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AN ‘X’ or more accurately, a cross, marks the spot in the Burren with the official launch of a community art project designed to highlight local farming and conservation issues.

The Cross Land initiative takes the form of the coppiced shape – each arm stretching 60 metres long and 1.5m wide – cut through an area of dense hazel wood just off the side of the Tubber road.

The shape was designed and creat- ed laboriously by hand by Kilnaboy based artist, Deirdre O’Mahony and volunteers as part of the Ground Up programme by the county arts of- fice.

It was launched at Cassidy’s Pub in

Carron last Saturday after a gather- ing in the Burren Research Centre and marked with the presentation of several aerial shots of the cross to lo- cal people.

“The shots had to be taken using kite photography 300 feet up be- cause the shape is only barely visible from a height on the road itself,” said Ms O’Mahony, a painting lecturer in the Galway/Mayo Institute of Tech- nology.

“The idea for the cross shape itself came from a conversation with the farmer whose land we used when he called the marginal scrubland ‘cross land’. The reference is really a part of the local vernacular so I suppose making it part of the land can sym- bolise hope.”

The Cross Land was the result of a two-year local consultation process, based at Cassidy’s, with local people and it highlights several issues ac- cording to Ms O’Mahony.

‘The original issue was the spread- ing of the scrubland and it wasn’t be- ing cleared by wild goats because of a lot of culling in the past few years but there were other factors. Another was the impact of part time farm- ing and the fact that marginal land, which used to be grave, is not any- more.”

She said that a recurring topic was the challenge faced by farmers based in a Special Area of Conservation, regulated by “so many different agencies’.

“I spoke to people and I was in Cas-

sidy’s two evenings a week. With the help of Robert and Michelle, I posted information up in a snug so it could be read by the customers. One other thing I noticed was the lack of com- munity focus because you would be lucky 1f two or three people showed up a night.”

She thanked everyone in the area and also Burren Life for their help with The Cross Land before adding, “I hope that it makes a tiny piece of the rich local knowledge and co-op- eration visible.”

THE Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, said last night that incidence of suicide within the Traveller com- munity were “not some dark afflic- tion” affecting Travellers but were “part and parcel of humanity”’.

At a special Mass at the Cathedral in Ennis last night in memory of three young travellers that recently took their own lives, Dr Walsh said: “God never visits tragedy on any particular community. We can never understand what leads someone to ending one’s own life.

“Each one of us is different, has

their own story of life. | don’t know your story, you don’t know my story and for that reason, we must never judge or condemn who has chosen to end their own life.”

He said: “Because of the recent tragedies that have occurred in our community, I think all of us are con- fused and even afraid.

“We are confused that we don’t know why these things have hap- pened and we are afraid, certainly some parents are afraid, perhaps ‘could it be my child next?’ …

“Many of you in recent weeks have asked why these terrible things have been happening in our Travelling

community and I suppose the short answer to that is that I don’t know, but in a way I would love if we could have a Mass like this, not just for the Travelling community but for the whole community for both traveller and settled…

“The tragedy of suicide has affect- ed everyone, has affected Traveller and settled, the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the healthy and Wo (O@

“It has affected people of deep faith and of no faith,” said the bishop.

“We just don’t understand what may have driven them to that, so let’s try this evening to ask for calm and

peace among all of us and try to put away the hurts that may cause fric- tion between us and let us not appor- tion blame to anyone.

“Let’s rather talk gently to each other and let those involved in the caring area let us support and co-op- erate with each other.

“We ask Christ to remove our fear and shed light on our confusion and give us the courage and generosity to Support and encourage each other at this time,” concluded Bishop Walsh.

“We ask Jesus to come among us and to help to remove our fear and our confusion and guide us through these sad times,’ he said.

that his submission to Ennis Town Council’s planning depart- ment was “not in anyway an objec- tion to the planning application. I just thought these questions should be asked.

“T want to emphasise that the plan- ning permission was solely about building and design and in no way decided on services.”

Mr Madden who now lives in Kil- rush and is a member of the En- nis General Hospital Development Committee said the council needed to consider the points made in his submission before it made any deci- sion.

In his submission, Mr Madden urged the town council to find out When the Health Service Executive (HSE) was going to make the Team- work consultants’ report public.

Teamwork is carrying out a report on hospital services in the mid west – a similar report in the northeast recommended that downgrading of A&E services at several hospitals.

Mr Madden told the council, ““Man- agement consultant who conducted a ‘value for money audit’ of the hospi- tal last year did not consider options to demolish and build new on the existing site or building a hospital on a ‘greenfield’ site because of the hospital’s protected status.

“It would seem, therefore, that the HSE did not tell the management consultants of the current applica- tion and that it required the removal of the hospital’s protected status. It also strengthens the suspicions that the current application was only agreed prior to the general election for largely political considerations.”

He added, “At the time of writ- ing, the teamwork reports has not been made public. However, reliable information obtained some weeks ago indicated the first draft of the teamwork report recommended the downgrading of the existing A&E Department to a nurse-led local in- jury unit. The hospital would eftfec-

tively become a day care facility.

“They should be asked whether the existing in-patient bed capacity is sufficient in taking account of the concerns expressed by management consultants last year.

“It should also be noted that the 186 bed capacity would only be reached on completion of Phase 3 of the hos- pital’s development. The HSE should be asked when they expect Phase 2 or 3 to proceed.”

Mr Madden asked that the HSE should be asked if the first phase of development will require the closure or any part of the hospital and if so for so long.”

He added, “They should also be asked to indicate a best-worst case scenario for the time required to complete the development and the anticipated cost increases because of the complexity of the development.”

A decision on the planning applica- tion is due on July 13, but the com- plexity of the planning application could see that date postponed as a substantial amount of further infor- mation will be required by the Town Council from the Health Service Ex- ecutive (HSE).

The development proposed consists of the demolition of existing single storey extensions and the original Chapel to the rear of the main hos- pital and the provision of a new two storey extension incorporating the much talked about new A and E, Radiology and Outpatient Facilities at ground floor level, new medical wards and a surgical ward at first floor level with a new day theatre at first floor level over the existing Acute Psychiatric Unit.

The plans also include the refur- bishment of the south west wing of the existing main hospital building at first floor level to provide new day care unit facilities with a four storey central block incorporating shell at second floor level, and plant room at third floor level in addition to the provision of a new Site exit onto the Highfield Road together with gen- erator/medical gas compounds and ancillary, associated and enabling works on the site which includes buildings listed as protected struc- tures within the site curtilage.

THE Ballyvaughan Farmers’ Market goes against the grain of mass pro- duction by selling high quality, local produce every Saturday in the town.

The market is held weekly from 10am to 2pm _ outside St John’s Hall and has gone from strength to strength since its revival three years ago by Michael Costello.

Committee member Finola Cos- tello said that the market has been set up again in the same spot as a previous one in the 1960s- making it a local institution and a strong draw for tourists.

“It runs from May to Christmas every year. Everyone supports eve-

ryone else and we all buy from each other too so it creates a great sense of community. Not all the custom- ers are from around here- you would get everyone from backpackers and visitors to farmers and people out for their morning walk. Last week, three buses full of people showed up so it just keeps getting busier. Sometimes I am selling from boxes because people arrive early.”

She added that each member’s €20 annual fee and €5 weekly fee goes into a community fund that is used for projects such as new tarmac for the hall carpark.

Each of the 22 regular stalls has something different to offer.

“We have a mix of baking, fresh

vegetables and fruit, herbs, plants, cheeses, crafts, jewellery, sauces, honey and preserves as well as re- freshments and hot food sometimes. The only condition is that you have to produce what you sell yourself and live within a 30 mile radius of the town.”

The market also has an internation- al flavour with some of its members sharing traditions from their home felts ewe

‘“There’s an American woman who makes very popular cookies and an Australian who bakes these amazing Lemington cakes, which are like a sponge cake dipped in chocolate and coconut. We had a girl from Thai- land last summer who made hot Thai

food. They give the market more va- riety too.”

Mrs Costello said that the commit- tee of eight are always open to new ideas and members.

“Everyone is welcome. We are hoping to add fresh and frozen meat to the list of goods in the next few years. There is no competition be- tween us and we all help to set up. It’s a great laugh and a lovely way to meet people too,” she said.

LEES Road is only a couple of years on the road, but in its short history it al- ready has a few stories to tell.

One constant is that the facility put in place by Ennis Town Council on the edge of the old town is a haven for in- creasing numbers of people who find and seek recreation.

The soccer pitches see action every week; youth wing of Ennis Rugby club are other patrons, while GAA teams from county to club are wont to use the all-weather facility in mid winter when they’re thinking of high summer.

There was another story on Saturday when Lees Road played host to an ath- letic event, the like of which has never been seen before in Clare. The Clare 1OK — it’s second ever running when over 1100 took to the Lees Road grass and then to the roads around Ennis.

“It has certainly captured the imagi- nation,’ noted master of ceremonies James Sexton, himself an athlete of some note who has done so much to promote his sport on radio and in print down the years.

The Kilmurry Ibrickane athlete was one of an army of volunteers who made the day possible. Tommy McCarthy was another — his lifelong dedication to athletics shining through on this day, as it does everyday there’s an event in town or country.

Sexton and McCarthy were just two, among many, who made the day possi- ble. There were many more, most of all the athletes who turned out in sport and support of an event that looks set to go from strength to strength.

SHANNON Airport capitalises on US military business more than any other airport in the world in terms of the service level given to the various eel ne

That is the view of the Executive Chairman of the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA), Pat Shanahan.

Last year profits from the US mili- tary personnel traffic kept the SAA in profit. 280,785 troops used the air-

port’s facilities which was a drop of 59,903 troops, or 17 per cent, on the number that went through Shannon neWA0 Oy

The airport made a profit of €9 million in 2005 and the profit last year is estimated at €7.4 million.

Troop passengers were at a low lev- el in the first quarter of this year, but they are on the increase again.

Mr Shanahan said, “Shannon has a tradition of handling military traffic. We do it very well and we have the

infrastructure to do so. Geographi- cally the airport is ideally located between the two great continents.

“It is a business we do very well. Obviously the ultimate decision is a Government decision. While there is a business opportunity we will certainly capitalise on it and Shan- non captitalises on it before than any airport that I know in the world in terms of friendliness and in terms of the service level we give the various carriers that operate that business.”

CLARE is the most supportive county and the Burren one of the most inspiring sites for writers, ac- cording to an author who will soon bring a unique writing course to north Clare.

Irene Graham, from Wicklow, has been running courses since estab- lishing The Creative Writer’s Work- shop in 1991 and the Burren is one of three places that she brings aspiring writers to.

Her next retreat course will run in The Burren College of Art from July 7 to 10 and she explained why her techniques are particularly success- ful in helping people to write.

“The courses are based on right brain/left brain learning, which is very powerful and helps to show people how to tap into creativity and imagination. We also look at the el- ements of storytelling. You have to know the rules before you can break them and the course helps you to think like a writer.”

She added that the idyllic north Clare setting is very inspiring and attracts a lot of people from other countries as well as budding writers from Ireland.

“It is a great setting and partici- pants have ranged from 20 to 80 years old. Clare is great and so many people are interested in it. Siobhan Mulcahy is an excellent Arts Officer and the book festival in Ennis early next year 1s going to be a very noted event too.”

Several former students of Ms Gra-

ham, who studied creative writing in Los Angeles, have gone on to get work published.

“A girl I taught years ago has just had three books accepted by Mills and Boon and another student now has a Hollywood literary agent but a lot of people might just keep journals or want to leave a memoir for their family. Not everyone wants to write a bestseller.”

Further information is available on 086 2523428 or at Wwww.thecreative- writersworkshop.com.

ENNIS-based financial advisors, Curragrove Mortgage and Financial Services are handling the country’s first specialist commercial lending programme, provided by Start Mort- eee

Start Mortgages has announced a new commercial mortgage program specifically designed for those cus- tomers who have difficulty obtaining commercial mortgages from tradi- tional banks and building societies. Start is the first lender in Ireland to develop such a programme which aims to satisfy a large segment of customers and property types ex- cluded from traditional lending pro- erammes.

Since commencement, Start has of- fered mortgages to more than 10,000 residential customers who have dif- ficulty getting a mortgage due to factors such as poor credit history, employment profile or other personal APKC SereeDeeoe

The main characteristics of this new program include semi-commercial and commercial properties includ-

ing pubs, restaurants, retail shops, guest houses and other commercial units. In addition, the program will include Start’s established lending features such as self certification of income, whole of term interest only and terms up to 40 years. Customers will be provided with facility levels up to €2.5 million.

Paul Murphy, head of sales and marketing at Start said, “The Spe- cialist commercial mortgage market has been totally unserved up to now. We estimate that the potential of this segment will be in excess of €2 bil- lion per annum.

“Since commencement of business operations in 2004 we have received a significant level of enquiries from our broker partners. In addition, Ire- land have seen significant growth in the SME sector in recent years.

“We have worked closely with our intermediary relationships to devel- op this commercial program.

“We are delighted to be the first specialist lender to launch such a product and believe it represents a significant enhancement to current proposition.”

THE Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) is aiming to increase its trans- atlantic passenger base by 300,000 in the years after the ending of the Shannon stop-over.

The phased ending of the stop-over will come fully into force next April with the introduction of full Open Selene

Currently, the number of North America-bound passengers from Shannon 1s 700,000.

Executive chairman of the SAA, Pat Shanahan said, “In the first cou- ple of years of ‘Open Skies’, we may see a Slight dip in the transaltantic traffic going through Shannon and it may dip from 700,000 to 650,000 but I believe that the volume of traf- fic coming into Ireland with ‘Open Skies’ will increase.

“By 2010 our anticipation will be that Shannon will have 30 per cent of the market and this will equate to about | million passengers. So we in Shannon would be better off in that environment than where we are to- day. There will be a little dip before- hand but as the market continues to grow and develop, there will be more traffic for everyone and Shannon will start growing again,” he said.

On the proposed €53 million pack- age that interest groups in the mid- west are currently lobbying Govern-

ment for, Mr Shanahan said, “I think those funds should be made avail- able.”

He said, “I know the tourist indus- try are worried about the profile of the west of Ireland in the US and the idea was to offset the impact of “Open Skies’ with more tourism marketing over the next five years. That is 1m- portant and it is a fund that needs to be put in place.”

Mr Shanahan said, “I know that people have been fearful that Shan- non will be losing traffic and yes air- lines will make decisions like Amer- ican Airlines who have decided not to come to Shannon.

‘American Airlines have only been flying over the past two years and they came to Ireland in anticipation of “Open Skies’ and it was our belief at an airport level that they would al- ways go to Dublin.”

Mr Shanahan said that the SAA’s transatlantic strategy was key to the success of the airport.

He said: “This winter we have five direct daily services into North America. This is quite an achieve- ment for an environment that is ef- fectively “Open Skies’.”

Mr Shanahan said that Shannon had a very bright and vibrant future following the successful completion of the rationalisation “survival plan” and that this would translate into sub- stantial infrastructural investment.

ARTISTS may endlessly search for their muse but this month, Clare County Council is searching for art- ists.

The local authority has announced that it is currently seeking applica- tions from artists for places at the award-winning ‘Tulla Stables Stu- dios.

“The Tulla Stables Studios is an ideal studio resource for artists of all disciplines,” stated Ms Siobhan Mulcahy, Clare Arts Officer.

“It comprises of six studios each with power and water, four with a mezzanine for storage, an exhibi- tion/workshop spaces, toilets and showers. Provision has been made for broadband in each of the studios. The facility is alarmed and has pri-

vate parking.”

The original building was bought by Clare County Council in 1950 and had been used as a store until it was restored and developed into an arts facility by the Arts Office of Clare County Council with support from Clare County Council and the De- partment of Arts, Sports and Tour- ihe0e

Tulla-based architect Siobhan Mulcahy was the design leader on the Tulla Stables Studios project, which was constructed by local con- struction firm Matthew Sheedy & Company.

In January of this year, the devel- opment was named the ‘Best Public Building’ in Ireland. The title was bestowed on the studio at the an- nual Local Authority Members As- sociation (LAMA) awards hosted by

RTE presenter Miriam O’Callaghan. The Tulla Studio was nominated alongside Cork University Maternity Hospital, Longford Court House, Erasmus Smith House in Tipperary, Johnston’s Central Library in Cavan and Lady Lane Library in Water- ford.

“The Tulla Stables Studios has played a crucial role in keeping art and, more importantly, artists in the local community,” stated Ms Mulc- ree

Commenting on the invitation of applications from artists wishing to take up residency at the studios, she stated, “Interested artists are being given until July 6 2007 to submit their applications. Artists must sub- mit a current CV and a typed cover letter including the proposed use of the studio or gallery/workshop

space, any specific requirements they may have in terms of equipment, the length of time the studio is sought for, and any proposed community involvement or projects.”

Studios will be let initially from September 3, 2007 for a 12-month period. All applications will be placed before an independent selec- tion committee who will make rec- ommendations on the allocation of studios to artists. Final approval of allocations rests with Clare County Council.

Applications should be submitted to: “Tulla Stables Application’, The Arts Office, The County Library, Mill Road, Ennis.

Further information is available from the Clare Arts Office at tel: 065 6846267, fax: 065 6842462 or ema1l: arts @clarelibrary.1ie.