Tag Archives: hallowe’en

THE Clare Champion was a very scary place on Thursday morning when dozens of children from Ennis National School visited to mark Halloween. The pupils were themselves dressed very scarily for the occasion, while Clare Champion staff were transformed into witches, ghosts and skeletons. While it was an exceptionally scary scene, the children were delighted when they heard that there was plenty of chocolate, sweets and taytos to help them come to terms with their ghostly surroundings.  

Clare County Fire and Rescue Service responded to two bonfire incidents on Halloween night. Both incidents occurred in the Cloughleigh area of Ennis. The overall cost associated with the call out of the Fire Service to these incidents was approximately €2,000. The cost associated with the clean-up of the bonfire sites has not yet been determined. Denis O’Connell, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer, said: “There was a significant reduction in the number of callouts this Halloween compared to previous years which is partly down to a combination of wet weather and increasing fire safety and environmental awareness amongst the general public.” “As well as being illegal, uncontrolled backyard burning and bonfires pose a significant risk to property and public safety and therefore, we would like to acknowledge the public for their cooperation and for heeding our safety advice issued during recent weeks.” Meanwhile, Clare County Fire and Rescue Service took part in a river rescue in Ennis on Halloween night. …

Pupils of Ennis NS and The Holy Family schools visited The Clare Champion office earlier today gfor their fill of festive fun, treats and entertainment.

TO the ancient Celts, the year had two ‘hinges’. These were Beltaine (the first of May) and Samhain, (the first of November), which is also the traditional Celtic New Year. These two days were the most magical, and often frightening, times of the whole year. The Irish and Scots Celts began celebrating Samhain more than 2,000 years ago. Samhain marked the time cattle were brought in from their summer grazing to their winter fold. By that stage, the harvest was done and food stored. The gods were petitioned to protect the cattle during the long, hard winter. Samhain is also the night of the Great Sabbat for the witches (Ban-Druidh, in Scots Gaelic). On Hallowmas, all the witches of Scotland gather together to celebrate, prophesy and cast their spells. Tradition has it that on this night, they can be seen flying through the air on broomsticks with black cats, ravens or horses on their wild Hallowmas Ride. Some say the …

Age Action is urging people to keep an eye on their older neighbours tomorrow night (Saturday). Justin Moran, head of advocacy and communications at Age Action, said,”Halloween can be a distressing time for many older people, especially those living alone, with people setting off bangers and fireworks or large crowds coming to the door after dark. “We would encourage people to keep an eye on your older neighbours, particularly if you are out trick-or-treating with children tomorrow night, to ensure they are not being bothered.

The Asthma Society of Ireland is urging people of all ages, with asthma and allergies, to take special care this Halloween and be mindful of the triggers that can worsen their symptoms. Hallowe’en can be a dangerous time for asthma sufferers, especially children, as there are many common triggers that will be magnified by its activities, worsening asthma symptoms. In Ireland, asthma affects one in 10 adults, and one in five children. Approximately one person a week dies as a result of asthma, yet 90% of these deaths are preventable. John Holohan, Asthma Society head of communications said, “Changes in weather, excitement and certain foods coupled with additional triggers such as smoke from bonfires and fireworks can all affect respiratory conditions, making Halloween a tricky time for asthma and allergy sufferers, especially children. Top Hallowe’en asthma tips: Make sure you or your child’s reliever (blue) is available at all times. Make sure that new Hallowe’en costumes do not contain latex. …

ALTHOUGH fireworks are illegal in Ireland, we are all too aware of them as early as October. Each year we are asked to keep our pets indoors or locked away safe, and each year the veterinary practices all over Ireland are full of dogs and cats that have become victims to fireworks, bonfires and their own terror. Our pets are terrified of the noise and can be driven to extreme behaviour. Some will go off their food, hide for days under the bed or in other small spaces. Some will bite and growl at their well-meaning owners trying to comfort them; this can result in the poor dog being thrown out into a much more terrifying environment.Some poor dogs are so frightened that they run off to get away from the noise and get lost, many ending up in the dog pound or worse, under a car. Desensitising your dog to the noise of fireworks can take months and a …

MOST of us are too busy organising our own affairs to even consider Hallowe’en and the misery caused by fireworks. Each year, we are asked to keep our pets indoors or locked away safe and, each year, veterinary practices all over Ireland are full of dogs and cats that have become victims to fireworks, bonfires and their own terror. Pets are terrified of the noise and can be driven to extreme behaviour. Some will go off their food, hide for days under the bed or in other small spaces. Some will bite and growl at their well-meaning owners trying to comfort them; this can result of the poor dog being thrown out into a much more terrifying environment. Some dogs are so frightened that they run off to get away from the noise and get lost, many ending up in the dog pound or, worse, under a car. There is help at hand but, to give your dog the best …