Category: Uncategorized

THE roads and byways of east Clare have been humming with the rich sound of singing over the last few months as a group of interested peo- ple have established a new commu- nity choir in Scaruf.

The inspiration for the group came after a visit from Archie Simpson of the Lismorahaun Singers last year which saw the north Clare based voice teacher offer a singing work- shop for the locals.

So popular was the work-shop that another workshop was organised

with Kate Daly, also from the Lis- morahaun Singers.

“We really like it and a couple of us came together with the idea of start- ing a singing group of our own,’ said Carla Bauer, one of the organisers.

‘In October we organised a second workshop, this time with Kate Daly. It was so popular, about 25 or 30 people turned up and after that we have been continuing the group on our own steam.

“We call it a choir but at the mo- ment it is more like a singing group really. We are hoping to one day to erow to become a choir.”

Carla is currently studying a mas- ters degree in Community Music in UL while her co-organiser Cather- ine Patience is a professional voice coach.

“We have a good mixture of people – there are a few teenagers as well as a mixture of men and women. We really try to stay open to everything that the members want to do,” con- tinued Carla.

“We enjoy examining different styles and different songs and every idea that is put forward is very wel- come. Overall though, it’s isn’t so much like a church choir, so far any-

way. It is more lively like a Baptist choir or something like that.”

Carla is currently hosting a series of six workshops with the group through her University of Limerick fo) actos

“We are going to experiment a bit during the workshops,” said Carla. “We will try a few different vocal exercises and see how we get on. We also want to introduce differ- ent rhythms and some instruments. Hopefully at the end of it we will come up with something original.”

Anyone interested in learning more can contact Carla at 061 – 921633.

AMERICAN Airlines has = an- nounced it plans to reinstate direct daily services from Shannon to its Chicago hub throughout the 2007 summer schedule.

The move will mean boosting car- go capacity from Ireland and bring- ing important revenue into the Clare airport.

The new direct services from Shan- non will start on May | using B7/57 aircraft to complement the airline’s existing daily B767 Dublin-Chicago

oss Coke

The latter will now operate direct once again as they did in summer 2006, dropping their winter 2006 Shannon stop.

A spokeswoman for the Airport Authority said that the decision by AA 1s to be welcomed. “It shows that they believe there is a market here for the direct flight and that they have confidence in us. We are very happy with the announcement.”

Fine Gael TD Pat Breen has wel- comed the news from American Air- lines that it will be increasing cargo

capacity from Shannon. Deputy Breen said the announcement was “a vote of confidence in Shannon by the US-owned airline and demonstrated the potential of the cargo business between the US and Shannon.”

All American Airline flights from Ireland arrive midway through the same day, allowing for fast transfers onto its extensive US network, or ur- gent local deliveries.

American Airlines Cargo is rep- resented in Ireland by IAM, whose MD Ian McCool says, “2007 has got off to a flying start for American

THE Government remains commit- ted to increasing resources for spe- cial education and reducing primary school class sizes, according to Min- ister for Labour Affairs and Clare TD, Tony Killeen. The Mu£nister’s comments follow the announcement by Minister for Education and Sci- ence, Mary Hanafin, TD that over €3.6m has been approved for build- ing projects in 10 schools around Orie

Minister Killeen continued, “To- day’s announcement, which has been made under the devolved accommo- dation programmes, enables Clare’s schools to manage their own projects in delivering on additional accom- modation they themselves have iden- tified as being required. The funding allocation of €3,612,000 will allow

Airlines Cargo in Ireland, with new traffic from new agents.

‘The decision to maintain the Shan- non service during winter 2006 paid off handsomely. Although capacity was reduced, the agents in the west still had a daily service throughout the last quarter peak period, without the need to truck to Dublin.

‘Now that we have additional ca- pacity once again, the loyalty we have built up will certainly help us to win a larger market share.”

Sixty per cent of AA cargo from Ireland now flies on the airline’s di-

for the provision of additional class- rooms and rooms for special edu- cation, therefore contributing to a reduction in class sizes. The various projects, which have been identified by the schools in question, will also lead to a modernisation of school buildings and facilities.”

Minister Killeen said he was de- lighted to learn that St Flannan’s National School in Inagh is to benefit from today’s announcement.

“St Flannan’s National School cur- rently boasts a first-class autism unit which provides an invaluable serv- ice to Inagh and surrounding areas. I] have made numerous representa- tions on behalf of the school in the past and I am delighted to see that it is to benefit under the Government’s permanent accommodation scheme, ’

rect flights, although [AM continues to offer additional capacity using nightly express road feeders to the airline’s London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester gateways, from which AA operates a total of 129 flights per week to the USA.

American Airlines is the world’s largest airline. American, American Eagle and the American Connection airlines serve 250 cities in more than 40 countries with more than 4,000 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 air- evan

Minister Killeen said.

“Under the Small Schools Scheme, there is a good geographical spread of schools. The funding alloca- tion will allow for modernisation works to take place at Rineen Na- tional School, Ruan Central National School, Kilnamona National School, Clooney National School, Clondri- nagh National School, Ballycar Na- tional School, St Augustine’s Nation- al School in Kilshanny, St Cronan’s National School and Cree National School.

‘All the schools approved for fund- ing under these initiatives will be contacted directly by the Building Unit of the Department of Educa- tion and Science,’ Minister Killeen AYO CO(oren

THIS meeting sizzled at times. It gave in-fighting a whole new face. Two internal rows in Clare GAA were the main reasons why the first floor ballroom of the West County Hotel housed more delegates than usual.

Robert Frost and PJ McGuane were seen as having backed away from giving their support to John Reidy at the recent Munster Council meeting. That was confrontation number one.

But most delegates were there for the latest installment of what’s now becoming a weekly drama. The Tony Considine/David Fitzgerald stand- off. That’s essentially why the meet- ing had swelled to over twice its nor- mal size.

Just before things got underway, one wry delegate turned his head and out of the side of his mouth you could hear him say, “there wouldn’t be this many people staring at a car crash.”

At one stage, things got so bad the chairman of the board said he was considering his future as a member

of the board.

And then, just over half an hour into things, most got to hear what they came for. Michael McDonagh read a short letter written by Tony Sroyets ern sten

It prompted Paschal Russell to walk to the front of the room and in his hands he had another letter. He said he wanted everybody to hear what he was ready to read out. It was all about to unfold.

At the top of the room, the Clare- castle chairman read a two-minute statement from his clubman Ger Ward, outlining the reasons why Ward tendered his resignation and the manner in which it happened.

It was a precise, thought out state- ment and one that Ward never be- lieved he would have to pen so early into his term as Clare selector.

For the previous two weeks, he had remained silent. Despite phone calls — including several from this news- paper — he has refused to be drawn on the issue.

But on Thursday, it was time to put the whole affair to bed. He wrote of

principles and values and said his own weren’t part of the management thinking for Clare hurling at the mo- ment.

Importantly and with detail, he drew attention to his final departure from the management team and said he heard his resignation had been accepted in the media over a week later.

A meeting to resolve some of the issues between Considine and Ward was scheduled for The Old Ground on February 21 but the manager nev- er Showed up, Ward said.

The no show was sending out a clear message, just as Tim Crowe’s subsequent comments have sent out a message to those who have departed the set-up. The road back in is being blocked and the management must believe this is the best way forward.

What they won’t be pleased with is what happened next. The odd deci- sion was taken to appoint a facilita- tor in a row that the county board had already admitted it was unable to solve.

Putting a facilitator in place at this

late stage, over a month after Fit- zgerald left training, will only stoke things further. Unbelievably, the same delegates who lambasted the media for needlessly fuelling the de- bate were themselves putting timber on the fire.

If they didn’t know that, then they don’t know Tony Considine and they certainly don’t know hurling. No manager wants outside interference. Particularly a manager such as Con- sidine who has been extremely con- crete in his actions to date.

So, it continues for a number of rea- sons but mainly it continues because nobody has come out and drawn a clear line under the whole thing. No- body has pulled the plug.

What happened on Thursday night just muddies the waters even more. As it stated, the board’s role 1s to en- sure the welfare of Clare GAA. In that case, it should back off and leave Considine run the team the way he sees fit.

It should realise facilitators are for politics and this isn’t a game where men wear suits.

AN east Clare school has scored top marks in areport issued by the De- partment of Education and Science.

Ballybrohan National School was characterised as having a ‘warm child-friendly atmosphere’ and praised for the high standards achieved by pupils in language, lit- eracy and mathematics.

The school is also commended for the very good quality of teaching and learning in evidence and the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum.

However the report also notes that with enrolment numbers expected to rise in the immediate future, there will be further pressure on the school to expand.

Ballybrohan was one of 144 pri- mary and post primary schools sur- veyed nationwide.

Ballybrohan National School is a four-teacher co-educational primary school situated approximately half way between the towns of Scariff and Killaloe. The school is under the patronage of the Catholic bishop of the diocese of Killaloe.

The report states “the school mis- sion statement, as well as reflecting its Catholic ethos, also promotes partnership between the school, par- ents and the wider community in an atmosphere of mutual respect”.

The school serves mainly the fami- lies living locally and the number of pupils now attending stands at 105. The school also has a class for pupils

on the autistic spectrum with four pupils presently in attendance.

During the evaluation, the inspec- tors held pre-evaluation meetings with the principal, the teachers, the school’s board of management, and representatives of the parents’ as- sociation. The evaluation was con- ducted over a number of days during which inspectors visited classrooms and observed teaching and learning.

It also comments on the relation- ship between school management and the parents association.

‘Parents have been involved in the formation of a number of school pol- icies particularly in the areas of be- haviour, enrolment and homework.”

“The parents’ association officers stated that parents are made welcome

in the school and it was reported that the concerns of the members of the association are dealt with promptly by teachers and board of manage- ment. Communication among the as- sociation, the board of management and the teachers is satisfactory.”

The report recommends “that greater emphasis be placed on the development of the local History and Geography, and the use of informa- tion and communications technology (ICT) as a tool in the investigation and presentation of findings should be further expanded”.

‘“Post-evaluation meetings were held with the staff and board of man- agement where the draft findings and recommendations of the evaluation were presented and discussed.”

CLARE’S county manager, Alec Fleming, has written to the National Roads Authority (NRA) to recom- mend that it proceed with developing a contentious road through the vil- lage of Kilnamona.

The controversy surrounding the route selection for the upgrading of the N85 Ennis to Inagh road has dogged Clare County Council since last November.

A motion by Deputy Mayor Coun-

cillor Brian Meaney that the council proceed with the so-called ‘Purple Route’ precipitated heated debate at the council over a succession of meetings on council procedure.

A recommendation that the coun- cil adopt the “Purple Route’ was re- jected by councillors in 2005 who instead opted for the ‘Red Route’ which would have less disturbance on farmers’ land along the route.

However, the NRA is only willing to fund the ‘Purple Route’ as it is the only route that meets with standard

criteria for road investment.

The issue remained stalled until Cllr Meaney tabled his motion last November and, as a result of the con- troversy, Mr Fleming has sent off a nine-page memo to Karina Downes, Regional Manager with the NRA out- lining the background to the current situation. In it, Mr Fleming admits that he should never have brought the report for approval before the coun- cillors in 2005.

In the letter — circulated to council- lors — Mr Fleming states, “From my

perspective as County Manager, I now realise that our action in bring- ing the draft route selection report before the council was not a neces- sary part of the process.

“In appointing consultants to carry out a constraints study and a route selection report including public con- sultation, the council was essentially acting on behalf of the NRA.

“It is, therefore, appropriate for me as County Manager to consider the route selection report and provided that I am satisfied with it, to submit

it to the authority along with the completed phase three route selec- tion questionnaire. It then becomes a matter for the authority to consider and approve the report if appropri- aioe

“It would then become a proposal from the NRA. It is at that stage that the local authority, in its capacity as a roads authority, 1s empowered under Section 22 of the Roads Act to make representations to the NRA.

Mr Fleming now asks the NRA to proceed with the ‘Purple Route’.

FORMER Clare County Board vice- chairman Michael Lee has called for no more comments to be made on the crises that have dragged Clare hurling through the mire in recent peeved etse

In an impassioned plea to delegates at Thursday’s board meeting, Lee

said, “all this opening of wounds does not help the situation’.

And, in making his call the Tubber delegate said “the time has come to stand up and be counted as a County Board. Everyone knows very well that county hurling is bigger than club. There should be no more in- nuendo. No more media stuff. It’s killing Clare hurling. We should not

be going back to where we were 15 years ago. When we’re finished this year, that’s when to debate and find out what’s going wrong. Stop it now, for once and for all. It’s only making things worse,” he added.

However, Lee was a lone voice in calling for a line to be drawn under the controversy. “We’re the laughing stock of the whole county,” said TJ

O’Loughlin of Kilmurry Ibrickane. “IT want to know is Tony Considine answerable to the county board? Is there a liaison officer? When Tony Considine came in here last Novem- ber he said nothing about a trainer coming in for six weeks,” he added. “I think it’s a disgrace what has gone on,’ said Doonbeg delegate Michael ore

TWO childcare groups in Clare are celebrating this week, after being successful in their applications for funding.

The Department of Health and Children announced that the Inis- cealtra Preschool in Mountshannon and Bridget’s Garden Group in Tua- mgraney are to be given €1,000,000 and €600,000 respectively.

The Mountshannon facility cur- rently provides care facilities for up to 45 children from a pre-fab on the national school grounds.

The creche is run under the aus- pices of the Mountshannon Com- munity Council and chairman, Paul Bugler, said the cash will be a mas-

sive boost.

“This will allow us to move ahead with plans to expand the facility and to hopefully have purpose built ac- commodation. There is a real need in this area for childcare, both in terms of affordability and availability,” said Paul.

“For some parents who work in Limerick or Shannon it can mean hav- ing to shift children out at 6.30am. A lot of grandparents are stepping in to fill the breach and some of them are feeling the pressure. We need locally available pre-school and afterschool or Kone

The money will allow the facility, which has been in the very capable hands of Veronica Bleach for almost four years, to expand the hours dur-

ing which care can be provided, as well as provide better facilities.

Currently, the childcare facil- ity caters for up to 45 children for a number of hours each day but the new building will allow the service expand to include after school care up to national school age.

Meanwhile, the Bridget’s Garden community childcare facility is also planning to spend it’s €600,000 al- location on accommodation.

The group has been in existence for seven years, catered for more than 80 children in that time and has had to move four times in that period.

They cater for babies from six months old to children of four.

The facility is currently operating in Bodyke but it is hoped that now a

permanent home can be secured for Bridgets Garden.

Co-Founder of the facility, Lina Pelaez said that everyone involved was “delighted” to hear the grant was approved.

“It is very emotional to have the work that is being done recognised. We had such great help with the ap- plication from the Ennis Childcare Committee and the work done by parents has been amazing. There was such a lot of work involved in making the application and parents are not professional form-fillers but they really worked at it.”

ENNIS’S creaking infrastructure has resulted in the local council refusing planning permission for a €20 mil- lion residential development on land zoned for development.

Last month, Ennis Town Council refused planning permission to Joe McNamara to construct 52 homes and 28 apartments at the Golf Links Road, Ennis, citing the inadequate local sewage infrastructure to cater for the development.

Now, Mr McNamara has appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala. In the appeal, Mr McNamara said, “The council has specifically zoned these lands for residential uses and do have any in principle objection to the proposed land use, density, mix of uses or site layout.

“We believe, therefore, that it is the antithesis of proper planning and development where the developers are endeavouring to secure the im- plementation of the council’s own development plan objectives, but si- multaneously are being stymied on infrastructural issues.

“In this instance, it is particularly unreasonable as there is an entirely

reasonable resolution to their con- cerns. Furthermore, the council’s reference to the prematurity of the proposed foul water strategy is dis- ingenuous, given that the proposal complements the objectives of the Ennis Main Drainage preliminary report.

In the appeal, Mr McNamara’s con- sultant states, “It is our submission that we have provided a comprehen- sive solution to foul water manage- ment in accordance with recognised standards and in accordance with the Ennis Main Drainage Preliminary report, we believe that therefore that the council’s refusal in unjustified.”

The County and Town Develop- ment Plan state that it is the council’s policy to encourage housing develop- ment in designated towns and villag- es where infrastructural and social services exist or are planned.

“The plans aim to consolidate the form of the settlement and stem the excessive spread of ribbon develop- ment.

‘The subject site represents a natu- ral location for the expansion of the town in a sustainable manner.”

A decision is due on the appeal later this year.

CARDS close to his chest, Tony Considine emerges from the home dressing room four minutes after he entered. His players were moving back out to warm down and Consi- dine threw his mind back over the previous 70 minutes.

The home opener wasn’t supposed to go like this. After a handy run out in Down two weeks back, Considine knew this weekend would be a step up in class but despite Wexford’s more competitive start to the year, he must have thought Clare would be sitting on top of the league on Sun- day night.

“We really didn’t play well,” he says ‘and the first half was crucuial. But as I said during the week they had two quality games against Kilkenny [Walsh Cup final] and Waterford [league opener] and no disrespect to Down, we only had the Down game. We didn’t have any hurling done and we didn’t meet a team playing like that. But I still thought we played pretty well. We’ve a lot of injuries at

the moment and we’ve a lot of young lads out there. It’s all about trying new players in the league. I’d like to have won but at the end of the day, when you don’t win you don’t win.”

After the poor first half, when Clare failed to put their noses in front with the wind, they didn’t re-start with any more spirit.

“We missed a lot of chances and maybe took a few wrong options in the forwards in the second half. But having said that, we could have sneaked it.

But the injuries are definitely a prob- lem and Barry Nugent and Declan O’Rourke picked up some niggling injuries now and I suppose when the wind is against you, it’s against you. Look, we’ve a big panel of 32 play- ers. While I’m disappointed at being beaten I wouldn’t be over-excited Vero) 0 an le

He wonders what the general per- ception of the game was and is told that Wexford manager John Meyler reckoned it was “like paint drying.”

“T agreed with him there on the sideline,’ said Considine. “It was

like a rugby match at times but it’s early in the year.

We haven’t much hurling done and at this time of the year it’s all about getting fellows fit. We hope to 1m- prove after that.”

The opportunity to take at least a point from the game was there, but Clare weren’t hungry for war.

‘Wexford were well up for it,” add- ed Considine. “When you lose your first league game it puts you well up for it the second day out. Of course you’d be disappointed [at losing] but what can you do. You’ve to take the good with the bad as well. We were there with a fair chance of winning the game and Wexford had a few bad wides. At the end of the day wed have accepted a draw but it wasn’t to oronel

BREAK out the maracas and shake those hips, its salsa time in Ennis.

One of the country’s most thrilling live salsa bands are coming to Ennis this Friday (March 9). Galway’s own Cuba Libre take to the stage in their new monthly residency at the heart of Ennis town centre in The Old Ground Hotel.

This eight piece band, which boasts two percussionists, piano and a pow- erhouse brass section 1s fronted by re- nowned vocalist Andres Martorell.

A native of Uruguay, he has worked with some of the most influential names in modern Salsa circles such as Eddy Pe Alver.

Musical director Stefano Mus- covi has collaborated with Europe’s top Latin acts such Oche Rios who played at the 7Oth birthday of jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie. It promises to be a terrific night featuring the music of Latin legends such as Ru- bens Blades, Oscar D’leon.

The concert is being organised in order to raise funds for the Ennis Street festival which takes place July 1. Festival organiser Ana Bella AlI- varez says people can expect a great vprcaalme elm

‘They have been playing in Galway

for years and they are really popular. It’s mostly Cuban music with lots of dancing, lots of people shaking their hips!”

This will be the second year of the Ennis Street Festival which brought colour and a carnival atmosphere to the market area last summer. Or- ganisers say this years event will be bigger with more acts while there are also plans to launch a festival web- Site

“T received a lot of encouragement from local people who had asked me to organise the festival last year. This year it will be bigger, there’ll be en- tertainment around the town, music and dance workshops and a stage with live music. I’m really looking forward to it, its really exciting”

She continues, “We would like to take this opportunity to call on local artists to collaborate with their own work or with ideas for the festival. For those interested, please call 065 6893966/086 3096096 or email us at ennisstreetfestival@eircom.net.”

Anyone wishing to make a dona- tion can do so at account number AIB 935387/063 91089.