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SDE still available to buy in local shops, the success of the inaugural festival should guarantee a continued early summer festival in Gort for years to Koya lon

“It was a great day, a day that Gort can be really proud of,” said Niamh Clune, managing director of GRACE and organiser of the Changing Colours.

“So many people contributed in

the festival, people like Anne Kelly who never flinches no matter what the task, the GRACE directors and volunteers, all our sponsors, the mu- sicilans and technical team, Garry Connolly for his help on the day, my husband, Doug who was always behind the scenes helping and my daughter, Aleisha, for the music and friendship.”

Giant puppets and jugglers walked the streets, the ICA arrived on pony and trap to signify the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in 1857, as the his- tory of Gort was depicted in graphic action.

The carnival atmosphere contin- ued with Marie Gavin’s dancers

who performed a war and fire dance, before Euro-Samba played some au- thentic samba from the San Paolo region and were joined by Brazilian CN eo ace

“There are too many people to thank, but I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all the teachers and loop leaders for their brilliant guidance and participation; to Michael O’Grady, Frank Murray, Nilton De Viera Souza and Isaiais for helping on the day and with the Brazilian translations,’ she contin- tere

“T would also like to thank the Garda Siochana, the Court Serv- ices, Galway County Council Spe-

cial Events Licensing for Arts and Crafts Fair, the brilliant staff of the Lady Gregory, Dennis Corry and the Board of Trustees at Gort Com- munity School and the business people of Gort.

‘To Pat Howley and the Red Cross team, to all those who provided out- lets for ticket and CD sales, to James Lee and staff of the Gort Communi- ty Centre and to Mayor Mullins for helping us to launch the festival.”

The

THE circumstances surrounding the death of a north Clare man were recalled at an inquest last week, ex- actly one year after the fatal accident which claimed his life.

Michael Nagle (59), a stonema- son, from Caherbarnagh, Liscannor, died in a single-vehicle accident, in Kilshanny, on May 29, 2006.

Ennis Coroner’s Court heard last Wednesday that Rita Flaherty worked

in Tully’s bookmakers in Ennistymon on the afternoon in question. She said that Michael Nagle went in and out of the premises a number of times. He seemed to get “very drunk, very quickly” around teatime.

Another man, Michael Murphy, recalled meeting Mr Nagle in a pub in Ennistymon that evening. He said he asked him did he have his car and Mr Nagle replied, “That’s too much information you are looking for.” He said Mr Nagle drank a can of

Heineken and left the pub.

Andrea Guerrer recalled seeing Mr Nagle outside the Holywell res- taurant in Ennistymon, shortly af- ter 8pm. She said he appeared to be fumbling in his pockets and looking at his hands. She was the last person to see him alive.

Daragh Considine said he was driv- ing near the former ESB shop in En- nistymon that evening. A car pulled out in front of him and “was all sides of the road.” He said there was steam

coming out of the car.

“Just before he crashed, he was on the wrong side of the road… The car flipped,” he said.

He said the accident happened at around 8.40pm near the pub in Kilshanny.

Garda Louise Casey attended the scene of the accident. She saw a car on its roof and a man was being put into an ambulance. He was bleed- ing and had severe head injuries, she said. He died in hospital at 9.45pm,

as aresult of his injuries.

Pathologist Dr James O’ Driscoll carried out a post mortem on Mr Na- gle’s body. He noted that death was due to cardiac respiratory failure, as- sociated with an extensive fracture of the skull.

A verdict of accidental death was reached by the jury. Coroner Isobel O’Dea sympathised with the Nagle family and said, “I am conscious of the fact it is just a year and a day since the accident.”

A NEW organisation of Clare wom- en in business is aiming to help re- dress some of the historic problems faced by women in their profession- al capacity.

The Clare branch of Network ORE VICeRMAWYeb Cel eMay c-Kenol Mn tlOmsDImyaNe Ure will host its third meeting in the Old Ground Hotel tomorrow evening.

The group operates through a mixture of networking and mentor- ing, with the ultimate aim of helping more females reach their business potential.

“Women understand what it is like to be in business, they are great multitaskers and it is nice to meet with people who face the same chal- lenges as we do in the workplace,” said chairwoman, Sarah Malone.

‘A company works best when there

is a mixture of men and women. Is- sues such as childcare and leave can effect how far a woman can rise in the workplace. It is a very difficult situation.

“We need more childcare and more affordable childcare, it is one of our key issues.”

In the wake of the general elec- tion, the organisation presented each Government department with a list of qualified women willing it sit on the boards of State organisa- tions.

Tomorrow’s meeting will be ad- dressed by Hilary O’Carroll from The Image Factor and Clare woman Dorinda Bourke, who will speak about her business, Fab Shape.

The meeting takes place tomor- row evening, June 6, from 8pm. En- trance 1s free for members and €10 for non-members.

C’S DRY e iene namee ulus Ireland are oiling their bikes and stretching out their calf muscles in preparation for the fourth annual Tour the Burren which will be hitting the roads of north Clare on June 16.

This year’s tour will have two sepa- rate routes and is designed to cater for everyone from the experienced cyclist looking for a challenge to the day tripper after a bit of fun.

“We cater for all kinds of cyclists, from the slow to the fast, from the tall to the small. We accommodate everybody, for as long as they want to take part they will be looked af- ter,’ said Patrick O’Donohue of the Burren Cycle Club.

“We will have a broom wagon go- ing after the cycle, picking up anyone who needs a lift. We will also have full assistance for anyone who has any mechanical problems.

“We have two routes. The first route is 16O0km and has four main climbs at Ballaghtdine, up Corker Hill, up the Cork Screw Hill and at the Cliffs of Moher. It leaves Ballyvaughan at 9.30am and 1s for cyclists who have a bit of experience.

“The second route leaves Bally- vaughan at llam and is 60km long. There will be a food stop with food, beverages, sandwiches the whole lot at the Royal Spa in Lisdoonvarna. Afterwards we will have a celebra- tion at Monks Pub in Ballyvaughan with a jazz band.”

Since its formation in 2003, the Burren Club has gone from strength to strength and this year boasts more than 40 members. Some 120 people took part in the tour last year and or- ganisers are hoping for an even big- ger turnout this year.

“We just finished the Croi tour last weekend round Lough Corrib, some of us are going to do the Wicklow Tour in early June and then we have the Tour de Burren. We are also look- ing at doing the Ring of Kerry in July if people are interested in taking part in that,” continued Patrick.

“The challenge of the tour is the climbs but more important than that is the scenery. It’s spectacular. A few people will take the race seriously but it’s mainly for average cyclists to

have a good day out. The last person home is the most important person.”

Tour de Burren takes place on Saturday, June 16, with registra- tion taking place in Ballyvaughan between 8.30am and 930am. Entry for licensed members is €10, €20 unlicensed. For more info, contact Patrick on 086 2579682, John at 086 8405449 or www.burrencyclingclub. onee

A YOUNG man lost his life after his car veered off the road and hit a sign just moments after he complained about feeling unwell. Peter McGov- ern, (39), a mechanic, from Deco- made, Lissycasey, died in a single- car accident on August 27 last year. Ennis Coroner’s Court heard last week from John Hill who said he met

Mr McGovern, who was his neigh- bour, at a football blitz in Lissycasey that afternoon.

He said Mr McGovern complained of a pain on his right-hand side, low down on the stomach area. He said he suggested to Mr McGovern to get medical attention and he said he would attend Shannondoc.

Martin Bosowsla said he was driv- ing along behind Mr McGovern’s car

on the main road near Lissycasey.

He said Mr McGovern’s car veered onto the hard shoulder on the left- hand side. He said he veered in twice and, at the Maxol filling station, he hit a sign.

Mr McGovern’s wife Marie said he had left their home in Lissycasey on the morning in question to go to Mass.

She later went to the football pitch

with their son and daughter. She saw her husband at the pitch. She was later informed that her husband had been involved in an accident.

Garda David Connolly attended the scene of the accident. He said Mr McGovern’s car was embedded in a sign outside the forecourt of the ga- eh Xen

Pathologist Dr James O’Driscoll carried out a post-mortem examina-

tion on Mr McGovern’s body. He said that death was due to shock and haemorrhage in association with multiple injuries.

“It was possible he had acute cardiac pain while driving along,” he said.

A verdict of accidental death was returned by the jury. Coroner Iso- bel O’ Dea said that Mr McGovern’s death, at such a young age, was “very sad and tragic”.

CALLS have been made for an om- budsman to be appointed to protect the rights of migrant workers and prevent a repeat of the situation which saw GAMA employees work- ing on the Ennis bypass being paid less than the minimum wage.

North Clare Councillor Martin Conway (FG) wants an ombudsman to be appointed as “a matter of ur- gency’. Following the recent ap- pointment of Ireland’s first Garda Ombudsman last month, Conway believes that an ombudsman for mi- grant workers would be a positive step.

Conway was the first public repre- sentative to highlight the plight of the Turkish workers who were involved in the construction of the Ennis by- pass through a notice of motion ta- bled by the north Clare councillor in

2005.

“It was amazing how a simple no- tice of motion at a council meeting helped trigger a follow-up set of cir- cumstances which ended up helping a whole community of workers get what they were entitled to anyway,” he said.

“With this in mind, I believe that there should be an ombudsman for immigrant workers set up as a matter OMT ESXes Neate

“Such an office properly funded with adequate language interpret- ers and real power would be a very important office for protecting the rights of non-national workers.

“It would provide a vehicle for non- national workers to ensure that their rights were being respected by Gov- ernment departments and other arms of the State which may take advan- tage of the fact that they are non-na- tionals with poor English.”

INAGH native, Sr Mary Neylon, re- turned to her native town this week in preparation for a major fundraiser which could drastically improve the lives of countless women living in poverty in Peru.

A mid-summer ball will take place in the West County Hotel on June 15, with all the proceeds going to the work of Sr Mary and the Cahercalla Hospice. Sr Mary is a Columbine nun and has been based in Lima for the last 20 years.

“She went to Lima in Peru, she

is there since 1989 or ‘90 and she comes homes every three years. She works with the poor, women’s groups mostly. She is trying to improve their situation, teaching skills and crafts so that they can make a bit of money and have a bit of independence for themselves,” said her sister, Brid Ca- eas

“There are a lot of poor people out there, especially in the remote parts. There are extremes. There is a lot of wealth, but there is an awful lot of poverty as well.”

The ball is being organised by fel- low Inagh native and Mayor of Clare,

Flan Garvey.

“When I became mayor, I said dur- ing my inauguration speech I would be listening very closely to what peo- ple needed and to help them out as best I could,’ said Flan.

“T am a director of the board at Ca- hercalla and Cahercalla Hospice is very dear to my heart. They give tre- mendous comfort to the terminally UU MeVele maetssbmBKo EIB Lore

“T said that I would organise this ball to help that cause. Then I was in contact with an old neighbour of mine, Sr Mary Neylon, who is in Peru. I asked her what help she

needed and she gave me a request of roughly €3,000 for an initiative with the women in Lima.

“The project involves setting up schemes where they can work them- selves and make a few bob of their own, make them feel good and make them feel wanted.”

The night will include a pre-dinner reception, a meal and then an evening of entertainment from Johnny Car- roll of the Famous Golden Trumpet and his band.

Tickets at €100 each are available from Flan Garvey or through the West County at 065 6823000.

A 71-YEAR-OLD Cooraclare man lost his life when he was knocked down crossing the road in Lissycasey last year, an inquest has heard.

Father-of-five Sean Gallagher was killed at Decomade, Lissycasey, on the night of April 17, 2006, while on his way to a dancing session, En- nis Coroner’s Court was told last Wednesday.

Sean’s son Shane said he had been at his parents’ home in Kilmacduane, Cooraclare that evening. He said his father, a retired carpenter, left the house to go dancing at the Boree Log pub in Lissycasey at around 9.15pm.

Shane passed that pub at 10pm and saw that a crowd had gathered. He continued on his way home and later heard that there had been an accident, involving a man from Cooraclare.

Shortly after he arrived home, two

gardai arrived at the front door with the devastating news that his father had been killed.

The inquest heard that Patrick Keane went to the Boree Log that night arriving at around 9.55pm. He got out of his car and said he saw Sean Gallagher getting out of his car, on the opposite side of the road. He was standing near the pub when he heard a loud bang behind him.

“T started running. I knew when I

saw him he was dead. People started coming out of the pub,” he said, in his deposition.

Sergeant Frank Naughton went to the scene of the accident that night. He said the body of a man was on the ground on the road on the Ennis side of the pub. He was told he had been struck by a car as he crossed the road.

Pathologist Dr Peter Fawl carried out an autopsy on the body of Mr Gallagher at Limerick Regional Hos-

pital. He said his opinion was that Mr Gallagher died due to shock, second- ary to multiple injuries, consistent with having been involved in a road traffic accident.

Coroner Isobel O’Dea suggested a verdict of accidental death and the jury agreed with this recommenda- tion. She expressed sympathy to the Gallagher family. ““To come on and see the accident must have been hor- rific,” she said.

A SHANNON-based | pharmacist has warned Leaving and Junior Cer- tificate students of the health risks posed by exam stress.

Feidhlim Hillery of the Irish Phar- maceutical Union (IPU) said that stress could cause an increase in a number of minor ailments among students including headaches, stom- ach upsets, diarrhoea or constipation and a flare up of certain conditions Such as eczema, asthma and acne.

Long hours spent revising or cram- ming for exams can lead to insomnia as students find it difficult to switch off from exam preparation. Muscular and joint pain can result from exces- Sive time spent writing or typing on a computer. Pharmacists have issued a safe code to help students minimise some of the symptoms that can be as- sociated with minor ailments result- ing from exam stress.

“Students can be under great pres- sure at exam time and stress mani- fests itself in the body in a number of

ways, both mentally and physically. We would encourage students and/ or their parents to talk to their local pharmacist 1f they have any concerns or want to take precautions in ad- vance of the exams starting. Coping with the exams is stressful enough without the added pressure of deal- ing with uncomfortable symptoms that can be distracting and upset- ting,’ said Mr Hillery.

The code encourages students to drink plenty of water to avoid dehy- dration and to study in a well-venti-

lated room. When eating, students should take small amounts regularly and avoid eating spicy foods.

Asthma sufferers are urged to be extra vigilant and to carry an inhaler Alar V OBB BOL ehe

Those who suffer from hay fever should take steps to ensure that the condition does not flare up during their exams. The safe code advises simple precautionary measures such as keeping doors and windows closed in mid-morning and early evening when pollen levels peak. It also sug-

gests that sufferers apply Vaseline inside the nose to help reduce symp- Ke sene

Mr Hillery added that if stress re- sulted in ongoing problems, students should consult with their local phar- macist.

“Obviously these are just guide- lines and we would recommend a face-to-face consultation with a local pharmacist who can assess whether a student needs further medical inter- vention depending on the nature and severity of a condition.”

THE council came with two lorries and left with each filled to overflow- ing and a sparkling clean beach in Fanore behind them. Over the last number of months, local man Wil- liam Verhulst has been walking the shoreline and coast, gathering rub- ten

Since February, William has col- lected more than 120 bags of rubbish and greatly improved the view from one of Clare’s most scenic villages.

“I covered the area from Creggagh up as far as the beach, fields as well as coastline. After every storm, it keeps coming in. It 1s a global prob- lem. It is inevitable that fishing boats

would lose some of their material during storms or whenever, but in terms of the bottles and rubbish, I think that they should be stored in appropriate places until they get back to harbour,” he said.

“IT started in February. My doctor advised me to take a lot of exercise. So I asked Patsy Corrucan for per- mission to walk across his fields and I thought to myself, ‘this doesn’t look right’.

“So I started collecting the rubbish. I then spoke to the area office of the county council in Ennistymon and they said that they would come out and take the rubbish away. But they said that they wouldn’t come out for 20 or 30 bags. I contacted them in

April to say that there were over 100 bags now.”

Originally from Holland, William retired to north Clare four years ago. A keen traditional music fan, he had been coming to Ireland for years to the Fleadh Nua and other festivals.

“IT found large plastic contain- ers that had come in from all over. One was from Norway, I discovered from reading the writing on the con- tainer. There were some from Spain and Portugal and some with Chinese characters, they probably came from passing ships,” he said.

“There is no telling where the rub- bish comes from, but I would imag- ine that a lot would come from ships, being thrown overboard.

‘From the way that it had been dis- integrated, I would guess that some of it has been away for up to four or five years.”

William continues his work clean- ing the shoreline and hopes that oth- ers will join him in the task.

‘I do hope that this will inspire oth- er people to help clean up the beaches in their own area,” he continued.

“Now I have started working my way towards Dorreen and so far I have collected another eight bags with Bernie Conway who looks after the beach here 1n Fanore.”