The Clare People Archive

NORTH Tipperary County Council have secured a number of undertak- ings from protesters who had been maintaining a blockade close to a house allocated to a ten member family from the travelling commu- nity, the High Court heard yesterday.

The High Court was told that un- dertakings had been given by a group of residents from the town of Ballina that they would not intimidate or as-

sault Council employees or the fam- ily, nor would they interfere with the access to or trespass on the house.

On Monday Mr Justice Paul Gilli- gan, after being informed of the un- dertakings, agreed to adjourn gener- ally injunction proceedings against a number of residents from Cullenagh, Ballina, County Tipperary, from con- tinuing with a blockade of the house fesse u ieee

The protest began early last month when residents discovered that a

house at Cullenagh had been ac- quired by the Council for the purpose of housing the O’Reilly family.

Last week the Council was granted permission by the High Court to no- tify those individuals involved in the blockade of their intention to seek an injunction aimed at restraining the protesters from interfering and tres- passing on the property.

Mr David Kennedy SC for the Council told the court the situation had become very inflamed. He said

glue had been placed in the house’s locks, the electricity had been cut off and the council employees attending the property were in fear of being in- timidated by those maintaining the blockade.

The O’Reilly family consists of the parents and their eight children, some of whom had special needs and were currently residing in a mobile home on the side of the road with no toilet facilities and no electricity.

The family are from the locality

and have been on the housing list since 2000.

Since the dispute began last Sep- tember a number of residents had en- tered the council’s offices in Nenagh and verbally abused people there resulting in the gardai being called. The residents had been outside the house at Cullenagh since September Rees

The council intends to have the family move into the house as soon as possible.

PARENTS in- Knockerra have warned the council that lives will be lost 1f the speed limit outside the lo- cal national school is not reduced.

Three years after the parents as- sociation in St Senan’s National School, Knockerra, first started to lobby Clare County Council to ob- tain a temporary speed limit restric- tion, parents are maintaining nothing has been done.

‘A reduced speed limit just during certain times, is not a lot to ask,” said one parent.

As far back as 2005 the senior staff officer in transport and infrastructure at Clare County Council responded, ‘A 50 kilometres per hour speed lim- it in this location would be contrary to the general advice contained in the Department of Transport guide- lines for speed limits and, in practice would be unenforceable.”

In May 2006, the local Garda su- perintendent said he would have no objection to reducing the speed limit in Knockerra village from 80 km/ph to 50 km/ph. The senior engineer in Clare County Council responded to the parents association saying, “It is

likely that such a special speed limit will be introduced in the vicinity of Knockerra School and this will op- erate for appropriate periods during school hours.”

It states “the introduction of speed limits in most such areas, unless they can be strictly enforced is not alone pointless but brings the whole speed limit process into disrepute.”

There are now flashing lights on both approaches to the school but no road markings. “This is a very sorry state of affairs; the gardai are behind the initiative, but the county coun- cil seemingly don’t care. Schools in

other parts of the county have been successful in having the speed limits reduced. In Knockerra, the ball was started three years ago. Does it take a fatality for the council to wake up and see that indecision is putting a generation in danger?” an angry par- nlm (6

This road is used by traffic going to the Killimer ferry and Money- point Generating Station. It has also become a rat run for people who try to shave five minutes off their jour- ney time. Trucks and lorries also pass as parents bring their children to school.

A QUARTER of a century of the John Fennel School of Dancing has produced thousands of new dancers, hundreds of medals and 26 shows sold out to national audiences.

All this from a 19-year-old who 25 years ago cycled throughout the west Clare peninsula teaching dancing in small schools.

Now children from all over Clare come to the Cooraclare Community Centre to practice for sell out shows and extra performances to celebrate the school’s silver anniversary, as the west Clare phenomena that is Hell for Leather.

Founder John Fennell maintains the success of the venture is down to hard work, support of parents and the dedication of the children.

The Cooraclare man learned to dance from the couple he credits with bringing step dancing to west Clare – Eugene and Pat Phillips.

“Everything that has branched off since 1s a protégé of them,” he said.

From a family of eight his mother was determined to get half of the family dancing and John hasn’t stopped since.

As he reached the senior classes with the Phillips, John began teach- ing the junior dancers.

From there he began preparing dancers for competition in his own Ce) b iter

At just 19 he was invited to teach step dancing in some small west Clare schools.

“*T often left at half eight in the morn- ing and cycled to Kilbaha to do aclass and then on to Doonaha. I would cy- cle to Doonbeg for an evening class and then on to Cooraclare for an older class. The legs would be nearly gone of me,’ he smiled, and well he should, as it was through dancing he first met his wife.

From these early classes, teaching Irish dancing and step dancing, he

successfully saw his pupils win 38 Munster titles, 35 All-Irelands and six internationals.

Despite this success he believed the future was not in figure dancing and pulled all dancers from competition to concentrate on set dancing.

He was told this would not work but the Cooraclare man thought dif- Keone

“Then I began to think why pick eight dancers and put them into an All-Ireland and leave the others. Pri- mary kids were also leaving dancing when they left school so I thought I’d organise classes for teens.

“Each area then had a class, and I choreographed a piece for each area. For a joke I got them all together in Cooraclare so they could all dance.”

It was at that show that Pat Lineen pointed out to John he had “the mak- ings of a good show”. So with two new pieces added, Hell for Leather was launched in Glor in September Aves

Of the 193 dancers to take to the stage that fateful night, 17 remain with John today.

“They are all teaching with me and passing on the trade to the begin- ners,” he said.

This core group are also instru- mental in getting the new Hell for Leather show to Glor on October 29 and 30, and ready again for a special OS iekientenee es

This time around it is 176 five to 13 year olds that will entertain audi- Neen

“It not only keeps them fit but they also have 170 friends they wouldn’t otherwise have. They have learned how to dress themselves, how to get ready for a show, how to hang up their uniforms, respect for others and punctuality,” said John of his newest stars.

IT seems the community that plays together stays together, as the com- munity spirit in Ballynacally has all hands on deck to build a new play area in the Fairgreen.

Plans have already been drawn up, planning permission secured and a 66,000 council grant ready to draw upon.

Ballynacally Development now has to fundraise for the play area, and have it completed before the Tidy Towns judging in June.

James Maher from the develop- ment group said work is due to begin

on the project in February. The play area 1s to be built into a portion of the Fairgreen.

“It is architecturally designed to blend in with the natural environ- ment including the trees. It will not be visible from the road,’ said Mr Maher.

“Tt will provide a play area for chil- dren and enhance the presentation of the Fairgreen from a tidy town’s per- spective,’ he said.

Mr Maher explained that one of the goals of this project was to ensure that it could not impact negatively on the character of the Fairgreen.

“We have some nice gentle play

equipment for under the trees, there is no bright garish play equipment,’ he said.

Some of the equipment chosen for the area also has an educational NEVO Cop

Parents and other adults are not forgotten in this project, as some out- door adult exercise equipment will also be included.

While using this equipment parents can keep a watchful eye on their chil- dren playing.

The planned play area is part of an ongoing major project in the village.

It is envisaged that a water area, wooden sculpture and sitting area

will also be provided on the Fair- ato te

“We are also setting up a heritage trail as part of the tidy towns,” said Mr Maher.

Paradise House, which was once owned by the Henn family, will also become part of this trail as will what is considered one of the last working forges in the country.

THEY are putting on their dancing shoes and literly battering the floors in the long village in preparation for this October Bank Holiday weekend.

The sounds of traditional music, song and dance can also be heard in Doonbeg as the village prepares to host the annual Willie Keane Memo- rial Weekend.

In its ninth year, the festival begins on Friday, October 24, with a tradi- tional music and singing session in Comerford’s Pub at 10pm.

The Brian Boru Céili Band will take to the stage in Igoe’s on the same night. Sessions continue throughout the weekend and the Bank Holiday

Monday.

A legendary dancer, Willie Keane had a style of battering that won him acclaim throughout Ireland and abroad. A member of the famed Mullagh Set, which won All-Ireland championships, Willie was featured on many RTE television programmes and toured America with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri. He shared his passion for set dancing by participating in set dances classes and taught battering at the Willie Clancy Summer School.

Willie was killed in a road accident in 1998. To commemorate him and pay tribute to the great gifts he pos- sessed and shared so generously, a committee was formed in Doonbeg and the first Willie Keane Memorial

Weekend was held in 2000.

In addition to the many pub ses- sions, two ceilthe will be held this year. The Abbey Céili Band will play for set dancers on Saturday, 25, at 10pm in Halla an Phobail and the Brian Boru Céili Band will play from 2.30 to 5pm on Sunday, 26 at the same venue. For the first time, a children’s céili will be held on Satur- day evening from 5 to 7pm.

Set dancing classes will also be held all day Saturday by Mary Clancy for adults (1lam to 4pm) and by Geral- dine Greene for children (1lam to Ipm). Suzanne Leahy will also lead a sean-nos dancing workshop on Sat- urday afternoon (2 to 4pm).

For those interested in singing, a

singing workshop will be conducted on Saturday from 4pm to 6pm in Comerford’s pub. The same venue hosts the ever-popular Sunday after- noon singing session.

The Memorial Mass at 10am on Sunday will commemorate Wil- lie through music and dancing. The Mass is followed by a Trad Break- fast, which is served at Tubridy’s with proceeds to benefit the Cherven orphans, Belarus.

The highlight of the weekend is the Traditional Concert on Sunday evening, which this year will feature The Fureys and Davey Arthur. Edel Fox, Cyril O’Donoghue and Jack Tal- ty will open the concert, which will Start at 8pm in Halla an Phobail.

CALLS have been made to demol- ish the Tradaree Court flats, as they were merely an eyesore in Shannon.

The matter was raised by Fine Gael Councillor Tony Mulcahy who said the flats were in a “deplorable” state and “totally unacceptable.”

‘They are not secure. A lot of long- term residents in Tradaree have to look at an eyesore. Is there anything going to happen to the flats?” he asked.

He sought an update on the regen- eration project and on the security maintenance which is being carried out in the area.

He said the flats were damp and cold and lacked insulation.

“Whoever 1s in them should be re- located out of them as soon as possi- ble,’ he said. Fianna Fail Councillor Geraldine Lambert said she would concur with Cllr Mulcahy’s com- ments.

Shannon Town Manager Ger Dol- lard said the regeneration project

was going ahead and submissions would be invited. However he said it would be mid to late 2009 before work would get underway.

He said that residents could possi- bly be relocated and also suggested that the flats could be demolished.

Cllr Mulcahy said he would agree with the manager. “Demolish them,” he urged. “They are beyond the be- yond.”

Councillor Sean Hillery CFF) said that those in pursuit of a speedy housing transfer would have opted

to move into a flat in Tradaree, two years ago, and the allocation would then be made as they were “so un- healthy.”

“I’m amazed we still have people living there. This is a swinging door syndrome. It’s going on and on for- ever,’ he said.

The mayor of Shannon, Council- lor Gerry Flynn (Independent) said that several people in Tradaree were “dying to see the back of them. The heating and ventilation is not bal- eh eere me

A GROUP whose aim is to integrate newcomers to Shannon has just re- grouped for the winter months.

Le Chéile na Sionna was set up last year and it has focused on welcom- ing all ethnic groups to the town. It was set up in the wake of high num- bers of foreign nationals moving to the town.

Many of them had little social con- tact and the group is geared towards ensuring social networks be formed between those people.

The group has members from a di- verse range of countries, including Mauritius, India, America, France, Germany, Philippines, Wales, Ni-

geria, Poland, England, Egypt, Neth- erlands and Peru.

Le Chéile na Sionna meets on the first Tuesday of every month, at Rineanna hall in Shannon, while it also holds weekend gatherings. Its membership has grown considerably since it was set up in March of last year. Chairperson and founder of the group, Trish Fallon-Barry is delight- ed with the feedback.

“We have almost 60 email ad- dresses on our database. The average attendance tends to be between 15 and 20; usually a mixture of regular faces and new ones,’ she said.

Some of the initial members have moved on, but have remained in con- tact with existing members of the

ea cele l oF “We have made new friends from many countries who have since left Shannon, but have enjoyed the so- cial gatherings and the friendships formed while living here,” she said.

Those who attend the meetings are regularly encouraged to contribute ideas, with a view to making events more enjoyable. Ms Fallon-Barry said many plans are afoot for future activities.

‘Plans for the future include design- ing a little invitation card which can easily be given to those in the town who may not have heard of us yet, but would be interested in joining in. We also hope to organise some enjoyable social outing this coming year, pos-

sibly to the Aran islands where we can soak up the ‘Irish culture’ exper1- ence!” she said.

A special party will be held on Tuesday, December 2 next, when members will be invited to bring their extended families and friends ~NCoyetee

“Last Christmas we had a wonder- ful night where we learned all about the various customs associated with St. Nicholas throughout the world. It’s wonderful to have people in Shannon from literally all over the globe!” she added.

“Through story, song, PowerPoint photos and chat, we have all enjoyed and learned a great deal about each other’s culture’s,’ she said.

STAFF at a legal firm in Shannon have raised €4,000 for Cahercalla Hospice in Ennis, through organis- ing a coffee morning.

F B Keatings employees put their work on hold as they took time out to organise the event, at the SkyCourt shopping centre.

In the process, they raised €1,800

and management topped this up to reach a total of €4,000. The fund- raiser was organised by the officer manager at Keatings, Mary Forde, who was delighted with the generos- ity of the people of Shannon.

“From dealing with older people over the years, whose partners have died, a lot of them have got abso- lutely brilliant support from the Hos- pice,’ said Ms Forde.

“There was a great turnout. We were on such a high that so many people turned up. It is a wonderful feeling. The feedback has been fan- tastic. We had never done anything like this before,’ she added.

Given the encouragement received from those who attended, she said that other similar events may well be OD ESe TANI M DOM MOCoM RERUN UCR

“While a lot of people from Shan-

non go to Milford (Hospice), Caher- calla is in Clare and they need the support. From that point of view, we will stick with Cahercalla,’ she AYOCe (orem

A FIREWORKS display is poised to light up the skies in Shannon this Halloween. If plans to host the event get the go-ahead, it may well form the first prong in a plan for an annual Halloween festival in the town.

That was the overwhelming view of Shannon town councillors, who discussed the issue at its monthly meeting last week.

Labour Councillor Greg Duff brought up the issue and said he had received quotations for fireworks displays. He said that a display last- ing between five and eight minutes would cost €8,000.

He suggested that a fireworks dis- play would be held alongside a disco for children, which would be pro- vided by the Shannon Youth Service. He said that events could take place

in different parts of the town, to cel- ebrate Halloween.

He said that while there was some anti-social behaviour in Shannon during Halloween last year, it was relatively small. Three people were arrested, while there were five cases oem oreaca bho

“A small minority of anti-social yobs terrorise their neighbours,” he HCG

However, Labour’s Tony McMahon said he had concerns about fireworks. ‘‘T have grave reservations about fire- works in any capacity. They are quite a dangerous object to be operating with. Their effect on animals is very frightening,” he said.

Independent Councillor Mike Mc- Kee said the cost of clearing up bon- fires in previous years was €10,000. “In the last six weeks, fireworks have been let off all around the place.

Orolht (cM (ceexol merc eeeebeepionetsrl mm BKeye| residents associations to prevent fires and use the money for fireworks?” he asked.

Councillor Patricia McCarthy (In- dependent) said the fireworks were a good idea and it would be fantastic to run a display alongside a disco. She said the display should be in a cen- tral area in the town and not split into various events.

“We have to be mindful of the fact the town is spread out. I don’t see having one event in one place and another in another would be good for community spirit,” she said.

Referring to a display of between five and eight minutes, she said she feared it wouldn’t be big enough.

“TI don’t think we are going to stop the bonfires. It’s a tradition that has built up,’ she said. However, she said bonfires should be supervised.

Councillor Duff then said that gardai would educate schoolchildren on the dangers of crossing the road when events were taking place.

He said he would encourage fam1- lies to get involved on the night and said it would be important that secure places would be found for people to watch the fireworks.

“We could start building towards a Halloween festival,’ he said.

Shannon Town Manager Ger Dol- lard said that considerable costs were incurred in cleaning up after Halloween every year, right across the county. “We are in the lead- up to Halloween. There is evidence of stockpiling already,” he said.

The mayor of the town, Council- lor Gerry Flynn (Independent) said, ‘This is probably a first step to some- thing that is going to be good in the future.”

AS the main throng of summer tour- ists begins to die down at the Cliffs of Moher, the centre has organised a number of new ways by which the lo- cal community can use the facility.

From this month until the end of May, a number of different artistic and community events will be hosted at the Cliffs of Moher. Starting with an exhibition of paintings this week, the centre will also have children’s events, concerts and a whole host of other special occasions.

The first of these events, an exhibi- tion of paintings by local artist Philip Morrison, opened over the weekend and will run until November 30.

“This is the first exhibition but our plan would be to do a series of events like this throughout the winter. We have a great space here so we are looking at a host of different things that we can do here when the place isn’t packed out with tourists,” said Geraldine Enright, marketing man- ager at the Cliff of Moher visitor centre.

“We’d really like to bring in local people and give them an extra rea- son to come and visit the cliffs. We are very excited about the exhibition – it’s the first exhibition that we have had at the cliffs so we really hopeful that it will go well.”

The Cliffs of Moher Centre will host a number of special event for

Oi elcommshw elle (ore

“On Halloween night from 5pm to Spm we are inviting parents and kids to come. We are going to have a night of ghost-stories and games. Everyone here will be dressed up as different characters so it should be a lot of fun,’ she continued.

‘Separate from that we will be run- ning Samhain at the Cliffs of Moher over the whole bank holiday week- end. That will include face painting and all the traditional Halloween games.

“We have also been inviting groups of active retired people to the cliffs. We have a special package for them with a lecture, a guided tour and a meal.

“This year we are trying differ- ent things to see how they work out. There really are endless possibilities with the space that we have here. It’s such a great space so it’s really out aim to make it somewhere that is fully used by the local people.”

For more information or _ to book contact 065 7086141, e-mail bookings @cliffsofmoher.ie or check out www.cliffsofmoher.ie