The Clare People Archive

IT will be a dog’s life in Cratloe next weekend when canines of every shape, size and breed will be strut- UDOT CM NOU MnIALO OE

The Cratloe Dog Show is the one where there’s a fun prize for every- thing from the waggiest tail to the wackiest owner – and it’s all good fun in a good cause.

The day out will help raise cash to furnish and decorate the new GAA hall, which is proving a real success in the green stakes, being the first in Clare to use solar panels to heat water.

“We haven’t had to turn on the

back-up water heating system since the start of the season and there have been a good number of teams using the new facility,’ said Show Chair- man, John Ryan

The GAA club was the first in the county to install the eco-friendly panels and the first in the country to take advantage of the situation when Government grants were extended beyond domestic use to community buildings. The panels supply lots of hot water even on overcast days as they also work with daylight.

“We have had cause to be glad of it. The cost of heating water in a club like ours is a big consideration. This will certainly save us money in the

long run,’ said John.

But there is still work to be done on the interior of the building and the dog show will help with the funding.

There will be 20 classes in the show including wacky competitions for the lookalike dogs and owners, best bis- cuit catcher and best fancy dress.

The show is being held under the auspices of the Munster Dog Training and Behaviour School, with sponsor- ship from Paws n’ Claws, Franco Pet Care, Precious Pets, Ennis Pet Cen- tre and Cecil Street Pet Shop. And there will be plenty of other fun and games on the day, with bouncy cas- tles, pony rides, face painting, golf- putting, the long puck, a bar-b-que,

bookstall and much more.

The clubhouse was built to com- memorate local lad, Michael Mur- phy (19) who died suddenly while playing for the club in April 2001.

On the day, another local young man who died suddenly the day be- fore the first dog show will be com- memorated. There will be a special award for the best overall dog, the Robert Manning Memorial Trophy.

Sixteen-year old Robert died on the eve of the first show and had been preparing to show his dog.

“We wanted to do something to commemorate him as well and so we named this award for him,’ one of the organisers said.

THE RESULTS of this year’s Tidy Towns competition have spurred groups in villages and towns around east Clare to even greater efforts in the coming 12 months to make an impression on the judges.

Mountshannon received a com- mendation, having been awarded 279 points, while Tuamgraney was awarded 259 points.

Feakle collected 233 points and neighbouring Scariff was awarded 230.

The scenic lakeside town of Kil- laloe garnered 230 points and Tulla collected 218. Broadford brought home some 208 points from the competition.

Jane Murray, who was involved in putting forward the Mounshannon entry said residents of the village “are delighted. It was very good con-

sidering we didn’t actually have a tidy towns committee this year”’.

Jane said there are a number of projects which a new committee could take on. “We hope to form a new committee in the coming weeks and get as many people as possible involved, even if they can only spare a little time. It’s our village and we want to make the most of it.”

In Tulla, Tidy Towns committee member, Una Fitzgerald said locals

were also pleased with an improved mark on last year’s score.

Throughout the year, people have been involved in general tidyup schemes in Tulla and Una hopes that will continue and expand in the coming year. “There’s a lot done and more to do. We’ll be building on that score for next year and we’d hope that people will get involved. It’s a community effort and we want peo- ple to come on board.”

THERE’S plenty to shout about at this year’s Clare Shout Festival and not just the competition for the best aS) ee) t ae

There’s a packed festival pro- sramme on offer this year, with events including traditional music and singing, a spectacular fireworks display, photo competition, puppet show, hurling, tag rugby, writers’ workshop, set dancing, clay pigeon shoot, road bowling, sailing regatta on Cullaun Lake, a vintage display, fairy tales from well-known seanchai Eddie Lenihan, the country market, a model aircraft display, an art exhi- bition, a children’s treasure hunt, the family fun day, a parade led by the

Tulla Pipers’ Band and much more.

The Kilkishen will be alive with music and fun for the second An- nual Clare Shout which runs from this Friday, September 21 to Sunday, September 23 next.

The official opening will be per- formed Deputy Timmy Dooley, east Clare’s first elected TD for 25 years, following a cheese and wine recep- tion in the local GAA hall.

The opening lecture – also on Fri- day night – will be delivered by local teacher, historian and former Clare hurling star Sean Hehir, on the proud and ancient history of Kilkishen.

The highlight of the weekend will be the Clare Shout competition to be held on the main street on Saturday night, at 8.45pm. The event is ex-

pected to attract up to 50 competi- tors in full voice, against whom last year’s champ, Stephen Hickey will oLoMeCoNCoNLOUDOTCMONMBIALe

The history of the Clare Shout is shrouded in mystery but is believed to date back to pre-Celtic times in Ireland. Older people in parts of Clare recall watching people of an even older generation facing the set- ting sun on fine autumn evenings while giving vent to a double-echo shout. This has led to the theory that the Clare Shout may have been a form of autumnal worship in pagan Wb selene

“The shout is unique to Clare. It was arallying cry that echoed around Clontarf when Brian Boru led the clans of Dal gCais into battle against

the Danes on Good Friday 1014,” a spokesman for the festival commit- tee said. “It was also raised as a war cry by the men of Clare’s Dragoons at Fontenoy and on other European bat- tle fields in later centuries, it greeted the great liberator Daniel O’Connell when the people of Clare elected him as the first Catholic member of the British House of Commons and it was a particular favourite of the late President and Taoiseach Eamonn de Valera, TD,’ for Clare for over 40 years, who was fascinated by its unique double echo.

A SOCIAL housing project in Clare- castle – Cluain Ard – has been short- listed for a national design award.

“This scheme is one of three Local Authority schemes selected to go for- ward to the final and is an example of excellent design standards, including safety, security and comfort for its’ 46 residents,” said housing officer, Nora Kaye.

She explained, “Clare County Council is delighted that the Clare- castle scheme has been named as a finalist in this year’s ‘Irish Council For Social Housing Design Competi- tion’. Being shortlisted by the ICSH is a tribute to the impressive scheme designed by Hassett Leyden Archi-

tects and constructed by KC Devel- opment.”

According to local councillor Ber- nard Hanrahan, “This is a very pres- tigious award and is befitting to the excellent standard of housing deliv- ered here.”

The awards ceremony takes place ENroommdevcwertenioey

Cluain Ard is Clare County Coun- cil’s latest social housing develop- ment and is the council’s first venture in the purchase of turnkey housing units. The 22 units in the scheme were designed in 2005, in consulta- tion with Clare County Council to what the council describes as “a high standard of design, usability and comfort to its recently appointed ten- ZNO

A council spokeswoman said that the “setting of the scheme, in a quiet but very central area in Clarecastle balances the need for peace and tran- quillity as well as the need for easy access to services including retail, community, religious, employment, transport and recreation.”

As well as housing, the scheme has a day care centre, creche, community hall, school, church, shops, medical facilities, recreational facilities 1n- cluding a hand ball alley and a foot- ball pitch, bus stop and post office are all within walking distance of the estate.

The homes boast usability for all and cater for single parents, families, people with special needs, travellers and elderly. Eleven of the homes are

on the ground floor, making all living spaces and bedrooms totally accessi- ble to those with mobility problems,

Each home has a private, walled back garden, accessible from a patio door in the living area. The upstairs dwellings also have a walled back garden, accessible through a gate at the side.

Each home has a master bedroom with en-suite facilities, which could also convert into a family room, given it’s generous size of 16.5m sq, excluding the en-suite.

“The highest standards have been used in installing heat/smoke de- tectors, safety locks on doors and windows and non-slip surfaces on the kitchen area,’ the spokeswoman added.

CAR Free Day in Ennis is being marked by an unusual cycle event organised with the support of En- nis Town Council and Clare County Council.

Owners of bicycles of all shapes and sizes are invited to participate in a fun ReCycle Your Bike event around Ennis on Saturday, Septem- ber 22.

Event spokesperson Susan Griffin says the emphasis for this cycling

event is on getting the unused bi- cycles that lie in most sheds dusted off and used. There will be a special emphasis on the old black bikes or “High Nelly’ that were once seen as part and parcel of Irish life. According to Susan Griffin, “Bikes are hugely undervalued nowadays. They can be an extremely practical and enjoyable means of transport. There is no need for the latest model either. Bikes that are only a few years old are often discarded, perfectly good ones are thrown out

and are lying unused in sheds. As long as the bike is in a safe condi- tion with decent brakes and tyres you are doing yourself and the environ- ment a favour. Ennis is an ideal cy- cling town and on European Car-free Day we hope to encourage the people of Clare to rediscover the joy of the humble bicycle.”

Cycling enthusiast and local Green party councillor Brian Meaney is Supporting the Fun Cycle and is looking forward to taking part.

“T have four bikes myself, two of

which are old High Nellys. One is a touring type complete with full chain guards and dynamo. The other one has been stripped down for speed. Both of these bicycles have the trade mark triple sprung leather Brooks saddle, which is what defined a High Nelly. They were built for comfort, not speed, in an Ireland that depend- ed on the bicycle as a valued mode of transport. It’ll be good to polish up the saddle to cycle around Ennis on Car Free Day,’ Councillor Meaney said.

A RESIDENTS group in Shannon is suggesting that social houses be built close to the Wolfe Tones GAA Kane

The Concerned Residents of Cluain Airne group 1s objecting to the pro- posed construction of 60 houses in their housing estate.

Clare County Council says as many as 60 houses are necessary, in order for the development to be economi- cally viable.

However, locals do not want the houses built and they aired their con- cerns at a meeting on the issue last week. They are undertaking to con- tinue to oppose the development.

They believe that there is inad- equate infrastructure in the area, to cope with new homes in the area, where 178 houses currently exist.

The group says the development of additional homes will result in the ereen area being taken away from Weloue0e

Secretary of the group, Nicole Murphy says there is up to 100 acres available near the GAA club and this should be used to build houses.

“Some of this site 1s serviced. There is no reason why they would not move the development there,’ said Ms Murphy.

She was impressed by the turnout of up to 70 at the meeting and said that many concerns were outlined.

The residents group has now learned the houses will be built on a phased basis and this is causing eae Nom ee) CUTE

“This means that the Cluain Airne estate will be messed up for longer. That could be up to three or four years.

“The main concern is the road. SU sr Taa.(o)bi (eM elem MNT HAO ouI RR) ce are hoping they will review it again,” SI STomy-H (OR

Clare County Council has proposed using the road from the roundabout at the comprehensive school.

However, local residents are sug- gesting that the road by the back of Inis Sioda would be the preferred option for local traffic.

“We were initially told the road would cost €1.25 million, and now they say it will cost €600,000. We are asking them 1s that the price of a life of a child,” she said.

She is hopeful that local elected representatives will take the con- cerns into consideration when they meet next month.

“We are meeting councillors who will be voting on it and we will put our case to them. We will encourage them to vote against it and move the plans down to the 95 acres of land the council has,” added Ms Murphy.

A petition, containing the signa- tures of several house owners in the area, has been put together, as locals pledge to continue to fight the plans.

THE Tidy Towns committee in Shannon is happy with its showing in the national Tidy Towns compe- tition, the results of which were an- nounced last week.

Shannon increased by just two points but the committee was happy with the improvement, on the back of last year’s phenomenal increase of 19 points.

Spokeswoman for the Tidy Towns committee, Tess Barry said this year’s total of 254 points pleased everybody.

Although she is concerned about the state of the roundabout at the town centre and the condition of erass around the town, she is overall optimistic that Shannon will contin- ue to improve its points in the com- Oe B BLO) NE

The categories in the competition are based on population size and Shannon was placed in the same cat- egory as Killarney, in the 10,000 to 15,000 population section. Killarney won that category, with 298 points.

“We are not disappointed. We are very happy we didn’t go down in marks. The grasscutting and spray-

ing were haphazard. One example is Corrib Drive, where you can hardly see the kerbing as the grass and weeds are so bad. That’s only one example,’ said Ms Barry.

“Gaining 19 marks last year was a big improvement. I had a fear we would lose some of those. I was very happy we retained the marks,” she Sr ALG

She said people on the committee are disappointed that a feature has not been put in place at the town centre roundabout, despite promises from Clare County Council over a year ago.

Overall, a lot of work needs to be done on the roundabouts.

“Our roundabouts are very bad. The weeds and grass are coming up through the trees. Something has to be done,” she said.

She is looking forward to the future and further success for Shannon in this competition.

‘We need more help. While we are very grateful to the residents who keep their areas beautiful, there is a small core group doing the work. We have entered Clare in Bloom and we are hoping to do well in that,” she Sr HOR

ALMOST 63 per cent of the popula- tion of Shannon is in the labour mar- ket, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office.

65 per cent of the Sixmilebridge population is working, while 58 per cent of those in Newmarket-on-Fer- gus are earning.

The labour force participation fig- ures, which have just been published, outline details of the results of the Census of Population, compiled in April 2006.

The figures show that 62.74 per cent of those aged 15 and over in Shan- non were in the labour force. This compares with Swords and Finglas

in Dublin, which recorded the highest proportion of people in the workforce nationally, at 75.3 per cent.

Of the 7,319 people in that age cat- egory living in the town, 3,737 were males and 3,582 females. 4,592 work — 2,673 males and 1,919 females.

61 people were looking for their first regular job, while 369 were un- employed. 655 people were students, while 726 were looking after their homes or their families. 601 people were retired, while 292 were unable to work, due to permanent sickness or disability. 23 people marked ‘other’ as the category that suited them best.

The vast majority of people living in Shannon are employees (4,225). 362 people are employers, five people as-

sist relatives.

2,379 of the employees are male, while 1,846 are female. 290 of those in the ‘employer’ category are male, with the remaining 72 female.

Of the 369 in the ‘unemployed’ category in Shannon, 22 are aged be- tween 15 and 19; 51 are aged between 20 and 24; 104 are between the ages of 25 and 34; 72 are aged between 35 and 44, while 66 are aged 55 and over. 213 of those unemployed are male, while 156 are female.

The figures also show statistics for Sixmilebridge and Newmarket-on- Fergus. They show that 1,268 people aged 15 and over lived in Sixmilebri- dge at the time of the census. 828 of those (65 per cent) were ‘at work’.

Eight people were seeking their first jobs, while 54 people were un- employed. There were 112 students, while 133 people were looking after homes or families. 72 were retired, while 60 people were unable to work, due to sickness or disability.

In Newmarket-on-Fergus, 58 per cent of those aged 15 and over were ‘at work’. There were 1,267 people in this age category living in the vil- lage, 740 of who were working. Four people were looking for their first job, while 57 were unemployed. 129 people were students, while 126 were looking after homes or families. 151 people were retired, while 56 were unable to work, due to various rea- sons.

THE organisers of Kilkee’s Cois Fharraige festival are preparing to run the doomed surfing competition within the next few weeks.

The summer weather conditions did not favour the short board com- petition, which was planned as part of the weekend.

Hailed in its conception as Ire- land’s first surf and music festival the three-day event was to include surf- ing competitions at the picturesque Doughmore beach.

Now organisers Sony Ericsson are hoping to hold the surfing element in Spanish Point when the surf condi- tions are more favourable.

Meanwhile Sony Ericsson has de- clared a “major success”.

Up to 5,000 music fans soaked up the sunshine and enjoyed a three-day music extravaganza with a differ- ence.

“The festival’s stellar line up, which included performances from Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Ocean Col- our Scene, Paddy Casey, Badly Drawn Boy, Roisin Murphy, Newton

Faulkner, The Enemy, Republic of Loose, The Blizzards and Majella Murphy to name but a few, ensured a phenomenal demand for tickets and a sell-out in its first year,” a spokes- person said.

“Cois Fharraige is not just a music festival, it’s a cultural music festival – an amalgamation of sea culture and music.

“There was a family friendly at- mosphere all weekend as music fans enjoyed sunbathing and swimming on Kilkee beach, craic agus ceol in local pubs and a carnival atmosphere

on the streets of Kilkee not to men- tion great bands in the Cois Fhar- raige Kayham tent.”

Colin Williamson from Sony Eric- sson said, “Cois Fharraige has ex- ceeded our expectations.

‘The music weekend has been a great success, the carnival atmos- phere was brilliant and the crowd were very chilled out and well be- haved.

“We are thrilled with the feedback we have had from the PJ Linnane, Mayor of Kilkee, local businesses and festival goers.”

CURRACH rowing is enjoying a revival in Quilty village as the local currach-rowing club and Leon Com- mittee make the final preparations for the Leon XIII Festival.

Starting on September 28 the fes- tival will celebrate the bravery of the local men who rescues the crew of the stricken Leon XIII 100 years ago.

Members of the local rowing club began training off Seafield at the beginning of summer in hopes of winning at least one race during the weekend long festivities.

Under the guidance of John Downes and trainers from West Clare Cur-

rach Club, several racing crews have formed to help fly the Quilty flag in the upcoming Leon Regatta.

The training regime has been given an added boost with the recent acqui- sition of a new racing currach, which will be in action during the Leon Re- gatta starting in Quilty village at 4 pm on Sunday, September 30.

This regatta will bring together teams from all over Clare to compete in the heats and finals of three main events – The Mixed Open, The Leon Trophy Men’s Open and the Wom- en’s Open Event.

Regattas were a feature in Quilty village up until the late 1950s and the rowing club and festival organis- ers plan to host the Leon Regatta on

an annual basis starting this year.

“Regatta Sunday” will commence with a special commemoration Mass in Star of the Sea Church in Quilty at 12pm.

Incorporating new musical compo- sitions created for the occasion, the Mass will be followed by open-air set dancing in Quilty village starting at 2pm.

Many people from the area now living abroad are planning to return to Quilty for the festival and the Regatta will certainly bring back fond memories to locals and visitors who remember the last occasions on which currach racing events were held in the village.

Beginning with the opening cere-

mony and unveiling of commemora- tive plaque at 6pm on Friday evening September 28, a full programme of events is planned for the festival weekend.

For further information, please take away one of the free programme fly- ers available locally or contact Agnes on 087 1355738 or Caroline on 087 2194541 for details.