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FANTASY is the forté of Sixmilebridge-based novelist and academic, Tracy Fahey, who has just been shortlisted for another prestigious award. Tracy, who is Head of the Department in Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD), has taken a place on the shortlist for the Best Collection in the British Fantasy Awards for her short story collection, I Spit Myself Out. It is her second time to be nominated for this sought-after prize. Fresh on the heels of being awarded a prestigious fellowship in Finland for 2023, Tracy is delighted to be one of five writers shortlisted for these global awards, which will be presented in London in September. The shortlist was announced following votes from the British Fantasy Society (BFS) membership and initial conversations by the juries. Jurors in the Best Collection category are Wendy Bradley, Jay Faulkner, Brian Kinsella, Abbi Shaw, and Filip Drnovšek Zorko. “I Spit Myself Out was a passion project, a book I’ve wanted to write for …

RESIDENTS of a Shannon neighbourhood are crying ‘foul’ at being kept awake at night by ‘talking’ signs urging dog owners to clean up after their pets. A meeting of the Shannon Municipal District heard that there are “sleepless nights in Drumgeely” with residents disturbed by the signs which were installed to help prevent dog litter on the streets. The signs play pre-recorded messages reminding dog walkers to obey the law when it comes to dog litter, however according to Councillor Gerry Flynn the message is being heard late into the night in the homes of residents. He told the meeting that he has been contacted by people living in the area about the issue saying, “This is a very settled community with older people living there, people can’t sleep at night.” He continued, “It’s a disgrace these signs have been put in an inappropriate place next to the pioneers that made Shannon.” Tom Mellett, senior executive engineer stated that the …

COROFIN Tourism and the Traders’ Association has released a brochure about the surrounding district, highlighting historical facts and locations with the aim of keeping tourists in the area for longer. The brochure features over 40 different attractions stretching from Ruan to Leamaneh Castle, and also includes plenty about the Burren and the best local fishing spots. Special attention is paid to giving the Irish names for every attraction, with their literal meanings alongside. Most of the tourists that the brochure will cater for are from the UK, the USA, France or Germany. Niall Minogue, speaking on behalf of Corofin Tourism and the Traders’ Association, said, “We want to keep people in the area for as long as possible. If tourists go into the shop in the morning for a coffee or breakfast, we want them to be able to pick up the brochure and tour around for the day, then come back and eat dinner in the village that evening.” …

Clare duo Eoghan Gunning and James Hegarty have been named in the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Hurling Team of the Year. Broadford’s Eoghan Gunning and James Hegarty of Inagh-Kilnamona have both been honoured for their performances in the Banner’s progressions to the last four of the All Ireland series. Clare came agonisingly close to securing an historic Munster final triumph before losing out on penalties against eventual All Ireland champions Tipperary. The pair played every minute of Clare’s eight contests this year in a campaign which can only serve to benefit this group of players going forward. Hegarty was part of the St. Flannan’s side that secured Dean Ryan Cup glory last November as they defeated Ardscoil Rís 3-16 to 0-16. Gunning and Hegarty were part of an outstanding Clare defence that played a pivotal role in the Banner’s run to the final four. Offaly’s Adam Screeney has been selected as the 2022 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Hurling Player …

Gardai are investigating a theft incident from the parish office at the Ennis Cathedral last week. A quantity of cash was stolen when two males (one adult and one child) entered the office on Tuesday August 2 at approximately 4pm. If anyone saw anything suspicious in the area around this time or anyone with any information can contact the Gardai at Ennis on 065-6848100. Meanwhile gardai are renewing their appeal for witnesses to an assault which occurred in the early hours of Monday morning August 1. The assault on a male in his 30s occurred at Parnell Street, Ennis between 2.30am and 4am. Anyone who was in the area or has any mobile phone or dash cam footage or has any nformation relating to this incident are asked to contact Gardai at Ennis Garda Station on 065-6848100.

Now in its second year, Clare Sports Partnership (CSP) in conjunction with Clare GAA, have had a very successful camp around the provision of inclusive activities for children with autism who may struggle to attend a mainstream Cúl Camp. The collaboration of many different organisations including Ennis Voices for Autism (EVA), The Clare Crusaders and CÉIS plays an imperative role in supporting the running of the camp. Building on the success of last year’s camp, Clare Sports Partnership aimed to increase the offering of inclusive camps for children with disabilities this year. This first of the inclusive camps took place in conjunction with Derg AC and the final camp in conjunction with Bridge Utd takes place at the end of the month. “We had 60 children take part in this camp and it is important to note that the camp would not happen without the 50 amazing coaches and volunteers who put so much time and effort in to making …

CLARE County Council has granted planning permission to the controversial €450-million Ennis data centre near the Tulla Road. Art Data Centre Campus in Ennis has become the first to be approved following publication of the Government’s new data centre policy. The data centre has been four years moving through various stages including strategic site assessment, zoning and planning. Developers claim it will create between 400-450 permanent jobs when the data centre campus is fully operational. Up to 1,200 will be employed in construction and 600 jobs in support services. The new Government Policy Statement on the role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy was published on Wednesday July 27 and the Ennis Campus is considered to align well with the policies set out therein. Mr Tom McNamara, CEO of Art Data Centres, the developer of the project, welcomed the announcement. “This is great news for this data centre campus and for Clare as the project will be a key …

A SWIMMER had to be airlifted to hospital yesterday evening after being rescued by a surfer from the sea off County Clare. A second person managed to make it ashore safely. The alarm was raised at around 6pm when it was reported that two people had gotten into difficulty in the sea off Doughmore Beach in Doonbeg close to the Trump International Hotel. Watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue sub centre on Valentia Island in Kerry mounted a search and rescue operation. The Kilkee unit of the Irish Coast Guard was tasked to the incident. It’s understood that one swimmer, a male, managed to make it ashore safely. The second, a female in her 60s, was rescued and brought ashore by a surfer. It’s believed the woman got caught in a rip current and was found face down in the water. According to one eyewitness: “She was unconscious when she was taken out but then she started …