Regional

‘PAINTING is a Treasure’ is the title of the upcoming solo exhibition, by Carmel Daly which opens at the start of next month at the Courthouse Gallery in Kinvara. Carmel’s motto and philosophy is that “painting is a treasure and a pleasure,” and it is and adage she has lived by. Carmel is a visual artist, born in Galway and living locally. Her work is mainly representative of everyday life and scenes which she paints in vibrant colours. Her work is inspired by the beauty of the Burren, from observing rural pastures and pastimes, and people at their work and leisure. Well known in the Banner, Carmel is a former librarian with Clare County Libraries. She has facilitated access and provision for arts and creativity. Carmel helped to implement library policy to support community and cultural organisations, as well as promoting cultural events in Ennis and Shannon Libraries. Believing in access and provision of information, education and recreation, Carmel encouraged arts and …

THE natural beauty of Loop Head and its rich biodiversity will be showcased this weekend through a wide range of activities. Wild Loop Head’s Nature Weekend 2022 will take place on June 18 and 19 and draws on a number of diverse attractions on the peninsula. It is supported by the efforts of Loop Head Peninsula Together, Purecamping, Carsten Krieger Photographer and Author and sponsored by Wild Atlantic Hemp and Hemp4Soil. On June 18, the day will begin at 10am with a walk and talk hosted by Cormac McGinley of Cormac’s Coast, observing the Loop Head bird colonies such as fulmars, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and choughs. Tickets are €25. McGinley has degrees in zoology and marine biology, and is an expert on all coastal wildlife, running tours and talks around the Cliffs of Moher all year round. This will be followed by a talk by Mary Kate Bolger of Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt at 2pm at Halla Eoin Kilbaha, while Kilkee Sub-Aqua …

GORT Cancer Support is about to mark a decade and a half assisting those living with the disease. This Friday, the organisation will celebrate 15 years supporting those affected by a cancer diagnosis in the South Galway and North Clare communities. Gort Cancer Support will also host an official opening for its newly extended premises at Hollyblue House, Garrabeg, at 7pm. Gort Cancer Support first opened its doors in June 2007 and moved to their permanent address in Garrabeg in 2012. The newly extended premises was completed in 2020, but was not officially opened until now due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The official opening will be followed by a Thanksgiving Mass at 7.30pm and an evening of music, dance and refreshments. Gort Cancer Support extended its thanks to Galway Rural Development for contributing to the sponsorship of the event. All are welcome on the evening. Gort Cancer Support offers a confidential community based support service to anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis in the South Galway/North …

PEOPLE in Killaloe have been urged to cast their votes to elect up to nine new community councillors for the town. Candidates for election are invited to contact the chairperson, Graham Lightfoot, at killaloecommunitycouncil@gmail.com for nomination papers, which will have to be returned by this Friday June 17. A new Community Council in Killaloe has now been incorporated and registered with the Companies Registration Office as a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) under the auspices of Muintir na Tíre, which supports the establishment and development of community councils throughout Ireland. According to the Census, the electorate in the Killaloe Electoral Division comprises of about 1,600 eligible voters, who will be able to vote electronically and in person at a location during the last weekend in June. A steering group is now preparing for the initial election of up to nine community councillors, which will take place on June 24 to 27, with the results being announced on Sunday, July 10. …

THE partner of Clare independent TD, Violet Anne Wynne has lost most of his teeth from severe epileptic seizures in the past. That is according to solicitor for John Montaine (40), Patrick Moylan who told a court that Mr Montaine has been seizure free for the past six years arising from him taking a cannabis derivative, THC oil. At Kilrush District Court, Judge Mary Larkin imposed a fine of €100 after Mr Montaine pleaded guilty to the illegal possession of cannabis at the family home at Pella Road, Kilrush, on February 11 last year. Judge Larkin also imposed a third driving ban on Mr Montaine after his third conviction for driving with no insurance. Sergeant Louis Moloney told the court that Mr Montaine has 16 previous convictions and they include two for driving with no insurance dating from June 2014 when Mr Montaine was banned from driving for two years and in 2012 when he received a one-year driving ban. …

EXPANSION is on the cards at Beckman Coulter’s O’Callaghan’s Mills plant, with the company seeking permission for facilities to accommodate an additional 60 staff. Details of the new jobs are revealed in a planning application currently being considered by Clare County Council. The medical diagnostics company is looking to create additional first floor laboratory and office space, as well as a new roof plant area at its existing eastern warehouse. The planning application has stated that an 60 additional staff will be added to its existing 420-strong workforce, and will occupy the new extension. A planning report, from DRA Consulting Engineers, outlined that the first floor area would more than treble in size, if given the go ahead. On the issue of the visual impact, the report stated that this would be minimal as most of the new development would be located internally, within an existing structure. A new roof plant area, of 80 square metres, would have the most …

THE chair of Clare Labour is among objectors to plans for the construction of housing in Lahinch, saying the proposal should be refused until the local sewage treatment system is improved. John Talty Construction Ltd has applied to Clare County Council for planning permission to construct a development of eight houses, comprising six detached and two semi-detached homes together with all associated site development works, wastewater pre-treatment and connections to public services at Cill Stuifin, School Road, Attycristora, Lahinch. Objecting to the plans, Denis Vaughan who in January was elected chair of the Labour Party in Clare, argues, “There are reports of people swimming at that place becoming ill because of untreated sewage in the water. “For that reason permission should be refused until the sewage treatment system is improved. I also believe the Lahinch water supply is inadequate and that is another reason to believe the application must be rejected at this time.” He outlines that a recent application …

FUNGI are the inspiration for a new exhibition which celebrates our connections to each other and to the natural world.  Entitled ‘Mycorrhizal Connections’, the show, curated by Kinvara Area Visual Artists (KAVA) member Hugh Murphy, will present works by 18 artists. Mycorrhizal fungi form mutualistic symbiotic relationships with plants and trees, without which this network would not survive. Not only do we share almost half of our  DNA with these fungi, our future is entirely dependent on their contribution to a healthy planet. Artists Helen Roberts Greene, Louise O’Boyle, Heather Watson, Roisin Doherty, Deirdre Crowley, Anne Greene, Caoilfhionn Ní Cheallaigh, Maria Donegan, Tonita O’Dwyer, Katie Burke, Toireasa Ward, Emer MacDermott, Megan Lucy, Beatrice Stapleton, Áine Doherty,  Hugh Murphy, Herminia Ayala Reyes, Laura Angell all reflect on the connections these phenomenal fungi create, as they draw together all the elements in the natural world. They also explore how we, through our own personal connections, depend on and support those around us. …