East Clare

A QUIN man has been appointed as one of Ireland’s first digital ambassador for Active Retirement Ireland.  After a rigorous tech training programme, Eugene Philips was conferred with the prestigious honour at a special event at the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin. The 75-year-old will now lead a series of free digital skills classes for older people in the community. The initiative is part of the Vodafone Ireland Foundation Hi Digital programme, in partnership with Active Retirement Ireland and ALONE. Over the past three months, Eugene has undergone intensive technology training, Hi Digital train-the-trainer training and Hi Digital platform training. “I think for a lot of older people with low or no digital literacy, they perhaps feel as though getting online is too big a task or they’re too far behind,” said Mr Philips. “You don’t have to be a tech whizz — technology these days is designed to be easy for people to use and the Hi Digital …

A TRACTOR run through East Clare has been a huge success and raised more than €20,000 for two charities.  The Light the Way tractor run was held just before Christmas to support Milford Hospice and Pieta House. The after-dark event attracted a total of 170 tractors and trucks who travelled from Gurteen GAA Grounds in Doora through Quin to Newmarket-on-Fergus and back. The convoy was lit in an array of Christmas lights and decorations, much to the delight of the hundreds of spectators who lined the route.  The event was organised by Tomás Meade from Quin, along with seven friends, all aged 19 and 20, and past pupils of St Flannan’s College, Ennis. Now a student of Automotive Engineering at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), Tomás and his friends had originally hoped to run the event in 2020. “The idea came about in 2020 when we were in lockdown we were wondering what we could do with our time and …

THERE was great joy and pride in the parish of Tulla on Sunday morning last as the community  welcomed home Bishop Ger Nash for his first official visit to his native parish since being appointed as Bishop of Ferns last year.  The Glandree native was ordained last September at St Aidan’s Cathedral in Enniscorthy, but Covid restrictions meant many friends and neighbours were unable to attend. The homecoming provided a welcome opportunity for catching up, good wishes and congratulations. Bishop Ger was the main celebrant at the Sunday morning mass in Saint Peter and Paul’s Church in Tulla. The celebration was attended by a a large cross section of the community, including former classmates from Drumcharley and Tulla National Schools as well as from Saint Joseph’s Secondary School, where the Bishop Ger received his early education. The Harty Cup, so recently won by his Alma Mater, had a special place in the sanctuary. Also present were a group of the …

MOUNTSHANNON is celebrating an award of more than €50,000 from The Town and Village Renewal Fund. Within days of lodging plans for an outdoor pavilion at Aistear Park, Mountshannon Community Council received positive news and a sum of €54,860 after a detailed application for government funding.  In a statement, the Community Council said: Thanks to Minister Heather Humphreys of the  Department of Rural and Community Development. “Thanks to Clare County Council and especially Seamus Murrihy, Killaloe Municipal Community Development Officer who has supported Mountshannon Community Council through this whole process. Congratulations to all the communities and hardworking committees who have been successful. Best of luck to all!” Noting the funding allocation, Deputy Cathal Crowe said the plan was a model for other communities looking to develop similar recreational amenities. “Importantly, this will be made using sustainable, low-maintenance materials so it will be environmentally friendly and an example to other communities looking to do similar,” he said.  Making the funding announcement …

A FEAKLE publican is to be remembered in song and story later this month as the community mourns his passing. Michael (Mickey) Naughton passed away, suddenly, at his home in Kilclaran on February 18, bringing a cloud of sadness to his local area and beyond.  Broadcaster Paula Carroll paid tribute to the late publican and farmer on her Wednesday night edition of Clare FM’s ‘The West Wind’, recalling his great hospitality and warm personality. On her show on March 9, she will broadcast excerpts from a live-music programme recorded 15 years ago in his popular pub. Mickey hosted one of Paula’s now famous ‘Kitchen Sessions’ live shows in his much-loved premises. The programme is part of a series broadcast live from the homes of music lovers across Clare and featured the best of song and dance from East Clare and North Galway, including Charlie Harris, Des Mulkere and Tom Neilan. The event saw Naughton’s packed to the rafters and full …

THE highly popular seed swapping events return to Scariff on Sunday next (March 6), offering an opportunity to learn new skills and contribute to the promotion of biodiversity.  A Community Seed Exchange will be hosted by Irish Seed Savers at its leafy gardens in Capparoe. The event will run over two time-slots, starting at 12pm and again at 2pm, and will present the chance to for individuals, families, gardening and community groups to come together to share and swap seeds. Those intending to join are invited to bring any spare or saved seeds to share and swap with other growers. From the rare to the everyday varieties all kinds of seeds are welcome. This event will help promote biodiversity and, through the sharing seeds, a more resilient food system is created. Irish Seed Savers is delighted to be able to open to in-person visits and events, after the restrictions that the pandemic brought. “The past two years have really highlighted …

AN Bord Pleanála has rejected an appeal against the granting of planning permission for a development near Mountshannon, writes Dan Danaher. Last June, Clare County Council granted Declan White and Ann Gitte Oerbaek planning permission for a development, subject to four standard conditions, which was subsequently appealed by their neighbour, Jim Grady of Cappaduff, Moutshannon. Permission was sought for retention of lean-to sunroom extension to east elevation of the existing studio building to the north/front of the site; kitchen extension to the east elevation of the existing dwelling house; converted lean-to structure from storage to bathroom and dressing room with extension to existing sunroom on the west elevation of the existing dwelling house. Approval was also requested for rainwater storage tank and associated structures located to the south/rear of the existing dwelling house; retention of terraced area and glass balustrade over rainwater storage tank; new road entrance onto R352 road and associated wing walls; upgraded farm roadway from new road …

THE generous spirt of a young Scariff woman is to be remembered in a donation programme to support charities in East Clare. The annual charitable initiative of Derg Credit Union will honour one of its late members, Lasairfhíona Kennedy. The credit union invites charities operating within the common bond to enter an application process for a chance to obtain €5,000 for their charity. The amount allocated to the fund is decided by the board each year. This year’s winners are the East Clare St Vincent De Paul, “a very worthy cause in light of the difficult times we are in,” a spokesperson said.  In 2021, Lasairfhíona, a young member of the Credit Union, sadly passed away. Lasairfhíona, saved her money in a Jar she called ‘The Helping Hand’. The proceeds of the jar were regularly lodged to her credit union account and then sent by cheque to her various charities. The name of her jar reflected a theme ‘The Giving …