The Clare People Archive

UP TO €100,000 damage was caused in a suspicious weekend fire in Killaloe that destroyed two boats and damaged two others.

The bank holiday weekend blaze which is being investigated by gardai, led to chaos at the moorings close to the Harbour Village apartment com- plex in Killaloe on Sunday evening, amid fears that the fire would spread

to dozens of other boats that were moored in the immediate vicinity.

A 36-year-old man was taken from the water by two people who dis- covered the blaze. He was taken to hospital in Cork, where he is being treated for burns to the body.

The pleasure boats were parked to the rear of the apartment complex and were privately owned by locals. Gardai are awaiting forensic reports before they ascertain how the blaze

started at around 8pm.

The boats were empty at the time, but several other boats were moved from the area, amid concerns that the fire would spread. Two of the boats are irreparable, while the other two were smoke damaged.

Killaloe Coastguard was dis- patched to the scene, where 15 crew were on duty. Killaloe and Ennis fire crews also attended the scene of the blaze.

EVER imagine waking up with the beach on your doorstep? How about sleeping in the middle of a deep for- est with the sound of trees rustling in the wind? Or maybe you are more of a city stroller? Well whatever your preference you can do it in the comfort of your own campervan and recently I had the opportunity to ex- perience this in glorious French sur- TKOLebeLe nb ereace

I had the pleasure of travelling not only in good company but in the lat- est Cityvan campervan, the CV57P which is just one of several versions that Cityvan have to offer. If ever there was a campervan made for nar- row roads or city streets then this is the one. And on Irish roads this would be the ideal choice, especially for those of us who are not so com- fortable driving those back roads only known by “the locals”’.

Whether it’s a family holiday or sporting weekend, campervans are becoming more and more popular. In May 2007 Vanderlust camper- vans identified this growing market

and joined forces with the french motorhome giant Pilote. Vanderlust have the exclusive Irish distribu- tion rights to three of their brands namely, Cityvan, Bavaria and Moo- veo. With such an extensive range to choose from, which include over for-

thy five internal designs. Vanderlust offer Coachbuilt, low profile and for those who want it all.. the A Class motorhome.

Vanderlust also offer a conversion service for those wanting a truely individual motorhome and can also

supply accessories such as_ bike racks, reversing cameras, awnings, TV/DVD’s and consumables.

For me though the Cityvan was my desired choice, kind to the driver and even kinder to its occupants. It came with all the essentials that one re-

quires when touring from place to place. A stylish yet comfortable lay- out with a double bed, four dining seats, a table, fully equiped kitchen, shower, toilet and enough cupboard space for your entire trip. If you’re into water sports or cycling they also have all the holding space you’ ll need for the roadtrip of your life.

Our road trip took us from Nantes to La Rochelle and on to Biscarosse, a picturesque seaside resort west of Bordeaux. Here there is believed to be the oldest elm tree in the world planted in 1350! Interesting as that may be, it was the sun, wind, water and french way of life that we were looking for. Unfortunatey the weath- er wasn’t good to us at the beginning of our journey but having total mo- bility made up for it. We could go wherever the van would take us, so finding the sun became our primary objective. Finally after the second day we caught up with the sun or maybe we’d driven away from the clouds? Either way, we now had sun and the perfect conditions to get in the water for some kitesurfing and some lazing about on the beach.

“Tell them to wait until next year, until I win it,” he told his grandmoth- er Kay.

True to his word the 16-year-old won the competition in Old Trafford WORN ore

This was no mean feat as he beat off stiff competition from all over Europe, including the German teen- ager that piped him at the post last year.

Now the Killimer teenager is pre- paring to take part in the World

Skills Final, as a result of his win.

The international competition will take place on November | in the Cliff Training ground – the Manchester United and England training ground in Manchester.

Ruairi will also play on the Old Trafford pitch before the Manchester United home game against Hull City, and the winners of the world skills finals will be presented to the fans at half time. With his strong determ1- nation and winning attitude Ruairi’s family and team-mates are hoping that he is among the winners.

Living in Kilmihil with his grand- parents Sennan and Kay Honan (nee Gallagher) who are originally from Burton Street Kilrush, Ruairi is ded- icated sports man.

For the past three years he has made the trip to Manchester to take part in the World Skills Final.

The avid Manchester United fan 1s currently playing with the Money- point under 16 team and has been a constant team member with Mon- eypoint AFC from the under 11 age ea celel oy

Ruairi has won Clare league and Cup medals at various age levels over those years with Moneypoint AFC. Ruairi has also been a member of the Clare County Soccer Squad at various age levels.

His proud grandmother Kaye paid tribute to the young soccer star.

‘He is a great kid and very moti- vated,” she said.

Although he is also a keen golfer

and enjoys chess, Ruairi is now dedi- cating most of his spare time to prac- ticing his skills.

The fifth year student from Kilrush Community College can be seen training alone in the “field in Killim- er’ in the evening and at weekends.

A spokesperson from Moneypoint FC also wished the young soccer player well as he prepares to fly to Manchester with his grandparents on October 31.

And who knows if he wins we might just get another picture and interview.

WOMEN are renowned for their ability to multi-task but the ladies that make up the Kilmihil Football team are taking this skill to a whole new level.

A number of years ago when the club needed a new committee, the team members decided it was time the sisters did it for themselves.

So on Sunday when Fiona O’Neill led her team to victory at the clubs first ever Munster Intermediate Championship Final on Sunday, she was not just the centre back, or the captain, she was also the club’s chair- person. Her fellow Ulster Bank col- league Rosemary Currane was not just a forward for the team, but also

club secretary.

These women like so many of the others who are dedicated to club and team have eaten, drank and slept football since last February.

Training began for the team nine months ago and since then the ladies have met three times a week to train.

Many of the dedicated team travel from Limerick, Cork and Dublin to ensure they are at training.

This year the squad of 26, along with management team Damien De- vine and Thomas McMahon were determined to win the county inter- mediate championship, having come so close in the last two years.

Kilmihil Ladies Football Club was re-established in its current format in Re

It started out as an underage club that grew with its members.

In its first year it won an under 14 B and C final. From there its teams went on to win competitions at all ages including Under 16 B and C finals and Minor As and B titles, as well as numerous national school ti- Coxe

At the turn of the century – just eight years ago – a junior team was formed in the club and in the same year they won the junior title.

In 2000 Kilmihil fielded a senior team with Crusheen, called Kilero- nan and reached the county final.

In 2001 Kilmihil won the All Ire- land seven aside and two years later joined Doonebeg to form the senior team Kildoon Gaels that won the

county final.

Next year Kilmihil will reach the senior grade in their own right.

Despite not fielding a team for three years the Ladies club came back to win a Junior League title in 2006.

Despite winning the Intermediate League title too, the championship evaded the team until this year when it beat Shannon Gaels.

Now the Ladies Team are looking forward to next season at senior lev- el, and even more local support.

“Before people were not that in- terested in Ladies Club, but new we have a lot of support. Local spon- sors played a big part this year as we wouldn’t have a lot and would have been scrapping through,” said Rose- nerve

ONE of Clare’s leading Construction and Civil Engineering companies is this week launching a development close to its geographically origins.

L and M Keating Ltd was estab- lished in 1987 by Kilmihil couple Louis and Mary Keating, and on Wednesday the company will unveil its Kilrush development to the busi- ness and political community.

Over the years the company’s work has included major Civil Engineer- ing and Building works covering all sectors of the industry, with some of its major projects including the living bridge at the University of Limerick and the River Shannon Crossing En- abling Works.

Many of the company’s previous wok can also be seen around the west Clare capital, including the Shana- kyle Community Housing, the Garda Station, Hector Street apartments and the Moanmore Windfarm.

Tomorrow evening (Wednesday) Jim Power, Chief Economist Friends First will officially open the Busi- ness Quarter of the Landmark Office Development at the Merchant’s Quay Business Quarter.

The development includes two fa- miliar landmarks on Francis Street – Kelly’s Mill and Foley’s Store.

A glazed atrium which will extend the full height of the building links the two buildings and offers excep- tional views over the Shannon Estu- ary and the Marina.

According to Pat Quinlivan, Com- mercial Director of LandM Keating Ltd, the location of these two impos- ing six storey buildings is as relevant today as it was when they were built over 150 years ago.

“By retaining the original 19th cen- tury structure and combining it with State-of-the-art internal fit-out, an ideal working environment has been created,” he said.

“The versatile layout design ena- bles effective subdivision of units to provide quality office accommo- dation of 500 square feet to 20,000 square feet.

‘Anchor occupants will include the Civil Service as well as Medical and Professional businesses.

“These prestigious offices will pro-

vide outstanding modern tax efficient accommodation for existing busi- nesses operating in the Kilrush area and for those seeking to establish a Kilrush base, as well as catering for new start ups” he said.

“Anchor occupants already con- firmed include the Civil Service as well as Medical and Professional businesses,” said Mr Quinlivan.

On Wednesday local business peo- ple, potential business people and members and officials from Clare County Council and Kilrush Town Council can avail of an opportunity to see the building at its best and hear from a well known economist who will review the budget and national and international financial maters for those present.

AS IT prepares to celebrate its 10th birthday next year, a basketball club in Shannon is planning to expand and attract new members.

Phoenix Shannon basketball club was set up in 1999 by local ladies Carmel Howard, Karen O’Callaghan and Bella Boyle and has participat- ed in the Limerick league, over the years.

It was narrowly pipped for over- all league honours last year, but its members are hopeful that silverware will be won this year.

PRO Majella Lillis said the club has enjoyed phenomenal success, but the ultimate aim is league honours.

“We were beaten in the play-offs

the last two years. Mary Immaculate College, Limerick beat us last year and University of Limerick were the victors the previous year. The aim 1s to win this year. We were just pipped last year in the play-offs. It went down to points,” she said.

The first match of the season, two weeks ago, saw Phoenix defeat St Colm’s Saints, also from Shannon. Tonight they will play University of Limerick, away, and are hopeful of Panne

“It will be a massive game for us, as the league has been between Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick and ourselves over the past couple of years,” she said.

A lot has changed since the club was initially set up and hopes are

high that it will continue to make good progress.

“When the club started off origi- nally in 1999, the players were from Shannon. Now, we have players trav- elling from Ennis to Shannon,’ she PALO

To cater for the Ennis players, the training 1s split into two locations – St Flannan’s College, Ennis and St Caimin’’s in Shannon.

“This year, it is the same group of players that have been there for the past few years,” she said.

“Up until recently our club had been the only basketball club representing Clare in the Limerick League. Last year the club played 14 games. We won 12 and only lost two. This is a fantastic record by any standards,”

she added.

There is a close-knit aspect to the club – which is sponsored by Maid- enform – as the girls who play also run the club. Mike Hickey, who trains the girls, is also the chairman; Karen Moclair and Grainne Lynch are the treasurers, while Majella is the PRO.

New members and_ supporters should contact Mike Hickey on (086) 6030250.

BUSINESS representatives in the Shannon region are being encour- aged to attend a seminar on business strategy, later this week.

Entitled ‘Hidden Giants: How to lead your business successfully’, the event, organised by Shannon Cham- ber of Commerce, will take place at the Westpark Campus, on Thursday

morning, between 7.30am and 9am.

The seminar is specifically de- signed for business leaders. It will focus on the challenges faced by business leaders in the uncertain economic environment.

Mike Gaffney of LEAP will be the main speaker on the morning. His theories on leadership and manage- ment have galvanised several man- aging directors to take full respon-

sibility for the leadership of their businesses, resulting in significant, positive impact on their organisa- tions’ performances.

He will discuss the specific lead- ership challenges facing Irish busi- nesses and will examine how these challenges can be overcome.

The event is open to members and non-members of Shannon Cham- ber of Commerce. The entry fee for

members is €10 and €15 for non- members. A limited number of plac- es are available so the advice is to book as early as possible, to ensure you secure a place.

Given that this event will take place so soon after last week’s budget, a number of invaluable tips will be provided on the day, as some busi- nesses struggle in the face of the eco- nomic downturn.

THE success enjoyed by the Wolfe Tones na Sionna GAA club on the pitch over the years has resulted in a huge interest in the club’s merchan- dise being made available.

The club has sold merchandise on occasions over the past few years, but now, for the first time, has decided to open a merchandise shop.

The shop is located in the old bar and opens on Thursdays from 8pm

to 9.30pm and on Sundays from 4pm to 6pm.

Managed by Eoghainn Logan, the shop stocks a full range of O’Neill’s sports gear, including polo shirts, t- shirts, hoodies, tracksuits, shorts and ele) .

ST AIDAN’S national school in Shannon is going green – by conserv- ing energy! The school won its first green flag last year and every effort is being made to retain it this year.

Earlier this year the school was honoured when it was praised by the national tidy towns adjudicators, who were impressed by the green flag outside the school.

Now, led by teacher Patrice Hayes and the staff at the school, hopes are high that the green flag can be re- tained.

The school’s focus last year was on litter and waste reduction and this

year the theme is energy.

“Last year we launched our cam- paign to get our first green flag by planting 278 bulbs in our school gar- den, one for each child in the school. This year we launched our campaign in a rather different way,’ said Ms Hayes.

Last Wednesday, the — school stepped back in time, in an effort to save energy. All pupils were encour- aged to walk or cycle to school and if this was not possible, parents and staff were encouraged to pool cars. During a 100-minute period that morning, everybody refrained from turning on lights, kettles, cd players, photocopiers, computers and other

appliances. They also left the heat- ing off for that time and did not use the interactive whiteboards.

“To keep ourselves warm and to use our own energy each class took part in circuit training. A number of fun activity stations were set up in the yard, including hoola hoops and skipping ropes,’ she added.

Later that day, the third class pupils, led by their teachers Ms Clarke and Ms Falvey, demonstrated a number of science experiments, where en- IRAN oer- Fee BUN MO sComOee- BUN MONlo) talon

A series of science experiments were also run on Thursday, where energy was the main theme. These experiments were led by ‘Sue’ of the

Science and Engineering show ‘Steps to engineering’, which was held re- ar hae meson

Last year’s initiative was a major success and surveys carried out at the school produced startling results. They showed that 40 per cent of the rubbish in the bins consisted of pa- per tissues and this was eliminated. Children were also encouraged to bring home their rubbish, as part of plans to reduce rubbish levels. The programme also encouraged pupils to pick up papers around the school before going home each evening. The school is hopeful that last year’s suc- cess in obtaining the green flag can be followed through again this year.

THE MODELS who will be strut- ting their stuff on the catwalk for a fashion fund-raiser next month get out of bed for way less than 5,000 dollars a day.

In fact, the teams, parents and pals of the Smith O’Brien minors would be happy to get €5,000 between them for the efforts on the night.

The fun fashion event is to raise money to help fund the activities of the busy minors, who have 120 play- ers from under-6 up and who have a team in every age bracket in the county competitions.

The fashion extravaganza, which

will be launched tonight and held on Friday, November 14 in the Lakeside Hotel in Ballina is the first run by the committee but, they hope, not the last.

‘The boutiques and shoe shops and the businesses in Killaloe and Balli- na have given us fabulous support”, said committee member, Antoinette RAVEN

Outside of Killaloe, boutiques in Nenagh and Scariff and a depart- ment store in Limerick have all come on board.

“They are supporting us by show- ing clothes on the night and every one of them has donated a spot prize – they’ve been fantastic’, Antoinette

said.

Supervalu has sponsored a cheese and wine reception to get everyone in the mood on the night and a beau- tician, hairdresser and two boutiques have offered their service and two €100 clothes vouchers for a make- over for two lucky people on the vbr al

“There will be boxes around the town in the shops and anyone who would like a makeover has to fill in a form and leave it in the box. We’ll have a draw for two names and they will have things like hair cuts and colouring done in advance with styl- ing, beauty treatments and clothes picked for them on the night when

they will show the ‘before and afters’ at the show’’, said Antoinette. There will be plenty of spot prizes, includ- ing funkiest handbag and wackiest heels

As well as raising money, the com- mittee are hoping that the show will prove to be a great social night and a lot of fun.

‘Because this is the first time we have done anything like this, we have no idea how much money it might raise. €5,000 would be great but we just don’t know yet. The main thing is we hope people will come along and support it and have a great time. It should be a fabulous night’, said Antoinette.