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A TOUCH of midsummer madness is coming to Clonlara on Saturday next, June 23.

That’s the day of the first Clonlara Midsummer Festival and there’s go- ing to be heaps of family fun on of- oe

All the action takes place in or around the Angler’s Rest, Doonass from 3pm, starting with a fancy dress parade.

There will be fun and games and

music throughout the day, including seven-a-side football matches be- tween local pubs and ladies football.

The charity event of the day will be a Duck Race and it’s hoped to sell 800 ducks in aid of Milford Hospice. Ducks are already being sold but there will be some available on the day.

Music will be from the set your toes tapping Brendan Hearty Cajun Band who will swing into action around 9pm.

The day is being organised by the

Clonlara ICA but ICA member, Fio- na McKeon stresses that it’s not just about or for the ICA.

“We wanted to organise something that would be fun for the whole com- munity and we want people to come out and join in. We’ve tried to order some nice weather so hopefully, we ll be able to have a barbeque on the day as well as sack and egg and spoon races and fun competitions TTC) aYan de wenan ero

Buskers have also been invited to come along and entertain people at

the event and there promises to be a great atmosphere.

The organisers are hoping this will be the first of many Clonlara Mid- summer Festivals.

“We’re looking forward to a great day out for all the family and we want everyone to come along and have a good time. There’ll be food, fun and music and the charity duck race should raise some money for the hospice. We’re hoping it will be a great community get-together,” said Fiona.

THERE have been mixed reactions to meetings of the EU Farm Coun- cil, which took place in Luxembourg last week with the ICSA President expressing frustration with a failure to deliver in relation to farm inspec- tions.

Malcolm Thompson said that the current system “totally fails to ad- dress the concerns of Irish farmers”.

“It is very frustrating that we still haven’t a straight answer from Eu- rope on where we stand with toler- ances. ICSA will not accept that there is no room for leeway with in- spections,” he said.

“If a farmer is 95 per cent compli- ant, there is no reason to penalise him as severely as the current system

demands. Mariann Fischer Boel has promised much but delivered little,” he added.

“Unless we can get official EU sanction for reasonable leeway for farmers who are inspected, then the whole issue of inspections will con- tinue to be controversial right into next year’s CAP health check.”

He added that “Europe does not seem to want to accept that the sys- tem of inspections 1s far more favour- able to large scale tillage farmers in the Paris basin than it is to livestock farmers in Ireland”.

IFA President Padraig Walshe said he felt that further progress was made in achieving a tolerable and more reasonable farm inspection re- gime.

He added that the Department of

Agriculture could now discard the 66-page checklist and come up with a reasonable inspection programme, taking account of the variation and practical issues arising in everyday elusnbneree

“There was a discernible move in the commission towards a more practical inspection system, respect- ing the rights of farmers while main- taining good farming practice,’ Mr Walshe said, emphasising that there is a flexibility towards providing for advance notice for routine inspec- tions.

Meanwhile, Minister Coughlan said that the new fruit and vegetable regime agreed upon will bring con- siderable benefits to Irish producers, consumers and the horticulture in- dustry in general.

She said that three aspects of the new regime will have direct benefits including: Support for Producer Or- ganisations (POs), adoption of new promotion measures and inclusion of fruit and vegetables and potatoes in Single Farm Payment.

‘The new scheme provides growers with the necessary support to meet higher quality and environmental standards in the market place where the multiples now handle some 80 per cent of the retail sales of fresh produce. The scheme will empower producers to work together to form a larger supply base and work as a more equal partner with these multi- ple retailers’.

Full details of the agreements are available on www.consilium.europa. eu.

ON the weekend of June 30, Ennis will put on a major celebration of life, sport and people with events organised by Ennis Street Festival, Clare Community Games and the Tony Griffin Cycle.

On Saturday morning the Clare hurler and many cyclists will begin the final leg of his epic 7,000 mile

cycle from Canada in aid of cancer research and care from Dublin.

Saturday begins in Ennis with the finals of the Clare Community Games. The event will be preceded with a parade from Station Road in Ennis to the courthouse of the vari- ous areas taking part. It is fitting that Tony was once a competitor in the Community Games Final.

The Ennis Street Festival, which is

an annual event, will take place on Sunday, July 1, from 12pm until late.

A great day of music, dance, work- shops, story telling, magicians, pup- pets, art exhibitions, street entertain- ment, pub gigs and a gig rig in the upper market area between 2pm and 8pm will all take place.

Food will be for sale throughout the day at the market section in Market Place. Sunday will also mark the of-

ficial re-opening of Dan Murphy’s House with Irish music and danc- ing in memory of Johnny Patterson (1840-1889).

Music will continue throughout the evening in Ennis and with a welcome home event for Tony in the West County Hotel taking place later in the evening.

Tony and his group are due to ar- rive back into Ennis at about 4pm

and again everybody is invited to take part in a massive and colourful Siege on Ennis.

Further information on the weekend can be found at www.ennisstreetfes- tival.com and www.tonygriffinfoun- dation.com.

Further information on the Clare Community Games you can contact members of the committee on 087 TOPE

CLARE County Council has refused planning permission for contentious plans to establish a “casino-style” business in Shannon.

Former Clare hurling captain, Bri- an Lohan and incoming Clare mayor, Cllr. Patricia McCarthy (Ind) had called the plans into question.

An observation submitted on be- half of the double All-Ireland win- ning hurler claims that the proposed “new use is incompatible with the designated office and retail use of devRmolUODCennsToaae

The submission pointed out that Mr Lohan was occupying the “EBS

financial services and Brian Lohan Auctioneering’ businesses at the ground floor of the proposed club.

The submission claimed that the club would not create desirable syn- ergies and also, would introduce un- desirable congregations of people in the vicinity of Mr Lohan’s property therefore damaging his business and other businesses around.

In her submission, Cllr. McCarthy claimed that the “the use of the term ‘members club’ without defining e1- ther the membership, their role or proposed activities is an attempt at subterfuge and further is plainly also an attempt to circumvent the rights of the public to know what the ulti-

mate function and activities of the development is.

“The proposed development lacks clarity and is open to a number of different interpretations. The pro- posed development as submitted by reason of lacking in specifics cannot be judged or its potential effect on the surrounding area determined.”

Developer, John O’Donovan re- vealed that the club would contain a number of adult amusement ma- chines and live card tables super- vised by a club director.

He stated, “This club’s primary function is to attract the large tour- ist base in the area and especially an American market that are familiar

and look for this type of adult en- tertainment and can only be a great benefit to tourism in the Shannon region.”

However, the council refused plan- ning permission having regard to the nature of the proposed development and character of the surrounding area. It ruled that the proposal would reduce the attractiveness of the area and would impact negatively on the residential amenities of the adjacent properties.

The council also ruled that the loca- tion of the proposed facility outside Shannon would materially contra- vene the South-East Clare Develop- ment Plan.

AFTER three long years away, Sr Mary Neylon has graced Inagh with a short visit home. Having worked for the past 18 years in some of the poor- est parts of Peru, Sr Mary is hoping that this year’s Clare Mayoral Ball will raise much needed funds for two very worthy charities.

The ball hopes to benefit Caher- calla Hospice by providing an exten- sion from seven rooms to 10 rooms, all ensuite. This will help ensure that the hospice can continue to provide invaluable comfort for the terminally UU TeLe mM elobmB KS ELBA oKe

The other deserving charity to ben- efit from the funds raised is the cen- tre for young mothers currently being developed by Sr Mary in Peru.

“It’s a centre for the personal de-

velopment of women, where we have workshops in personal development, which includes self-esteem, aware- ness and communication and also workshops in arts and crafts,’ ex- plained Sr. Mary.

‘Psychological attention is given to the victims of violence, something which a lot of the women have suf- fered.”

She hopes that the money raised will benefit the work she has dedi- cated her life to.

‘‘T have been renting a place. I would hope that if we get enough money we could build a centre that the women would have for themselves,” contin- ued Sr Mary.

‘‘A new centre would allow for more possibilities for the women; more workshops, more therapy sessions, more therapy of healing, vocational

therapy, more space for skills train- ing and leadership trainings towards the future, empowering us women.”

The exceptional work of Sr Mary has greatly affected the lives of young mothers in Peru, providing them with precious training that helps them to earn their own money and improve their living standards.

‘A number of the women who take part in the workshops have expressed self-confidence, are able to commu- nicate better, are able to stand up for their rights and have also learned certain skills that they didn’t previ- ously have which gives them possi- bilities for income,” she said.

aVidaCelUtcd emmy EDM Yas et- Ree )Il eM LeLUI Kare! So much to this area of Peru, she still feels that it has been a group effort more than anything else.

“It’s not me doing everything. It’s

other people’s help and getting locals and trained professional people such as psychologists and teachers to get involved in the problems.”

The inaugural Clare Mayoral Ball will take place in the West County Hotel, Ennis on Friday, June 15. Cor- porate tables to seat 10 people are available at a cost of €100 per person or £1,000 per table and can be booked by contacting Mairin Hill, Corporate Services, Clare County Council at 065-6821616/ mhill@clarecoco.ie or Mary Moroney, Cahercalla Hospice at 065-6824388.

RECENTLY published CSO figures show the average population density in Clare is 32 people per square kilo- metre, with Dublin City having over 4,300 people per square kilometre. And, according to Western Devel- opment Commission CEO Gillian Buckley, this could be one of the rea- sons why over 8,000 people a month, or nearly 100,000 a year, are logging on to the www.lookwest.ie website.

Ms. Buckley, who was speaking at the launch of the WDC’s latest Look- West.ie campaign, aimed at attract- ing people to relocate to the coun- try’s Western Region, also pointed out that according to the census over 4,000 people have moved to Clare over the past four years.

‘There has been a lot of talk recent- ly about lifestyle issues and there’s no doubt that it is the hot topic. Our message is simple — the western re- gion offers relocators an excellent work/life balance,’ she said.

“Nearly everyone living in the re- gion has family and friends who have moved away. By encouraging them

to consider moving back to avail of the opportunities here, everyone can help to further develop the region

and Clare. That’s one of the reasons why LookWest.ie advertising will also target local media — to prompt

local people to persuade friends and family to consider moving back. “And interest 1s not just coming

from Dublin. Our analysis of the website traffic shows that, though the bulk of inquiries are coming from Ireland, there’s interest from as far away as Australia. Website visits from the US are particularly high, which may be due to the WDC’s participation in a Fas employment exhibition that was held in New York late last year. Many of those who attended the US event had no con- nection with Ireland but yet were at- tracted by the lifestyle that the west of Ireland had to offer.”

“The latest advertising campaign is also aimed at a national and interna- tional audience. The campaign posi- tions the region and Clare as an at- tractive location to live, work and set up a business. Investment in infra- structure in the region is continuing. Recently, the Ennis bypass has been opened and this should open the way for the next phase of the county’s de- velopment,” Ms Buckley added.

AFTER years of careful preparation and research, the Burren Beef and Lamb Producers Group (BBLPG) and BurrenLife are now ready to take orders for Ireland’s first ever batch of conservation-grade lamb.

The lamb, which is produced and slaughtered using old-fashioned methods, offers a limited number of local restaurants and butchers, as well as members of the public, the chance to sample the flavour of true Burren lamb.

The second and most important el- ement of this lamb is that each of the 15 farmers taking part in the BBLPG

farms using methods that are fully organic and help to maintain the eco- logical integrity of the Burren.

“We are aware that there is a huge interest in the lamb from the general public, people who are cooking at home and have an interest in qual- ity food. We are very confident that there is a marker there for that,” said Ruairi O Conchuir of BurrenLife.

“We are working with an organi- cally-certified, owner-operated abat- toir in Peterswell, who is also a craft butcher. Only the very highest qual- ity of lamb is getting in there. He is hanging that in the traditional, which gets the best taste and the tenderest meat and preserves all of the nutri-

ent value.

“It is then cut in accordance with how the restaurant want it or, if it’s a member of the public, exactly in the way that they want it and it is in- dividually labeled, vacuum-packed and boxed.”

The BBLPG are now taking orders from members of the public for Bur- ren lamb with a live-weight varying from 38kg to 44 Kg, for an initial marketing period, half lambs are be- ing sold for €70 and full lambs for €125.

BurrenLife farmer and BBLPG chairperson, Mr Thomas Holmes, has welcomed the initiative by stat- ing the commitment of the group is

“to our members and stakeholders who are working to develop long- term relationships with quality-con- scious consumers and customers via farmers markets, craft butchers and quality restaurants.”

Each *Life’ farmer has signed up to a code of practice and pledge which ensures that their farms are operated to the very highest standards, both in terms of the quality of the animals produced and the environmentally friendly manner in which they are produced. Further information and order forms can be had from the Burren Producers Group, Old School House in Carron at 065 7089000 or e-mail burrenproducers @eircom.net

IRONY is lost on the ill. Joe Carey, Clare’s youngest deputy, sits up in his hospital bed in Ennis on Monday morning and takes another phone call. The mobile has been buzz- ing away these past few hours and a sharp dose of chicken pox isn’t an adequate excuse to turn his back to the world.

Last Tuesday, he woke with a hint of pain and it stole up on him through- out the day.

By evening, he was feeding himself with medicine and creams but neither seemed to work and, on Friday, his doctor referred him to Ennis General Hospital.

By now, he knows those three words like he knows his own breathing rhythms. And this week he knows a little more — the nuances of hospital life and the internal ward workings that can only be garnered from ac- tual experience.

One of the last motions Carey put forward as a Clare councillor was re- lated to the hospital. He looked for the protected status on the current building to be lifted and it received unanimous backing.

When he lands in Dublin on Thurs- day, for his first sitting as a Clare deputy, he reckons it won’t be too long until he brings the issue to the national stage.

He’s now recognised around Clare as the fresh-faced new deputy who could change the future of health services in Clare. Those photographs of him in a hospital bed surrounded by a bevvy of nurses and that one of him in a hard hat and a sledgeham- mer have struck their own chords.

In its own strange, gothic way, this

little stint in hospital completes the cycle. Provides the last ounce of background.

But by Thursday and the debut in the Dail, he should have regained most of his strength.

“In an ideal world, I’d be flying fit for the first day, but Il be going on a lot on adrenaline anyway, so it

shouldn’t be a problem. I’m looking forward to it and I’m planning to drive up on Thursday morning.” He’ll take the hopes of the county with him. Carey campaigned vigor- ously on the hospital issue and, over the course of his term in Dublin, he hopes to secure some concrete plans. Others who climbed that health bull

during their campaign were bucked off shortly after. Carey knows as much and is set to hit the ground uUbauenberee

A review of the Ennis and Environs plan is set to be completed in the coming months and he’s planning to make contact with councillors in a bid to prove that re-zoning the present site would create a potential cash cow for a new hospital.

“T’ve been saying it for a while but I really believe a greenfield site is the best way forward. I plan to push this all the way when I get to Dublin. If the hospital is re-zoned for houses, then we’re talking about a piece of eround that would increase dramati- cally in value. This would self-fi- nance a greenfield site. Then we’d have the space to develop and expand into a modern hospital with great ac- cess. That’s the target.”

From his hospital bed on Monday, he could see that bullseye down the line. In his dream world, a housing estate would occupy the space where his head rests. Five years to make it happen. The clock starts ticking on Thursday.

HEINZ has discovered a new and exciting 58th variety. This new fla- vour comes in the shape of promis- ing Dublin artist Orla Walsh, whose latest sole exhibition, “The Ketchup Collection’, is currently on show at Lahinch’s Kenny Gallery.

Walsh’s pop-art still-life collec- tion proudly features the deep crim- son Heinz ketchup bottle in a range which is both striking and instantly recognizable.

Her work examines a range of old and new objects, with food the com- mon thread that joins the collec- tion. She strives to capture the very essence of her subject matter while always treating it with great warmth

and humour.

Indeed, Orla’s unique work could very easily have never made it as far as Lahinch. During one of her early exhibitions in Dublin, a representa- tive of Heinz approached her, stating that she was in breach of copyright and should take down the exhibition.

After studying the quality of the work, however, the employee changed his mind and returned later in the week to purchase six pieces. Indeed, four of Walsh’s pieces now hang in the boardroom of the HJ Heinz Company in Pittsburgh.

Kenny’s is Clare’s oldest art gallery and hosts a wide variety of exhibi- tions all-year round.

The exhibition was opened by May- or of Clare, Flan Garvey, last week-

end and will run until June 23. A representative selection of the work is available to view on www.lahin- chartgallery.com or by calling 065 OLOrdKeterer

Meanwhile, down the road in En- nistymon Courthouse Gallery, more than 50 artists from all over the county have contributed to the Art on the Wall exhibition. The exhibition, which opened last Thursday and runs until June 16, features one work from a wide range of local, national and international talent.

“Tt really is a very interesting exhi- bition. We are talking about 50 artists who have each submitted one piece of work for this exhibition,’ said Catherine Comber of the gallery.

“Essentially, one of our exhibitors

postponed an exhibition, leaving us with two free weeks in the calendar. We put out the call for pieces of work and had a fantastic response.

“We will have work from renowned artists like Fionnuala Graham, Der- mot Tuohy and Sarah Foust to more local artists and a number of com- pletely amateur artists.

“We have pieces on show ranging in price from €2,000 to €100.”

CONFIDENCE in politics can be a dangerous thing, very dangerous. Tanaistes, ministers and party lead- ers can lose their seats — Michael McDowell was all three but was still rejected at the polls.

This volatility, or at the very least awareness of it, is why Tony Killeen and others refused to be drawn on their cabinet credentials in the run up to the election to the 30th Dail.

“IT was looking to retain my seat first off,’ says Deputy Killeen. “All that could be done up to now was get elected. I’ve done that.”

Success makes him open up more — free to talk of his ambition. Two and a half years a junior minister in the Department of Labour. Now he wants more, a message he hopes wins the ear of Bertie Ahern if he’s elected Taoiseach for a third term.

“lm happy with what I have achieved during that time. There are elements of it that I would like to have the opportunity to advance further. There are other jobs that I would love the challenge of doing.

“At this stage when we don’t know what parties will form the govern- ment, it’s difficult to know what posi- tions the Taoiseach will be in a posi- tion to offer. Three seats would have guaranteed a full ministerial post for Clare.

“I’m not hung at all on the honour of being a senior minister but I do be-

lieve that the benefits for the county of having someone at the Government meeting every Tuesday morning and hearing at first hand the plans of their

colleagues is highly significant.

“IT have no doubt that it is the big- gest political advantage to any coun- ty or constituency to have someone

in those meetings and party to deci- sion-making. I would like to have a position — I would relish the chal- lenge. If I’m offered a position I will

be more than happy to take it.”

And, being at the top table is how Killeen reckons his wish list for the lifetime of the 30th Dail can best be served. The old chestnuts of Ennis’ hospital and Shannon Airport — the rocks on which many election cam- paigns have been built.

“IT suffered electorally on the Shan- non Airport issue because I told the truth — that Open Skies was inevita- ble and that the state airline model wasn’t sustainable and that part pri- vatisation was inevitable.

“I’m happy that the package of measures that Martin Cullen has been putting in place is the right way to go. That’s only a part of it. The re- mainder of the job is for the airport management and marketing people on one level, but also for the hotel federation people to play a proactive role in doing a co-operative market- ing venture with the airport and the tourism wing of Shannon Develop- ment. I have no doubt but that the government will be forthcoming with the kind of finance that has been mentioned for Shannon Airport.”

Tony Killeen would love to be sit- ting beside Minister Cullen at the cabinet table when he makes the funding announcement for Shannon.