News

COUNTY Clare’s tourism sector will be showcased nationally this week when RTÉ’s Today show broadcasts live from Ennis. This Wednesday, May 26, Dáithí Ó Sé will broadcast part of RTÉ’s popular afternoon programme from Ennis. Dáithí will meet John McCarthy from Lahinch Surf Club, who’ll show him a few moves. Also featuring will be Harry Hughes from the Willie Clancy Summer School, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Mary Howard, and John Burke and Aoibhin Garrihy from The Armada Hotel at Spanish Point. TV chef Mags Roche will be cooking up a storm at The Old Ground Hotel where Dáithí will also meet local food producers, Siobhan Ni Ghairbhith from St Tola Goat Cheese and Patricia Farrell from Wilde Irish Chocolates. Dáithí be chatting to All Ireland champion hurler, Anthony Daly, and Clare camogie star, Orlaith Duggan, but he’ll also be putting his own hurling skills to the test. Dáithí will complete a hurling challenge with Clare senior hurler David McInerney …

WITH more and more people experiencing the great outdoors Gort Cancer Support have come up with a novel fundraising idea which is sure to grow in popularity. The community based support service is asking people to host a garden party in aid of their ongoing work. “Just pick a time and date between now and the end of August, invite family, friends or neighbours and ask them to donate to our support centre in return for your hospitality. Sweet or savoury, coffee or cocktails, dress up or dress down – the choices are endless,” said a spokesperson. You can register your intention to host a party by emailing  info@gortcancersupport.ie or via WhatsApp to 086 1724500. All those who register before Monday, June 7 will be in with a chance to win a prize. “Let’s enjoy being able to meet up outdoors again with the benefit of helping raise much needed funds for friends and neighbours in South Galway/North Clare affected by a …

Local Sikh and Baha’i people thankful for solidarity as coronavirus runs riot in their homeland SHANNON has a significant Indian community and its members have been watching with trepidation as Covid-19 spreads throughout their home country. Paramjit Neote first arrived into Shannon 33 years ago, and established a factory, Shannon Aircraft Motorworks, which he subsequently sold. Some of its employees formed the first wave of people from India to live locally. “When we set up in 1988 there was huge unemployment here, but then things changed very quickly after the Gulf War and there weren’t people available, so we brought 15-20 families here to work for our company and that was the first batch of Indians that came to Shannon,” he recalls. He said that Covid restrictions had become relaxed in India, which led to a huge spread of the virus. “They had precautions like we have had here, social distancing, masks. But when things were under control they dropped …

A QUICK Pick ticket which was sold at a shop in Clare came within one number of sharing the Lotto jackpot of €6.4 million on Saturday. The ticket was sold at Loughville Motors Centra store on the Lahinch Road in Ennis and came agonisingly close to sharing the big prize. However the owner of the ticket still has plenty to celebrate with the Lotto match five plus bonus prize worth €61,382. Anybody who bought their ticket at the store is being urged to check their tickets. “With so many big winners in Saturday’s Lotto draw, we are asking everyone who bought a ticket for the draw to check their tickets carefully,” said a National Lottery spokesperson. “If you are one of the winners of these prizes, stay calm and be sure to sign the back of the ticket and keep it in a safe place. Someone has won the €6,489,165 #Lotto Jackpot! 🥳🌟#ItCouldBeYou pic.twitter.com/Lo1cMvxnAf — The Irish National Lottery (@NationalLottery) …

DESPITE returning negative Covid tests, two Clare hurlers will continue to self-isolate and step back from training. In a statement, Clare GAA confirmed it had asked the two players who were deemed close contacts last week after the Wexford game to “step back from training and game activity once they were named”. The players, as a consequence, had to isolate for the intervening 10 days from notification. “Following voluntary testing of the two nominated Clare players they were deemed to be negative but will still be isolating,” the statement said. “At all times Clare GAA teams adhere to the guidelines laid down by the HSE and the governing body of our sport. Clare GAA will take on board at all times the advice and support provided by the health authorities. “Clare GAA will endeavour to ensure the strictest management of health and safety during Covid and non-Covid times for all Clare GAA teams and request that the clubs of the …

AN ONLINE quiz for members of Clare’s LGBTQ+ community will take place next week as part of efforts to reduce the sense of isolation reported by members. It follows research conducted by the LGBTQ+ Clare Project which showed 70% of respondents felt discriminated against on the basis of sexual identity, while the vast majority wanted more opportunities to connect with other members. The project, which has recently rebranded as ‘Quare Clare’, will hold its first online social event on Friday, May 28, from 7-9pm. “Our online survey in March found that 80% of LGBTQ+ people who responded said they would like more connection with other LGBTQ+ people in Clare, and it was clear from written responses that there is a big demand for a social outlet or LGBTQ+ group in Clare,” said Njabulo of Quare Clare. “So we are very excited to host what will hopefully be the first of many social events.” Another member, Meabh Sexton, said the event …

A CLARE ladies football club is one of five around Munster taking part in a new programme to attract more girls into the game. Crusheen Ladies Gaelic Football club will be running a new programme called Gaelic4Girls, commencing on June 5. Gaelic4Girls is initially an eight-week programme aimed at increasing participation in Ladies Gaelic Football. The programme targets girls aged between 8-12 years who are not currently registered with a Ladies Gaelic Football Club. Focused on fun and participation, Gaelic4Girls allows girls to get an introduction to Ladies Gaelic Football in a non-competitive environment. It will be held at Crusheen GAA grounds every Saturday morning, from June 5 with full details of times to come on the Crusheen Ladies Football Facebook Page. On completion of the programme, participants are presented with certificates and jersey for their participation. Following the eight weeks, the girls will be encouraged to register with Crusheen’s Ladies Football club, and those that do will be integrated …

Kerry and Limerick families can earn €5k more and access housing assistance THE plight of working families who are unable to access housing support because of “bizarre geographical discrimination” was highlighted in a joint motion from seven councillors at the May local authority meeting. The matter was raised by Councillors Cillian Murphy, Gerry Flynn, Tony O’Brien, Johnny Flynn, Shane Talty, Pat O’Gorman and Pat Hayes who called on the housing minister to review the maximum household income thresholds as a matter of urgency. Councillor Murphy outlined his concerns by describing a hypothetical case of a young woman, with three small children. “She works part time in a local business and earns €180 per week,” he said. “She gets income support of €152 and one parent allowance of €226 per week. “She is separated and doesn’t receive any maintenance, so her grand total income is €558 per week. Her rent is €165 per week and she pays out €240 every week …