The Clare People Archive

THE anniversary of the air disaster in which the 99 passengers died on KLM flight 607-E off the coast of Galway was remembered last week.

It has been 50 years since the Dutch airliner crashed into the sea killing everyone on board.

On August 14, 1958 the airliner ‘Hugo de Groot’ came down approx- imately 200 km west of Slyne Head.

The air disaster was on the second leg of its trip from Amsterdam to America when disaster struck.

At the time it was the worst plane crash ever to happen in Galway and the fourth worst accident ever in the Atlantic Ocean.

There were no survivors of the transatlantic flight which included six members of the Egyptian fenc- ing team. The plane crashed without even a radio distress call. The flight was last heard 35 minutes after tak- ing off from Shannon. Then silence.

Ten hours later a British pilot saw spots on his radar. A British Royal Air force plane flew over and noticed wreckage. A French trawler and 12 other ships from five nations attempt- ed a rescue which lasted through the night. “It was an errie scene lit by our flares” said Flight It. Keith McDon- ald, who first spotted the wreckage.

Only 34 bodies were recovered and the scenes by the dockside and dur-

ing the biggest funeral procession the city had ever seen were recalled at a memorial service in Bohermore OAM (os) e

Addressing the gathering, Bernard Surrem of KLM quoted from the of- ficial report of the Irish manager of the airline at the time of the disaster.

On August 20, the report records him saying “I must make mention of the wonderful co-operation and as- sistance so freely given by the people of Galway in this whole tragic affair. Their generous effort has made the work of the accident crew so very much easier’, he said.

There was no evidence of any ditching procedure before the deaths of the 45 men, 38 women, 8 children, including a 14-month old baby girl and 8 crew members. Only one of the bodies, that of a young boy, was wearing a lifebellt.

By the time the Galway registered MV Naomh Eanna was notified and reached the wreckage, there were no survivors. John Reck, was a deck steward onboard the Naomh Eanna and remembers a small boat sailing beside them which “attempted to pass nine bodies over to the ship, but currents proved too strong and the bodies had to be abandoned.” Search and rescue efforts were extended to search a cluster of uninhabited is- lands about 50 miles from the crash scene.

Because it was not known how deeply the plane sank, no salvage effort was made. Autopsies were performed on the recovered vic- tims. Only a handful were formally identified and these were buried in a communal grave and some were sub- sequently re-interred in their native countries. Others still lie in Boher- more cemetery, including baby Ber- nadette de Kock Van Leeuwen.

Lack on any physical evidence has meant that no definite cause the crash has ever been found. Theories include the possibility of an explo- sion, electrical failure or pilot error. The most likely explanation given was “over-speeding” of one of the propellers, which may have been caused by oil pollution after a gear became defective.

Aviation experts speculated a propeller might have sheared off, plowed into the cabin and ignited the fuel tanks which had been filled to capacity at Shannon a short time before the crash. This would tie in with speculation that passengers died before plunging into the Atlan- tic. Indications suggest the accident was sudden. KLM station manager Lawrence Melling said “four engines and four radios do not cut out imme- diately.”

KLM subsequently made modifica- tions to reduce further possible dis- asters.

AN EIGHT month campaign to pro- vide better services for the homeless in Ennis received a major boost last week with the announcement that a CNKeyombOMectscomnysU0mKO)e\o0 TOMO sComcOdyvar| in September.

The Sara Finn centre will operate from premises on Chapel Lane and will be run by the HELP organisa- tion, a local group who provide as- sistance and support to the homeless community in Ennis and others faced with difficult social problems.

The centre is named after the late Sara Finn who died in June. It will be

Open seven days a week from 10am to 12 midday and from 8pm-10pm.

“The centre will cater for anyone with social problems and who feel they need to come in and talk about it,’ said HELP committee member, Josephine O’Brien.

“They can stay as long as they like and we will try and provide them with as much support as possible. It’s a place where people can just come and relax and be themselves, play PlayStation or whatever. We will also be looking to organize other ac- OAs La loee

Itis hoped that the centre will be and running by September 15. O’Brien,

one of the founders of HELP, said the opening of the centre would be a “very special moment” for everyone involved with the organisation.

“We have been working hard for this and its great to finally get it up and running. Its special for me and its very special for everyone who has worked hard for it”.

HELP are also appealing for vo- lounteers to come and work at the centre.

“We are really looking for people to help out and volunteer. The place we have in Chapel Lane needs a bit of painting. There is a bit of work to be done so we’re going to start into

that as soon as possible”.

The announcement comes after a dinner dance organized by HELP and held last week in the Ennis, raised €3000 for the Sara Finn Drop Oo tlbKee

O’Brien thanked all those who at- tended and donated money on the night.

“We had a great night” she said, “We raised a good bit of money and that will come in use for getting the centre up and running. It was bril- liant that we got so many people down there. Sara’s mother Karol was there. It was a great night and a really great turn-out”.

TOPICS ranging from the rainfor- est to the preservation of historical documents are among those up for discussion at events to mark Heritage Week in Ennis, next week.

Heritage Week is part of European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union, co-ordinated locally by Clare Soi Geniiale

A series of talks looking at the her- itage issues as they relate to will take place in venues across Ennis from August 24-31.

Bridgid Barry, Clare Biodiversity Officer presents “From the Rainfor- est to County Clare’ a talk on global issues of biodiversity in a Clare con-

text, in Glor on August 28.

The following day, Friday, August 29, Catriona Lynch, Clare Database manager will compare marine spe- cies survey work carried out in the coastal rocky habitats of county Clare, and the eastern Aegean is- lands of Greece, in a talk entitled MBE Ubetcameni elm c-liommeKOet Mm Gstaeee to County Clare’.

Audiences can also learn about the work involved in preserving the so- cial history of Clare at “The Care and Conservation of Books’ – a special talk by Rene Franklin, Clare County Archivist, that will take place at the DeValera library, on August 26

Ms Franklin will talk about the challenges of safeguarding rare doc- uments and will outline the methods

used for preserving old books to pho- tographs.

She hopes that by hosting the talk more people will be encouraged to use the archive service and to pre- serve their own personal pieces of KO as

‘People often may not realise the damage that can be caused by certain factors in the home. I’m just trying to highlight in a practical way really, what people can do,” she explains.

“Tl give examples of conservation treatments and of special conserva- tion projects that would have gone through. I’m also going to have some exhibitions of stuff in the archives that people might like to see. They can then have a look through them.”

“We’ll also have a few rare books

and manuscripts. Then if people have any questions I’d be delighted to an- swer them”.

Samples from Clare County Coun- cil’s collection will be on display as well as a rare example of Francisco O’Molloy’s Grammatica Latino- Hibernica (Rome, 1677) which was studied by the monks in the Friary in /SIVeVKMUIMO Nom MAROON AAA

The book is being made available by Michael McCarthy, historian/ tel- evision producer-director and author Oi

STUDENTS at Ennis Community College have been rewarded for an- other term of academic achievement

Leaving Certificate student Ruth Ni Chathair was named Roche Ireland Student of the Year at Ennis Com- munity College, at a presentation last week.

The award is based on a number of criteria including academic success achievement and takes into account achievements in external activities such as music and sport. This is the fifth year the award has been pre- sented.

Ruth who has recently completed her Leaving Certificate, receives the

honour for her outstanding personal and academic achievement.

Victor Akujobi, a gold medal win- ner at 2006 Damovo Junior Science Olympiad, was named as runner up alongside fellow Ennis Community College Student, Katelyn Ni Sceir- eR

The presentation was attended by Michael Ledwith and Helen Minihan of Roche Ireland and Matt Power, Principal, Ennis Community Col- lege. The award marks another term where the school achieved success in a national competition.

Earlier this year students Rebecca Murphy, Victor Akujobi, Shona Ni Meachair and James Philips repre- sented Ennis Community College at

the 2008 National Electronic Quiz in Galway. Despite winning the re- gional rounds, the Ennis team had to settle for second place over all after loosing out to a Cork school in the overall standings. The annual quiz took place simultaneously in UCC, DUPRE AMM Tem U

The award also continues Roche Ireland’s strong association with lo- cal schools. Roche participates in the Junior Achievement programme, which is designed to build bridges between classrooms and workplaces. Roche has built strong links with lo- cal national schools, where children have benefited from Roche person- nel teaching JA programmes in their schools. Each year employees of Ro-

che Ireland volunteer to teach classes from local schools. The employee meets their class once a week for six to nine weeks. Junior Achievement outlines the topics to be covered, which are determined by the age of the class concerned.

CLARE V.E.C. students had plenty to smile about after the announce- ment of last week’s Leaving Cert results.

Overall eight students taking part in the Back to Education Initiative sat the leaving cert maths and their results were of the highest standard, with six Als an A2 and a B2.

The group studied part-time for the Leaving Cert since last September with the Back To Education Initia- tive (BTEI). The Back To Initiative provides part-time further education

programmes for young people and adults, with the aim of giving people the opportunity to combine a return to learning with family, work and other responsibilities.

The BTEI is operated by County Clare VEC as part of the National Development Plan and is funded by the Department of Education and Sci- ence and the European Social Fund. It operates throughout the county and has over 900 adults studying various subjects ranging from FETAC Lev- els 3,4 and 5, up to Leaving Cert.

The BTEI, through a preparatory course, also introduces prospective

students to the requirements of stud- ying for the Leaving Certificate

Mike Ryan BTEI co-ordinator, congratulated the students and their tutor Vinnie Normoyle.

“We are delighted with the results, they were excellent. It was down to the hard done by the students them- selves and also the work done with them by Vinnie. I know the students appreciate everything that Vinnie SERCO ComoUNe Mm Nelss 00 Me

Mr Ryan added that further support and guidance would be offered to students on an ongoing basis

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learners availing of adult basic edu- cation and a further 700 engaging in community education.

The recent re-development of the Adult Education Centre in Ennis has led to the provision of more services through the BTEI.

The centre provides learning op- portunities in reading and writing, language support, youthreach pro- gression, the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) and family learning.

Services include a créche, night classes, e-learning and adult learners guidance.

AS THE amateur musical and drama season prepares to take hold all over the county, the Shannon Musical So- ciety 1S preparing for a first with this year’s production.

This year the society will become the first amateur society in Ireland to perform Joe DiPietro’s ‘All Shook Up’. The musical, which was a huge success on Broadway, is based loose- ly on Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night’ and inspired by the music of Elvis USA

The society will be having a launch night on Wednesday, September 3, 1n the Oak Wood Arms Hotel at 8pm.

“Each year we host a night to en-

courage new people to come and join the musical society. It’s really more of an informative night, I think a lot of people think that it’s all about music and if you don’t have loads of talent you can’t join,” said Mary O’Loughlin of the Shannon Musical Society.

“It’s much more than that. Every- thing involved in the musical, except for the orchestra, 1s produced by lo- cal people. We have the costumes, the stage crew – the whole set is made from scratch, the front of house team and the booking office. So there is a great amount for people to be doing beside the work on the stage itself.

“It’s a great social outlet for people, especially if you have just moved to

Shannon. The society can be a great way for getting to know people and getting involved. It’s a great team effort and right across the board in terms of ages.”

This years production will be di- rected and choreographed by Oliver Hurley while Carmel Griffin will the musical director.

The musical society are hoping for a good turn out at the up coming launch night.

“Tt can be difficult enough some- times to get new male members but once they join up they stay with us for years and years. They might be that bit shy at the beginning but once they get involved in it they love it,’ she continued.

“It’s going to be afun show this year. The show will use a lot of the Elvis songs to help tell the story. There is a great story running through it, the music is really secondary – it helps to tell the story.”

Anyone interested in joining the So- ciety can take a browse through the website on Www.shannonmusical. com or call Siobhan on 086 2142554 for details on membership.

SOCCER has been a big part of Brendan Wall’s life and the Shannon man has played a big role in develop- ing the game in Clare.

Last week, friends and colleagues gathered in Ennis to mark Wall’s 20 years of service to soccer in the county.

Wall moved to Shannon in 1977 and a year later joined the local New- town soccer club. In 1988, he joined the committee of the Clare School- boys Soccer League, then headed up by founder and Kilmaley man, Frank etry

In those days, schoolboy teams competed in just three age groups

under 11, under 13 and under 15. However, in the intervening years, schoolboy’s soccer has undergone a major transformation, with the num- bers playing the game now at record levels.

19 clubs, some fielding as many as three teams in one age group, now compete across 13 leagues. This summer saw the largest ever expan- sion of the league with the entry of 19 new teams.

Wall served for 15 years as league chairman and says the work of done by parents and coaches at club level is the driving force behind the growth of the game.

He cites the first time a Clare team entered the prestigious Kennedy Cup

in 1996 as one of the highlights of his long association with the game.

“That was a great experience,’ said Wall. “That and the year we drew with the Dublin District Soccer League. They went on to win it out, so that was a great result.

‘There was also the year when Edel Malone from Lifford, who is an Irish international now, captained Clare in the Kennedy Cup. We have a picture from the year of Edel and Katie Tay- lor (World Champion Irish boxer), who was playing for Wicklow at the nb slome

Wall said the appointment of Denis Hynes as FAI County Development Office for Clare and the opening of the Lees Road sports facility in En-

nis, were also major milestones for Or eaNeedoe

He also paid tribute to his col- leagues on the committee of the schoolboy league

He said, “They all do a great job. Ronnie Pyne does amazing work as fixtures secretary. The standard of officials on the schoolboy league is second to none. The newest recruit 1s Clive Slater, who’s work rate makes the job of Chairman a lot easier”.

Wall steps down as league chair- man this year but is still actively involved with soccer with Shannon. He is manager of the Newtown La- dies side that will play St Mochtas in the semi-final of FAI Umbro Junior Women’s Cup on August 31.

THE Shannon fire service has got the go-ahead to extend and refurbish the local fire station.

The Department of the Environ- ment, Heritage and Local Govern- ment has approved the tender recom- mended by Clare County Council under the fire services capital pro- gramme and will contribute more than €1.2 million to the project.

The proposed improvements in- clude the addition of three extra fire bays, developing the drill yard as well as the inclusion of new accom- modation facilities for the crew.

Acting Chief Fire Officer Tom Burke described the announcement as a major step forward in the ongo-

ing development of fire and rescue services across County Clare.

“The fire fighting capability of the local service will be greatly en- hanced through the provision of a refurbished and larger station in County Clare’s second largest town,” he said.

“The completion of these works will enable the Fire and Rescue Serv- ice to allocate additional fire vehicles in Shannon. We also intend develop- ing training facilities in Shannon, similar to those currently being put in place at Ennis Fire Station.”

“Furthermore, the service intends to locate a new water tanker in Shan- non, subject to the approval of fund- ing by the Department. The provi- sion of this unit will help us deal

with structural fires along with fire incidents in rural areas throughout Shannon and the wider region”.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Tony Killeen (FF) said, “Although the existing station has served the area well since 1979, the considerable development in all sectors, including the tourist, com- mercial and industrial sectors in the intervening period necessitated addi- tional investment in the fire services in Shannon in order to deliver a mod- ern service.”

“The proposed works will add fur- ther to the capability of the fire serv- ices in County Clare. The project will now proceed to construction stage and is expected to be complet- ed within 10 months,’ concluded the

Junior Agriculture Minister.

ClUlr Patricia McCarthy (ind), Chairperson of the Strategic Policy Committee on the Environment, Emergency Services and Consumer Affairs, added her approval for the refurbishment.

‘This is great news for the County Clare Fire and Rescue Service con- sidering it follows on so quickly after the official opening of the new Kil- laloe Fire Station and the Depart- ment’s approval of funding for a new fire training centre in Ennis.”

Clare County Fire and Rescue Service is currently made up of 12 Senior Fire Officers, one whole time Station Officer in Ennis and 77 Re- tained Firefighters in seven stations throughout Clare.

SAY ‘basketball’ and most people think of a game they haven’t played since secondary school.

Not so in Shannon and Newmarket, where the game is alive and well and ea cena tetce

‘It’s a great sport for keeping fit. It’s great fun and there’s a brilliant social aspect to the whole thing as well,” said captain of the Shannon/New- market team, Vivienne McMahon

The team has just started back

training for the season and they are hoping to get more people involved UOMO eComAbuOME-Dele mee-Neelonp

‘‘At the moment we have 13 people involved but it would be great if a few more people came along.

‘Anyone over 18 can play but most of us are in our late twenties and ear- ly thirties so people shouldn’t be put off if they’re not in the first bloom of youth,” said Vivienne.

This is the team’s third year com- peting in the Limerick league and they are steadily gaining experience.

“We’re up against the likes of the UL team but the point is to get in there and play’, said Vivienne.

Not having played before or not having played since school is not a problem, Vivienne said.

“The last time most of us played was when we were in school but it all comes back to you.. You might not be very fit at the start but it’s unbeliev- able for fitness – you really notice a difference if you don’t play for a cou- ple of weeks”.

SUK w eM oKOM UOMO Ane

enne for helping team mates improve their skills, given that she teaches basketball in Ennis Community Col- lege.

The team train twice a week, in Shannon on Tuesdays between 7pm and 9pm and in Newmarket on Thursdays between 8pm and 9pm.

‘New players are welcome to come along and see how they like it. Just give me a call,’ added Vivienne.

For more details on the team and training, Vivienne can be reached at 087 6883846.

ALISHA O’Keeffe (9) from Parteen, knew she had a real scoop on her hands as the budding young journal- ist took off at the weekend for her first and biggest assignment – cover- ing the Olympics in Beijing.

Alisha, a keen sports fan, will par- ticipate in a once in a lifetime OI- ympic experience which will see her attending the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing where she will report back on her experiences as a very special journalist.

Alisha’s entry was picked from

hundreds of children aged between 6 and 14 years of age who entered the competition run by McDonald’s and The Sunday World, with entrants be- ing asked to write an article on the Olympic Games.

Alisha said that she has always been a fan of the Olympics and couldn’t wait to enter the competition.

“I’m really excited by the Beiing Olympics and I just can’t wait to get there. I’d really love to meet some of the Irish athletes and I hope they do really well. I’ll certainly be cheering them all on’, the cub reporter said before leaving. ”

The prize is for one child and an adult and it includes a five night stay in Beijing as well as sightseeing trips to Beying zoo, the Great Wall and kite flying at the Temple of Heaven. While at the Games, Alisha will also meet Olympic athletes, attend an Olympic event as well as the post – medal ceremony event and will have the opportunity to experience Chi- nese culture.

According to Claire Lynch, Mc- Donald’s Ireland, “The McDonald’s Champion Kids programme provides a once in a lifetime opportunity for Alisha to be a part of the 2008 OI-

ympic Games. Children from across Ireland participated in the competi- tion and selecting the winner proved to be a very tough job. However, Al- isha’s entry stood out due to her ex- cellent writing skills and her obvious enthusiasm and passion for sports and I’m looking forward to reading her report back”’.