Lifestyle

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ONE Ennis man is proving it’s never too late to learn a new skill and to fulfill a dream he never previously had the time to see through.Aidan Deegan from Cusack Road, Ennis, at the age of 73, is the oldest music student at Maoin Cheoil an Chláir. For the past two years, he has been learning the guitar under the expert tuition of Terence O’Reilly. He is currently on summer break from his classes but is due to recommence classes for the new term in the second week of September.Terence says Aidan is an inspiration to others to follow a dream they may have to learn music.“Many people have wanted to learn how to play an instrument all their life and for one reason or another, probably because they were too busy, they never got to do it. It’s a great choice of activity and pastime for someone who has retired,” Terence explains.He adds that he has students coming …

TWO East Clare artists are joining forces for a unique open day at one of their homes this weekend. Painter Eamonn Murphy from Clooney and knitwear designer Steph Gahan from Glendree, Feakle, are well known for their work.Eamonn’s paintings, mainly in oils, are inspired by his travels throughout Asia, mainly India, and the contrast between the busy Dutch landscape and the more natural countryside in Ireland.He says he has paintings scattered all over the place in private collections but not in public buildings. He has exhibited and sold paintings in various galleries and has had some exhibitions, including group shows in Dublin and Belfast, as well as in Clare Library a number of years ago and in Limerick about two years ago.He and Steph both went to the Limerick School of Art and Design and have been friends for a number of years. Originally Steph trained as a ceramic artist but also did a pattern design course in the Grafton …

WHITE Strand beach, Miltown was a hive of activity on Sunday as the Munster Nipper Open Water Surf Lifesaving Championships were held. In total, 149 young people between the ages of eight and 14 competed from counties Clare, Waterford and Cork.The beach events included 50m sprints and 25m beach flags and the water-based events included a 200m swim, 200m board race, 200m fin race and 200m taplin relay in which competitors swim, use paddle boards and run.While medals were awarded to the competitors placed first to third, points were awarded for placings. It was the cumulative score of these points that determined the overall winning county, which was County Clare.The National Nipper Surf Lifesaving Championships will be held in Inchydoney, County Cork on September 4. All competitors who competed at the provincials will now compete on a national level. ResultsGirls 8 25m flags: 1. Leah McMahon; 2. Laura Devitt.Girls 9 25m flags: 1. Amy Lenihan.Girls 12 25m flags: 2. Aoife …

A TEXT message from a friend held an unmistakable note of desperation: “Flew d coop! I’m at…X” I responded instantly: “Good on ya! X.”Before I knew it, I was packing a bag to fly “d coop” myself – by myself. Driving somewhere – anywhere – would be the perfect opportunity to test out my latest brainwave – audio reading. And I’m hooked. I discovered a whole new way of ‘reading’ those books I never seem to get round to. An unqualified and unexpected success, I must say.The Knockmealdowns and The Vee beckoned and I was willingly led. Journeying on and needing directions, I approached a local chap parking his car in his yard. Pulling up alongside and lowering my window, I made my enquiry and was given specific, correct directions. A doberman, who frolicked around him playfully as we chatted further, suddenly hopped up on the gate post. Regal hardly describes her demeanour as she sat, gracefully poised, mistress of …

TWENTY years after what became an annual mass was celebrated on Canon Island, on the Shannon Estuary off Kildysart, pilgrims made their yearly journey to the island last Sunday afternoon. The mass was celebrated by outgoing parish priest Fr Neil Dargan, who has been moved to O’Callaghan’s Mills recently. Dozens of pilgrims made the journey to the island last weekend. Canon Island is about 1½miles east of Kildysart situated at the confluence of the Shannon and Fergus. It was anciently called Elanagranoch and in the 12th century Donald O’Brien, king of Limerick, founded or rebuilt a priory here for Canons Regular of the order of St Augustine. The ruins, which are situated at the north-eastern extremity of the island, consist of a square tower and a considerable portion of the body of the building, which is said to have covered a quarter of an acre.  

PROJECT Ennistymon will host a fashion show and expo next month highlighting the variety of products and services available in North Clare.“The fashion show itself promises to be a real treat. The first in the county to display the autumn/winter 2010 collections, the attending public will be ahead of their peers in the fashion stakes after this one,” said organiser Sharon Malone.“The show comprises a fast-paced floor show that will have you running to the shops the very next day. “Eleven shops from Ennistymon, Ballyvaughan, Miltown Malbay, Kilrush and Ennis are taking part and every age group and both men and women will be catered for. There will be a mix of professional and local models strutting their stuff on the catwalk that night,” Sharon continued.The show and expo will include a wine reception and ticket holders will be given the opportunity to mingle and view the exhibition stands in a relaxed, informal environment.There will be over 25 exhibitors from …

THERE is a real respect for theatre in rural Ireland but it was much more pronounced up to the 1950s. It arose in no small way because of the Fit Ups and the Touring Companies. They all travelled to the towns and villages of the country and while most played in halls some actually brought their own “hall” with them and built a marquee with timber walls and canvas roof where they performed each night.At one stage it is estimated that there were as many as 80 touring groups criss-crossing the country. Some of them became known to later generations under different guises. Cyril Cusack, Anna Manahan,  Hal Roach,  Milo O’Shea and Sandy Kelly all started their careers in touring companies as did many of the early cast of The Riordans – John Crowley (Tom Riordan) and his wife Annie d’Alton (Minnie Brennan) ran their own company, The Tara Players.  Another more famous “graduate” of touring Ireland was Nobel prize …