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A woman, believed to be in her fifties, who was airlifted to hospital after she became unwell while swimming on Lough Derg, died at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) on Thursday evening. Emergency services were alerted to assist a woman who got into difficulty while swimming near the fishing stands on the Killaloe side of the Twomilegate bathing area. Killaloe Coast Guard was tasked to the scene at about 6.40pm and arrived to Ballycuggeran within seven minutes practically at the same time as one HSE paramedic. Members of the public had commenced cardiocompulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a fishing stand near the forest area at Ballcuggeran. This was continued by two advanced HSE paramedics with assistance from Coast Guard members. It is understood that there were a lot of people swimming in the water at the time due to the hot weather. Assistance was requested from the Emergency Aeromedical Service, which sent the HSE’s Cork-based air ambulance, Aeromed 01, to the scene. …

Premier Division Soccer League Cup Group B Round 1 Shannon Town 1 3 Newmarket Celtic The first flagship silverware of the new Clare District Soccer League season will be contested by perennial title chasers Avenue Utd and Newmarket Celtic after the latter edged out neighbours Shannon Town in Lynch Park, Shannon on Wednesday evening. Scheduled to be both side’s competitive bow almost three weeks early, this derby refixture was still a much-anticipated barometer of where they currently stand as the assimilation of fresh blood only added to the intrigue of both side’s first real test. Far from showcasing their new talent, the home side, under former Newmarket Celtic coach Donal Magee, opted to remain steadfast to their tried and trusted, with left winger Jack Ryan the pick of that bunch as Town’s chief threat. Newmarket Celtic meanwhile mixed old and new, with former Lifford playmaker Nathan Redenze (now Boaventura) an existing addition to an already multifaceted attacking arsenal while impact …

IN recent years one of the most prominent outlets in Shannon Town Centre was the Iceland store, but it closed its doors yesterday, despite workers not having received notice. The shutters were down at the shop this morning and a typed notice displayed on them read, “Unfortunately Iceland Shannon has been closed and staff temporarily laid off as of today 07-09-23. “Sorry for any inconvenience caused. We would like to thank everyone for their continued support throughout the years.” Other Iceland stores across the country also closed yesterday and the Independent Workers Union issued a scathing statement, claiming that the company had not given its employees any warning. “Today, all remaining Iceland Stores across the Republic of Ireland, have been closed. The workers were given no notice of closure, and were told via phone call to “vacate the premises and collect all personal belongings”. They have now been placed on “temporary” lay-off, alongside their colleagues who have also been on …

AS part of the investigation into criminal activity in Ennis, Gardaí seized €107,500 of controlled drugs and a firearm with ammunition, following a number of searches in the Beechpark area on Wednesday. The searches were carried out by members attached to Clare Detective Units, Clare Community Engagement and the Western Region ASU. During the course of these searches €87,000 of suspected cocaine, €15,000 of suspected amphetamine, €5000 of suspected xanax (2500 tablets), €500 of suspected heroin and €1800 cash was seized. A firearm and ammunition was also recovered. The drugs and firearm will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for examination. No arrests have been made and Gardai say investigations are ongoing.

THE 2023 MÓRglór award has been given to fiddle player Siobhán Peoples. A world-renowned performer and tutor, she has been an inspiration and mentor to many musicians, locally, nationally and internationally, through her extensive teaching career. She has been an outstanding ambassador for the traditional arts in Clare and an integral part of the vibrant session scene for several decades. In recent years, she has also been one of the driving forces behind the resurgence of the Ennis Trad Festival. Siobhán is steeped in the musical history of County Donegal, through her father Tommy, and of County Clare, through her grandmother, Kitty Linnane, pianist with the original Kilfenora Céilí Band. An incredibly dedicated teacher, Siobhán is a featured tutor annually at many festivals and at the University of Limerick. She is known for the qualities of great instrument teachers including a deep love of her instrument, a thorough understanding of her own skills and playing, and the patience, analytical ability …

A protest rally highlighting the “dire situation” facing North Clare’s waterways will be held in Ennistymon next week with campaigners saying “The rivers of Clare cannot be used as toilets”. The Save Our Rivers campaign was recently formed by a group of North Clare citizens who say they are “tired of the pollution, the fish kills and all the other forms of environmental destruction”. Group spokesperson Denis Vaughan is urging members of the public to show their support at the rally which will be held on Saturday, September 9 at 2pm at the Ennistymon Area Office of Clare County Council. According to Mr Vaughan there is a “clear need” for the campaign, explaining it comes after the recent high profile fish kill in the Ennistymon area in which thousands of fish died. They are also highlighting concerns over untreated sewage being pumped into the sea and rivers in North Clare. “Lahinch Beach is frequently closed because of the presence of …

More than two thirds of couples are meeting online, according to the author of a new book “Third Time Lucky at Table L2”. The increasing popularity of online dating has prompted a Broadford woman to provide a guide with useful tips to navigate what can be a “quagmire” for those who are ill-prepared to distinguish between a virtual lothario and a genuine lover. It is a book about internet dating, demonstrating what to expect when looking for love online interspersed with true stories of romantic adventures and misadventures. The book will be launched in the Washer Woman, Ballina, Killaloe on Saturday, September 2, at 7.30pm. Now living in Ballina, Killaloe, her book has a happy ending as she chronicles how she found love just across the river with her current partner. “I was at a wedding recently where the couple met on “Plenty of Fish”, which was where I met my partner, Kerry Blake, who is in my final chapter,” …

The Clare Crusaders’ Clinic has experienced an estimated €100,000 drop in its fundraising income this year due to the lack of suitable accommodation to host major charity events, it emerged this week. Clinic manager, Councillor Ann Norton (Ind) has issued a renewed appeal for donations from companies and groups ahead of their annual Tractor Run, which takes place in Barefield next Sunday. Clare Crusaders is a self-financing service located in Barefield, Ennis. The clinic receives no state funding and must raise more than €250,000 per annum to provide the current level of therapy for children. Acknowledging the provision of hotel accommodation is necessary to house international protection applicants fleeing from war-torn countries, particularly Ukraine, the Independent councillor pointed out one of the unintended consequences is that the charity finds it extremely difficult to obtain function rooms to host fundraising events. In recent years, the clinic has hosted charity boxing tournaments, fashion shows, Christmas Fairs and fun Strictly Come Dancing competitions …