MAYOR of Clare, Councillor Joe Arkins was requested to facilitate the refurbishment of a Famine memorial in Ennistymon during a recent visit to Chicago. Concerned about the tarnished state of the memorial, a number of Clare exiles in Chicago approached Councillor Arkins during his recent trip to Wisconsin in the US to represent the county at the Milwaukee Festival. Representations were also made to the mayor when he visited a similar structure in Gaelic Park, New York. An Gorta Mór Memorial was erected in memory of the victims of the Great Hunger and was dedicated in Ennistymon on August 20, 1995 – the 150th anniversary of the tragedy. It is located across from a deserted workhouse, where an estimated 20,000 Irish people died and a mass graveyard for children, who perished and were buried without coffins on the Lahinch Road between Ennistymon and Lahinch. The memorial was erected by a combined effort of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) and …

Luttrestown Castle has launched many a celebrity marriage in its time, but recently it was BMW’s turn to launch their replacement for the 3 Series coupé. Introducing the 4 Series, a new name intended to distance the coupé from its saloon siblings and allow it to move upmarket. To look at, it’s clear where the 4 Series gene pool lies. It’s recognisably based on the recently introduced 3, but it’s longer, lower and sleeker. Every panel has been changed and it’s undeniably a sleek design which will impress wherever it goes. To drive, it’s the same BMW experience we’ve come to know, with excellent ride, steering and handling. I drove the 420d, which is expected to take the lion’s share of sales and it represents the base model until the arrival of the 420i petrol, later this year. It’s a responsive, economical engine, producing 184 bhp. Curiously, just like the saloon, I found myself slightly disappointed with outright performance on …

THE  public consultation stage for proposed amendments to the Draft Kilrush Town and Environs Development Plan 2014-2020 will end on Tuesday, October 29 next after which the elected members of Kilrush Town Council will meet to adopt the blueprint. Once adopted at the end of 2013, the Plan will determine the future land-use needs of the town and surrounding area in terms of economic development, recreational and community requirements, as well as residential, transport and infrastructural needs. “The coming fortnight represents the final opportunity for the people of Kilrush and Cappagh to have their say in the preparation of the Development Plan,” commented Mayor of Kilrush Paul Moroney. “Obtaining input from the local community during the public consultation stage of the plan-making process is important to the final outcome of the Kilrush Development Plan.  This is the only Plan that deals directly with the future development of Kilrush Town and therefore, it is important that the people of the town …

THERE was some more good news for Shannon on Wednesday, when it emerged that the number of flight movements there in September were up be 5.5% compared to the same month last year. The two other State airports, Cork and Dublin, also saw increases, of 5.2% and 6.6% respectively. Interestingly, the average number of daily movements at Shannon was just behind the average at Cork, with the numbers being 60 and 62. Both are way behind Dublin, where the average daily figure was 498. September was the seventh month in a row that traffic at Dublin increased and Irish Aviation Authority CEO Eamonn Brennan said; “This sustained growth is very encouraging news for Dublin Airport and the wider economy. September was also a good month for Shannon, up 5.5% year on year. There is some way to go to catch up with previous levels during the peak years but 2013 is a step in the right direction.” Total flights in …

By Seamus Hayes The first shock in the 2013 senior hurling championship came in round three  when Cratloe, one of the favourites for the title, made their exit. A draw with Crusheen (0-16 each) ended their hopes of making it to the play offs. The South East Clare side led for much of this tie but Pat Vaughan converted a 30m free in the final minute to tie the contest for the third time. The result sparked off great celebrations in Clarecastle  where Inagh-Kilnamona had just recorded a twelve point win (2-19 to 1-10) over St. Josephs. That victory allied to Cratloe’s loss sent the mid Clare outfit into the quarter finals. Sixmilebridge recorded a two point win, 1-18 to 3-10, over Clonlara, a result that send both teams into the last eight, with Sixmilebridge taking top spot in the group because of their victory over their South East Clare opponents. This group also produced a surprise result with Clooney-Quin recording a …

SHANNON Airport lost huge amounts of business for half a decade until 2013 when it started to reverse the trend and the successes it has recorded this year were acknowledged this week when it was highly commended at the World Routes Awards for airport marketing, held in Las Vegas. This was global recognition for the Clare airport and Shannon was highly commended in the Airport Under 4 Million Passengers Category, in recognition of the success of its marketing programme since splitting from the DAA. Shannon beat off stern competition from airports around the world to make the shortlist of five, with Darwin Internaional Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Ekaterinburg Koltsovo Airport and Kyiv International Airport also included. Darwin was named the overall winner, but Shannon was highly commended and received the second highest amount of preferences in the voting. Kilimanjaro was also highly commended. No other airport in Ireland or Britain made the shortlist for any of the four awards, which …

FORMER Clare hurling manager and RTE analyst, Ger Loughnane is to head state side again this year to act of Master of Ceremonies at the Clare Association’s 125th anniversary dinner. Since the County Clare P.B. & S. Association of New York City, Inc. was founded in 1888, the officers, members and friends have joined together each year to celebrate their Clare heritage and remind themselves of the purpose and goals of the association. This year’s ball, in celebration of the milestone in their history, will be held on Saturday, November 9 at Riverside Church in NYC. There will be a cocktail hour at 7pm followed by dinner and dancing to the music of the popular Cunningham Brothers Band. The function will also honour the 2013 ‘Claremen of the Year’, Kevin Grady and Tony Nolan. A native of Sixmilebridge, Kevin is a resident manager in Manhattan while Tony, a native of Kilkee, is president of Allcom Electric Inc. Association president Catherine …

ON Tuesday Minister for Health James Reilly declined to commission a study into the effect of the odours that have tormented residents of Shannon over the last month. In the Dáil, Clare TD Michael McNamara asked the minister “if he will commission a study to look into the effect of smells in Shannon; if he or his officials can provide assurances to Shannon residents that the smells there do not pose a threat to public health and if he will make a statement on the matter.” Responding, the minister said, “I do not propose to commission a study to look at the effect of smells in Shannon as an investigation into the matter is already underway. I am advised by the HSE that the investigation of recent odours in Shannon is being undertaken by the EPA and Clare County Council. This investigation is being assisted by the Public Health and Environmental Health Departments of the HSE.” Regarding the investigation, he …