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TUESDAY last was one of the best, if not the best day, of Patrick Dono- van’s life.

The Ennisman shook the hand of Muhammad Ali and presented him with a book.

A huge fan of ‘The Greatest’, Patrick left his home in Clancy Park three hours later on a mission to see and meet him lifetime hero.

He had dreamed of brining his son Thomas to see an Ali fight but it was never to be, but when Ali came to Ennis, Patrick said all his dreams came true.

Dressed in a t-shirt with the man they once called Cassius Clay on the front and armed with a book he had for ten years – “Ali the King”, Patrick waved to Ali as he made his way back from the photographers

towards the monument that had just been unveiled in his honour.

Patrick called to him, like hundreds more that made up the excited crowd. Ali looked up, and dismissing any protest from publicists and security guards made his way over. He spent a few moments with Patrick looking at the book and pictures that captured Ali in his prime. For a few moments a glint of the old Ali returned to his eye and as much of a smile as his ill- ness would allow.

Then he took the book and left, but Patrick didn’t mind.

“Of course it was worth it, why wouldn’t it be worth it, sure there will never be a man here like him again,’ he said.

His dream had just come true.

Timmy-top dog for expenses

Flood scheme finishes phase one

THE ROYAL National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has confirmed that the only coastal RNLI station in County Clare will receive a new lifeboat next year. On his last visit to Kilrush before he retires, the Chief Executive of the RNLI Mr Andrew Freemantle confirmed he has sanc- tioned the purchase and delivery of a new Atlantic 85 B Class lifeboat for the RNLI station at Kilrush.

During a recent tour of the station, Mr Freemantle confirmed that next June, the latest generation of inshore lifeboat will be delivered to the vol- untary crew in Kilrush. The Atlantic 85 (Rigid Inflatable boat) RIB is not only bigger and more powerful than Kilrush’s existing RIB but it is also fitted with the latest Search and Res- cue technology and instrumentation, equipping the service to continue saving lives into the next generation. Kilrush will be one of only two sta- tions in Ireland and the UK which will receive such an upgrade next

year.

Following the construction of a new station in 1996, an Atlantic 21B Class lifeboat was placed on tempo- rary duty at the Kilrush station how- ever it was replaced by a new Atlan- tic 75 lifeboat the following October. This vessel will now be replaced by a

new Atlantic 85 in 2010.

Kilrush Lifeboat Operations Man- ager John Lamb said, “This is a great vote of confidence in the crew here at Kilrush. It shows that we are do- ing what is being asked of us and that we are being rewarded by being en- trusted by this the latest in lifeboat

technology and development”

Lifeboat Training Officer Pauline Dunleavy added, “It is paramount that those who give of themselves by volunteering as a lifeboat crew mem- ber are equipped with the best and the latest equipment. RNLI crews are trained to the highest standards to answer the call of those in most dif- ficulty at sea. It is only fitting that we have the best means of answering that call. The Atlantic 85 which is coming to Kilrush next year is just that.”

The crucial task of maintaining the lifeboat in Kilrush falls on me- chanic Martin Brew who said, “This is a bigger boat allowing us to carry more equipment, more crew mem- bers and more casualties. It is also a more powerful boat, giving greater endurance time allowing us to go further with greater speed while not compromising the safety of crew or those we rescue.”

CLARE leading lights such as Brian Lohan, Martin Donnelly and Fr Har- ry Bohan are just some of the people from the Banner lending their names to the Yes to Lisbon campaign.

Clare For Europe, a new independ- ent group of Clare men and women campaigning to ensuring a repeat of the Yes vote in Clare in the forthcom- ing referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, will launch its campaign tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Westpark Busi- ness Campus in Shannon.

Clare For Europe is comprised of leading figures from business, farm- ing, the arts and sport, who believe a Yes vote is in the best interests of this county and key to the future of WeemeO LUNN BAYA

Well-known names from across the county, including Brian Lohan, estate agent and former Clare hurl- ing star, leading Clare businessman Martin Donnelly, Managing Direc- tor of M. Donnelly and Co. Ltd, Fr Harry Bohan, long-time campaigner for rural development, Katie Verling, arts administrator, Michael Vaughan, hotelier, and the Clare leadership of the IFA are all throwing their weight behind the campaign.

Promising a vigorous campaign, Clare For Europe Co-ordinator, Michael McNamara, an unsuccessful candidate in this summer’s European election, said that this was a crucial time for the mid-west region and, in- deed for Ireland as a whole.

‘We need to vote Yes to secure jobs and our economic recovery,’ he said. “Being at the heart of Europe has been central to the development of Clare. Our main industries – agricul- ture, tourism and our manufacturing

base – are all dependent on us re- maining at the heart of Europe. Now more than ever, we need to build on the best partnership this country has ever had; our membership of the SOR

Clare was one of only nine con- stituencies that returned a Yes vote in the last Lisbon Treaty election in June 2008.

Meanwhile, European Movement Ireland, the organisation that ex- plains the work of the European Un- ion in a jargon-free way, launched its ‘Just the Facts’ campaign for the Lis- bon Treaty. By circulating a series of easy-to-read factsheets and hosting a range of events, this campaign aims to encourage a factual and balanced debate in the run up to the referen- dum, without telling people which way they should vote.

Andrea Pappin, Executive Direc- tor of European Movement Ireland, said, “I think we’re all tired of the shouting matches which were all too prevalent last year. This time, it’s es- sential we all get to grips on what we are being asked to vote on, and that means cutting through all the guff and getting to the real truths.”

FOR 50 years, John Allen has been involved in some way or other with the Scariff Show. And he and others who have been involved for all those decades are delighted to see that the show will celebrate its 65th birthday this year by going from strength to strength.

86-year-old John has been presi- dent, manager and chairman, and his son Tom has been involved as secretary before his daughter-in-law, Joanne, took that task on.

John – who is now still involved in the show and is also now the long- est serving member of the National Show Society – says there are many people who got stuck in early on and are still involved.

“It’s a great show and the commit- tee and the people who support are a lot of its success. There is great involvement from people. People like John Blake, the vet – he’s been involved since day one and is still 2100 Une

One of the biggest changes John has seen recently is in having to raise sponsorship for the show. “For a long time, we didn’t have trouble getting sponsors but it was that bit harder this year.”

One of the important show sec- tions is the All-Irleand Yearling Filly Championship and the Giblin brothers of Irish Sports Netting have stepped up to the mark to sponser this section and the Irish Show As- sociation have also come on board, promising €100 for each entrant in the competition.

The Scariff Show Society will cele- brate the milestone birthday this year on Saturday, September 5. Staged every year at Fossabeg, the 65th birthday show is expected to draw record crowds and entries. There’s something for everyone at the show, with an indoor section as well as sec- tions for horse, ponies and sheep.

There will also be a Most Appro- priately Dressed Lady competition, kindly sponsored by Karena’s; a Most Appropriately Dressed Child

competition, sponsored by Bane’s Gift Shop; and a Bonny Baby com- petition, sponsored by the Dunphy Allen School of Irish Dancing. There will also be a dog show, pony and horse jumping and many trade stands and activities for young and old on the day.

And just for the fun of it, there will be bungy bull, giant slides, kids

Sumo, costume characters, laserzone, hotshots football and pony hops, novelty races and hurling penalty shoot-outs, while face and nail paint- ing and temporary tattoos will add colour to the day.

Entry forms for all the competi- tions will be available from Bane’s Gift shop, Scariff Post Office, Scar- iff Library or online at www.scariff-

Sate wacrerne

“Even if people don’t enter any of the competitions, we really hope they will come along and support the show on the day,” said Joanne Allen. “We are conscious that there are many demands made on the community throughout the year. However, the committee appreciate that the area has kindly supported us in the past

and would greatly appreciate its con- tinued involvement with the Scariff Show Society. We hope to see you all on Saturday, September 5,” she said.

THE energetic Shannon Flyers Spe- cial Olympics Club is making acome back after its summer break in a new location.

The athletics club, which previous- ly used the Shannon Leisure Club as its base, will now meet every week at the hall in Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Chairman of the club, Frank Fit- zgerald said the new location will be open to all and encouraged potential members to come along and see the fun and training for themselves.

The athletes train every Saturday from 10am to llam.

They will continue using the hall in Newmarket-on-Fergus for this train- ing until next year, and will then move to outdoor training.

For the last number of years the club has undertaken it’s summer training in Lees Road, Ennis.

In its fifth year, the Shannon Fly- ers club is going from strength to strength and is looking for more ath-

letes for its prize-winning club.

The 15 athletes currently members of Shannon Flyers did the town and county proud last year, returning with numerous medals from the re- gional games in Cork.

Roisin Fitzgerald and Colleen Mulcahy even went on to secure a place on the Munster team and will take part in the All Ireland Games next June, in Limerick.

The athletes at the Shannon Flyers Special Olympics club train for vari- ous athletic events including various distant running, the short put and the long jump.

As well as the 15 athletes the club also has more than 20 volunteers, in- cluding coaches and helpers.

The mission of Special Olympics Ireland is “to provide year-round sports training and athletic compe- tition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with an intellectual disability, giving them continuing opportunities to de- velop physical fitness, demonstrate

courage, experience joy and partici- pate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.”

With more than 11,000 athletes participating in 12 sports through 402 clubs, supported by 100 commu- nity networks and 18,000 volunteers, Special Olympics Ireland is now one of Ireland’s largest community and

voluntary organisations, reaching 27 per cent of persons with intellectual disabilities all over the country.

TRIBUTES have been paid in the last week to well-known west Clare musician Peadar Crotty.

The Moyasta man died suddenly on Wednesday morning, August 19, just hours after he chaired a meeting of the Nell Galvin Festival Committee.

The 69-year-olds unexpected pass- ing was a shock to family and friends, among them some of the county’s most revered musicians.

Peadar’s popularity in music circles was clear following his burial when 20 musicians gathered in the local public house and played in his hon- o)ine

It was, however, as a husband, fa-

ther and kind neighbour that the committee chairman and farmer will be missed most.

Secretary of the Nell Galvin week- end, and long-time neighbour of Mr Crotty’s, Mary Haugh paid tribute to his kind and placid nature, and a su- perb since of humour.

‘He was one of the best neighbours anyone could be blessed to have,” she PALO

‘He was ideal as chairman for the Nell Galvin. He never lost the cool, and if things were tense he always had a funny word.”

Fellow musician Murt Collins de- scribed the death of Peadar as “an awful loss and a loss to the festival as well.”

Peadar, a talented player of the concert flute and tin whistle, played regularly with Mr Collins, Bernie Keane nee O’Halloran and Bernie Eustace in pubs and at events around the county.

A keen singer, Peadar was also one of the musicians to grace “Blondes” in Miltown Malbay on a regular basis with other local musicians, including the last Michael Mahoney and Gerh Collins who also passed away in the past year.

A regular member of the choir at Lisdeen Church, one of Peadar’s proudest achievements was to play for the former American ambassador Jean Kennedy-Smith in the Phoenix Park.

Peadar Crotty came from a family steeped in Irish traditional music and dance.

His father Tommy played the fiddle, as did his grandfather also Tommy, who was well-known for dancing the “orange and green’. Peadar’s brother, the late PJ Crotty, was also a well re- nowned musician.

He is survived by his wife Jose- phine (O’Brien), sons Brian and Ger- ard and two sisters Bridget Leonard and Maura Clohessy.

THE Lismorahaun Singers will this week begin their new season and have invited anyone interested in becoming involved to come along to open and friendly rehearsals at the Town Hall Pavillion Theatre in Lis- doonvara.

Rehearsals will take place each Sunday in September from 6.30pm and anyone with any interest in tak- ing part is warmly invited to attend.

The Lismorahaun is Ireland’s most successful amateur choir but is also unique as it is Ireland’s foremost “teaching choir”.

This means that it welcomes new members of all ages who have little

or no singing experience.

“We are starting our new season on the first Sunday of September and that would be a good time for anyone who had been thinking of joining the choir to come down and have a look,” said choir founder, Archie Simpson.

‘Over the next six months or so we will be doing a programme of mu- sic which the choir has done before, revisiting the songs which the choir has done over the first 10 years of its existence. In the run up to Christ- mas, we will be doing a number of concerts for various charities; which should be great.”

The choir will also be going over to London next year to sing with the London Symphony Chorus at the

Barbican Centre.

‘The idea of a choir from the mid- dle of nowhere being invited to sing in the Barbican in unbelievable,” continued Archie.

“It’s another aspect of the choir. The last trip we had was over to Venice, which was great great fun. Things like that bring a great social aspect to it. We would really like to get some young people involved, es- pecially some more young boy.”

Indeed, one of Lismorahaun’s first members, Peter O’Donoghue, will next year sing in Carnegie Hall in New York at the invitation of Frank Patterson’s widow, Eily Patterson.

According to Peter, he would never even have started singing if it hadn’t

been for the Lismorahaun Singers.

“Everything that has happened to me is down to the choir. When I joined I had never sang before in my life – I had no idea whether I could sing or not,” said Peter, who was just ten when he joined the choir.

‘IT remember there is a funny vid- eo of me trying to sing when I was younger, and I hadn’t a note in my head. But thanks to the Lismorahaun I now have a music degree and am going places as a singer; it’s funny how things work out.”

DETAIL of the sixth annual Long- board Classic event in Lahinch, which takes place later this month, have been announced. The surf com- petition, which is organised each year by the West Coast Surf Club (WCSC), has become one of the seminal events in the Irish surfing calendar in recent years.

The WCSC Longboard Classic is

the only event of its kind in Ireland and attracts hundreds of surfers to Ireland’s surf capital each year. Last year’s event – which was blessed with good weather and perfect surfing conditions – saw a record number of local entrants, with the overall prize going to Lahinch surfer Stephen Kel- store

The 2009 competition, which will tale place on September 19 and 20 – and organised by Cliodhna Fawl,

Noel Cronin, Alan Black and David Collins – is already in full swing, as they are expecting a large entry this year.

“As in previous years, we are de- lighted to have a custom-shaped Cequential triple-stringer longboard from our local shaper Ian Johnson for our first prize,’ said organiser Chodhna Fawl.

“Please watch the WCSC website for announcements of second, third and fourth prizes.

“Subject to weather and swell con- ditions, we anticipated that Septem- ber 19 will see the initial heats and quarter finals run off, with the sem1- final and finals possibly stretching into September 20. An experienced panel of judges following ISA stand- ards are assisting in the event headed up by international judge Pascal De- at lone

In the previous years the compett- tion has featured winners from the Kerry region, and all eyes will be on the local surfers this year to see if they can hold off the challenge from

the Kingdom once again.

“We’ve always been greatly im- pressed with the level of interest and support we’ve attracted since the in- augural event in 2003,” said WCSC Chairman, Dave Flynn.

“Without all of our sponsors this event would not have become the success it 1s. Equally, the commit- ment and dedication of the organis- ers as well as the surfers participat- ing all combine to produce an event that is fun, relaxed, well organised, properly resourced and above all, a display of some of the best long- boarding skills this country has to 0) 5 (oe

The deadline for applications 1s this Sunday, September 6, and any- one interested in taking part should download an entry form from west- coastsurfclub.com or send their ap- plications by post to Lahinch Surf Shop, Old Promenade, Lahinch.

A non-refundable entry fee of €15 is required on application, as is cur- rent Irish Surfing Association mem- bership.