The Clare People Archive

IRISH farmers rose up with one voice last week and unilaterally re- jected the current trade deal on the table of the World Trade Organisa- nee

More than 10,000 farmers brought Dublin to a standstill Thursday in an unprecedented show of power and solidarity. The protest was timed to coincide with the visit of the Presi- dent of the EU Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso.

Barosso was in the capital to cam- paign for a yes vote in a crunch up- coming referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. The majority of Irish farm- ing organisations have threatened

urging a no vote if their concerns on the WTO are ignored.

‘Farmers could not support a Com- mission that has sold out on family farming and food production right across Europe,’ said IFA president, Padraig Walshe addressing the pro- test.

“If the Mandelson proposals were followed there would not be farmer support for the treaty. That is my message for President Barroso today. That is my message for the Govern- ment today.”

It has been claimed that the out- come of the current negotiations would cost the Irish economy four billion euro and see 50,000 farm- ers put out of business, along with

50,000 job losses in the processing sector.

Speaking before the national day of protest, Clare IFA County Chairman Michael Lynch has called on farm- ers to hit back against Commissioner Mandelson.

“The WTO negotiations are at a critical stage and Mandelson is out of control, offering to destroy the CAP in a reckless last-ditch effort to get a deal,’ he said.

“The reality of the Mandelson cuts would be a flood of beef steak 1m- ports from South America into Eu- rope, which would collapse Irish cat- tle prices to €2/kg or 7Op/Ib, making suckler and livestock farming totally uneconomic.

“Milk prices would be cut to 24c/ litre as a direct result of greatly in- creased imports of butter and other dairy products. There would also be huge losses in the sheep, pigs, poul- try and grain sectors.

“Irish agriculture would be devas- tated and the loss of farmers’ liveli- hoods and jobs in the food industry, agri-business and services would be felt in towns and communities across the entire country.

“If Mandelson is not stopped, we are facing a €4 billion per year loss to economy with rural Ireland hard- est hit by far. This 1s a crucial protest in our campaign to stop Mandelson and secure the future of Irish farm-

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THE Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan has called for realism to prevail in the upcoming WTO talks.

Speaking in Luxembourg at the Council of Agriculture Munisters meeting last week, Minister Cough- lan said that while Ireland, like most member states is committed to the WTO multilateral trading system, the European Union should not be bounced into concluding a deal which is unbalanced and does not respect the important role of agri- culture within the EU or the changed circumstances which prevail in re- lation to global food shortages and food security.

“We need to inject some realism into the discussions. We cannot al- low European agriculture to be sac- rificed for the sake of an unbalanced deal,’ she said.

Outlining the changed circum- stances in relation to food scarcity and food security the minister said that mounting concerns in Europe and the world on these issues makes the CAP more important than ever.

Coughlan went on to say the EU must safe-guard its production base so that it can meet the future demand of its population for food, feed and bioenergy.

“Ireland is committed to working closely with our partner Govern- ments, multi-lateral agencies and hu-

manitarian organisations to develop effective mechanisms and supports that proactively prevent persistent food shortages becoming famines in parallel to longer-term development programmes,’ she said.

Coughlan met with a number of her ministerial colleagues and counter- parts including the French Miuinis- ter for Agriculture, Michel Barnier on the margins of the meeting and she expressed satisfaction with the strong line which many of her col- leagues are taking in search of a bal- anced WTO deal which respects the important role which EU agriculture plays in the production of safe food to the highest standards, respecting animal health and welfare as well as

environmental concerns.

Meanwhile, Macra na Feirme na- tional president Catherine Buckley called on young farmers across the country to support actions taken against the WTO.

Buckley said the impact of the lat- est paper on the WTO negotiations would be a ‘Worst Trade Outcome’ for young farmers and it would dev- astate the agriculture industry.

“The future of agriculture in this country 1S very much dependent on the outcome of the upcoming WTO negotiations and EU Trade Commis- sioner Mandelson is determined to dismantle and destroy the agricul- tural industry for young farmers,” she added.

LITTLE boffins saw theory put to the test last week, when a stunt pi- lot drew gasps from the pupils as he turned barrel loops over the school.

The aeronautical display was to show the youngsters of fourth class, who have been doing a project on the Forces of Flight, just what can be Ley stor

Former RAF pilot and aerobatic display pilot, Gerry Humphries, took

to the skies after being approached by the school to give the youngsters a practical demonstration.

All 260 pupils gathered in the school yard on Thursday morning to see the death-defying stunts.

Fourth class teacher, Cathal Crowe said the pupils were “amazed. He per- formed loops, did barrel rolls, stalls and did a dive towards the school. The children were delighted”.

Earlier in the year, the class had visits from pilot, Jane Magill, and

aeronautical engineer, Eddie Ryan, who both talked to the youngsters about their careers in the aviation industry.

The school is reaching for an Ex- cellence in Science award for the third year running and the display went ahead in tandem with the Par- teen National School Green Schools Action Day.

Organised by the school’s Green Schools co-ordinator, Aisling Carey and discover science co-ordina-

tor, Fidelma Coughlan, the day was one on which youngsters displayed projects they have been working on and their knowledge about important environmental matters.

ENJOYING a facial and a get-to- gether with the neighbours was all child’s play in Tulla at the weekend.

And the money raised from dona- tions for free facials at the Pamper Parlour and a meet the neighbours night are going towards building a playground in the village.

The campaign for the playground was launched last month with the ‘Buy a Brick’ campaign, in which residents and businesses are being asked to contribute the cost of one or more bricks to get the play facilities off the ground.

Planning permission has now been granted for the development of a play area after a year of work by a com- mittee of parents.

€110,000 in grant money has been made available for the playground but another €40,000 is needed to make the youngsters’ dream a reality.

At the weekend, Pamper Parlour boss, Mary Corry offered free forty minute facials to people willing to make a donation to the fund.

And customers were delighted at the chance to have a little pamper- ing, knowing the money was going to a great cause.

On Friday night, Mary invited 48 families to a “Get To Know the Neighbours’ night and offered spot- prizes, food and “a chance to social- ise, have a bit of craic and help the playground fund”.

Mary delivered invites all over Tul- la, from Meaghera Cross to Kiltan- non Cross.

“[ had a gathering in my own house two years ago and there are so many new houses since then, it was time for another one. Life 1s so busy now- adays that we only see each other passing in our cars. It was amazing, people were saying to me that they never knew one neighbour looked af- ter kids or another had such a trade. It was great for us to to get to know the people living in our area.”

Mary is fully supportive of the playground, having become a mother to baby Ava six months ago.

She is one of a many businesses in the area which are getting behind the fund and other events are being or- ganised.

The site for the playground was donated by a local man, Mick Ke- hoe and, said playground committee

member, Jim O’Sullivan, “we are very grateful for it”.

The “Buy A Brick’ campaign in- volves donating €100 or whatever people can afford. The donation will go directly towards the building cost and everyone who buys a brick will get a certificate to display on the wall Ome) es lerer

We recognise the fact that €100 is a lot of money for some families to donate so we would gladly welcome any contribution that people can make,’ he added.

THE Junior Ladies football team from Scoil Mhuire Ennistymon has marked their place in history this year.

With an outstanding success rate, having ruthlessly conquered all around them, they made it to the all Ireland semi final for the first time in the schools history.

After securing an amazing Mun- ster final win in Kerry, they went on to play in the All-Ireland Semi Final Or ANE NE

“We started off in the beginning of the year, we played in the early rounds and we knew that if we lost a match we would be knocked out but we got through them. Then we went

on to play Kilmihil in the Clare final and we won,” said player Niamh O’ Dea.

“We played the Munsters in Kerry and then we went on to play the all Ireland semi-final, we lost that but it has been good fun. It was hard work, we trained after school on Fridays and some Sundays. It was tough but it was worth it.”

The team has a wide range of stu- dents from first year all the way up to transition year.

“It was brilliant because I’m in first year. Just coming to the school has been brilliant and I get to play with girls who are so much older than me. It is a great privilege to play especially in a Munster final.” says Aisling Torpy, one of the youngest

members of the team.

Since Scoil Mhuire’s success in the Munster finals, ladies football, in north Clare especially, has received a boost.

“It has all been brilliant fun. We put a lot of effort in to try and win, and we were happy with how far we got,” says player Siobhan Garrihy.

“North Clare has definitely im- proved in regards to ladies football because in Ennistymon there has never been a focus on ladies football. It has always been the men’s football and hurling. It proves that women are just as good as men, we put in just as much of an effort and we can get Uae hee

The team’s overwhelming success has had a glowing reflection on the

school.

“It is great for the school. The girls trained hard and it is a nice reward for them that they can see that by putting in the work they get some- thing back out of it,’ says coach Car- mel Eustace

“It is good for the girls and it is good for the school. It highlights a lot of the sport that we do in the school and maybe girls who are interested in ladies football might choose to go to Scoil Mhuire in the future.”

THE future of Kilnaboy’s X-PO projects will be the main topic up for discussion this weekend when international artist Jay Koh visits north Clare. Koh is an expert in the possible interactions between art and society and will be assessing the impact that the Kilnaboy project has already had and what impact it could have in the future.

This Saturday and Sunday Koh will visit and evaluate the X-PO project, culminating in a public discussion on the future of the project at 2pm on Sunday.

“This the first of three evalua-

tive session that Jay will do for the project. He will be giving feedback to myself and to the community. On Saturday he will be available to the local people, to hear what they think of the project and how it is going. I won’t be part of that process at all. People will be totally free to give positive and negative feedback,’ said Deirdre O’ Mahoney, artist and man- ager of the X-PO.

“On Sunday then we will be con- cerned with getting the community involved in X-PO and the future of the project. It takes an awful lot of work to keep this place open and people will have to come on board if it is going to be sustainable.

“There is fantastic community spir- it in Kilnaboy. But we need to reach the people who don’t think they can get involved for one reason or anoth- er. Maybe they are shy or don’t feel that they have anything to offer – but everyone has something to offer.

Following the public talk, a new exhibition from Eileen Healy will be unveiled in the X-PO.

“The exhibition takes the form of videos and still photography piece. The photographs will be something that I think a lot of people will have interest in. It is three aerial photo- graphs, taken over a 40 year period at Eileen’s farm in County Tyrone. The photos show the kinds of chang-

es that have taken place in farming life over the decades. The first pho- tograph shows old pens, hedges and small fields.

“The second photo shows galva- nise steel sheds, the small pens are gone and the hedging is gone. The fields have been tilled in a mechani- cal way. In the third one it has all changed again. There is a slatted house and all the fields have merged into just once huge field. So it is very interesting, in it’s own way it tells the story of Irish farming over the last 40 years.”

This exhibition run until May 15, and like all events in X-PO are free and open to the public.

NEXT Sunday, April 27, hun- dreds will descend on Liscannor to take part in the Burren Chernobyl Project’s annual 10k walk.

Funds raised from this years walk, which starts from the Liscannor Ho- tel at lpm, will be directed towards the adult facility of Tarasik1.

The facility, which is home to more than 400 people, has been the focus of repair works over the last 5 years. These works have been led by Lis- cannor builder Kevin O’Sullivan.

“lve been going over there for 14 years now. We do a lot of construc- tion and repair work for them over there; we put in showers, toilets, ba- Sic sanitation, putting down floors –

anything that can make it more com- fortable for the patients over there,” said Kevin.

‘We have been to several different places down the years but we have been focusing on Tarasiki lately. We have been going there for the last 5 years. We have a good group, here is about 15 of us from all over the Coes as

“They are in very bad conditions over there. There are four big blocks over there and we are working on three of them. One of the blocks is almost finished and we have about 65 windows put into the other blocks.

“Whenever we can we try and get the patients working with us. It’s very important for them, it’s like oc- cupational therapy for them. They

love it when we go over. That’s our aim, to get them involved as much as we can at all. Some of them are very good workers.”

The work in Tarasiki is hard, but there is something about the expe- rience that keep volunteers coming back year after year.

“It’s very emotional for the people who go over for the first time. But I have built up a great bond over the year – I’d have no problem hug- ging them and having the craic with them,’ continued Kevin.

“There is a lot of sadness, but any- one who goes there will tell you that it is one of the best times of their life. It’s better than any holiday. You get so much out of it, people might say that you’re great for going out and

helping but you’re not. You get so much out of it.

“This year we are really trying to get a lot of plywood and lino. Mc- Mahons in Limerick have been very good to us over the last 4 or 5 years. Any sponsorship like that is a great great help.”

Sponsorship cards are available from the project office in Ennisty- mon at 7071130 but people can also come along on the day.

THE power of music is being chan- nelled to help people both musically and spiritually in Kinvara. Profes- sional psychotherapist and musician, Eileen Keane is preparing to launch a a range of new workshops which she hopes will help people with their singing as well as in their general Wate

“TI was running voice training class- es when I used to live in Dublin. But strange things started to happen, a lot of different things started to come up from people through the classes. Stuff about their schooling or the

music or their life,’ said Eileen.

“So I started to move towards that side of things. I work as a psycho- therapist and I developed these work- shops out of that and the music. It’s not therapy and it’s not voice training – but it’s a bit of both.”

The workshops have been designed as ameans of voice training, but also as a way of helping people relax and rediscover their inner voice.

“It’s about freedom of expression, about people developing a creative relationship with themselves,’ con- tinued Eileen.

“A lot of people are really blocked in terms of music. Maybe people

who were told not to sing in choirs when they were young and they got the idea into their heads that they weren’t able to sing.

“What I find is that these people are usually the people with the most interesting voices. They have voices that the people in the choir were just not able to manage but with a little work their voices can be really really POL Kosu eI BD OTS

“It’s about having fun and being free. There is an element of stress relief in it. If you tend to get stressed out abut your voice, not just in sing- ing but in public speaking as well, then this could help you.

‘There is also an element of com- munal singing and chanting. That can be a very cleansing experience for people. It can be a really nice space for people to come together hia

Eileen is hoping to make these classes into regular events and is also available for on to one consultations.

The day long voice workshop takes place in Kinvara on Sunday April 27. The workshop will run from |lam to Spm and costs €85.

For more information on the work- shops or to book a place contact Eileen on 085 7779474 or e-mail eileenpkeane@ gmail.com.

THE Brothers of Charity in Clare will benefit financially from a char- ity event which will take place in Shannon next month.

The Mayor’s Ball, scheduled for the Oakwood Arms Hotel on May 17, will be in aid of the Brothers of Charity and the Shannon Flyers Spe- cial Olympic Club.

The money raised from the event will go to both charities and such do-

nations go towards providing much- need facilities.

Although the Brothers of Char- ity is funded by the Health Service Executive and the Department of the Environment, other donations are es- sential, as the group supports some 170 adults with disabilities across the county.

According to the Chief Executive of the Brothers of Charity in Clare, Mary Feely, this funding is being earmarked for the provision of vital

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“What we usually do with funding like this is to help with the changeo- ver to support people from a group situation to an individualised life- style.

“The other big thing we use fund- raising money for 1s to support peo- ple to get their own homes,” said Ms roa

‘The money would support people to have holidays and decorate their homes and undergo radical changes,”

she added.

Given that this particular fund- ing is coming from an initiative in Shannon, some of the money will go towards improving life for people in Shannon. The Brothers of Char- ity has one respite house in the town and up to 10 people in the Shannon area benefit from respite.

The ball will be one of the final offi- cial functions of Cllr Sean McLough- lin, before his term as mayor comes to a close in June.

FIVE years after the first plans were put in place, the first sod will finally be turned on a €1.2 million multi-pronged community project in Sixmilebridge, later this week.

The site on the Shannon road will, within the next three years, house a community centre, playground, childcare facility and daycare centre for the elderly.

Those facilities are currently of- JC UL MED UOMO DU BKK ER (o) OL Uo MEE-D ILO MEE Te main aim behind the project is to en- sure top-class facilities are available, all on the one site.

The sod-turning on Thursday, by the Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pa- tricia McCarthy (Independent) will

pave the way for the development of the first prong of the project, the playground portion of the site.

This will later be followed by the development of the childcare facil- ity and then the elderly unit, both of which are awaiting the final funding NORE ene eLRe

It is hoped that a community hall will be built on the site, at a later Stage.

The project is being developed under the auspices of the Bridge Complex, which acquired the site. PRO Marelen Cadogan said there is a great sense of anticipation for the commencement of the work.

“Finally, after all the waiting, we will have the sod-turning and the diggers will move in,” said Ms Ca-

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Clare County Council allocated grant aid for the playground and the playground committee raised local funding to build what is expected to be a state-of-the-art playground.

Ms Cadogan said the fourth part of the project, the community hall, will be necessary, as there is pressure for space for rooms in the old courthouse building at present.

“The meeting rooms in the court- house are booked out at the moment. We are going to keep them there until we get to build the new centre. There is a need for more space,” she added.

Allied to Government funding, several thousands of euro was raised in Sixmilebridge and surrounding

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This project would not have been possible, were it not for those contri- le LULBKOyEtSE

“Locally, people have been very good. There is a great feeling about it at this stage,” said Ms Cadogan.

“This 1s a momentous occasion in our village and a testimony to the hard work and dedication of volun- teers who want to give something back to the community they live in,” she added.

The local group is also hoping to get Family Resource Centre status, which will give it a more structured working title.

“We are hoping to get that status. That will give us a structure then,” she said.