Lifestyle

WHILE most people in the Killaloe Ballina region welcome the proposed construction of the new bridge and bypass road around Killaloe, the compulsory purchase of property process is one that gives rise to great uncertainty for landowners affected. Many are left unclear and uncertain as to the steps involved in the process and their legal entitlements in the procedures being adopted by the acquiring local authority. People in the Killaloe/Ballina area are not alone in this. Many landowners throughout the country have found themselves in a similar position in recent years, particularly as much land and property was acquired for the construction of our new motorway schemes. Simply put, there is a need for clearer information to be made available to people affected so that they can avail of their full rights to representation and compensation, given the particular circumstances of their case. Every case of property being acquired is different; for some it can involve the severance of their …

The quotation about history repeating itself has many variations, one of which originated with the Spanish philosopher George Santayana who wrote in 1905 that, “Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it”. In this country you might sometimes wonder if maybe we are doomed to remember the past and then forced to repeat itThere have been many splits away from the original Sinn Féin of Arthur Griffith and his companions, many of which involved issues of principle. Each group then formed their own party with all, of course, claiming legitimacy in their ideals. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Clann na Poblachta, Workers Party and Democratic Left can all claim to have evolved from the original Sinn Féin. You could question whether the Sinn Féin party that sits in the Dáil at present are in fact a direct result of a split. They grew from Provisional Sinn Féin that came about as a result of an attempt to end …

HUNDREDS of secondary students descended on Ennis recently for Buntáiste Breise na Gaeilge, a series of Irish language careers seminars. Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge are hosting the seminars for secondary school students all over Ireland. To date, An Chomhdháil has held 16 ‘Buntáiste breise na Gaeilge’ seminars all over Ireland in the past three years. An Clár As Gaeilge welcomed the seminar to Ennis with Breandán MacFhionnghaile describing it as a great success. These seminars cater for second level students all over Ireland.  Guest speakers and well-known personalities will speak on the advantages which the Irish language has afforded them in their chosen careers. Among the guest speakers in Ennis were cathaoirleach Kevin de Barra, RTÉ newsreader Siún Nic Gearailt, musician Conor Keane, Emer Ní Flaitheartaigh, Irish officer for Clare County Council and Dónal Ó hAiniféin, principal of Gaelscoil Mhichil Chiosóig, Ennis.As part of the seminar, questions from the students are welcomed, which give rise to lively debate about such …

With Mothers’ Day taking place this weekend, The Clare Champion takes a look at some of the presents on offer for the county’s yummy mummies.There are some gorgeous items available this year and the great news is that there are presents on offer for every budget. As with any celebration, a handbag, a purse, a bottle of high-end perfume or a nice piece of jewellery is a particularly welcome gift but there are plenty of other things out there. A carefully thought-out top or scarf is usually a winner but remember to include a gift receipt, in case your taste isn’t as good as you think it is. A relaxing gift set sends the right message to an exhausted mammy and perhaps an offer to do some house work might make a nice complement to this offering her the time to chill out and enjoy her present.Given the straightened times, another option is to give the mother in your life …

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A NEW book recalling a century’s worth of memories from the past of Ennis’ Steele’s Terrace, is set to help vulnerable people of the county capital into the future. The book, Steele’s Terrace, More Than a Century of History, Pictures and Memories will be launched by the Steele’s Terrace Centenary Committee next Thursday. Proceeds of the book, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of street, will go to the St Vincent de Paul.The book features a wealth of historic photos, a detailed account of the area’s past, memories from residents and vivid descriptions of life on Steele’s Terrace down through the years.The book has been compiled by former member of The Clare Champion’s production staff Paddy Brennan, in collaboration with Simon O’Donnell, Anthony Lynch and Larry Brennan. Paddy, formerly of 24 Steele’s Terrace, said he is delighted that what started out as a small idea, has grown into a comprehensive history of the area.“I’m exceptionally pleased with the way the book …

DECLAN O’Shea’s friends could effortlessly talk about him all night. The anecdotes kept rolling even if most of them cannot be repeated publicly. But when it was nearly all said, Clive Kelly summed up how himself, Declan Downes and Leonard O’Halloran felt about their stricken friend.

AN Ennis man is hoping to become a role model for Clare gay men by taking part in 2012’s Mr Gay Ireland competition.