The Clare People Archive

IT WAS a day to remember for one group of adult learners, as they became the first students at the West Clare Adult Education Centre to complete the Leaving Certificate.

11 students received their results at the VEC centre in Kilrush on Wednesday.

According to Back to Education co-ordinator Michael Ryan, many of the Kilrush students intend to continue to third-level courses.

He said, “Kilrush went very well. It was the first time we had Leaving Cert results from there. It was very successful. There were six women and five men, they got some superb results, all honours marks. It was a diverse group of people. They gelled very well and great credit is due to them.”

He added, “The effort that the students put in was great. They worked from a nine-month period from October through to the end of May. Some of them came in to Ennis to study.” Adult learners in Shannon and Ennis were also celebrating Leaving Cert result last week. Mr Ryan explained, “We had 10 students in Shannon. Three are going onto third level education, three are going to do Post Leaving Cert Courses (PLCs) and two are continuing with the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI).” He added, “Ennis again had excellent results. We offered the full five subjects, if students wanted to take them all. This year we had 13 men and 17 women sitting exams. It seems to be evening out in terms of the gender balance. It used to be 2/1 in favour of women. Quite a number are going onto further education and third level.”

The Back to Education Initiative offers students the chance to study maths, English, history, business organisation and geography.

Mr Ryan said the VEC hopes to offer the Leaving Cert to students in East Clare next year.

For adults interested returning to learning or studying for a Leaving Certificate, the Back To Education Initiative are organising information evenings at the Adult Education Centre in 4 Bru Na Sionna, Shannon, on Monday, September 3, at 7.30pm and at the Adult Education Centre in Ennis on Tuesday, September 4, at 7pm; in Scariff on Wednesday, September 5, and in Kilrush on Thursday, September 6, at 7.30pm. For further information contact the BTEI office on 065 6897652.

CLARE students, who may be eligible, have been urged to apply for their third level grants as soon as possible.

The student grant system has been reformed and a unified application process will be implemented by one body, Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). In January 2011 new grant rates and qualification criteria was introduced.

Ennis councillor Mary Howard (FG) explained, “SUSI will replace the 33 VECs and 33 local authority bodies currently processing applications, so new students should apply for their grant though SUSI,”

She continued, “Students seeking financial assistance can apply now, regardless of whether they have chosen a college course yet. This is a phased scheme, so it is important to point out that students already in receipt of a grant and who are progressing to the next year of their course will continue to be assessed and paid by the existing award- ing authorities. However, if you are changing your course or progressing onto a new course, you should apply to SUSI.”

According to Councillor Johnny Flynn (FG), a recent Bank of Ireland survey has shown the average cost to a family of sending a student to third level away from home is € 40,000.

Students or parents with queries on the application process can contact the SUSI Support Desk on 0761 087874 or by email at support@susi. cdvec.ie.

Further information can be accessed on www.studentfinance.ie. This site gives detailed instructions on how to apply for a maintenance grant and also give information if you are eligible.

STUDENTS assessing their options after the first round of offers for places in third level colleges have been urged not to panic.

Thousands of Clare students yesterday discovered if they had secured a college place as the Central Applications Office (CAO) released details of the points required for courses in Universities and Institutes of Technology.

It is a record year for the CAO with 49,862 applicants receiving an offer yesterday.

And students who do not receive their first preference have been urged to consider all of their options.

John Burns, Vice Principal of Rice College, Ennis, said students should not feel too disappointed of they do get the points for their first choice courses.

He said, “They need to consider all of their options and review their second and third choices. If they do not get what they want for their first choice, the important thing is not to panic. What I would say is that students should seek the help of guidance counsellors and teachers. The main thing is not to panic. There are helplines like the National Parent’s Council and other supports out there.”

He continued, “If any student is upset all they have to do is call into the school and someone will be here that they can talk to.”

Mr Burns said students at Rice College were in the main happy with their results, with a number scoring over 600 points.

He continued, “We had 92 kids doing the Leaving Certificate this year. A number of students scored over the 600 points mark. The rest of the kids got what they wanted. Everyone was in good form. There was a good atmosphere around the school on the day. Career guidance teachers, the chaplain and the principal were on hand.

“The kids were very happy. Some scored very high. The paper seemed quite fair this year. The students definitely benefited from high attendance throughout the year. They put in the work and we’re very proud of them,” he added.

PLANNING permission has been approved for the construction of new parish offices in Ennis.

St Flannan’s (Killaloe) Diocesan Trust had applied to Ennis Town Council for planning permission to demolish part of the Maria Assumpta Hall and to construct new parish offices with meeting rooms and ancillary facilities including site works and to carry out alterations to the retained portion of the Maria Assumpta Hall, Station Road, Ennis. The proposed developments are within the curtilage of the protected structures of Ss. Peter and Paul’s Cathedral and the Presbytery.

In granting permission, the council stated that the proposed development “would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of the property in the vicinity and will be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

Planning permission was granted subject to a number of conditions :

The roof must be finished in natural quarry slate or natural slate effect to be dark grey, or blue black in colour. The colour of the ridge tile must also match the colour of the roof;

No changes are permitted to agreed window sizes or the agreed external wall finishes;

No floodlighting of the development is permitted while any stone facing shall be of local natural stone.

The council adds, “Prior to the commencement of the development, the developer shall submit to the planning authority for agreement, full details of construction and demolition waste management plan.”

The developer must provide details on how all materials will be removed from the site; proposals to mimimise the environmental impacts of the demolition work such as dust, noise and flying debris.

Adequate temporary car parking must be provided on the site for employees engaged in construction work. The council states that facilities must be in place to avoid the parking of vehicles on road fronting the site and in the interest of safety.

All surface water generated within the site boundaries must be collected and disposed of within the curtilage of the site. It is also a condition that no works shall take place to the existing front boundary wall onto Station Road without the prior approval of the planning authority.

In his report, Conservation Officer, Risteard Ua Cróinín stated, “The proposed new build elements appear to respect the existing buildings in scale and proportion and are considered appropriate in materials and design in the context of adjacent protected structures. This office does not intend to object to the proposed development.”

Mr Ua Cróinín states that the existing Maria Assumpta Hall, which dates back to the 1950s-60s, is “of little architectural or historic merit.” PREPARATIONS are well underway for the 68th annual Scariff Show, which will be held on Saturday, September 1, in the Showgrounds Scariff. With numerous exciting and entertaining events promised, including a range of horse classes from show/ working hunter pony classes, Connemara, show-jumping, sportsman classes, as well as a sheep section and a dog section. The highlight this year is the Yearling Filly All-Ireland Championship, jointly sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland and Scariff Show. But the Scariff Show is not just an event for farmers and horse breeders. There are contests for the best in home-baking, arts and crafts, roots and vegetables, flowers and amateur photography and numerous children’s competitions including the ever popular bonny baby competition. Due to the cancellation of shows this year – Scariff Show are delighted to accommodate the Irish Shows Association by hosting the All Ireland Gain Dog Food Championship in Scariff also. This year’s show sees the reintroduction of cattle classes, with exhibits from some of the leading dairy and beef herds in the country on display.

Scariff Show attributes its longevity to the fact that it is rooted in the community and all the committee work is done on a voluntary basis.

Scariff Show schedule is available to download from www.scariffshow. com.

Scariff Show is fortunate to always have been able to count on the support of business in the community for the last 68 years said a show spokesperson this week.

Closing date for entries is this weekend. Please contact Show Secretary Joanne Allen 087 366771 or visit our website www.scariffshow.com.

IRELAND’S original heritage tree is returning home to Ballyvaughan with an ambitious new project by locals to reintroduce the Ballyvaughan Seedling Apple into the locality.

The Ballyvaughan Apple Tree was one of the first local species of tree identified by Irish Seed Savers more than 20 years ago, when it was classified as Ireland’s first Heritage Tree.

A number of samples of the tree were recovered and propagated by the East Clare-based organisation and have since been planted in several locations all around Ireland.

Despite this, however, the number of Ballyvaughan Apple Trees has dwindled in North Clare.

To coincide with Heritage Week, a group of locals have begun a quest to reintroduce the Ballyvaughan Seedling Apple to Ballyvaughan. A number of trees will be planted at ceremonies at Ballyvaughan Church and Fanore National School this Thursday, and an information evening will take place afterwards at the Burren College of Art.

“There is still a small number of Ballyvaughan Apple Trees in the locality but their numbers are dwindling. There are a number of very old trees, but they are dying out, and there are also three trees at the national school which were planted eight or 10 years ago,” said Conor Fahy, organiser of the tree plant.

“Thanks to the work of the Seedsavers, these trees have now been planted all around Ireland so we want to make sure that the Ballyvaughan Apple Tree survives in the area and that there are more trees here than anywhere else in the country.”

The Ballyvaughan Apple Tree produces a good supply of apples which are ideal for cooking or cider-making. The trees need to be planted alongside other varieties of apple trees to aid in propagation.

The trees were first identified by an American tree expert who was visiting the area in the 1980s and it is still unclear where the first Ballyvaughan Seedling Apple Trees were discovered.

“The exact location of where the original trees were found remains a little controversial among local residents. As they say, time is a great storyteller, and some details have become slightly distorted and exaggerated,” said Clare Biodiversity Officer, Shane Casey.

“A more recent survey of the parish, carried out by the Ballyvaughan Development Committee, has uncovered several orchards, with the poten- tial for many more specimens of the Ballyvaughan Seedling Apple to be discovered, as well as interviews with some of the older members of the community.”

Lynne O’Keeffe-Lascar of Kinvara Sustainable Living and Eoin Keane of Irish Seed Savers will be on hand at the Burren College on Thursday evening to advise local people on how best to look after the trees.

Lynne has recently completed a similar project of mass tree planting in Kinvara, while eight members of the Ballyvaughan community will also attend a course at Irish Seed Savers to train them in apple tree maintenance.

A NORTH Clare man has been laid to rest almost three years after going missing in the River Lee in Cork.

Brecan Mooney (31) died after falling into the River Lee during heavy floods on November 19, 2009.

It is thought that Mr Mooney was swept into the river by strong winds as he crossed the Christy Ring bridge in the city centre.

Despite an intensive 21-day search conducted by rescue services, family and friends, Mr Mooney’s body was never recovered. Attempts to locate the body were hampered by dangerous water and weather conditions.

An inquest into Mr Mooney’s death returned a verdict of accidental death due to drowning.

In September 2011, Mr Mooney’s family were informed that the remains of a body had been discovered in the Lee.

The length of time the body had been in the water, along with the fact that the vertebrae could support a body of similar weight and height to Mr Mooney’s, indicated that they were the remains of the missing Clare man.

His identity was confirmed when the results of an 11-month series of DNA tests were made known to the family on Wednesday, August 15, the same day as Mr Mooney’s birthday.

Brecan Mooney had been working as a geologist with the Environmental firm White, Young and Greene and had also been studying for a doctorate at University College Cork (UCC).

Friends and former classmates came out to say goodbye to Mr Mooney as the funeral procession passed through Glanquin, Carron and Kilfenora on Saturday.

Mr Mooney was laid to rest at Shanakyle Cemetery in Kilrush.

Brecan’s father, Brian Mooney, said the burial had brought some consolation to the family.

“His teachers were on the road to say goodbye, his friends from national school. He would’ve loved it. He was terribly close to people here.”

Brian Mooney added, “We found the last few days emotionally very draining. It had an almost cathartic effect for me, almost cleansing.”

CABIN crew aboard a United Airlines flight to Shannon on Saturday were forced to handcuff a drunk American passenger who engaged in “obnoxious” and “threatening” behaviour, a court has heard.

Stephen Herring (40) consumed alcohol and ambien, a form of sleeping, prior to boarding the flight from Newark to Shannon on August 18. He was arrested in Shannon after failing to obey the directions of crew.

Mr Herring, with an address at 1216 Hawthorn, Heuston, Texas, appeared at Ennis District Court on Monday, charged with three offences under the Air Transport and Navigation Act. He pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to cause a breach of the peace; being intoxicated to such an extent that he might endanger himself or others, and, without justification, causing serious annoyance having been requested by the crew to cease such behaviour.

Insp Kennedy explained that Mr Herring had become difficult and refused to comply with crew during the flight. The court heard that Mr Herring was restrained in handcuffs. “He was arrested in Shannon. He was clearly intoxicated,” Insp Kennedy said.

The court heard that Mr Herring co-operated with gardaí and expressed remorse for his actions.

Mr Herring has no previous convictions in the United States or in Ireland. Insp Kennedy said he had dealt with a number of cases where passengers had engaged in difficult behaviour on flights.

He said that in most cases, a passenger’s behaviour forced a flight to divert to Shannon, causing huge cost and disturbance to all involved.

Insp Kennedy said this case was different as the United Airlines flight was scheduled to land in Shannon.

He said “obnoxious and disagreeable” of the type Mr Herring had engaged in, can cause “huge anxiety” to passengers.

Insp Kennedy added, “This would not be on the more serious end of the scale of incidents like this.”

Solicitor Aoife Corrigan said her client had come to Ireland for a weeklong holiday. She said Mr Herring had obtained Ambien from his doctor, due to a fear of flying. Mr Herring consumed some alcohol on his flight from Texas to Newark prior to taking the sleeping tablets.

Ms Corrigan said, “He completely blacked out. He doesn’t remember anything until waking up on the plane with handcuffs on.”

Ms Corrigan said family and friend were shocked to learn of Mr Herring’s behaviour. She said she had received 15 character references on behalf of her Mr Herring.

She added, “This is totally out of character. He is very ashamed and very sorry for his behaviour.”

The court heard that Mr Herring could possibly be banned from traveling with United Airlines again. Judge John O’Neill said he could understand “the anxiety of passengers, never mind nervous passengers”. He described Mr Herring’s behaviour as “obnoxious”.

Judge O’Neill added, “I would not have enjoyed being a passenger on that plane observing his behaviour.”

He said that if Mr Herring paid € 500 to the children’s charity, the Clare Crusaders, then he would strike out all charges.

A 29-YEAR-OLD South East Clare woman, who fought bravely for more than two years to recover from a horrific crash in the United States, was laid to rest on Saturday.

On February 8, 2010, Nicole RyanGraham from Meelick suffered severe head injuries in a car crash in Kansas, which left her in a coma for 100 days.

Following a lengthy recuperation and with the financial support of family and friends, she entered a rehabilitation programme in the States, but she lost her fight for life last June.

Graham, who had been living in the US since 1998, was a passenger in the car involved in the accident which took place on February 8, 2010. She suffered multiple injuries, including severe head injuries, in the incident, which took place in extremely poor conditions for driving.

Locals in Meelick rallied around Nicole and her family following the accident and raised a considerable about of money to help fund her treatment. Nicole’s health insurance ran out on February 3, 2010, five days before the accident which left her in a coma.

In mid 2010, Ms Graham was transferred to the Meadowbrook Rehab Center in Gardner, Kansas. She is survived by her three children Kendra, Katie and Keslley, who was just 22-months-old when the accident took place.

THEY were friends. They were second-next-door neighbours in Sea View Park in Quilty. They were fishermen.

Symbols of this bond between Michael Galvin and Noel Dickinson were much in evidence on Friday last afternoon when Quilty village came to a standstill as locals and visitors paid their respects to the two fishermen who tragically lost their lives the previous Monday when their trawler, the Lady Eileen, sank off Spanish Point.

Both coffins, carried shoulder high, by family, friends, fishermen and footballers made the journey from Sea View Park to the Star of the Sea Church.

First it was for Noel Dickinson, the 33-year-old whose partner, Helen, is due to give birth to their first child in three months’ time.

Gifts representing Noel’s life were brought to the altar by family members – a fishing rod symbolising his love of the sea, a claret and blue Aston Villa scarf, a Limerick flag to signify his love for his native county and a bar of chocolate to mark his love for his nieces.

Michael Galvin’s coffin was draped in the colours of his beloved Kilmur- ry Ibrickane as it made the 700-yard journey from his residence in Sea View Park to the church just after 3pm.

Gifts brought the altar included photographs of his family, a Kilmurry Ibrickane jersey, his Australian hat, a fishing net and a violin, which symbolized his deep love for traditional Irish music.

Mr Galvin’s wife was Liz was comforted by her children, Michelle, Aidan and Brian, who returned from Australia for the funeral mass.

Meanwhile, Michael Galvin’s brother Martin told mourners that he had walked away uninjured from a serious car accident in San Francisco, only to hear a few days later that his younger brother was missing at sea.

Speaking in Clare on Friday, where he was attending the Merriman Summer School, Marine Minister Simon Coveney said, “My heart goes out to all the families who are struggling to deal with the loss of their loved ones.

“This has been a shocking and tragic week with fives lives lost in as many days in a year that has seen so much loss and sadness at sea.”

FISHERMEN have a special place in Quilty. They always will.

It’s history; it’s heritage; it’s family; it’s been a way of life for so many down the generations, that has touched so many families as a job of journeywork, a livelihood.

In Quilty fishermen know the floor of the sea like farmers know their land. They do, because it’s part of their DNA, part of what they are and it’s something they’re proud of, and fiercely so.

Pride at this long association with the waters around Mutton Island is everywhere. In the plaque on the sea wall opposite the Quilty Tavern that reads, ‘Heroism remembered: On October 3, 1907 tragedy was averted in Quilty village’. The crew from the French ship, Leon XIII, were rescued from their stricken ship by local fisherman and despite stormy conditions not a single life was lost; in the artwork on the same wall; in the name of the local chipper that commemorates the Leon XIII; in the church that’s named Star of the Sea; in the bell in the sanctuary of the church that once belonged to Leon XIII.

When the church bell rang out on Friday afternoon for Noel Dickinson and Michael Galvin, there was still pride at that association with the sea, but overwhelming sadness had enveloped the village. Quilty was a community in mourning, and a community drawing on each other for comfort, or as parish Fr Pat Larkin said in search of “meaning”.

One of the laments played at Noel Dickinson’s funeral was ‘Fiddler’s Green’, while members of the fishing community from Clare and as far away as the Aran Islands were present to pay their respects to the two men and their families for their tragic losses.

Fr Larkin, told the congregation about how the previous Monday, August 14, was “like any other day for Michael Galvin and Noel Dickinson” before turning to a double tragedy that had rocked the community.

“Just another ordinary day going out to work to check the pots and put out the nets and, above all, hope there would be a catch coming back in,” said Fr Larkin.

“But things changed, changed drastically, changed forever. And in that change, hearts are broken, lives are turned upside down and we search for meaning. We look for hope and we turn to each other. That’s what we’ve done over the past week – turning to each in support,” added Fr Larkin.