Regional

BURREN in Bloom, the annual celebration of the Burren’s rich biodiversity returns this May. The event, running from Thursday, May 19 to Sunday, May 22 will include a range of guided walks, evening talks and family events to coincide with the UN International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22. Áine Bird, Coordinator of Burrenbeo Trust says, “Burren in Bloom is more than a celebration, it is an important reminder that the wonder of the Burren’s wildflowers must not be taken for granted. “Careful management and continuation of the ancient practice of winterage by hundreds of farmers in the Burren, the scientific and economic support they receive, and the informed pride of the local community in our natural heritage – all play a crucial part in keeping the Burren blooming each year.” This year, the festival will start with an online talk on the evening of Thursday, May 19 on ‘Nature as a partner – changing attitudes to nature and …

CAHER-based artist Jane Seymour has teamed up with will fellow ceramics specialist, Mike Byrne, for an exciting new exhibition at Kenny’s Gallery in Galway. The show, entitled, ‘Forms and Surface’ opens on May 6 and will include some stunning pieces with a range of different inspirations. Jane is a self-taught artist and ceramist while Mike trained in Ceramic Design in Limerick. Their work shares a commonality in its use of strong, slab-built, cut and altered sculptural forms, and refined surface treatment. Mike builds tall abstract vessels, applying layers of different coloured slips, which he sands down to reveal the colours beneath, giving a smooth tactile surface. Jane textures each piece, etching deeply into the surface of the clay with her drawings, inspired by an interest in the figurative, and uses oxides to colour her work. “Although our work differs from each other and we come from very different backgrounds as far as training, we both make strong, collectable, sculptural pieces …

A GROUP of residents who have come together to promote Doora village and make the area a better place to live, work and visit are calling for a change in the locality’s status in the draft County Development Plan 2023-2029. The Doora Community Development Group are seeking, under a submission to the County Development Plan review, a change of the status of Noughaval from a ‘Cluster’ to ‘Small Village’ status and that the village be referred to as Doora. Among the issues highlighted by the group in their submission has been motorists speeding through the village, which they say is “now a serious issue for public safety”. A recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard councillors voice their support, pointing out that a change in the zoning could support efforts to reduce speed limits in the locality. Former mayor Councillor Johnny Flynn has made his own submission outlining his support for the residents and stating that Doora village is …

POLISH photographer Beata Rosik who is based in Ennis has been awarded the TONES Studio Residency Award. This award, announced by Clare Arts Office, will provide Beata with access to a shared studio facility at the EASI (Ennis Access to Spaces Initiative) artist studios in Ennis for 12 months, a small production budget and supports needed to progress her work and her career. Arts advisor, Moran Been-noon, will work with Beata to provide the most appropriate support. Beata Rosik originally worked as a primary school teacher for 12 years in her native Poland. Since 2007, she has been living in Ennis. Not long after arriving in Ireland, Beata was diagnosed with cancer. During her treatment and recovery she discovered a passion for photography. Her style developed and, using her life experiences and current affairs for ideas, she found techniques to bring her own signature style of art to her photographs. This style resulted recently in two gold medals in the …

A PACKED Cooraclare Hall witnessed renowned historian and author, Eoin Shanahan, formally launch the booklet on the War of Independence in West Clare last week. Mr Shanahan described the booklet as a lasting tribute to the men and women who had made a significant contribution to sovereign independence. He praised the members of the area committees who had organised commemoration events in 2021 and had contributed articles to the booklet. The launch had a very poignant moment when two young boys, Rory Shanahan, great grandnephew of activist Willie Shanahan, and Conor Larkin, grandson of JT Larkin, lit the commemoration candle to the memory of all volunteers from every townland and district in west Clare. A minute’s silence was observed and this was followed by a moving rendition of ‘Mise Éire’ by Conor and Gráinne Fennell. A well-deserved standing ovation was accorded to the commemoration chairman, JT Larkin, for overseeing 16 separate commemoration events across west Clare. Mr Larkin said that …

LANDOWNERS along the route of the proposed Greenway from Scariff/Tuamgraney to Limerick are being given an assurance that the development will follow best practice guidelines on consultation. Following a briefing for Oireachtas members last Tuesday, Deputy Michael McNamara said that a code of practice, which has been drawn up in conjunction with several stakeholders, including farming representative bodies, will be followed. “Waterways Ireland have stated that they will be using the code for the development of greenways,” he said. “That provides a reassurance that landowner concerns will be given due consideration at every stage in this development. The Scariff to Limerick Greenway is a very exciting project. I’m delighted that it is now progressing and that community consultation is currently underway. I pushed, in particular for the development of the Errina Canal element during my previous term as a TD.” The Scariff man also expressed hopes that potential issues in the area of Parteen Weir could be addressed, through negotiation …

LEAKAGE issues are set to be water under the bridge in central Ennis according to Irish Water as the town gets ready for a makeover. With Clare County Council due to progress with the town’s public realm enhancement project, Irish Water is set to commence vital infrastructure upgrades ahead of these improvements. Before all that works gets underway, Irish Water will replace aged watermains at High Street, Bank Place, O’Connell Square and O’Connell Street, with the aim of providing a more reliable water supply, reducing high levels of leakage and improving water quality. The works, being carried out as part of Irish Water’s National Leakage Reduction Programme, involve the replacement of over 680m of aged cast iron watermains with new modern pipes and is a continuation of the works completed on Parnell Street in 2019. The programme to replace the watermains is due to commence in mid-May. The section of works will take place from High Street through O’Connell Square/Bank …

THE Shannon Apostolic Work Society held its final display at St Patrick’s Comprehensive last weekend. Mai Farrell was involved with the organisation right throughout its 33 year existence. “We started it in 1989, it was Father Pat Mulcahy who started us off actually, he was here in Shannon at that time.” Speaking about the activities over the years, she said, “We raised money for the missions, we made vestments, we did knitting and crochet, we got people to donate sacred vessels, which we would send to the Missions. They could be dedicated to the dead or the living, if they liked. We’ve done all of that over the years.” She says it doesn’t seem like 33 years since they first got started. “When you look back it seems like no length of time, but it is a long time.” While most of the work was done alone, the members still came together quite regularly. “Everybody worked at home, but we …