There’s a huge level of excitement in Doonbeg today (Friday) after the announcement that Donald Trump is to make another visit there, this time round as the presumptive Republican nominee for the US presidential election. On Twitter, he said that he will travel to Ireland later this month to visit his golf resort at Doonbeg in after visiting his courses in Scotland. The US billionaire told his eight million followers last night that he would leave for Scotland on June 22, visiting his resorts in Turnberry and Aberdeen before travelling to Ireland. He plans to return to the United States on June 25. “After @TrumpScotland, I will visit @TrumpDoonbeg in Ireland, the magnificent resort fronting on the Atlantic Ocean,” he tweeted. Mr Trump’s visit to Ireland will overlap with that of US Vice President Joe Biden, who will here from from June 21 to 26. It will be his first overseas trip since he became the expected Republican nominee after …

Sitting down to plan out Clare’s programme for the 2016 hurling season, manager Davy Fitzgerald underlined three goals – get out of Division 1 B, do well in the league, be ready for the championship clash with Waterford. It’s so far two-from-two, with the third objective looming large on Sunday. The two league meetings have added to the game, Fitzgerald feels. “Waterford went on about frees the last day. Look at the stats in relation to the frees they had the last day and the day before, you will see that Clare came out at the wrong end of both of them. It was even enough the last day but we were well down the day before. Our possession was higher than Waterford. “Waterford have a certain way of playing. It’s going to be very hard for this to be a high-scoring game, we got good scores the last day when there was very little space in the middle third …

The man who died in a road crash in North Clare on Tuesday evening has been named as Grzegorz Frydrych. The 35-year-old from Poland, who was visiting the county on holiday, lost his life after the car he was travelling in collided with a motorcycle on the Coast road near Doolin. Gardaí have confirmed that his family have been notified and steps will now be taken to repatriate his body home. Three others were injured in the collision, the male driver and a female passenger in the car have since been released from hospital. However,  the motorcyclist, a man from the Doonbeg area, remains in a serious condition at University Hospital Limerick.

Over 1,500 homes and businesses are currently affected by a power outage in Ennis. The fault occurred shortly before 4pm this afternoon and is affecting supply to home and businesses on the Tulla and Gort Roads, as well as in Francis Street and other nearby areas. ESB  crews are working to resolve the issue and expect to have power restored to all premises later this evening.

The Diocese of Killaloe is in for a windfall with confirmation that a key piece of development land in the heart of Ennis has been sold. The former site of Ennis National School on the Kilrush Road was put on the market by the St Flannan’s (Killaloe) Diocesan Trust, with an advised minimum value of €1.2 million. The land is seen as a strategic site in the future development of the county capital. Auctioneer Liam Browne of REA Paddy Browne and Co told The Clare Champion that the St Flannan’s (Killaloe) Diocesan Trust are happy with the price achieved for the site. He said that, once developed, the site would enhance the town centre. However, he said he was unable to disclose the amount paid for the property or who the purchaser is. Mr Browne said, “It would be premature to give the name of the purchaser at this stage, until the sale is formally closed. I wish the new …

Getting people with a disability to be active in sport is the main reason behind the setting up of Banner Spokes, which has organised an open day on this Saturday at St Joseph’s GAA Club in Gurteen, from 10am to 1.30pm. According to committee PRO Simon Whelan, “We want to get a club formed that will be for everybody. It’s super fun and we want to get a mix of able bodied and less able bodied people taking part. It’s not about winning, it’s about taking part and recreation”. Simon’s son Evan, who is 17, is in a wheelchair and he “is mad into sport”. “Up to this, he has had to go to Limerick to play wheelchair hurling and basketball. He is keen to get a club set up in Clare and we are extending an open invitation to all to come along on Saturday to Gurteen. Our aims at this stage are two-fold, to set up the club …

Clare County Council has a announced a fund for groups planning to provide recreational and play activities to children and young people during National Recreation Week from July 3 to 9. The grants, which are funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, are aimed at groups who wish to provide “Commemorating 1916” themed activities. The fund is also open to National Play Day on July 3, which is generally targeted at children up to 12 years. “The purpose of Recreation Week and Play Day is to promote the importance of recreation for young people with events taking place in towns and villages across Clare,” explained Michael Neylon, play and recreation officer, Clare County Council. He continued, “While the focus is primarily on young people, a significant outcome from these initiatives and projects is that the opportunities and positivity derived in relation to young people is also applicable to all members of the wider community.” Mr Neylon said funding …

Gardaí in Ennistymon are investigating a fatal road traffic collision which occurred yesterday afternoon (Wednesday). The collision beetween a car and a motorcycle occurred at approximately 4.45pm at Doonagore, Doolin on the R47. The scene of the collision is 8km outside Doolin and the road is locally known as the Coast Road. The front seat passenger of the car, a 35-year-old man, was seriously injured and pronounced dead at the scene. His body was taken to the morgue in Limerick. The male driver and a female passenge, both in their mid 30s, were also injured in the collision and taken to Galway University Hospital and Limerick Hospitals. Their injuries are described as non life threatening. The motorcyclist was seriously injured and is being treated at Limerick Hospital. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact them in Ennistymon on 065 7072180, the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.