A LIFETIME navigating Irish waterways and bringing their history to light was celebrated recently at the launch of a new collection of work by the late Brian J Goggin. Family members and friends of Mr Goggin worked together to publish a new 554-page book – Waterways and Means – a selection of his researched essays on the history of Ireland’s waterways. Speaking at the official launch of this new publication in Flanagan’s Bar, Ballina, Killaloe Ballina Historical Society chairperson, Arlene White, admitted the nine-panel waterways history tour of the two twin communities, which is now promoted on a local app, would never have come to fruition without Brian’s great input and support. Following the establishment of the Killaloe Ballina Historical Society in August 2017, Arlene recalled Brian was suggested as a guest speaker. During a subsequent discussion about a possible date, Arlene joked Brian had charmed her straight away after revealing that he could only confirm his availability once his …

THE decline in vocations and the number of priests in the Killaloe Diocese has inspired a pastoral worker to write a new book outlining the need for more lay people to complete clerical duties. “Community at Heart” – who will bury our dead?” examines past community and traditions in the catholic church, current reality, future possibilities and guidelines for pastoral councils. It will be officially launched by well known author, David Rice in the Killaloe Hotel and spa on July 1. Marie O’Connell has been a pastoral worker in the Diocese of Killaloe, a choir member, a dancer in an all-girl troupe, and a voice for women. The University of Limerick administrator says she does her best writing in cafes, on park benches, on any beach, and at home in Ballina/Killaloe. The mother-of-three believes it will not be long before a priest will not be available to attend funerals, so who will? “Priests can’t be everything to everyone all of …

ENSURING students are placed at the centre of all aspects of the new €23 million Ennistymon Community School will be a key priority for newly-appointed principal, Orla Conway. Working as a teacher for 19 years, Ms Conway previously held an Assistant Principal position and is currently Acting Principal of Ennistymon Vocational School. In an extensive interview with the Clare Champion, she confirmed work is on track to ensure staff and pupils from the three Ennistymon second level schools will move to the new state-of-the-art facility in September 2023 following a 35-year wait. “My vision is that Ennistymon Community School will be student-centred in all aspects and will have a very happy inclusive culture,” she stated. Catering for 750 pupils, the new school will have 70 teachers in total including two deputy principals. With construction work almost reaching the third floor, it is expected the main metal part of the overall structure is due to be finished by next spring. Facilities …

THE publication of a strongly critical report of the Emergency Department in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) has prompted a range of emotions for a local hospital campaigner. Marie McMahon from Ennistymon has been actively campaigning for the restoration of 24-hour casualty cover in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospitals for years. Her husband, Tommy died on a hospital trolley in April 2018 after spending about 36 hours waiting to get a bed. In an interview with the Clare Champion, those sad memories lingered for Marie, but she was happy that the HIQA report had vindicated the long, hard fight by the Mid-West Hospital Campaign for decent health provision for the people in the region. “The HIQA Report has validated all the things we have been saying that have been missed. Finally a body with some authority has stated in a report what those in authorities have been denying. “Everyone was putting their own spin on things. This report shows we …

A Killaloe mother-of-three has revealed the surreal moment watching her partner’s kidney being transported in a box for her son’s kidney before his vital transplant operation. Nuala Conway admitted she got upset outside Beaumont Hospital in Dublin after experiencing an emotional rollercoaster over the last year as she and her partner, Denis Costelloe tried to source a living donor for Jayden (13), who was on dialysis due to kidney failure. “I really broke down when I went out to get some fresh air after Jayden was put to sleep in theatre and saw the surgeons arrive from Beaumont Hospital with Denis’s kidney in a red box. “It was just crazy and surreal. We recognised the surgeons from Beaumont. It was unbelievable. “I hadn’t heard too much from Beaumont at this stage and was aware of the sacrifice Denis had made to donate his kidney. “It has been very emotional over the last year trying to get a kidney for Jayden. …

ANOTHER surge in Covid-19 has resulted in Clare recording the dubious distinction of having the second highest 14-day incidence of confirmed PCR cases in the country. Figures obtained by the Clare Champion reveal the 14-day incidence rate has soared to 348.4 per 100,000 after 414 cases were detected over the last two weeks including 86 cases on Tuesday. Limerick has the highest incidence in the country with 427.9% in the last 14 days after recording 834 cases during this period. The Department of Public Health Mid-West has been notified of more than 3,200 new Covid-19 cases in Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary in the past 14 days. According to provisional data, as of June 19, the department has been notified of 1,676 new cases in Limerick, 714 in Clare, and 854 in Tipperary over the past 14 days. Dr Mai Mannix, Area Director of Public Health Mid-West, said this increase in cases in the Mid-West is of concern, as Covid-19 remains …

A South-East Clare primary school teacher has scooped a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to study in the USA. Eimear Millane has won the Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship (FLTA) scholarship to teach in the University of Connecticut for ten months. One of the 40  Fulbright Irish Awardees, Eimear was presented with her award at a ceremony in Iveagh House, Dublin, recently in recognition of the excellence of her study and research. In an interview with the Clare Champion, Eimear recalled she completed an interview for this scholarship last January, having applied the previous October. Under the Fulbright Programme, she will be teaching Irish as a minority language in the University of Connecticut for ten months, having opted to take a career break from her current job as a primary school teacher in Bunscoil Bhríde in Co. Kildare, where she oversees the Coiste Gaelach. The scholarship covers her flights and accommodation, while she will also be paid during her time as a teacher. …

A FORMER Bus Eireann bus inspector from Killaloe has driven to the top of Clare County Council. Councillor Tony O’Brien was elected unopposed as Clare’s next first citizen without a vote as part of the power-sharing arrangement that was first brokered in 2004 at the annual general meeting in Ennis on Friday.   The former Smith O’Brien GAA club secretary replaced Councillor P J Ryan, who was lauded for being a great ambassador for the county over the past year. Councillor O’Brien was proposed by his Fianna Fáil colleague, Councillor Pat Hayes and seconded by Joe Cooney, Fine Gael, while Councillor Gerry Flynn, Independent also expressed his support. Councillor Ann Norton was elected as vice-chairperson for the next year, succeeding Councillor Joe Killeen. In his wide-ranging address following his election, Councillor O’Brien pledged to work in partnership with the Shannon Group to attract further investment and more traffic through Shannon Airport. The Killaloe resident promised to continue progressing the proposed …