East Clare

THE person most linked with the famous Fair of Spancilhill in modern times will be specially remembered at this year’s event. As part of the weekend celebrations, a stone monument will be unveiled in memory of the late Robbie McMahon, the person credited with bringing the song of the Spancilhill Fair to a worldwide audience. Robbie died last December at the age of 86, after a short illness. However, his name will live on through the song and now the stone monument, situated at Spancilhill Cross, will be unveiled by Robbie’s wife, Maura, on Saturday, June 23,at 8.30pm. The ceremony will be followed by music and singing in nearby Duggan’s pub. The monument was commissioned by members of the Spancilhill Fair Committee, who engaged Kilnamona sculptor Michael McTigue for the project. Sculpted in limestone, it features an etching in granite of the late Robbie McMahon, along with some lines and notes from Spancilhill. Also engraved are an image of the …

A NEW visitor centre in Mountshannon to facilitate the hundreds of tourists viewing the first white-tailed sea eaglets on Bushy Island may be provided in the coming months, if plans come to fruition.

THE parish of Killanena/Flagmount has received a funding boost of €230,000, which will go towards the development of a community centre. The funding was sanctioned to Loughgraney Community Development Association this week under the Rural Development Programme for the proposed multipurpose facility, which will be located in Flagmount village. The building will comprise a sports hall with changing rooms and toilets and it is envisaged that the hall will be suitable for social, educational/training events and a variety of indoor sports. Speaking about the allocation, development association secretary Kathleen McNamara said the group is delighted with the news that they can now press ahead with the provision of this long awaited facility. “We are thrilled. It is great for the Killanena/Flagmount parish and surrounding area because it will be of benefit to the whole North-East Clare area. It is something we have been trying to achieve for years and it is great to see it come to fruition at last,” …

PHASE two of Cnoc na Gaoithe, the Tulla Comhaltas Cultural Centre is almost complete and is due to be opened to the public at the Féile Chnoc na Gaoithe at the end of June. At the Gathering event, which runs from June 28 to 30, the second phase of the cultural centre build will be opened, unveiling the newly restored oratory of the old convent.  As part of the renovations, the original stained glass windows are to be reinstalled. The oratory will house a collection of photographs and memorabilia commemorating the Sisters of Mercy in Tulla since 1883, which has been donated by the Sisters of Mercy. According to the committee up to 10 local people have been employed in the construction phase of the development and approval has been given to the centre to provide employment for two people under the Tús scheme. These posts will be in respect of caretaking and administration.The original parlour in the former convent …

Kilkishen fashion student Michael Stewart has been announced as the overall winner of The Limerick School of Art and Design, LIT, Graduate Fashion Show.

The culmination of a pioneering student engagement with the life and work of Edna O’Brien was brought to life with a dramatic performance at Scariff Community College last Thursday.

Scariff Community Co-op goes moneyless this weekend as a new market spearheaded by local resident, Deirdre Morrissey has its first day out.

The first tally is in for the annual Tuamgraney Mayoral election and current mayor Ted Minogue is holding poll position following the launch event last weekend.