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The SPIN South West Student Race-day is back on and taking place on Thursday, April 7, at Limerick Racecourse. The last student race-day took place back in 2019 and the track said it was delighted to announce its return after a two-year gap due to Covid restrictions. Tickets are going on sale this Thursday morning, February 17, at 11am on www.limerickraces.ie and there is expected to be high demand. Tickets are going to be limited to a maximum of two per person in the interest of fairness. A racecourse spokes person said, “We are pleased to partner up with SPIN South West once again as our sponsors for the event. “SPIN will be there on the day to welcome students and bang out the freshest hits. With SPIN resident DJ’s, the crowd can expect to be entertained before, during and after the races.” Content director at SPIN South West, Eoghain Fitzgerald commented “We are delighted to be teaming up with …

The National Lottery has confirmed that the €30,928,078 EuroMillions jackpot winner from the draw on Friday February 11 has come forward. Arrangements are now being made for the big winner to claim their truly life-changing prize. The Mid-West ticket holder became the 17th EuroMillions jackpot winner since the game was launched in 2004 after they purchased their winning Quick Pick ticket at Larkin’s Gala Service Station in Ballina, Co. Tipperary.

TOOTHACHES, headaches and a range of ailments of humans and animals have drawn pilgrims to Holy Wells for centuries, if not millennia, writes Fiona McGarry. Across the length and breadth of Clare, people still leave offerings in the hope of spiritual comfort and special intercessions. As well as the famous ‘Tooth Well’ at Gleninsheen in North Clare, where people leave toothbrushes and coins, there are 236 sites dedicated to saints and pagan figures dating to the Neolithic Age. Now, thanks to the painstaking work of historians and authors Michael Houlihan and Tony Kirby and their teams, the location and lore of these sacred sites have been gathered and made available in a new online resource. The two men have spent years carefully searching out the lesser-known and almost-lost wells, and those which are globally famous like St Brigid’s Well in Liscannor. Their tireless work has recovered “the apparently forgotten”. It has also created a springboard for the celebration and restoration …

CHRONIC overcrowding in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) is back under the national spotlight following confirmation HIQA is considering inspecting the Emergency Department as part of its recent monitoring of this issue. The INMO’s Trolley Watch reported there were 87 patients on trolleys in UHL last week, which fell to 71 on Tuesday before increasing again to 75 on Wednesday. Calls are being made for the Emergency Department Taskforce to be convened and for emergency measures to be deployed in the areas worst hit. UHL regularly has the dubious distinction of being the most overcrowded hospital in the country. Deputy Michael McNamara has called on the HSE and government to publish the findings of a review by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) into the ongoing trolley crisis at University Hospital Limerick (UHL). The Independent Deputy issued his request in Dáil Éireann on Wednesday after Junior Health Minister Mary Butler confirmed to him that the health agency has written to …

TWELVE Clare communities are getting support so they can step up local efforts to protect native plants and animals by developing biodiversity plans. The supports are being provided by The Community Foundation for Ireland in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as part of a joint Environment and Nature Fund, which is now in its third year. Funding is being provided under two strands so Clare communities can respond to a biodiversity emergency which has seen many native species under immediate and ongoing threat. Under the first strand grants are being provided so that 10 Clare groups can assess the impact of the emergency amongst native species in the countryside, woodlands and along riverbeds.  These groups are: Lisdoonvarna Fáilte CLG; Quin Tidy Towns and Development; Ballynacally Tidy Towns; Newmarket-on-Fergus Tidy Towns; Kilkeedy Community Group; Ogonnelloe Community Centre CLG (trading as Ogonnelloe Exchange); Cooraclare Tidy Towns; Ruan Tidy Towns; Barefield …

NEW University of Limerick research has revealed that young carers tend to have higher levels of depressive symptoms than those young people who do not provide care to others. The study of young carers aged 14-18 years from across Europe and Ireland reported higher levels of depressive symptoms among this group when compared to youths who did not report a caring role. However, the research also shows that when these young carers reported higher levels of social participation, they were more satisfied with their lives and as such were less depressed. Young carer is the term given to young people, typically under the age of 18, who provide substantial unpaid care to a family member due to illness, disability, mental health, substance misuse or problems related to old age. The International Journal of Adolescence and Youth has published the major study using evidence from 21 EU countries – including Ireland. It was carried out by researchers at the Study of …

CLARE County Council has been allocated a total of €34.917m for local and regional roads investment for 2022. About one third of the allocation, €11.8m will go towards progressing the Shannon crossing at Killaloe and Ballina. Slightly more, €12.18m will go towards restoration improvement/ Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, today announced details of a €597 million nationwide investment programme for 2022 for regional and local roads. Overall funding will increase by over 4% this year. The funding package will allow approximately 3,100kms of roads to be maintained and 2,550kms to be strengthened. Minister Ryan stated: “The main priority in 2022 continues to be the protection and renewal of the existing regional and local road network. Last year I introduced a climate change adaptation grant for works on roads at risk due to the impact of climate change and severe weather events. “I am pleased to say that this funding will continue in 2022 with €15 million being allocated for …

REPORTS of suspicious callers to homes in Clare claiming to be from PhoneWatch are being investigated by gardaí. Last Tuesday evening, February 8, at 8.30pm four males called to a house in Fermoyle, Kilmore. When the owner opened the door they got back into a dark coloured 212 vehicle and left the area. These males had PhoneWatch jackets on. “We have had further reports of a male calling to houses in Inch and Ballyea areas claiming to be from PhoneWatch and looking for cash deposits for products,” outlines crime prevention officer Sergeant Triona Brooks. She advises, “If you are going to engage, ask for ID. A genuine caller won’t mind. The basic rule is if you don’t know the person at your door, you shouldn’t let them in and if you are anxious contact your local Gardaí immediately. “For those people who may have elderly or vulnerable neighbours or friends, be a good neighbour and advise them of these bogus …