The Clare People Archive

THE 50th anniversary of the Carmo- dy’s Hotel crash will be marked next week with a special mass in the Ss Peter and Paul Cathedral.

The tragedy occurred on January 15, 1958 when eight people died af- ter the second floor of the hotel col- lapsed during the course of a heavily attended public auction.

The auction, organised by Limerick auctioneers Louis de Courcy, drew large crowds to the hotel because of Carmody’s close association with po- litical giants like Eamon de Valera.

The accident occurred during the second half of the auction when the doors of the hotel had been closed.

The floor of the Sarsfield Room, Where the auction was being held, collapsed under the sheer weight of

numbers in attendance. Sheer luck prevented further loss of life when a fire that had been blazing in the cor- ner of the room remained unmoved.

Gardai, ambulance crews, fire- men and clergy were on the scene in minutes. Relatives of those trapped inside waited anxiously at the scene and at Ennis General Hospital.

Among those injured was Ennis woman Nancy Murphy. Last week Nancy’s daughter Christina Whelan (née Murphy) recalled, how, as a 13-year-old she heard the disturbing news from a neighbour

“My mother had gone down to the auction. She was looking for sheets, blankets, the practical stuff, and maybe something with a connection to De Valera. She was a big Dev fan. She sent my sister back home to help me with taking the spuds out of the

pot. My father was at the farm on the Inch Road and my three brothers were at school. The young lad from next door came home from school when I was out in the garden and he said ‘did you hear what happened in Carmody’s hotel. It fell down and they are all dead.’ I got an awful fright. I didn’t know what to do, there was no adults in the house.”

Christina’s mother was taken to En- nis General Hospital where she was treated for a deep gash to the leg. She never gave her name to officials, as she didn’t want word of the accident to reach her two daughters living in New York.

When Christina’s father, Bernie enquired about the condition of his wife, he, like many others, was told to first visit the morgue.

“My father went of on a bike to En-

nis Hospital. They lifted nearly every sheet in the morgue. He hadn’t found her by 11 o’clock.

“It was awful day, a terrible day, the worst ever 1n the town,” said Chris- abeee

Among the dead were Ernest de Regge, well known in Ennis as a lo- cal music teacher and choirmaster. His daughter Gislane Kozuh has been invited to attend next Tuesday’s Mass.

The dead were Ernest de Regge (54), Bindon Street, Ennis; ‘Thomas Donnellan (13), Bindon Street, En- nis; James Fitzgibbon (65), Marian Avenue, Ennis; Mrs Bridie Byrne (38), Kilrush; Mrs Josephine Carmo- dy (50), Barefield; Mrs Norah Cond- sidine (60), Corofin; Mrs Michael Coffey (41), Killoo, Clarecastle; Mrs Ellen McNamara (73), Crusheen.

HELP is out there is the central message in a new song co-written by Ennis man Gerry Malone.

‘Clouds and Whispers’ was writ- ten by Gerry and Mattie Slattery and released as a charity single shortly before Christmas to benefit the Clare Living Links charity.

The two men are also members of the One and All group, established last year with the aim of promoting fellowship and helping those in soci- ety who find themselves in difficult situations.

All proceeds raised from the sale of Clouds and Whispers will also go

towards Clare Living Links. For five years the Living Links organisation has offered a suicide outreach sup- port service to families and individu- als in Clare who have been bereaved by suicide.

There are currently 10 fully trained volunteers staffing the service in the county.

In addition to healing programmes, volunteers respond to approaches made by a bereaved family or in- dividuals and can arrange to meet them inside or outside their homes or wherever the bereaved person feels most comfortable. All meetings are conducted in strict confidence. Gerry said he was moved to write the song

to address the tragic frequency of suicide in Ireland.

“There is an awful lot of despair and loneliness in society and suicide, sadly, seems to have become all too common in Ireland. It is an emotional song and acknowledges the fact that there are people in need of emotional support.”

Whispers and Clouds was produced by local man Mattie Purcell at his studio in Ennis. “I had the idea for a few years but I was never involved in a project like this before. I thought it would be good to give something back and I thought a CD would be a good idea,” added Gerry.

One and All is a community sup-

port group established by Mattie Slattery in Drogheda in 2006.

“It’s only in the initial stages at the moment in Ennis. There are other branches in Drogheda and Athlone. It mainly involves visiting people who are sick, the elderly and getting in touch with people in difficulty or who can’t help themselves,” said Gerry.

Clouds and Whispers is available in stores in Ennis. For further in- formation on One and All, contact oneanall@oceanfree.net.

THE poor public transport system serving Newmarket-on-Fergus is a huge barrier for community groups in the area as it hinders people from accessing education and work.

Local community group Obair said the village has “lost some of an al- ready sparse bus service due to the bypass and this causes great difficul- ty for members of the target group in accessing education and work op- portunities in larger towns and cities such as Shannon and Limerick”.

The comment came last week as Obair received Government funding to maintain employment for three workers in the local community.

Obair was one of 11 groups across

the county to receive funding under the national Community Services Programme (CSP).

The three positions will support elderly services, people with dis- abilities, childcare services and local community facilities.

The funding has been a huge boost to Obair, which was set up in 1993, to address high levels of unemploy- ment at the time. Since 1996, Obair has been one of 34 groups around the county which administers the Local Development Social Inclusion Pro- eramme (LDSIP). The project for which the funding was announced will be located in the Newmarket- on-Fergus Family Centre.

According to Jackie Bonfield of Obair, “As always there are certain

barriers that continue to effect the implementation of programmes such as these, namely public transport and local childcare services. There is a continued need for more affordable childcare, both for the benefit of the parent and also the child.”

She added, “The diversity of facili- ties and services that will be avail- able from the family centre to the community will require management and support services. The CSP will facilitate this need through the pro- vision of management, administra- tion, group support work, caretaker/ maintenance and security/cleaning services. All services are crucial to the efficient management of the fam- ily centre and the services provided for the disadvantaged members of

the community.”

The project will provide supports to assist elderly groups in their work for “Meals on Wheels’. It will also help in the fight for equality for peo- ple with disabilities.

‘The group is conscious of the need to be inclusive of people with disa- bilities and is supporting the work of a disabled access review committee that was set up in 2006.

“This committee is reviewing a re- search project which was conducted a few years ago on disability acces- sibility and addressing issues still outstanding and any new issues that have arisen during this time,” said Ms Bonfield. The work of the after- school programme will also be sup- ported, under the initiative.

THE Shannon Lions Club say its Christmas food appeal has been a huge success, with help given to doz- ens of families on the breadline.

The club decided, for the first time, to give financial assistance to four community groups who work closely with those in need.

The four groups then used that money to help people in need. The eroups – Meals on Wheels, Shannon Senior citizens, St Vincent De Paul and Shannon Mental Health Associ- ation – were presented with cheques by the Lions Club, in the run-up to Christmas.

Previously the Lions Club had

Operated a voucher system in that families in need were presented with vouchers, from which they could buy food and other necessities.

The club collects money and gets support from the community and its aim 1s to ensure that it includes every sector when the funds are distrib- WIKexe

The money was raised from church- gate collections, a flag day anda golf classic, which were held during the year. The Lions Club will also or- ganise a Valentine’s Ball, which will take place in Bunratty on February 9 next. The proceeds of this night will go to Milford Hospice in Limerick, which provides care to many people from Shannon and surrounding ar-

eas.

According to the PRO of the Lions Club, Tony McMahon, the generos- ity of locals in Shannon was essen- tial, in order that the poor and needy were looked after.

“It costs in the region of €7,000 to €8,000 to cover our running costs,” said Mr McMahon.

He said the organisers of the Christ- mas food appeal were pleased with how it worked out this year, with sev- eral people helping out.

While the Christmas campaign 1s out of the way for another year, the Lions Club will continue to provide much needed assistance to the peo- ple of Shannon.

“We go all year around. While the

Christmas food appeal would be the main occasion for us, the club is there all year around to help people. The food element is just at Christ- mas. We address other needs that arise, throughout the year,’ said Mr McMahon.

The club, through its president Ger- ry Flynn, has expressed gratitude to all its sponsors and supporters whose generosity enabled the club to carry out its programme of work during the past 12 months.

The club is encouraging people to support its Valentine’s Ball in Feb- ruary. Those who want to purchase tickets should contact Tony McMa- hon on 086-2359277, or any Lions Club member.

A PROPOSAL for the adoption of legislation, which will block appli- cations for casinos in Shannon, will be voted on, at a meeting of the local town council tonight.

Under the Gaming and Lotteries Act (1956), applications can be made for casinos. This legislation is cur- rently effective in Shannon, which means that subject to conditions, ca- sinos can, effectively, be set up in the eda 0

However councillors in Shannon

are attempting to rescind this, mean- ing that such applications can no longer be made.

Last year, businessman John O’Donovan lodged plans with Clare County Council for a casino, which he claims will create 12 jobs in Shannon. His application was turned down and is currently under appeal.

Last October, Shannon town coun- cillors voted to start the process to rescind the legislation.

The motion, up for discussion at this month’s meeting of the town council tonight (Tuesday), 1s widely expected

to be passed when voted upon by the nine town councillors.

If it is adopted, it means casinos or gambling clubs cannot be established in Shannon.

Objectors had until December 13 last to lodge objections to the pro- posed change.

Eleven objections have been lodged to Shannon Town Council and these will be considered by councillors as they vote on the issue tonight.

Mr O’Donovan, who hails from Quin, believes that there is a need for a casino in Shannon.

He said he carried out “brief sur- veys” on the hotels in Shannon and found that the occupancy ranges from 500 to 1200 per week.

“A number of guests would spent two to three days there. Unless you enjoy a drink, there is nothing really to do. That is how Shannon came to the forefront of this,’ he said.

He said he was initially “down- hearted” by some of the negative comments associated with his apph- cation, and said he was looking at his proposals as “something positive for Shannon.”

A COMMUNITY group based in Shannon which celebrates its 10th birthday this year is planning to expand its role, so that it can lend a hand to the elderly.

The Shannon Social Economy Maintenance Services Limited cur- rently provides support to a wide va- riety of groups, including the primary schools in the town and surrounding areas, the Shannon tidy towns com- mittee and local GAA clubs.

Among its work includes the provi- sion of a cleaning service, painting, decorating and recycling and general Crue ED nereaenu latory

Last week, it was one of 11 projects

in the county to receive funding un- der the national Community Serv- ices Programme.

The money allocated to the Shan- non group, which is based at St To- la’s National School, will maintain employment for one manager and five full time workers.

Currently 10 people are employed full-time along with a number of part-time staff. Manager Christy Shannon is hoping its remit can be extended.

“We are hoping to employ more people and provide a service for the elderly, where we can clean windows and do painting and decorating,’ he Sr AKGe

“We are doing our best to provide

as much employment as possible. Shannon has good employment, but people can find it difficult to get into the psyche of employment,” said Mr SJeEDevOee ;

“Initially we started off with FAS and we now deal with different de- partments. In the early days, we em- ployed people aged 35 and over, who were long-term unemployed. Now the employees don’t have to be on the live register.

“We reskill people and help them to get back to work or to move to bet- ter employment,” said Mr Shannon.

Several staff have worked on the initiative since its inception 10 years ago and during this time have built up a good rapport with the schools

in the area. The organisers collect a minimal fee from each school and organisation it works with.

In addition, the Government fund- ing is crucially important, in order that the group continues to operate for the benefit of the local commu- nity.

“We work hand in hand with the principals and Boards of Manage- ment and staff in the schools and it all works out well,” he said.

Welcoming the announcement of the funding last week, Clare Muin- ister for State Tony Killeen said, ‘These necessary funds importantly recognise the voluntary effort of lo- cal community groups throughout Ireland.”

AS OUR year on Pemba Island, Tanzania, draws to a close we look back and marvel at the vast range of places, people, activities and emotions that have filled our lives in 2007. For us, it has been a privilege and the opportunity of a lifetime to live among the people here. They have taught us much.

This year, we learned that poverty sets a lot of limits for people but it doesn’t crush their spirit. Despite the daily struggle to put food on the table, our neighbours greet each other with a big smile every morning and children play happily all day long with a burst ball or the sand on the roadside.

This year, we learned that people of

the Muslim faith are not all terrorists despite their bad press in the West. The most popular greeting on the is- land is ‘Salama’ which means peace.

We have never seen violence on the street or even on the sports field and bad language doesn’t feature here. We have discovered that they are a polite, disciplined, prayerful people and they have much to teach us.

We learned that sport is universal and unites people throughout the world. The Premiership has reached Pemba, with shopfronts sporting such names as Highbury Fashions and Everton Café.

When the young men train for the local soccer club the older men sit for hours watching them and, as they walk home from training in their bare feet, they are escorted by troops

of youngsters who feel privileged to accompany their heroes.

This year, we learned that we are all brothers and sisters on this planet and more alike than different. Whether black or white, rich or poor, educated or uneducated, Muslim or Christian, we all share a common life experience.

Emotionally, we are exactly alike. The same things make us laugh and cry. We love and hate and get angry about the same things. We all worry when our children are sick but there is delight when Man Utd win.

But we have also learned that things are not as simple as they seem and everyone has their own story. Behind the large, open-eyed smile of a hand- some brown child there lie layers of little victories over hunger, poverty,

hardship and failure. We have also learned that a toasted cheese sand- wich can taste good anywhere, it is possible to be understood in Swa- hili with a very small vocabulary and water is a greater necessity than electricity. We have learned that the Irish people are incredibly generous, we still wonder at the magic of email and texts, that a juicy pineapple can put many problems in perspective and friends are a precious gift.

THE driving force in_ Bridget Sweeney’s life is her “Burrenview’ bed and breakfast business in Bally- vaughan and she proved it when pick- ing up her latest award last month.

On her way to an end-of-year awards function for the Tourism Learning Network, her car broke down. Yet just a few weeks before she had won a new car in a national newspaper competition. But Bridget opted to convert the car prize into cash, which she invested in the com- fort of her guests rather than her own driving convenience.

Not even the breakdown halted Bridget. Still stained with oil and

erime when she finally arrived in Limerick’s Castletroy Park Hotel, she was stunned to learn that she was one of three award winners chosen from the 25-strong membership of the Clare Tourism Learning Network.

Winning ways are nothing new to Bridget, from Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, who was the leader of an award-winning customer care team in the telecoms industry before she used the proceeds of an early retire- ment package to finance her dream of running a B&B in the Burren.

She took on the job of project manager for the conversion and refurbishment of ‘Burrenview’ which opened in 2006 and was an award winner within its first year.

The five-bedroom B&B with dis- ability access in all en-suite rooms won a ‘Welcome Award’ from Failte Ireland as well as getting a ‘highly recommended’ endorsement from Family Homes of Ireland.

Before she opened her doors to paying guests, Bridget conducted a series of test-runs to weed out any problems or shortcomings for her as a newcomer to the tourist trade. She invited well-travelled friends and family to visit and provide feedback.

“They told me what they thought of how I greeted them on arrival, how I informed them about what was on offer in the area, the comfort of the bedrooms and the quality of the breakfast,” she said.

Bridget’s winning ways have also helped to fit out Burrenview. She has a flair for dreaming up winning slo- gans. Her prize from one competition provided the furniture for the patio looking out over the Burren, while light fittings and an aquarium were also won in slogan competitions.

Bridget received her ‘Tourism Learning Network award for her achievement in developing a boutique bed and breakfast venture at New- town, Ballyvaughan. Other winners presented with their awards by Clare Mayor, Councillor Patricia McCa- rthy, were Davnet Cronin O’Brien of Clonlara Equestrian Centre and John Davoren of Caherconnell Fort in the Burren.4

THERE’S still time to start 2008 in a healthy and charitable fashion — just by taking part in the fifth annual New Year’s Charity Walk, which takes place this Sunday, January 13, in Toonagh.

The walk, which is organised each year by Breda McCullough, allows walkers to take three distinct routes designed to suit every level of fit- ness.

All the proceeds from this year’s walk will go towards equipment for St Clare’s School, which will help to prepare some of the county’s most

dedicated young athletes to take part in the Special Olympics movement.

“The Special Olympics is expand- ing all the time and we are hoping to raise enough money to fund new equipment and gear for the young children in all the different events. It will allow them to keep being involved and more and more children are getting involved all the time,” said Ms McCullough.

“I organise a different fundraiser each year for local charities. In the past I have raised money for things like the Clarecastle Day Care Cen- tre and for the Clare Branch of the Sunset Foundation.

“The walk starts in Toonagh Hall and finishes there as well. We have a two-mile, a three-mile and a six-and- a-half mile walk, so we have some- thing to suit everyone.

“It’s a beautiful walk, it goes around by Dysert Church, Dysert Castle and the high cross as well. You have the old monastery and the graveyard up there, so besides being a lovely walk there is a lot of interesting things for people to see.”

Registration for the race takes place from 11.30am at Toonagh Hall on Sunday morning, with the walk itself set to start at 12.30pm. Launching this year’s walk will be Mary’s son,

Conrad, who has himself already gained both national and interna- tional success as part of the Special Olympics movement.

“We don’t have sponsorship cards SO we are asking people to just come along on the day itself. It’s usually three euro to walk but people can donate whatever they want. Altogeth- er, we are hoping to raise as much as €3,500,” added Ms McCullough.

“My son Conrad, who is involved in the Special Olympics, is a special needs child in St Clare’s School. He usually comes along and starts the race and also likes to help out a lot on the day.”

THE kind (and brave) hearts of the people of north Clare were very much to the fore over the festive season with a host of charity events.

Over the past two weeks thousands have cycled, ran, walked and plunged into the icy waters of the Atlantic in aid of a variety of good causes.

On Sunday, a good crowd turned out in Fanore to take part in the sixth annual charity 10k walk in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society. All funds from this year’s walk will go towards help- ing to develop and extend day care, home care and respite services in the Orem Keale)F

A few hours later, Sharon Shannon and the Begley family took to the stage in Purcells Bar in Ruan to help raise some much-needed money for Sr Ethel Normoyle’s Building for Hope project in South Africa.

Another person raising money for the trip to Africa is Corofin’s Gerry Daffy, who hosted a successful golf classic in Woodstock on Saturday. There is still time to support Gerry, as a song and storytelling night takes place in Bofey Quinns in Corofin this Friday, January 11, before he flies out to South Africa next Monday.

Terrible weather conditions could not stop around 200 people from taking part in the Burren Char-

ity Challenge on December 29. All proceeds from this year’s challenge are going to CancerCare West and Tallaght Breast Unit in Dublin.

The main winners on the day were Eoghan Considine (Galway Triath- lon) and Aideen McCarthy (Lim- erick Triathlon) who won the men’s and women duathlon (40km cycle and 10km walk) and Gerald Daly (Whitegate) and Marie Carey (Ennis Track Club) who took the man’s and women’s 10k competition respec- tively.

Even on Christmas Day hundreds turned out for charitable events all over north Clare.

A huge crowd of close to 200

swimmers took to the cold waters of Liscannor bay for the annual Christ- mas Day swim.

The swim, which is the largest and longest running charity swim in Clare, was this year organised in aid of the Clare Crusaders and in memory of Howard Flannery.

Not to be outdone, just as Clare’s oldest Christmas Day swim was coming to a close in Lahinch, Clare’s newest event was just beginning in Doolin.

A good-sized crowd of hardy souls took to the waters around Doolin in an effort to help raise money for the St Breckans GAA Club Field Devel- opment Committee.