News

Detailed imaging of a massive steam ship, which sank off the Clare coast 125 years ago, have been revealed as part of the most detailed underwater survey ever undertaken in Ireland. On November 26, 1898, the SS Premier was undertaking the final leg of its voyage from Hamburg in Germany to Limerick when it sank just off Scattery Island. The ship, which was on charter to the Limerick Steamship Company at the time, was carrying a cargo of 600 tonnes of sugar when it went down. The SS Premier sank after it was involved in a collision with the paddle steamer, The Mermaid, between Scattery Island and Kilcredaun Point. The vessel sank within fifteen minutes of the collision and its crew took to the boats and were picked up by a passing steamer. The Mermaid’s bow was badly damaged and was forced to return to Limerick for repairs. This new imagery of the SS Premier has been compiled as part …

A fundraising campaign which was set up to help support the family of an Ennis teenager who died in Slovenia has had an “incredible” response with hundreds of people giving donations. The online fundraiser launched in the wake of the tragic passing of musician Seán Shannon surpassed its initial target of €5,000 within a couple of hours of being set up, and so far more than €21,000 has been donated. 18-year-old Seán, a talented pianist from Connolly Villas in Ennis, was found dead after going missing in Bled last Friday where he was holidaying. His loss has led to an outpouring of grief locally with many tributes being paid to the youngster. Ennis Councillor Mary Howard who set up the fundraising campaign explains that the monies raised will go towards alleviating the “considerable expenditure” the Shannon family are facing following their loss. Any unspent funds will be donated to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust which aims to alleviate the financial hardship …

AN Ennis doctor who helped save the life of a hurling fan after he collapsed in a busy Dublin train station has modestly told us, “I think there was a lot of luck involved and I was in the right place at the right time.” Dr Carly Lewis, who is originally from the Tulla Road in Ennis, sprang into action and performed CPR on the man who is in his 70s after discovering he had no pulse. Fortunately he is now doing well, and following the experience Dr Lewis is appealing to the public to get Basic Life Support training saying, “The more people who are trained, the better the outcomes all round”. Dr Lewis was in the Drumcondra train station with her sister having come from watching Clare play Kilkenny in the All Ireland semi-finals in Croke Park when the emergency situation unfolded. She recalls they were about to get on the train when she noticed a commotion on …

Scariff has that festival feeling Newly crowned, Clare Junior All-Ireland Camogie Champions, received a rousing reception as set dancers battered the floor to the Tulla Céilí Band bringing Scariff Harbour Festival 2023 almost to a close. Darkening clouds and squally showers had earlier threatened the enjoyment of the festival opening on Friday night when Monica McWilliams, Co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition endeared and captivated her audience at Waterways Marina, marking the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Signatory of that Agreement, she was accompanied on stage by the Mayor of Clare, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG), Brian Treacy, newly appointed Waterways Ireland Western Regional Manager and Mike Rodgers, Chair of Scariff Harbour Festival Committee with Jim Collins as MC. Undeterred by any weather threat, the festival was a huge success bringing thousands into the town and on to the streets over the four-day event. Qween Tribute band led by vocalist, Brian Keville was hugely popular while northern bands …

Ennis family overwhelmed by the support of the local community as their baby is diagnosed with a rare condition AT just three months old, Kody Meaney from Ennis, described by his parents as their “superbaby”, has already endured three surgeries after being diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic condition. Little Kody’s family were stunned when they were told that he had been born with a condition called Megacystis Microcolon Intestinal Hypoperistalsis Syndrome (MMIHS). The life-long condition with no cure affects the bladder and gastrointestinal system and Kody has been in the care of Crumlin Children’s Hospital since he was born five weeks premature on March 27. His family need to be with him at all times and mum Lea has been staying in Dublin while dad Conor has reduced his hours of work so he can be with them as much as possible. According to Lea they are at “a loss for words” at the support they have received since …

ONE OF Golf’s most prestigious tournaments will come to North Clare in 2026, it was revealed this week.  On Monday afternoon (July 10), as members gathered for the last County Council meeting of the year, Chief Executive Pat Dowling broke the news, which had been confirmed just an hour before the gathering.  “One of the oldest and most prestigious event in the world of golf, the Walker Cup will take place in Lahinch in 2026,” Mr Dowling said. “The tournament will take place on the first weekeend in September. This is only the third time for the tournament to be held in Ireland in 100 years. Limerick can have the Ryder Cup, Clare will take the Walker Cup. The even will be live on TV in US and Europe and Clare County Council will be fully supportive of it. Lahinch will continue to build on its already strong reputation. This is a worldwide golfing event and securing it is another …