Breaking News

CLIMBERS will take to the 12 O’Clocks Hills this Sunday, April 3, in solidarity with broadcaster Charlie Bird and his fundraising efforts, as he battles Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Two hikes are available from 12 noon in support of MND and also in support of Vicky Phelan and Pieta House. The routes cover 8.5km and 13km and those participating are asked to be on site by 11.45am. All donations made to the Honesty Box at the Belvoir carpark from last Monday, March 28 to Sunday next will be donated to MND and Pieta House.  Monsel Catering will be in attendance between 2 and 3pm on Sunday for those returning from their hikes. On Saturday, April 2, the former RTÉ correspondent will climb Croagh Patrick to raise funds for the two charities in question. He has asked that people who cannot join him in Mayo would climb with him “in spirit” next weekend.  The 12 O’Clock Hills project committee has also …

SHANNON had its first ever Parkrun last Saturday morning, with scores of people coming out for the occasion.  Parkruns are free community-based, volunteer-led events which take place on a Saturday morning at 9:30am in many countries worldwide – Ireland has over 100 events currently.   Rob Stephen was instrumental in establishing the Shannon one and speaking about the first local event, he said, “The sun was out, the weather was great. We had around 150 people participating and about 15 people volunteering. It went very well, there was a good crowd volunteering. “One woman flew over from London to do it, she stayed locally in a hotel then, she’s a big enthusiast. There was a big crew from the Parkrun in Tralee, a couple came from Naas. “Obviously there was a good few local people too and people came from the other nearby Parkruns.” He said that the crowd won’t be as big this Saturday, but that it is hoped around …

WHEN Pádraig Ó Céidigh was appointed chairman of Shannon Group last September it was seen as very positive for the airport, but he resigned in frustration last week, after less than six months in situ. The chairman is involved in setting the strategic direction of the airport and the wider Shannon Group and as such is very important to the regional economy. Following his resignation Mr Ó Céidigh declined to be interviewed by the Clare Champion, but sources say that he was very frustrated. The source said he felt it was proving very difficult to pursue the objectives that he wanted, and that he found it difficult to forge positive relationships with certain other people within the Group. Given his experience in aviation and the level of success he enjoyed, the Ó Céidigh appointment last year was seen as a smart one, and the Galway man was clearly enthusiastic about taking on the role at the outset. Following the decision …

LOCAL people will be among those showcasing their talents alongside the Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre when the company brings their brand new show to Ennis next week. Fidget Feet are bringing their new show “HOUSE” to Clare Marts, Quin Road on Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10. Ahead of the show, Fidget Feet put a call out to the people of Clare through to join them in this collaborative community spectacle with circus, theatre and drive-in bingo. “HOUSE Open Days” is a community project that integrates local communities into the show itself and will see community part-takers dance alongside 20 experienced and talented Fidget Feet dancers in the show. According to the company this project brings people together both young and old with an integral focus on the arts, wellbeing, mental and physical health. The show is a sequel to their hugely successful show Bingo Wings and brings its bingo fever to the 1980s Royal Broadway Parish Bingo, …

THE community in Killanena is to get motoring this Sunday to rally around a young boy in need. On April 3, there will be a tractor/truck/vintage car/motorbike run starting from Canny’s Bar in Killanena at 1pm, with the proceeds going to help baby Leon O’Mahony. The fundraising will help get intensive physio which Leon requires, and also help provide him with a sensory room and some of the required equipment for the challenges he will be facing. Leon is the son of Michelle Lyons and Barry O’Mahony who live in Ennis and he was born very prematurely on May 10 of last year, weighing just 1lb 15oz. At just three days old he suffered a pulmonary haemorrhage in his lungs, followed by a severe grade IV Intraventricular Haemorrhage on the left hand side of his brain and a grade II one on the right hand side of his brain. He also had a PDA removed. Following this, his blood pressure …

QUESTIONS have been raised over plans for a major new housing development proposed for Quin, following a number of objections.  Planners are seeking Further Information (FI) on proposals from Datcha Construction, to build 41 homes on a large site at Quin Gardens in the heart of the historic village.  In January, the company applied for permission for 13 detached, 10 semi-detached and 18 terraced houses on a site of just under two hectares. During the submissions window, five objections were received. These include a joint submission from Quin Garden Residents. The submissions have raised concerns over issues including flooding, road safety, traffic volumes and the protection of wildlife. One document details incidents of flooding in Quin in 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2017. Other submissions highlight the requirement under the County Development Plan for hydrogeological assessment for any plans on the development site. Concerns were also raised by some residents about potential overlooking of existing homes.  In addition, The Development Applications …

Irish Water’s confirmation that the wastewater treatment plant in Kilmihil is to be upgraded will have significant environmental, social and economic benefits for the village, according to Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara. Deputy McNamara said the works would facilitate future growth in the village and would also eliminate discharges from the plant to the Doonbeg River. “I am delighted to have received confirmation that Kilmihil is one 12 schemes across Ireland to be funded by the European Union under Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan,” stated Deputy McNamara. He continued, “The sewerage network in Kilmihil is a combined system and during past storm events the plant has become hydraulically overloaded. The upgrade will prevent treatment plant discharges from reaching the Doonbeg River, which is part of the Doonbeg Freshwater Pearl Mussel sensitive area. “New commercial, retail and housing developments in the village also will be facilitated as the result of the planned upgrade of the existing treatment plant.” Deputy McNamara …

AFTER Doonbeg edged out Éire Óg by 1-10 to 1-9 in the Cusack Cup and Lissycasey had three points to spare over Kilmihil 0-13 to 0-10 in the Garry Cup on Thursday, Eoin Brennan previews the rest of the weekend’s football action here Cusack Cup (Division 1 League) Round 2 Clondegad v St Joseph’s Miltown at Ballynacally, Saturday 2pm The first real evaluation of Clondegad’s mettle as they crave a kick following a disappointing opener against St Breckan’s. With Miltown having won the 2019 Cusack Cup over their hosts and then managed to retain it in the corresponding fixture in Miltown last July, Clondegad shouldn’t require any additional motivation. Both will be understrength but it also an opportunity for Miltown to up the scoring ante, having only kicked 1-6 last time out albeit sufficient to win. Kildysart v Ennistymon at Kildysart, Saturday 3pm Outside of O’Gorman Cup meetings, they haven’t met too often in competitive action, although there will be …