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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 …

A CHARITY tag rugby game between the Limerick Leprechauns and the Kilkee Fallen Stars will take place on the beach in Kilkee this Saturday at 2pm. The game will benefit the Ukrainian Integration Fund, to help the tens of thousands of refugees who have arrived in Ireland since the outbreak of war. Kilkee itself has hosted hundreds of Ukrainian families. The funds raised during the annual Leprechauns game will directly help these families as well as many others living elsewhere in Clare and across the country. The Limerick Leprechauns, which is made up of retired club rugby players and members undertakes a number of events every year and has raised significant funds for charity over the past 30 years. In that time the Leprechauns say they have raised over €1million which has benefitted organisations such as Pieta House, Milford Hospice, Tipperary Cancer Support Centre, Kilkee Sub Aqua centre among others. Leprechauns President John Fanning said they were particularly happy this …

Clare Community Games will have 92 children representing them in track, field and relay events at the Community Games National Athletic finals this Saturday in Carlow SETU Campus (formerly IT Carlow). On Saturday over 60 of the participants in the National Finals had a Meet and Greet and coaching session in O’Sullivan Park. It was arranged by Paula Byrne O’Connell, county chairperson. It was beautiful to see so many smiling children in glorious sunshine so eager to meet and make new friendships. Thanks to Marie, Martin, Colm. Gabriel and the parents who helped to give tips and encouragement to the children on their particular event. Best of luck to all in the finals on Saturday. Busy Time St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games are having a very busy few weeks completing team competitions. The winners will qualify for the Munster finals on September 10 with some preliminary games to be played on September 3. Some are also preparing for …

A RANGE of events and activities showcasing the best of Clare will take place at the Cliffs of Moher for National Heritage Week, August 13-20. 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 visitor centre will host local suppliers from a different part of the county each day, including Wilde Irish Chocolates (Tuamgraney), Creative Clay (Sixmilebridge), artist Doreen Drennan (Lisdoonvarna), Sallyann’s Handmade Bags (Miltown Malbay), Irish Slate Craft (Lahinch), Wix and Wax  (Ennis) and Glendara Art (Feakle). Other activities will take place daily between 10am to 4pm. Storytellers will recount tales from the cliffs and the surrounding area, there will free guided tours of the site offered twice daily, birdwatching, a talk on the tradition of surfing Aileen’s Wave at Aille na Searach, and music, dance and interactive demonstrations. Meanwhile, children will be invited to take part in …

A CONTROVERSIAL plan to install a 21-metre mast in the centre of Scariff has been defended by its developers, on the basis that it will future proof the area’s communications needs.  Proposals lodged by Eir at the end of last year, sparked considerable local alarm over moves to replace a 12m pole at the exchange of The Connacht Road with a much larger structure. A total of ten objections were lodged, including one with a petition containing 48 signatures.  Against that backdrop, County Planners contacted Eir in February seeking Further Information (FI) on a number of of aspects of the mast plan. The company has now responded.  Planners had raised concerns over the proposed location of the mast, which would be just 15m from a number of local homes and the potential for “an over-bearing, imposing effect”. They also said the proposed mast would be “highly visible” from locations including the R352, a designated scenic route.  In its recent response …

AFTER a one year hiatus which he spent coaching the Cork camogie side, Davy Fitzgerald is back in intercounty hurling, having been announced as the new Waterford manager. It’s his second time managing the Déise, having taken the reins from 2008 to 2011, a time in which they reached an All Ireland final and won a Munster championship. On Thursday night Waterford GAA released a brief statement it was “delighted to announce that following a meeting of the Waterford County Committee tonight Davy Fitzgerald has been ratified as the new Waterford Senior Hurling Manager on a two year term with an option for a third year. Selectors and backroom team will be confirmed at a later date.” After winning the national league earlier this year Waterford looked to be in good shape for the Munster championship and a possible All Ireland bid, but they imploded spectacularly, winning just one of their four matches.

CLARE is to receive an allocation of over €1.2m to improve rural roads around the county this year. Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has stated that the increased allocation from the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) will result in improved access to rural homes, farms and outdoor amenities all over the county. Welcoming the Government decision to double the funding available to the LIS to €22 million, Deputy Carey said it would see a major increase in the allocation to County Clare and deliver another element of the Government’s ambitious rural development policy. “Along with the €582,690 already delivered in April, a further €655,325 will be allocated from the Department of Rural and Community Development to schemes in Clare during August. “Clare County Council has consulted with local residents and landowners to identify road and laneway projects where works could start immediately and be completed this year,” Deputy Carey explained. “The funding provided by the Department will be complemented by a …