Regional

ENNIS-based FASD Ireland, the country’s first national hub to support individuals, families and carers living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), is to be awarded €200,000 in funding. The announcement was made by Minister for Disability Anne Rabbitte (FF) in the Dáil recently. Minister Rabbitte said, “Approximately €200,000 in funding will be awarded to the FASD Ireland in Clare for the national hub. I commend the work it has done in putting in place the telephone line and supporting families when there is such a deficit in Departments and the HSE in terms of taking on the mantle of providing support. I compliment the team in Clare on what it is doing. I am very supportive of it.” Welcoming the announcement, CEO of FASD Ireland, Tristan Casson-Rennie, said, “I am delighted that Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder has been discussed in detail in Dáil Éireann. FASD Ireland has some key asks of Government, importantly that FASD is recognised as a disability …

Plans are underway in Kilrush to restore the former Mars Cinema building to its former glory with Clare County Council confirming the site is to be evaluated for potential re-development. Following a public tender process, the Council have commissioned a private tourism consultancy, Tourism Development International (TDI) for advice, and a feasibility study of the site commenced in January. An Cathaoirleach for West Clare Municipal District, Councillor Ian Lynch (Ind) has said he hopes a public meeting to be held in Kilrush in early summer will outline the study’s findings and seek community feedback on the emerging concepts for the former cinema. The Council says the aim of the study is to examine if there is a market opportunity to develop a viable attraction or business at the buildings and lands, for the benefit of the local community and visitors alike. And it maintains a future concept plan for Mars Cinema must be fully informed by the local economic context …

IT has now been confirmed that Tesco is coming back to Shannon Town Centre after a 16 year absence. The retailer will actually be returning to the area of the Centre where it was once based, with the reopening set to happen in the near future. Shannon Town Centre manager Kacper Zybert said that the deal has been concluded with Tesco. “It has been confirmed, everything has been set up, they will be here shortly,” he said. He said that the final date of Tesco opening hasn’t been established yet. “It depends on a few things, I don’t have the date yet,” he said. “What’s happening at the moment is that Dealz has to be moved and until we have the unit finished for Dealz then they can’t come in.” However he hoped it will be very soon, potentially by the end of April. “We have the Dealz unit nearly ready. All we have to do is glaze the windows …

THE land, water and sky at Ballyalla Lake on the outskirts of Ennis provide the inspiration for the latest solo exhibition by local artist Evelyn Sorohan. Change of Climate is the title of the body of work which is on view at glór until Thursday next, April 25. “My exhibition is mixed media and it explores the climate emergency and biodiversity loss and I aim is to challenge viewers to understand why we must take stock of what we stand to lose unless we act now. If we don’t take corrective measures right now, species that are under serious threat will disappear completely,” warned the environmental artist. While recovering from illness, swimming in the natural ecosystem of Ballyalla Lake was her go to by way of therapy. The flowers, dragonflies, butterflies, swans, birds, and geese that she saw gave her a lift and she thought deeply about their status in the ecosystem. She undertook research through the National Biodiversity Data …

ENNIS ratepayers are facing an “inordinate burden” due to increased valuation on properties while ongoing roadworks disrupt many businesses in the town centre the Mayor of Ennis has said. Speaking at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Councillor Pat Daly (FF) commented that for many ratepayers in Ennis, “They are finding it very difficult and business is way down”. At the meeting he sought advice on “how best to postpone the inordinate burden on Ennis rate payers arising from the recent increase on valuation of properties, pending the completion of the current works taking place in the town.” However he was informed that there is no mechanism in the absence of Ministerial approval for the waiving of all or part of the annual rates in any part of County Clare for upgrade and or development works. Trina Rynne, Financial Accountant, Finance and Support Services,with Clare County Council told the meeting that in 2023 the National Revaluation programme, managed …

PEACE group Shannonwatch have organised what it calls “a major national mobilisation” against the US military use of Shannon Airport, which will take place this Sunday. The demonstration will call for an immediate end to the use of the airport by the American military, and it is being supported by a number of antiwar organisations and the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign. It comes on the back of a number of recent protests at the airport, one of which restricted passengers ability to use escalators in the terminal, and another which saw people go past the perimeter fencing around the runway. “We welcome the Irish government’s calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and their intervention in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel,” said Edward Horgan of Shannonwatch. “However, this means nothing if they don’t do everything in their power to cut off the supply of weapons and other support to Israel. “One of the immediate actions Ireland must take is to …

“I HAVE never been as happy as I am now,” talented 17-year-old River McGann tells us as he celebrates being crowned ‘Fiddler of London 2024’ at the weekend. There was success on the double for Clare in the prestigious international competition with Doora-Barefield teenager Jack Dilleen also being named ‘Up and Coming Fiddler of London’. The musicians both travelled to London at the weekend where they showcased their talents at the Fiddler of London Festival taking place across two days at the London Irish Centre. River was among 12 finalists who took to the stage at the festival’s grand final on Saturday night. Judge Donál O’Connor praised River for demonstrating “a uniquely individualistic, creative, stylistic and confident demonstration of fiddling beyond his young years.” Speaking to The Clare Champion River says he was stunned to take the overall title of ‘Fiddler of London’. “There were a couple of names I was expecting him to say when he was calling the …

The ancient tradition of the May Tree Dance will be celebrated afresh in Carron next month, with members of the public invited to join Edwina Guckian for a one-off event in the Burren. The Clare dancer has discovered ancient descriptions of the dance, which dates back thousands of years, and is using these description to develop of modern approximation of how our ancestors might have danced. The event, which is being organised by the BurrenBeo Trust, will take place in Carron on May 6, but there will be two free workshops this weekend for anyone who wants to learn more about the dance and the ancient pagan May traditions in Clare. “In ancient times people would decorate their May tree, which is usually a hawthorn tree, the tree of the fairies. Bealtaine is a really busy time for the fairies and the devilment that they get up to, or so our ancestors would have believed,” said Edwina. “The idea of …