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AN ENNIS based teacher who spe- cializes in fostering a love of music in young and newborn children has been recognized by a high profile in- ternational award.

Finola Ryan has been named a ‘Maestro’ by Kindermusik Interna- tional, one of the world’s leading mu- sic and movement programmes.

Finola teaches Kindermusik in Glor and Maoin Cheol an Chlair, from newborn children up to seven years old.

The Maestro award recognizes ex- cellence in teachers who continue to pursue child development education.

“The Kindermusik Maestro has a

mission: helping children become better learners and helping parents understand how to help them reach their highest potential,’ said Michael Dougherty, CEO at Kindermusik In- ternational.

Finola is one of 5,000 licensed edu- cators in the world who use Kinder- musik’s music and movement cur- ju Cete eee

She began providing Kindermusik at Maoin Cheoil in 2006. Today Fi- nola teaches the learning program to over 60 families and also works for the Mid Western Health Board

In the last year, Finola has extended her program in Glor to cater for “Kin- dermusik Village” classes, which are for newborns to 18 months and

“Kindermusik Our Time” which is for children aged 18 months to three years, as well as Saturday morning “Kindermusik Imagine That’ for three to fives and “Young Child” classes from five to seven. Finola’s “Young Child” recently performed at Glor.

A graduate of the University Col- lege Cork, Finola said she was very surprised to learn she had won the award.

She said, “I’m both surprised and thrilled to receive the Maestro Award” Finola explained the merits of the programme to young children.

‘Kindermusik is a unique learning experience.

The many songs and activities in

Kindermusik class enhance a child’s total development by strengthening physical, emotional, social and cog- nitive skills at a very early age,” Fi- jae) e-Mr-Lelelere!

“Kindermusik believes a_ child’s most important teacher is his or her parent. That’s why we are one of the very few programs that include parents in activities with their chil- oes

Finola’s program continues at Glor next week, July 9 to 13 with “Adven- tures” summer camps for ages three to five and five to seven.

Contact Glor box office on 065 6843103 or see www.kindermusik- withfinola.com for more information about Kindermusik.

FAMILIAR faces will occupy the top spots in Ennis Town Council for the next 12 months following last Thursday’s AGM.

As expected veteran Independ- ent councillor Tommy Brennan was elected Mayor of Ennis.

Alongside him, filling the role, as Deputy Mayor is another experi- enced campaigner, Fianna Fail coun- cilor Peter Considine.

Proposed by fellow Independ- ent councillor Frankie Neylon, Cllr Brennan saw off a rival mayoral bid

from another Independent, Taiwoo Matthew.

The Nigerian born councillor was nominated by Fine Gael councillor Johnny Flynn.

However when it came to the crunch, Cllr Matthew found himself outflanked. A vote of the nine mem- ber council resulted in a 6-2 victory in favor of Cllr Brennan.

Green Party Councillor Donal O’Bearra abstained from the voting process. Cllr Peter Considine (FF); Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind); Cllr Mary Coote Ryan (FG); Cllr Frankie Neylon (ind) Cllr Tom Glynn (FF)

and Cllr Joe Reidy (FF) voted for Cllr Brennan.

Cllr Coote Ryan’s party colleague Johnny Flynn and Cllr Matthew vot- ed for CUr Matthew.

Accepting the chain of office, Cllr Brennan commiserated with Cllr Matthew, saying his time would fey nates

He said, “I’d like to thank the peo- ple of Ennis who have elected me to the council 28 years ago and all those who supported me. Cllr Mat- thew, there will be other days. I was elected 22 years before I became Mayor of Clare”.

Cllr Matthew’s hopes of a consola- tion prize in the form of the Deputy Mayor position were then dashed when that position was conferred on Cllr Considine. Cllr O’Bearra nomi- nated Cllr Matthew while departing Mayor Cllr Joe Reidy proposed Cllr Considine. Three votes – Cllr Mat- thew, Cllr O’Bearra and Cllr Flynn – were cast in favor of Cllr Matthew with the remaining six going towards Cllr Considine.

Cllr Considne said, “It is unfortu- nate there are clashes like this in the council but in the fullness of time everyone will achieve the position of

Mayor. I was in the council 16 years before I got there”.

Earlier, Cllr Matthew had called for a change of mindset in the Council. He stated newer members should be given the chance to take up office.

He said, “Experience doesn’t come to everybody without them first get- ting a shot. Everyone in this chamber is competent enough to be a Mayor or Deputy Mayor, everyone elected has the ability. In the spirit of fair- ness we have to have a second look at how we do things”’.

A NUMBER of sites have been iden- tified by the Office of Public Works (OPW) as potentially suitable for Ennis Educate ‘Together National School, according to Clare TD Tony Ona

The recently appointed Junior En- vironment and Energy Minister also expressed confidence that a perma- nent school site would shortly be sourced.

According to Mi£nister Killeen, “The Department of Education and Science recently requested the Of- fice of Public Works to source a site for Ennis Educate Together National School. On foot of advertising, a

number of proposals were received and the OPW is presently awaiting a technical assessment report on the suitability of proposed sites.

“Minister for Education and Sci- ence, Mary Hanafin has informed me that every effort is being made to locate a suitable site for the school,” he added.

In a letter to Minister Killeen, the Minister for Education and Science wrote, “When a suitable site is se- cured the project will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

“I am acutely aware of the long- standing efforts by the school board and parents of children attending the

facility to secure a permanent school site. I would now urge the OPW to present a list of suitable sites as quickly as possible,” concluded Min- ister Killeen.

Ennis Educate Together National School, which is based on the Gort Road, 1s co-educational and children are taught from junior infants up to sixth class.

The school has been engaged in a long running dispute with Clare County Council over a permanent site for the school.

Meanwhile, Minister Killeen has received confirmation from the De- partment of Education and Science that building and maintenance works at 26 primary and _ post-primary

schools across Clare will commence over the coming weeks. The funding allocated to Clare schools, under the Summer Works Scheme, is approxi- mately €2.1m.

Minister Killeen said, “Under this year’s Summer Works Scheme 19 lo- cal National Schools and seven Post- Primary Schools will benefit from projects to upgrade buildings and ELON n alee

‘The developments that have been sanctioned relate to electrical, main- tenance and conversion works.

“These projects will be of great benefit to the schools concerned and I commend the Department of Edu- cation and Science for its work in this area.”

that it was estab- lishing “a review of practices and procedures at Cappahard Long Stay Residence,’ on the Tulla Road, En- ah

The inquiry into care at the resi- dence, which cares for patients who are mentally ill, follows complaints made by members of Gerald Finn’s family from Kilrush.

The 69-year-old was admitted to Cappahard Lodge in December 2005 suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and angina. It is believed that some of his family members raised more than 70 complaints relating to care of the pensioner during his stay at the home. Mr Finn died at the home on June 6, 2007.

Following his death, his funeral notice broadcast on local radio asked for donations in lieu of flowers to go towards the nursing home and the

Alzheimer’s Society.

In a brief statement last night the HSE West confirmed that the inves- tigation would be undertaken. It is expected to take place over the next few weeks.

‘The terms of reference are current- ly being drafted and it is hoped that it will commence shortly,” the HSE statement said. It also confirmed that the review of practices was being chaired by Dr. Donald Lyons, from the Mental Welfare Commission in Scotland.

Dr Lyons has been director of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland since October 2003. Until then he was a Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry and a Medical Manager in Glasgow. He is a member of the National Implementation Steering Group for the Adults with Incapac- ity (Scotland) Act 2000 and 1s also a spokesperson for the Royal College of Psychiatrists on this Act.

Cappahard Lodge was formerly a privately run nursing home, but a number of years ago was purchased by the then Mid Western Health Board to enhance elderly care serv- ices in the county.

THE new mayor of Clare was quick to put her mark on her term in office, as she vowed to tackle one of the most contentious issues facing Clare Soliiia Seale

Just minutes after she made history by becoming the first woman elected to the chair of the local authority, the straight talking politician told the members that she would like to see the planning issue in the county re- solved.

‘At the start of the council in 2004, we promised an audit of planning. I would like to see that being carried out by an independent academic, who would give us a report in a set period of time.

“It we continue to have that frac- tious issue over the council for the coming year we will do untold dam- age to the council.

“IT would ask everyone to take a deep breath, stand back from plan- ning and see if we can sort plan- ny b ayo

As one of just two female members in Clare County Council, Councillor McCarthy is well aware of the chal- lenges facing women in politics hav- ing been first elected to the council When she was the mother of three boys under six.

‘Women make up 50 per cent of the population and the council chamber should reflect society. I would ask women to look at politics as a ca-

reer,’ she said.

The newly elected mayor was also conscious of the need for a secure future at Shannon Airport and told

her fellow colleagues “it beholds us all to recognise the sacrifices of the employees.”

In front of a packed public gal-

lery, which included her three sons and her father John O’Connell, Cllr McCarthy was nominated as the first citizen of Clare by fellow Independ- ent councillor Martin Lafferty.

In his nomination Cllr Lafferty paid tribute to the councillors deep involvement in community affairs, and named just some of her political achievements including being one of the first women elected to the coun- cil, first female chair of SPC, her service to the health board and other political authorities.

He described her as a good con- tributor to the council and “sharp on Cle oy rome

Seconding her nomination Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) said, “I think the pinnacle of her career in local gov- ernment is here today.”

The first female mayor of Clare in the 107 years of the council was elected unopposed and with the support of all the councillors in the chamber.

In congratulating his replacement, outgoing mayor Cllr Flan Garvey quipped, “I will go down in history as the first mayor of Clare to kiss the incoming mayor.”

ENNIS National School’s eco- friendly reputation has been further enhanced after winning the best-kept school’s competition.

The annual event run by Ennis Town Council aims to promote ereater public awareness in educa- tion among the general public, with a special focus on children, with help from their parents, teachers and communities.

Adjudicators were impressed by the school’s embrace of a number of litter awareness initiatives. Students and teachers worked together on a series of projects and litter preven- tion schemes.

Projects carried out have included the provision of recycling bins in schools, segregating rubbish and other waste materials projects.

The school also worked hard to ad- dress other issues such as graffiti, chewing gum and dealing with litter black spots.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of Ennis Town Council, new Deputy Mayor of Ennis Peter Consi- dine congratulated Ennis National on their success in the competition. He also said he hoped more schools would take part next year.

“It was good to see the schools up here last week for the Tidy Schools competition. It’s obviously important that schools encourage environmen- tal responsibility and many are doing

so. Although I would hope that more of the schools would take the oppor- tunity to take part next year”.

The award is the second time this year Ennis National has been com- mended for pursuing environmen- tally friendly policies.

Earlier this year this school was awarded green flag status. Green Schools committee. Through that they undertook a review of the

school’s waste management practic- es and surveyed the condition of the school and it’s surroundings.

Under the guidance of teachers John Kearney and Anne Flanagan, pupils embraced the Green School’s ethos by introducing a number of en- vironmentally friendly procedures.

These included composting, a bat- tery collection point an environmen- tal newspaper and regular clean ups

of the public car park.

The Green Flag, which is an in- ternationally recognized status, is awarded by An Taisce to schools who undertake the Green-Schools programme

It aims to help students apply what they have learned about environmen- tal awareness in their day-to-day lives both at school and in their own homes.

RETURNING to the old traditional fleadh scene resulted 1n an economic boom for Kilmihil.

Even the questionable weather did not manage to dampen the enthusi- asm of the 15,000 people that crowd- ed into the west Clare village during IW NemWiere) Corte

Keen to bring music and enter- tainment back to the fleadh as well as strong competition, organisers of the Clare fleadh were overwhelmed with the support of the local people and the benefit of the festival to the town.

Local businessman Gerry Johnston

described the event as an overwhelm- ing SUCCESS.

“It was a great economic success for the village. It was good for retail and pubs,” he said.

The organising committee praised the support of the community and the street entertainment.

“We decided to have an old style fleadh. In the last ten years there had been an increase in the focus on com- petition, so this time a lot of people were Surprised to see so much around the place,’ said Vanessa Millar.

Local people provided free B and B for the musicians that arrived for the weekend to bring the music to the bars and streets.

The other six days of the week how- ever the Shannon based councillor IS dedicated to the community, with the belief that the community is an ex- tension of family and knowing what

concerns a family helps understand the plight of a community.

It was while caring for her young family that Patricia first became in- terested in the world of politics.

Having given up her job to be at home, Patricia laughs as she remem- bers her attempt at being a house- BE Kon

““T hate house work,” she said. Like many families in the 1970s she was looking at the pay cheque and the amount of taxes being paid every Neto) e

She continuously brought the issue up with her late husband, Denis, who eventually called her bluff.

‘He told me to do something about it,” she laughed, “So I did.”

The young mother got involved

with the Labour Party. She believed it was her natural political home. Fianna Fail was in government for 16 years and it was associated with a lot of the poverty and hardship of the time.

‘I never considered Fine Gael,” she SrHKOe

In 1977 the outspoken party mem- ber argued that the party should run a candidate in the General Election. When no one else stood up to the mark, the young woman did it her- self.

Although not elected to Dail Eire- ann she was elected to Clare County Council in 1979.

She chuckles as she remembers how she brought her youngest son for his six-week check up, before spend-

ing the afternoon on the hustings.

This was a mother looking for change.

It is her family, in-laws and beloved late husband Denis that she credits with keeping her feet firmly on the eround and her life of politics on the road.

Despite coming from the Convent of Mercy, Kilrush, the school that produced the county’s first two fe- male councillors, Patricia had no in- tentions of engaging in a life of poli- tics in those formative years.

After leaving school she worked in DeBeers and moved to Shannon when she married the late Denis McCarthy. Her eyes light up as she mentions Shannon and her beloved husband.

While admitting home is where her family is and acknowledging that the first two Clare towns will always be part of her life, she said Shannon in- stantly felt like home.

‘When I moved to Shannon I had a sense of place, a sense of town and a sense of freedom. We were Settling in with other young families,” she said.

As the new mayor talks of her de- parted husband her tenses change between present and past.

For her he is never far away, and the advice and support he gave her throughout their marriage echoes near her still.

“We were very lucky,” she said, “and I realise not everyone was that lucky.”

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STUDENTS at St Clare’s school have been enjoying the new sensory garden, which has been officially opened by Dr Willie Walsh.

The garden, designed by John Mc- Carthy in conjunction with the staff and pupils, is set in a glorious sunny position. It is specially designed to children uninhibited access around the garden that allows them to dis- cover something new at every turn. Children in electric wheelchairs are free to roam and to enjoy all the beauty of the garden. The design of the garden is such that certain areas are specially planted to appeal to the sense of sound, while other areas ap- peal to the sense of touch.

There are four pergolas in the gar- den and in future years an abundance of trailing plants will provide shade and colour to the garden.

According to school principal Anne Walshe, “there is much to see and do in this wonderful space. We are pleased that it will integrate with the curriculum at the school. Not only will the children use the garden to study nature and the environment but there are many opportunities to use the garden for learning about orien- teering and following directions”

The Board of Management of St. Clare’s School acquired the land from Ennis Town Council around 18 months ago. This new garden is sited on a portion of land located between the school and a former halting.

The land was zoned as recreational and the board set about planning something unique that was specially designed to meet the needs of chil- dren and young teenagers with spe- EU aerere nce

John Costelloe, chairperson of the board, was the driving force behind the project. He was there from start to finish, ensuring the successful completion of a long-term project.

The first task was to put in twenty extra parking spaces for staff and parents but the real vision of the board was to provide a recreational area for the children. This comprises of a playing pitch for football, a play area for climbing and exploring and finally a sensory garden.

Anne said, “The board of manage-

ment would like to thank all those who helped them to build this gar- den. In particular the Clare Federa- tion for Special Needs who gave a loan towards the purchase of the land and other voluntary groups including the Ennis Lions Club, Ennis and Dis- trict Soroptomists, Wings, Miltown Malbay walking club and PJ Harvey of New York.”

She added, “We know that this gar- den, playground and football pitch will get much use and give endless fun and enjoyment to children with Special Needs for many years to come. As it grows and matures it will become a most beautiful and indeed spiritual place and a lasting tribute to all those involved and to our special needs children”’.

ENNIS Green Party councillor Don- al O’Bearra has claimed that there is no need to zone further land for housing in Ennis.

He made his comments following a workshop on planning and rezoning with planners which heard that there was already enough zoned land.

Councillors and planners have been holding workshops to adjudicate on 168 submissions on planning and rezoning in the county. The next workshop will be held tomorrow (Wednesday). The first workshop with councillors dealt with the first 13 submissions.

Cllr O’Bearra told The Clare Peo- ple yesterday: “The planners ex- plained that there is already enough land already zoned and I would be- lieve that when there is enough room within the Serviced Land Initiative (SLI) why do we need to zone more land for housing?

‘There is a need to get critical mass in order to get bus routes in place and that can’t be done if we continue to rezone lands.”

Cllr O’Bearra added: “I will be accepting the advice of the plan- ners that we don’t need to zone these lands because there is no need for it. The common good has to take prec- edence here and we must get away from the car-dependent culture that we have at the moment.

“The more land we zone for hous- ing in the outskirts of Ennis, the more car dependent we will be.”

The rezonings proposed for the En- nis and Environs Development Plan are to come before the July meeting of Clare County Council next Mon- day where councillors will be able to give directions to the County Man- ager, Alec Fleming on the various submissions before them.

Cllr O’Bearra alleged that planners were bullied into making rezoning decisions by councillors when draw- ing up the existing Ennis and Envi- rons Development Plan.

Asked if any such activity had tak- en place this time, Cllr O’Bearra said

4 y

no.

In total, developers seeking to prof- it from the property boom are seek- ing to rezone a total of 1,720 acres of land around Ennis to residential, mixed use, commercial and indus- were

The developers are seeking to re- zone 1,247 acres of land for hous- ing, 150 acres for mixed-use devel- opment, 115 acres for commercial development, 57 acres for industrial and 97 acres for low density residen- tial zoning.