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On Monday evening August 8, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist four people on a 36ft motor cruiser with engine failure. Valentia Coast Guard informed the lifeboat volunteers that the casualty vessel was at a location west of the Corakeen Islands in Dromineer Bay and that the skipper had dropped anchor to prevent drift. At 8.10pm Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Joe O’Donoghue and Chris Parker on board. The wind was westerly Force 2. Visibility was excellent. The skipper of a passing 45ft cruiser had taken the casualty vessel under tow and when the lifeboat arrived on scene at 8.10pm, both vessels were underway and making way through the Urra Channel. All four people on the casualty vessel were safe and unharmed, and the skipper of the towing vessel, with nine people on board, told the lifeboat that he was happy to continue the tow to Dromineer Harbour. …

The story of a shocking and harrowing incident of cannibalism in 1835 aboard a ship skippered by a Clare man is the subject of this weekend’s RTE Documentary on One. The return journey from Canada of Limerick ship The Francis Spaight, entered infamy when four of the crew were eaten by their own crewmates. The sailing ship, the Francis Spaight, was registered in Limerick in May 1835 and was advertised in the newspapers of the time as the “grandest ship Limerick had ever seen”. Built in England earlier that year, it was destined for the Canada trade and was intended to be “one of the most superior vessels ever offered to emigrants”. It was named after its owner, the Limerick merchant, Francis Spaight, who was also local magistrate in the area. In September 1835, on its second ever voyage to Canada, the Francis Spaight ship left the Limerick Quays with a crew of 18 men on what was to be …

TRADE and investment links between the Shannon Region and Canada were highlighted when Shannon Chamber held a briefing for the Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, Nancy Smyth on a visit to the town. Local company Tekelek outlined how the Canadian market is a significant growth area for its sensor solutions and components which serve a vast range of industries, including oil, gas, water, waste water and agri-food. Demand has greatly increased, particularly in the Alberta area according to Sean Ganley, Chief Sales Officer. Tekelek has over five million sensors deployed in the field and employs 40 people in Shannon. The Ambassador was also briefed on inward investment into the Shannon Region from Canada. Dermot Whelan and Tammy Jerome of Limerick-based, Canadian company, Bath Fitter, outlined how the family-owned firm decided to locate in Limerick three years ago to develop Irish, UK and European markets for its bath and bathroom remodelling products.  “With over 250 locations in North America, the company saw …

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.