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“Being a therapist, every day is a school day,” says Marie Guiney-Kelly who has delivered a free support service for 38 Clare children that have experienced the impact of a cancer diagnosis over the last six years. Stressing that any family dealing with a cancer diagnosis needs support, the Mullagh native enjoys working with children whose parent, brother or sister, member of extended family or other significant adult such as a child minder has cancer. Now in her sixth year as leader with the CLIMB programme, (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) Marie brings additional qualifications as a professional counsellor and psychotherapist. She has also worked with Sláinte an Chlair as a counsellor and therapist helping family members of and cancer patients for the past six years. There are three families on a waiting list for the programme, two families are currently completing the programme and three families finished it recently. “The Clare Cancer Centre in Kilnamona and Raheen do …

SCARRIFF-BASED photographer James Treacy has launched a new photography course in his native town. He claims any student who finishes the course has the potential to earn more than €90,000 per annum. The first course he is running is based in McNamara’s in Scarriff on Wednesday, September 29, at 8 pm for two hours a week over five weeks. He intends to cover all the basics of photography and how to take good pictures with a Canon or Nikon DSLR camera as well as editing photos using software such as Photoshop. Mr Treacy says he started out a number of years ago photographing pilgrimages in the Holy Land and Fatima before turning his attention to Holy Communions and Graduations and later cattle mart photography in which  he does a lot of work for the Irish Examiner and the Irish Independent. He has travelled all over the world with his camera and has been to every cattle mart in Ireland worth talking about from Tullamore …

HOUSEHOLDERS across Clare are being encouraged to avail of an upcoming opportunity to dispose of their hazardous domestic waste free of charge. The Environment section of Clare County Council is operating this drop-off day at the Central Waste Management Facility, Inagh, on Saturday, September 18, from 8:30am to 1pm. Waste items including household aerosols, oil filters, old medicines, household detergents, pesticides/herbicides, fluorescent tubes, paint strippers and cleaners, paints and varnishes, cooking and engine oils, can be deposited during the drop-off day. Hazardous waste from commercial operators will not be accepted on the day. “By hosting this free-of-charge drop-off day, we are providing householders throughout Clare with an opportunity to dispose of their hazardous wastes in a manner that protects human health and the environment,” explained Maria Carey, executive engineer, Environment Section, Clare County Council. “The service is being provided free of charge to householders only for listed items. Householders are being reminded that each waste type brought must be clearly …

Gerry Woods’ and Clare Roots Society publication brings the history of Ennis’ Old Mill Street to life “PRESERVING the history of an area gives us all a sense of place,” says Gerry Woods who, this Friday, releases a new book in conjunction with Clare Roots Society. The book, exploring the history of Old Mill Street, including Cornmarket, Considine’s Terrace and Old Cloughleigh, is a collection of articles, including on sport, poetry, maps and photographs. Unfortunately because of Covid-19 restrictions an official book launch cannot take place, however the publication will be available locally with all proceeds going to the Clare Roots Society. The contents of the publication were originally to be included in an upcoming book on Hermitage, but due to the quantity of material available on the area the decision was made to publish the history of Old Mill Street separately. Gerry says he was “very pleased” when he was approached by Larry Brennan of the Clare Roots Society …

THE first Aer Lingus flight from Shannon to London in 18 months took off from the Clare airport this afternoon. Arrival times from London into Shannon are 16:10 on Monday through Friday and Sunday, with arrival time on Saturdays scheduled for 15:45. The service will operate for ten weeks during the closure of Cork Airport for runway upgrade works. Shannon Group CEO Mary Considine said it was great to see the service back in what has been and continues to be an extremely difficult period for the aviation sector. “The connectivity provided by Aer Lingus at Shannon has always been a valuable contributor to the regional economy,” said Ms Considine. “The hub status of Heathrow for businesses to connect with the global marketplace is crucial, and the inbound Heathrow service helps drive tourism into the region.” “We are working closely with Aer Lingus and our other airline partners to build on the service and to resume long-haul services,” she added. …

UNIVERSITY students led by an Ennis woman have put their best foot forward to raise much needed funds for various organisations including a local community hospital and nursing home. Community Liaison Officer at the University of Limerick, and Ennis native, Gabriella Hanrahan spearheaded the fundraising efforts which encouraged students to get some exercise while also doing some good for worthy causes. She believes that higher education students are an “untapped resource” and is encouraging communities to get in touch to explore ways student volunteers can support local initiatives. Speaking to The Clare Champion about the fundraiser, Gabriella said, “Covid has created enormous challenges for organisations that traditionally fundraise to provide additional supports and services to communities. Covid also had the effect of reducing volunteering opportunities.” She explained that the students committed to doing 40km of exercise with some walking, cycling or running, and they donated the money raised to animal shelters and activities for residents in nursing homes. They raised …

CLARE Youth Service is offering young people the opportunity to put the best face on things with its new online course. The service in conjunction with the Creative Youth Partnership, is offering a new online make-up course for young people aged 15-17, starting Tuesday, September 14 and running for six weeks. This is an opportunity for young people who might be interested in make-up artistry as a career to gain some experience and meet some new people. Through Zoom, young people will meet a qualified LCETB make-up tutor, who will take them through a different aspect of make-up application and skin care each week. This is also a chance to take part in the wide range of online activities which Clare Youth Service has been offering. Young People will log on through Zoom, with permission from an adult/parent, starting Tuesday at 6pm until 7.30pm. Each young person will be given a pack in advance to ensure they have all they …

THE occupants of an illegal encampment in Sixmilebridge train station car park are now using this location for their postal address, a local councillor has claimed. Councillor Alan O’Callaghan said it is “shocking” the occupants of this encampment can use the car park as a location to receive their post. “If I drove into Limerick Train Station and left my car overnight without paying parking charges, my car would be impounded and taken away, with a huge fine to pay to get it back. Maybe, the law needs to be changed. The Fianna Fáil Councillor told a Joint Policing Committee meeting on Tuesday there is a lot of frustration over the length of time it is taking to remove this illegal encampment of three caravans, considering it was quickly moved out of Shannon last January. He recalled the occupants of the encampment originally tried to move on to the car park in the Twelve O’Clock Hills, but decided to go …