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Peter Lacey’s cache of photographs from the 1930s to the ‘60s have only recently seen the light, reports Dan Danaher. MEMORIES of learning to swim at Pier Head, Killaloe have come flooding back for numerous people in the twin communities after a treasure trove of “gold” negatives were developed by the local historical society. Peter Lacey, who was elected at the first Lord Mayor of Killaloe and Ballina in 1980, taught hundreds of people in the locality how to swim, despite the fact he wasn’t a strong swimmer. A keen photographer, he also took countless photographs of people and places in the riverside communities. The negatives of old photographs extending from the ‘30s into the ‘60s were kept in a small Major cigarette box. Even though the negatives are very small, Killaloe Ballina Historical Society secretary, Deborah Dudgeon managed to find a way to bring them back to life through digital processing and has circulated them on social media. Deborah …

THE Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of fewer than five additional cases of COVID-19 in Clare and 11 additional deaths related to COVID-19 nationally. Of the deaths notified today, four occurred in April, two in March, four in February and one in January. The median age of those who died was 83 years and the age range was 50-93 years. There has been a total of 4,847 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland. As of midnight, Monday, April 19, the HPSC has been notified of 390 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There has now been a total of 244,297* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. Of the cases notified today: 215 are men / 174 are women 67% are under 45 years of age The median age is 34 years old 172 in Dublin, 42 in Kildare, 21 in Meath, 20 in Tipperary, 18 in Donegal and the remaining 117 cases are spread across 19 other counties.** As of …

Plans to honour group that has been instrumental in Clare’s cultural life ‘when the time is right’ THE instrumental role that the Ennis Brass Band have played in the county has been highlighted this week with plans now underway to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Local representatives in the Ennis Municipal District have agreed to mark the historic anniversary, however because of Covid-19 it is unclear when the celebration will take place and what form it will take. Councillor Ann Norton, at the monthly meeting of the local authority, proposed that the band be honoured for “their work and dedication to the town and county”. The motion was widely agreed with tributes paid to the work of those involved in the band. Putting forward the motion, Councillor Norton said she was “very conscious of the fact we are in a pandemic” but she believed it was appropriate to bring to the attention of the Council that the Ennis Brass Band is …

SHANNON Group has announced the reopening of Bunratty Folk Park from Friday, April 30. The announcement follows the lifting of Government restrictions for outdoor heritage sites. It will open four days a week initially for residents of Co Clare, as well as Limerick people living within 20 kilometres of the popular attraction. Set on 26 acres of Clare countryside, there is plenty of space for social distancing. The 19th century themed Folk Park features a living village and rural setting as it would have appeared at that time. All visitors are required to pre book at www.bunrattycastle.ie in advance of their visit. To ensure proper social distancing, a one-way system has been designed to guide visitors around the Folk Park. Commenting on Bunratty Folk Park’s reopening, Vanessa McTigue of Shannon Heritage said: “This year has been incredibly difficult for everyone and we know that people are looking forward to exploring their county. We are delighted to reopen Bunratty Folk Park and …

UL Hospitals Group has this afternoon confirmed that the Ennis and Nenagh mass vaccination clinics will now open tomorrow (Wednesday, April 21). The planned date for opening of the two centres had been next Monday, April 26, however, CEO of the UL Hospitals Group and Chair of the Mid-West Integrated Covid-19 Vaccination Steering Group today confirmed that the centres would open ahead of schedule. “We are delighted to now open vaccination centres in Ennis and Nenagh a few days in advance of our initial planned date. Over 130,000 people in the 65-69-year-old cohort around the country have already registered for their Covid-19 vaccination and appointments are being offered at the most convenient location based on the information submitted during registration,” she said. “People can register online at https://vaccine.hse.ie/, and they will be asked for their mobile phone number, email address, PPS number and Eircode. Telephone registration is also available at HSELive on 1850-24-1850 for those unable to register online, and …

A CLARE woman was scammed out of “considerable” amounts of money from her bank account after being targeted in a telephone fraud. Gardaí in Clare are investigating after the woman, who lives in the north of the county, was repeatedly contacted by the scammer who had claimed to be working for Amazon. The woman received an automated call which told her that she was due a refund for a subscription to Amazon Prime of €79.99 which she had not authorised for a period of months. She was instructed to press 1 and she was then transferred to the scammer who posed as a staff member. According to Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Triona Brooks, “The male on the phone who had a foreign accent gave her the name of Michael. “He requested that she log onto her Amazon Account which she did and she gave him her email address, user ID and password giving him access to all of her information. …

AN online consultation portal alongside videos, webinars and public events are just some of the measures Clare County Council has developed in a bid to encourage public engagement with the preparation of the Clare County Development Plan 2022-2028. Details of the communication methods, which will also include traditional and social media, were released at a meeting of Clare County Council, at which Councillor PJ Ryan stressed the importance of keeping the public informed on changes to the plan. The councillor urged the Council to “put in place a robust communication system to inform people whose property status changes in the new county development plan and also communicate with communities where alternative energy zoning is under consideration”. He stated that he has met members of the public after the completion of development plans who were not aware of changes that would affect their properties. “I think the traditional way of conveying to people is just not working, we need to come …

A BRAWL that took place in broad daylight on the streets of Ennis was widely condemned at a meeting, this week, of Clare’s Joint Policing Committee (JPC). Several members voiced fears over activities in the centre of the county town since the onset of the pandemic, which has seen the introduction of pedestrianisation on O’Connell Street and reduced footfall as people work from home. Clare’s Garda chief also conceded that the pressure to staff roadside checkpoints had reduced the presence of the force in the town. However, he pledged to boost the visibility of gardaí on the streets as restrictions ease. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Mary Howard referred to footage circulating on social media that appears to show two young men brawling on Darcy’s Corner, a busy junction in the heart of the town. Despite the presence of onlookers, the men can be seen to leave the footpath and exchange blows in the middle of the road, before leaving …