Lifestyle

I was rudely awakened early one morning from the dreamless and before I knew it I was strapped into the car and we were off down the road. It turned out herself had an early appointment and that’s what had disturbed my morning. I slept away in the back of the car so I didn’t immediately realise that instead of going home, we were going on to Galway city. As usual when we’re in Galway, himself took me for a stroll around the city, with plenty of wandering around book shops. I’m not a great dog for reading myself – it’s hard to hold the book with paws – but I had no objection to walking around and being admired and stopping at McCambridges for a swift dogguccino. Later on, we met up with herself, her friend Susan and Susan’s granddaughter Amber and we had a great chat over a drink in Tigh Neachtain. After another stroll around town, we …

A COUNTY Clare family is set to be the latest beneficiaries of hit TV Show DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland. Baz Ashmawy and his team will be coming to Ennis, from August 30, and is seeking the help of Clare trades people to renovate and adapt the home of the Mulvey-Sydney family. The project is expected to run until September 8. Thirteen-year-old Isabella Mulvey-Sydney was born with a rare congenital disorder called Lumbar Sacral Agenesis, which resulted in both her legs being amputated at the age of seven. Isabella is a tenacious, bright and brave young teenager, but her home in Ennis, which she shares with her parents and twin brother AJ, is completely unsuitable to her needs and its inaccessibility is causing physical pain to her and her parents, Darum and Clare. Clare Mulvey-Sydney was born and raised in Ennis and is Isabella’s full-time carer as well as being a recent breast cancer survivor. Just last year she …

MONDAY, August 1, will see a gathering in East Clare to commemorate two Old IRA volunteers, who were involved in a number of ambushes at the height of the War of Independence. Following extensive research, the family of Captain Mattie McGrath and his brother Dinny of Annaghneal, will remember their contribution to the fight for Irish freedom, and that of their comrades in the Sixth Battalion of the East Clare Brigade. The brothers were involved in up to six ambushes on Crown forces in East and South East Clare, including attacks like the high-profile Glenwood Ambush. “We knew a bit about Mattie and Dinny when we were growing up, but we’ve found out a lot more since then,” said Mike McGrath, a nephew of the men. “The Sixth Battalion organised ambushes all over East Clare, during the War of Independence, with Mattie and Dinny involved in many of them.” Research by Mike’s nephew, Seán, and his daughter Aoife, show that …

Halla Eoin, Kilbaha, which served as the parish national school until 1962, has been given a new lease of life and is set for an official reopening this Sunday, writes Mary Keane. The hall has been transformed into a local community hall which incorporates a heritage display. Following a public meeting, held in a dilapidated hall in Halla Eoin in 2018, a committee of dedicated volunteers, with Krystyna Pomeroy as chairperson, was set up to progress the dream and bring it to fruition. It was most certainly the support given by the local Fine Gael county councillor Gabriel Keating along with his pledge of funds from the General Municipal Fund which helped to make the dream a reality. This money, together with a substantial grant from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme enabled the work to begin. The refurbishments were carried out over a period of three years. Most of the work took place during the Covid 19 pandemic. Halla …

IN the region of 6,000 patrons flocked to view or participate in the 30th annual South-East Clare Show in Bridgetown last Sunday. In fact, show organisers estimate gate receipts were 3% up from 2019, as thousands converged at the Bridgetown Showgrounds for what was described as an “amazing show”. It was the first opportunity in the last three years for the show committee to showcase local and national competitions due to Covid-19 restrictions. Show secretary, Yvonne McNamara said there was an exceptional entry growth in the home produce and horticulture section, which she believed was due to people having had the opportunity during Covid-19 lockdown to perfect baking and vegetable growing and associated knowledge. The show was opened by newly appointed Clare County Council chairman, Councillor Tony O’Brien as he was escorted through the grounds by members of the Mounted Garda Unit and traditional bag pipe player, Philip Doran before welcoming everybody. The varied weather forecast did not stop the …

The Festival of Fun is back in Kilmihil for its 20th renewal after a two-year break due to Covid-19. This year sees a lot of new additions to the committee with invaluable guidance and support from a number of the original members. Recognition is most certainly due to the previous committee whose work and dedication has been instrumental to the long running success of the Festival. Louise Talty was appointed Chairperson with Eoin Downes as her Assistant this year and together with this years committee the planning has been underway for the past few months. Sub Committees were created for a number of events including the parade, the brand new fittest friends event, the Dan O’Halloran 5k fun run, vintage rally, craft fair and many others. Credit is also due to our local sporting and community associations who as always provide fantastic facilities and events to support the Festival. The Festival of fun could not have survived for the past …

A KILLALOE Sailing Club member has set sail in his bid to become the first Irish person to complete an around-the-world race known as the “Voyage for Madmen”. Killaloe Sailing Club has wished one of its most well known members, Pat Lawless, the best of luck as he left Crosshaven in Cork on Tuesday to make his way to the starting point for the Golden Globe Race. The 66-year-old, who was born in Limerick, but lives in Kerry, is one of the solo sailors taking on this treacherous challenge. He told Virgin Media in Cork on Tuesday, that undertaking the challenge “was a dream that got hold of him when he was a young fellow”. “The human mind is funny, we all get hooked on something, different kinds of sport, reading, history, and I got stuck in sailing.” A great send off for Pat Lawless KSC member #GGR22⁦@RTESeascapes⁩ ⁦@AfloatMagazine⁩ ⁦@IrishCoastGuard⁩ @irish_sailing Kieran Concannon piping Pat out the gap 👏👏👏👏🇮🇪👍⁦@PatLawless17⁩ pic.twitter.com/77jlObqAoA …

CONSTRUCTING something like the Lahinch Leisure Centre on a new green field site would cost between €17 and €18 million compared to the €6 million it cost to refurbish the existing facility, according to a former manager. Councillor Joe Garrihy said the new revamp, which was done at about 30% of the cost of a new building, represents great value for money. Urging community groups in towns to look at what has been achieved in Lahinch, Councillor Garrihy said a new leisure centre, public toilets, rescue centre, public realm works and upgraded Lahinch Sportsfield are now all within walking distance. “When community, state agencies and stakeholders work together collectively, you can achieve a lot more. We now have a centre that will generate year-round business with tourism providing the cherry on top.” Councillor Garrihy said a state-of-the-art facility had to be provided when the roof started leaking years ago and was close to blowing away. When the Fine Gael councillor …