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BUSINESSES in Lisdoonvarna has confirmed they are still open and will continue to trade next September, despite the cancellation of the popular matchmaking festival for the second year in a row. Lynn Connolly, who runs the Rathbawn Hotel, asked if Tesco decided to pull out of Ennis, would people say Ennis is closing for shopping? Acknowledging a marquee will not be permitted to operate this year due to Covid-19 restrictions on large crowds, she believes it was unfair to other business to cancel the entire festival for the second year in a row. She said businesses don’t know if they will be allowed to host musicians yet. “Musicians are booked and are rearing to go. We are in limbo, which is fine under the circumstances, as we all have to stay safe. “We can’t say whether we will have music. We want to have a good September, but we have to follow the government guidelines.” She said businesses were not …

ONE lucky Lotto player in Clare struck it rich this weekend, winning €1 million in Saturday night’s draw. Daily Million players in Clare are being urged to check their tickets carefully after a lucky player in the Banner scooped the top prize. The newly minted millionaire player selected their own numbers on a Normal Play ticket they purchased online on the day of the draw at www.lottery.ie. The National Lottery has confirmed that a notification to the user’s online account and a separate email has now been sent to the lucky ticket holder in the Banner who is encouraged to get in touch to begin the process of claiming their prize. A player has won the #DailyMillion top prize of €1 Million in tonight’s draw! ✨#ItCouldBeYou pic.twitter.com/kxztlMjm8f — The Irish National Lottery (@NationalLottery) June 26, 2021 The winning numbers for last night’s (Saturday June 26) 9pm draw were: 06, 12, 18, 34, 35, 36 and the bonus 39. Daily Million …

A CLARE farm leader has taken issue with comments made by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Pippa Hackett, over controversial proposals to address Climate Change. In an interview with The Clare Champion, Minister Hackett said Ireland has to meet its Climate Change targets under the Paris Agreement and couldn’t control what happens in Brazil, which has to meet its own environmental obligations. “Ireland has to do what we can. Using Carbon Leakage not to take any action is a waste of time in my book and the government’s book, I am discounting that. “Ireland’s grasslands are a net emitter of carbon. We farm on a lot of peaty soils. When that is drained, that emits carbon. I think over the last 15 years we probably have lost more hedgerows than we have planted.” However, her comments have been challenged by Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) general secretary, Eddie Punch. Minister Hackett believes there is probably …

Local company grateful for support from community and organisations for three-night production. CONFINED and restricted for so long, Muse Productions focused on what they could do rather than what they couldn’t, and gave an outdoor performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on last Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at the Town Park. Attendance each night was capped at 100, and thankfully the weather was dry. “It went really, really well. There was a great turnout, the weather held off for us, so yeah, we were blessed,” said Martin McNeilis, who played Oberon in the production, while his wife and three children also had roles in it. “Obviously Covid regulations allow for 50 indoors and 100 outdoors, so we cordoned off a section of the park and we only allowed 100 people in. “Some people passed by, or hung around, or stood by and watched a bit and moved on, but the audience was 100,” said Martin. The play was stripped …

Munster Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Final Clare 1-22 Waterford 0-21 A FIRST Munster victory under Brian Lohan as Clare hit the ground running in this year’s championship to stun Waterford into submission in Semple Stadium, Thurles on Sunday afternoon, reports Eoin Brennan. Leading from start to finish, Clare should have eased to a much more convincing triumph after having almost 50 shots at the posts in a dominant display. However, digging out the result by whatever means possible was the most important aspect for a new-look Banner who got revenge for being knocked out of the All-Ireland series by the same opponents last September. As with every championship match in 2020, Clare kept their opponents defence on their toes with regards to the positioning of talisman Tony Kelly, with Lohan and Co. making the brave call of placing the current All-Star at the edge of the square for the entire 70 minutes. Without the target of Shane O’Donnell, it would prove …

THE green light has been given for traffic calming measures to be introduced in Ennis at a location where cars are travelling at speeds “way past any acceptable level”. A special meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard details of the proposed works at Cappahard on the Tulla Road and a local route known as The Lane. The project involves the construction of a new footpath from Cappahard Lane to where it meets the Tulla Road. Works will include the installation of kerbing and tarmac footpath, dished kerbing, tactile paving, signage, road gullies and the installation of drainage pipes. The plans also include road markings, and additional ducts for eight lighting lamp standards. The project went out to public consultation and four submissions were received. Among the submissions there were calls for signage to denote ‘Children at Play’ with one stating, “There are some cars which travel at speed which would be way past any acceptable level.” Councillor Johnny Flynn …

Councillor says more proactive approach would help tackle dereliction REMEDIAL work to a dangerous building on Main Street in Tulla is expected to begin at the start of July, prompting hopes that disruption for pedestrians and motorists will come to an end in a matter of weeks. In April, Clare County Council issued a ‘Dangerous Structures Notice’ to the owner of the vacant building, ordering them to address safety concerns. The authority closed off a section of the footpath and put a temporary traffic management system in place in the interests of public safety. The arrangement has been the source of considerable annoyance locally, particularly as the matter continued to drag on into the summer. “People are very put out about this,” said Councillor Pat Hayes. “They’re particularly annoyed at the fact the situation has been allowed to continue for so long. “You have (heavy goods vehicles) HGVs coming through town, from the Gort side, to do their essential deliveries …

Munster Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Final (Extra-Time if Necessary) Clare v Waterford @ Semple Stadium Thurles, Sunday 3.30pm (Colm Lyons, Cork) With a full hand to choose from, Clare would undoubtedly be heading to Thurles on Sunday in confident mood of turning over last year’s All-Ireland Quarter-Final result. Traditionally, Clare wouldn’t have the same innate hang-ups about Waterford as they would to a Tipperary or Cork or in more recent times Limerick. Of course, that’s the same for Waterford who will view this match-up as the best of a bad lot in an ultra-competitive Munster Championship. However, there was the growing sense that things seemed to be falling into place for Brian Lohan and his side at the perfect time to peak for championship. That is overtly seen through their improving performances and results as the National League developed but even positionally, there were less and less question marks over personnel. Captain John Conlon’s switch to centre-back certainly raised some initial …