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Cliffs partners with UL on new tourism research project

Clare County Council has partnered with the University of Limerick (UL) to sponsor a new PhD Scholarship Programme at the Cliffs of Moher Experience. Working with UL’s National Centre For Tourism Policy Studies (NCTPS) and The Kemmy Business School, Ireland’s most visited natural attraction this week welcomed the sponsored PhD student Ernesto Sanchez as part of the tourism research project he will undertake over the next four years.  The structured PhD programme will focus challenges and opportunities of responding to a paradigm shift in the tourism marketplace, including visitor experience, sustainable tourism, destination and visitor management and the role of technology in shaping tourism.  “This programme represents an excellent opportunity to collaborate with the University of Limerick in generating important research that will help to define and shape the future of tourism in Clare,” commented Geraldine Enright, Director of the Cliffs of Moher Experience. Ms. Enright added, “In addition to providing Ernesto a monetary sum to support his academic studies and research, the scholarship …

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Author asks who will bury our dead, as priest numbers decline

THE decline in vocations and the number of priests in the Killaloe Diocese has inspired a pastoral worker to write a new book outlining the need for more lay people to complete clerical duties. “Community at Heart” – who will bury our dead?” examines past community and traditions in the catholic church, current reality, future possibilities and guidelines for pastoral councils. It will be officially launched by well known author, David Rice in the Killaloe Hotel and spa on July 1. Marie O’Connell has been a pastoral worker in the Diocese of Killaloe, a choir member, a dancer in an all-girl troupe, and a voice for women. The University of Limerick administrator says she does her best writing in cafes, on park benches, on any beach, and at home in Ballina/Killaloe. The mother-of-three believes it will not be long before a priest will not be available to attend funerals, so who will? “Priests can’t be everything to everyone all of …

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Gear up for The Great East Clare Hill Challenge

AFTER a lapse of two years due to the Covid pandemic, The 12 O’Clock Hills project team are once  again organising The Great East Clare Hill Challenge.   This is a 30-kilometre, eight-hour strenuous hike, which takes place on Saturday, July 9. The starting point is Two Mike Gate, Killaloe at 8am and the hike finishes at the 12 O’Clock Hills, Belvoir carpark at around 4pm. The hike takes a route to the summit of Moylussa at 532 metres, then across the Sliabh Bearna via Cragnamurragh and the Enchanted Lake. It then descends into Broadford village via O’Shea’s Acre. Light refreshments will be available in the village of Broadford and then onwards to the 12 O’Clock Hills via Hurdlestown, Seefin, Knock na mBuachaillí and Knockaphunta. These are a series of hills with panoramic views across Clare and beyond. The final climb will be The 12 O’Clock Hills at 309 metres and finishing at the Belvoir Carpark, where light refreshment will …

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Three Clare organisations make Lottery Good Causes final

The Irish Red Cross Clare, Lough Grainey Nature Sanctuary and the Clare Local Sports Partnership CLG have been selected among 35 national finalists in the National Lottery Good Causes Awards. The awards honour the inspiring work and achievements of thousands of projects, clubs and individuals from all over Ireland who, with the help of National Lottery Good Causes funding, have had an extraordinary impact on their local communities. Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on National Lottery games goes back to Good Causes all over the country. With the support of a National Lottery HSE Grant, the Irish Red Cross Clare purchased a new community support vehicle which provides free transport to the people of Clare for medical appointments, travelling from all corners of Clare to hospitals all over Ireland. More recently, the Irish Red Cross Clare have also been supporting the Clare Immigrant Support Centre with Ukrainian Refugees. Lough Grainey Nature Sanctuary, is a not-for-profit community organisation that …

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Posing by the brook.

Father’s Day at BrookLodge with Daisy

Early one morning I woofed instructions at my hoomans and we were packed and on our way. I was bringing my Daddy away for Father’s Day so I directed the car up the road. When I told them to come off the motorway at Portlaoise, they knew we were going to one of our favourite places, BrookLodge. I had an ulterior motive, too. I wanted to meet Lewis, the new resident dog. My good friend Oscar crossed rainbow bridge recently and while nobody could ever replace him, I really wanted to meet Lewis. We arrived just in time to get settled and go down for one of their lovely pizzas and as we ate in the bar, I was able to stay. I didn’t get to try the pizza but it smelled delicious. The next morning we were having breakfast on the terrace when who came out for a visit only Lewis. He’s still learning the hotel trade so he’s …

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GALLERY: Saddling up for the 400th Spancilhill Fair

The historic Spancilhill Horse Fair returned on Thursday having been cancelled for the last two years due to the pandemic. It was almost mothballed permanently, due to insurance issues, but in April, an eleventh hour intervention by Clare County Council secured its future and paved the way for celebrations this year to mark the 400th anniversary of the world renowned horse fair. Thursday’s event was as busy and colourful as ever, as our photos show.

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Put your coastline in the frame for photography prize

CLARE’S amateur photographers are being urged to put the county’s coastline and waterways in the frame as Clean Coasts’ launches its annual ‘Love Your Coast’ photography competition. The competition has opened to submissions from Clare photographers for its 13th year. The Love Your Coast competition asks amateur photographers to capture and celebrate the uniqueness of our coastal communities, environments, or waterways such as its stunning coastline, beautiful beaches, epic cliff faces, and raging rivers. Clare has some of the most spectacular coastlines in the world and Clean Coasts want to encourage people to get out their cameras as they explore the Irish coast and capture its beauty. 2021 saw Clare photographer Mike Orth win second place in the Wildlife and Underwater category for his photo entitled Compass by Cave Light that was taken at the entrance to Donegal Point Cave in Kilkee, County Clare. Moreover, Gavin Sheehan with the picture titled Finavarra Under the Night Sky and Piotr Machowczyk with the photograph Mighty Cliffs of Moher were shortlisted …

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Volunteer spirit at Ennis IWA charity shop rewarded

“OUR volunteers are the backbone of what we do,” says Tina Nagle, shop supervisor at the Irish Wheelchair Association’s charity shop in Ennis’ Elevation Business Park. Tina was speaking to The Champion as the shop’s team celebrated scooping an impressive four national awards from the Irish Charity Shop Association, including Volunteer of the Year for Margaret Hurley. And she revealed the success of the Ennis shop, which has expanded to 3,000 square feet at its base on the Clon Road, is set to become the model for any new shops to be opened by the charity in the future. According to Tina they were “thrilled” to receive accolades from the Irish Charity Shop Association at their recent awards ceremony in Dublin. As well as Margaret’s national Volunteer of the Year award, selected from charity shops all over Ireland, volunteer Hasibullah Darwish was runner up in the Volunteer throughout Ireland category; Teresa Marshall received a special Volunteer Recognition award and Tina …

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