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FIVE Clare schools have been chosen to take part in a new programme aimed at supporting walking and cycling infrastructure for primary and post-primary schools. St Flannan’s NS, Inagh, Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg, Inis, Holy Family Junior School, Ennis, Holy Family Senior NS, Ennis, and Clonmoney National School, Newmarket-on-Fergus, were among 170 schools nationwide selected in the first round of the Safe Routes to School Programme. The scheme was announced in March of this year, with 932 schools, representing almost one in four schools in the state, expressing interest. The schools selected were assessed against a range of criteria including school type, location and the school’s commitment to sustainable travel. Clare’s Green Party Senator Róisín Garvey has said that the scheme will offer a variety of benefits. “Safer routes to school are needed outside every school in Ireland. This is something I’ve worked passionately on for years inside and outside of politics. “We know that children in schools across Clare want …

A MAN refused a request from his wife, who was suffering from two minor heart attacks, to call an ambulance, a court has heard. At the Family Law Court in Ennis, the woman alleged that she was suffering from chest pains at home when she sought assistance from her husband. The two are married over 40 years and have previously given undertakings in court not to enter each other’s bedrooms and bathrooms at their home. In her application for a Protection Order against her husband, the woman stated after she made the request for the ambulance her husband “told me to f-off and he wouldn’t call an ambulance for me”. The woman told Judge Mary Larkin, “I had to call the ambulance myself and I was brought to hospital.” The chest pains were later diagnosed as two minor hearts on examination at hospital. The woman told Judge Larkin, “He drinks heavily, shouts at me and calls me nasty names. He …

THE East Clare Memorial Committee will hold a small ceremony on June 29 to mark the centenary of the last civilian killed in the Irish War of Independence in Clare. Jim Grogan was shot dead by British forces, while he was making his way to mass in the Feakle area. The 44-year-old has been largely forgotten and the Committee are determined that they shine a light on his death and on his life. According to the historian, Dr Tomás Mac Conmara, who is Secretary of the East Clare Memorial Committee and who has researched the story over many years, Jim Grogan was an entirely innocent victim of British aggression. The British military implied in their reporting of the incident that because Jim Grogan was shot close to where a trench had been dug to impede their forces, that he was a dangerous figure. In fact, Grogan was entirely unarmed and was not of a capable disposition to do harm to …

GORT River Walk recently saw the launch of a unique geolocated audio experience along its banks that celebrates the legacy of a famous Irish composer. David Murray, who has worked tirelessly with his colleagues in Gort to make the River Walk what it is, launched the Carolan’s Rambles Sound Walk and praised the vision of Sinead Hayes and Katharina Baker who drove the project along despite the unsettling year that has been. The roots of this venture span back to the 1700s when composer and famed musician Turlough Carolan was busy entertaining his hosts throughout Connaught, Clare and south Ulster until his death in 1738, at the age of 68. The year 2020 was the 350th anniversary of the birth of Turlough Carolan and Sinead Hayes, a young Galway musician, has made sure that we remember the legacy that Carolan has left to Irish music. Together with Katharina Baker of Coole Music and Arts, they have encouraged a phenomenal outpouring …

Students in Knockanean National School’s second and third class visited St Joseph’s Hospital on Monday to finally come face-to-face with residents they had been corresponding with over the last few months. From April to June this year, as part of the Artist in Schools Scheme, local artist Rachel Macmanus with the co-operation of second class teacher Ciara Felle, third class teacher Tina Gavin, as well as Caitriona Crotty, the Activities Co-Ordinator for St Joseph’s, pupils had written letters to their ‘pen pals’ in St Joseph’s. The project was overseen via Zoom due to pandemic restrictions, with Rachel and the teachers helping the students write letters to St Joseph’s residents; on the other side, Caitriona Crotty read out the letters at the hospital and assisted the residents in replying to them. The scheme concluded on Monday when the two classes came to the hospital to show the murals that they had painted for their pen pals, featuring all the things they …

AFTER turning 75 in May, the Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora has this week tendered his resignation to the pope. Bishop Brendan Kelly, a former Parish Priest of Lisdoonvarna, also celebrated his Golden Jubilee having been ordained 50 years ago this week. Bishop Kelly was born in Derrybrien, County Galway, in the parish of Ballinakill in 1946 to Seán and Annie Kelly. He was the second of nine children. He attended Craughwell National School and later boarded at St Mary’s Diocesan College in the City. After his Leaving Cert, he applied to study for the priesthood in the Galway diocese. He was sent to St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, in September of that year. As a seminarian, he completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1967 and a Bachelor of Divinity Degree in 1970. On June 20, 1971, he was ordained by Bishop Browne in the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas. His first appointment was …

ONE of Ireland’s premier celebrity couples have been living it up in the Banner county in recent days. Brian O’Driscoll and Amy Huberman have been busy making their appreciation for Clare known via their instagram accounts. Recent posts by the couple have attracted a huge amount of attention and a thousand welcomes from Clare users of the platform The former rugby international sought dining recommendations on his Instagram stories. Actor Huberman has also been busy posting highlights of her trip. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amy Huberman (@amy_huberman) Clare people were quick to weigh in with suggestions to O’Driscoll’s request and some al fresco dining on Kilkee beach ensued. Huberman’s picture of her chips from Nolan’s attracted over 17,600 likes.

“BEGGARS can’t be choosers” Aer Lingus CEO Lynn Embleton was told on Tuesday, in response to the airline’s repeated demand that the airline not be required to give guarantees on connectivity, in return for taxpayer’s money. Ms Embleton ruled out any reversal of the decision to close the Shannon cabin crew base, a move that she claimed would actually hinder the resumption of Aer Lingus flights from the airport. At the meeting Clare TD Joe Carey put it to her that the real reason for the closure, was to get out workers who have been with the company for long periods. “I’d like you to back up your charge that the cabin crew base in Shannon is inefficient, because that’s your charge. “Really and truly could you not admit that the only reason you’re targeting Shannon is because of the loyal service that the base has delivered there, because these people are working there between 20 and 34 years,” he …