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JOE Kenneally, Child of 1921 is the title of a Zoom event that will be held on Tuesday, October 19 at 7.30pm as part of Clare County Library’s History Week. Born in Kilshanny at the end of the War of Independence in July 1921, Joe still lives in the house he was born in. His was an ordinary farming life in many ways and was reflective of the lives of many born into the new Irish State. But no lives are really ordinary. Joe has been recorded by three different collectors for Cuimhneamh an Chláir, by the National Folklore Archive in UCD and by many other song collectors. The story that emerges is of a man with an intense artistic engagement with the songs and stories carried by generations of his family. These songs and stories link him to a past far back beyond 1921, which he makes real and present for us today in 2021. The event is hosted …

Councillor highlights ‘traffic mayhem’ in Ennis with delivery drivers unable to access parking spots THE “abuse” of loading bays in Ennis’ town centre is the cause of much of the traffic congestion on the streets of the county capital, according to the deputy mayor. Speaking at a meeting of Ennis Municipal District, Councillor Paul Murphy hit out at those who do not use loading bays correctly as well as those parking on double yellow lines saying he experienced “mayhem” in the town while driving during the summer months. The councillor was speaking as calls were made for the provision of additional loading bays to be installed on every retail street and car park in the town. Councillor Johnny Flynn proposed the idea saying delivery drivers are being left “frustrated” when they cannot find a loading bay to bring goods to the town’s businesses. He pointed out the vast majority of businesses on O’Connell Street do not have rear access for …

TENSIONS flared between some of the county’s Oireachtas members at a public meeting with members of the Clare Pyrite Action Group last Friday night. There were some heated exchanges and accusations of “playing politics” as Deputy Violet Anne Wynne criticised members of the government parties over their “political gestures”. “I don’t believe we should even be here tonight,” she told the meeting. “I’m very disappointed in how Clare has been treated… “What each of the speakers has said so far has only been political gestures and nothing more than that.… I don’t think that it takes much for government to call for equality. “For us in Sinn Fein, that’s what this issue is about. In Dublin and in Leinster, they were afforded 100% redress.” The Sinn Fein TD said that rather than hearing from politicians, she would prefer to hear from members of the public. She was also sharply critical of Deputy Cathal Crowe, accusing him of a lack of …

IN a statement SIPTU, which has 350 members employed at Lufthansa Technik Shannon Ltd (LTSL) said it was “disappointed and concerned” at the scale of the job losses being proposed. Spokesperson Karan O Loughlin, said, “SIPTU shop stewards and members have put hard work into maintaining the operation of this site as evidenced in the pandemic operation agreements entered into from September 2020 until March 2021 and a further agreement from March 2021 to September 1, 2021. They did this while awaiting the outcome of the due diligence process carried out by its new owners.” She added, “SIPTU representatives now wish to engage with LTSL and AAG management concerning the scale of redundancies and a strategic way forward to protect the remaining employment, terms and conditions of our 350 members in LTSL.” Clare TD Joe Carey said that engagement must happen. “Management need to engage with these loyal workers and their representatives. “Many of these workers have been employed at …

Hotel employee springs into action to save guest experiencing cardiac arrest AN Ennis hotel worker and Irish Red Cross volunteer has been hailed a hero after saving a man experiencing cardiac arrest while at a family event. Anthony Quinn, aged 21, works at the Old Ground Hotel and was on duty when he was alerted that a man in his 50s had collapsed in one of the function rooms and needed medical assistance. Anthony, who is trained in CPR through his volunteering with the Irish Red Cross told The Champion, “I just went down to him straight away and there was a crowd gathered around him and I could see he was turning blue. “My training just kicked in and I went and checked his pulse and assessed him to find he was in cardiac arrest. I rang 999 and co-ordinated with the emergency services and commenced CPR.” Every minute of a cardiac arrest is vital and Anthony asked the …

AN animal loving local family is set to feature in not one, but two, episodes of a new Irish language television show. The O’Brien family from Ennis are appearing in Peataí!, a show where experts give advice to pet owners, broadcast on both BBC2 Northern Ireland and RTÉ One. The second show in the series, which will be broadcast this week, will feature 12-year old-Sophia and her brother nine-year-old Sam bringing their pet tortoise Dr Smallfoot to the vet. Next week’s show will see six-year-old Ben and their mother Maggie bring their Old English Sheepdog Lollipop to Paul the groomer. Dad Kieran told The Champion that the family, including little brother Max, are “very excited” to see themselves appear on screen this week. He explained that they first became aware of the show when flyers were distributed at the children’s school. “The kids asked me could we do it, and I sent off a few pictures. There was a lot …

HARPS Alive Lá na Cruite│Harp Day 2021 takes place on Saturday October 16 and Aisling Lyons will be playing in Glór to mark the event. From Clare, Aisling is a multi-award winning harpist and concertina player. Her family are steeped in the tradition of Irish music and Aisling is the holder of eight All-Ireland titles. An experienced performer and much sought after teacher, she has performed and taught masterclasses in the UK, Shetland, Norway, France, Germany, USA, China, Canada & Australia. Aisling graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Irish Music from The University of Limerick in 2018, was awarded First Class Honours from the Professional Master of Education course in 2021 & holds a Grade 8 award with Distinction from the London College of Music. Alongside playing with various groups and being involved in many collaborations, she is a competent composer of original music in the traditional Irish idiom. In 2021, Aisling performed with Tolu Makay on RTÉ’s …

QUERRIN National School closed two years ago, having been open since 1877. Now, on October 23, Querrin Community Development Group, in association with O’Curry’s GAA, the West Clare Gaels, the local IFA, and the Doonaha Community Development Group, are holding an externally facilitated workshop to help guide the next steps for the school building, as it moves towards being a new community space. In a leaflet being distributed in the area, the Querrin Community Development Group explain that the building has a lot to offer the community. “This is a great opportunity for the area where we could develop a multi-purpose community asset with its direction set by a wide cross-section of those vested in making the future of Querrin NS a success. “At the workshop, attendees will be split into groups and invited to express ideas for the facility, with the output being a list of feasible options that could then be reviewed, circulated and prioritised for action.” A …