News

ON Friday October 7, Rape Crisis Mid-West is holding a fundraising quiz night at Thomond Park. The ‘Ultimate Quiz Night’ is promised to be a fun- filled night for all involved. A spokesperson said, “We are using this event as an opportunity to raise funds for us here in Phoenix House. This is our ninth year in a row to host this event. “However, we are especially delighted to be back in Thomond Park in person after two years running the event online. “Over the last eight years, the event has raised nearly €100,000 and we hope to make this event our best ever.” The quiz is taking place on Friday, October 7, at 8pm. Doors opening at 7pm. The spokesperson added, “We are inviting you to buy a table of four and then you and your teammates will rattle your brains to be in the chance of winning prize money of €500. “It’s €40 for each team of four …

CLARE County Council has backed a proposal to maintain the Local Property Tax (LPT) rate at 15% above the standard rate for 2023 and 2024, despite opposition from three councillors. Members decided not to change the LPT Local Adjustment Factor that is payable for Clare homeowners for the next two years in line with what was in place in 2020, 2021 and 2022. An amendment proposed by Councillor Gerry Flynn calling on the council to reduce the LPT for 2023 by 15% and to only apply the change for one year didn’t secure the required level of support. It was backed by Councillor Flynn, Councillor Donna McGettigan and Councillor Ann Norton but was opposed by 23 other councillors. Councillor Gerry Flynn said it is easy to get bogged down on statistics but for most people they are concerned about coping at a time when the cost of living has gone out of control. “For more than 18,000 people that are …

The life’s work and lasting legacy of the late Sr Ethel Normoyle has been recalled in the past week following the passing of the Queen of England, Elizabeth II. That’s because of the glowing tribute that the late monarch paid to the pioneering Lissycasey woman in highlighting her transformative work in South Africa where she spent most of her 50-year ministry. It was Queen Elizabeth’s encouraging words that gave Sr Normoyle’s sterling work on behalf of the people of Missionvale in Port Elizabeth worldwide exposure when she spoke at length about the Clarewoman’s labour of love to improve the lives of her parishioners over many years. It occurred on Christmas Day in 1995, when in her annual address was watched by up to nine million people in Britain and by many millions more around the world she made special mention of Sr Normoyle’s work in changing the lives of those living in Missionvale forever. “It was during my visit to …

NEW homes officially launched in Ennis this week are a “significant contribution” to meeting the county capital’s social housing need. That’s according to Ennis Mayor Clare Colleran Molloy who was speaking at the launch by Co-operative Housing Ireland of 69 new homes in Moínear, a development in Ros Leamhain, Ennis. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Tony O’Brien officially opened the estate on Wednesday saying, “The direct delivery of homes by local authorities, and Approved Housing Bodies such as Co-operative Housing Ireland (CHI), is pivotal in addressing housing need across Ireland. “The homes in Moínear are truly affordable, with rents linked to household income, and will provide security for CHI members. In addition to the 69 homes in Moínear, CHI has helped to deliver 78 much-needed homes in Clare since 2020.” He pointed out the new houses are in a residential area within easy reach of Ennis town centre and near local amenities including a shopping centre which is served …

A CLARE TD has asked that the Irish State provide support to a French-based Cratloe woman whose son was taken from her by armed police in May, following a court sitting that she claims to have been unaware of. The two-year-old boy was subsequently taken to Malta by his father, meaning 36-year-old Sarah Jane O’Brien has not seen him since, other than through photographs and video calls. The matter was raised in the Dáil on Wednesday by Deputy Cathal Crowe. A translation of the judgement from the court sitting, which took place in Marseilles in early May, stated that the boy’s father had reported the international abduction of his son in January. The judgement stated that the boy’s father “had indicated that the family, who usually reside in Malta, had come to spend the Christmas holidays in France, but that at the end of their stay on January 6, 2022, Sarah Jane O’Brien fled with the child in her father’s …

ENNIS Scouts are looking forward to celebrating on the double this weekend. September marks the 90th year of Scouting in Ennis and the 1st and 4th Clare Group are looking forward to catching up with former and current members at the official opening of their new Scout Hall on Station Road this Saturday. The new state-of-the-art Scout Hall is the result of a massive community effort and fundraising campaign. The Scout Hall will be officially opened on Saturday by Chief Scout Jill Pitcher Farrell who is the youngest and first female Chief Scout. The Ennis Scouts group was founded in 1932 and the very first meetings were held in a room above Griffin’s shop in the Square. “We have had various homes throughout the years including the building where Madden’s furniture shop is now, the old cinema and in the early 1960s we moved to our two present location which was built as a temporary hall until a suitable hall …

A LAHINCH-based artist, who is the only Irish painter with three paintings in the British Royal Collection, has described the death of Queen Elizabeth II as the “end of an era”. Michael Hanrahan feared the worst when he heard the Queen’s family were summoned to come to Her Majesty’s Balmoral Castle residence as quickly as possible on Thursday, September 8. The North Clare father-of-four was saddened when her death was subsequently confirmed. “It was the end of an era following 70 wonderful years on the throne. The Royal family has lost their mother while the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth have lost their longest monarch. Her death came suddenly enough. “To see the number of UK Prime Ministers and US Presidents she saw during her reign was incredible. For most people who are living in Ireland and the UK, they can’t remember any other monarch before she took the throne. World leaders will travel to her Funeral Mass on Monday …

VOLUNTEERS from the Samaritans Festival Branch will be at Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival from September 16-18 to offer emotional support to anyone in need. The Lisdoonvarna Festival began 160 years ago when visiting gentry came to take the waters at the spa and looked to match their unmarried children with suitable partners. Now known as the Matchmaking Festival, the event offers music, dancing and daily matchmaking sessions for hopeful singletons. Thousands of people are expected to attend the festival following a two-year absence because of Covid restrictions, but for some the weekend may be challenging. Volunteers from Samaritans Festival Branch, who come from all branches in the country, will be available from September 16 to 18, to anyone who wants to talk. Samaritan Festival Director Tony Leech believes that this year more than ever it is important that people have a chance to talk about their feelings following the difficulties they may have had to cope with during the past two …