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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

HIS success in the general election was phenomenal, but Clare’s new Fianna Fail TD has no intention of seeking a place in cabinet for at least five years – but would eventually rel- ish the Transport Minister’s portfo- 1bTey

As Timmy Dooley prepares for his first day in the Dail this week, he said he 1s prepared to sit among the backbenchers for his first few years and would be open, then, to a promo- tion to the front benches.

Deputy Dooley’s priorities as a TD will be to improve tourism infra- structure in east Clare, secure an up- gerade of Ennis General Hospital and ensure Shannon airport does not suf- fer, with the advent of Open Skies.

“In politics, you serve your appren- ticeship. I’ve served five years in the Seanad, There are 30 ministerial positions. A junior ministerial post – certainly not. It’s virtually unheard of to have a first time TD appointed to any government post. In the future I would be interested,’ he said.

‘For somebody to be appointed to high office, the first time being elect- ed would be a disadvantage, given the amount of time a minster spends out of the constituency. Willie O’Dea was a poll-topper long before he be- came a minister. Brian Cowen was the same,” he said.

“From a county like Clare, tourism

and transport are two areas I would be interested in. I’ve been transport spokesman in the Seanad for five years. You would be delighted to serve in any role,” he added.

Mr Dooley doesn’t want to stand out from the other 165 TDs entering the 30th Dail on Thursday.

“I won’t be trying to stand out. Over the next five years I’ll try to do the job to the best of my ability,” he said.

The Mountshannon man has been perceived to be well acquainted with his party leader, but is slow to ad- mit this. “Bertie Ahern is an iconic

figure. He is a person young people really get behind. How close is any- body to Bertie Ahern? He’s a very private man,” he said.

He believes that the west Clare electorate cost Fianna Fail a third Seat, as votes went in the direction of Fine Gael’s Pat Breen.

“TI think the problem was Brendan Daly’s vote in west Clare – Kilrush and Kilkee – fell by over 500 votes. Unfortunately people in that area didn’t vote for Brendan as they had in the past. If they did, Brendan would be a TD today, regardless of anything else. Pat Breen took Fianna Fail votes in west Clare. He hoovered up,’ he said.

Deputy Dooley’s profile has grown over the past five years. He points to two crucial factors in his campaign, which led him to win the seat.

“I noticed the profile growing all the time. I noticed an increase in the number of calls I got when Sile de Valera announced her retirement. It grew again after the Fianna Fail Convention in April 2006, when I got through,” he said.

Looking ahead, Mr Dooley said he will leave “no stone unturned” in an effort to ensure Ennis General Hos- pital is upgraded.

He said the delays have been “mind numbing,’ but cannot provide a time- frame for the progression.

“I can’t because I don’t control the process,’ he said.

SPANISH Point got a new meet- ing point last week as local people celebrated the official opening of a much-awaited community hall for the area.

The one-storey structure, based at Christ Church (Church of Ireland) in the town, was blessed by both Catholic Bishop Dr Willie Walsh and Church of Ireland Bishop Michael Mayes in a ceremony last Wednes- day.

Rector Bob Hanna led the service to open the hall, which cost €30,000 to build and has been open since January.

Committee member of The Christ Church Community Project, Vicky Lynch, said that the hall was the re- sult of three years of fundraising.

“Eight of us got together to form a committee and we organised annual barbeques in the Armada Hotel for the last two years, raising around €12,000. Johnny Burke was bDril- liant in helping us with organisation and finances. His daughter, June, is now on the committee since he sadly passed away. Bernadette Queally was great too. Everyone made a big effort.”

The centre will be called “The Johnny Burke Community Hall’ in honour of the local businessman and

his wife Claire cut the ribbon to open the hall on the day as well as giving a “beautiful speech”.

Committee chairwoman Judith Ironside said that everyone was very pleased that the project had brought the community closer together.

‘Various community groups are us- ing the hall including the COI Sun- day School, a Grief and Loss Sup- port Group, Caring for Carers and a Mother and Toddler Group, which was our aim. We are lucky that there is a marvellous relationship between the Church of Ireland and the Catho- lic congregations in Miltown. They have done so much to help us.”

Ms Lynch added: “The barbeques

attract a huge crowd and have re- ally captured the imagination. Years ago there would have been more big community events so they’re like a blast from the past. We are at the half way mark with funds so we will keep working on the project. The next bar- beque is on August 12.”

A JUDGE has expressed the view that the State has failed a young man who requires treatment for drug ad- diction, but has not received it.

Gerard O’Connor (18), of Chapel Street, Killaloe, has pleaded guilty to more than 20 charges, including burglary and criminal damage of various business premises in Kil- laloe between September 2006 and February 2007.

When he appeared in court last month, he was refused bail amid fears from a judge he would re-offend. Defending solicitor Daragh Hassett

said his client had been in custody in Limerick prison for a fortnight.

‘He is prepared to stay in Limerick prison and hopefully take up a place in in-house residential in autumn,” he said. “He 1s agreeing to comply with the Probation report and stay in cus- tody. It is hoped he will get a place NOW aWAONODOM EN aUllcAUNc mmr My oLeeaFDURIMUUODL for young people. He is prepared to stay in custody on the basis he will get the help,” he said.

Judge Joseph Mangan said he would no longer penalise the young ner-VO MAUD MN Elo) m

“It is unsatisfactory this treatment is not available. I’m not willing to

penalise him further. We will see on the 20th of July,” said the judge.

Inspector Michael Gallagher said, “We all agree he needs treatment.”

The judge replied, “It appears to me the State is failing him.”

Mr Hassett said, “He has been promised assessment in Il weeks time and he has decided to stay where he is. That’s assessment, not treatment. It isn’t good enough in this day and age.”

The judge remanded him to appear bOmecel vou mm pOmULEUR YA

include

field identification of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) at sea and from remains washed up on shore including skull characteristics. The course, on at the Shannon Dol-

phin and Wildlife Centre on Mer- chants Quay in Kilrush, will also look at ways of recording cetaceans and the validation procedure for ac- cepting records.

The centre has a large collection of skulls, bones and other interesting cetacean on display and the work- shop will also examine these.

Dr Simon Berrow of the Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation and IWDG co-ordinator will lead the workshop and he explained what people could expect to see.

‘The group has a large sighting and

stranding project so we do courses all over the country. I recently saw a minke whale and a basking shark off Loop Head. This time of year there could be dolphins, porpoises, hump- back or killer whales.”

He added that he hoped that ordi- nary people would “contribute to knowledge and conservation” by voluntarily reporting and recording information.

The workshop will start at 10am in the centre with introductory infor- mation and weather permitting, will include an afternoon trip to Loop

Head and Kilcredaun Head to prac- tice whalewatching in the field. The workshop ends at around 5pm.

Participants are asked to bring bin- oculars or a telescopes if they own them as well as any interesting bones or material they might have found washed up on the shore.

The cost of the course is €25 for members of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and €40 for non members

For more details contact Dr Simon Berrow on 086 8545450 or email si- mon.berrow@1wdg.ie.

“The Green Party are not using a demand for an end to troop stops at Shannon as a pre-condition for enter- ing coalition. There was never going to be pre-conditions.”

Green Party policy states the party is “committed to ending the use of Shannon Airport by US military forces involved in the war in Iraq and insists that any aircraft suspected of involvement in illegal movements of prisoners must be searched”.

Party chairman and spokesperson on foreign affairs, John Gormley TD, was in the vanguard of opposition to troop landings at the airport, even before war was declared by President Bush in March 2003.

In January of that year, Deputy Gormley visited Shannon in solidar- ity with those who had established a peace camp on the perimeter of the airport, while as late as this Febru- ary he stated that “Shannon Airport is now, for all intents and purposes, a US military airport”.

However, Deputy Gormley’s ad- mission that he “couldn’t stand five more years of opposition” is one of the factors in the abandonment of the Shannon Airport policy.

The first break with party policy came in Clare when election candi- date, Councillor Brian Meaney said, “I personally believe that allowing the use of Shannon would be in the best interests of getting the Ameri- cans out of the mess they have cre- ated in Iraq”.

Now, as negotiations on the forma- tion of the Government reach their critical stage, the Green leadership have taken Cllr Meaney’s lead.