Lifestyle

WE are on the Christmas countdown and are well and truly in the office party season. Whether or not your work place is planning a dinner and drinks night or just an after work get-together, you will want to get out of your work clothes or uniform and let your personality shine through. The shops are packed with bling at this time of year so don’t be afraid to avail of the trend, as this is sparkle season.When going straight from the office to a party you will, of course, have to pack at least a pair of glam shoes and a bag. When you are not obliged to wear a uniform at work, you obviously have a lot more scope and can plan your basics and accessorise accordingly. The basics for this season are a printed silk blouse, tux-style jacket and, of course, a pencil skirt or embellished or printed pants.Never wear to the office what you would wear …

It was an occasion that did justice to the one-time popular television documentary This is Your Life. The special guest was a local personality and the event took place in familiar surroundings and many neighbours and friends from all parts of Clare participated.The guest was Brother Sean MacNamara, the occasion was his 85th birthday and the venue was his former home in Kilmurry McMahon, which has been developed into the Rambling House meeting place by local man Paul Markham.The host for the evening was Mr Markham, who had his own Red Book on the life and times of Brother MacNamara.He told the gathering that October 10, 1927 was a very happy day for Michael and Margaret McNamara of Kilmurry East, Kilmurry McMahon, as on that day their second son, John, was born. It was also a day of jubilation for his five-year-old brother, Daniel, as he would now have a brother to play with and later to attend the local …

The minister of State for Public Service Reform and the OPW has confirmed a viewing platform at Mooghaun ­Hillfort, Newmarket-on-Fergus, is to be reconstructed, following its sudden removal last year. Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey had been working with a group of concerned citizens regarding the removal of the viewing platform, which is an integral part of the Mooghaun site. Following local concern that it would not be replaced, Deputy Carey said he was pleased to learn from Minister Brian Hayes that the OPW will reinstate the viewing platform, which has been a feature in Newmarket for decades. Commenting on the issue, Deputy Carey said, “The viewing platform was removed from the site late last year, with no notice or consultation. The structure itself contained a staircase together with railing and an information board. “The platform was a unique feature of Mooghaun, as it offered such magnificent views. Its removal, together with the associated information board, was a real …

There is almost an entire generation of Roman Catholics who are used to the fact of non-Italian Popes and who might even consider it the norm. We have gone 34 years since the last Italian pope. John Paul II was elected in 1978 and the current 265th Pope, Benedict XVI, was elected in 2005. Older generations would have taken the election of an Italian cardinal for granted and would remember the hope and expectation that greeted the election of Cardinal Karol Wojtyla. Not only was he the first pontiff from Eastern Europe, he was the first non-Italian elected to the Papacy in over 400 years. The previous non-Italian was Adrian IV, a native of Utrecht in the present Netherlands who was elected in 1522. His reign was short lived and only lasted one year, 248 days. In earlier times, non-Italian popes were far from unusual. Indeed, Benedict XVI is not the first German and in the second millennium there have …

{morfeo 164}

AFTER 14 years on TV3 Alan Cantwell has announced he is leaving the station. Cantwell was a household name around the Banner county before coming to national prominence, having worked on Clare FM when the local station first hit the airwaves.

SUICIDE has taken a terrible toll throughout the country and West Clare has suffered as much as anywhere.

THE death occurred in England recently of Clonlara-born Gertrude Beckett née Madden, aged 100 years. She was born at Erina Lock, Clonlara where her father, David Madden, was the lock keeper and her mother, Ellen, was the district midwife.