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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 …

A VISUAL and aural delight awaits at Mná ag Gaire’s Women’s Shed in Ennis this Culture Night when the acclaimed Hands in Harmony deaf community choir will take to the stage. As well as showcasing their performance skills on Friday with a mix of songs which have been translated into Irish Sign Language the choir is also launching a brand new film. The Hands in Harmony choir is made up with a mixture of deaf and hearing members with a mission to raise awareness of deafness and the Irish Sign Language in a positive way, highlighting the beautiful language and culture of the deaf community. Their performances have been described as being both emotional and visually stimulating, opening minds to something new and exciting. A film made with Grey Heron Media which has been created highlighting the experiences of members of the choir will be officially launched on the night. The film has been made in collaboration with Clare Local …

OVER 40 free events have been arranged across county Clare for the nation’s annual Culture Night, taking place this Friday, September 23. It represents the first Culture Night since 2019 of unfettered live access to events across the county, following restrictions imposed by the pandemic in the past two years. This year’s Culture Night with the theme ‘One Night For All’ offers a diverse programme of events and activities for all ages showcasing the wealth of artistic talent throughout the county. Organised by Clare Arts Office and funded by Clare County Council and The Arts Council, all genres of the arts sector will be programmed including music, song and dance, literature, film, art, and workshops starting at 4pm until late. A spokesperson for Clare arts office said, “Events are live this year as we enjoy a return to in-person events and a night for us all to come together and enjoy the best of Ireland’s culture. “In 2019 it was …

THE Willow Counselling Centre was recently presented with funds raised from the annual When in Doubt – Pedal it Out cycle for mental health. A total of €1,575 was raised for the Ennis based service from the cycle which took place last October. Plans are now underway for this year’s cycle which is due to be held on October 29. The Willow Counselling Centre is an affordable counselling service established in 2016 to meet the needs of the people in County Clare and surrounds. They are based on Chapel Lane in Ennis and together with a team of 10 qualified and dedicated counselling/psychotherapists provide support and often a life line to those with mental health issues. They offer one to one, phone and on line counselling and deal with a variety of issues with clients of all ages. The centre recently started to develop a Play and Art Therapy Room which now has new flooring and furniture.  It is ready …

A POPULAR Ennis chipper announced “with sincere regret” that it was shutting its doors for the last time this week. Brannock’s Fish and Chips in Market Place made the sad announcement they would be closing as of last Monday, September 19. A notice was put on display at the shop thanking their customers for their support. The notice read, “It is with sincere regret that we inform you that the Brannocks’ Fish and Chips takeaway is closing its doors as of Monday, September 19. We would like to thank all of our very loyal customers for your support over the years.” The take-away was a popular eaterie in the town with news of the closure sparking dismay on social media. Among those to comment, Rene Cusack’s Fish Ennis stated, “So sad to lose our neighbour. Wishing them all well for whatever the future holds.” A fan of the take-away wrote, “Sorry to see Brannock’s Fish and Chips in the Market …

AFTER many years as a youth worker serving Shannon, Thomas O’Hara is moving into the world of academia. Thomas, who worked with Clare Youth Service in Shannon from 2006 to 2008, and again from 2011 until this year is taking up a position with TUS in Limerick (formerly Limerick Institute of Technology). Speaking to the Champion, he said he had really enjoyed working with the young people of the town, and found the level of community spirit in Shannon to be very strong. “The people there, the sense of community is absolutely amazing. Once people find out you are doing anything in the area they’re very quick to support it, I’ve found, and that was always an advantage to me in working with young people.” “It was a great way of showing young people how community supports itself, how to get involved in your community. “Sometimes that’s one of the key things for young people; where do I fit into …

COMMUNITIES across Clare are being urged to gather a group this Thursday and do coffee their way for the 30th Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice. And if they can’t host a coffee morning social, people are being asked to donate to help raise much needed funds to support the work of Cahercalla Hospice. “We are delighted Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice is back for another year raising funds in support of Hospice in-patient and community services around Ireland,” said Mary Malone of Cahercalla Hospice. “The ongoing support for this campaign over the last 30 years is a testament to the generosity of our coffee morning hosts, donors, ambassadors, and our long-time sponsor Bewley’s. “The funds raised each year by the Irish public ensure we continue to provide vital support to individual patients and their families every day.” Register to host a coffee morning on Thursday, September 22, or on a date that suits you, at www.hospicecoffeemorning.ie or Call save 0818 995 996. …