Lifestyle

Over one third of people in Munster do not have a pension, according to recent figures. 62% of Munster people surveyed have a pension but one fifth of these have reduced or stopped contributions according to a survey on behalf of Friends First. It also showed that 17% of people in Munster are currently unable to meet their monthly financial commitments with little lift in sight as over half of participants surveyed feel less optimistic about their personal finances for 2013, compared to 2012. Commenting on the findings, Simon Hoffman, Business Development Director, Friends First, said, “This research suggests that we are working our way towards a pensions time bomb. Financial pressures on Munster families continue to hamper people’s ability to save and meet their monthly commitments.” “With a new property tax on the way, householders are going to be faced with an additional financial challenge at a time when they cannot take much more. As a result more and …

THE Irish Parliament in the late 1700s was in no way representative of the country. Catholics and Presbyterians, who constituted a large majority of the population, were excluded.   The country was ruled by the King’s Viceroy and the Church of Ireland members of the parliament in Dublin and even then, any law they passed had to be approved by Westminster. They were also charged with the defence of the country and by the end of that decade, they were in a sorry state. There were widespread fears of a French invasion and there were very few troops in Ireland. Most of the troops stationed here had been sent to ‘the colonies’ to fight the American War of Independence. The government could not afford to replace the troops so a part-time military force was raised by local gentry to keep law and order and defend the country from invasion. Initially, about 10,000  joined the Irish Volunteers but within three or …

A SERIES of countywide information seminars are being planned for the month of October, advising communities of LEADER funding for community heritage projects.Clare County Council’s Community Built Heritage Animator Programme aims to support local community groups to develop project proposals that are eligible for the funding through Clare Local Development Company.  These may be large or small heritage buildings or other structures. The Lakeside Hotel in Killaloe will be the venue for the opening information seminar on Tuesday night with the second planned for The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis on Thursday night, October 18. Further information nights will be held in The Stella Maris Hotel, Kilkee on Tuesday, October 23 and The Falls Hotel, Ennistymon on Thursday, October 25.All meetings start at 7.30pm and will be of approximately two hours duration.  

AS temperatures begin to drop and home heating becomes a necessity, OFTEC, which represents the domestic oil heating and cooking industry in Ireland, is warning of the dangers of carbon monoxide.They warned that many householders are still unaware of the risks of this potentially deadly substance when it comes to oil-burning appliances.“Carbon monoxide is traditionally associated with gas appliances. We are concerned the message isn’t getting through to householders using oil and other fuels. This is a particular worry when you consider there are almost half a million households using oil in this country,” David Blevings, Ireland manager of OFTEC said.“Feedback from our technicians would suggest that householders believe the risks only apply to gas. This is a key reason why this year’s campaign highlights that anyone who uses an appliance that burns any fossil fuel whether it is oil, coal, peat, wood or gas should take appropriate action,” he continued. Mr Blevings advised that all fossil fuel-burning appliances should …

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Author Darragh McManus talks moral fables, educated vigilantes and working to the soundtrack of his own screams with Brendan Daly

A NORTH Clare woman is turning her passion for fashion into a career.

Fifty years on from Vatican II, the Catholic Church still has much work to do to fulfil the council’s objective of ­being a church of openness and ­co-responsibility, the Diocese of Limerick stated this week.