News

By Owen Ryan CLARE TD Michael McNamara chaired a hearing of the Legal Affairs and Human Rights Assembly of the Council of Europe this week, which was addressed by US whistleblower Edward Snowden, who addressed the Strasbourg hearing by video link from Russia. The 30-year-old former US Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency contractor leaked thousands of documents revealing the extent of surveillance being carried out by US authorities. Now wanted in the US, he is in exile in Moscow. Mr McNamara said that what some of what Snowden told the hearing about spying on people involved in the protection of human rights. “He said the US Government had spied on human rights workers, had specifically targeted bodies like the International Human Rights Watch, the National Security Agency (NCA) had specifically targeted leaders and staff members in a number of NGOs, including some in the United States,” Mr McNamara explained. Mr Snowden addressed the hearing on the same day …

Read our full 12 page supplement detailing the Brian Boru commemorations in Killaloe, which begin this weekend. Read the supplement online here.

By Dan Danaher RENOWNED Killaloe accordion player, Martin Connolly was presented with an award during the Kincora Music Weekend recently. Martin accepted the award on behalf of his family as the accolade was an official recognition of the huge contribution made by the Connolly family to Irish music, song and dance. Martin received a piece of glass crystal with an inscription the “Fort of Kincora”, which is a reference to some of his previous work. He will also be honoured in his own home town by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE) during the Clare Fleadh. CCE Ard Sturthoir, Labharas O’Murchu will present Gradam an Chomhaltais to the Killaloe native. Clare CCE public relations officer, Councillor Joe Arkins said it was fitting that Mr Connolly should be feted in his own home place following his “immense” contribution to Irish traditional music, in particular accordeon playing. In addition to winning several All-Ireland titles as a performer, Clare’s first citizen noted he had repeated this …

A 22 year old Cooraclare man, who is a student chef at Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) has won the Student Culinarian of the Year award at the IFEX culinary competition in Belfast. Patrick Phillips, who is in his first year of a Higher Certificate in Culinary Arts in GMIT’s Galway campus, is also employed part-time at Aniar, Galway’s only Michelin Star restaurant. He won the accolade for his starter of goats cheese parfait, main course of pan-fried monkfish and dessert of baked apple. Speaking to The Clare Champion this week, Patrick cited his mother, Emyh, as a major influence in his chosen profession. “It started with my mam, who is from the Philippines, where food is a big part of their culture. I grew up in the kitchen watching her cook. Then in my teens I started watching cookery programmes and I got inspired by the likes of Gordon Ramsey and Heston Blumenthal. I started experimenting in the …

By Dan Danaher VOLUNTEERS  in the twin communities of Killaloe and Ballina will don suits of armour this weekend as they turn back time to stage battle re-enactments as part of the Brian Ború Millennium Commemoration. A weekend of family fun and entertainment has been organised for the main flagship event to commemorate 1,000 years since the death of Killaloe’s most famous son.  The Boru commemoration celebrations have the potential to generate an estimated €1.8 million in the region during 2014. A business plan, prepared by the Killaloe Ballina organising committee, also expects the year-long festival to generate an extra 5,800 extra bed nights in the area. Visitors to Killaloe and Ballina will step back in time and experience a glimpse of life in medieval Ireland during this weekend’s festivities. Organisers have announced a comprehensive programme for the event, which marks the 1000th year anniversary of the death of Brian Ború who lived and reigned as High King of Ireland …

By Owen Ryan   THE effects of the extreme weather of January and February are just a memory for most people now but in one corner of Newmarket-on-Fergus parish, a number of people remain marooned in their homes because the flooding has yet to subside. Hilary Gough, who lives in the townland of Ballycar, says the level of flooding in the area has only recently started to drop, nine weeks on from the storms that wreaked havoc across the county. At the moment, there are four houses, one unoccupied, that are inaccessible because of flooding on either side of the approach roads. Until recently, a fifth house was also inaccessible. Ms Gough is critical of Clare County Council’s handling of the problem, accusing them of having “never tackled the issue (flooding), despite being aware of it for years”. “There’s a huge health and safety issue here. The council has a duty of care to the residents that they’re not fulfilling, …

By Owen Ryan ELEMENT Six is to expand its operations at Shannon over the next 18 months. At the moment it is unclear how many if any new jobs will be created, but at the very least it secures the future of the local operation. In a statement issued to The Clare Champion on Wednesday afternoon, the company outlined the position. “Element Six can confirm that following a strategic review of the company’s global production operation the company has decided that, in order to best meet future customer requirements, and to improve company-wide operational efficiencies, the existing Shannon production activities will be expanded over the coming 18 months. “The planned investment will allow the company to realise a more efficient and responsive operation better serving the needs of their global customers. Further details of the expansion will be made available early in 2015.” The news follows the company’s  recent announcement of the closure of a plant at Robertsfors in the south of …

SHANNON Airport’s route promotion endeavours have won international recognition again as it claimed the ‘Highly Commended’ award for Airports under 4m passengers at the Routes Europe Airport Marketing Awards in Marseille. The only Irish airport shortlisted for what are the most prestigious awards in the aviation industry in Europe, Shannon received the recognition for its exploits in marketing the airport over the past 12 months. The City of Airport Bremen was the outright winner of the awards, with Shannon ‘Highly Commended’ in its category ahead of John Paul II International Airport, Kraków-Balice, Poland; George Enescu International Airport, Bacau, Romania; Begishevo Airport, Russia; and David the Builder Kutaisi International Airport, Georgia. The awards provide the airline community with the chance to have their say as to which airport or destination they think provides the best overall marketing activities to them. The Awards took place at Routes Europe Networking Evening in Marseille, France and were hosted by Marseille Provence Airport. Shannon also …