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One of Clare’s most famous faces will be the focus of a RTÉ documentary this Sunday. Keys To My Life, hosted by Brendan Courtney, will speak with Ruan native and traditional Irish music icon Sharon Shannon as they journey to some of the key places that have shaped her life so far. Sharon travels from the home she grew up in to the dream home she built in Galway from the fruits of her enormous success, as Brendan makes some surprising discoveries about the woman behind that shy smile. Along the way Sharon revisits the spartan (and now derelict) cottage in Doolin where she first learned how to ignite an audience, living without a bathroom or toilet – in 1988! She returns to the Spiddal Mansion that marked her musical breakthrough with chart topping 80’s band The Waterboys, and there’s a sad return to the house steeped in memories of her late partner Leo who died suddenly just before Sharon’s …

A POPULAR walking route in the Tuamgraney area will be surveyed by the local authority, following concerns over the condition of the footpath. The matter was the subject of a motion from Councillor Pat Burke at the Killaloe Municipal District meeting who raised concerns about the section between Niland’s Filling Station and Nuala’s Restaurant. “I have had a number of representations on this from people in Tuamgraney,” he said. “It is one of the busiest paths in the area. People drive to Scariff and then park up and walk to Tuamgraney. The route is lit and people are out regularly in their high-vis vests. “I thought it was in relatively good condition until I walked it and saw sections which need repair.” Cathaoirleach, Councillor Pat Hayes noted that the area has been a popular walking route for some time. He welcomed an allocation of €28,000 for flooding in front of Scariff Community College. In a written reply, Senior Executive Engineer …

DOZENS of Ennis businesses across a range of sectors are joining forces to try and help bring about a sustained recovery in the town, as the spectre of lockdowns begins to retreat. Speaking about it this week one of the leading figures in the town’s hospitality sector, Allen Flynn of the Old Ground hotel said that there is some very positive work happening. “Over 75 businesses have come together. We’re in the early stages of a recovery plan and it’s vital in terms of positivity for the town. “Ennis Chamber has led the way in terms of raising funds for a niche destination plan for the town and that is being implemented now under the chairmanship of Brian Crowley, who is a very proud Ennisman. “There will be various initiatives in terms of assisting a recovery plan for the town. “There will be an Ennis portal, which will drive overnight visitors, day visitors and shopping. For the first time ever …

Clare food producers are being invited to submit their entries for Blás na hÉireann 2021, which is the largest blind-tasted food awards in Ireland. The awards were founded 14 years ago, but this year has seen the emphasis on the need to celebrate and support Irish food producers after the difficulties presented by Covid-19. Two Clare producers were nominated in 2020, with Clonlara’s Kathy McAndrew Wallace who makes chutneys from home grown produce in her kitchen, and Michael Curran of East Clare Apiaries in Clooney among those who were recognised for their produce. Chairman of Blas na hÉireann Artie Clifford outlined that the last 12 months have been difficult to navigate. “We could never have imagined what lay ahead when we launched last year’s awards. It is testament to our team, our partners in UCC, IT Tralee and TU Dublin, our sponsors, the resilience and innovation of our amazing producers and our wider Blas community that we were able to …

THE Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of five additional deaths related to Covid-19. There has been a total of 4,872 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland. As of midnight, Friday, April 23, the HPSC has been notified of 461 confirmed cases of Covid-19. There has now been a total of 246,204 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland. Of the cases notified today: 235 are men / 224 are women 75% are under 45 years of age The median age is 28 years old As of 8am today, 162 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 46 are in ICU. 9 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours. As of April 22, 2021, 1,317,165 doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland: 934,980 people have received their first dose 382,185 people have received their second dose

NEARLY 11 months after submitting an application for planning permission at Shannon, Aldi has provided a response to a further information request from Clare County Council. Despite Clare County Council denying planning permission to Aldi in 2017, (a decision which Aldi unsuccessfully appealed to An Bord Pleanála) the company is bullish about its prospects of getting approval now and a decision is due by May 10. The proposed development would be across the road from the existing town centre, on the northern side of the R471 (Airport Road). In the further information submission, it is claimed that Aldi looked at opening in the existing town centre, but that was not a runner. “The applicant engaged with the owners of the centre twice prior to lodgement of the application to review the potential for inclusion of an Aldi store withn the centre. “Unfortunately sufficient space was not available to accommodate a store with a retail floor area of 1,315 square metres, …

AN Ennis car dealership and the Clare Senior Hurling Team are helping to drive the campaign by late Laura Brennan’s family to raise awareness of the HPV vaccine. On Saturday the Sheils Motor Group presented Senior Hurling manager Brian Lohan alongside players Conor Cleary, David Fitzgerald and David Reidy, and kitman Niall Romer, with their new kit van. For the second year in a row the van has been emblazoned with the HPV vaccine logo, highlighting Laura’s message to get the vaccine and save lives. Laura’s parents Bernie and Larry were at the presentation to see first-hand how much their daughter continues to be an inspiration two years after her tragic passing. Larry told The Champion, “We are truly thankful to T Sheils, the management and staff, for continuing Laura’s legacy in this way by putting the HPV logo on the side of the van along with the hashtag ‘Thank You Laura’, and to Brian Lohan and the Clare senior …

A NURSING union has requested the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to conduct an external inquiry to establish why overcrowding is so high in University Hospital Limerick (UHL), despite the provision of almost 100 extra in-patient beds. The nurses and midwives’ union called for HIQA to investigate what is going wrong at the hospital and make recommendations to alleviate pressure. UHL has been the most overcrowded hospital in Ireland every day this year. It had the highest overall number of patients waiting for care without beds in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. The INMO said that “despite significant recruitment and 100+ additional acute beds”, the hospital still faced “runaway” overcrowding. On Friday, 52 patients were on trolleys in UHL, more than treble the number in any other hospital in the state. INMO Assistant Director of Industrial Relations, Mary Fogarty, said frontline staff are at their wits’ end. The hospital has recruited extra staff and secured a hundred extra beds. …