The Clare People Archive

CLOSE on 50 certificates were formally presented in Ennis Adult Education Centre to learners who took part in Clare Campus Skillnet courses. They were conferred by the Further Education and Training Awards Council of Ireland following courses of studies completed in the Ennis area in management develop- ment, presentation skills and English as a second language

By tar the biggest individual busi- ness representation was from the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis. All non-nation- als, this major group took its course in English as a second language in- house as well as at Ennis Adult and Community Education Centre.

They were joined for the occasion by the hotel’s manager, John Maher, as an expression of appreciation of their achievements.

Clare Campus Skillnet collabo- rates with County Clare Vocational Education Committee in the delivery of a diverse range of courses from basic skills to project management and green belt masters in technology management.

Its courses are original in that they are devised as the result requirements identified by local businesses and en- terprises who form a local network.

Clare Campus Skillnet Network 1s about 18 months in existence. In that time it has delivered programmes to network members in Clare that,

among other subjects, covered man- agement development, health and safety, manual handling, project de- velopment and softer skills such as presentation programmes and stress management courses.

What happens is that the network of local businesses and enterprises defines its own training needs and sets out a programme of training and education activities.

In this regard, deep appreciation has been expressed of the steering group comprising Barry O’Brien and Kevin Moore, Vitalograph; Corey Downes, Billpost; David Deighan, Shannon Development; Michael Byrne, Acton BV; Alan Flynn, Old Ground Hotel; Carmel Mitchell, Loyalty Build, and Richard Morton, Time to Market.

“Without this group, we would have been floundering without direction,” acknowledged Dr Sean Conlan, edu- cation officer with County Clare Vo- cational Education Committee, who formally presented the certificates. He also thanked Clare Campus Skill- net Network’s co-ordinator, Sinead Mellett and the network’s adminis- trator, Ina Reddan.

Dr Conlan went on to say that at this time of great challenge for all businesses, when unemployment has risen dramatically, the learn- ing agenda comes into more focus for everybody. Those receiving cer- tificates on the occasion, he urged, should see the occasion not as an end of the road but rather the beginning

of a new learning route.

“Then, maybe together, we can learn our way out of this recession and be well prepared to take advan- tage of the upturn when it comes, as it surely will in a year or two or ab Reromean OComcT-n (Gm

That was what Clare Campus Skill- net was all about as it set about putting together a funding application for the coming two years. Priority areas had been identified nationally as transfer- ability of skills and key competencies

for lifelong learning. This was what the organisation would be working on in the coming weeks with a view to getting a budget to continue the work at local level into the future.

Looking at the broader picture, he noted that at the last count there were 123 training networks in the Skill- nets programme overall, showing it had come a long way since its incep- tion in 1999 as a pilot project in en- terprise-led training.

The success of the concept of busi-

nesses, small and large, identifying and delivering in a shared way on their own training needs had ensured that the Skillnet Training Networks Programme had become a key player in training and learning delivery in Ireland.

LESS THAN six months after she took up the post as head of policing in Clare, Chief Superintendent Mary Fitzgerald has announced that she 1s Kom Kein Ker

Chief Supt Fitzgerald arrived in Clare in June, having previously been the head of the Garda Reserves. Her retirement will take effect on Der ilelo mes

It means that further changes are due in Garda management in the Clare Garda Division — which in- cludes the districts of Ennis, Shan- non, Kilrush, Killaloe and Ennisty- mon. Ms Fitzgerald was the third person to fill the role as chief super- intendent since Liam Quinn retired in December 2006.

He was replaced by Gerry Mahon, who, in turn moved to Limerick and was replaced by Kevin Donohoe. Chief Supt Donohoe was head of the Clare Division between December 2008 and June of this year. Chief Su- perintendent Mahon will also retire in the coming weeks.

The latest batch of retirements have emerged in the wake of several gardai opting out of the force this year for various reasons. Nationally, 708 gardai have retired or declared their intention to retire this year, in- cluding up to a dozen in Clare — in- cluding two garda sergeants.

The retirements include three as- sistant commissioners, 12 chief su- perintends, 26 superintendents, 31 inspectors, 166 sergeants and 466

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The numbers are the highest in 13 years and are far higher than levels recorded in recent years. There were 259 retirements last year and 184 in 2007. There were just 200 recruits to the force this year — there is currently a moratorium on job creation in the public service. Residents in rural parts of the county have expressed Losier u MDA MB Keo OLMmN DELO) INOKMmOercI Mmm ele retirees will not be replaced, due to cutbacks across the board and fear that community policing will suffer as a result.

Meanwhile, Detective Garda Ter- ese Flannery has been appointed the juvenile liaison officer (JLO), based at Ennis Garda Station. She succeeds Garda John O’ Neill, who recently re- tired from the post.

The role of the JLO is to deal with young offenders, under the age of 18.

GENEROUS Clare people haven’t said ‘Bah Humbug’ to charities despite the recession. Operation Christmas Child – also know as the Shoebox Appeal – saw 5,600 boxes sent to children in need for people in Clare up to Monday of this week. And the appeal closing date has been extended until tomorrow so there is still time to get shoeboxes into the main warehouse in Elevation Park in Ennis, Curves or Shoe Zone. Clare co-ordinator for the appeal, Louis Duffy, said that while there are fewer boxes this year than last year, the average donation in each box is up. Louis reiterated the position of the Irish Operation Christmas Child on the controversy about handing out religious information with the boxes. “We are instructed not only that no religious item or information is to go in but that we are to take anything we find in a box out. People are wel- come to come here to the warehouse and see for themselves what goes in,’ said Louis. Meanwhile, Niall Mellon, founder of the Niall Mellon Township Trust led the Clare volunteers onto site in Wal- lacedene in South Africa last week as part of the Niall Mellon Township Trust’s eighth Building Blitz. Over 950 volunteers paraded into site, all kitted out in their coloured team t-

shirts, hard hats and tools. The vol- unteers were greeted with open arms by hundreds of delighted residents. The ‘Walk In’ marks the first day of this year’s week-long build, where the Clare volunteers, together with others from around the country, will construct over 200 houses for fami- lies in Wallacedene. Despite the car- nival atmosphere, all the team mem- bers were building within minutes. In the face of global recession, al- most 3,500 people have volunteered this year with the Niall Mellon Township Trust. This record-break- ing figure comprises of 1,500 Irish and 2,000 South African volunteers and brings the total number of peo- ple who have volunteered with the charity to 8,500, since Niall Mellon first launched his house building in1-

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And Concern Worldwide has launched its 40th annual Christmas Fast, which takes place this year on Thursday, December 3 and aims to raise more than €1 million for the poorest people in the developing world. Throughout 2008, the gener- ous people of Clare raised a total of €765,419 and Concern is hoping for continued participation in the fast this year.

‘The Christmas fast has always en- joyed immense support from Clare and we hope to see this enthusiasm continue in its 40th year,’ said Phi- lomena Daly McDarby from Corofin, who works with Concern in Ireland.

THE talents of an extraordinary young dancer, whose life was tragi- cally cut short, will be remembered at a competition in her honour in SUED Om io.e

Kitty Leyden and friends are or- ganising the third annual dance competition to honour step and sean

nos dancer, Margaret Brohan who died aged just 19.

Dancers will compete for a cup – which is being put up by Margaret’s family – and afterwards there will be a céili for everyone who wants to take part.

“Tt will be a great night – there’ll be music, sandwiches – it will be a real party and any money we have over

will go to two special causes,” said Gia

Remembering Margaret’s fabulous talent, Kitty – herself a noted dancer – said that she was “so lovely and so very talented. She was a step-dancer and a self-taught sean nos dancer. She had a style all of her own, no-one could beat her. She was just lovely, a lovely dancer and a lovely person. She had a smile for everyone.”

The competition takes place in Murray’s in Tulla and Andrew Mac and friends will provide the music, while adjudicators are Mairéad Ca- sey and Susan Lee. Entry on the night is just €5 and any money made will be divided between the Clare’s School Club – which has competitors in the special Olympics, including one girl from Tulla – and the Debra WeOETiemestvelae

The entire community of east Clare and dancers all over the country were shocked and saddened to hear of the death in November 2003 of Margaret

in a car accident in Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania. Margaret was just 19 and her exceptional talent was becoming widely noticed. She spent the summer as a resident dancer in Glor in Ennis where she was spotted by

Gormley: ‘Not much in the kitty’

, at an event hosted by Clare County Council. The book is the twenty-second to be published in the National Invento- ry of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) series.

NIAH surveys record a sample of built heritage, ranging from struc- tures of grand design to simple con- struction, spanning the period 1700 to the present day. The surveys inform recommendations from the minister to planning authorities for inclusion of structures in their Record of Pro- Kore CoOL OME LCLAUD Khe

The minister referenced the diverse historic built stock of County Clare when noting that “the built heritage of County Clare is a major contribu- tor to its unique identity and sense of place’. He pointed to the signifi- cance of “the restored tollhouses at D’Esterre’s Bridge, the Spectacle Bridge at Lisdoonvarna and the great

hydro-electrical complex at Ard- nacrusha’’.

Minister Gormley congratulated Ennis Town Council, Clare County Council and their officials for their interest and enthusiasm in ensur- ing that the County Clare Record of Protected Structures is robust and comprehensive. This approach helps to support existing pride of place at community level — the most power- ful tool in ensuring conservation of Ireland’s national and local built her- itage.

Mayor of Clare, Councillor Tony Mulcahy (FG) urged the minister to restore full funding for conservation projects to help preserve the “rich ar-

chitectural heritage of Clare”.

Deputy Mayor of Ennis, Council- lor Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) thanked Minister Gormley, saying that gov- ernment funding was critical to the future development of Ennis.

The NIAH survey is accessible on www.buildingsofireland.ie and work on a further nine surveys is under- EN

The publication

A SHANNON business which man- ufactures and distributes sports and health nutritional powders has re- ceived a top national award.

ABC Nutrition, at Knockbeg Point, Shannon, has been awarded by Bord Bia at the food and drink industry awards. ABC was one of seven com- panies nationally that scooped acco- lades.

The company was set up in Febru- ary 2007 and is fully Irish owned. It initially had just one customer and has since gone from strength to strength and currently distributes all over the world.

It is owned by four people — Sean McNamara (Tuamgraney), Wil- lie Wixted and Lorraine Gunning (Broadford) and Atis Vitolins (Lim- erick) — and eight people are em- je Key (orem

Mr McNamara explained the back- ground to the company being set up, on foot of demand globally. “It start- ed off in the States 25 years ago with body building. Now rugby players, GAA players and people who train use the products. It has grown at a massive rate. The products are based on protein and powders are the main part of it,” he said.

“Our main business is_ blending the products. We buy in the ingredi- ents and source them from all over the world. We design products for groups of people with different re- quirements. There are different for- mulations for people trying to lose weight and those trying to put on weight,” he said.

The company manufactures its own brand of supplements, which are available in health food shops

and chemists.

“Our biggest market is in the UK. We also distribute to Spain, Portu- gal, Holland, Belgium, Scandinavia, Hungary, Slovenia and Greece,” said Mr McNamara.

The award from Bord Bia was enti- tled “The Thinking Big’ award, dedi- cated to small businesses demon- strating exceptional entrepreneurial spirit, matched by strong sales and

marketing.

Among the other winners were Bul- mers Pear, Glanbia and Kerry Foods. “The real satisfying thing was that all the others were household names. It was nice to be on the same podium as those type of people,’ said Mr McNamara.

Although business has been slower in recent times, he is optimistic about the company’s future. “It 1s very, very

positive on the international front,” he said. He was involved in setting up the company, having felt there was a need in the market. He studied animal nutrition for many years and acquired a PhD in this area a number of years ago.

Helping bridge school funding gap

will headline this year’s fes- tival alongside the likes of Joseph O’Connor, Tim Pat Coogan and Paul

Howard (aka Ross O’Carroll-Kelly).

The organising committee an- nounced a partial line-up yesterday, with more authors to be confirmed in the coming months.

The festival will also feature Ire- land’s first ever Book Club of the Year award and will also include a professional development workshop for library staff.

Supported by Clare County Library,

the three-day programme of events 1s expected to attract hundreds of book club members and book lovers from all over Europe and America.

Other authors scheduled to par- ticipate in the fourth annual festival include Diarmaid Ferriter, Fiona Looney, Claire Keegan and Thomas Lynch. Academic contributors this year will include Dr Paul Delaney, School of English at Trinity College,

Alan Titley, Head of Department at University College Cork and Niall MacMonagle, editor and English teacher at Dublin’s Wesley College.

‘The festival is a wonderful social and literary event that brings togeth- er book club members, readers and authors from all over Ireland and beyond,” said Frances O’Gorman of the organising committee.

“One of the highlights of the week-

end festival will be the Sunday symposium, during which Tim Pat Coogan and Diarmaid Ferriter will join a panel discussion on the subject of reading history.”

The festival is also inviting library staff nationwide to a free workshop on how to start, develop and chal- lenge a book club.

The Ennis Book Club Festival will take place from March 5 to 7.

A TULLA family, who bought their house in the belief that they were connected to the main sewer, have had to all but abandon their home because of the vile mess and stink in the back garden.

Stephen McDermott’s wife, seven- week-old baby and his two-year-old son have left the family home in Tulla village after their yard became swamped in raw sewage.

“We were told when we bought the house that we were connected. This started with a small blockage and we discovered then that we weren’t connected at all. Since then, the stuff has started coming up in the garden, the smell is all over the house and there’s no way the children can live here,” said Stephen.

Stephen contacted Clare County Council about being connected and, after a meeting with engineers, the council agreed to waive the connec- tion fee, but told him he would have to organise and pay for the digging up of the path and the road and their subsequent repair.

He believes this is a major prob- lem. “I agree that I should have to pay for the work that needs to be done in my own yard but to pay for the roadworks is going to cost much more than we can afford. I think it’s

ridiculous in this day and age – sani- tation is a basic human right. If this was somewhere in the third world, there would be a charity fundraising to put in a Sewerage system. Instead, we’re here with raw sewage in the garden and more scented candles go- ing than the Vatican – and the stink is still unbearable.”

But Clare County Council staff say that what the Tulla resident is being asked to do is no more than any householder would be asked if they wanted connection to the main sewer.

“The council will do the connection but the householder has to arrange for the digging and the other work. That’s normal practice,’ a spokes- man for the council’s engineering department said.

The spokesman said that the au- thority had taken the “unusual” step of waiving the connection fee of €1,135.

“We felt this was a unique situa- tion,’ the spokesman said.

But the local authority cannot take on the expenses involved with the connection, the spokesman said. “We’ll work with Mr McDermott and make the connection but he has to do the work – it is a matter of a couple of hours to do it. Any householder who wants connection to the services has to pay to do those works.”