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East Clare

Killaloe’s Lua Festival celebrates relationship with water

KILLALOE has been lauded as a crucial hub along the River Shannon by a well-known senior waterways manager. Speaking at a media event to preview the Lua End of Season Celebration in Killaloe this weekend, Waterways Ireland regional manager, Eanna Rowe said the future development of this hub is outlined in the Shannon Tourism Masterplan, which was completed by Waterways Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and officials in ten local authorities. “One of the best ways of putting places like Killaloe on the shop window is through festivals like Lua. Waterways Ireland are delighted to support the Lua Festival. “This is in addition to the bricks and mortar development work we carry out as well. It is great to see Lua getting off the ground at last. Covid-19 got in the way previously. Hopefully this festival will go from strength to strength.” Mr Rowe said it is great to see so many elements of the waterside and waterways community coming together in …

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Inis Cealtra centre ‘poor value’ says Holy Island OPW caretaker

AN East Clare boat operator, who been conducting tours to Holy Island for 32 years, has questioned whether Clare County Council’s purchase of the old Mountshannon Rectory represents a value for money deal. Described by the council as a “landmark tourism project” on the banks of Lough Derg, plans were lodged for a proposed new Inis Cealtra (Holy Island) visitor centre in the heart of Mountshannon village last February and were adopted by the council last May. The Old Rectory Visitor Centre building will comprise a reception area, three exhibition areas interpreting stories from Mountshannon and the island of Inis Cealtra as well as a community/co-working space and a revitalised Rectory Garden. Councillors were told at the January meeting of Killaloe Municipal District this visitor centre is expected to be operational by early to mid-2023. The Visitor Experience project to interpret the 41-acres island is a collaborative initiative involving the council, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands (Fáilte Ireland), Waterways Ireland, the Office …

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Hero’s welcome for Michael as he Brings Aga Khan Trophy home

THE man who managed Ireland to their first Nations Cup victory in seven years at the RDS Dublin Horse Show last month was accorded a hero’s welcome as he brought the world renowned Aga Khan trophy home to Tuamgraney on Wednesday evening. Michael Blake was lauded by senior officials from the RDS and Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) for the key role he played as Chef d’Équipe in leading Team Ireland to victory in the prestigious showjumping event. This coveted show jumping trophy was presented to, Michael, and his team, by President Michael D Higgins in August. It followed a nail-biting jump-off against France in front of a capacity audience at the RDS. This thrilling victory ensured the return of the Aga Khan Cup to Ireland after a seven-year gap. Michael was joined by two members of Team Ireland – Tipperary’s Max Wachman and Meath’s Cian O’Connor. Hundreds of spectators packed the East Clare Memorial Park, with many watching from outside …

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Plans for Sixmilebridge supermarket stalled

PLANS for the development of a new supermarket in Sixmilebridge have been put on hold by Clare County Council. The site for the proposed supermarket is the old Arch Ballroom, a famous dance hall in the showband era. It was converted to an auction rooms as well as a cinema on the first floor in the nineties. The local authority has requested the developer to submit a substantial amount of new information about the impact of the plan on what is a protected structure in the village. This comes after five residents sent in submissions to the local planning authority supporting the new development. JCCMC Limited Ballybunion has lodged a planning application seeking permission to change the use of the Auction Room to a new supermarket including a retail area, café, off-licence, store, goods loading area, as well as elevation changes to the existing building. In its request for Further Information, the planning authority has asked the applicant to submit …

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GALLERY: Lough Derg area makes big impression on Quest athletes

MORE than 1,300 competitors flocked to the shores of Lough Derg on Saturday to participate in the return to east Clare of a major adventure race. Last weekend saw the second staging of Quest Lough Derg, an arduous challenge for athletes in Killaloe and Ballina following the inaugural event in 2019. Fine weather, with temperatures reaching 22 degrees, allowed athletes and supporters to maximise Quest Lough Derg and its stunning location, sold-out since August. The race makes itself accessible to athletes on all levels, from beginners to experienced racers, with its three routes: the 22km ‘Challenge’, the 45km ‘Sport’ and the 69km ‘Expert’, starting and finishing at various points in Killaloe and Ballina. Competitors were able to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Tountinna, Garrykennedy, Ballycuggaran and Moylussa. After the event, competitors were treated to hot food, music and a festival-like atmosphere at the finish line. The winners of the Expert Route were Shaun Stewart and Laura O’Driscoll. The Sport Route …

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‘It is very fulfilling when you complete a rescue with the team’

SEEING the relief in people’s faces after being rescued from stranded vessels has been very rewarding, according to a local Killaloe Coast Guard volunteer. Audrey Kenny and her husband Jason were recently honoured for their more than 20 years’ combined service as volunteers by the Irish Coast Guard. She told The Champion that people really appreciate being rescued when vessels run aground or cut out the lake. Coastal Unit Sector Manager, Damien Kelleher presented ten-year service medals to Jason and Audrey Kenny at Pier Head, Killaloe recently. Audrey is the longest serving female member of the unit, who has completed all the necessary training qualifications. The second female member is Lucy Whenday, who joined the unit a few years ago. Since Audrey joined ten years ago, she recalled three or four women had joined and subsequently left the unit. Most of the group who joined with them more than 10 years ago have left for different reasons. In May 2012, …

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Beekeeping means business in east Clare

A YOUNG East Clare man, who runs a thriving beekeeping supplies shop, is a proof that it’s good advice to ‘bloom where you are planted’.   After his family moved from Holland to Tuamgraney, 23 years ago, Chris Jeuken, found his niche working with the skills and resources that nature gave him. He credits his father, Harry, an organic farmer, with inspiring him to be a self-starter. Chris moved from making and selling chicken coops, at the age of 14, to beekeeping and, most recently, to producing high-quality bee hives. His business, Apis Bee Supplies, which he started in 2017, as “a way to keep busy on wet days”, now boasts 2,000 customers nationwide. Chris admitted that adjusting to a new language and country, at the age of five, was a bit overwhelming. “Now it’s home,” he said. “There is less stress here and I like the friendliness and openness of the people, the greenness and the beauty.” Chris attended …

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