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Cistercian College Roscrea is hosting an ‘Open Evening and Live-in Experience’ for prospective students and their families, on Friday September 30. The “Live In” experience is open to boys who are interested in the College’s five- and seven-day boarding programmes for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years and will provide the opportunity for an overnight stay to gain experience of what life is like for a boarder. This opportunity is also available to those who are considering the day boarding option with these boys attending the Friday evening programme from 3pm to 7pm. This year the College has welcomed its largest enrolment in over 20 years with upwards of 260 boys attending the college; 70% of these are five- or seven-day boarders. The first-year cohort of 45 students shows continued growth with boys enrolling from around the country thanks to the College’s excellent location, facilities and transport links. Cistercian College has boarding options to meet each family’s needs. The seven-day …

A LANDMARK study of poverty and social exclusion in Clare has described as “staggering” the difference between Census figures detailing 10,281 unoccupied dwellings in the county compared to just 53 vacant properties, according to Clare County Council figures. The report cited Census figures showing an overall figure of 58,148 habitable dwellings in Clare. Of these, 47,867 were occupied, 4,912 were unoccupied holiday homes, and a further 5,369 were vacant dwellings. This means that there were 10,281 unoccupied dwellings in the county, giving a total vacancy rate of 17.68% or nearly one in six houses in Clare. Last July, there were just 10 properties for rent on Daft.ie for the entire county. According to Clare County Council, the report stated there are just 53 vacant properties in Clare. The census figures do not include derelict buildings. They relate to dwellings that are in a generally good state and are habitable. The report also outlined there are 4,912 vacant holiday homes in …

A MILTOWN Malbay father who died in an air crash at the weekend has been remembered as a “gentleman” with his loss described as a “terrible tragedy” ahead of his funeral mass this Thursday. Michael Flynn of Kilcorcoran, Miltown Malbay lost his life when a powered hang glider he was piloting crashed in a field off the Ballard Road about a kilometre from Miltown Malbay on Sunday. Family and friends gathered for an emotional goodbye at his funeral mass on Thursday in St Joseph’s Church, Miltown Malbay. Speaking to the Clare Champion Fr Donagh O’Meara said Mr Flynn “was a lovely character, a lovely man, just a gentleman. He was very well got in the community, very well liked.” Mr Flynn’s death has sent shockwaves across the local community. He was well known in the local area and worked as a plumber as well as being involved in farming. “It has been an awful shock for everybody. It is just …

CLARE TD Violet-Anne Wynne made history last night when she became the first woman to bring a baby into the Dail chamber. The Independent TD and young Collins Mountaine, aged seven months, were greeted with a sustained round of applause from fellow members on Wednesday evening. Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghaill quipped that it was the first time there had been “an actual” baby in the Dail. Deputy Wynne was present for the weekly voting blocks and given that the Dail creche closed at 6.15, she felt she had no other option than to bring Collins in with her to the Chamber. 'History' was made in the Dáil when Clare TD Violet-Anne Wynne brought her 7-month old daughter Collins into the chamber. Ceann Comhairle Séan Ó Fearghaíl commented that it was the first time an 'actual' baby was in the Dáil pic.twitter.com/awD4CZWJTs — RTÉ News (@rtenews) September 21, 2022 She told the Irish Examiner, “It’s a learning curve, but it’s …

Eoin Hayes’ early quickfire brace sent Newmarket Celtic on their way to a 6-1 thrashing of Lifford, and helped his side maintain their unbeaten start to the season. Fresh from that double the Newmarket man justified his call-up to the Republic of Ireland amateur team for their double header against Northern Ireland with the winner in the first leg this Wednesday. Hayes, who captained Ireland on the night in Dungannon, was on hand as strike partner Eoin Murphy knocked on a long clearance from keeper Gary Cunningham to bury the ball in the Northern net. @Fai Amateurs V Northern Ireland Amateurs @DgnSwifts @NewmarketCeltic striker Eoin Hayes gave Gerry Davis's team the away win.@FAIGrassroots @FAIreland @LSLLeague @RockmountAFC @NewmarketCeltic @Striker1Online @olivercelticfc @TerryHealy2 @EamonScott1 pic.twitter.com/bcIxrciml4 — Terry Healy (@TerryHealy2) September 22, 2022 The return leg will be played in Whitehall, Dublin next Wednesday, September 28. RESULT | Northern Ireland 0-1 Rep. of Ireland Fantastic result in Dungannon as the Amateur International side make …

IN an act described as “wanton vandalism” a sign which had been erected by a community group to highlight the history of Clarecastle Quay has been stolen. However the Clarecastle & Ballyea Heritage Group has vowed not to let this stop its plans for a ‘heritage trail’ of the area, with some signs already in place and more planned for the future. The stolen metal sign for ‘Dromoland Road’ was taken sometime overnight on Monday, September 12, after 9pm. Eric Shaw of the Clarecastle & Ballyea Heritage Group told The Champion the group was very disappointed to discover that the sign had been taken under cover of darkness. He fears that it may be offered for sale to an unsuspecting pub as a decorative feature, urging anybody who comes across it to contact their local gardaí. Gardaí have been notified of the incident and are checking CCTV footage from the area in a bid to identify the culprit. The sign …

A man alleged to have carried out an unprovoked attack on his 74-year-old neighbour in Barefield earlier this month has been unable to take up bail, a court has heard. Ciaran Cullinan (32), with an address at Curraderra, Barefield, appeared at Ennis district court this Wednesday, via video link from Limerick Prison. Cullinan is charged with assault causing harm to Noel Meere at Curraderra, Barefield on September 3. He is further charged with possession of cannabis and possession of cannabis for the purposes of sale or supply. Those charges arise from a garda search of Cullinan’s address in Curraderra, Barefield, also on September 3. Cullinan was granted bail at Ennis district court earlier this month subject to a number of conditions. At the time, Judge Patricia Cronin granted Cullinan bail on his own bond of €500 with €250 to be lodged in court. The court is also seeking an independent surety of €2000, with €1000 to be lodged in court. …

Ennis golfer Aideen Walsh will compete at this year’s KPMG Women’s Irish Open in Dromoland that tees off this Thursday morning. The amateur golfer will come up against some of the elite players in the women’s game with Leona Maguire set to compete while Major champion Catriona Matthew, who won the Irish Open when it was last held in 2012, is part of a stacked field. Walsh states this is not a completely new experience for herself as she aims to produce her best golf next week with Sky Sports set to broadcast the event. The Irish international amateur is no stranger to competing alongside the stars of women’s golf having twice played her way into the ISPS Handa World Invitational. “I’ve been lucky enough to play in a pro event up in the North about two years ago so this will be at a similar level. It’s at home of course so maybe it makes it a little bit …