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Well, I caught Oscar fever this week. Inspired by the 14 Irish nominations, I decided that I was going to the movies, come what may. I went onto the world wide woof and discovered that there was a dog-friendly screening of Legally Blonde at the Pálás Cinema, in Galway. It’s a small arts cinema and it seems they’ve been putting these events on for some years and I never knew. I got some tips from my friend Lassie and herded the hoomans into the car and barked directions in their ears and it wasn’t long before we arrived, rushing indoors before the rain came down. Of course I was wearing my favourite designer, AG Dog Fashion but there was no sign of a red carpet for me. I really must have a word with my agent. We were first to arrive but shortly we were joined by lots of lovely dogs and their hoomans. We doggies had a lovely meetup …

AFTER a three year wait the Ennis Players are back in their new show ‘Glorious!’ by Peter Quilter, with rehearsals are well underway for this four night production. Directed by Bernie Harten, this play is based on the true story of Florence Foster Jenkins. Known as ‘the first lady of the sliding scale’, she warbled and screeched her way through the evening to an audience who mostly fell about with laughter. The play details Florence’s charity recitals, her bizarre recording sessions and an ultimate triumph at Carnegie Hall in this heart-warming comedy. This production features Maeve Plunkett as Florence Foster Jenkins, Jackie Scanlan as her suffering accompanist and John Lillis as St. Clair Byfield, her boyfriend. Patricia Clune plays the sharp-tongued truth-speaking Mrs. Verrinder Gedge, Geraldine Greene is Florence’s non-English speaking Mexican maid while Emer O’Flaherty plays Dorothy, Florence’s close friend. Ricky the loyal but sleeping poodle plays himself! Director Bernie Harten says she is, “thrilled to introduce Ennis audiences …

Cusack Cup Division 1 Football League Round 1 Kilmurry Ibrickane v Ennistymon at Páirc Naomh Mhuire Quilty, Friday 11.30am Based on the standard of last weekend’s hurling equivalents, it would be some feat to come even remotely close to their epic 140 minute senior championship semi-final showdown last October that went all the way through extra-time and penalty before sudden death finally inched Ennistymon through to a first county final in four years. Instead, it will probably be all about blowing off the cobwebs of the new season and trying to unearth more options for their flagship sides. Kilmurry Ibrickane Management: James Murrihy (Manager); James Mannion, Enda O’Halloran (Coaches); Gary Sexton (S&C): Diarmuid Whelan Ennistymon Management: Mark Shanahan (Manager); Ger Quinlan (Coach); John McInerney, Brendan Rouine (Selectors) Clondegad v Doonbeg at Ballynacally, Friday 4pm While Doonbeg gained confidence from last year’s Cusack Cup run to a semi-final, only these minimum separated the sides in the subsequent championship group stages, with …

GARDAÍ have made a fresh appeal for witnesses to a road crash in West Clare which claimed the life of an 83 year old nun last week. Cecilia Keating, known as Sr Claire, was laid to rest at the weekend having lost her life after a road collision last Tuesday afternoon at Bella, Kilkee. Sr Claire was originally from Lower Fierd, Cross and had been living in Castletroy, Limerick. She was a member of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Australia and Ireland. Making a renewed appeal for witnesses to the road collision Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks expressed appreciation on behalf of Kilrush Gardaí to those who have already come forward. She outlined, “At approximately 4pm on Tuesday last, March 7 a fatal road traffic collision occurred at Bella, Kilkee. Two vehicles collided head-on and one of the drivers a lady in her mid-80’s tragically received fatal injuries. The road was closed for a …

Similar to the demise of the National Hurling League in terms of significance in the inter-county calendar as all eyes are firmly fixed on championship fare, the new split season for all its hugely positive attributes have essentially further diminished the Clare Cup as well. Without county seniors and initially at least Under 20’s too, the appetite for league silverware is predominantly replaced by the hope of finding new players and honing squads ahead of the summer assault on the Canon Hamilton or Paddy Browne cups. It wouldn’t be so bad if every club had a similar level of preparation ahead of this weekend’s throw-in as even allowing for the discrepancy of some teams having bigger inter-county contingents than others, at least managers would know that their opponents are taking it seriously. However, the chief problem is that much like Clare’s bloodless recent visit to Wexford, one can expect one-sided results that will have no bearing on the championship if …

Plans are currently underway for Samaritans volunteers to visit soccer clubs across the county to emphasise the importance of looking after one’s mental fitness. Clare District Soccer League (CDSL) approached Samaritans of Ennis and Clare to team up with them and deliver pitch side talks to the management teams and players from approximately 35 teams over the coming months. More than 1,000 players of all genders and abilities from age 16 up play in the league. Margaret McMahon, a volunteer and director with Samaritans in Ennis, said looking after one’s mental health is as important as improving a person’s physical health. “Our aim is to attend as many training sessions as possible, but instead of speaking about match performance, we’ll be chatting about mental health. How we can be aware of it, how we can improve it, how we can nurture it, and, most importantly, what to do if all isn’t well.” “The idea behind it is to normalise the …

THE varied experiences and achievements of Traveller women will be discussed as part of a panel taking place to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 in Mna Ag Gaire Women’s Shed in Ennis between 10.30am and 2pm. Women’s Collective Ireland – Clare, the Clare Traveller Community Development Project and Clare Local Development Company are hosting the celebration of this important date for women across the globe. There will be music with Mary Keenan and Yvonne Ketwa, refreshments and food with people invited to bring something to share. Guest panellists include Bridget Mongans; Primary Health Care Project Clare; Mary Connors from New Ross, recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Irish Traveller Movement for her outstanding contribution and dedication to highlighting and achieving human rights of the Traveller Community; Nancy Power coordinator of the National Traveller Money and Budgeting Service which works to reduce poverty, discrimination and financial exclusion from what is considered mainstream and accessible for many in …

Contrasting All-Ireland Senior Third Level Championship Final outcomes for UL in the past week for their footballers and hurlers was solaced by the retention of their Fitzgibbon Cup crown in Waterford on Saturday afternoon. Seven Clare players are part of UL’s second successive All-Ireland Senior A Championship triumph over University of Galway, this time in commanding circumstances by 4-19 to 1-13. Seven Clare players, Patrick Crotty (Scariff), Cian Galvin (Clarecastle), Mike Gough (Smith O’Brien’s), Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones), Killian McDermott (Clarecastle), Colm O’Meara (Clonlara) and vice-captain Mark Rodgers (Scariff) were all part of UL’s panel, four of whom saw action in the decider. University of Galway were captained by Éire Óg’s Darren O’Brien while Tadhg Dean (Crusheen), Joey Droney (Tubber) and Eanna McMahon (Crusheen) were also on the squad. However, following an extra-time victory over UCC in Gurteen on Thursday, Galway never reached those lofty heights again for Saturday’s decider. Perhaps they weren’t let through as UL, backed by a …