News

Harrowing evidence of the final moments of North Clare woman and Irish Coast Guard volunteer, Caitríona Lucas, who died while assisting in a search and rescue operation off the west coast, seven years ago, was given by her crew mates at the start of her inquest today. It was accepted that Ms Lucas, of the Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard, was assisting members of Kilkee Coast Guard unit because they were short of volunteers. She was the first Coast Guard member to die on active duty. The 41-year old librarian and mother-of-two might have had survived had she still been wearing her safety helmet that had earlier been ripped off her by a wave, when she was struck by the Kilkee RIB and smashed against rocks off Kilkee Bay, it was heard. Ms Lucas, along with Kilkee coast guard volunteers Jenny Carway and James Lucey were searching the sea beneath the cliffs at an area near the “pollock …

The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, has led tributes to Ennis resident and former Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Tras Honan. Mrs Honan, who is the only woman to have served as Seanad Cathaoirleach since the foundation of the state, passed away in Waterford on Saturday, aged 93. Mrs Honan was a Senator between 1977 and 1992 and was elected as Cathaoirleach twice. When her sister, Carrie Acheson, was elected to Dáil Éireann in 1981, they were the first sisters to serve as Oireachtas members at the same time. “As President of Ireland, I am sure that I will be only one among many who will have heard with sorrow of the passing of Tras Honan, former Cathaoirleach of the Seanad,” said President Higgins. “Tras Honan was a proud Tipperary woman who broke many barriers in a long and distinguished career, notably as the first and only woman to be elected as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad. “Having moved to Ennis, …

Dairy is Ireland’s national treasure – it’s been part of Irish life and Irish culture for over 6,000 years. Today, dairy farming and dairy processing sustains 17,500 family-run dairy farms and supports 54,000 Irish jobs, which is 2.1% of national employment. Of course, this isn’t the whole story. Irish agriculture, including Irish dairy, accounts for around 37% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. The government has tasked the sector with reducing those emissions, which are predominantly methane from animals (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from fertiliser, by 25% by 2030. In 2022, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, agriculture emissions decreased, which is good news, but there’s still a way to go. In addition, there’s an increasing focus on improving water quality and biodiversity, both of which will require continued commitment and adaptability from farmers up and down the country. All that being said, Irish milk, on a litre for litre basis, already has one of the lowest carbon footprints …

Ennis has a new name in beauty following the opening of the Avène Beauty Salon in the Carmody Street Business Park last month. Avène Beauty is the brainchild of Rachel Harrison, a native of Lisheen, Ballynacally, and a familiar name in the Clare beauty community, having previously worked as a full-time make-up artist from a young age, and most recently in Aoife Garrihy Beauty in Ennistymon. Avène Beauty is Rachel’s first solo venture, and for this she has teamed up with sister-salons Sarah Dinan Nails and Enhance Your Beauty Aesthetics to provide a one-stop-shop for beauty in the Carmody Street Business Park. Rachel has just returned from a 10 month stint in Australia when, as well as offering beauty treatments to Irish expats and locals, she also took the opportunity to further her beauty training and experience, and learned new techniques and skills that are not available in Ireland. “Australia was a great experience. I completed another beauty course while …

Clare’s longstanding record of success in the IPB Pride of Place competition has continued this year with the announcement that Tourism East Clare and the Rekindle Festival of Lost Skills in Ennistymon have been named winners at an awards ceremony held in the Armagh City Hotel. Three Clare community projects were bidding for national glory in the all-island competition, which is organised by peacebuilding charity Co-operation Ireland and sponsored by IPB Insurance, to showcase and celebrate exceptional community development efforts. Nominated by Clare County Council, Tourism East Clare was named overall winner in Community Tourism Initiative category for its efforts to promote sustainable tourism development in the region by fostering relationships among local providers and offering unique tourism products and packages. The Common Knowledge project “Rekindle Festival of Lost Skills” received a Special Award in recognition of its dedication to empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for joyful and sustainable living. Meanwhile, Ennis Men’s Shed was named as …

Met Éireann is warning that Storm Debi will sweep across Ireland on Sunday night and Monday morning. The national forecaster has issued a Status Orange wind warning for County Clare valid from 02:00 to 10:00, and a Status Red wind warning for County Clare valid from 03:00 to 05:00 on Monday, 13/11/2023. There is also a Status Yellow Wind & Rain warning for Ireland valid from 00:00 to 15:00 on Monday, 13/11/2023 Met Éireann has warned that it will be extremely gusty on Sunday night and Monday due to Storm Debi with potential danger to life. Possible impacts include: damage to exposed and vulnerable structures; disruption to services and transport; significant power outages; and fallen trees/branches. Clare County Council has made preparations in advance of Storm Debi and its associated windand rain warnings. Crews will be on standby and will assess and respond to the effects of the storm. The Council is advising members of the public to exercise caution …

A LONG, golden era is about to end. For many years Liam Duggan’s moustache has been a constant presence in The Clare Champion office, but there are just weeks left for his colleagues, family and friends to enjoy its magnificence. It has now been officially announced that the long serving accounts department manager will shave it off on December 8 as part of a Shave or Dye fundraiser for Down Syndrome Clare. Indeed, if Liam raises over €2,500 he is set to dye his hair as well as removing the celebrated moustache. Speaking this week Liam was unsure how long the moustache has been around for. “I couldn’t tell you to be quite honest, but it’s going back years. I have it over 25 years anyway.” If the hair is also dyed, what colour has he in mind? “It won’t be pink anyway. If some people got their way it’d be multi coloured, I could be like Pogba! But it’s …

Gardaí are continuing to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Claire and Joe Collins at a domestic residence in Kilnaboy on Thursday, November 9. The post mortems of both individuals have been completed.  The results of these post mortems will not be released for operational reasons. The scene remains preserved and technical examinations are ongoing. The primary focus for Gardaí at this time is the preparation of a file for the Coroner. Gardaí are not looking for any other individual in relation to this incident at this time. No further information is available. Anyone with information is asked to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 684 8100 the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.