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A PERMANENT marker has been put in place in the townland of Killula, close to Shannon Airport, to commemorate a 1961 plane crash in which four people were killed. The crash happened early on the morning of January 27, 1961, when an air corps De Havilland DH.104 Dove crashed while on a training exercise. There were five people on board, four of whom were killed. A person involved in the preparations for Tuesday’s event said, “The air corps are laying a marker stone on a site where an Air Corps plane crashed in 1961, four people lost their lives in that crash, it was on the approach to Shannon, in a place called Killula, on the way in. “There was a temporary marker on the site but they’ve put on a permanent one, and they came down to do that on Tuesday.” He said that the crash saw the deaths of two air corps pilots and two air traffic control …

A YOUNG East Clare man, who runs a thriving beekeeping supplies shop, is a proof that it’s good advice to ‘bloom where you are planted’.   After his family moved from Holland to Tuamgraney, 23 years ago, Chris Jeuken, found his niche working with the skills and resources that nature gave him. He credits his father, Harry, an organic farmer, with inspiring him to be a self-starter. Chris moved from making and selling chicken coops, at the age of 14, to beekeeping and, most recently, to producing high-quality bee hives. His business, Apis Bee Supplies, which he started in 2017, as “a way to keep busy on wet days”, now boasts 2,000 customers nationwide. Chris admitted that adjusting to a new language and country, at the age of five, was a bit overwhelming. “Now it’s home,” he said. “There is less stress here and I like the friendliness and openness of the people, the greenness and the beauty.” Chris attended …

SIBLINGS often disagree but one set of sisters from Clare seem to agree on one thing at least: the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Biochemistry at University of Limerick being the perfect pathway for all their ambitions. As almost 3,300 new graduates were conferred at UL over five days of the 2022 Autumn Conferring Ceremonies recently, one family had extra reason to celebrate. The Ryan family from Killaloe reached a significant milestone as twin sisters, Anna and Rosaleen graduated from the BSc in Industrial Biochemistry in the Faculty of Science and Engineering recently. While it wouldn’t be too uncommon for siblings to complete the same course of study, in the case of Anna and Rosaleen they were following a career path that their two older sisters had previously walked before them. Anna and Rosaleen’s sister Kate completed the BSc in Industrial Biochemistry in 2018 and eldest sister Sally also graduated from the programme in 2016, later gaining a doctorate in …

MEMBERS of the public are being urged to have their say on plans aimed at enhancing a popular local beauty spot. A public consultation will be held in Barefield Community Centre this Thursday, September 8 from 5pm to 8pm to review the proposed design of works for Ballyalla Lake which are being developed by Clare County Council. According to the local authority the designs aim to “sensitively enhance this lakeside amenity, whilst also considering the wider environment of the lake”. Ballyalla Lake is located on the river Fergus north of Ennis, covering an area of 308 hectares, and it has been recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. It is designated as a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area for bird species in addition to being a proposed Natural Heritage Area. The designs build on the  ‘Amenity Enhancement Plan for Ballyallia Lake’ which was commissioned by Barefield Tidy Towns, supported by Clare County Council …

THERE may be Men at Work, but its still very much open for business on Ennis’ O’Connell Street with one fashion retailer even putting up a ‘Women at Work’ sign in the shop window. Water infrastructure upgrading works described as “vital” by Irish Water have been taking place as part of a project which involves replacing aged watermains at High Street, Bank Place, O’Connell Square and O’Connell Street. Irish Water say this will “provide a more reliable water supply, reduce high levels of leakage and improve water quality.” Margaret O’Brien, CEO of Ennis Chamber whose offices are based on O’Connell Street says some businesses have been affected by the works more than others, with some suggesting a discount on rates due to the disruption. However, the Chamber believe that in the long term the upgrades “are what’s needed for the good of the town”. “The works are moving at speed and that is good to see. The timing however could …

PLANS to extend an Ennis primary school will lead to an “enhanced” school experience with “better facilities” for the existing staff and students. That’s according to a report lodged with Clare County Council as part of a planning application by the Board of Management of Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg for a two storey extension at the school. If given the go-ahead the school on the Gort Road will see the development of six classrooms, a general purpose hall, two SEN classrooms and two ball courts as well as additional staff car parking and other associated works. A mobility and management report into the proposal has been compiled by P Coleman & Associates on behalf of the applicant and lodged with the planning application. It outlines that the proposed extended school will not create any additional students or trips with no planned increase in students or staff. The existing school has 471 students and 31 staff. “The purpose of the new classroom …

A WOMAN who stole from and desecrated graves in County Clare “hasn’t shown one ounce of empathy for the consequences of her behaviour”. At Killaloe District Court sitting in Ennis this Tuesday, Judge Mary Larkin made her comment about Mairead O’Sullivan (42) who has entered 18 separate guilty pleas to charges of stealing goods with a combined value of €597.50 from graves at cemeteries at Drumcliffe and Templemaley outside Ennis and also from Tulla cemetery. There are 14 victims in the case as Ms O’Sullivan of Fergus View, Cappahard, Tulla Road, Ennis, stole from the same graves on a number of occasions. At the same court in May, mother, Kirsty Donnellan described as “pure evil” the actions of Ms O’Sullivan who stole from and desecrated her daughter’s grave on three separate occasions. Ms Donnellan told the court that she was “in a state of shock, anger and despair” when finding that her daughter, Scarlett’s grave had been desecrated in May …

A NEW wing featuring a permanent exhibition of Irish Air Corps memorabilia as been opened at the Shannon Aviation Museum. Exhibits include an Air Corps Fouga Magister F216, which was formerly on display at Collins Barracks, along with a Reims Rocket Cessna 172, which was in the fleet for 47 years. The installation of the permanent exhibition coincides with the Irish Air Corps centenary. At the official opening, director of the Museum Jane Magill paid tribute to the late Eddie Ryan, who was also heavily involved in its foundation. “Eddie would have been absolutely thrilled. We’d like to dedicate our efforts and this day to Eddie and his family.” She paid tribute to the Air Corps, saying, “The display area here is intended to recognise the Irish Air Corps and their contribution to our nation. The men and women who serve us with pride and excellence, and I’ve come to know a lot of them over the last few years. …