North Clare

THE condition of a North Clare cemetery has been branded “a thundering disgrace”, amid concerns over arrangements for its upkeep and maintenance. The Holy Rosary Cemetery in Doolin is one of two local burial grounds and is located around a mile from the centre of the village. Among those who visit the graveyard are fans of Micho Russell, and before the pandemic, the late musician’s grave was the site of a wreath-laying ceremony during the Russell Festival Weekend. “At this stage, the grass is growing over the walls from the outside in and the inside out,” local man John Flaherty told The Champion. “Grass is cut in part of the cemetery and it’s just left there. The other side is out-of-hand altogether.” Mr Flaherty acknowledged recent clean-up efforts, undertaken with the support of the county council, but expressed concerns over long-term arrangements. “Councillor Joe Garrihy helped us by getting gravel to put on the paths,” he said. “A few months …

AN APPEAL has been made for a ban on further onshore windfarm development in North and West Clare, writes Fiona McGarry. Councillor Ian Lynch has described the West Clare Municipal District (WCMD) as “saturated with windfarms”. Addressing the July meeting of the district, he warned that the landscape and the viability of rural communities could be destroyed unless such a ban is imposed. The Independent member also said that with the future development of offshore wind energy infrastructure at the Moneypoint site, the need for more onshore facilities no longer exists. “West Clare is saturated with windfarms already and allowing planning permission for more of these developments will irreversibly destroy the natural landscape, the scenic beauty and the viability of rural communities,” Councillor Lynch said. The Kilrush native noted that the currently County Development Plan has designated the area as strategic in terms of wind energy production, but said members are now working to remove that designation. “This is not …

A FREE interactive mobile app has been launched for those visiting or planning to visit the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience in County Clare. With free Wi-Fi available throughout the main visitor centre building and viewing platforms, visitors will be able to access a range of information about the Cliffs of Moher via their smartphone. The app also contains 13 audio tracks narrated by Conor Tallon and features contributions from people with extensive knowledge of the rich history, geology, flora and fauna of Ireland’s most visited natural attraction. For Android users – https://t.co/1HaQWZ2Q0m For Apple Users – https://t.co/7JHqjEbGtZ — Cliffs of Moher (@CliffsofMoherIE) July 29, 2021 Bobby Kerr, Chairperson of the Board of the Cliffs of Moher Centre Ltd., commented, “A key feature of the new app is to educate visitors and to significantly improve visitor experience while on-site, but also in the pre- and post-stages of their visit. It will be effective in providing information to helping guests find …

COUNTERFEIT viagra tablets estimated to be worth €65,000, posted to an address in Ennistymon were ultimately destined for a sex shop in Lithuania, a court has heard. Ennis District Court heard that 13,160 tablets, falsely branded Pfizer viagra, were intercepted by customs officers at the DHL facility in Shannon on April 17, 2018. Alan Smullen, enforcement officer with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), told the court the package was addressed to an address at Bow Lane Ennistymon. The court heard the address was searched under warrant and the man living there, Mindaugas Maksimavicius (41), made certain admissions under caution. Mr Smullen said Maksimavicius said that he was expecting a package from China and he was to forward the package to a friend in Lithuania. In a second interview under caution, Maksimavicius, told officers that his friend in Lithuania contacted him a number of months previously via Facebook. The court heard the friend wanted Maksimavicius to accept a package because …

A JUDGE has told two men involved in a boundary row that “life is too short for neighbours to be having disagreements”, writes Gordon Deegan. Despite head-butting his 71-year-old neighbour, Rory Murphy (46), of Clifden, Corofin, was cleared unanimously by the jury at Ennis Circuit Court of assault causing harm. Mr Murphy was acting in self defence, having been hit on the head with a hammer by John Fisher, also of Clifden, Corofin, on January 15, 2019. Judge Brian O’Callaghan added his hope that “some of the issues between you can be resolved”. At the end of the two-day trial, Judge O’Callaghan told Mr Murphy: “You came to court an innocent man and you leave this court today an innocent man.” In a voluntary interview with Gardai, Mr Murphy did admit head-butting Mr Fisher at the boundary site but stated that this was in self defence after Mr Fisher hit him with a hammer across the head. Mr Murphy of …

KINVARA Area Visual Artists (KAVA) is opening the doors of the Courthouse for an exhibition of drawings and paintings by Terri Kelleher, which contemplate the concept of home. The Ballinderreen-based artist and children’s book illustrator created most the pieces this year and last, and the exhibition, entitled ‘Home’, will run from July 23 to 30. “Most of us have spent so much time at home over the last year-and-a-half and it’s something that we have almost taken for granted,” Terri said. “The exhibition looks at how important this space is to us. It’s somewhere that we should have a sense of safety and be free to find ourselves. Home is usually the place where our loved ones are. It could be linked to our ancestral story and should be our anchor in this world. The drawings and paintings in this exhibition touch on the idea of our connection to familiar places and we often think of home as being a …

THE Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to the impact of Covid-19, it has been confirmed. The event, which takes place in the north Clare town every year and attracts tens of thousands of visitors from across Ireland and the world, had been due to take place across the whole month of September. Festival organiser Marcus White said, “As the Government have advised that there should be no large-scale indoor events until the whole population has been vaccinated, this year’s Lisdoonvarna Festival has regrettably been cancelled.” He noted that many people, especially younger ones, will not be fully vaccinated before the end of September. “All our events are staged inside including the country music marquee which can accommodate up to 2,000 people which is not permissible under current guidelines,” said Mr White. “We would not be able to manage the very large crowds that normally throng our small town for a month.” …

HISTORICAL tales of Viking invaders, salvaged ships and seafarers are among the exciting items that have been compiled as part of a new heritage website for Scattery Island. Inis Cathaigh (SIHG) sits snugly on the Shannon Estuary, 2km from Kilrush, and is the site of a sixth century monastery founded by St Senan. According to historical record, the island has been occupied since the 5th Century. This long and noble history is showcased on the new website, which highlights many items of historical and archaeological interest. For those who love history, folklore, legends or just a good story, this community archive website showcases and celebrates the long and varied past of Scattery Island. The island is also a place of great natural beauty. It is home to the ruins of seven churches, a round tower, sacred well, Napoleonic battery, lighthouse, and the remains of the last settlers’ homes and village. SIHG was set up in 2012 with the aim of …