The Clare People Archive

SURFERS from across the country are set to descend on Lahinch next weekend for the West Coast Surf Club Longboard Classic in Lahinch — the only event of its kind in Ire- land.

The two day competition on next Saturday and Sunday has become one of the most hotly anticipated competitions in the Irish surfing cal- endar since it was first held in 2003 and attracts surfers from all over Ire- land.

The 2008 event, which was blessed with good weather and perfect surf- ing conditions, saw a record number of local entrants, the overall winner being Stephen Kelleher from Lahi- ie eF

“As in previous years, we are de- lighted to have a custom-shaped Cequential Quad surfboard from our local shaper Ian Johnson for our first prize” announced Cliodhna Fawl. Further prizes will be kept a surprise and announced on the day.

Subject to weather and swell con- ditions, it is anticipated that the 19th September will see the initial heats and quarter finals run off with the semi-final and finals possibly stretch- ing into the 20th September.

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

VISITING Minister, Eamon O Cuiv would not be drawn on whether he has been given any indication as to the future of his department.

During last week’s visit to New- market on Fergus, he said that he is “confident” community and volun- tary groups will still be facilitated by whichever body is given responsibil- LAAs Koma elo 00

But he was giving no guarantees as to what funding will be there for these groups once the recommenda- tions of An Bord Snip Nua have been Tbenetorneronicoee

The Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs minister was in the Banner County to officially open the extension to the Obair community facility.

Being quizzed by reporters on what will happen to community groups such as Obair if his Department gets the chop under Bord Snip, the Min- ister said it is “not who delivers the service that matters but that the serv- ices are delivered”.

“IT don’t get over-exercised about the construction of Government de- partments…it’s business as usual for us. We have to make the budget fit. But if my Department is gone then the new departments will continue to run the functions for groups such as

this as long as there is money there for it.”

But the Minister could not com- ment on how many jobs might be lost or which areas of funding cut in his

Department. “It is too early for that”, |aTemcy- HOR

Louis Creaven, chairman of Obair thanked the minister for performing the official opening but said there is

‘‘a dark cloud behind the silver lining and I have to tell you that the board of Obair is seriously concerned about the future. It is not an exaggeration to say that our services may have to

shut down if the Government imple- ments a recommendation…to abolish the Department.”

Obair’s manager, Pat Cronin, said that the organisation “has come too far to be abolished at one stroke of an economist’s pen’.

Before the official ceremony took place, Obair clients told

SHERRY Fitzgerald McMahon has a stunning Georgian two-storey house, centrally located in Kilkee’s West End, on its books at a reduced ask- ing price of €575,000. This property, called Bayview House, originally went on the market priced at over €800,000, so the reduction is very significant.

The five-bedroom property offers 246 sq metres (2,652 sq. feet) of ac- commodation including five bed- rooms. It has some very elegant pe- riod features including a fn light over the solid main entrance door, and in-

side there are lofty high ceilings.

On the ground floor is the main liv- ing room, which has a feature fire- place and a bright sunroom to the side. The spacious kitchen is well fitted and off this room is the dining room. There’s a further family room PLM N Oval od e

The high sash windows ensure that lots of natural sunlight filters through the house, making it very bright.

The selling agent said that the prop- erty “could do with some modernisa- tion, but 1s a most attractive house, very well priced, not to be missed”.

COSTELLOE Estate Agents has an attractive family home on its books, located at Abbeyville off the Limer- ick Road (opposite the West County Hotel), which has just been further reduced in price to €215,000.

No. 50 Abbeyville is a four bedroom semi-detached property offering 1,292 sq. ft. of internal accommoda- tion. This appealing house comprises an entrance hall, living room, kitch- en/dining room, utility and en suite bedroom all on the ground floor. Up-

Stairs, there are three bedrooms, in- cluding the en-suite master bedroom, together with the family bathroom.

Finishes include a mix of timber, tiled and carpeted floors, a qual- ity fitted kitchen with integrated electrics, fitted wardrobes in the bedrooms, quality tiling in the bath- rooms, painted doors, skirting and architraves and quality coving in the reception and living rooms.

Externally the property features a walled lawn and parking area to the front, with an enclosed south facing rear garden with garden shed.

The house was recently redecorat- ed and is on the market in ‘walk-in’ condition. It will appeal to a family as it offers plenty of space and is very close to all key amenities, including schools, in Ennis town centre. It is also just a few hundred metres from the by-pass interchange on the Lim- erick Road.

For full details, contact Costelloe Estate Agents on 065 6821299.

Doolin ferries row puts the wind up council

RTE Maghera mast bogged down in planning

Dynamic solutions topping the bill

A NEW medical device developed under an InterlradeIreland business network will help sufferers of some of Ireland’s most prevalent chronic lung ailments.

The Vitalograph COPD-6 is a small, affordable and easy-to-use device, which will not only make life easier for sufferers of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), but save time and resources at hospitals PNNeme pte Nee

The device, which was developed under InterlradeIreland’s REMINAC project, allows sufferers to monitor their condition remotely, rather than having to travel to their GP surgery or hospital.

The developers, a tripartite collabo- rative network of companies in Lim- erick, Ennis and Lisburn, County Antrim, are already adapting the de- vice so it can also be used to monitor other ailments like asthma and cystic fibrosis.

Outsource R&D company, Martu- rion Ltd of Lisburn, was responsible for the design of the device, includ- ing the electronics and embedded software. Marturion partnered with Limerick company Eirwave, who designed the Bluetooth technology which enables the device to transmit data remotely to a monitoring centre, and Ennis-based Vitalograph, who developed the software to receive and monitor that data.

General Manager of Vitalograph Ireland, Frank Keane said: “COPD, Asthma and cystic fibrosis are amongst the most common life- threatening lung conditions here in Ireland but can be more effectively treated if monitored regularly so we saw the need for a device which could provide simple and effective pre-spirometry remote screening to those at risk of these diseases.”

Dr John Nelson, managing direc- tor of Eirwave, said that there were numerous benefits of working as

part of a tripartite network: “The REMINAC network brought us the advantage of being able to utilise the complimentary skills and expertise of the three companies to develop leading edge solutions in wireless connectivity for medical devices,’ he explained, “and this would not have been possible without InterIra- delIreland. Its involvement was key to initiate, develop and strengthen the cross-border link between the three companies.

‘An essential aspect of doing busi- ness on a cross-border basis is to have the necessary market awareness and confidence in suppliers and partners. InterTradeIreland were superb in ad- dressing both.”

Dr Andy Barr, managing direc- tor of Marturion commented: “The economic benefits of this device for the health service, in particular, are numerous. Sufferers of lung diseases are among those patients who have the lengthiest stays in hospital and this device could cut down their time in hospital, saving money as well as greatly reducing the risk of cross in- fection by sitting in GP clinics and hospital waiting rooms.”

Chief Executive of Interlradelre- land Liam Nellis said: “InterTra- deIreland brings together networks of companies to help them to become more profitable and competitive through joint marketing, skill-shar- ing, product or process development,

meeting supply needs or co-produc- tion opportunities.

“The REMINAC network is an ex- cellent example of the real practical and mutual benefits of cross-border co-operation. Sharing knowledge generates innovation which is key to success in business particularly in the current economic climate and has helped to accelerate the development of a new product which will make a difference to thousands of people all over the world.”

THE decision, by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, to close the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food office in Ennis has been met with strong opposition.

According to the Chairperson of Clare ICMSA and Chairman of that organisation’s National Beef & Cat- tle Committee, Martin McMahon, a valuable resource and service for Clare farmers has been lost and measures must be taken immediate- ly to minimise the impact on Clare JET U NN ae

“As things stand, the reality is that

most Clare farmers who need to visit the local department office will now have to travel a much longer distance to the far side of Limerick city and deal with the time and traffic prob- lems that involves. The local Clare office provided many vital services to farmers and it is imperative that reasonable alternative arrangements are put in place so that Clare farmers can still access department services in their own county and at a con- venient location,’ stated the Clare ICMSA Chairman and well known O’Callaghan’s Mills farmer.

“In this regard, we believe that the department should make _ person-

nel available at various locations throughout the county on specific days so that farmers can have their issues dealt with locally rather than travelling to Limerick city.

“This service could be made avail- able at the local social welfare of- fices. There are five social welfare offices servicing County Clare, namely Ennis, Ennistymon, Kilrush, Tulla and Gort, and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food per- sonnel located in these offices would be in a position to provide a service that would be convenient to all Clare farmers,’ he said.

Clare ICMSA have met both Minis-

ter of State Tony Killeen and Deputy Timmy Dooley and briefed them on this solution to what Mr McMahon says is fast becoming a source of much anger amongst the local farm- ing population.

“We have suggested a means where- by local farmers can access services at locations throughout Clare in a manner that facilitates everyone in- volved. The alternative is people hav- ing to take half a day, or indeed a full day off, to head off to the far side of Limerick to access the same services that could be provided in Clare at no extra cost. We want a bit of imagina- tion to be used here,’ he said.

KPa e moe ere I BKor aay