A MOTHER and daughter volunteer duo from Scariff attended national Foróige’s 50th Volunteer Conference and were commended by the Minister for Children.  Tracey and Jane Doyle are long-time volunteers with Scariff Foróige and, at the Tullamore Court Hotel in County Offaly, last weekend, they also met keynote speaker, David Coleman. The popular broadcaster and author is a leading clinical psychologist and spoke about communication strategies for reaching teenagers. Tracey and Jane flew the Clare flag, alongside 120 delegates from 16 counties at the annual Foróige Volunteer Conference.  “Foróige volunteers have helped create communities that are vital to our society. The value of the contributions that are made by these volunteers cannot be overstated,” said Minister Roderic O’Gorman. “Not only does volunteerism positively impact our communities but it can provide people with a sense of purpose, improving their own wellbeing, enhancing their empathy and allowing them to connect with young people in their communities. Foróige has to be commended for the innovative …

THE recent passing of Michael John Quigney was greeted with a deep sense of sadness, especially in the Clooney and Tulla areas. Michael John was well known and popular through his employment and involvement in many organisations. Born in 1940, Michael John lived all his live in the townland of Toonagh in Clooney Parish adjoining the Tulla boundary. A hard worker and helpful neighbour, he worked for many years in Shannon Airport with Aer Lingus and Tedcastles Oil. He also ran the family farm. He was a member of the Tulla Macra na Feirme club that staged the Tulla Agricultural show, a show that attracted the world-renowned show jumper Tommy Wade. Michael John was also an athlete, a piper, an FCA member, a competitive card player and a fanatical GAA supporter. He followed the fortunes of Clooney-Quin and Clare with a boyish enthusiasm, right to the very end. He actually attended the Muster Hurling Final a few weeks before he …

A UNIQUE post-primary educational initiative has come of age this month, as it celebrates 21 years of supporting children and teens at a leafy campus in East Clare. ALFA (Alternative Learning for Adolescents) has been operating in Raheen, Tuamgraney, since 2001, providing full-time, progressive education for 12 to 16 year-olds. Based on the Steiner-Waldorf philosophy of education, it is one of the few settings  that provides an alternative to the mainstream Junior Cycle. “In the 21 years ALFA has had many different stages: from its pioneering start in a small mountain cabin without water or electricity to our own site with two (soon to be three!) classrooms and an amazing geodesic dome; from a small single group to our current enrolment of 40+ students and the possibility of a five year secondary programme,” a spokesperson said. “It’s been quite the journey.” Currently, there are two Steiner primary schools in Clare – one is Raheen Wood, right beside the ALFA facility, the other is Mol …

DEVELOPERS looking to build 36 new homes on a high-profile site in Tulla have moved to address concerns raised by planners over “piecemeal development”.  In May, Woodhaven Developments lodged plans for the estate on a prominent greenfield site, close to Glebe House on Church Road. During the public consultation phase, four submissions were made. These expressed concerns over the proposed boundary of the estate, as well as potential pedestrian access onto lands belonging to a third party.  On foot of these submissions, as well as separate concerns of their own, planners requested Further Information (FI) from Woodhaven. They sought more details on the proposed connectivity between the site and the town’s Main Street. Planners expressed concerns that the proposed development might not comply with site zoning. While the site is zoned for residential development, there is a specific site objective that connectivity is created into the town centre. The FI request also asked Woodhaven to “satisfactorily demonstrate ownership of all …

ANTICIPATION is building ahead of the release of the new single by acclaimed Clare-based singer-songwriter, Steo Wall.  ‘More Blacks More Dogs More Irish’ is a hard-hitting new single, whose name is a play on words taken from the signs that used to hang on shops and pubs in England in the ‘60s and ‘70s. The single will be the first release taken from Steo’s eagerly anticipated second studio album, Street Wisdom For Lost Souls. The track features Toshín, an African Irish soul singer who starred along- side Steo and a host of other emerging artists on a two-part RTÈ music series entitled Foster & Allen, Lost in Music. The second and final episode airs this Thursday, October 13, at 10.15pm on RTÈ One.  Mixing traditional Irish folk with some contemporary Irish rap, Steo brings the listener on a journey from the badlands of his native Dublin to the beauty of the West coast of Ireland. Steo paints a picture of …

TO mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Gort Cancer Support is holding a Breast Health Information Evening.  The event takes place in Gort Cancer Support’s Studio in Garrabeg, Gort (H91 WFP8) this Thursday, October 13, from 5pm to 9pm. A series of guest speakers will cover a range of topics including the possible symptoms of breast cancer, the importance of self-examination, areola restorative tattoos, the BRCA (breast cancer) gene, as well as post-mastectomy lingerie, swimwear and protheses. Those intending to visit can come along to one talk or listen to them all. Everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served. More details are available on 086-1724500. More information is available on Gort Cancer Support Centre’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

“IF landowners would cut hedges and Council would tar roads, we’d have a great county,” a recent meeting of East Clare councillors was told.  The remarks were made by Councillor Pat Burke, on foot of two motions tabled before the Killaloe Municipal District on the issue of hedge cutting. The topic was brought up by cathaoirleach, Councillor Alan O’Callaghan and Councillor Joe Cooney.  Councillor O’Callaghan said overgrown hedges were a constant concern. “Great work has been done last year by Clare County Council and the farmers who took responsibility and there was a vast improvement last year,” he said. “This year, it looks on the ground as if there’s a lot of regional roads that haven’t been done. Are the contractors there and fulfilling their duty? Are they coming when they’re called or putting it off? A push needs to be done. Some junctions are way behind.” Councillor Cooney seconded the motion and proposed his own. “My concern is that …

KILLALOE councillors were advised not to go on a “solo run” in their plans for the installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers around the district.  The matter was discussed on foot of a motion from Councillor Tony O’Brien who said EV chargers are now hugely important in attracting visitors to a region. “We have a very well-developed town enhancement and mobility plan,” he said, “and the aim is to attract many tourists and be a gateway for Clare. Government policies are all about climate change and new ways of doing things and EVs are a hugely important way of doing this.” The Fianna Fáil member welcomed an official response to his motion, outlining that a charger is to be installed in due course. “I’m delighted, he said, “but I would like to see more than one charger. The cost of this infrastructure is in putting it in. We have a number of public carparks which should be suitable. This should …