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A MUSIC project, open to young people in the Shannon area, has been launched, for the fourth year in suc- ISSO) F

The project, which is run by Clare Youth Service, has been a huge suc- cess over the past three years. Run by local youth workers and a committee of young people, it provides various workshops for those interested in music.

As the project returns this week, its organisers have announced plans for free guitar workshops.

The committee has put together an information brochure about the

workings of the project and the fa- cilities available to young people in the Shannon area.

The project is open to all young people aged between 13 and 21 years, who are interested in learning musi- cal instruments and participating in music workshops. The committee also hopes to begin music apprecia- tion workshops and a listening club in the near future.

The workshops takes place on Fri- days from 6pm to 7pm, in The Re- spond Community Building, Rine- anna View. The workshop is being run by a local guitar teacher Paul O’ Donoghue.

The workshops will begin with

acoustic guitar for the first four to five weeks and then electric guitar will be introduced.

“The only catch that Paul insists on is that people be on time. Partici- pants are invited to be ready to learn at 6pm sharp. Also, if you don’t have a guitar its still ok to show up as ar- rangements have been made to pro- vide additional guitars for use at the workshop only,” said Shannon youth worker, Cathal Dillon.

The committee is in the process of recruiting other performers from the area to do workshops in drums and vocals also. This should be made available at a later stage.

Meanwhile, the Shannon Youth

Club has re-opened, following the summer break.

The club runs at The Respond Com- munity Building, Rineanna View, every Tuesday night, from 7pm to whet

The club is open to all secondary school students aged between 13 and 16 in Shannon but places are restrict- ed to 40, due to limited hall space.

The club is currently recruiting volunteers for the posts of assistant leader and activity leaders within the club. Clare Youth Service provides training and full support is given to all leaders by the leader in charge. The posts are open to those over the age of 18.

THE scramble to build business parks around Ennis continues with new plans for a €10 million park near the 12th century Clareabbey.

Plans have been lodged by David Costelloe to develop 74 light indus- trial units.

The proposed development has a total floor area of 25,876 sq metres and is located in the townland of Clonroadmore.

An application by Michael Lynch Ltd for a new road to open up the lands in the area is currently before Ennis Town Council and has encoun- tered local opposition.

The planner’s report lodged with the Clareabbey Business Park states that the proposed development will

be in excess of 103 metres from the Clareabbey structure and that “the buffer will afford adequate protec- tion to the abbey and protect its his- torical setting”’.

The report states that “the proposed development effectively seeks to pro- vide an extension to the Clonroad- more industrial estate”.

The report states, “The proposed development has been carefully de- signed from the project concept tak- ing account of all relevant factors including market demand, planning policy and site constraints and op- portunities.

“It 1s considered that the proposed development will make a positive contribution to the community of Ennis, providing for much needed employment and industry, in ac-

cordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

It continues, ““The exact intended users of the units have not been yet decided. However, it is anticipated that such units would attract users such as carpenters, electricians, till- ers, building contractors or car re- OND ESe

“Traditionally, these users would have operated in uncontrolled en- vironments to the rear of houses in the countryside or in converted ga- rages/sheds as there were no suitable or appropriate alternatives available. The proposed development seeks to address this deficiency and provide for small light industrial units in a planned and controlled environ- ment.”

The site is zoned “other settlement land’. The planner’s report states that “the proposed development of light industrial use at this location will provide additional employment for this rapidly growing and expanding residential area and will also directly compliment the existing Clonroad- more industrial estate which is now fully occupied”.

In relation to the archaeological impact of the development, the de- veloper’s consultants state that the proposed site “has very little or no direct archaeological consequence and taking into account the com- bined results of various research and tests, no further archaeological work is required at this location”’.

A decision is due on the application later this year.

NOSTALGIA was in the air for a Shannon woman last week, when she took up a teaching post in the school she attended 22 years ago.

Joanne O’Sullivan (nee Meehan) was a first year student at St Caimin’s Community School, when it first opened its doors in 1985. Now, 22 years on, she returns to the school as a special needs teacher.

The 34-year-old has now joined a number of her own former teachers Omen om even

Joanne is thrilled with her new job, in somewhat familiar surroundings.

“T’ve had plenty of jobs, but this is the most welcoming place I have ever worked. It is brilliant,” she said.

“11 or 12 of the teachers that taught me are still on the staff. They are still exactly the same,’ she added.

“*T have never felt so comfortable in any place,’ she said.

“When I was in school, I had never had a desire to have a career. The principal Mary Hanley wanted me to be a teacher,’ she laughed.

Nine of her relations are students in the school, so there is something of a family feeling at work.

Joanne left school at 17 and later married her childhood sweetheart Don O’Sullivan. The couple have since had three boys – DJ (9), Adam (7) and Cian (5) – and Joanne decided to take up a full-time job this year. Cian also started primary school last week.

Joanne substituted in St Conaire’s primary school for the past few years and 1s now re-adjusting to the sur-

roundings at St Caimin’s.

There is one key difference how- ever. The old St Caimin’s school building has since been replaced and Joanne is getting used to the new loleunKebuetss

She also plans to assist in training the school’s camogie team, having starred in the sport when she was in school. One familiar face on the staff for Joanne is Deborah Dalgarno. She was in Joanne’s class and is the school’s secretary.

Three other teachers – Dara Dunne (Metalwork), Niamh McDonnell

(Religion) and Patricia Maguire (English and History) – are also past pupils of the school. Current deputy principal John Cleary has been a member of the teaching staff since the school first opened.

Mary Hanley, who has worked at the school since it opened – she was appointed principal five years ago – is delighted to have the former pupils Om aomE-UEe

“Joanne is like as if she never left the place. We are delighted she is going to help out with the camogie,” she said.

She also pointed out that the parents of 23 of the school’s current students also attended St Caimin’s.

“T was shocked to realise that the parents of so many students attended the school,’ she said.

THE Department of the Environment has claimed that awarding planning permission for a €50 million retail park on the outskirts of Ennis would be contrary to the aims of the EU Habitats Directive.

In its strongest statement yet against the plan by Stephen Harris to construct the retail park, the de- partment stated that if the plan was to receive the green light, “it would result in significant adverse impacts on habitats and species of ecological importance at a regional to national level”.

Clare County Council is to decide on the application later this month. However, 1n its latest submission the National Parks and Wildlife Section (NPWS) of the department raises fresh concerns over the fate of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly at the site.

The butterfly is the only butterfly that is afforded protection under the EU Habitats Directive.

The department state, “Permitting the development in its current form would be contrary to the aims of the Habitats Directive in relation to maintaining the range and distribu- tion of species listed on Annex II and protecting sites or stepping stones of importance for biodiversity.

The department also claim that “the proposed development will re- sult in significant biodiversity losses in terms of wetland habitats of eco- logical value and the loss of a sig- nificant proportion of the remaining Marsh Fritillary population in the Skehanagh/Bunnow area’.

The department also point out that the information submitted by the ap- plicants “is deficient in respect of in- formation on the presence of Marsh Fritillary in the application area and the assessment of the likely signifi- cant impacts of the development on this species and the habitat.

“In line with the precautionary principle, the development should not be permitted in the absence of the necessary information and flood risk assessment. This major defi- ciency cannot be dealt with by way of planning conditions.”

The late intervention by the depart- ment represents a blow to the pros- pects of Mr Harris securing planning permission for the ambitious propos- al. It also signals the intention of the department to appeal any decision to grant to An Bord Pleanala.

The council has already carried out a report on the viability of retail parks around the Ennis area and has designated the Harris proposal as the best suited for development.

IRISH history’s most important painters will feature in an exhibition at the Courthouse Gallery in En- nistymon.

Beginning chronologically with a work by Paul Henry, the exhibition “Not What You’d Expect; Irish paint- ing 1919-2007” includes works from such legendary painters as Gerard Dillon, Jack B. Yeats, Mainie Jellet, Mary Swanzy and Norah McGuin- ness. The selection of exhibited works represents a broad survey of painting practice in Ireland.

Curator Fiona Woods of the Clare Arts Office said, “We are delighted to welcome works from some of Ire- land’s best-known painters, as part

of one of the most high profile art exhibitions ever held in this county. Many of the featured works have been sourced from the collection of the Arts Council of Ireland and Lim- erick City Gallery of Art’s perma- nent collection.”

“The work reaches right up to contemporary times, incorporating a number of genres such as Land- scape, Interior/Still-life, Portraiture, Abstract and Narrative approaches,’ she explained.

To coincide with the exhibition, the Clare Arts Office is organising a se- ries of guided gallery tours, public talks and workshops for artists.

Catherine Marshall, Chief Cura- tor with The Irish Museum of Mod- ern Art, currently on secondment as

Visual Arts touring and Collections Advisor with the Arts Council, will provide the opening talk on Irish Painting.

On Saturday, September 15 En- nis-born artist Mick O’Dea RHA will talk about his work, followed by a closed workshop for artists. The former National College of Art and Design tutor has won numerous awards at national and international Aon

On September 22, Micky Donnelly, a leading contemporary Irish artist and member of Aosdana will give a talk about his work, followed by a closed workshop for artists. Don- nelly has exhibited in many countries around the world.

His work is represented in most of

the important public art collections in Ireland. Every Wednesday, Marie Connole MFA will give tours for school groups, complete with educa- tional material at 1.30 pm. A guided tour for the public will be available at 3pm each Wednesday, or at another time by appointment.

The Fine Art Graduate of The Burren College of Art received the Spiresart Outstanding Student in Art, an accommodation and studio residency award in 2005 and tuition fees bursary in 2006/07 from The Clare Arts Office, and recently The Burren College of Arts Presidents Award.

The exhibition will run until Sep- tember 23, 2007 at The Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon.

ese

terday that he would find it very diffi-

cult to stay in business if the Shannon- Heathrow route was not restored.

Michael Vaughan, who is also the

Clare representative for the Irish Ho-

tels Federation, says he stands to lose

some €150,000 in annual turnover.

Vaughan Lodge will also be the location for a top level meeting of regional tourism leaders today (Tues- day), with a major announcement ex- pected to be made later today.

“With my own business, I estimate that I will be down about 15 per cent of my turnover if the Heathrow route goes. If 15 per cent of my business was no longer viable, I can tell you that my whole property would no longer be viable. It’s a very marginal business at the best of time,” he said.

“We are finding it much more dif- ficult to attract golfing groups from

the west of Heathrow. A number of groups who usually come in that way have been telling us that they will no longer be in a position to come into the country.

“I have a fear for the smaller busi- nesses, not so much the bigger busi- nesses, but the bed and breakfasts, guest-houses and smaller hotels along the coast. Fifteen per cent of all American traffic comes into Clare through Heathrow, that is a fair whack of people.

“I know of one high-end property in the region that has €500,000 of busi- ness tourism groups from Canada

which is in the balance until the Hea- throw question is sorted. It is happen- ing all over.

“We don’t have the ability at the moment to market to international markets from the region.”

Attending today’s meeting along- side Mr Vaughan will be solicitor Michael Houlihan, Cllr John Crowe (FG), Mark Fitzgerald of Woodlands Hotel in Adare, Robert Byrne of Lim- erick Vintners Association, Cllr Peter Considine (FF), Alex Fleming of Clare County Council, John King of Shannon Development, Paul O’’ Toole the head of Failte Ireland and his col-

league John Concannon.

The group will be briefed by a number of headline tourist industry representatives in Clare, including representatives of Doonbeg Golf Course and Dromoland Castle.

“We are going to get a first-hand report from these people on how the axing of the Heathrow route will ef- fect their businesses and we will be coming out with a recommenda- tion regarding that,” continued Mr Vaughan.

“In this case we will be making a statement in what we feel the Gov- ernment will do on the issue.”

INAGH cheesemakers, Siobhan Ni Ghairbhigh and John Harrington are celebrating this week, having scooped two major awards at the first Bord Bia organic competition.

The couple – who make St Tola Or- ganic Goat’s Cheese – were singled out for the overall best organic prod- uct prize as well as an award for best chilled/frozen product.

“We were absolutely delighted, par- ticularly because it wasn’t an award in a restricted section. We were up against everything from babyfood to full meals’, said Siobhan.

The couple have won many awards for their cheese in the past, and say they owe a huge part of their success to their four full time staff, Petru and Carmen Gal, Grainne Casey and

Guillemette Allut.

“Without them we couldn’t have achieved so much,” said Siobhan.

The couple said they were de- lighted even before the awards were announced “as these awards are a recognition of the importance of the organic food industry.”

St Tola has been made in Inagh since the early 1980’s. Originally made by Meg and Derrick Gordon, the business was taken over by their neighbour, Siobhan in 1999.

Since then, new premises have been built, the process has been brought up to HACCUP standards and in 2001, St. Tola became a registered organic producer with I.O.F.G.A, The Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association. Both the farm and the cheesemaking operation are inspected individually, by LO.F.G.A

inspectors, twice a year.

Among the awards which St Tola has previously won are: 2006 British Cheese Awards gold and bronze med- als, 2005 Irish Farmhouse Cheese gold and bronze awards, 2005 IFEX Awards, bronze award, 2004 Irish Farmhouse Cheese Awards, Su- preme Champion and gold awards, 2002 British Cheese Awards, gold medal.

The awards, organised by Bord Bia in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, attracted more than 7/0 entries.

Bord Bia chief executive Aidan Seay UCM Oe A WALD RDUMAEloMo Nl et-velee trade and consumer awareness of Irish organic capabilities and cre- ate a platform for organic producers to demonstrate the broad range and high quality of products available.

“Organic food is one of the fastest erowing segments of the European food market and has a growth rate of 15% -20% in Ireland,’ he said.

“Bord Bia will continue to work with and support the organic sector with significant optimism towards its further development in Ireland.”

Mr Cotter said Bord Bia, in con- sultation with the Organic Market Development Group (OMDG), has drawn up a three-year marketing plan for the development of Ireland’s organic food market.

THE FINAL whistle comes in the ninth minute of injury time and Croke Park is an ocean of emotion. Clare bodies drop to the floor, shat- tered, exhausted. Derry are whoop- ing and ecstatic.

In the tunnel beneath the Hogan Stand, just as Claire Doherty, the Derry captain climbs the steps to ac- cept the trophy, a Derry man appears with two bottles of champagne. He’s bouncing up and down. “I told ye I’d get some bubbly if we won,” he says to Doherty as she ascends the stand.

Once the formalities have been done with on the field, Clare begin to file in one by one, nosing slowly for the comfort of the dressing room. Faces are winced. Eyes are watered and tears stream down the cheeks of the majority.

You scratch your head and wonder when the old stadium saw such a late goal to steal an All-Ireland final and the best reference point is Seamus Darby’s effort for Offaly against Kerry back in 1982, almost 25 years to the day.

A quarter of an hour after that de- vestating Derry goal, Clare captain

Deirdre Murphy walks towards the dressing room.

She’s just played 38 minutes of immaculate camogie and has been Clare’s rock for the entire second eee

She stops to take in some air and to run her thoughts over what has just happened but the sequence of things just don’t make sense.

Clare lead by two seven minutes into injury time. It looks like she’s going to bring All-Ireland silverware back home but 90 seconds later, eve- rything has changed.

“It’s so hard to explain,” she says.

“When the referee called for a throw- in and they didn’t get clean possession from it, I thought we were in a great position. But when the ball came out, they got it and got that goal.”

Her own goal nine minutes from the end had looked like the score that would catapult Clare to the win and their first All-Ireland junior title in 21 years.

At that stage, they led by three points and were in control all over the field. But Derry still had those couple of goals in reserve.

It’s the second that will be re-run in Clare minds though and in the

corridor of the Hogan Stand, those wounds were just being dealt with.

“Inside in the dressing room, we’re still trying to come to terms with it. But the bottom line is, everybody on the panel worked unbelievably hard to get here and did everything that could have been asked of them today.

“We’re proud of how we played, but the way it finished in the end 1s a huge disappointment for us. What can you say?”

Deirdre wanders off, back to the dressing room to the only people that can understand.

THE online petition to retain Aer Lingus’s Shannon-Heathrow slots now has more than 13,760 signa- UN KeNe

The petition which features on the Shannon Action Group website calls on the board of Aer Lingus to reverse

its decision to cancel all four daily flights to Heathrow from Shannon as of next January in the interests of the region.

Meanwhile, Comhar Sustainable Development Council has said that the cost of greenhouse gas emissions and access to airports will influence the future sustainability of the air

travel industry.

In a commentary just published the council chairman, Professor Frank Convery, said that the recent focus on Heathrow landing slots and the Aer Lingus move to Belfast brought into sharp focus the link between airport success and access to a trav- elling population.

GORT sisters are doing it for them- od Aone

GWEN (Gort Women’s Equality Network) is looking for women to participate in a study that will define women’s equality needs in the Gort region.

The aim of the study is to identify barriers to women being able to par- ticipate in decision-making process- es at local level. It will also explore barriers as to why more women do not, or cannot avail of further educa- tion or participate in the workforce.

Programme organisers said that the

most important aim of this study 1s to give women a voice.

The programme was created by Dr. Niamh Clune and Douglas Johnson of GRACE (Gort Regional Alliance for Community and Environment) in partnership with the Family Re- source Centre. Initially, a group of women were invited to participate in a training programme designed to enable them to conduct a women’s equality study, which will then be submitted to Pobal.

Pobal manage programmes on be- half of the Irish government and the EU. The study will help inform fu- ture policy in the National Develop-

ment Plan.

The training programme received by the newly formed women’s net- work (GWEN) means they will be able to conduct PLA (Participatory Learning and Action), which is an innovative way of gathering informa- tion. It is hoped that all participants in this process will feel involved and empowered, whilst at the same time, learning new skills. The whole programme is designed to build con- fidence in women who might oth- erwise not have the chance to voice their concerns. This exercise is to discover some of the issues as to why women might feel marginalised or

unable to participate in new oppor- MUD AVL Cone

GWEN will host two public meet- ings on Wednesday September 19 from 7.30pm-9pm and Thursday September 20 from1lam-12.30pm in the Lady Gregory Hotel. The reason for the two meetings 1s to facilitate the kind of flexibility necessary to enable all women interested in at- tending. “It is a chance for women to voice their needs and help to influ- ence government policy in relation to woman’s place in our society,’ organisers said. For further informa- tion, please contact: 0863381773, or just turn up.