The Restaurant Association of Ireland has kick-started a campaign to highlight how critical it is that the reduced VAT rate of 9% is kept in place for 2014 and beyond, in order for the Irish economy to remain competitive. The nine-day campaign began on September 9 and getting behind it is Ennis bar and restaurant The Cloister, run by husband and wife Dermot and Noreen Fetton. The couple are in their first year of business at this premises and are hugely concerned that the forthcoming budget could see a VAT hike, something that would make trading extremely difficult for them going forward. In embarking on the campaign to maintain the current VAT rate, The Cloister has lobbied Deputy Timmy Dooley for support. Mrs Fetton said the reason they got behind the campaign  is to stave off any further increase in overheads in their sector and to ensure jobs are retained and a quality service is maintained, while remaining competitive. “We …

EAST Clare has fared out very well at this year’s Tidy Towns competition, with gold and bronze medals going to Mountshannon and Tuamgraney respectively, while Tulla received the endeavour award for the county. Mountshannon was awarded gold in category A of the Tidy Towns competition with 311 points, just five points shy of the national winners Moynalty, County Meath. Indeed its potential for national success was something that was pointed out by the Mountshannon’s tidy town’s adjudicator. “If you sustain your current enthusiasm and commitment and attend to the relatively few remaining issues for attention Mountshannon has the potential to again secure the top prize,” the adjudicator commented. Mountshannon also received a highly commended in the county awards. Another East Clare village celebrating this week is Tuamgraney, having taken a bronze medal in category B with 304 points, seven points more than their 2012 effort. Their potential for national success was also noted in their tidy towns report. “If you sustain …

The Tulla Trad Festival will kick off this Friday  with a parade through the East Clare village by the Chapel Gate Wrenboys. Dressed in traditional costumes, the wrenboys will lead the torch lit procession at 8pm, which will ensure that music resounds across the village signalling the start of the festival’s programme of events. The procession concludes at Tulla Courthouse where the group will give a performance following the official opening by musicians and Clare FM presenter, Eoin O’Neill. According to the organisers,interest for this year’s festival workshops is coming from not alone all the four provinces and across the UK but across Europe. “A group of musicians are boarding a train south of Paris for Cherbourg then by ferry to Rosslare and on by bus to Ennis especially for Zoe Conway’s workshop. Zoe, who will be amongst the tutors at the workshops, is among the most sought after fiddle tutor worldwide.  Her list of achievements belies her youthful age …