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THERE were two Clare winners among the 39 lucky Big Money Game TV gameshow winners who jetted off accompanied by their guests last week to New York City for a six day luxury break,

They won the prize on the Nation- al Lottery’s Big Money Game TV Gameshow, hosted by Derek Moon- ey during the summer months.

Derek accompanied the winners on their fun-filled trip of a life- time and was joined by 2FM’s Will Leahy Show who broadcast live from New York on Tuesday, 13 October. €2,500 spending money each was also thrown in as part of the win.

Mary Cusack from Newmarket-on- Fergus brought her sister Geraldine with her on the trip. It’s her first trip to the USA and she said she was

“very excited at the prospect of go- ing to such an exciting place”.

Mary Gillespie, from Corofin, lives eight miles outside Ennis. Married to Michael, she has three daughters and one son and she took her daughter Niamh with her on the trip.

“Since the children were small, if something was to be decided, their names were put in a saucepan and then the winner was selected. The same principle was applied for the trip to New York,” she said.

Mary works part-time in a jewel- lery and gift shop in Ennis, and has always dreamed of visiting New York. She had plans to visit Central Park, Fifth Avenue and Ellis Island. Niamh and her mum describe them- selves as “big shoppers”.

Once in New York, the group were transported by coach to the luxurious Sofitel Hotel in Midtown Manhattan,

just a short stroll from Times Square, the Empire State Building and Fifth aN etl len

On Saturday evening, the winners enjoyed a meal at the renowned River Café in Brooklyn with a breathtaking panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline by night and Lady Liberty in New York Harbour.

The group were Broadway-bound on Tuesday night, for the critically acclaimed theatrical phenomenon

ONE of Clare’s longest established hotels is taking the lead in the in- formation age by being the first in Munster to launch an online wed- ding service which will prove a ma- jor money saver for couples planning their wedding

The four star Armada Hotel is of- fering the award winning Moposa software to its clients free of charge. And it reckons that the service can save couples over €/00 from the outset – a welcome bonus in the cur- rent climate.

The Moposa softare helps couples share more of the experience with friends and family, simplify the wed- ding planning process and save time and money along the way.

‘“Moposa will be of huge benefit as a communication tool and we look forward to seeing the benefits for our wedding couples,” said Saurabh Jain, Wedding Co-ordinator for the Armada Hotel.

Moposa was developed by Irish technology company Eventovate Ltd which was founded by brothers Jonathan and Jason Ruane who have extensive experience in software and business development.

“The objective of Moposa is to re- lieve the stress of planning a wed- ding so couples can focus on enjoy- ing every moment of the experience. The online service assists with eve- rything from the invitation lists, gift lists, budget, schedules and the all important seating planner and also increases communication between the hotel, couple and guests,” said Saurabh Jain. “Guests can also regis- ter online and RSVP directly, book a room in the hotel as well as check out weather forecasts and even get auto- mated, personalised driving direc- tions to the ceremony and reception.

“Couples receive their own per- sonal *.com’ wedding website so that their friends and family can share the wedding experience before and after the wedding day.

“We all love photos and Moposa allows guests to upload their photos and videos after the wedding so that the couple can view the many differ- ent pics taken from early on the day to late in the night. Another fantastic tool is Guestxt where couples may send free text messages to any or all of the guests and can use this to plan and organise a hen party or just to thank everyone for their presents the CPA VAR MEO ACORN. (x6 (ODD NTCMMMNOY- LUD EA] Oo. plained.

The Moposa launch takes place at the Armada Hotel this Friday, Octo- ber 23, at 7pm and all future brides and grooms are welcome to attend. Event partner Fun Ireland will also be on hand to ensure that everyone enjoys a free fun casino evening. For further details, contact Saurabh on Uc Or Teer er

SHANNON Heritage has added a new dimension to its annual Hallow- een Holiday Horror event at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park which this year takes place on Bank Holiday Monday from lpm to 5pm. In addition to their spine-chilling programme of scary happenings, visitors can expect to be thrilled by a Michael Jackson tribute dance performance of his famous song ‘Thriller’.

Also new this year is the chance to get up close and personal with an amazing talking head!

A packed programme has been or- ganised and back by popular demand will be the 18th century swashbuck- ling Pirates of the Caribbean influ- enced show, complete with scary pi- rates, an inflatable pirate ship and a mesmerising laser lights show.

“It is great to be able to give chil- dren an opportunity to get in some

advance scaring before Halloween night, and we are delighted that so many children and parents get into the ‘spirit’ of things each year by taking part in our scary costume competition.

“Our Halloween event is part of a popular fun calendar of events we run throughout the year for the do- mestic market. Another event which is hugely popular is our Santa exper1- ences where we transform Bunratty Folk Park into a Christmas wonder- land. This year it will run from De- cember 4-22, but it’s already book- ing up fast,’ says John Ruddle, Chief Executive, Shannon Heritage.

As part of the spine chilling, fear wrenching features during the event, visitors will be encouraged to come face to face with a tarantula spider, just one of an array of scary crea- tures making a guest appearance at the Folk Park. And their will be snakes, lizards, scorpions and owls

to add to the shivers.

There will be prizes for the best and scariest costumes and there will be free face-painting in the barn on arrival so haunting can be at it’s scar- iest as well as traditional games.

A Celtic Halloween experience through music promises to be an- other highlight of the event. Wear- ing Iron Age costumes members of Pre-History Music Ireland will dem- onstrate a variety of ancient musical instruments. They will take visitors on a journey from the first habitation in Ireland circa 8,0OOOBC through to the Early Medieval period 7OOAD. In addition to musical time travel, the group will regale children and adults with scary Halloween stories from legends.

Family tickets are available start- ing at €33.60 for two adults and two children; €35.95 for two adults and four children and €37 for two adults and six children.

RESIDENTS say a fence along the river bank at Willow Park, Ennis needs to be replaced and improved to prevent “‘loss of life at the estate”.

In a letter to Ennis Town Coun- cillors, Michelle Hanrahan, Chair- person of the Willow Park residents committee, outlines a series of health and safety concerns.

Apart from the danger posed by the

river to children, residents also have concerns over a 400-volt ESB trans- former, traffic volumes and street lighting.

The letter states, “Our green area 1s adjacent to the river bank with very poor fencing. There is an urgent need to replace and improve this fencing in order to ensure that there is no loss of life at the estate. The residents feel that the fence requires to be at least six feet in height (similar to other

estates along the river banks) Our estate has a large number of house- holds with young children”

It continues, “Due to the filling of the green area, the ESB 3 Phase mains transformer (400 volt) is too low. This requires it to be raised or appropriately fenced off to ensure that our children are safe”.

Ms Hanrahan continues, “With the increase in housing along the Watery Road. The impact has been that the

junction of Sandfield/Watery Road, poses many dangers. Access to main roads leads to traffic congestion.

This is due mainly to the fact that a two lane traffic ease of access only occurs at the top of the road – we would ask that consideration be given to removing some of the grass verge in order to accommodate and lengthen the two lane access,’ the leter concluded.

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) has wel-

comed Ennis Town Council’s plan to improve pedestrian access in the area.

‘IT wish to welcome plans to put in place pedestrian traffic lights follow- ing discussions over the last couple o) mp ssleynlaatce

“I raised the remainder of these issues at the October meeting and I acknowledge your commitment to review them,’ the Fine Gael council- lor stated.

CLARE based catering company, Corporate Catering Services Ltd. joined in the celebrations in Dublin last week to hail the return of the Q Mark, the recognised symbol of quality for all consumers and busi- nesses.

Corporate Catering Services Ltd. joined the EIQA in celebrating the ‘Q’ in a fantastic parade on Grafton Street featuring music legends U2, colourful fire dragons, carnival queens, the iconic James Joyce and a host of other quirky characters from renowned entertainment group, Ar- cana.

Commenting at the launch, Grace Lefroy, Operations Manager, Cor- porate Catering Services Ltd. said: “Quality is at the core of everything we do. In the catering industry, our standards are the yardstick by which we are judged. Participation in the Q Mark programme provides the ulti- mate assurance to our customers that our services reach the highest stand- ards of quality and excellence.”

With over 30 years industry expe- rience, Corporate Catering Services Limited is a 100 per cent Irish owned company with extensive experience in all aspects of the catering industry. They offer a comprehensive range of Quality Assured services to all sec- tors of the catering industry, ranging from full in-house catering to spe- cialist consultancy services.

The Q Mark is awarded only to companies who achieve the highest standards of quality and excellence, with Q Mark criteria ensuring that clients exceed legal requirements rather than simply adhering to them. This further assures consumers that companies who hold the ‘Q” are committed to continuous improve- ment and best practice.

Speaking at the launch, Irene Col- lins, Managing Director, EIQA said: “We are delighted that so many of

our customers were able to join us at such an exciting event in celebration of the Q Mark. The launch of Q Mark is effectively a return to a recognised symbol that guarantees consumers that when they purchase a product or service that carries the Q Mark sym- bol; they are purchasing a product or service of the highest quality. The Q Mark is a must for any business or oyeee-episrs 1m (eye nam

All certification and awards offered by EIQA will now come under the Q Mark umbrella and include Q Mark

for Hygiene and Food Safety; Q Mark for Quality Management Sys- tems; Q Mark for Nursing Homes, Q Mark for Leisure Centres and the recently launched Q Mark for Acces- sibility (ABLE Business Excellence Award).

The EIQA offers its programmes across all sectors, with customers in retail, food service, manufacturing, institutions, prison services, govern- ment, healthcare, business and pro- fessional services, financial institu- tions, nursing homes, leisure centres

and not for profit organisations.

The new Q Mark awards and cer- tifications will be officially unveiled at this year’s EIQA Quality & Excel- lence Awards on Friday, October 30, 2009 at the Burlington Hotel, Dub- rhe

TROUBLEMAKERS from Limerick are not welcome in Shannon — that’s the overwhelming message delivered by town councillors.

The issue was raised at a meeting of Shannon Town Council last week, where Councillor Gerry Flynn (In- dependent), called for the council to condemn the decision by the county council to participate in the regional aLOLeRSbaveanie eel Ko ate

He made reference to a debate a year ago. During that debate, Shan- non town councillors voted to have no hand, act or part in any decision to

move undesirable people to the town, after concern was expressed about an upsurge in anti-social behaviour in the area.

“We got a fair old roasting when we said we wanted no hand, act or part in the regeneration programme,’ said Cllr Flynn.

“In Shannon alone we have 495 on the housing list and not too far off 2,000 in the county. I don’t think we should be expected to deal with problems in the neighbouring coun- ty,’ he said.

““€’750,000 has been made available to buy dwellings in County Clare, for people from the regeneration areas.

I didn’t support it then (last year). I don’t support it now,” he said.

Labour councillor Tony McMahon said that those on the social hous- ing waiting list in Shannon should be given priority in the event of any houses becoming available.

‘We have had experience in Shan- non of tenants coming out from the Limerick area. The havoc they have wreaked in Shannon was absolutely frightening. We have all been fright- ened of what happened in the past. I’d rather if they bypassed Shannon and found accommodation in the area where they come from,” he said.

His party colleague Greg Duff said

he would not get involved in gener- alisation or scapegoating the people of Limerick.

Fine Gael councillor Tony Mulcahy said that in the past, Clare County Council sold 17 houses and the elect- ed members had nothing to do with i

“I’d prefer a scenario where we have some control. Twelve months ago we didn’t have any control,” he reiterated..

Shannon Town Manager Bernadette Kinsella said that the €750,000 was ring-fenced. “We can’t use it for any other purpose. We can only use it to rehouse families from the Limerick

regeneration area.

“Limerick City Council purchased 17 houses in Clare. We weren’t con- sulted in any way. There isn’t large scale interest at this stage from fami- lies from the regeneration areas mov- ing to Clare,” she said.

Three families, she said, had ex- pressed interest by the middle of the year, but one of those since changed its position.

Asked by the mayor of Shannon, Councillor Sean McLoughlin was there interest in Shannon, she said, “We are not looking at acquiring the three or four houses in the Shannon area.”

AN insightful EU survey carried out in 24 regions from 13 countries shows that regions have a crucial role to play in economic recovery. “We need long-term solutions to the economic crisis, and national gov- ernments must work closely with re- gions to maximise economic growth potential,’ says Christina Diegel- mann, Senior Policy Coordinator for the Assembly of European Regions (AER).

The AER survey found that a coun- try’s economic performance can be improved with more influence from its regions at national level, more in- dependence of the regions from the national level, financial competences and resources for the regions, as well as more competences in recreation and culture, infrastructure, educa- tion and research, and health care.

“While national recovery plans mainly target large companies and the financial system, regions focus primarily on supporting entrepre- neurship, SME’s and innovation capacity. Regional actions can con- tribute to turning this crisis into an opportunity to strengthen regional economies and _ safeguard jobs. Working together with all relevant stakeholders, regions are close to businesses and can take appropriate measures. While national support plans mainly target larger mostly international firms, regions focus on regional clusters and support busi- ness start-ups and SME’s that make up the important part of Europe’s companies and employers,’ says Ms Dyer

Ms. Diegelmann is due to speak in Limerick at a national Shannon Development conference titled ‘Dy- namic Regions — Future Directions in Regional Development’. An expert panel of national and international speakers, leaders in their fields, has been assembled by Shannon Devel- opment for their forthcoming confer- ence which will take place on the 6th November at Thomond Park Stadium in Limerick City.

The conference will be chaired by broadcaster John Bowman, and addressed by Mary Coughlan TD, Tanaiste and Minister for Enter- prise, Trade & Employment, and Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, Ireland’s only regional development company.

“We have gathered an outstanding panel of national and international experts for our Conference and we hope it will pave the way for a wider national debate on the importance of regional action. It will include inter- national case studies from the As- sembly of European Regions, Lon- don Development Agency and the Basque Region of Spain. We see it as a key opportunity to share and learn, and we have assembled some of the leading experts in the field of region- al development to reflect its growing importance on the economic world stage. Our speakers will tackle a number of important topics that will provide the lead in new areas of re- gional action,” said Dr. Cunnane an- nouncing the conference.

The big sale: More houses for sale in Clare than ever before

BUNRATTY progressed to the next round of the Munster Junior cup after victory against Bridge Celtic B. Bun- ratty certainly justified their favour- ites tags with this good solid per- formance. Their preliminary round victory last week against Rhine Rovers certainly stood to them here and despite a number of injuries and a few players on Oscar Traynor duty

they still managed to grab a 2-1 win.

They dominated the first-half and looked far more likely to score com- pared to the hard working Bridge team. Bunratty launched a number of attacks but none resulted in a goal mainly due to some poor shooting and some great saves by the Bridge goalkeeper. They still continued to press though and even when this meant there was a lot more space for Bridge to create some counter attacks

neither team could find an opening OO Koam UOMO NCC EDI OOT- TEE

The second-half continued in the exact same fashion with Bunratty conveying their control on the game. Eventually after 60 minutes that first goal was found and with no Surprise it was taken by a Bunratty player. Midfielder Pat Twomey was the provider as his well judged effort bounced into the corner of the net.

This almost lifted a burden off the

Bunratty players as they now seemed to play with an even greater sense of confidence. They now doubled the work load of Bridge’s defence who were really at this stage just hanging on and hoping they could find some way back into the game. Unfortu- nately for them it was going to get a lot worse. With seventy five minutes gone they finally secured the vital second goal. This time it was sub Declan McDonald who proved to be a capable goal scorer. With one of his first major touches he doubled his team’s goal tally. He remained calm and slotted home his shot past the falling keeper. The heads of the Bridge players would surely drop now.

Bridge though had different plans. They still were going to fight on until the very end and hope they could finally pierce the Bunratty rearguard. They took their time and wasted two or three chances before they eventually did with five min- utes of the game remaining. Again it required the touch of a substitute as Jamie O’Gorman finally gave his team something to cheer about.

They went up the field now des- perately trying to find an equaliser but they just ran out of time. Overall Bunratty deserved this one and de- spite the wonderful efforts of Bridge at the end they just were not strong enough to win. Bunratty were more clinical and their two goals half way through the second half were the ul- timate difference.

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