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THE race may be over for Clare’s newest TD’s Joe Carey and Timmy Dooley but it’s only beginning for thousands due to take park in the Clare People 10k walk/run.

Deputy Dooley (FF) and Deputy Carey (FG) were in Lees Road to lend their support to Clare Youth Service, one of the organisations set to benefit from the annual event.

The CYS say there has been a dras- tic shortfall in the level of funding available for the youth sector in the county.

The service has launched an urgent appeal for the development of facil1-

ties for young people around Clare.

The service 1s currently in the proc- ess of building a dedicated youth Space, practice space and recording studio. However despite intensive fundraising €30,000 is still needed to meet the final cost of develop- ment.

Clare Youth Service are calling on any groups or individuals interested in the development of youth orien- tated facilities to make a donation or take a sponsorship card from the service for the Clare 10k walk/run to be held on Saturday, June 23.

Youth Work Manager Margaret Slattery explained that to date the service has received funding towards

the development of the faculties from the Ennis Lions Club.

Young people have also undertaken a number of fundraising initiatives with more than €20,000 collected OMe r-NKon

But €83,000 is still needed to cover the complete cost of development.

The Clare Youth Service bands project, which has been in existence since 1996 has an excellent reputa- tion and is the model on which serv- ices around Ireland are basing the development of similar projects.

The project in Ennis involves hun- dreds of young people each year and the development of the facility would allow the project to offer both

certified and non-certified tuition in sound engineering, multimedia and related topics.

Sponsorship cards are available from Pat McMullin on 68 45350, Jean Tierney on 68 45356 and from Margaret Slattery on 68 45367. Do- nations can also be made to Clare Youth Service, Carmody Street, En- Whe

HE’S BEEN involved with all strands of inter-county hurling bar senior and Kevin Kennedy has decided this will be his last stand, his final year. Understandably, he wants to go out with an explosion on the field and a fifth Munster Final with a Clare side would provide reward in itself.

Back in ’97 and °98, Kennedy was involved with the Clare minors when they reached the provincial decider. He was there in ’99 with the Under- 21s and two years later with the in- termediates. It’s familiar territory by now, but he knows the path to the big stage 1s speckled with tricky encoun- ters and Clare’s next task arrives on Sunday and a meeting with an un- known Waterford side.

It’s nothing new of course and Kennedy understands it is his lot as inermediate boss to encounter sides about whom not much is known. It’s a pitfall nonetheless.

“We’re wary because Waterford haven’t played a game all year and all through my involvement with Clare

sides, I haven’t come up against Waterford too often,” he says. “The only time I was with Clare when we played Waterford was with the mi- nors in 1996.”

It was the win against Cork that earned Kennedy a second shot against Waterford and that day, in front of a skeleton crowd in Semple Stadium, Clare delivered a match winning performance in the second half. Mark Flaherty impressed in front of the posts and ended up with eight points, Damien Kennedy began to take charge around the middle and John Reddan gave a match winning display at centre-back.

“We conceded 1-1 in two minutes against Cork and at that stage you might have thought our fellas would wilt. Other Clare teams at this grade might have done at that stage but not these guys. They’re winners. I’ve had intermediate teams in the past but you can see these guys are good, honest hurlers. I intentionally stayed away from involving Under-21s or fringe senior players because I want- ed a tight and committed squad. It’s a

small panel but it’s close-knit.”

As word seeped through that Red- dan — captain of the intermediates —turned down the offer of a place on the senior panel this week, Kennedy sensed the will to complete the task in Munster was alive and thriving in his squad.

“I’d love to see these lads get some- thing out of the season. In general, they’re hardworking players who put in a huge amount of effort at club level and it goes unrecognised at inter-county level a lot of the time. Most would have played for Clare at underage so that’s a big plus. They know the ropes. The average age of the panel is in the mid-20s so there’s plenty of scope for players to go on and make a name for themselves at senior level. That’s what we’d be hoping.”

That fifth Munster Final for Kennedy would put those players in the shop window. Since the Cork game just over a fortnight back, they’ve regrouped and focused once more. Last week they played Bor- risoleigh in a challenge. It sprung a

few headaches and a few surprises, but Kennedy was happy with the progress made.

‘Fellas who would normally play well didn’t perform. It’s not a worry because some just can’t get into the right frame of mind for challenges. They know they’ll be judged against Waterford on Sunday.”

Enda Collins is unlikely to start be- cause of an injury to his thumb and the availability of Seanie Moloney — who fractured a thumb – is also a concern to Kennedy. Alan McNa- mara will undergo a fitness test on Wednesday evening but these are the workaday worries of a seasoned manager and Kennedy knows how to cope.

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.

GORT is preparing itself for its sec- ond new music and cultural festival in a fortnight, with the arrival of Life Festival 2007 to Lough Cutra Castle this weekend.

Following hot on the heels of last week’s hugely successful Changing Colours Multicultural Festival, Life Q7 is a different take on the institu- tion of the Irish summer festival.

After a successful beginning last summer at Charleville Castle in Tullamore, Life Festival 2007 has modeled itself to out-boutique self- proclaimed boutique festivals such as the Electric Picnic and the Garden Party.

This means small crowds, lots of space and more niche acts and artists.

Indeed, event organisers Neutronyx Events Management have put huge energy and resources into bringing together an innovative and quality line-up for Life Festival 2007.

The acts on show will be split more or less in half between European dance and electronic acts and root, folk and trad acts from Ireland and the UK.

Among those headlining the festi- val are London’s Dreadzone who top an international line-up. Also featur- ing are Grooverider, Electric Uni- verse, Alex Peterson from the Orb and Highlight Tribe.

The list goes up to over 100 acts that span a range of styles from DJ shows in reggae, dub, electronica, ambient, down-tempo, folk, psych- edelic, gipsy, african, drum and bass,

latin fusion, breaks, progressive and minimal tech.

The festival models itself loosely on the Glade Festival in the UK, which combines various alternative styles and workshops, environmental awareness presentations, alternative therapies, magic, juggling, perform- ing and music.

Other musical hightlights of the festival include Ronan O Snodaigh from Kila, the DMX Crew, Electric Penguins, Dilinja and Lemon D, Chris Clarke, Talamasca, Wiggle, Intinn, Rootical Reggae Soundsys- tem, Zubzub (ex-Ozric ‘Tentacles) and Ciaran Byrne.

Last year’s festival attracted some 1,500 revellers from over 20 differ- ent countries and organisers are ex- pecting to double these figures next

week.

It is being organised by Neutronyx Events in collaboration with Mantua Project from Roscommon and Brea- kology Dublin and will be the first of its kind to take place anywhere in the west of Ireland. Life Festival takes place in Gort’s Lough Caltra Castle on June 15, 16 and 17.

For more about Life Festival 2007, check out www.life-festival.com, Wwww.myspace.com/thelifefestival, www.loughcutra.com, WwWww.mantu- aproject.com or www.breakology.ie.

Check out page 41 of this week’s