The Clare People Archive

THE students of Kilnaboy National School and the local community of Kilnaboy and Corofin have raised valuable money to help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

The school have donated more than €2,000 raised from their annual coin collection to the locally formed char- ity, Cystic Fibrosis Children’s Light of Hope. The charity, which is dedi- cated to raising money to help fund research into a cure for Cystic Fibro- sis, was formed by a group of locals including Marcella Clancy, whose son Cillian attends the school.

‘There are about four or five of us

in the group who all have children who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis,’ she said. “We fundraise solely for re- search purposes.

“We do all the work ourselves so we have no overheads – all the money will go for research purposes. We have been going for about three years now.

Marcella continued, “Cystic Fibro- sis 18 a genetic condition. Mainly it effects your lungs and your digestive system. Children are very prone to chest infections and as they go into their teenage years can develop dia- betes and bone problems.

“Cillian is 10 years old now and he loves it here in the school. He 1s re-

ally into sports: rugby, football and hurling. And he is well able to keep up with the rest of them, when he’s well, anyway.”

This is the third coin collection or- ganised by the school.

“We organise a coin collection each year. It’s more or less an annual thing now,’ said school principal Gerry Connors.

‘The first year we gave it to Paki- stan, the time of the earthquake, then last year we gave to a local child in the school who was recovering from leukaemia. So this year we decided we would give it to Cillian’s cause and we are delighted, thrilled with how it turned out. We raised €2,000

which was great.

“The kids do all the hard work, putting collection boxes into the shops and collecting at home. In the end, the sixth-class students have the task of counting up all the money.

“I’d say that over the three years we have gathered as much as €6,000, which is great for a three teacher school. It just shows you the great community spirit that is in the place.”

THE number of people who secured a divorce in Clare last year increased by 21 per cent on the 2006 figure.

Provisional figures from the Circuit Court office in Ennis show that 100 divorces were granted in Clare year, up 18 on the 82 divorces granted in paul eter

The 2006 figures, in turn, were a 26 per cent drop on the 111 divorces granted in 2005.

The numbers securing divorces

have increased since the start of the decade.

In 2002, 49 divorces were granted; this increased to 64 in 2003. The fig- ure for 2004 was 79.

The provisional figures for last year show that the number of judicial sep- arations sought remained static at 22 when compared to the 2006 figure.

In order for individuals to apply for a divorce, a couple needs to be living separately for four of the previous five years.

Divorce was introduced in Ireland

11 years ago after a narrow majority voted in favour in a referendum.

Speaking on the issue last year, the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh stated that he had “no difficulty with hs U CEA VO neome

Dr Walsh said, “I have no difficulty with the State providing a service for people whose relationship has bro- ken down. | have no difficulty with his U EA nees

“T would still maintain that the ideal of marriage of being a life long lov- ing relationship is what people want

and I will not stand in judgement on people for whom that hasn’t proved possible.

“I don’t know their story and I would not stand in judgement on them so I don’t have difficulty with the State providing a service to people whose relationship has broken down

‘In the past, people stayed in dread- ful relationships, where there was a great deal of violence and no person should be expected to stay in a rela- tionship which is highly abusive in relationship to violence.

‘No person should be expected to stay in a relationship like that. None- theless we can’t deny the fact that the best place is a lifelong loving rela- tionship.

He added, “I still believe that 99 per cent of people entering marriage want to have a life-long relationship. I don’t accept what sometimes people say that ‘people walk out of marriage today without thought’.

‘There may be a very, very tiny mi- nority who walk out of marriage very easily.”

IT COULD be described as bringing art to the people, or at the very least encouraging the local population to embrace art. Whatever category you might choose, it’s happening this Saturday in Tulla thanks to an annual initiative by Clare Arts Office.

From 12 to 5 pm the Tulla Stables Studios are hosting an Open Day, in conjunction with Kathleen Moroney’s ‘Second Generation’ exhibition.

Currently, there are six artists working in the studios – Mairin Kel- ly, John Hanrahan, Kathleen Moro- ney, Sandra Hurley, Patrick McHugh and Peter Sheahan. Their work en- compasses a variety of disciplines: painting, sculpture, photography and basket making.

“This open day is an excellent op- portunity to visit the artists spaces and see both finished work and work in progress,” revealed a spokesper- son for Clare Arts Office.

Kathleen Moroney’s ‘Second Gen- eration’ exhibition was commis- sioned by Clare Arts Office in rec- ognition of the transformation of the stables into studios.

Over the last three months, Kath- leen has created 191 white porcelain cobblestones, replicas of the original cobblestones found during the reno- vation of the stables into artist stu- Chey

The cobblestones were part of the original structure and date back to 1817, and Kathleen has created a por- celain stone to mark each year from the opening of the original stables

to the present day. Throughout the month of February, she welcomed visitors to her studio to become part of the project by participating in the making of the cobblestones.

“This exhibition is a temporary work of public art, as the cobble- stones will be on display in her stu- dio on Saturday only, before being dispersed into the local community.

“Visitors to the exhibition will be invited to take away one of the porce- lain cobblestones; the second genera- tion of the stone, a symbol of the past and the present,’ said the Clare Arts Office spokesperson.

Owned by Clare County Council, the studio is a resource for all art- ists of all disciplines. It comprises six studios with full services includ- ing provision for broadband, exhibi-

tion space and parking set around a courtyard in a converted stone 19th century stable building which had been derelict for many years.

The original building was bought by Clare County Council in 1950 and had been used as a store until it was restored and developed into an arts facility by the Arts Office of Clare County Council with support from Clare County Council and the De- partment of Arts, Sports and Tour- 008

Last year the Tulla Stables Studio was named the Best Public Building in Ireland. The title was bestowed on the studio at the annual Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) awards hosted by RTE pre- senter Miriam O’Callaghan at the Burlington Hotel.

SECURITY for older people is the focus in Scariff this month, with the Community Alert Group reminding people that they can avail of grants for personal and fire alarms.

The group was formed in 2004 and has eight voluntary members.

The purpose of the group is to ap- ply for funding to help with the in- stallation of security devices for older people.

Available at a reduced rate are smoke alarms, out-door lighting, door locks and the social monitored rE veene

“Last year when we had a push, most of the older people in the area got the social monitored alarm and we want to urge people who may not have one or who have qualified for it in the last year to get it installed,” a spokeswoman for the group said.

“The social monitored alarm is the most popular device as it offers a great sense of security and safety. Many of our parishioners already have this alarm and we would en- courage them to wear the pendant at all times, especially if they are alone for any length of time.

“It is of no use if it is left hanging on a hook on the wall or tucked in-

side a drawer, as without the pendant you cannot activate the alarm.”

The system works through the phone system and is activated by a special pendant carried on the per- son. Once the alarm is sounded, the monitoring company will first try ringing the alarm’s owner.

If they cannot answer, each of three nominated keyholders will be con- tacted until someone can be found to go to the person’s aid. If none of the keyholders can be contacted quickly, the monitoring company contacts the emergency Services.

The Department of Community, Social and Family Affairs is now

giving a full 100 per cent grant for the alarms. However, there is an an- nual monitoring fee of €98.

‘We want to make sure that every- one is aware that there is a grant for these and other security aids and that we can apply for that grant for peo- ple aged 65 and over and for those in receipt of a disability pension,” the spokeswoman said.

For more information, contact any member of the Community Alert Group including Chairman Do- nie Bane on 061-921469, Secretary Carmel Gooney on 061-921226 or Treasurer Geraldine Rodgers on 061- 921269.

MOTORISTS in the Killaloe and Scariff electoral areas will see more than €7.73 million spent on upgrad- ing and maintaining their national and non-national road network this year.

With funding under the national and non-national roadworks pro- gramme coupled with council re- sources, the Killaloe electoral area will be spending €935,000 on res- toration works and the Scariff elec- toral area will be spending €2.124

million.

€455,000 has been allocated to maintenance and surface dressing of roads in the Killaloe area while Scariff will spend €655,000 on the same works.

A grant of €/750,000 has been made available for improvements to the Tulla to Kilkishen road under the specific works programme.

Six roads in Killaloe and seven in Scarf will be funded under the dis- cretionary improvement grants at a cost of €150,000 and €100,000 re- spectively.

Discretionary maintenance grants of €75,000 have been earmarked in discretionary maintenance for Broadford junction, Drummin and bridge maintenance in the Killaloe area.

In Scariff discretionary mainte- nance funds will be used to do work at Coolready and Dooras at a total cost of €60,000.

Regional route maintenance plans will see €160,000 spent in Killaloe and €220,000 in Scariff while lo- cal route maintenance budgets have been draw up to allocate €272,000

and €559,000 respectively to Killa- loe and Scariff.

The figures are part of a county- wide budget presented to councillors at the last meeting of Clare County Council.

Breakdowns were given for each electoral area and elected members were told that the road works pro- gramme for 2008 has been prepared based on the level of funding provid- ed by means of grants from the De- partment of Transport, the National Roads Authority and also from Clare County Council’s own resources.

TULLA residents are being asked to buy a brick and help build play facili- ties which will have local children jumping for joy for years to come.

Planning permission has now been granted for the development of a play area after a year of work by a com- mittee of parents sick of travelling miles to find a see-saw, and commu- nity representatives who want better facilities in the village.

“We take children to Shannon, Loughrae, Portumna – anywhere. There’s just nothing in east Clare,” said committee member and parent, Jim O’Sullivan.

“The need for the development of community facilities, especially playgrounds and amenities for young people, is a prominent concern for the developing communities in not just Tulla but all of east Clare.”

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

The committee members are hope- ful that kids will be swinging, slid- ing, running and climbing before the summer is over and with that in mind, they are asking locals to buy a notional brick to make up the cash needed.

“We were very fortunate and very thankful to Mick Kehoe for donating the site to us,” said Jim.

“Unfortunately equipment you find in a domestic garden is not robust enough to give decades of service in a public playground. A two-seat swing set costs €2,600 but adding in the required safety surfacing brings the cost of a swing set to over €5,000 and that is before other major items such as the ground-works, fencing and footpaths are paid for.”

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.

‘People can buy a brick for them- selves or for friends and family. You can dedicate a brick for a special oc- casion anniversary, birthday or a me- morial for a loved one,’ said Jim.

“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 playground committee would also welcome the support of any companies in the area who could make a corporate donation.

The committee will launch their campaign in the courthouse on Wednesday, April 2 at 8pm.

EVENTS to mark the 20th anniver- sary of the twinning of Ennis and Phoenix aim to increase business and educational links between the two areas. In October, business and poltical representatives will travel to Arizona to celebrate the official twinning of the two towns in 1988. The trip is viewed as a way to pro- mote Ennis as an investment and tourist destination and an opportuni- ty to explore opportunities for trade. One avenue the Ennis delegation are keen to explore is the potential establishment of third level outreach facilities in Ennis through linkages with the University of Phoenix. Aedin Moloney of the Ennis Phoe-

nix Board said, “They will be defi- nitely looking at forming some sort of partnership with the University of Phoenix.

‘These trips, whether representa- tives from Phoenix coming here or us going over there, have always been beneficial, from a tourism and a business standpoint.”

Details of the annual student ex- change programme have also been finalised with three of the four stu- dents already selected to travel to Phoenix in July. Since it began, 52 students from the Ennis and Phoenix areas have participated in the pro- eau-eabenlee

Although, it has been running for the past 20 years, it is only in the last couple of years that it has been open

to schools in Ennis, where the teach- ers select the four students to go.

The students spend three weeks in Phoenix, learning about the city and its culture, meeting with city dig- nitaries and observing the political process at work in the city council and at official functions.

The group will also visit one of America’s best-known landmarks, the Grand Canyon, and visit neigh- bouring states such as California.

The Ennis group will be joined by 80 other students from the 40 towns and cities Phoenix is twinned with.

Ms Moloney said that while there hadn’t been widespread awareness, the exchange programme has helped bolster the relationship between the two communities.

“People that would have gone on the student exchange programme 20 years ago have continued to travel back and forth with their families and that has helped continue the links,” she said.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to visit America, especially with the 20th anniversary coming up, but not that many people seem to know about it. This year in Phoenix they are trying to bring over everyone who has taken part in the programme.”

Preceding that, as has been tradi- tion since the programme began, a group of students from Phoenix will first visit Ennis in June. Last April the Deputy City manager of Phoe- nix, Cynthia Seelhammer, made a four-day visit to Clare.

ENNIS’ popular farmer’s market has re-opened, with traders promoting sustainability and green living.

The market has resumed for its fifth year at its usual location in the Upper Market Street car park on Fridays from 8am to 2pm.

This year traders are advocat- ing the benefits of eating fresh, lo- cal produce and minimising one’s carbon footprint by buying locally produced food. According to baker Mary Gray, there are sound environ- mental reasons for supporting farm-

er’s markets.

She explained, “The fresher the food the better it is for us, no artifi- cial preservatives. The less the food travels the less transport is involved and therefore less environmental 1m- pact.

“The money spent goes in to the local economy. And the fewer steps between us and the producer means less chance of dilution of quality.”

The market has been up and run- ning since 2004 and consists of a eroup of dedicated food producers and traders with a wide range of lo- cal, artisan and organic foods includ-

ing meats, cheeses and local honey, to name but a few. Most of the pro- duce is sourced in Clare with some coming from nearby Tipperary.

Mary explained that, apart from the easy access to fresh produce, the interaction between consumer and producer is one of the main reasons why farmer’s markets have grown in popularity

“When I began selling at the En- nis farmer’s market, I was struck by the number of customers of the older generation who brought regularly,’ she said. “Farmer’s markets seemed to have a reputation for being a bit

alternative, so it was interesting to hear why these older customers were so loyal.

‘Two reasons stood out. First, peo- ple who grew up in an era before shopping was dominated by super- markets really enjoy talking to the producers and being able to ask ques- tions about the produce. Secondly and more importantly, people really like to buy food that tastes “like food used to taste’.”

The market begins at 8am, a deci- sion popular with many customers who prefer to do their shopping on their way to work.

PLANS to provide a skateboard park as part of major developments at Shannon Leisure Centre have been put on the back-burner after the centre turned down a grant of €50,000 towards the facility.

The funding was to have been provided out of the Town Council’s Community Development fund and had the full support of town man- ager, Ger Dollard, but controversy arose earlier this month about the allocation of the money.

The council had received two let- ters, from Wolfe Tones Camogie

Club and Newtown FC. In their proposals both clubs said they have spent considerable sums on provid- ing facilities but have a shortfall for finishing their projects.

Both asked the Town Council to contribute to their funds. But fund- ing in the Community Develop- ment pot is built up over a number of years and is limited, meaning the Council can only contribute to one major project every five years or so.

Speaking at the March meeting of Shannon Town Council, in her capacity as an elected representa- tive and a member of the board of directors of the Leisure Centre, Cllr

Patricia McCarthy said the solution was for the centre not to avail of the funding.

“At the risk of being accused of having a vested interest in all of this, I want to say that Shannon Le1- sure Centre have no intention of get- ting embroiled in any controversy, ’ she said.

“It was not their desire to seek to gain any preferential treatment. The Town Council was aware that the Leisure Centre were doing a major project. We (the centre) were asked to consider a skateboard park, we considered it. It’s adding a mini- mum of€56,000 on to the bill we

already have.

“We put a request in for money to the town council to support this. The town council agreed. But the board is now seriously concerned about the amount of damage that’s being generated and the amount of ill feeling that’s being generated against the Leisure Centre.

“The simple solution is that the Leisure Centre are quite happy to withdraw their letter and are quite happy to reject the offer of €50,000 and to let the town council provide the skateboard park themselves if they so wish and that will solve it,” she concluded.

AFTER 40 years and the odd meet- ing with a US president, Newmarket- on-Fergus man Joe McCormack has retired from Aer Lingus.

In a long career with the national carrier, Joe observed the many A aT betexeh Met IM ST MVom Cot OE-Com aCe Lingus, from the boom times of the nineties to the ending of the Shan- non-Heathrow link.

Joe left Aer Lingus around the same time as his friends and col- leagues Tony Lillis, Flann Fahy and Michael Culligan, and says he’ll miss the place.

“It’s a bit strange alright, particu- larly in the mornings,” he says.

“I would have been used to get- ting up early for the morning shift. But you have to move on, and any- way sure I’ll find plenty to keep me LeU A

Joe started and ended his career with Aer Lingus working in the load- ing section of Shannon Airport. He left the job as a supervisor, though with dwindling staff numbers, Shan- non has become a different place.

There was a time, Joe remembers, when the airport was busy, bustling re tleren

He explains: “For a while there, in

the nineties when you might have 150 people working during the day, you start at 6am and not finish till 12 that night. There might be 12 or 14 teams working in loading. It was very busy.

“You would be handling up to 50 flights, when it got really busy. The night shift was hectic. We worked very hard, but it’s definitely a lot qui- eter now.”

Its no surprise that along the way Joe met one or two famous faces on their way through travel.

“You got to meet a lot of different people. I remember meeting Telly Savallas and Bill Clinton. Bill Clin-

ton came over and talked with a few of us and shook our hands. I remem- ber Abba coming too, they came over to us. But the thing was, you wouldn’t go over to someone unless they came over to you.”

Joe may have retired but the Mc- Cormack family tradition continues at Aer Lingus. Joe’s daughter Emma works in the personnel section of Aer Lingus in Shannon and has been with the company for nine years.