West Clare

TWO Clare people have been elected to key roles in an organisation that conducts research with the support and input of people with intellectual disabilities. Brian Hogan from Tulla and Pauline Skehan from Kilrush have just been chosen as members of the Inclusive Research Network of Ireland (IRNI), which to-date has conducted important research in the areas including housing, relationships and social supports.  Both Brian and Pauline are members of the Clare Inclusive Research Group. Brian is now the national network’s new chairperson. He was formerly Chair of the Clare Leader Forum and the Brothers of Charity Clare Advocacy Platform. Pauline, an award-winning presenter with West Clare’s Raidió Corca Baiscínn (RCB), has been appointed to the role of spokesperson.  “I really enjoy research work, advocating for those without a voice, helping them tell us about their lives, encourage people to make their own decisions and choices,” said Pauline, “We recently had our ideas published in two academic journals and now …

A SWEDISH filmmaker, whose work features the legendary piper, Willie Clancy, will return to Miltown Malbay next month for the first time since 1965.  Lennart Malmer travelled to Ireland in the mid-‘60s in search of music. His visit took him into traditional music circles in Dublin, Scariff and on to Miltown, where he filmed in the home of Willie Clancy on the Flag Road. The result of the young Swede’s musical journey is a film called ‘Porter och Pipa’ (Porter and Pipe), described as “a fascinating snapshot of the lives and music of some of the finest musicians in the history of Irish traditional music”.  The short film will be screened on Wednesday, July 6 at 6pm in the Community Centre, with Mr Malmer present.  The highly-regarded filmmaker was traced by Alan Woods of the Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA), who set the ball rolling for the filmmaker’s return visit to West Clare, after an interval of 57 years. Harry …

TWO Kilkee residents have poured cold water on plans by Fáilte Ireland and Clare County Council to locate WC, shower and changing rooms facilities for water-based activities in the town. Serious questions have been raised in an objection lodged with An Bord Pleanála about the proposed location of this development and whether there has been a proper assessment of alternative sites or the use of existing buildings. The submission by Michael Nolan, solicitor and his wife, Mary O’Dowd, East End, Kilkee claimed no evidence has been produced that there is a need for the proposed facility. Their submission also states that the site selection is incorrect, unsuitable and contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. They further claim there are more than sufficient facilities already in existence, both in terms of existing buildings and alternative sites, if it is accepted at all that the proposal is acceptable. This development is based on a proposal from Fáilte …

A WEST Clare artist has been chosen to participate in an inaugural exhibition to platform artists with intellectual disabilities. Brian Cusack from Kilrush is one of ten artists chosen by Connections Arts Centre (CAC) to participate in the bold and innovative exhibition to be held later this month in Dublin’s Royal College of Surgeons. Brian says, “My love of art emerged as a young man and it has grown over the past 15 years. I mostly work with acrylics, and paint a wide variety of subjects, usually from existing images, but more recently I have taken to open-air painting. I am really happy and exciting about exhibiting in the Connections Arts exhibition. “I am so lucky that I and three colleagues are supported to run our own business called ‘Woodwebs’, we have a stall in Kilrush Farmers Market selling woodcraft. It’s a place that is important to me, full of colour, energy and laughter where craft workers and artisan food …

A MEMORIAL sculpture in honour of the children who died in the Clare County Nursery was unveiled this week at Old Shanakyle Graveyard. Speaking at the unveiling local authority CEO Pat Dowling said, “Today is just another step in this council’s effort to accept responsibility for the unconscionable treatment of women and children in this facility, which was managed and funded by Clare County Council.” The event was attended by Ms Breda Murphy of the Tuam Mother and Baby Home Alliance who said after the event, “Today was a very special day, honouring and remembering the lost lives of those who were forgotten for decades. I was honoured to attend and witness the outpouring of love and respect for both the mothers and children of the Kilrush Nursery.” Following a 12-month research and geophysical survey project, the Burial Grounds Unit of Clare County Council identified a large plot at the graveyard which contains a significant number of children’s burials. In …

SIXTH year student, Odhran Cunningham has been awarded the Kilrush Community School Sports Scholarship Award for 2022. Ramona McCarthy, Deputy Principal, Kilrush Community School praised the student saying, “Odhran is a most worthy winner. During his time in KCS, Odhran displayed excellent leadership qualities and no little amount of skill as he represented the school with distinction.” Odhran has represented his club, Kilrush-Killimer, and Clare. He played wing back for the Clare U20 Football team in their recent Munster Championship run, as well as their successful Liam O’Connor Cup campaign earlier on this year. He was selected as Clare FM’s Man of the Match in their final outing against Kerry last month. This annual award is sponsored by Saint Gobain. “Odhran is an excellent role model for our students and we wish him every success in his future sporting and academic endeavours,” the deputy principal concluded.

GARDAI are appealing for the public’s assistance following a stabbing in Kilrush over the weekend. On Saturday night, May 28, a man in his mid-30s presented at Kilrush Garda Station with a stab wound to his lower back. He outlined that at 10.50 p.m. at Crawford Street, Kilrush, he was stabbed from the rear by an unknown male. He was removed by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick for treatment. If anyone was in the area of Crawford Street around this time and witnessed this incident or anyone that may have dash cam footage gardai are asking them to contact Kilrush Garda Station on 9080550.

CLARE County Council’s policy of leaving grass to grow long on public land during May, might be a boost to biodiversity, but not everyone is wild about it. The council has signed up to ‘No Mow May’, leaving lands in its charge largely untouched, to allow pollinating plants and weeds to flourish and offer a helping hand to bees. The policy has not gone down well in one Kilrush estate however, which has seen its children’s play area become overgrown and unusable. James Coughlan, who lives in Island View estate, said he did not have a problem with pro-biodiversity policies, as such, but a more nuanced approach was necessary. “I’d understand if we were in Manhattan or some other concrete jungle and we had to preserve some areas for the bees, but we’re in west Clare, there are thousands of acres of fields all around us, we have a big park close by as well. “Children’s play areas need to …