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WORLD renowned explorer Jim McNeill has chosen Ennis writer and children’s entertainer Anthony Galvin to take part in one of the most important and ambitious polar expeditions of our time. He will be part of a crew attempting to be the first ever to reach the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility, collecting vital climate change data on route. Mr Galvin, 56, is a popular children’s entertainer from Ennis. He is known throughout the country as Tony Baloney, and has performed all over Europe, including several winters in Lapland. A former journalist, he has written a number of books, including Family Feud, about the Limerick gang wars. Defined as the furthest point from land on the Arctic Ocean, and therefore its centre, the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility remains the last truly significant place in the Polar Regions yet to be reached by humankind and is over 270 miles further than the Geographic North Pole. The whole journey will be nearly 1,300 kilometres …

THE LATE Oliver Moylan was remembered at his Requiem Mass last Sunday (August 7) as a man of business, a man of faith and a man devoted to his family, his culture and his native town. Mr Moylan was a prominent businessman and owner of The Ennis Cash Company. Dating back to 1880, the shop is a landmark in the town centre and in the town’s history. Oliver Moylan had been at the helm since the late 1950s and, even in the weeks before he passed away, he continued to play an active role in the development of Ennis, attending the July meeting of the Chamber of Commerce sharing his rich insights and ideas. In a tribute, CEO of Ennis Chamber, Margaret O’Brien commended Mr Moylan’s “strong civic spirit” and contribution to several organisations including Ennis Golf Club, Ennis Tennis Club, Ennis Chamber, Chambers Ireland, Clare Local Development Company (CLDC), and the Clare Association of An Taisce. She described him …

FIFTEEN conditions were attached to the decision to grant planning permission to Art Data Centres, one of which is that it pays over €2 million to Clare County Council. The chief executive’s order stated that prior to the commencement of the development, the developer/applicant “shall pay a contribution of €2,137,320 to Clare County Council in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting development in the area of the Planning Authority”. It added, “At the time of payment, the contribution will be subject to any applicable adjustment in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Planning Authority’s development contribution scheme in place at the time of payment.” The planning permission is for a period of ten years from it being granted. Another condition is that prior to commencement, the developer shall submit a schedule of mitigation measures, as identified in its Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Waste Management Plan, in a completed and phased Construction Environmental Management Plan and Waste Management …

MORE than 6,000 people flocked to North East Clare for the 35th Feakle Festival, which wrapped up, leaving audiences and organisers “exhausted but very happy”, last Monday (August 8).  After two years of virtual events, visitors from all over Ireland, Europe, the US and as far afield as Japan descended on the village for what has been described as “out of this world”.  Local publican and member of the organising committee, Gary Pepper, said any worries about competition with the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Mullingar were quickly set aside. “It seems that the word went around at the Fleadh that Feakle was hopping,” he said.   “So, lots of people left the Fleadh and came here and it really added to the event in terms of the quality of the music. We expected a good festival, but it was a bit like preparing for an All-Ireland final with the Fleadh up against us. It seems that, if the Fleadh …

Eoin Brennan runs the rule over this weekend’s intermediate hurling championship ties Intermediate Championship Round 2 Group 3 Inagh-Kilnamona v Tulla at Gurteen, Sunday 12pm With the group blown wide open following some dramatic opening round twists, it’s now make-or-break territory for Tulla. Following a frustrating hour against Ogonnelloe, they simply cannot afford any further slip-ups if they are to return to a third consecutive quarter-final since falling from senior. Inagh-Kilnamona, having already matched other flagship side Bodyke, will be licking their lips at the prospect of knocking out Tulla but the East Clare side’s experience simply has to surface. Verdict: Tulla Ogonnelloe v Bodyke at Whitegate, Sunday 6.30pm A little more freedom here as whoever loses will still be in contention for the business end. They last met in the Junior A Championship but both will have set their sights on higher plains and therefore neither will want to end their unbeaten run. Victory is much more important for …

JET SKI activity at one of Lough Derg’s most scenic bathing areas has been described as “an accident waiting to happen”.  The issue has prompted a petition calling for restrictions to protect swimmers at Knockaphort, a popular bathing spot and launch point for vessels sailing to Holy Island. Local swimmers have reported a number of near-misses with jet skis. One Mountshannon woman described her own recent experience as “horrific”.  Clí Donnellan told The Champion she was so frustrated with the ongoing problem that she launched the petition last Sunday night on Change.org. “The situation last weekend was just shocking,” she said. “There is a massive, massive safety issue. Knocaphort is only around 500 metres from Holy Island. There are reeds about halfway between the shore and the island and jet skis just shouldn’t be there, and they certainly shouldn’t be speeding. Swimmers are now reluctant to go into the water because of the danger.” Clí recalled her own recent near-miss …

HERITAGE WEEK begins this Saturday, August 13, running until the following Sunday and there is a wealth of events to enjoy in Clare. The artisan crafts and produce of County Clare will be showcased at the Cliffs of Moher Experience as part of a series of daily events running throughout the week. The Cliffs will also be hosting a number of events including story-telling, music and dance performances. Meanwhile, children will be invited to take part in Biodiversity Treasure Hunts in which they will have to seek out etchings scattered throughout the visitor attraction as well as identifying the natural flowers at the Cliffs of Moher. Liscannor Heritage Group will present an evening of ‘Show and Tell’ on the rich history of the village and the surrounding area as part of Heritage Week. The event takes place at Liscannor Community Hall on Saturday, August 13 at 6pm. It includes a presentation by Ciara Carew on her research on Cornelius O’Brien, …

Eoin Brennan previews all of this weekend’s senior hurling championship ties Senior Hurling Championship Round 2 Group 3 Kilmaley v Clooney-Quin at Cusack Park Ennis, Sunday 1pm More than a battle of the first round winners as it’s a golden opportunity for both to not only maintain their table-topping form but make a real statement of intent in the Canon Hamilton race. Having seemingly turned a corner previously before skilfully reversing back around it, both Kilmaley and Clooney-Quin have a free shot on Sunday to put one foot in the quarter-finals. Kilmaley seemed better positioned to snatch that chance as there were finally real signs of maturity amongst their core in seeing out a significant opening victory over neighbours Éire Óg. It’s also an exciting time for Clooney-Quin who are in the midst of assimilating a new generation of stars. However, while it was enough to edge out relative newcomers Scariff, taking down the recent Clare Cup champions might be …