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THERE was no birthday cake or can- dles but there was still plenty to cel- ebrate when the BurrenLIFE Project (BLP) turned three last week.

Much progress has been made to- wards environmental and economic sustainability in the Burren over the last two years of the project and hope are high that year three will see the BLP make even more progress on a number of goals.

Since Christmas, much of the fo- cus of the organisation has been on a programme of targeted scrub remov- al. This work is designed to protect

the limestone paving of the Burren by opening up stretches of land that have been overrun by scrub.

This allows cattle and sheep to once again graze on the land and prevent the further encrouchment of scrub.

The project has spent more than €150, OOO on scrub removal with €100, OOO been spent in the last three months alone. They have set up a register for skilled and semi- skilled workers which has lead to over 90 workers registering to help with the work.

‘Much progress has been made in the first 2 and half years of operation and the number of farmers interested

in participating in the BLP has ex- CITA Te Ro. qee eet Maer COM NCTC D BUT O Conchuir, Project’s Finance and Operations Officer.

“In recent months we have been extremely busy working with LIFE farmers to enhance livestock man- agement facilities on project sites.

“Direct site work related to scrub removal has been ongoing and inten- sive since the BLP established a Reg- ister of Workers in December.”

The vast majority of these workers are local farmers who have a deep understanding of the work. This has shown that conservation work can economically support local com-

munities and local communities can work to play a role in the active man- agement of the Burren.

According to Dr Sharon Parr, the Project’s Scientific Co-ordinator, the programme of targeted scrub remov- al has greatly assisted participating farmers to open up access for cattle and restore priority habitats to a bet- ter conservation status.

In excess of 20kms of access track- ways have been opened and in excess of 50 hectares of scrub has been re- moved. For further information on the work of the BLP’s and its ongo- ing programme is available on www. eUME ODER CoNee)NOe

THE pupils from Kilmihil National School gathered in the playground on Monday evening last to welcome back their victorious rugby team.

The 15-person squad had taken part in the Munster Coca Cola Tag Rugby Extravaganza and received first prize for their participation in the pre matches parade.

The extravaganza includes more than 30 teams from around the coun- try and is referred to as an “extrava- ganza’ rather than a competition be- cause nobody keeps scores.

The aim of the event is for young children to display the rugby skills they have learnt and to show how they can “play fair’.

The emphasis on this day of rugby

was fair play, participation, team- work and skill, for once leaving aside the element of competition. Children were encouraged to show respect for the players, referees, and officials and to show good sportsmanship at PMB bO Noe

Prior to the rugby games a “Nations Parade” was held.

Each school had been given a na- tion to represent. Kilmihil National School paraded as South Africa.

After a hectic few days of effort and co-operation by the entire staff and pupils, costumes were designed and created and the team was trans- formed into “The Springbok” Rugby Team and traditional South Afri- ore

On the day of the extravaganza Kilmihil pupils were awarded first

prize – a trophy – and were compli- mented for their exceptional cos- tumes and tribal dance.

Fifteen pupils from fifth and sixth class made up the Kilmihil Tag Rug- by Team, which took on a team from Limerick, a team from Cork and a uaa rer-beee

This was the school’s first time in the competition, although it has been part of the tag rugby-coaching course organised by Munster Rugby Development Association for the past three years under the watchful eye of coach George Guilfoyle.

The school team participated in the local tournament held in Lees Road Sports Complex before being invited to join in the “Munster Coca Cola Tag Rugby Extravaganza” in Mus- grave Park, Cork.

The 34 children from fifth and sixth class travelled to Cork for the event at 6.30 am on Monday with principal Carmel Coughlan, fifth class teacher Michael King and Eva Keane who looks after the school’s sports pro- eau-eabentee

“We got a great reception when we arrived back at 5.30pm on Monday. The children and other teachers pre- pared a welcome banner,” said Ms Orato

Speaking about the extravaganza she said, “After learning the skills this was the chance for the children to display them.”

KILRUSH farmer, Jackie Whelan, yesterday challenged claims made by the IFFPG that farm plastic was being imported illegally into Ireland.

The IFFPG secured millions of euro in funding from the Department of the Environment to collect illegally imported plastic last year.

Mr Whelan, who operates a glass

recycling company, is planning to set up a farm plastic recycling company to compete with the IFFPG in Clare this year.

‘The farmer was charged for the col- lection of this plastic and the excuse given by the IFFPG was that there was illegal plastic being imported that was not subject to the usual levy. This sim- ply does not hold water. Who do they think is importing it? Who is selling

it? I can’t see it,’ said Mr Whelan.

“T intend to put in place my own plastic recycling company to deal with this plastic and not have to send it to Scotland. If there were two or three recycling plants around Ireland we could recycle all of our plastic over here and not be paying €50 a tonne to have it recycled in Scotland.

“Or we wouldn’t have to be burning up fuel driving it all over the country

to get it recycled.”

Whelan’s claims were yesterday re- futed by Sean Campbell of the IFF- PG.

‘He was telling me about that two years ago and if he was ever going to do something like that he would have done it already. Jackie Whelan might think that he knows something about it but he hasn’t got a clue,” said Camp- ode

SEVENTEEN teenagers from Kilkee went Dutch this week.

The second year students from St Joseph’s Community College, Kilkee travelled to Vlaardingen in the Neth- erlands on Sunday, March 25 as part of a student exchange. They arrived back on Friday.

The exchange was part of the Comenius Project.

A European initiative – in existence since the foundation of the European Economic Community, the Comen- ius endeavours to facilitate exchange of ideas, personnel, and students be- tween member states of the EU and

indeed between all countries in the continent of Europe.

Phase two of the project is Comen- ius 1.3, which began in 2004. Kilkee Community College was a co-ordi- nating school for the project.

It hosted the first meeting of the partner schools in October 2004. Each meeting was a three to four day gets together by teachers (only) to exchange ideas, compare and share strategies developed to ensure that all the school is an inclusive place of Kee Nesnneree

The other countries involved include Scotland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Spain, and Norway the project will end where it began in Kilkee later this

month.

In the meantime the students are making the most of the European ey sbaterernleyer

The Kilkee students lived with the Dutch students’ families for just un- der a week.

The highlights of the week included a tour of Vlaardingen, a visit to Rotter- dam that included a boat tour through the harbours of the city and a visit to Neeltje Jans, the polders on Noord Beveland and the Veersegatdam.

On Thursday the Kilkee students and their Dutch hosts attended a lec- ture on polder water management at the Kinderdijk pump and windmills. Later that day they spent some time

in the city of Delft.

In late May the Dutch students will make the return visit to Kilkee as cuests of the Irish students.

The schools selected each other as exchange partners as they are located in a region that is physically/geo- graphically quite different. The Kil- kee students were introduced to the physical features of deposition 1.e. the Polders of Holland and a flat land- scape. When the Dutch students visit Kilkee they will study coastal erosion and karst landscape.

The exchange programme was or- ganised by Geography teachers Jean Lorigan and Deirdre Kennedy who accompanied the students on the trip.

FEAKLE is to have its own hotel again after almost 10 years with the KOusNMnyeeh analy

A planning application has been lodged to build a €3 million hotel development as well as a retirement village and holiday homes on the site of the old hotel in the village.

The project will create six full-time and up to 30 part-time jobs in the area aS well as generating revenue for local organic suppliers, who will be providing for the restaurant. The development will be able to offer

conference and function facilities, a leisure centre, a café bar/restaurant facility and a maximum of 48 hotel rooms.

The new hotel is the brainchild of brother and sister team, Rory Smyth and Ann Moloney, together with their design team, Annalise Van Harden and Miles Samson.

‘“We’re very pleased with the design and the various uses of the develop- ment and we’re looking forward to getting going with the project,” said Rory Smyth.

SM alompccnencenonlMM SUI L- Rom oeBlO)ImmO)E the new development will allow over-

55s avail of cleaning and firelighting Services, meals in the hotel or deliv- ered to their door, and the use of a communal facilities and the leisure centre at the hotel.

The development will feature a 225sq m café bar/restaurant as well as a 300sq m function room/confer- ence facility and a number of smaller conference/syndicate rooms from 100sq m to 30sq m. The leisure facil- ity includes a gym with sauna, jacuz- Z1 and a number of treatment rooms.

There will be 10 bedroom suites in the main body of the hotel, and it is proposed to build nine holiday homes

attached to the hotel. Each will have four en-suite bedrooms which can be let as individual rooms, giving the hotel a total of 48 rooms.

Feakle native Fr Harry Bohan said, “The loss of the old hotel resulted in many events and functions not only being moved from the area, but in many instances being cancelled al- together. East Clare is recognised as one of the most scenic and unspoiled destinations in the country but it is also accepted as being seriously under-developed, so I welcome the news of the hotel and holiday village re-development.”

GARDA resources during the Wil- lie Clancy music festival last year were “grossly inadequate” as just six gardai were on duty on a night when 1,700 people were in the town.

That was the view expressed by a judge, who heard details of an assault case in court last week.

Judge Joseph Mangan made the comments at Kilrush District Court, in the case of three men who were

charged with assault, arising out of a series of incidents in Miltown Mal- bay on a night in July last year.

Two of the three were convicted, while a charge against the third ac- cused was dismissed. Brian Sexton (18), of Spanish Point, Miltown Malbay, was convicted of three as- sault charges. David Halley (22), of Woodfield, Ballynote, Kilrush, was convicted of a charge of assault, causing harm. A charge of assault against David Kelly, of High Street,

Kilrush, was dismissed.

Sergeant Joe Hehir told the court the incident happened during Willie Clancy week. Judge Joseph Mangan asked how many patrons were in the town that night and was told there were between 1,000 and 1,700.

He then asked, “How many gardai?” and was told there were six.

The judge said, “Sergeant Hehir has stated there were up to 1,700 patrons in Miltown Malbay on this night. S1x gardai on patrol in that situation

is grossly inadequate. It’s not fair to the people of Miltown Malbay and it’s not fair to the majority of patrons who went there to enjoy themselves and, above all, it is not fair to the six members of the gardai,” he said.

He imposed a three-month deten- tion sentence on Sexton and fined Halley €500. He fixed recognisances in the event of an appeal, for both young men. Halley’s solicitor Eu- gene O’Kelly told the court his cli- ent thought his friend was in trouble

on the night and went to rescue him. “He didn’t go to Miltown to cause trouble,” said Mr O’ Kelly.

Sexton’s solicitor Joe Moloney said his client came from a decent family and his mother was in court with him. Judge Mangan said, “Mr Sexton instigated and initiated all of the trouble on the night. If it weren’t for him, there wouldn’t have been any trouble. His words and his ac- tions led to mayhem on the night and he has to face the consequences.”

ENNISTYMON is shaping up for fashion today with all and sundry getting ready for the Ennistymon Annual Fashion Show which takes place in the Falls Hotel this evening at 8.30pm.

The show will feature a range of smart and casual wear for both women and men with clothes from a number of local shops on display. The evening will be hosted by Alo- ma McKay and all the models on the night will be local.

The fashion show is the main fund- raiser for the Ennistymon Agricultur-

al Show, which takes place in July. As in previous years, more than half of all the money raised will go towards a nominated charity, this year being the Friends of Ennistymon Hospital.

“All the four local boutiques — Noinin, Cloie, Off The Rail and Savanna — have all donated some lovely outfits for the evening,’ said co-organiser, Susan Harvey.

“Barry’s Mensware, the new men’s shop in Ennistymon, is involved as well, as is Mona Cheri from Ennis, who will have a range of hats, party and debs dresses on show. The Bridal Emporium in Miltown will have a couple of wedding dresses, bridesmaid

dresses and tuxedos at the show.”

A large portion of the proceeds from this year’s event will go to the Ennistymon Hospital.

“They are looking at putting in a new kitchen and some of this money will go towards that,” she continued. “They do a lot of good fundraising work up there and are always making improvements. The charity side is a very important part of the event. It is really nice to be able to give to the different local charities.”

Tonight’s event is the first official engagement of this year’s Ennisty- mon Show, which takes place on Sat- urday 2 and Sunday 3 of June.

“We have been getting the prize list together and have been sending it out to a lot of different people and especially to the schools,’ continued Susan.

“We have sent it to more than I5 schools in the locality and the youth section is a very important part of the show. We will have a few new events in this year’s show and the best dressed dog competition will return after being such a success last year.

“We are looking forward to a good show and hopefully it will be one of the best in years.”

For more information, call Mau- reen on 065 7071487.

aA so MOL comtleroMW AIIM (oo. instigate legal action against the Irish Farm Film Producers Group (IFFPG) for the organisations failure to collect more than 3,000 tonnes of farm plastic Jake eemwe-utey

Kilrush man, Jackie Whelan is to send solicitors letters to Sean Campbell of the IFFPG and Portlaoise based contractor Robert Walker demanding €1,000 per week compensation in return for their failure to remove the plastic.

Whelan was contracted to collect farm plastic from the IFFPG in 2005 and 2006. Despite collecting 600 tonnes in 2005 and close to 3,000 last year, only 300 tonnes has to date been removed to date.

Under his agreement with the IFFPG the plastic mountain was to be com- pletely removed by Robert Walker last September.

‘No one ever came to take this plastic from 2005, every last bit of it 1s still in my farm. In 2006 I was contracted by the IFFPG to collect the plastic again.

Clare County Council were helping by setting up collection points and every farmer in the county was given the chance to get rid of the backlog of plas- tic,’ said Mr Whelan.

“The IFFPG told me that all of the plastic would be taken away by last September and that has not happened. I will be sending solicitors letters to the IFFPG and to Waters telling them that I will be charging them €1,000 each a week to store that plastic from April 1.”

A spokesperson from Clare County Council confirmed yesterday that they

had paid 30 per cent of the overall fee for collecting the plastic to Robert Walker but were holding the remaining omen m tie elmsetem einem st-lemeonB ioe moved from Mr Whelan’s premises and recycled.

‘The council understands that there are issues in the onward processing of the plastic collected given the very sig- nificant volumes that were brought to the various collection points through- out the county. This is a matter for the contractor to address. The financial arrangements on the contract are such that Clare County Council will not be paying the contracted sum until such time as all plastic collected has been re- cycled,’ said a council spokesperson.

Contractor Robert Walker told

THE 220 people who attended the Ennis Chamber Annual President’s Dinner in Dromoland Castle on Fri- day night heard a spirited defence of Shannon Airport from Chamber President John Madden.

Mr Madden called on all public representatives and election candi- dates to secure from the Govern- ment the promised debt-free status for the airport, along with the nec- essary marketing budget to allow the airport to succeed in an Open Skies environment.

He said he is hopeful that airport staff will accept the revised restruc- turing offer. He stated that if the restructuring package is agreed, Government must then guarantee that Shannon is properly and rapidly constituted as an independent entity with debt-free status, as promised in crystal-clear language by the former Transport Minister, Seamus Brennan.

“The marketing plan proposed by the Mid West Regional Authority must then be agreed by Government. This includes the provision of €44 million for marketing the airport and a further €9 million for route devel- opment,’ he added.

He also said that the Chamber is actively promoting the concept of a Festival Co-ordinating office for En- nis, and expressed concern about re-

cent closures of businesses in Ennis.

Guest speaker was Mary Ann O’Brien, of Lily O’Brien’s Choco- lates, who was awarded the title of Image Businesswoman of the Year this February.

Ms O’Brien spoke about the work of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation,

which she and her husband Jonathan Irwin set up to provide help for fami- lies with children up to the age of four who have severe developmental delay and require extended care.

The Foundation, a registered char- ity, raises money to provide care and acts as an advocate for the families.

The inspiration for the Foundation came from their son Jack Irwin, who was born healthy in 1996, but suf- fered an invasive trauma two days later. There were no services to care for him, and the family looked after him at home with the help of many JGuLOILO KS

In the past 10 years, the Foundation has helped over 700 children. Cur- rently it is assisting eight children in Clare and 11 in Limerick.

Auctioneer Philip O’Reilly spoke about the work of Gorta, the Free- dom from Hunger Council of Ireland, which his company 1s supporting.

Mr O’Reilly then held an auction to raise funds for both charities. In the space of a few minutes, the eight items donated by local and other companies were disposed of for €6,500.

TRIBUTES were paid last week to Mary O’Loghlin, former teacher and musical inspiration at Scoil Mhuire in Ennistymon, who retired from teaching last June. Mary returned to Scoil Mhuire one last time last Fri- day, where she was presented with a painting to mark her retirement.

Over the last three decades, Mary has been heavily involved in the mu- sical development of Scoil Mhuire. She has inspired countless musicals and recitals and put many students on the course to a lifetime of musical enjoyment.

“Mary was ahead of her time. She exposed us to a variety of musical

styles. She crossed musical bounda- ries, experimenting all the time, and I think that this was her most precious attribute,’ said a former student.

“No-one was better at finding, ex- pecting and demanding brilliance. Thank you, Mary, for the lifelong love of music — the welcome release from the books and the precious school memories.”

As a young teacher, Mary arrived in Ennistymon with a vision of a school which nurtured musical talent of the young.

“The magnitude of Scoil Mhuire’s musical achievement under her lead- ership is well known — year after year, her utter fearlessness in taking on enormous tasks, or at least tasks

that seemed enormous to the rest of us, was quite amazing,’ said Scoil Mhuire teacher, Mary O’ Flaherty. ‘As the absolute excellence of the end-product was of paramount im- portance to her, she demanded the highest standards in musicals which could only have been described as amazing. Though there were a few hell-raising moments for us of little faith, the students followed her with doe-eyed devotion and delivered out- standing performances.’ Throughout her career, Mary had a dedication which was recognised by all the students who learned under her. Indeed, months after her retire- ment, she 1s still involved with the musical development in the school,

helping to prepare the school choir before they sang at a tribute night to Irish Olympiad, Ronnie Delaney, in Dublin last December.

“We practiced in school, at her home and in dingy backstage rooms,’ continued one former student.

‘At competition, when she appeared before the choir, it was without sheet music. She had the uncanny ability to control the entire choir with one hand.”