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AN internationally renowned Ukrainian artist who fled the war in his country this year and found refuge in Clare is holding an exhibition in Ennistymon from this Friday. The exhibition of Yevhen Svitlychnyi’s work entitled ‘The Burren – Ukrainian Chronicles Part II’ will be opened by the Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland Gerasko Larysa. Earlier work on this theme was displayed at the Burren College of Art in July this year. Mr Svitlychnyi said, “As a result of the war, like so many of my compatriots I was forced to flee Ukraine, and by the fortunate intervention of my friends I arrived in Ireland, into the warm and welcoming embrace of Ireland and its people. “I travelled to Ballyvaughan, in this magical place that is The Burren, and was introduced to the wonderful people at the Burren College of Art who have been so welcoming, generous and supportive of my work.” The first part of the exhibition The Burren – Ukrainian …

DEVELOPERS seeking to build 36 new homes in Tulla have lodged an appeal, after being refused planning permission by Clare County Council. An application from Woodhaven Developments for a site on Church Road was turned down after planners judged the plans to be “deficient in terms of its pedestrian provision” and out of keeping with the character of the area. In its appeal to An Bórd Pleanála, Woodhaven said it felt the Council’s refusal was “based on a narrow review of the submitted proposals as regards the housing need within the development plan requirements, national policy, quantity and type of units, design, layout, principle of development, site topography, site services, adjoining planning history associated with Tulla”. The company also said that, in refusing permission on the grounds outlined, the Council would remove the site from future development as the adjoining lands are not in Woodhaven’s ownership and are not for sale. Woodhaven noted that the site has been described by …

Derek Dormer was on hand to watch St Flannan’s College defeat Clonakilty Community College 3-8 to 0-11   A 2-1 final quarter blitz from supersub James Doherty ensured that St Flannan’s College cemented their place in the last eight of the prestigious Munster Senior A Post-Primary Schools Football Championship in Ballyagran, Limerick on Wednesday afternoon. Requiring nothing less than a victory to keep their Corn Uí Mhuirí hopes alive, the Ennis school had to show immense character to produce a ten point second half turnaround. Therefore, regardless of what happens in the final round between Tralee CBS and Clonakilty, St Flannan’s are assured of one of the quarter-final places from the group. Substitute Doherty was the hero scoring 2-1 after his introduction in the 45th minute. In fact Doherty’s very first touch came only 20 seconds after his introduction when he picked up possession 25 metres out before unleashing an unstoppable rocket into the top corner. Doherty’s second major was …

THE personal papers of renowned HIV/AIDS activist and former priest, Fr Bernárd Lynch have been acquired by the National Library of Ireland. Born in Ennis he was ordained to the priesthood in 1971. He dedicated his service to pastoral care and human rights advocacy in the LGBTI+ community in New York and London. He came to prominence during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, when he worked directly with the communities affected by the epidemic, and he successfully campaigned for the introduction of non-discriminatory legislation in New York City. Lynch, who travelled from London to be present at the NLI’s acquisition event, said, “This year marks 40 years since the first AIDS case was diagnosed in Ireland. This anniversary is a time of reflection, allowing us to consider the effects which the epidemic had on the LGBTI+ community, and how – even still – there is a journey to travel before we arrive at a place of non-discrimination and acceptance.  I hope that …

ENNIS is crying out for a town bus and active travel infrastructure, says Clare Green Party Senator Ròisín Garvey. The Inagh-based politician is highlighting traffic congestion while calling on the County Council “to prioritise spending available for active travel funding on better, safer and more cycle lanes, footpaths and pedestrian crossings”. She said, “Even if all cars switched to electric overnight, we would still have the exact same traffic congestion issues. “The only way forward is to focus on reducing car dependency and prioritising active travel infrastructure and a town bus service. “I know from working with children and parents in all the Ennis schools over many years that the will is there to allow children walk and cycle to school, if the proper infrastructure is put in place. “Many of the roads leading into our beautiful town already have the width for such infrastructure and the Department of Transport are offering the funding. “Where there’s a will there’s a …

Nine Clare players helped UL to secure All-Ireland Freshers 1 Hurling League honours with a 1-19 to 0-13 final victory over DCU in Clonad, Laois on Tuesday evening. The Banner’s sizeable representation dominated the spinal positions for Joe McGrath’s side who will hope to emulate this achievement for the championship version in the new year. Pictured from left to right are: Sean Rynne (Inagh-Kilnamona), John Conneally (Clooney-Quin), Rory O’Connell (Clarecastle), Ian McNamara (Killanena) (Captain), Ronan O’Connor (Feakle), Keith Smyth (Killanena), Colm Cleary (O’Callaghan’s Mills) and Tony Leyden (Tulla). Gearoid Sheehy (Ogonnelloe) was missing due to illness.

A FORMER Doolin Coast Guard volunteer has revealed he was very hurt when he heard last year how he and his colleagues were regarded as a danger to themselves and others in the unit. Tom Doherty was a former deputy officer in charge of the Doolin Unit and has worked as a ranger in the Cliffs of Moher for the last 16 years, which has helped him to build up a wealth of knowledge about the landscape and where bodies are sometimes found in the sea. As a ranger, he is often the first point of contact when someone dies. This dovetailed very well into his role as a Coast Guard volunteer, which proved invaluable during numerous rescue and recovery missions. Coast Guard director, Eugene Clonan told a Joint Committee on Transport and Communications on Thursday, November 18, 2021, “The Doolin Unit has been having problems for years. Six members resigned and there are 12 members left. Based on what …

Viktoria Kroejeva, 15, from Clare has been announced as a winner in the Zurich Young Portrait Prize 2022. Victoria’s piece entitled ‘Day Out, 2022’, a painting in oil and acrylic on canvas, won the category for ages 12-15. Viktoria said, “This is a portrait of my father. It was a day when we went out to a café in Limerick and I asked him to pose for a photo. It was a very enjoyable day and we explored the city.” From hundreds of entries, the shortlists of this year’s Zurich Portrait Prize and Zurich Young Portrait Prize are on display in the Portrait Gallery. Twenty-six artists, working across a variety of media, made it through to the final stage of the Zurich Portrait Prize, while 20 young artists aged between four and eighteen years old were shortlisted for the Zurich Young Portrait Prize. Viktoria is one of four young artists from Clare who made the shortlist, along with Katie Cashin, …