THE Mid-West Health Service Executive has started a validation process of waiting lists at the Regional Orthopaedic Hospital in Croom, Limerick, following reports there are 10,347 public patients on the outpatient waiting list at the hospital.

Minister of State for Public and Commuter Transport, Alan Kelly has outlined the necessity to examine and revise the current delivery mechanisms and structures of the rural transport programme.

SUPPORT for keeping Clare ‘Guaranteed Fracking Free’ was voiced by members of the Environmental and Water Services Strategic Policy Committee this week. At the meeting on Monday Kilmaley-based anti-fracking campaigner Sarah Akamine highlighted her concerns about the controversial means of extracting natural gas from rock.

EDITORIAL The more things change, the more they remain the same.  

IRELAND’S biggest chess event, the Bunratty International Chess Festival, is underway with world number seven Veselin Topalov taking part.

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  They’re the unsung heroes of Ennis, people who give of their time selflessly without seeking reward or recognition. But their voluntary work doesn’t go un-noticed and this week the people of Ennis gathered to honour five people who have made a meaningful contribution to the social and religious life of their town. People of the Year awards were presented to Sr Ann Boland, Ann Collins, Bella Hehir, Peter Lenihan and to the family of the late Francie Mahon. A member of the parish team, Sr Ann, who lives at Woodland, has been described as “the small woman with the warm smile and generous heart”. A native of Mullagh, as a youngster she dreamed of working with the black children of the Missions. So it was no surprise when she announced that she was joining a Religious Community of Sisters “The Josephites”. Sr Colmcille Browne and Sister Dominic had visited the local school, inviting young girls to their way of …

Two American filmmakers recently launched a new documentary on Lisdoonvarna’s Matchmaking Festival.Shot in the North Clare village nearly a decade ago, Matchmaker is the story of two young American friends’, Seth Camillo and Dustin Morrow’s, journey to the festival.