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PARENTS often wish that they could have a fly-on-the-wall view of what goes on at their children’s childcare facility during the day.

Last week in Lough Graney, mums and dads of existing and future charges at the Lough Graney Kids Corner community créche got a chance to do just that.

Having recently celebrated their of- ficial opening, the creche committee organised an open-day for families of children already in the creche and those considering sending their youngsters there.

“We have an open door policy and it was good to let the parents see the activity oriented approach we have,’

said said Kathleen McNamara, Sec- retary of the childcare committee.

The childcare and after-schools fa- cility was purpose built after sucess- fully securing a building grant of €1 million and a further €94,000 for equipment.

The affordable community facil- ity started life in the national school, where it began as a playschool in a spare room.

“We applied for and got a staffing grant, which meant we were able to expand to pre-school and after school care. That grant was a major cog in the wheel. It gave us the opening to keep going forward,” said kathleen.

Now the facility operates out of a state-of-the art purpose built home at the back of the school, with fifty

children being catered for.

The structure is child-friendly, tim- ber framed with underfloor heating and wood floors for little feet.

The ethos of Kids Corner is not just to babysit the youngsters who come there during the day and after school, but to make the time spent there stimulating, fun and child-friendly.

“We are very activity oriented. While we do homework with the children, we also have people come in to do activities like gymnastics and crafts. We do a cookery class for children which is very popular,” said Kathleen.

The purpose built facility is also a boone to the local community, with regular activities such as the senior citizens’ yoga.

“When older people come here for a class, they get to mix with the chil- dren,’ said Kathleen.

The staff even offer a Summer camp and a room which can host birthday ey Nab lone

“The open day was a chance for people to come in and see for them- selves what we do here. That’s im- portant for parents who are bringing their children here,” said Kathleen.

Built by local builder, Michael Mc- Mahon to a design by architect, Peter Sheils, the childcare centre is shortly to have it’s own website.

WEST Clare was the last stop for events on Saturday as Clare Biodi- versity Week came to a successful end with a walking tour of the Van- deleur Gardens in Kilrush.

Members of the West Clare Wild- life Club were instrumental in or- ganising the inaugural awareness and activity week which involved a variety of events all over the county.

One of the founders of the wild- life club, National Parks and Wild- life Service (NPWS) ranger Barry O’Donoghue, led a walk around Loop Head on Tuesday, May 23.

“It was a lovely evening with beau- tiful scenery, moody seas and a va- riety of wildlife on display such as

gannets, chough and dolphins. The club supplied binoculars to all the walkers and everyone really enjoyed it.”

The woodland walk and talk later in the week focused on flora and fauna, with moth traps set the night before to put moths and butterflies on display. Other events included Dr Simon Berrow, one of the founders of Clare Biodiversity Group and the wildlife club explained what Biodi- versity Week was all about.

“The week gives everyone a chance to enjoy and explore the glorious wildlife and wild places of Clare. The county has everything from lakes in east Clare to the Burren in north Clare. Biodiversity is the vari- ety of life on our planet. We are hop-

ing that the week becomes an annual event. Last year, there was a day but the weather can be unpredictable so spreading the events out is a good idea.”

The West Clare Wildlife Club runs all year round and is now preparing for its Summer outings.

“We started it up last winter and arranged different guests speakers, both with local knowledge or broad- er interests. Generally, we have a talk once a month on the last Thurs- day and a trip out on the Sunday after to see what we spoke about. We have 80 members and usually get 30 on average at events,” said Dr Berrow.

The summer programme is now in motion with a trip to Scattery Island as one possible event.

When the winter programme be- gins in September, some of the lec- ture subjects will include underwa- ter marine life with John Flynn and diving with Robert Tweedy. One of Ireland’s foremost wildlife and land- scape photographers, Mike Brown, will also pay a visit to the headquar- ters of the Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation in Merchant’s Quay, Kilrush where the 8pm talks ANKoM IO

“Clare has led the way for biodiver- sity in Ireland and we will continue working to maintain that enthusi- asm,’ he added.

For more information on the West Clare Wildlife Club, membership and club events, log on to www. WCWC.1E.

WATER shortages in homes in east Clare are becoming a major problem, councillors have told local authority officials.

At a meeting last week of the Scar- iff area committee, councillor Joe Cooney said that there “have been in- creasing incidents of water shortages. In Tuamgraney on the last two bank holiday weekends, there were some houses that had no water all through Saturday and Sunday”’.

The councillors were discussing motions from Cllr Cooney and Cllr Pat Hayes asking what the council intends to do about water shortages which are affecting Tulla and Tuam- eraney.

In a written answer, senior execu- tive engineer, Sean Lenihan told Cllr Hayes that pumps serving Tulla were upgraded in April and it has been es- tablished that there are no significant oF CSE PO MS aCemD ACK 80F

But he added that in the event of wa- ter shortages this summer, it may be

necessary to restrict supply to some of the lower areas in order to boost the flow to areas on higher levels in the town.

The council will have to ask for the co-operation of residents in conserv- ing water and reducing how much they use if this happens, the engineer Sr RIOR

Problems with water supply in the Tuamgraney area would be im- proved when work goes ahead on the €392,000 sewerage and water scheme for Scariff before Christmas,

the members were told.

A further €190,000 has been made available for work on the water sys- tem in Tulla while Feakle will benefit to the tune of €105,000 for work on the water supply there.

Cllr Hayes said that at a recent meet- ing of residents in Tulla, the issue of water shortages were raised. “It was also raised in the context of future development. I would welcome this funding but we have to consider that an adequate water supply is vital to the future development of our towns.”

ACTIONS speak as loud as words for Cooraclare School of Speech and Drama with five of its students win- ning awards for performing from the Irish Board of Speech and Drama. Three students won gold medals and two senior students were given special awards with distinction for their achievements after completing their final grade examinations. Grade Four student Jenny Ryan from Kilrush and Grade Three stu- dents, Saoirse Griffin from Cappagh and Breda Quinn from Cooraclare

were awarded gold medals by the board while the other distinctions were given to Kate O’Gorman from Cree and Edel Tubridy from Coora- OE NKeor

Founder of the school, Bernie Tu- bridy, said that the examiner had congratulated all of the girls on the high standard.

“They all put in a lot of work get- ting ready for the exams. Different exams consist of recitation of po- etry, reading, mime and dramatic solos. The younger students would have given an impromptu talk about themselves as well.”

Ms Tubridy added that all of the school’s students, over twenty be- tween the ages of six and 16 years, also took part in an annual show.

“All of the children performed on the stage in Cooraclare Community Centre for parents in March and there was a variety of short plays, solos and poetry that night. They all take a great interest in it- especially on the drama side of things. We put a big emphasis on that and communi- cation skills of course.”

Since 1994, the school has had many graduates from its weekly classes perform in local drama pro-

ductions.

‘“Cooraclare has a strong dramatic tradition with well-known producer Tom McNamara organising plays for the Doonbeg Drama Festival. One of our award winners, Edel, played Molly in this year’s Cooraclare Dra- ma Group play –

IT’S not everyday you see young- sters aged between 10 and 12 years taking to the stage to tackle the very serious issues of illegal drugs and alcohol abuse.

But the kids who have been taking part in the Clarecare sex education, drug and alcohol awareness pro- gramme have taken the challenge on board in a play specially written for

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The 25 youngsters who took part in the eight week course at the Molua centre have formed a drama group to stage “Friendship” at the Kuin- cora Hall Hotel tomorrow night. (Wednesday, May 30).

This is the second year that the course has been run by childcare worker, Sinead Corbett.

“We wanted some way of showing the public what the children have

been doing on the course and this seemed a good idea,” said Sinead.

Drama therapist, Deirdre Clair came on board to pen the play for the youngsters around the themes which they had been exploring.

The result was a chance for the children from fifth and sixth class in the girls national school and the boys primary school to come together and stage the drama.

As well as exploring the themes

which they encountered on _ the course, it gave the children a chance to have fun and learn some stage craft into the bargain.

And after intensive rehearsals they’re ready to show the world what they can do.

Curtain up 1s at 7pm and tickets can be bought at the door.

Clarecare also run youth summer camps starting shortly and details of these are available from the centre.

A NATIONAL charity won’t be looking a gift horse in the mouth this June bank holiday weekend as a line of horse-drawn carriages makes a 150 mile journey to west Clare in a bid to raise money.

The unusual cavalcade, benefiting the Barretstown therapeutic recrea- tion programme, will saddle up in Kildare at 6am on Saturday, June 2 before travelling south.

Local volunteer Noreen O’Brien said that at least 20 carriages as well

as horse boxes and support staff from the Kildare Horse Driving Club will pass through Killaloe on Saturday afternoon before stopping in Inagh for the night.

“I got involved because my kids are into showjumping and we have friends in this club in Kildare. One of the organisers, Pat Commane, 1s originally from Miltown Malbay so that inspired a ‘Kildare to Clare’ trip. We are distributing lines locally and there will be buckets for dona- tions as they pass through.”

The cavalcade will leave Inagh at

midday on Sunday, June 3 arriving in Miltown Malbay an hour later and finishing in Quilty in the afternoon. There will be more fundraising that night in the Quilty Tavern with mu- sic and a raffle as the club try to pass the post for their €15,000 target.

Ms O’Brien added that the entire operation would be massive.

“The line itself is only one thing. They will have lorries with horse boxes because they will change to fresh horses every 10 miles, as well as a bus in front of them. Barrets- town is the only facility of its kind

in Ireland. It is like a summer camp for children recovering from serious illnesses so it’s a huge effort but for a very worthy cause.”

She said that anyone with their own carriage can join the line along the way but regretfully sulkies are ex- cluded because they are not covered by insurance.

It is hoped that the event will be successful enough to ride again next year.

To make a donation and support Barretstown, telephone Noreen on 065-7084708.

MOUNTSHANNON ands Scariff are in for a funding boost to help to- wards creating a playground for each area.

At a meeting of the Scariff area committee last week, local council- lors approved the equal division of the €83,000 in available funds under the Community Playground Grant Scheme between the two areas.

Members heard that committees in both east Clare areas have already put in considerable ground-work in terms of fundraising and both have secured sites where the facilities can be built.

Administrative Officer with the

council’s community and enterprise Section, Catherine O’ Hara, said that looking at population growth in both areas, “they both have a need of these facilities and they have already done a lot of fundraising and planning be- fore their applications came in”.

She told the meeting that a third ap- plication, which had previously been approved in Tulla for funding under the scheme, can’t progress at the mo- ment as the local committee have yet to find a site.

Councillor Colm Wiley suggested that the Tulla committee could be given extra time to come up with a site before the money allocated to WeJOOMKMRerrEse oem

Councillors queried whether it

would be more effective to give the entire sum to one of the areas and earmark next years funding for the Oo) ister

The members said they were con- cerned that both schemes would end up being half finished.

But Ms O’Hara said that as both committees already have sites, di- viding funds would be of benefit.

“The grants are not intended to cov- er the entire cost of providing these facilities. The residents committees still have to fundraise, take charge of the area when it is finished and come up with money every year for insur- ance and maintenance and while we can’t guarantee top up funding, they are free to come back and put in an-

other application in the future.”

Cllr Pat Hayes said that “both ar- eas could probably do with being al- located the full amount. They have both put together very impressive proposals”.

Senior Executive Engineer, Sean Lenihan, said that the cost of equip- ment for playgrounds is very high.

“One of those carousels, for in- Stance, costs €9,/00,” he said.

He added that council staff have spoken to both committees “and they are both ready to get started. This would give them the impetus to get on to the next stage.”

The councillors voted to allocate the money equally to both schemes in Mountshannon and Scariff.

CLARE farmers are being urged to attend an IFA Skillnet training workshop which takes place later this week at the Auburn Lodge Hotel in Ennis

The survey, which has been or- ganised by the newly appointed IFA Skillnet Network Manager and Clareman, Karl Skehan, will provide IFA members with the opportunity to get trained in completing the Farm Safety Code.

“Tax planning for succession 1s

very important, there were a number of tax issues which should be consid- ered when transferring assets such as the family farm,” said Clare IFA county chairman Seamus Murphy. “Any farmer making a will needs to clearly state the allocation of the Single Farm Payment in their wills that where the Single Farm Payment was not addressed in a will that it falls into the residue of the estate and were this to happen it may become inactive as there may be no land on which to activate the payment.” Meanwhile, IFA President Padraig

Walshe, launching the IFA Skillnet Safety Training Project in Dublin last week.

‘Already in 2007 there have been six farm deaths. These are great tragedies for the farm families con- cerned.

“The IFA Skillnet courses will as- sist farmers to manage their farms with safety and health to the fore, by completing the new Code of Prac- tice,” he said

IFA Skillnet is a member of a na- tional group of learning networks. These provide innovative, non-man-

datory training for a range of sectors. Skillnet organisations are funded by the National Training Fund operated by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment.

The workshop will take place from 10am 4pm at the Auburn Lodge Hotel, this Friday June 1. Places are limited and should be booked through the IFA Office in Limer- ick on 061-314196. There is a €50 charge per place for IFA members and €100 for non members. Lunch will be provided for all who attend the training event..

EXPERIENCE has made way for youth, with two Clare young guns securing positions on the national political stage.

Fianna Fail’s Timmy Dooley, at 38 and Fine Gael’s Joe Carey, 31, were among the youngest TDs elected in last week’s general election.

Former poll topper James Breen (Ind) and veteran politician Sena- tor Brendan Daly (FF) were forced to reconsider their political futures,

having been defeated in the final ODEN aE

In contrast, the two young guns are anticipating their progression to the DEE

Deputy Dooley, who has spent the past five years in the Seanad, said he felt young people showed a great interest in politics in the run-up to the election and this translated into votes.

“Clare will be well represented in the younger stakes. We have to look at demographics in the county.

Joe and I will be able to look after a young County Clare. No doubt we both benefited from the young vote,” he said.

Fine Gael’s newest TD in Clare, Joe Carey 1s not going to be overawed by the presence of older, more experi- enced members of the Dail.

“Tis a young man’s or woman’s game now. I will bring a new energy, enthusiasm and vigour as anew TD,” he said.

He said he will be sad to vacate his seat on Clare County Council, after

eight years.

“T have great friends in the council. I got great support from councillors in the chamber. I will be sad to let it go, but I have progressed politically,” he said.

Mr Dooley believes that Clare is in with a healthy chance of getting a senior ministerial post, despite not securing a third Fianna Fail seat in the county.

“We haven’t the three but Tony Killeen has done a very good job in the Department of Labour. It would

be no harm to freshen up the Cabi- net with someone like Tony. We need somebody in the mid-west to west.

“It was disappointing we didn’t take the third (seat), but you’ve got to take ability into account too,” he said. Speaking shortly after his elec- tion on Friday, his party colleague Tony Killeen said, “Our situation in the county would be a lot better ob- viously if we had three candidates. I think the judgement made nationally about the performance of Fianna Fail in Clare won’t be positive.”

PRESSURE is mounting on the Eu- ropean Commission to introduce an all out ban on Brazilian beef follow- ing an IFA survey into the South American beef sector.

IFA President, Padraig Walshe, presented the results of the study to EU Commission officials in Brussels last Thursday which he claims in- cludes “extensive factual evidence” that raises major questions over sec- tor.

During the 7-day visit to Brazil, a team from the IFA and the Farmers Journal visited 15 farms in the states of Parana, Mato Grosso de Sol and Mato Grosso. In addition, the team observed farming practices on a fur-

ther 27 farms on their travels.

‘Based on the evidence we found of non existent cattle traceability, wide- spread illegal removal and cutting out of tags, totally inadequate move- ment and FMD controls and the use of hormone growth promoters, the only conclusion for the EU Commis- sion is to immediately impose a total ban on all Brazilian beef imports into Europe,” said IFA national livestock chairman John Bryan, who was part of the Brazilian trip.

Bryan went on to accused the EU Commission, particularly ‘Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou, of pursuing a politically-motivated trade agenda on Brazilian beef imports.

“On the few farms where there were tags, we found routine and widespread removal and cutting out of the official SISBOV tags in order to facilitate illegal movement,” he SrHTOR

“It is clear from our visit that the movement of cattle from FMD re- stricted states into unrestricted clear states 1s widespread.

“This explains why actual imports into the EU have fallen by only 2 per cent, despite restrictions on states which accounted for over 60 per cent of EU imports before the FMD crisis new lO ey

“We saw evidence of large scale cattle movement across state borders driven by higher prices in the unre- stricted states.”

Bryan went on to say that Irish and European farmers operated to the highest international standards of food safety, animal identification and traceability and strict controls on animal medicines and residue KRU NTS

‘European consumers expect that all beef on sale in the EU meet these standards. Producers and consum- ers rely on the Commission to up- hold European standards across the board,’ he continued.

“By accepting Brazilian beef im- ports, which clearly fall below Euro- pean standards, the EU Commission are failing in their duty to European consumers and undermining Euro- pean producers.”