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NEXT week Lisdoonvarna Secondary School will open it’s doors on the tenth year of a successful adult educa- tion programme.

The North Clare school initiated its first courses for adults in 1995 through a hugely successful pro- gramme of night classes.

Since those early days the programme has grown year on year and now offers a wide range of training and qualifications.

The school, in conjunc- tion with the Further Edu- cation and Training Awards Council (FETAC), offers courses in Business Stud- 1es/Secretarial, Childcare and Community and Health Services.

Tuition is free and stu- dents can choose from a wide range of subjects within these courses includ- ing Computer Maintenance, Payroll, Sculpture and Pho- tography.

Three years ago the school added the BTEI (Back To Education Initiative) to its programme for adults.

This programme is partic- ularly suitable for the long term unemployed, those in the workplace with basic skills and early school leav- ae

The school’s night classes also continue for the coming year as does the Farm Man- agement/Farm Accounts, New Opportunities for Farm Families and Health and Safety on the Farm of- fered in conjunction with Sherer yer

Throughout the year the school also offers the FAS Safe Pass course for those in the construction industry while adults can also avail of the opportunity to take subjects at Junior and Leav- ing Certificate levels.

An Open Evening will be held at the school on Mon- day next, September 5th from 8pm to 9.30pm.

For information on the Adult Education Pro- grammes contact Marian O’Callaghan or Teresa Con- neely at 065 7075038 or 065 7074334.

SHANNON-BASED pharmaceutical firm, Schwarz Pharma incurred a loss of over €6 million in its most recent accounts filed with the Companies Registration Office.

The loss arose from €11 million the company spent on financing a restructuring programme, which in- volved the redundancy of 70 staff in a programme launched two years ago.

The accounts for 2003 show that the company had an operating profit of just under €5 million on a turnover of €36 million. This was marginally up on the €4.63 million figure for 2002. However, profit was wiped out with the restructuring costs totalling €11.207 million.

The loss of €6 million was the first loss that Schwarz Pharma made in a number of years, during which the company accumulated profits of €33 million.

However, when accounts for 2004/5 are published, the profits are expected to be hit by the company in- vesting €6 million in new technology aimed at im- proving the company’s environmental performance.

The spend follows the company shutting down its production processes for six weeks earlier this year,

in response to local concerns over air emissions from the plant. The company is now compliant with its Inte- erated Pollution Control (IPC) licence.

The accounts also show that the company’s intan- gible assets are valued at €157 million at the end of 2003 — a massive increase of €84 million on the 2002 figure. Tangible assets stood at €35 million in 2003.

In an attached note, it’s stated that milestone pay- ments were made on the achievement of certain results involving research and development.

The company is in the process of a €70 million in- vestment at its plant over the next five years. The com- pany’s Director of Environment and Health and Safety, Dermot Hanrahan recently said that clinical trials in relation to new drugs “are going very well”.

It is upgrading its treatment plant and spending over €10 million on new equipment and the upgrading of existing equipment for new products.

Shannon owns the intellectual property and, corre- spondingly, the distribution rights for some of the new products and is currently preparing for the launch of these products. The first new product launched will be for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease and is sched- uled for the end of 2005.

A STARTLING new survey shows that the majority of women have no personal life insurance – although it would cost more than €37,000 a year to pay someone else just to do the work they do in the home.

Of the women quizzed for the Ark Life Insurance survey, 57 per cent said they had no personal life insur- ance, although almost half of those asked said they contributed to the household budget by working in paid employment.

Forty six per cent of those asked

said their partners had no life cover on them, while four in ten women’s partners had no life cover for them- Noone litle

Ark Life, AIB’s Life and Pensions Company, which commissions the annual survey from Behaviour and Attitudes Market Research, said that the results show that many families would be left financially vulnerable if the female partner died unexpect- edly.

The number of uninsured women is up 4 per cent on last year, based on 400 women interviewed for the SUA

The survey found that when asked to specify the hours they worked in the home, women worked on average 17 hours a day looking after the chil- dren, cooking, cleaning, laundry and looking after the home.

To pay for that work, based on the current minimum wage of €7.65 per hour, would cost €780 a week or over €37,000 annually, based on a six- day working week, the researchers involved in the survey discovered.

In addition, the research revealed that the majority of women working outside the home (63 per cent) are not provided with a lump sum death

benefit by their employer and in 43 per cent of cases, the partner’s em- ployer did not provide a lump sum benefit either.

“It must be of concern that such a high proportion of women do not have life assurance cover. Those that do have very modest cover – the median value is just over €62,000. This is despite the fact that 38 per cent of women believe that the lump sum needed in the event of their own death would be €100,000”,, said Ber- nard Lynch, Marketing Manager, Ark Life.

A NORTH CLARE group which set up it’s own broadband scheme have been so suc- cessful that next month, residents and busi- nesses in Liscannor and Lahinch plan to sign up bringing to 200 or more the number of subscribers.

The North West Clare Broadband group was born out of the disinterest of the big providers in extending the scheme to an area which would not initially have large numbers of subscribers. A number of En- nistymon locals decided to investigate go- ing it alone in the broadband stakes after they were told by Eircom that they would have to have a minimum of 394 connections and even then, the area would have to wait 18 months for the facility.

Locals came together and sent representa- tives to meet with several other large service providers, but could raise no enthusiasm for providing the service to around 60 potential subscribers.

So instead, they went about raising the in- vestment to link into the AI Bridges-built link to Smart Telecom’s cable network in Shannon.

They were helped along by a small Gov- ernment Grant from the Group Broadband Scheme.(GBS)

The GBS provided 30 per cent of the first year capital cost and less than 20 per cent of the cost of setting up the network in effect.

The group is run as a co-operative on a non-profit basis and, a spokesman said, this enables them to “be in charge of ourselves. We can put money back into the company. It just results in a better product for every-

body.”

Now the network has been up and run- ning for six months and users report that the smaller numbers mean the service is under less pressure than in urban areas.

Their next step is to sign up nearby towns and villages and this is expected to happen in a matter of weeks.

RESIDENTS of Inch _ have pledged to fight any attempt by telecommunications firm 02 to get planning permission for the construction of a phone mast in the area.

At a meeting of a newly formed campaign committee, local people expressed their staunch opposition to any pro- posed development. Residents also accused 02 of deliberately

advertising planning permis- sion on July 27, at the start of the Bank Holiday weekend and are concerned at the proposed sites proximity to the local pri- mary school.

“This campaign has all the hallmarks of a calculated at- tempt to minimize the likeli- hood of local people finding out about the proposed tower,” said Andrea Martin, committee secretary.

‘No one knows for sure what

the long term effects of expo- sure to non-ionizing radiation (NIR) will be. If mobile phones and base stations were pharma- ceutical drugs, they wouldn’t be licensed for use because not enough research has been car- ried out’, she said.

The community hopes that by raising awareness of the development, they will receive support from residents of sur- rounding communities.

“We’re committed to fighting

this the whole way if necessary, for the sake of our children, our families and our local environ- ment”, said Committee chair- man, John Devany.

A spokesperson for 02 stated ‘“‘we have tried to plan to locate in the best possible area in order to meet the demands of our cus- tomers and the concerns of local residents. The issue of safety is taken very seriously by 02 and we comply with all Irish, EU and Industry regulations”

THE PRESIDENT of the IFA John Dillon has this week urged farm- ers to continue to hold out for bet- ter prices from factories. Mr Dillon congratulated farmers for their recent ‘strength’ in resisting the lower prices being quoted by some factories. ‘Farmers are getting much stronger and tougher at resisting lower quoted prices from the meat factories,” said Mr Dillon. “Farmers are holding out, and factories are finding themselves

having to pay up to €2.52/kg (90p/Ib) to get cattle

this week.”

As farmers resist lower prices, cheaper cattle be-

come more difficult for factories to come by. This forces factories to raise their prices.

According to Mr Dillon, “the cattle supplies are much tighter this week and factory agents are chas- ing cattle at farm level. There is very strong resistance to the lower factory quotes of €2.46/kg (88p/ lb) and agents are being forced to pay prices to €2.52/kg (90p/Ib).”

He went on to say that prices of as high as €2.63/kg (94p/Ib) has been paid for heifers in Ireland this

week. He also said that cow prices have also risen with €2.13/kg (76p/lb) available and top prices of €2.24/kg (80p/Ib) being paid.

THERE’S a lot more written Irish in evidence these days, fol- lowing the Language Act. Many bodies are issuing Irish versions of their annual reports, and job advertisements and public notices are more frequently appearing in both English and Irish. But there’s not much Irish being used on shop fronts and the exteriors of restau- rants, pubs and other business premises, outside the Gaeltacht. .

This could change quite soon, however, if enough Clare busi- nesses take part in new pilot schemes offering financial as- sistance for bilingual signage. These are offered on a first come first served basis, and while the

schemes are open until a deadline of 14 October this year, the early bird has a better chance of catch- ing the worm. Foras na Gaeilge is offering this financial assistance to small and medium sized com- panies through two new schemes.

Under the outdoor signage scheme, it will provide match- ing funding to a maximum of €3,000, and under the materials scheme the maximum matching funding is €1,000.

Readers can apply for the schemes through Blathnaid Ni Ghréachain, An Rannog Gnd/ Business Sector, Foras na Gaeilge, telephone 01-6398438, email eno @forasnagaeilge.ie.

According to Foras na Gaeilge, an all-Ireland body set up in 1999, these bilingual/Irish language

schemes will give businesses a marketing advantage over com- petitors.

It says that the Irish language as a communication tool is becom- ing more important for businesses keen to attract new customers and to add value to their products.

“Using Irish is_ increasingly recognised as a potential Unique Selling Point for businesses,” said Blathnaid Ni Ghréachain.

“Using bilingual/Irish language signage, as well as print and mul- timedia materials, is a simple and cost-effective way of creating a positive image,’ she added.

“Both schemes will offer busi- nesses a competitive marketing edge and improve their customer services.”

A DUTCH tourist, Hen- drik Borduin, had a nar- row escape on Saturday night, when a large boul- der was thrown through the tent he was sleeping in, narrowly missing his head.

The boulder struck the tent’s central pole, which smashed and landed on Mr Borduin along with the heavy rock. He re- ceived injuries to his right leg and required medical

Pace elaleyee

Mr Borduin had been travelling through the Burren on bicycle and set up camp in Corofin late on Saturday evening. He was woken from his sleep at approximately mid- night by loud shouting from outside his tent.

“IT heard load voices and a young man sSay- ing ‘there is a bike over here’,’ he said. “There was 30 seconds of silence and then the boulder

crashed through the tent. I was luck that I had faced the tent the way I did, if it had hit my head I prob- ably would have died.”

“My experience in Ireland has been very positive up to this and the people in the B&B were very helpful. I don’t think this would put me off coming back to Ire- land but I will be nervous when I have to sleep in the tent again.”

The attack was reported to Gort Garda station.

RECENT Galway winner Shyan Bertie owned by Eoin Callinan of Kilmihil con- tinued his good run of form at Limerick on JSD UCOE-NYAMy A ACoIOMMV AD OUOUDOTcAmOOCom OUD KOM a-lecm NOM: mBD Sele 16.37 for 300 yards.

Baby Rumble owned by Pat McInerney of Clarecastle followed up on his win last week- end when when winning the fifth race from trap five in a time of 29.03.

Michael Barron of Newmarket-on-Fergus had a welcome change of luck at the Market’s Field venue on Saturday night with Ardkyle

DS Tiesume MO ttcano sCom Vo) KOO Le MDT E-lGom ED oe

Two Clare dogs will go to traps at the same venue on this Saturday night for the final of the Tote Tetention Winner of Two Stake that’s worth €1500 to the winner.

Pat McInerney’s Calamity Jane staked his claim by securing second spot in the first semi-final and Senior Rico owned by Martin Crowe of Ennis booked his final spot by fin- ishing third in the second semi-final.

Leo Kelly of Ennis got Clare owners off to a flyer at Galway on Friday night when Straight Style won the first race in a good time of 17.87.

O’Garney Bill owned by Helen Coffey of Sixmulebridge added to his earnings by win- ning the last race on the card.

Anthony Brigdale and John Devitt saw his new recruit Blaze Flash come up trumps at the first time of asking when winning the first race on Saturday night.

His win here was no surprise, having re- corded wins in both of his trials.

As in Limerick, Clare owners will be hop- ing to get some of the big prize money that will be on offer in Galway over the coming weekend.

A winner in A6 semi-final, Moycullen

Light, owned by Father Peter O’Loughlin of Kilmihil will fancy his chances in the final on Friday night.

However, he can expect stiff opposition from Saxon’s Gerry who is owned by Anne Carey from Cooraclare and who filled second spot in the same semi-final.

Heat semi-final winner in the A8 Stake, Molosky Classic, owned by John Donnellan of Mullagh and Key West owned by John Reidy and Robert Dillon of Cooraclare come head to head in the final.

WHEN Kate Moss turned up at Glastonbury in 2003 sporting a belted mini dress and boots, she somehow managed to redefine casual glamour. Here she was, in the midst of the mud and the rain, living in a tent (but not as we know it, obviously) yet she still somehow managed to look drop-dead, rav- ishingly gorgeous.

Since that fateful day, festival fashion has become a masterclass, attempted by many, mastered by few. Sienna aced it, of course, in those vintage yellow aviator shades and her long mussed-up locks. And Queen Kate raised the bar even further this Summer with her hot-pants-and-wellies combo.

But what about us mere mortals? At the up- coming O2 in the Park and Electric Picnic festivals, which promise to be melting pots of glamour and style, how can we expect to score high fashion grades?

Unfortunately, our reliably inconsistent cli- mate makes it quite a challenge. We have to consider every kind of weather condition, from sweaty, sunburnt days to cold nights tucked up in a flimsy two-man tent. But rest assured, successful style can remain a possi- bility, despite such hurdles: just keep in mind the two golden rules.

One, be realistic. There will be inches of mud and you will not — NOT — be able to wear those new three-inch stilettos OR those white skinny jeans, so don’t even try. Swop the dryclean-only ensemble for something a little more washing machine-friendly. Ex- pect nothing but rain and mud and dirt, and truckloads of inebriation. Remember, we’re talking Laois, not the Ritz.

Two, festival chic is all about low mainte- nance. This is not the time to get your fake fingernails applied and painted, and don’t ex- pect to achieve perfect makeup each morning

— you’ll be lucky if you get to brush your teeth, let alone your hair. No matter how 1m- maculate you are normally, this particular weekend you’re aiming for hippy chic which, by its very nature, is dishevelled but stylish; and at a music festival, the emphasis is on the former.

To achieve a look more Sienna Miller than Grace Kelly, your rucksack will require a few essential items.

1. Keeping in mind that the weather will most likely range from wet and cold to hot and sunny, with some snow and gale-force winds thrown in for good measure, make sure you bring a comfy pair of jeans (prefer- ably distressed), a cute denim mini or shorts and a gypsy skirt. With these three, you’ll have every eventuality covered.

2. Throw in a choice of vests, t-shirts and jumpers so you can layer up or down accord- ingly. Those of you brave enough may even want to pack a few bikini tops…

3. Spice it up with flip-flops (oh, how we hope) or wellies (See paragraph two — re- alistic outlook called for at all times). Long shunned by the fashion elite, wellingtons have recently re-emerged as style classics, and Hunter boots are now almost as sought after as Jimmy Choos.

4. If you want to add a touch of femininity, pack a floaty dress or a kaftan, but team it with the wellies to stay practical and look so cool everyone assumes you’re with the band.

5. Contrary to common belief, greasy hair is really not the way to impress a rock star. Bring along a cowboy hat or bandana to hide limp locks.

6. Accessories are key to festival chic. Hobo bags, chunky bangles and, of course, big, big sunglasses (the latter perform a double func- tion: in addition to looking fabulous, they can be very effective in hiding the dreaded pink- eye the morning after the night before).

7. And finally, the pieces de resistance…the roll-up plastic mac and a mini brollie. Hon- estly, if you only pack two things, let these be it…

Ladies’ Day at the Races may require you to look as groomed and glamorous as a movie star, but at music festivals, everything and anything goes. So get out there, mix it up, and enjoy.

this week that work had not started, as the contract had yet to be signed with the con- tractor, Michael McNamara & Co.

Mr Fleming said: “It is a very complex 35-year contract and the final details have yet to be signed off on.”

Mr Fleming stressed that there was no stumbling block in relation to the contract. He

said: “It hasn’t been signed off on yet due to the complexity of the contract. We would hope to coy sTeLeCe (oem mmol mane CO) MOA YAmolelmn-l

the same time, you cannot rush

these things as there are a lot of

technical issues involved.” Councillors were told that the

project should be completed by February 2007 and Mr Fleming this week expressed confidence that the deadline would be met. He said that work would com- mence on the project as soon as the contract is signed.

However, Clir Christy Curtin expressed disappointment that the local authority had fallen behind schedule.

“It is imperative that it is now moved forward and that the staff and the public can work in a unified building,” he said.

“I would still hold the Coun- cil to the deadline of February 2007 and I would also still in- sist that provision be made for an in-house legal department, because there is a cast-iron case for it.”

The delay is the latest in a project that first envisaged the council transforming Our Lady’s Hospital into its new HQ. However that plan was scrapped, due to the prohibitive costs of the project.