Breaking News

KILLALOE Coast Guard has appealed to members of the public not to block the narrow access road to Pier Head by parking in places where it is impossible for volunteers to pass with their vehicles. Over the past week on a number of occasions access to the Coast Guard station at Pier Head Killaloe has been blocked by cars leaving this cul-de-sac completely inaccessible for its crews responding to emergency calls. No parking signs, which were only erected a few months ago were also illegally removed from the walls on this cul-de-sac route. A Killaloe Coast Guard spokesman appealed to all people using the fantastic facilities at Pier Head to keep the access to the Coast Guard station clear and keep in mind volunteers need to respond to some incidents by towing a rescue boat. The spokesman acknowledged that Killaloe Gardai erected Garda no parking bollards at the start of the laneway, where it is extremely narrow only allowing room …

THE ROAD less travelled is very definitely the choice of a German national who recently passed through Clare, after leaving his day job and his hometown to walk around Europe.  Forty-one year old Karsten Rinck, a trained lorry mechanic, was set to take over the family business in Steinkirchen outside Hamburg, but decided that that wasn’t for him. On May 1, 2021, he decided, for the good of his mental health, that he needed to do something that would take him off the beaten track. “I had been struggling with my mental health and I decided to get out and walk,” he said. “My aim is to visit 40 countries. It’s a personal walk and I want to let others know that there is a good way out of issues, but it’s really up to themselves to act.” Since last Summer, Karsten and his faithful dog, Lotte, have put more than 6,000 kilometres behind them and visited 11 countries, including …

Michael O’Connor watched Newmarket on Fergus take the Under 13B academy final from Cratloe on a score of 3-3 to 1-7 As the Under 13 season winds down with the school season lurking ominously on the horizon next week the academy finals at under 13 and under 15 are providing great entertainment for club supporters. In some cases, the excitement is at a greater level as seen already this season. Meelick was the latest venue on Thursday evening for two sides who have a storied history in competition an the latest chapter was his academy final. Over the course of the game the tackling was fierce with match official Joe Mullins requiring the proverbial eyes in the back of the head. There was a player sent off and a mentor asked to leave the field such was the excitement engendered. It matters little the title on offer, be it all Ireland or Under 12 because when two GAA sides go …

Eoin Brennan looks ahead to this weekend’s Intermediate Football Championship Round 2 games  Group 1 Kildysart v Naomh Eoin at Shanahan McNamara Park Doonbeg, Sunday 12.30pm Fresh from their 13 point victory over underage amalgamation partners Coolmeen, there seems to be a more ruthless streak surrounding Kildysart this year, perhaps following the major confidence boost of reaching a first Cusack Cup decider. Naomh Eoin matched Kilrush in their derby opener but Kildysart are a step up again. Verdict: Kildysart Kilrush Shamrocks v Coolmeen at Labasheeda, Sunday 2pm With the Shams getting off the mark with a gritty local victory over Naomh Eoin, they will be determined to cement a quarter-final spot in their bid for immediate senior redemption by lowering a Coolmeen side still reeling from their sizeable reverse to Kildysart. Both sides have a refreshing youthful look but Kilrush’s added sprinkling of senior experience should be decisive. Verdict: Kilrush Shamrocks Group 2 Kilfenora v Banner at Páirc Finne Corofin, …

A Clarecastle man suffering from a collapsed lung has claimed he was left “crying in pain” for hours at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) before he received medication after contacting the ambulance control centre for urgent assistance. Michael McCarthy, Clarecastle (24) was rushed by ambulance to UHL last Friday at 5am where a tube was inserted into his body after he was cut open as part of an emergency surgical procedure. Mr McCarthy has a medical condition since aged 21, that causes blisters on his lungs, which regularly burst, resulting in the collapse of his lungs. In an interview with the Clare Champion, Mr McCarthy recalled requesting pain relief by pressing a patient buzzer on Saturday morning from 8.30 am to 1pm, but couldn’t get any health professional to administer it. He claimed staff told him they would be back with pain relief in a few minutes. However, this never materialised. “I was crying in pain so I had to ring …

  Short-term staffing deficits have been cited for the temporary closure of the Ennis Injury Unit on Saturday, August 20th. The UL Hospitals’ Group has announced that the Local Injury Unit in Ennis Hospital will be closed for one day due to a lack of staff to operate facilities. In a statement issued to the Clare Champion, the group confirmed this service will resume as normal on Sunday, August 21st from 8am to 8pm.   The group has apologised to patients who are inconvenienced by this disruption in service. “This decision has been made to ensure patient safety, which we strive to protect at all times. No other services at Ennis Hospital are affected.   “The group are advising people who require treatment for minor injuries on Saturday to attend the Injury Units at St John’s Hospital in Limerick, or Nenagh Hospital,” said a group spokesperson.   The group is also urging people with minor injuries not to attend the Emergency …

Eoin Brennan previews this weekend’s senior football championship clashes   Group 1 Éire Óg v St Joseph’s Miltown at St Michael’s Park Kilmihil, Sunday 12.30pm Amazingly these heavyweights haven’t clashed in the senior championship since prior to St Joseph’s Miltown’s latest three crowns as one would have to rewind to the 2014 Quarter-Final, a match that the Townies shaded by three on their way to the final against Cratloe. They weren’t successful that day against a Cratloe dual wave of momentum but they did finally make up for that last November when garnering a first Jack Daly in 15 years. They have already secured a successful first defence with a gritty opening victory over St Breckan’s whereas St Joseph’s Miltown looked far from their superpower selves when ruffled by intermediate champions Corofin. The West Clare side’s overused treatment table doesn’t look to be any emptier so if the holders can improve from their cobweb-blowing first round display, they should be …

RECORD temperatures, touching 29 degree Celsius, and a cloudless sky were the backdrop for the recent 12 O’Clock Hills Heritage Tour, which attracted participants from across East Clare and further afield. The tour, organised to mark National Heritage Week, set off from the Belvoir carpark. The route taken was via the Crag River to view the 19th century Crag Bridges and the river’s mini-waterfall. Much to the satisfaction of the participants, there was a cooling breeze between the trees for this section of the walk. Walkers were next guided onto the Famine Road. This was to be a link from East Clare to Limerick City to keep people employed back about 1846 during Famine times. Participants were then guided back to see some of the heritage gems dotted around the area. These include sites whose names are reminders of the lore and legacy of the Hills, such as Paddy Kippin’s place, Matt Moloney’s, Dysart Lyons Stephens, the Stepping Stones and Butter Hole. …