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A KILLALOE woman has taken on an incredible challenge of completing a 250km triathlon within 24 hours in aid of two charities. On August 28, 27-year-old Jade Hoynes will be embark on the gruelling test which will consist of a 4km swim of Lough Derg, a 200km cycle, finally finishing off with a 46km run. The demanding undertaking is to raise funds and awareness for two charities that are incredibly important to both Jade and her family, Samaritans Ireland and Sejare Adult Respite House, Limerick. Jade, who works within her family business Palm Free Irish Soap had previously taken part in RTÉ’s Iron Mind series with Niall ‘Bressie’ Breslin. The series enlisted the help of experts in everything from psychology to nutrition as four ordinary people with their own mental health challenges took on the task of competing in a half-Ironman event. It was this event that encouraged her to take on this newest triathlon challenge. Jade recalls her first …

THE owners of a West Clare art gallery are urging the public to shop local this summer, writes Jessica Quinn. Kilbaha Gallery has backed the newly launched Irish SME Association (ISME) ‘Shop Local’ campaign for consumers and businesses. Liz Greehy, co-owner of Kilbaha Gallery, said, “Here at Kilbaha Gallery we have been so lucky to be surrounded by a wonderfully supportive community on Loop Head who have always made shopping local a priority. “Throughout Covid, although our doors were firmly closed, our business was actively trading online and the support we received nationally in Ireland from people prioritising Irish purchases was outstanding. “This was wonderful for us as a gallery but also the benefits of which were felt right through to the homes of the artists themselves who were delighted to be able to continue producing and selling truly great art and bringing a smile to homes throughout the country. “Shopping locally and within Ireland produces a very important ripple …

CLARE Youth Service launched QQI Level 4 Creative Media Technology Awards this week during their virtual annual Awards Ceremony. Leaving Certificate Applied Learners were also awarded on the successful completion of the programme. After almost two years of blended learning and a challenging learning environment for all young people, 20 new graduates celebrated their achievements and resilience which were recognised at the virtual awards ceremony. This has been a unique journey as each of the graduates were compelled to spend many hours on screens in their homes due to the pandemic. However, they persevered to complete their programme, and this perseverance was lauded by Edel McDonough, Manager of the Community Training Centre who thanked all staff and learners for their hard work and creativity throughout the past two years, “This certification both in Creative Media Technology and Leaving Cert Applied opens up exciting pathways into the future for each young person and this celebration marks the end of a journey …

THE number of people receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment in Clare dipped by just over 250 over the last week. According to figures from the Department of Social Protection there were 4,278 receiving the payment on Tuesday of this week, down from 4,529 seven days earlier. At one point in 2020 there were almost 15,000 people receiving the payment in Clare. While international travel may have been suspended, there are still many visitors taking ‘staycations’ in Clare, bringing money into Ennis and coastal areas of the county. The numbers receiving the PUP have been falling for some time and it has been closed to new entrants for the last three weeks. Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said that numbers receiving the payment across the State have fallen and are continuing to fall as the economy reopens. “For the first time since its introduction, the number of people in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment has fallen below the 200,000 …

TULLA is to get a fresh lick of paint to the value of €10,000 after councillors chose it for an annual funding scheme designed to inject vibrancy into towns and villages in the Killaloe district. Councillor Pat Hayes formally proposed Tulla, commending the efforts of local groups to keep the town looking well. “This scheme has worked very well in the past,” he said. “It’s particularly welcome in recognition of the efforts of Tulla Tidy Towns. Great efforts have been made by them. We can’t paint the derelict buildings, that would be quite difficult, and that’s an ongoing issue that the council should try to resolve.” The motion was seconded by Councillor Alan O’Callaghan. “The Community Supports Scheme for Town and Village Paint Works is a great incentive to every town and village to bring back colour,” he said. “It worked to great effect in Kilkishen and it’s ongoing in Quin at the moment. There is a great Tidy Towns …

DESIGN work on the proposed Scariff to Limerick Greenway is to begin now that contracts have been signed, Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD has confirmed. Deputy Cathal Crowe, who is his party’s tourism and aviation spokesperson, described the potential of the 41km route as “transformational in South and East Clare”. The project, led by Waterways Ireland in conjunction with the ESB and Clare and Limerick County Councils, will result in a greenway stretching from Scariff to Killaloe, along the Errina Canal, crossing the River Shannon at the Black Bridge near the University of Limerick (UL) and on to Limerick City. “There are really good road linkages between south and east Clare and Limerick City but a greenway will take people off the beaten track and allow them to experience the natural wonders of our county,” Deputy Crowe said. “The old Errina Canal was once one of the busiest waterways in Ireland but has fallen into a state of dereliction over the …

CHILDREN walking to a local school are being forced out onto the road due to localised flooding, writes Jessica Quinn. Calls are being made on the local authority to carry out works over the school summer holidays to address flooding issues, and a “current road safety hazard” at Doora National School. The Ennis Municipal District is now set to contact the school to identify their concerns. Councillor Johnny Flynn, speaking at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District urged the Council to, “carry out works over the summer school holiday period to reduce the current road safety hazard being experienced by Doora National School going children and vulnerable pedestrian road users”. The councillor said issues of speed and volume of vehicles at that location were problematic, and that the works would also address the winter localised flooding at the location which at times forces children out onto the road carriageway. He said that there are around 100 vulnerable road …

THE Shannon Archaeological and Historical Society has published the latest issue of its journal, The Other Clare, writes Owen Ryan. While the pandemic has posed undoubted problems for the Society, spokesman John O’Brien said that it has actually attracted new members in recent months, having moved its events online. The latest edition of The Other Clare is now available from local outlets, and as ever will be much appreciated by those with an interest in local history. The new edition is the 45th volume of The Other Clare, and the cover carries a fine illustration of the former Sixmilebridge Market House, drawn by artist Hillary Gilmore. The original structure was built to the design of the noted architect John Rothery in 1733, but regrettably only a much reduced remnant of the original building now survives. About 20 authors contributed papers ranging in date from the early Christian period to the early twentieth century. Among the medieval essays, Rosemary Power contributes …