

Minister for State Tony Killeen says he has been in regular contact with the Minister for Education about the issue.

“T’ve tried to establish exactly what is required of Mol an Ojge for the school to be officially recognised by her department,” he told

PLANS to develop seven acres of land in the heart of Feakle for hous- ing have raised concerns among councillors representing the area.

At a meeting of the Scariff area committee of the council, Cllr Pat Hayes said he is concerned about the eden

“The last place we expected the council to buy land was in Feakle. A development of this size could totally change the character of the village. There are less than 100 houses in the whole of Feakle and this is a propos- al to develop a site as large as Feakle

itself is.”

In reply to Cllr Hayes queries on plans for the site, a council housing official said in a written reply that the land has been bought “‘to supplement the existing land bank owned by the council and is earmarked to meet the erowing housing need in the Scariff electoral area.”

The reply stated that while there are no plans as yet for the develop- ment of the site, the first phase of the development will cater for affordable housing and voluntary housing for the elderly. The reply also assured councillors that there would be con- sultation with the community.

Councillor Joe Cooney said that having waited so long for a proper sewerage scheme in Feakle, “it would seem only fair to me that businesses and residents should be able to have the benefit of the new scheme first. I’m concerned that with a site that size earmarked for development, that will put the people already living and doing business in Feakle at a dissad- vantage’.

Cllr Colm Wiley said that he felt it would be a good idea to have the council’s Director of Housing come to a meeting and outline his plans.

Noi Corum bata KOM LOmsOBUOBLO)Im Or-vIBE-Bhior| by the council, for which they will be

reimbursed by the Government as development takes place, Cllr Wiley pointed out that the local authority “has all this money to spend now and we have no land bank”’.

Council Engineer, Michael Mc- Donogh, told the meeting that there would be no mass development on the site.

“There will be consultation along the way and this 1s a staged proposal. Nothing will be done all at once.

Councillors and officials agreed that they would convene a special meeting of elected representatives for the area as soo as any proposals for the site come on line.

CLARE IFA Farm Forestry Rep- resentative, Martin Murphy, has warned farmers that they might require a licence from the Forest Service before they undertake scrub clearance.

This comes at a time when many farmers are carrying out develop- ment work for the Farm Waste Man- agement Scheme.

“Felling of trees is controlled un- der the 1946 Forestry Act. In gen- eral terms, if you want to cut down any tree or uproot any tree over 10 years you must lodge a felling notice with the Garda Sergeant at your local

Garda Station,’ he said.

“The Forest Service will then in- spect the trees that you intend to fell and issue you with a felling licence. The licence may or may not have conditions, such as a replanting con- dition, attached.

“Some farmers make the mistake of thinking that the scrub that they are clearing wouldn’t be considered trees but generally if you can see a single straight stem you will need a licence. It is better to check with the Forest Service first than end up in court later.”

The provisions of the act apply re- gardless of whether the trees were planted or grew from natural regen-

eration. Approval for grant aid or planning permission does not exempt you from requiring a licence.

‘Farmers should contact the local Forest Service Inspector or the fell- ing section of the Forest Service in Johnstown Castle before they start development work to be on the safe side,’ advised Mr Murphy.

Meanwhile, Mary Wallace, Minis- ter of State at the Department of Ag- riculture and Food with responsibility for forestry, last week announced the approval by the EU Commission of Ireland’s Afforestation Programme 2007-2013.

“I am pleased to announce the authorisation by the EU Commis-

sion for our new Afforestation Pro- eramme, which follows long and detailed negotiation between my de- partment and the commission,” she said.

“This provides welcome stability at a crucial time for Irish forestry and allows us to focus our efforts on new planting. As noted by the EU Com- mission, forest cover in Ireland 1s the second lowest in the European Un- eye

“It is my hope that this aid package, worth more than EUR900m over the period 2007 – 2013, will re-energise the forestry programme and that we will see a steady increase in our for- est-cover over the next seven years.”

A FORMER hotel employee who Stole almost €8,000 from his boss was doing well paying back the money, until he broke out and started drinking.

Last January, Brian McNamara, of Main Street, Whitegate, pleaded culty to stealing €7,/775 from The

Central Hotel, Main Street, Miltown Malbay, between September 5 and September 8, 2005.

He took the money to feed his gam- bling and alcohol addictions and no longer works at the hotel.

The case was adjourned, to allow for compensation to be paid. Lis- doonvarna district court heard last week €3,140 was paid back, but

€4,630 was still outstanding.

Defending solicitor Eugene O’ Kelly said that the accused has been on bail for a year and a half.

During the first 12 months, he had not been drinking.

“Unfortunately six months ago, he went back drinking. He was not using the money he was earning on anything other than drink,” said the

solicitor.

‘For 12 months he was good, but for the last six months he was bad. He was back drinking and no money was paid in compensation,” said Mr O’ Kelly.

He said he was asking for “one final chance on very strict conditions.”

“He knows he will never get that chance again,” he added.

Judge Joseph Mangan said he would grant bail to the accused, on Ley aTe NL aCey shy

He is to sign on daily at a garda sta- tion and reside at a stated address in Galway.

He was remanded in custody with consent to bail, to reappear in court this week.

LIMERICK’S city manager is to be asked to come to a meeting of elected representatives for the Killaloe area to fill them in on whether the city is buying homes in south east Clare.

The issue was raised at a meeting of the Killaloe area committee of the county council, when council- lors voiced their concerns over re- ports that homes are being bought up in their area to rehouse people being moved in the Social Inclusion scheme for Moyross.

Limerick City Council has to find accommodation for tenants whose

homes are being demolished as part of the plan.

The city’s policy is to supplement the number of new homes it can build by buying up houses for sale in the city and it’s hinterland.

But councillors said that they feel they are being kept in the dark about the plans.

Cllr Cathal Crowe told the meeting that he believes the city manager 1s including south east Clare in his defi- nition of “hinterland”’.

“I’m told by residents that two houses have been bought there and that the city council has bought nine houses in Westbury. But if you try to

question any of this you’re accused of being anti-Limerick. People have a right to live in any part of this coun- try they wish but there is a wholesale movement of people under this plan and that requires dialogue. I’m not being disparaging of anyone coming into this area. There are many fine people in Moyross and we would welcome them in but there is a small minority who are causing problems and if the city thinks it can export those problems to Clare, then it has another think coming.”

Cllr Pascal Fitzgerald said that he has also been approached on the is- sue. “We’re told that one bad com-

plaint against a city tenant and they’re out. That’s codswallop – what’s a bad complaint? A stereo on too loud? We know nothing about how this is be- ing handled and we have a right to know what is going on in the area we represent.”

The councillor added that he was concerned that “Limerick city can buy houses in Clare, yet we have people on our housing waiting list for years and we can’t house them.

The members agreed to invite a deputation from the city council to come to their next meeting to discuss the issues.

CLARE farmer have been granted two extra weeks to complete their applications for derogation’s under the new Nitrates Regulations. The deadline for a derogation for the con- troversial regulations was announced by Minister for Agriculture, Mary eee Mice

The deadline has been extended from it’s original date this Friday, September 28 until October 12.

“The availability of the derogation is very important for our intensive grassland farmers, particularly those in the dairying sector,’ she said.

“Grassland farms that apply for a derogation and meet the conditions

will be permitted to exceed the 170 kg of organic manure per hectare limit, up to a maximum of 250 kg per hectare.

“This extension to October 12 is in response to concerns raised by some farmers who felt that the original deadline of September 28 did not allow them adequate time to con- sider their position and decide if they needed to apply for a derogation in the current year.”

The European Communities Regu- lations 2006 legally oblige herdown- ers to limit the amount of nitrogen from livestock manure that is applied, including that which is deposited di- rectly by the animals themselves, on individual farms to no more than 170

kgs Nitrogen per hectare per year.

The Nitrates Derogation allows in- dividual farms to operate above this statutory livestock manure limit, up to a maximum limit of 250 kgs Ni- trogen per hectare per year, subject to specific conditions.

‘To further assist farmers, my de- partment is now arranging to provide 2007 Nitrogen and Phosphorus State- ments covering the period January | to August 31, 2007,” she said.

“Farmers will need to estimate the quantities of nitrogen likely to be produced by their livestock from September | to the end of the year to get an indication of what their overall stocking rate will be for 2007.”

Farmers who apply for a derogation

will not require a Fertiliser Plan in respect of 2007, although this will be a requirement from next year. For 2007, farmers will only need to complete the Record One as de- tailed the Explanatory Handbook for Good Agricultural Practice Regula- tions published by the department in 2006. This record should be kept on the holding.

Minister Coughlan also advised farmers that they should assess their 2007 situation as soon as possible, and if necessary make application for a derogation before the deadline of October 12.

Application forms and information packs are available on www.agricul- ture.gov.ie.

THE Department of the Environment has raised questions over plans by an east Clare company to place an ultra- sonic device on top of a wind turbine to “scare” away protected bats.

Last month, Olympus Diagnostica lodged plans for the turbine arising from a company initiative “seeking a solution which would meet a portion 40-50 per cent of our electrical base load using alternative energy”.

The height of the turbine will be

200ft high and the company pointed out that this is “half the size of the industry norm”.

The company stated that it would consume all the energy from the wind turbine and there was no need for a grid connection. It pointed out that the proposal didn’t he within any recognised flight path of the Whooper Swan and the Greenland White Fronted Goose.

As part of the project, Olympus Diagnostica is planning to place an ultrasonic “scarer” that will provide

a signal to all bat species likely to en- counter the motors, while the compa- ny is to also put in place 20 bat boxes in order to provide roosts away from the zone of potential impact.

Now, in a submission to Clare County Council, the Department of the Environment state that clarifica- tion is needed regarding the reliabil- ity of the ultrasonic “‘scarer”’.

The department is aware of expert AYO MACCComUBON(O SMOT-RMLUl aol Kerem NET I MBS lonts ultrasonic “scarers” do not have any impact on deterring bats away from

a Site.

The department state the Envi- ronmental Impact Statement (EIS) lodged with the plan indicated that no bat roosts were present and sub- sequently two roosts were recorded by department staff during a site in- spection.

The department is now requesting that an extensive bat survey should be carried out by a bat ecologist to confirm which bat species are utilis- ing the proposed site for the turbine and the habitats within a 500m radius

of the proposed turbine.

The turbine is facing opposition from a local family. In their objection, Mr and Mrs JP Murphy and family State, “We are local residents, in the area for the past 60 years, and we feel that the decision taken by Olympus to erect the turbine in the position in- dicated on the submitted site plan is inconsiderate to the local landscape and setting of Rosslara Lake and its woodland surroundings.”

A decision is due on the application later this year.

THE Tidy Towns committee in Shannon is happy with its showing in the national Tidy Towns compe- tition, the results of which were an- nounced last week.

Shannon increased by just two points but the committee was happy with the improvement, on the back of last year’s phenomenal increase of 19 points.

Spokeswoman for the Tidy Towns committee, Tess Barry said this year’s total of 254 points pleased everybody.

Although she is concerned about the state of the roundabout at the town centre and the condition of erass around the town, she is overall optimistic that Shannon will contin- ue to improve its points in the com- Oe B BLO) NE

The categories in the competition are based on population size and Shannon was placed in the same cat- egory as Killarney, in the 10,000 to 15,000 population section. Killarney won that category, with 298 points.

“We are not disappointed. We are very happy we didn’t go down in marks. The grasscutting and spray-

ing were haphazard. One example is Corrib Drive, where you can hardly see the kerbing as the grass and weeds are so bad. That’s only one example,’ said Ms Barry.

“Gaining 19 marks last year was a big improvement. I had a fear we would lose some of those. I was very happy we retained the marks,” she Sr ALG

She said people on the committee are disappointed that a feature has not been put in place at the town centre roundabout, despite promises from Clare County Council over a year ago.

Overall, a lot of work needs to be done on the roundabouts.

“Our roundabouts are very bad. The weeds and grass are coming up through the trees. Something has to be done,” she said.

She is looking forward to the future and further success for Shannon in this competition.

‘We need more help. While we are very grateful to the residents who keep their areas beautiful, there is a small core group doing the work. We have entered Clare in Bloom and we are hoping to do well in that,” she Sr HOR