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ON Tuesday next, November 23 at 7.30pm Glór will host an event entiled My Defining Moments: A Conversation with Shane O’Donnell. The event will also be live streamed. It will be hosted by journalist and present Paul Collins, and will feature an in-depth conversation with Clare hurler and microbiologist Shane O’Donnell, about his defining moments from his sporting careers, research career and life to date. Famously an almost unknown O’Donnell scored 3-3 in the 2013 All-Ireland Hurling Final, while he will also discuss his studies at Harvard University as a Fulbright Scholar, his balancing of his sporting and research career, as well as his recent concussion and his work at Eagle Genomics amongst other things. It will touch on the opportunities and challenges Shane has faced in his life to date, the continuing role of research in these areas, and his advice on lessons learned for others following his journey. The event is part of the Creating Our Future campaign, …

OVER the past seven years, €1.5 million has been invested in the Killaloe Municipal District, thanks to revenues raised through the Local Property Tax (LPT). The funding, which is distributed through the General Municipal Allocation (GMA) to council members for allocation in the draft budgetary plan, was widely welcomed at the district meeting last week. Members were told that funding, distributed through the GMA, has supported a range of significant infrastructural projects across the Killaloe district since 2014. At the outset of the meeting, members were told the recommendation of the council’s executive was to leave the 2022 GMA at the same level as for 2021. Cathaoirleach of the district, Councillor Joe Cooney proposed the adoption of the GMA at the existing level. “The GMA is vital for the funding of all of the municipal districts of the county,” he said. “A lot has been achieved in the Killaloe area with the GMA over last few years. In rural parts …

THE Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) has issued a report on an incident at Shannon on August 15 of 2019, in which a fire began in the landing gear of a Boeing 767-33A aircraft, writes Owen Ryan. Synopsising what had happened, the AAIU report says, “During the take-off roll on Runway (RWY) 24 at Shannon Airport (EINN), Ireland, the Commander heard an unusual noise and elected to reject the take-off. Following the rejected take-off, the aircraft was taxied to a holding area for brake cooling. “It was subsequently decided to return to the parking stand. During the taxi back to stand, Shannon ATC observed smoke and then a fire in the area of the left main landing gear. “Airport Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS) vehicles were deployed and the fire was extinguished. The passengers and crew evacuated the aircraft via emergency slides. One passenger sustained a minor injury during the evacuation.” It said that the incident was probably caused by …

SOROPTIMIST International have been described as “incredible ambassadors for women and girls in Ennis, Ireland, and around the world,” as a memorial honouring 100 years since the foundation of the organisation was unveiled in Ennis. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor PJ Ryan recently unveiled a monument at the Memorial Peace Park in Ennis. Also at the ceremony an Irish oak tree donated by the Tree Council of Ireland to mark the centenary was planted and a time capsule has been buried underneath. Rosalie Byrne-Muir, President, Ennis and District Soroptimist Club, thanked the Cathaoirleach and Ennis Municipal District for providing the location for the memorial plaque and oak tree. “Buried beneath the plaque is a time capsule. This was the idea of our member, Sarah Malone. Sarah researched the time capsule, and encouraged members and clubs from all over the country to contribute items. It contains profiles of local and national Soroptimists, historical documents and memorabilia so that the work of …

CLARE schools are being urged to give vocal expression to their Christmas spirit by taking part in an online carol competition. On the back of the phenomenal success of last year’s competition, Audiology Medical Services this week launched their nationwide Online Christmas Carol School Competition, with a prize of €2000 for the winning school, chosen by the public. Last year, the competition was deservedly won by Cara Junior School from Banduff in Cork following their rendition of ‘Let it Snow’. Cara Junior School scooped the impressive €1000 prize, winning by the minutest margins of just 0.5% of the votes after a staggering 18,500 public votes were made for all finalists selected. Speaking at the launch of the competition, Kay Lewis, Chief Operating Officer of Audiology Medical Service, one of Ireland’s leading independent hearing healthcare companies, said: “We were blown away with the popularity of last year’s competition, so running our Christmas Carol Competition again this year was a no brainer. …

“PHENOMENAL effort” on the part of Clare’s fire service was hailed this week, as the Chief Fire Officer revealed that it has significantly cut its average response times to incidents across the county. At a meeting of the council’s Physical Development Strategic Policy Committee, Adrian Kelly outlined how a new operational plan is being drawn up for the service which also has responsibility for building control. The existing Fire and Emergency Operations Plan is to be reviewed, taking account of any legislative changes, and will be presented to the SPC before it goes forward for discussion before the full council. The service which operates out of seven stations, has 75 retained staff in addition to nine senior fire officers, four administrators, two fitters and one station officer. Chief Fire Officer Kelly outlined how response times have improved over the last five years. The average time required to mobilise to fires has failed down to 5.28 minutes. In 2016, it had …

GARDAI in Ennis are investigating the firebombing of a house in the county town in the early hours of Monday morning. It is also believed a firearm was discharged during the incident which occurred at ten past midnight on November 22 when a number of males in a dark vehicle called to a house in Pearse Avenue, Cloughleigh. The glass beside the front door was smashed and glass bottles with flammable liquid were thrown at the house. It is believed that a firearm was discharged. Nobody was physically injured in this incident. The males then left the area and shortly after, a vehicle was located after being set on fire on the Kilrush Road. If anyone witnessed this incident or has any information that would assist in the investigation, gardai are asking them to contact Ennis Garda Station on 6848100.

A FESTIVE concert with a jam-packed line up of talent from Clare and beyond will raise funds to support the vulnerable this Christmas. For the past few years campaigner Josie O’Brien has organised a concert in glór to raise awareness of homelessness while also raising funds to purchase food hampers for those in need. Last year’s event was cancelled due to Covid-19, however the ‘Christmas Choir’ concert will return on December 18 of this year. Luka Bloom will feature as special guest alongside plenty more acclaimed talent, including Mike Hanrahan; The Fiddle Case; Eoin O’Neill and Clara Buteler; Sarah Ryan; Anne Rynne; Trevor Hansbury; John Fennell (Sean Nós); Sara Ryan (Sean Nós); Steo Wall: Fay Moloney and the Cork Penny Dinners High Hopes Choir with more guests to be announced. There will also be pre-concert music in the foyer with singer Susanne Murphy accompanied by Fiona Faulkes on piano. Kevyn Murphy is Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Josie told …