The Clare People Archive

PFera tera iscercm i awterm Cerone:

ALITTLE-KNOWN Shannon-based aircraft engine leasing firm employ- ing just 22 people made a pre-tax profit of $72.3 million in 2008.

Accounts filed to the Companies Office, show that US-French owned Shannon Engine Support Ltd in- creased its turnover last year by 17 per cent from $139m to $163m. Pre- tax profits dropped by 14 per cent from $84m to $72m to the end of December last.

The drop in profits was related to a 33 per cent increase in direct oper- ating costs from $68m to $91m and this was, according to the directors, due to the investment of $284m dur- ing 2008. The company had accumu- lated profits of $380.4m at the end of 2008 with total shareholder funds at owen

Shannon Engine Support Ltd leas- es engines to 140 airlines around the world and is a subsidiary of CFM, which is a joint venture between US giant, General Electric (GE) and the French-owned engine manufacturer, Snecma.

The company’s directors report that the Shannon operation had another successful year in 2008, even though the overall business environment and general market outlook deteriorated during the year as the global eco- nomic slowdown worsened.

“Demand for the company’s prod- ucts as measured by the utilization of its engine assets remained strong throughout 2008, but is expected to be softer in 2009, as the global econ- omy continues to slow down.

“The financial condition of the commercial airline industry is of particular importance to the com- pany and in the current global down- turn, the company expects reduced demand for its engines.”

“It is expected that the company will continue to expand its portfolio of engine assets during 2009, and that it will continue to be well posi- tioned to benefit from any upturn in the aviation sector.”

No dividend was paid last year.

Of the 22 people employed at Shan- non, seven are in customer support, Six in financial, five in administra- tion and four in marketing. Staff costs increased by 34 per cent from $2.8m to $3.8m.

The directors state that the com- pany’s operating profit decreased by 3 per cent after a significant rise in direct operating costs and the weak- ness of the US dollar versus the euro during the year.

THE multi-million euro retraining package for Dell workers and com- panies affected by the 2,000 layoffs at the computer company could be in place before the end of the month.

European Commissioner for Em- ployment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimir Spidla, con- firmed in an official visit to Shannon and Limerick last Friday that the proposal was being fast-tracked by the EU Commission.

Spidla, who was accompanied on much of his trip by An Tanaiste Mary Coughlan, also announced that the total funding applied for from the European Globalisation Fund could run into more than €20 million.

As well as meeting with Dell em- ployees in Limerick, the Czech com- missioner also toured the FAS train- ing centre in Shannon, where some of the proposed retraining funds could be invested. There he met with representatives from IDA, Enterprise Ireland, FAS and Shannon Develop- ment.

“T can’t tell you yet what the out- come of this application is. But I am committed to processing this ap- plication as quickly as possible,” he said.

‘And as I’ve said before, as long as the application meets the criteria set out in the regulations, we will look at it favourably.”

Commissioner Spidla also visited the Moyross area of Limerick as part

of his tour.

“We are committed to making our societies more inclusive, and helping everyone into work and out of tough situations, in particular the most vul- nerable,’ he said.

‘I know the situation in Moyross is tough. Getting a better understand- ing of the situation right here, on

the ground, will inform my thinking when, with my colleagues in Brus- sels, we’re working on what are the best ways out of the crisis. I deal not only with employment issues, but so- cial issues too.

“We are striving not only to get people back into work, but also to improve housing, access to education

and provide specific help for vulne- ble groups such as young people.”

A NUMBER of people arrested in connection with a feud between a number of families in Ennis have been released without charge.

The arrests were made last Wednes- day, in connection with damage to two houses in the town in recent weeks.

A house in the Westbourne area and another house in John Paul Avenue were damaged in separate incidents in recent weeks.

Windows on the house in John Paul Avenue were broken last Thursday week, while a car parked outside the premises was also damaged.

The men arrested were questioned at Ennis Garda Station throughout the day on Wednesday. A file will be sent to the DPP, who will decide whether charges are to be brought.

These were the latest arrests by gardai investigating several inci- dents in Ennis town over the past few months.

In the early hours of June 13, a hand

grenade was thrown through the glass panel of a house on Childers Road, Seer ateaee

The army explosive ordnance dis- posal team was brought in to deal with the device. A controlled explo- sion was carried out on the device at a nearby quarry. The grenade was live, but was faulty and did not detonate and the family that was in the house at the time escaped injury.

Two weeks ago, three men were ar- rested in connection with the grenade attack. The three, aged 26, 30 and 35,

were detained at Ennis Garda Station and questioned at length, before be- ing released without charge. A file on this will also be prepared for the Dye

The investigation into the various incidents has been intense and sever- al gardai are part of the investigation team, which is headed by Superin- tendent John Scanlan of Ennis Garda Station. Gardai have carried out house to house enquiries, several statements have been taken, while examinations have also been carried out.

There have been many allegations over the past few months, including claims of intimidation, assaults and damage to property.

The feud has left residents in the Cloughleigh area of the town saying they are living in fear.

At a public meeting in the town re- cently, fear was expressed by locals that there would be further violence. Gardai have pledged to continue to investigate the incidents and say they will continue to have visible presence in the Cloughleigh area.

THE jury in the trial of a County Clare teacher accused of sexual as- sault was sent home last night after it failed to reach a verdict on eight counts of abusing two boys.

The 38-year-old man, who can not be named for legal reasons, was last week acquitted of ten counts of sex- ual assault against a then ten-year- old boy. The jury, at Dublin Circuit Court, will resume deliberating this (Tuesday) morning, having already deliberated for almost four hours.

The man pleaded not guilty to 18 counts of sexually assaulting the

three boys on dates between Septem- ber 2002 and June 2004.

Last week, Judge Patrick McCartan directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty on eight of the counts against one of the boys, due to lack of evidence.

On Friday the jury reached its not guilty verdict on two further counts of sexual abuse against the then ten- year-old boy, following fifty minutes’ deliberations.

The principal of the school where the accused worked told the jury the man had “proved to be a good teach- er’ after joining the school.

The three boys who alleged that

they were sexually assaulted by the man denied during cross-examina- tion that they “misinterpreted” tactile or friendly gestures made to them by the accused.

A now 15-year-old boy told Ms Mary Rose Gearty BL, prosecut- ing, that the accused man taught him while he was in third class and dur- ing that time the accused had stuck his hand down the back of his trou- sers and inside his pants.

He said he also recalled it happening the next year when he was in fourth class after he received an injury on the football pitch. He said he recalled the man’s hands being “cold”.

A second boy, also aged 15, told the court that the accused had put his hands inside his pants and touched his bum during lessons at the ac- cused man’s home. He said this hap- pened “once or twice a lesson” for about two months in April and May Auer

A now 17-year-old boy said that while he was taking lessons at the accused man’s home, the man began lifting up his jumper and later put his hands inside the back of his pants “at the back”. He said this happened in the six months between January and June 2004 and occurred “sometimes twice a lesson”.

AS TRAMS and other alterna- tive transport vehicles make a huge comeback all over the world one north Clare man has a unique claim to fame; he was the last electric trol- ley driver in England.

Originally from Carron, Patrick Fitzgerald spent almost five decades in Nottingham, where he worked in construction before becoming an electric bus driver.

“T went over to England in 1959, when I was 16 years of age. There’s talk about recession now but let me tell you there was a recession back then,” he said.

“T went into roofing first and af- ter I had an accident on the roofs I changed to the buses. I was too young then to drive so I started as a conductor and then became a driver when I turned 21.

“At the time there was 54 miles of electric lines for the buses all around Nottingham; most big cities had them over there at that stage. It’s funny now, they are all going back to trams and things like that. They would be much happier to have the old tram networks and the lines for the electric trolleys now.”

In the name of progress, the elec- tric trolley fleet began to be wound down. On it went until the mid-1960s when Patrick found himself driving the last route still in service.

“IT used to drive the night-time bus from Trent Bridge. I was sad to see it go, I liked it. It was great in a straight road going around 30 miles an hour. You’d have to be careful go- ing around the corners though,’ he

continued.

“It would have been the main source of transport at the time; eve- ryone would have used them. I was on the electric trolleys for five and a half years altogether; from °52 to ‘57,

between conducting and driving. “There were lovely to drive. They had only two pedals; the right pedal was our foot breaks and left pedal was the power. If you put on too much power at any time the bus

would blow it’s fuses out altogether.

“Tt was the last route and I was the last driver on the night shift, so I saw the end of them.”

WHEN, back in the mists of time, they minted gathering festivals, they had something like the Loop Head variety in mind. It takes place from July 10 to July 20 and it has a par- ticular significance for the people of the area.

Set against the most western shore of Clare, in the parish of Kulbal- lyowen, the Loop Head Gathering Festival encompasses the villages of Cross and Kilbaha.

The programme itself is extremely varied and includes music (with the likes of Martin Hayes and Leo Ri- chard performing), currach racing, a

donkey derby, a vintage tractor run, tug of war and sheaf throwing.

“It’s a very special occasion for everybody in the area,” explains Ter- esa O’Gorman, PRO for the festival. “But it’s not only the people living here that get involved. Those who have left the area and moved away take holidays around the gathering festival. So we have plenty of enter- tainment for all of those returning home.”

This is the tenth year a festival has taken place in the locality and it’s the fourth year that the festival has gone ahead under its current structure. And, the 2009 version has two spe- cial events in store.

“First of all, it’s the 50th anniver- sary of the new church in Cross, so that’s something to celebrate. To mark this occasion, we have organ- ised a mass to be concelebrated with the bishop on July 15. This will be followed by an evening with music from Larry McEvoy, a barbecue and dancing.

‘The second big event is the 4km road race that takes place on Friday, July 17. This has been organised to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the St John’s Athletic Club victory in the County Junior Cross Country cham- pionships. And as part of this, the members of the team or their repre- sentatives will be awarded a special

presentation.”

Teresa also pointed out that since it’s inception, the gathering festival has always enjoyed extremely good weather. “It’s a great boost for the people around here. Businesses and tourism outlets are busy. We’re con- stantly aiming to bring in people to the area and this festival showcases what we have to offer on the Loop- head.”

Get the low down with new guide

A SHANNON businesswoman has won a prestigious accolade in fash- ion design. Michelle Carrig won the award for Outstanding Creativity as part of her City & Guilds Diploma in Fashion Design and Tailoring at the Mallow College in Cork.

She has operated her own dress- making business in Shannon for the past six years, having taken a ‘Start your own business’ course with the Clare County Enterprise Board. Three years ago, she decided to take a City & Guilds course, culminating in her being honoured with the ac- colade. She also won the Designer of the Year award in evening wear last year. She was honoured with the lat-

est award because of her work with lace. “I incorporated it into all of my designs,’ she said.

She is no stranger to dressmaking. Her mother, grandmother and great grandmother were all interested in this area. “Everything was knitted for us and everything was made for us. My Holy Communion dress was made. I learned everything from my mother and my grandmother,” she said.

‘T had the art background and I de- cided when my son (Jack, now aged 13) was going to school, I wanted to be at home for him. I had the ability and I saw a niche in the market. I set up in my mother’s back kitchen over six years ago and then moved into the workshop,” she said.

She enjoyed the work and then de- cided to ascertain what kind of ability she had by taking the course, which she was very enthusiastic about. “I put a lot of effort, time and commit- ment into my collection and the day I handed it over to the examiners I felt that a part of me went with it. I really poured myself, my dreams, my sweat and sometimes tears into it so it was fantastic that the examiners recog- nised this by presenting me with the Outstanding Creativity award over 140 designs shown at a recent fashion show to over 600 people,’ she said.

Acknowledging that successfully completing the course was her target, Michelle said that this section of her course work allowed her to express herself and her ideas. It also enabled

her to put into practice many of the techniques that she learned. Michelle also made time to complete a milli- nery course and can design a head- piece to match any outfit.

A native of Limerick, Michelle moved to Shannon at a young age. Her business, Material Girl, is lo- cated at Caragh Park in Shannon. While she thoroughly enjoys her job, she is anticipating the future. “I can see myself teaching sewing and de- sign. That would be my ambition,” she said. Michelle can be contacted on michelle_carrig@yahoo.co.uk.

ONE of the largest collections of ar- chived traditional Irish music in the mid-west was officially opened in Ennis last Friday.

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Eamon O Cuiv joined with members of the Board of Meitheal na hAbhna and man- agement at the opening of Cois na hAbhna Regional Resource Centre.

Cois na hAbhna is the regional base of Comhaltas Ceoiltoiri Eire- ann (CCE) for the Meitheal region.

It houses the Comhaltas Regional Archive in its Sean Reid Library. The venue also has an auditor1um for céili dances and concerts, a tradi- tional-style Irish kitchen, a bar/teach

cheoil where lively weekly sessions are held and classrooms for music lessons.

Speaking last week, Cois na hAbh- na manager, Doreen Norris said the venue has been busy since re-open- ing in 2007.

‘“We’ve been pretty busy. We have céilis, workshops and classes. It’s been fairly busy for the past two years. September to May is usually busier for us. There is a lot more go- ing on but we still have a few things happening in the summer. We have céilis on Wednesdays and Fridays,” she said.

The original Cois na hAbhna build- ing was constructed during the early 1980s by local Comhaltas members, who worked on a voluntary basis, and

was officially opened on St Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1983.

Redevelopment work on the Gort Road venue began in October 2006 and concluded in May 2007. The building was extended to include a teach cheoil and new conference room facilities.

The jewel in the crown is the Cois na hAbhna regional archive, one of several established by CCE through- out the country, to record collect and preserve the cultural heritage of parts of Munster.

Since work began in 1990 over 1,500 hours of recordings of mu- sic, songs, dance and folklore from Clare, Galway and Limerick have been collected in the form of 78s, LPs, reel to reel tapes, cds, videos,

books and photos.

Four main collections form the ma- jority of the archive’s holdings.

The Culturlann archive collections consists of recordings made and collected by Seamus MacMathuna, timire cheoil, CCE, covering a peri- od from the late 1950s to the 1970s.

The Vaughan collection is of a se- ries of private recordings made by Joe Vaughan from Miltown Malbay during the 1960s. The McNamara collection consists of recordings made by Martin McNamara from Scariff in the 1960s and 1970s. The fourth collection, the Field record- ings, 1s composed of material gath- ered by volounteers and participants in the ‘Meet the Musician Project’ since 1991.