Breaking News

GRIM predictions of rising sea levels has prompted a renewed call for the relocation of the Clarecastle tidal barrage downstream to safeguard Ennis from “rapid flooding on an unprecedented scale”. Chartered building surveyor Fergus Merriman is concerned about scientific reports predicting sea level changes upwards of 600 mm in just five years and what that will mean for Ennis and other vulnerable Clare areas. Other forecasts indicate the glacier in the in Antarctica is rapidly breaking apart and could raise sea levels by over two or possibly three feet. Even if the lowest predictions of sea level change come to fruition and national and local governments don’t act soon then Ennis would be in trouble, said Mr Merriman. He warned this can’t be addressed by continuing to raise earth dams, which are at risk of “rotational shear” when the weight of water on one side topples the weight of the earth on the other – an issue that led to …

Clare will face Roscommon in the second round of the All Ireland SFC qualifiers. It will be a second meeting of the sides in 2022, after they played out a 0-9 to 0-9 draw in Division Two of the National League in Hyde Park. The game is set to be played in Croke Park next Saturday with throw-in at 3.45. Colm Collins’ side progressed through to this stage after ending their hoodoo against Meath, when downing the Royals 1-11 to 1-9, as late scores from Keelan Sexton and Manus Doherty edged Clare over the line. Roscommon enter the contest having lost just one game all year between league and Championship, that being a Connacht final reversal against Galway. Anthony Cunningham’s side didn’t hit the levels they expected of themselves in Salthill and will be keen to ensure their year doesn’t end in a whimper. This clash will evoke memories of 2016, as Clare beat Roscommon to seal a quarter final …

PYRITE-affected homeowners in Mayo shared their experiences with those in Clare during a major conference this week on the impact of defective concrete blocks.  Entitled ‘Losing Your Home,’ the event was hosted by the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and organised by lecturer and Chair of the Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG), Dr Martina Cleary. The two-day interdisciplinary event brought together expert engineers and geologists, politicians and affected homeowners.  Co-Chair of the Mayo Pyrite Action Group (MPAG), Josephine Murphy outlined the emergence of the problem in 2013 in the home of north Mayo couple, Dorothy and Tom Keane. “They received a letter that December from the SEAI [Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland] to say that a cavity wall [insulation] service should not be delivered due to cracks in their walls, that was the first sign,” Mrs Murphy said. “It was not until 2020 that tests confirmed the problem of pyrite. Two samples taken from their home were described as …

For the first time in three years neighbours and communities will be able to reconnect and celebrate together in person at Street Feast 2022. Registrations for Street Feast are now open and organisers are aiming for 1200 feasts with 100,000 people participating around the country on Sunday June 26. In 2019 Clare organised 15 feasts and organisers are calling for more people throughout the county to get involved this year and increase the number of feasts in the Banner. Street Feast is Ireland’s national day of lunches and one of Ireland’s most successful community initiatives for over a decade. The aim of Street Feast is to build neighbourhood and community networks and tackle social isolation. Sam Bishop, founder of Street Feast, said, “Since the last Street Feast three years ago after two years of restrictions and lockdowns our notion of community has altered immeasurably. “For some it was an opportunity to bond with neighbours as lockdown restrictions kept us at …

ONE hundred years after its publication Ulysses is still one of the most revered novels ever written in English, but it’s also seen as inaccessible by many readers. ‘Strolling through Ulysses’, a one-man show by Robert Gogan will be in Glór on June 9 and it offers both a celebration of the novel and a gentle introduction for the uninitiated. It brings the audience through the curious events and quirky characters of the novel, in a humorous, entertaining and informative manner, with extracts from the novel which best illustrate the various aspects of Joyce’s writing – the comical, the descriptive and the complex – without compromising the integrity of the book. Asked about his love for the novel, Robert said he was an early starter. “When I was about 17 years of age, still going to school, I was very interested in English literature. I’d heard of Ulysses and I said I’ll have a go at this now and I …

AN independent public inquiry needs to be undertaken to properly assess the impact of industries situated along the Shannon Estuary on the environment and health of Clare people. That’s according to Deputy Cathal Crowe who is supporting calls from local environment campaigner Pat Geoghegan for a fresh look at the impact of local industries in view of the findings of an epidemiologist. In an interview with the Clare Champion, Deputy Crowe said concerned residents living on both sides of the estuary want more than the current level of EPA inspections on industries releasing substances into the atmosphere. The Fianna Fáil Deputy stressed this call isn’t about jeopardising jobs provided by these industries but centres on appropriately addressing legitimate concerns of environmental campaigners who claim to have a body of evidence justifying their dissatisfaction with current levels of environmental protection. The Meelick Deputy said it was important that air monitoring stations should be permanently located on the Clare side of the …

THE town of Ennis has been firmly in the national spotlight recently with a visit from President Michael D Higgins as well as a full episode of RTÉ’s Nationwide dedicated to the hard working volunteers of Ennis Tidy Towns. On Saturday President Higgins and his wife Sabine arrived in the county capital for the unveiling of a plaque to mark Ennis’ achievement in winning the 2021 Tidy Town Competition. The couple also visited the Samaritans branch on the Kilrush Road to mark the charity’s 40th anniversary. The unveiling of the plaque took place at the president’s Alma Mater of St Flannan’s College where they were greeted by a guard of honour as well as some young local musicians. The Ennis Brass Band played the Presidential Salute as the guests of honour made their way through the audience of invited guests including other members of Tidy Towns committees across the county. President Higgins described the overall Tidy Towns award as not …

Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final Limerick 1-29 Clare 0-29 PRIDE definitely overruled disappointment as a gallant Clare left everything on the field in a titanic Munster Final bid that had to go all the way to extra-time before finally having to succumb to holders Limerick in FBD Semple Stadium Thurles, writes Eoin Brennan. Any questions surrounding Clare’s readiness to take on the three-in-a-row champions were quickly answered as Brian Lohan’s warriors not only went toe-to-toe with Limerick for the third successive outing but with a slice of luck might have even snuck a victory in normal time. True to character, the relentless effort and spirit never waned in extra-time but unfortunately the legs did somewhat as a warweary Clare were finally edged out coming down the final straight. For Clare to finish without four of their starting forwards inciting the god-like Tony Kelly, Shane O’Donnell and Peter Duggan left Clare rather light physically and experienced-wise in contrast to Limerick whose …