A GROUP of 12 carers from all over the county have been presented with certificates recognising their participation in a European Commission-funded training course specialising in enhancing carer skills and competencies.Ennis-based Caring for Carers Ireland provided the caring skills and competencies training as one of six EU partners involved in the Leonardo da Vinci (Transfer of Innovation) Project KEYFORA, a two-year project focusing on education and training for family carers, professional care workers and migrant care workers.Among those to receive certificates at a ceremony in the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis recently were Breda Connaughton, (Newmarket); Theresa Curtin (Crusheen); Caroline Davoren, (Kilmihil); Seyi Ejidem (Ennis); Teresa Hickey (Feakle); Teresa Hogan (Ennis); Cora Long (Scariff); Margaret Scanlon (Cranny); Kitty Ward (Cratloe); Godfrey Odiase (Ennis); Mary B Vaughan (O’Callaghan’s Mills) and Breda White (Ennis).Commenting on the initiative, Brigid Barron, KEYFORA project manager, Caring for Carers Ireland explained, “The lack of key competencies is recognised as one of the main challenges to the …

INCREASING the marketing of Shannon Airport overseas is one of the critical challenges facing the new independent board to help generate a substantial jump in passenger numbers.That’s according to Dromoland Castle managing director, Mark Nolan, who believes a good team has been assembled by the new board under the stewardship of Rose Hynes.Mr Nolan has also issued a rallying call to tourism and business interests in the Mid-West and West to get behind the airport to ensure it becomes successful.He confirmed Dromoland Castle has beefed up its sales drive in North America where his director of sales has spent 12 out of the last 16 weeks working to generate new business for the hotel.Stressing the importance of marketing, he believes the new board need more resources and creative ways have to be used to ensure the region provides greater support to the airport.Having spent two years on a previous airport board, he claimed the previous model, prior to separation from …

IRELAND’S recent 1-1 draw with England at Wembley wasn’t particularly exciting, apart from the fact that we did not lose. It was also important in that it was the first meeting of the two countries since the abandoned match in Lansdowne Road. Thankfully, there have been other more memorable matches.Following the foundation of the FAI, what were called the Home Nations – England, Scotland and Wales, were very reluctant to play us. England were in fact the first of those countries to play us but that was not until 1946 when the FAI had already played 32 internationals over the previous 20 years. That friendly in Dalymount Park resulted in a one-goal win for the visitors. The next meeting was much more memorable when Ireland became the first foreign country to defeat England at home. The 1949 match in Goodison Park ended in a 2 – 0 Irish win. The 1958 World Cup qualifying group saw an English win and …

TEN Centra stores in Clare have helped raise over half a million euro for the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer in 2012. This is Centra’s third year providing nationwide support of the charity, with all funds raised going to provide information, advice and support services for women with breast cancer Jones’ Centra Miltown Malbay, Rodger’s Centra Scariff, Ryan’s Centra Clonroadmore Ennis, Lynch’s Centra Gort Road Ennis, Deasy’s Centra Clarecastle, Crowe’s Centra Sixmilebridge, Donnellan’s Centra Loughville, Michael’s Centra Kildysert, O’Keeffe’s Centra Tulla Road Ennis and Johnston’s Centra in Kilmihil joined forces with Centra stores nationwide in October 2012 and generated the much-needed funds through a dynamic fundraising campaign. Crowds of people took steps to raise funds and awareness through 80 Pink Umbrella Walks which took place throughout Ireland and contributed over €145,000 to the overall campaign. Jones’ Centra in Miltown Malbay held a local community walk and raised almost €4,000 for the charity through this fundraising initiative.A host of other …

FEELING sluggish, lacking energy, craving foods you might otherwise avoid?  One of the biggest issues for those struggling to lose weight is controlling the desire for late-night munchies. When feeling lethargic, we tend to crave foods to comfort us and evenings tend to be the most difficult time to control these cravings.  After dinner, as we settle down for some relaxation after a busy day, we tend to start foraging for a snack. Whether it’s early or late in the evening, this is the time that people consume most of their excess calories.The metabolism slows down at night as we’re winding down for bed, so eating a lot at this time isn’t ideal when we’re trying to lose weight. However, according to Motivation Weight Management, the main thing to realise is that if you’re mindful of your hunger, and mindful of your food choices, you will always feel in control. For most of us, snacking in the evening is purely …

“RUDE and barbarous”, sometimes “uncivil”, the Irish have been called many things in their pursuit of land rights.But no one could call us unfocused. From Michael Davitt’s denunciation of “the hoary-headed culprit of landlordism” to Charles Stuart Parnell’s skilled negotiation of the land acts that pushed the rights of Irish tenants through Westminster, we patiently established a claim to what we believed was rightfully ours. Leaders of the world’s eight wealthiest countries would do well to remember this as they arrive in Fermanagh on Monday next for the G8 Summit. A century after Parnell stood on the plinth in Ennis and called on Clare men to shun any man “that takes a farm from which another has been evicted”, poor countries are losing an area of land the size of a football pitch to banks and investors every single second.In a land rush that makes the cruel actions of the Vandeleurs and a host of other Clare landlords and agents …

  SINCE making his senior county debut under John Kennedy on June 15, 2003, Alan Clohessy has had plenty of time to dwell upon his football career. The Liscannor man is one of nine greenkeepers responsible for the upkeep of the Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club. While most of his county teammates are buried under the duvet, Clohessy is deep in silent concentration, ensuring that the putting greens are in immaculate shape. Employed at the world-famous golf club since leaving school, Clohessy’s work day starts at 6am and concludes at 2pm. “If you’re out cutting greens of a morning, you’ve three hours on your own. You’d go back over games, like last year’s match against Cork from time to time. Sometimes there’s too much time for analysis,” he reflected. Living in Liscannor, just a five minute commute to work, Clohessy acknowledges that his work schedule is perfect from a football viewpoint. “It’s ideal for football to be honest. I’ve …

Inagh-Kilnamona 0-18   Newmarket 2-10 A STRONG finish, which yielded four points in the last five minutes of play, helped Inagh-Kilnamona to victory over title holders Newmarket in Round 7 of the Clare Champion Cup at Newmarket on Saturday afternoon.On a day when both teams were very much under-strength, due to a combination of senior inter-county panellists not being available and injuries, patrons were treated to a well-contested game played in bright sunshine and very warm conditions.