BURIALS are taking place at an East Clare cemetery with mourners and undertakers having to make their way around scaffolding supporting a dangerous church ruin. The situation at the Old Cemetery in Moynoe was highlighted at the September meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District by Councillor Pat Burke. The Whitegate native called for an outline of any works planned at the church ruins.  “Scaffolding was erected, some months ago, because the church is considered unsafe,” he told the meeting. “Burials have taken place and the scaffolding is still there. We were very grateful for the funding for works at Clonrush Cemetery and very keen to see similar works in Moynoe. I’m concerned, though, that that will take time and Moynoe can’t be left the way it is.” Councillor Joe Cooney seconded the motion. “We are aware of the inconvenience being caused to families there, but health and safety is very important,” he said. “The problem is funding. When we go …

THE cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District has described himself as “baffled” as to the raft of regulations on the installation of traffic calming ramps.  Councillor Alan O’Callaghan made his remarks as he called for ramps to be put in place as a safety measure for those using the school and playground in Kilkishen. In response to his motion, he was told that the installation of ramps at the location would have to meet the requirements of the Road Traffic Act (1994) and involve a public consultation process.  The Fianna Fáil member thanked Senior Executive Engineer (SEE) Derek Troy the “huge work” already done at school in Kilkishen. “Speeding is still cropping up all the time,” Councillor O’Callaghan insisted. “I’m only here since 2014, but I feel that since then, only one speed ramp has been put in. I think there’s a feeling that we’re going to try everything bar a ramp. There are ramps in Newmarket, Sixmilebridge, Shannon, and …

MUSIC has proven to be a universal language for a collaboration that is fusing Ukrainian and Irish tradition.  Kseniya Rusnack fled her home after war reached the Ukrainian capital. She now lives in Lisdoonvarna, where her talent for music has drawn her into the thriving trad scene in the area. Alongside leading Irish harper, Ennistymon-based, Paul Dooley, Kseniya performed at the Willie Clancy Summer School and, recently, wowed audiences at Glór in Ennis.  Kseniya, who was born in the Cherkasy region in central Ukraine, is a musician and singer. She credits, the  bandura, a Ukrainian stringed folk instrument, with opening up the world of music to her. The outbreak of war saw Kseniya flee the capital, Kyiv, with her mother, her five-year-old son and a few precious possessions, including her bandura.  “Since the beginning of hostilities, we left Kyiv to visit relatives in Cherkasy region,” she said. “We have been in Ukraine for a month because we believed that everything …

A NEW performance space and auditorium at Cnoc na Gaoithe in Tulla has been officially opened by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys. The opening of the multi-functional performance space and auditorium, at the Tulla Comhaltas Cultural Centre marks the culmination of huge local efforts to redevelop a landmark site in the town centre. The regeneration project restored the old convent building and developed the facility that will further enhance and support the town’s rich music and cultural heritage. The project received €900,000 in funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF). The centre is situated in the heartland of East Clare, on the famous Hill of Tulla, an area renowned for traditional Irish music, song, and dance. The name ‘Cnoc na Gaoithe’ translates in English as the Windswept Hill, made famous by the late Kerry man Bryan MacMahon in his song ‘Lament for Tommy Daly’ in praise of the great Tulla and Clare goalkeeper, Dr Tommy …

WHILE families have been identified as the ‘winners’ in Budget 2023, the Coordinator of West Clare Family Resource Centre has said many measure are only designed to “get people over a hump”. Mary O’Donoghue said that while the raft of family-friendly initiatives in the Budget are welcome, longer-term strategic measures are needed to significantly improve people’s quality of life, particularly in the West of this county.  Among the measures announced in the Budget are a double Child Benefit payment to be paid in November; free school books from primary school children; and a 25% cut in the cost of childcare for those using the National Childcare Scheme.  Social welfare payments, and pensions, are to increase by €12 per week and a once-off double week “Cost of Living Support” payment will be made to all social welfare recipients in October. The normal Christmas Bonus will be paid in early December. An extra €500 for Working Family Payment and Carer Support Grant …

A NEW levy on concrete products, designed to fund grants for homeowners with defective blocks, has been criticised by a leading Clare campaigner.  As part of Budget 2023, a levy of 10% on concrete blocks and other products is to come into effect from next April. Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien said the charge will help to support the new defective blocks grants scheme, which was extended earlier this year to include Clare and Limerick.  Dr Martina Cleary, Founder of the Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG), said the move ultimately ends up hitting consumers, including those who will need to buy materials to remediate their homes. “Of course, there has to be a penalty on those responsible for defective blocks, but this levy is not targeting the real culprits,” she said. “The culprits are highly profitable companies who should be facing significant fines. The levy is just putting the cost back on individuals and families, as well as those who need …

AWARD-winning and much loved singer-songwriter, PJ Murrihy will be in concert in Kilkee this Saturday night.  The eagerly-anticipated event, which features Séamus Shannon, follows on from a very successful appearance by PJ at the Ploughing Championships. In the wake of the pandemic, fans from all over Ireland lined up to see the Mullagh man live in Ratheniska, and Clare followers will welcome the chance to see him at 8pm, at Cultúrlann Sweeney.  A veteran of the Irish music scene, PJ first came to prominence  in the late ‘80s, with a song called ‘Pat Murphy’s Meadow’. The hugely popular ballad was originally a poem, written by JM Devine in the 1930s. He has since had many successes with his songs including ‘Life in the Auld Dog Yet’, ‘Soldier On’, and ‘Drawing Little Men in the Ashes’. To date, songs written by PJ have been recorded by a number of prominent artists including, Big Tom, Daniel O’Donnell, Foster and Allen, Michael English, …

AS THE evenings draw in, an exciting programme of music and song will play out at venues on the shores of Lough Derg in Mountshannon.  ‘Autumn by the Lough’  is curated by local musician Clí Donnellan, and an initiative of Clare Arts Presents (CAP). Supported by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, through Clare Arts Office, and Mountshannon Arts, the eclectic programme will include traditional and contemporary sounds.  Events get underway this Friday, September 30, at 8pm at St Caimin’s Church of Ireland in Mountshannon with a performance from AWNYA. Drawing on the tradition of storytelling, this Clare conceptual artist and singer-songwriter promises to take audiences on a theatrical journey through her songs, to create a full immersive experience. There is honesty and comedy woven into her songs, as well as what is described as “a refreshing view of the world of broken hearts!”. AWNYA’s music has been described as ‘Vaudeville Folk’ and a highly entertaining …