Breaking News

GRAVE concerns about the possible impact on dolphins from the expansion of a controversial Bauxite Residue Disposal Area (BRDA) for the largest alumina plant in Europe were outlined to An Bord Pleanála recently. An Bord Pleanála has given Rusal Aughinish Alumina Limited (AAL) the green light to deposit an extra eight million m3 of bauxite residue in total at its plant, despite trenchant opposition from Futureproof Clare, local farmers, Environmental Trust Ireland and environmental groups. This decision will allow the Russian-owned company to carry out a major expansion of its Bauxite Residue Disposal Area (BRDA), extending the life of the plant for an extra nine years up to 2039. In a submission to the appeals’ board on behalf of Dolphin Watch, Mary Kate Bolger, who has a qualification in zoology and marine biology specialising in bottlenose dolphins, outlined the creatures play a vital role in the eco-system by balancing populations of predatory fish and squid thereby protecting the entire eco-system …

A man has died after the microlight aircraft he was piloting crashed in Co. Clare this afternoon. The circumstances of the tragedy are still unclear however it’s understood the accident occurred at around 4.45pm in field off the Ballard Road about a kilometre from Miltown Malbay. National Ambulance Service paramedics, units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from Ennistymon station and Gardaí rushed to the scene. The Athlone-based Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) air ambulance was also tasked to the incident. The man was however pronounced dead at the scene. While there is some confusion about the type of aircraft involved, it’s believed to have been a flexwing microlight which comprises a delta shaped hang-glider type wing and single motor. The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of the Department of Transport has been notified of the accident and is expected to send inspectors to the scene early on Monday. Gardaí have preserved the scene pending the arrival of the AAIU …

ENNIS native Professor Niamh Stack has recently been appointed as the new Head of Psychology at Mary Immaculate College (MIC). She takes up the position at an exciting time for the discipline at MIC as the college welcomes the first students on the new Bachelor of Science in Psychology this September. Professor Stack joins MIC following a two-decade long spell at Scotland’s University of Glasgow, where she latterly served as Director of Teaching and Learning in the School of Psychology & Neuroscience. Professor Stack’s research focuses predominantly on highly able young people but also includes a wider interest in all forms of difference and diversity in development and the important role psychology has to play at a societal level in issues around development, poverty and social justice. This interest led to important research collaborations with the Children’s Wood and G20 Youth Group charities in Glasgow and to long term volunteering roles within the British Psychological Society, where she is currently Chair of the Education and Training …

PROBABLY unknown to most younger readers, Kilnamona’s Mike McTigue is one of Clare’s all time sporting heroes, having won the World Light Heavyweight Title in 1923. With the centenary approaching, the world champion’s namesake Michael McTigue is going to create a new monument to one of Kilnamona’s most illustrious sons. Michael is actually a distant relative of the boxer, while locals Nicholas Rynne, Kevin Rynne and Antoinette McCormack are grand nephews and a grand niece of the man who took the belt. With the Civil War raging around Dublin, McTigue won the title on St Patrick’s Day, 1923, with a points victory over Senagalese fighter Battling Siki. Unlike today when there are numerous belts and four major sanctioning bodies, in 1923 there was just one world champion. At light heavyweight, McTigue was the man. The story of the fight is worthy a book in itself, with Siki having recently become the champion against the odds; McTigue being an outsider but …

MIKE McTigue beats Battling Siki was the headline of the lead story  in The Clare Champion the week after the Kilnamona man took the World Light Heavyweight title on St Patrick’s Day 1923. Sub-headlines read ‘Clareman’s wonderful display’ and ‘Triumph of brain over brawn’. The paper had pictures of the two fighters across its front page, while the lead story described the excitement and anticipation that gripped the county, as people waited for news from Dublin. “Ennis was agog with excitement on Saturday evening, anxiously awaiting the result of the fight between Battling Siki and Mike McTigue for the light heavyweight championship of the world and the heavyweight championship of Europe. “Large crowds arrived from the most distant parts of the county and from 8.30pm onwards, rumours and counter rumours with regard to the result of the contest filled the air. (See rather grainy footage from the fight on YouTube link below) “The suspense was almost unbearable and great was …

AN ART project in Ennis has helped to bring some light into the darkness in more ways than one. Working with Clare Haven, children who have been subjected to coercive control and domestic abuse have helped create two colourful murals in the town with the help of a local artist. The murals were created as part of Clare Haven’s summer therapeutic programme, with the paintings not only helping to brighten up the surroundings but also giving the children an opportunity to talk and share their feelings and experiences. The artworks were developed with the help of artist Larisa K Bevillard at the rear of Clare Haven’s office building and also at a sensory and wellness garden in Clare Haven’s refuge. Dr Siobhán O’Connor, manager of services at Clare Haven explained, “During our recent Summer Therapeutic Programme a group of young people who have been subjected to coercive control and domestic abuse, worked with local artist Larisa K Bevillard on a …

SHANNON Golf Club was the winner of the 25th JB Carr Diamond Trophy Tournament, played recently. The over-60s Scotch foursomes took place in Wicklow with over 2,000 players competing from early April across all four provinces. Over five months, more than 4,000 rounds of golf were played, with the finalists welcomed to Woodenbridge in September after a two-year break due to the pandemic. The four provincial winners – Royal Curragh, Shannon, Castlebar and Dunmurry – were piped over the iconic bridge at the parklands course on the first evening, following their managers who were holding high their respective provincial flags. The draw took place that evening, pitting Castlebar against Shannon and Royal Curragh against Dunmurry. Castlebar was the only team to have previously reached the finals. The Saturday morning brought very wet and challenging conditions, with other courses in the locality closing. At Woodenbridge, the gladiators competed manfully, with Shannon overcoming the conditions and Castlebar 3/2 with the final match …