Motor rallying enthusiast, Councillor Alan O’Callaghan (FF), powered his way to the top of Clare County Council following his election as the new chairman at its annual general meeting on Friday. The Kilmurry oil distributor, who was elected unanimously without a vote as part of the power-sharing agreement, was proposed by Councillor Pat Hayes (FF) and was seconded by Councillor Pat Burke (FG). After spending ten years on the council, Councillor O’Callaghan increased his first preference share from 1,117 votes in 2019 to 1,475 paving the way for his election in the third count when he exceeded the quota, unlike his previous two elections when he was elected without reaching the quota. This is the third year in succession that the first citizen has been chosen from the Killaloe Municipal District. Councillor Tony O’Brien (FF), Killaloe was elected as council chairman in 2022 and he was followed by Councillor Joe Cooney (FG) a year later and now Councillor O’Callaghan has …

    Motor rallying enthusiast, Councillor Alan O’Callaghan, powered his way to the top of Clare County Council following his election as the new chairman at its annual general meeting on Friday afternoon. After spending ten years on the council, Councillor O’Callaghan increased his first preference share from 1,117 votes in 2019 to 1,475 paving the way for his election in the third count when he exceeded the quota, unlike his previous two elections when he was elected without reaching the quota. The former Fianna Fáil publican, who was elected unanimously without a vote as part of the power-sharing agreement, was proposed by Councillor Pat Hayes (FF) and was seconded by Councillor Pat Burke (FG).   In his acceptance speech at the council chamber, Councillor O’Callaghan recalled he wasn’t sure whether he would be re-elected as a councillor, never mind being afforded the honour of representing Clare as cathaoirleach. The father-of-two paid tribute to his predecessor, Councillor Joe Cooney and …

THE collaborative approach that resulted in a new school build, total refurbishment and upgrading of the old primary school in Meelick has been lauded by a retiring principal. Marie O’Looney has confirmed that she will be stepping down from the position of principal at Scoil Mhuire in Meelick, effective from August 31 of this year. In a letter to parents at the school, the Miltown Malbay native, who has been living between Miltown and Caherdavin in recent years, recalled that it has been a privilege to serve in the school since 1988, first as a teacher and latterly as a principal from 2012 onwards. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to each member of the school community for your unwavering support and kindness throughout my tenure,” she said. “Your dedication to the success and well-being of the school has been instrumental in our advancements and achievements, including a new school build, total refurbishment and upgrading of the old school, …

    Clare Independent Deputy Michael McNamara has made history by becoming the first local MEP in 35 years with an impressive electoral success in Ireland South. The East Clare deputy won the third-highest number of votes after five gruelling days of counting. Going into the final count Deputy McNamara had 87,542 votes ahead of Kathleen Funchion on 82,508, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú on 75,900, Mick Wallace on 73,947 and Grace O’Sullivan, Green Party, 69,197. Following the 20th count, Deputy McNamara 92,871, Ní Mhurchú 92,502 and Funchion 90,070 were elected without reaching the quota. Following the redistribution of Grace O’Sullivan’s votes, Ní Mhurchú confirmed her lead over Wallace, who lost his seat in the European Parliament. Outgoing MEP Sean Kelly (FG) topped the poll in the first count while another MEP Billy Kelleher, (FF) had to wait until the 18th count to be the second candidate to pass the quota. Former IFA President Paddy Lane, Parteen, was elected to the European …

Two lobby groups who want an end to the war in Gaza have pledged to continue their “Banners on the Bridge” demonstrations over the coming months. Members of East Clare for Palestine and Nenagh Friends for Palestine waved flags and shouted slogans such as “Free Palestine”, “Ceasefire Now” on both sides of Killaloe Bridge on Friday. This third demonstration was part of a nationwide protest at bridges to encourage more people to come out in support of Palestine. While Carol McNamara, Scariff, welcomed the government’s decision to recognise a two-state solution, she stressed this was not enough as it needed to introduce boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) measures akin to what happened to South Africa under apartheid in the eighties. “We are here to show solidarity with people in Gaza. A lot of these vigils are being filmed and are being and are going back to people in Gaza who are facing starvation on a massive scale,” she said. “There …

A derelict unsafe inaccessible public space has been turned into a new multifunctional safe haven in front of Quin Friary, thanks to the hard work of the local tidy towns’ committee. An Tearmann, or The Sanctuary, will be officially opened by Evanne Canny, the daughter of the late Lizzie Clune, a trojan tidy towns’ worker and Clare County Council road sweeper, James Doherty, while master of ceremonies for the event will be Clare Rose, Aisling O’Connor on Saturday, June 15, at 3pm. Two years ago, Ms Clune switched on the Christmas Lights in the sanctuary and the group wanted to honour her memory by asking her daughter to do the official honours with Mr Doherty. Refreshments and food will be supplied to the entire village after the official opening, which are sponsored by local businesses. A showcase of local musicians, singers and storytellers organised by fiddle player, Maeve Donnelly will converge in the local hall, while the Ennis Brass Band …

  A better balance needs to be struck for Clare farmers between food security, climate security and energy security, according to an independent candidate in Ireland South. Eddie Punch believes now is the time to strike a better balance between food security, climate security and energy security in each of the Member States. The Independent Ireland candidate wants to see fair play extended to Irish farmers so that they can prepare for and safeguard their futures as best as possible, something which cannot be done while uncertainty persists over the Nitrates Directive, the Nature Restoration Law and other EU regulations. The Cratloe farmer has appealed to all eligible constituents to vote in tomorrow’s European Parliament election. In a statement issued to the Clare Champion, the former General Secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) described voting as “a patriotic call to duty”. “Everyone who has the privilege of voting should avail of that right throughout the 10 …

Members of the East Clare Windfarm Opposition Alliance participated in a recent demonstration outside the Dáil against onshore windfarms. This group was formed by people who are opposed to the planned windfarms in East Clare in Carrownagowan, Lackareagh, Fahybeg, Knockshanvo, Oatfield, and Ballycar plus the planned expansions, over and above those plans. According to the group, developers are seeking planning permission to provide 150 turbines in a circle of less than 10km radius around Broadford. “Clare County Council was lately opposed to these plans and wrote a letter to An Bord Pleanála asking for a moratorium on onshore windfarms, at least until new and appropriate guidelines are published and put into law,” said a group spokesman. The group has previously warned about the impact on local communities and the landscape if major windfarm developments secure planning approval and proceed as planned. These include 19 turbines at the Carrownagowan Wind Farm near Bodyke, 8 turbines at Fahybeg Wind Farm near Bridgetown, …