Lifestyle

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was officially launched on Sunday afternoon to throngs of people who gathered in the county town to celebrate this momentus occasion. Crowds lined the streets as the festivities began with a parade through the town centre. Ennis came alive with the sound of music, as groups found spots to set up and play awaiting the arrival of President Michael D Higgins. Special tribute was paid to the late Clare singer, Robbie McMahon whose song, The Fleadh Down in Ennis, has been rolled out once again in celebration of the talent that has descended on Ennis for the 2016 All Ireland Fleadh. Addressing the masses in Abbey Street Car Park, and those onlooking from balconies and windows overhead President Higgins, paid tribute to Robbie and this iconic song quoting, “They came from the North and they came from the East from the West and the South ‘twas a thriller to see”. Robbie was also mentioned in the …

A RESCUED Ennis dog is to represent County Clare at the forthcoming Nose of Tralee competition, which is being run by Pet Sitters Ireland. Rooney, a Hungarian Vizsla rescue dog, is the Clare contender and owner, Orsolya Shannon outlined how far he has come since he was rescued from the pound last year. “He was already four years old when we found him in the local pound, nervous and scared. From the first day, he has been eager to please, loving, playful and a wonderful companion for us and our other Vizsla, Abby. The irony is not lost – we rescued him and now he is in training to become a search and rescue dog. His hard-working, loyal nature and outstanding nose means he has flown through training and should soon be qualified,” she said. Rooney was selected as one of 32 dogs nationwide that are in contention for the Nose of Tralee title and was selected out of 1,200 …

THE protection of the environment is the theme of postcards designed by young people from across the county, which have been distributed throughout Ennis to coincide with Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The Green Fleadh Postcard Competition for primary schools sought designs on the themes of litter and waste recycling, energy, water and travel. The winning postcards, which have been selected by the Green Fleadh team, are designed by Eabha McNamara, senior infants, St Mochulla’s Tulla; Dylan Williams, first class, Ennis NS; Sarah Gorman, fourth class, Clarecastle NS and Conor Farrell, fifth class, Corofin NS. The postcards featuring the successful puplis’ name, class and school are being made available at a number of locations, including the Fleadh Office Headquarters at Áras Contae an Chláir, the Fleadh Office in the Market, Ennis Tourist Office, Ennis Chamber of Commerce on O’Connell Street and the Visit Clare Office in Abbey Street Carpark. “The Green Fleadh team has implemented measures to keep Clare clean and …

KILRUSH RNLI lifeboat crew are holding their station open day this Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. Another big event over the busy weekend will be an opportunity for boating and sailing enthusiasts to have their lifejackets checked. The open day on Sunday allows members of the public to visit the RNLI station, see the lifeboat and, most importantly, meet the crew who volunteer their time to help save lives at sea. Weather permitting, it is hoped to have the Shannon-based rescue helicopter, Rescue 115, along for a display, as well as plenty of other activities. Meanwhile, on Saturday from 7pm to 9pm at Kilrush Marina, there will be a free lifejacket clinic. Members of the public can bring their lifejackets and find out how to wear, check and maintain them. Kilrush RNLI crew are asking people to #RespectTheWater by visiting RNLI.org/RespectTheWater, where they will find information on coastal hazards, how to keep themselves safe and what to do should they or someone else …

SITTING in the Old Ground Hotel after a busy Fleadh Nua in Ennis, an ambitious plan was hatched, a plan that will be realised with the welcoming of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to Ennis. The initial idea for the Abbey branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann to bid to host the festival was decided upon on that fateful day by Micheál Ó Riabhaigh, Rory Casey and Frank Whelan. After a number of attempts to win the coveted title of host town, this month will see the culmination of the hard work of the Abbey branch, along with supporters of the bid from across all sectors. Frank Whelan of the Abbey branch remembers the day when the notion to bid for the Fleadh first occurred. “On a Sunday after Fleadh Nua, five or six years ago, Micheál, Rory Casey and myself were sitting having a cup of coffee and that’s where the plan was made to bring Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to …

Two new garda recruits got quite a surprise when they inspected Shannon Airport’s VIP room today (Tuesday). Gardaí Jordan Perez and Ceejay McArdle a duo with their own heroic stories, got an insight into how it’s possible to meet just about anyone – including their hero, Munster and Ireland rugby star CJ Stander at the airport. Ceejay (4), from Castleblaney, County Monaghan and Jordan (8), from Sixmilebridge, were deployed to Shannon to assist in security checks for the day and when they checked the VIP room they found the internatinal rugby player. The special security officers were detailed to the airport as part of an ongoing community initiative by the Garda Relations Bureau (GRB). Ceejay, who is undergoing intense treatment for leukaemia, last year became an Garda Siochana’ s youngest ever member and this weekend Jordan, who is wheelchair bound with muscular dystrophy, joined him on the very special beat courtesy of Chief Superintendent John Kerin and Superintendent Brendan McDonagh. …

A Corofin man has become the first Clare person to win the World Cup Trout Fly Angling Championships, adding another accolade to his already impressive record. The O’Loughlin name is synonymous with game angling. Three members of the family from Newtown, Corofin – Patrick, Thomas and Seamus – have represented Ireland at international level. However, Monday was Thomas’s day when he took the title at the World Cup Trout Fly Angling Championships on Lough Mask. All three brothers competed alongside hundreds of anglers from Ireland and abroad over the bank holiday weekend. After qualifying from the heats, Thomas went on to win by a comfortable margain in the finals on Monday, ending the day with a catch of 12 trout, with a combined weight of 13.43lbs. His nearest rival was Jonathan Craven of Connacht, who caught eight fish, with a combined weight of 8.51lbs. “No Clare man has ever won it. I was delighted. I won it well in the …

Clare County Council has teamed up with the creators of internet animation series Sminky Shorts to launch a new environmental initiative which aims to change dog owner behaviour in relation to dog litter. Funded under the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government’s Anti Litter Awareness Grant Scheme, the 80-second animated short highlights the responsibility of dog owners to clean up after their dog and features two cartoon pug dogs humourously conversing at the Cliffs of Moher. “The Sminky Shorts clip is a promotional tool and fun way to bring attention to the need for dog owners to take responsibility for their animals litter” explained Karen Foley, Environmental Awareness Officer with Clare County Council. “The clip will be used on Facebook and Twitter as a means of helping promote awareness of our Green Dog Walkers scheme and will also be included in part of our primary schools litter awareness programme,” she added Green Dog Walkers is a new scheme …